The West End News - October Election Edition 2020 - Vol. 20 No. 10

OCTOBER 2020.VOL. 20, NO. 10. PORTLAND, MAINE.

PORTLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER. FREE!

THE ELECTION ISSUE

Absentee Voting in Maine:

Your vote is secure

By Tony Zeli More people are requesting absentee ballots than ever before. In fact, the city clerk in Portland handles up to 600 absentee ballot requests per day. Meanwhile, national headlines highlight concerns of voter fraud and election security. So, can you feel certain that your vote is secure?

What about fake ballots?

A Guide to Portland's 6 Ballot Questions on Pg. 4

Get to know your city council candidates

By Tony Zeli Voters have mostly made up their minds in 2020, right? Two national polls of voters in September showed only 3% of likely voters were undecided in the Presidential race. But what about locally? Do you know who you are supporting for Portland City Council? Be ready for new names on the ballot, recognizable names

INSIDE THE ELECTION ISSUE

VOTING INFO: Vote safely despite Covid-19. How to register to vote and get a ballot online. If you vote in person, please wear a mask. Learn more about voting in Portland on Pg. 3.

In Maine, only registered voters can request an absentee ballot. Election officials simply do not count votes for people who are not registered voters. So, any nation-state, political party, or other bad the clerk is processing your application if actor looking to print fake ballots would you’ve already sent one. In Maine, ballots have to make sure they are for people are not available until thirty days before who exist and who are on the voter rolls. the election. But the clerk’s office will mail Why do I keep receiving vote- out ballots once they arrive in early October.

by-mail applications?

If you are a registered voter, you have probably received more than one absentee ballot application in the mail. Organizations with names like the Center for running for different offices, and a general Voter Information claim to have mailed lack of opportunity to put any name to a out 731,000 unsolicited vote-by-mail balface. lot applications to people in Maine in SepAt least at the state level, the ballot tember alone. identifies the candidates’ political parties.

While these applications are not But in Portland, city campaigns are non- coming from the City of Portland or the partisan, and often Democrats run against State of Maine, they are legitimate forms.

Democrats anyway. So, that’s no help. And So, feel free to use them to request your Cont'd on Pg. 3 ballot. But not if you have already requested one. No matter how many applications you mail in, the clerk’s office will reject any duplicates. Each voter receives only one ballot.

Did they lose my ballot?

Page 15 We need elected leaders who will support local businesses



vote

Could my ballot be stolen?

As a voter, you sign everything. As such, to intercept a ballot before it reaches a voter would require forging a signature – both difficult and illegal.

“With over 20,000 absentee applications we make sure the envelope is signed,” says Portland City Clerk Kathy Jones. “We are not handwriting experts and have not been trained to do so. The voter’s application for an absentee ballot has their signature on it, it then gets attached to each and every ballot.”

Maine voters can feel secure that our absentee voting system has the safeguards required to prevent the kind of widespread voter fraud that could tilt an election.

Don’t worry if you haven’t gotten Tony Zeli is publisher and editor. Reach your ballot yet, it is safe to assume that him at thewestendnews@gmail.com.

Page 16 Bright Idea:Vote early for climate justice!

Page 18 Election got you down? Practice positive thinking.

Page 19 Our astrologer points out aspects of Trump’s and Biden’s natal charts to watch Page 20 'This Halloween in History' Trivia

Page 17... Urban Trees: Wanting to know their true economic value

Page 15… Andrew Zarro & Viva: Keeping the culture alive

Page 21… Busting the myths of breast cancer screening

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THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

This Close

To be this close to woodpeckers walking backwards catbirds calling out to friends goldenrod not making me sneeze to earth and grass almost unknown as an urban child.

How have I come here landed in soft hands willows and spruce oaks and maples a wild ravine chattering life where bucks and does and fauns may shelter from busy roads not far.

To be this close to the beauty of everything while masters of emptiness swim secure in gold-plated Nothing threatening to drown us in the decadence and the greed of their addictions.

They would begrudge me even this small September sunny happiness under willows my side to the sun feet flat on the grass this pen in my hands these thoughts of children the good we do create what love we may harvest.

-Anna Bat-Chai Wrobel (2017)

OUR READERS

Remembering Photo Market's Peter Doe Peter Doe, owner and operator of Photo Market on Forest Avenue in Portland, passed away on Wednesday, September 16th, at the age of 65.

Doe was a supporter of local newspapers, a regular advertiser in The West End News and alternative print papers. Peter Doe was an active member of Portland Buy Local and an important part of Maine’s photography community running one of the few independent camera shops in Maine.

Publisher and editor Tony Zeli said of Peter Doe, “I will miss Pete’s irascible nature and his genuine support for the independent business community of Portland. I often saw him at Buy Local events, and I would stop in and visit him at the camera shop to discuss his ad. He always had an idea to share and kind words about the paper.

His support will be missed.”

The whole world reads The News!

Jinsol Lee at a bus stop in his hometown in Korea catching up on The West End News.

Submit your photos to: thewestendnews@gmail.com

SUBMISSIONS WEN is a community newspaper and we need your voice! You may share your submissions with thewestendnews@gmail.com or send to: The West End News Attn: Editor 795 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04102 • Letters to the editor should be no more than 300 words. Include your name, neighborhood, and phone or email for confirmation.

• Op-eds should be no more than 700 words and include a brief biography of 1-2 sentences.

• WEN also accepts poetry, cartoons, and photo submissions.

Deadline for publication is the fourth Friday of every month. Our column space is very limited, publication is not guaranteed, and submissions may be edited for length and content.

Thank you for sharing your voice!

CORRECTION In the September edition, PelotonPosts interview entitled “Jess Falero and Cullen Ryan talk about homelessness,” Page 13, the photo of Jess Falero did not credit Kate Bispham.

ELECTION 2020

City Council Candidates Cont'd from Pg. 1

locally important issues – whether divisive like the housing crisis or more perfunctory like the efficient delivery of city services – break down less neatly into our favorite partisan boxes. Is it a blue or red issue to want the city to plow the streets this winter?

Of course, Covid-19 reduces or eliminates opportunities to canvas and reach voters in person. As if it wasn’t hard enough for a local candidates to get attention during a Presidential election year, but to compete with a pandemic, as well?

And candidate forums are not likely, either.

I asked Chair of the Portland Democratic City Committee Simon Thompson if Portland Dems had any events, even virtual, to help voters get to know their local candidates. “I wish I could be more helpful!” Thompson replied… “We are not planning any forums for local candidates, since our focus has shifted quite squarely to the federal races here in Maine…”

How about Progressive Portland, the group the Portland Press Herald as recently as 2017 described as a “new force” in Portland politics? In the past, they have mailed voter guides to Portland voters. But co-founder Steven Biel said that while the all-volunteer group is planning to make endorsements, any kind of voter guide is not likely this year.

Indeed, it will take work for voters to stay informed about the local candidates.

But to help get you started, here is a list of what seats are up for Portland City Council and who is on the ballot. Only off-peninsula voting districts 4 and 5 are up this year, as well as one at-large seat.

(All districts vote)

Justin Costa, 147 Pleasant Ave. #1 https://www.justincosta.org April Fournier, 1241 Washington Ave. https://www.aprilforportland.org Ronald Gan, 202 Washington Ave. https://itstimeportland.com Laura Kelley, 72 McKinley Ct. https://www.laurakelleyportland.com

City Councilor District 4

(Your polling places are St. Pius Church, 492 Ocean Ave., or First Baptist Church, 360 Canco Rd.) Rosemary Mahoney, 49 Illsley St. https://www.rosie4portland.com Andrew Zarro, 69 George St. https://andrewzarro.com

City Councilor District 5

(Your polling places are Deering High School Gym, 370 Stevens Ave., or Grace Baptist Gymnasium, 476 Summit St.) Kenneth Capron, 1375 Forest Ave. #D11 http://memoryworks.org/2018/C4ME/ index.html John Coyne, 111 Saugus St. https://twitter.com/coyne_5 Mark Dion, 45 Allison Ave.

https://www.facebook.com/SenatorDion

Kathryn Sykes, 73 Alba St. No website found.

Information on Voting Absentee or In Person During the coronavirus pandemic, the Portland City Clerk’s Office is trying to ensure everyone can safely register to vote. Portland residents can register early by mailing in a Voter Registration application – often called a voter registration card – that you can download from the city’s website.

voting, it has become especially popular as voters seek to avoid crowds at the polls.

You can call the City Clerk’s office (207-874-8677) anytime within ninety days of an election to request an absentee ballot or print the application from Secretary of State’s website. Once completed, mail the form to the City Clerk Office or fax it to 207-874-8612.

Don’t forget to sign your envelope and return your ballot to the municipal clerk no later than 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. As an option you may return your ballot to the clerk’s temporary office in the Merrill Auditorium Lobby via the Port-Tix entrance on Myrtle Street. Do To register, you must provide proof not take your ballot to your polling place of identity and proof of residency. A driv- to turn it in. er’s license or state identification card with a current address meets both crite- Vote In Person ria. If you mail in your voter registration Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at card, you must send proof of identity such 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. All polling locaas a photocopy of your driver’s license or tions are ADA compliant. other photo ID. Polling locations will look different If you have any concern or question considering Covid-19 safety measures. regarding your voter registration status, This means election workers will spread email elections@portlandmaine.gov or out the voting booths, provide plenty of call 207-874-8677. hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray, and use plexiglass barriers, face shields, and No-Excuse Absentee masks. Voters are encouraged to wear a Voting mask or cloth face covering when voting.

Or you may fill out your voter registration in person at the Clerk’s temporary space in the Merrill Auditorium Lobby. Don’t forget, you can also register to vote on Election Day, right at your poll!

So, no excuses.

In Maine, you may request an absen- Find your polling place: https://www. tee ballot without specifying a reason. por tlandmaine .gov/1117/PollingSometimes called no-excuse absentee Places.

3

Compassionate & Innovative Memory Care

City Councilor, At-Large

Voting During Covid Do you need to register?

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Memory Care In every season of change, we’re here to help.

(207) 878-0788 FallbrookWoods.com Portland

4

ELECTION 2020

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Portland Ballot Question Guide 2020

P

ortland voters will decide on six local ballot questions this November.

Five of the six questions are being raised

by People First Portland, a local volunteer-based progressive group whose organizers hail from the ranks of the Berniecrats and Democratic Socialists. These questions contain a lot of legislation and any one of them could be transformative for the city. How are voters to make an informed decision?

Question A: Minimum Wage

Question B: Facial Surveil• Increases the minimum wage to lance Ban $15/hr. over 3 years

Asks voters to increase the minimum wage by $1 per hour every year until it reaches $15 in 2024, and then increases with inflation each year. The last time the minimum wage was raised in Portland, it was set to $10.68 per hour and increased with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

That law was superseded by the state law passed by voters in 2016. Currently the minimum wage in Portland, and the rest Organizers are trying to get the word of Maine, is $12 per hour, with a tipped out, but as People First Portland campaign wage of $6/hr. organizer Glen Gallik noted, “…we’re not • Increases the tipped employee going to be going door-to-door talking wage to 50% of the minimum with people – the risks are just too high.” wage Gallik was concerned about misinformation being spread but encouraged voters Employers would pay workers who to ask themselves what their lives might receive tips in Portland half the minimum be like if these referenda were to pass. wage, reaching $7.50 per hour once the minimum wage reaches $15. If tips do not Jake Karaisz, also a campaign organizmake up the difference up to the $15 miner with People First Portland agreed that imum, the employer pays the difference. the pandemic would make it difficult to inform voters and “rallies and big events • Requires 1.5x minimum wage are out of the question,” but you may see during a state of emergency People First Portland out tabling and tryIf the State of Maine or the City of ing to safely reach voters.

Portland issued emergency proclamations For those Portland voters who want like during the current Covid-19 pana deeper dive, you can find the complete demic, workers would be paid at least ordinance language for all the referenda 1.5 times the minimum wage. At the curon the City of Portland website. For a rent minimum wage rate, the hazard pay more digestible summary of key elements, increase would equal $18/hr. By 2024, at here is an outline of what these questions a new $15 minimum wage, the minimum hazard rate would be $22.50. ask Portland voters to approve.

• Bans the use of facial surveillance software on groups or members of the public Portland councilors voted unanimously in August to ban the use of facial recognition technology by the City. Councilor Pious Ali first proposed the ban in November 2019, but the council did not approve it until after demands issued by Black Lives Matter organizers. All this occurred after the referendum had already made the ballot. The city’s top attorney has said that if the question is approved by voters in November, it will take the place of the current ban. And it goes considerably farther.

• Provides the right to sue and collect damages

“We’ve put a lot of energy into our lawn signs which are going up around town and will be rolling more out as we get them painted,” said Glen Gallik of People First Portland. The group is responsible for five of six local ballot questions that go before Portland voters this November.

-WEN file photo

Question D:Tenants’ Rights

• Caps most annual rent increases If facial surveillance data is illegally to the rate of inflation gathered or used as evidence, allows for civil action against the City of Portland A Base Rent is created for all regisand its contractors for damages of up to tered units ($50 to register) based on cur$1,000 plus attorney’s fees. rent rental agreements, as of June 1, 2020.

Notable exempted units include public • Allows your cell phones housing and owner occupied multi-units Exempts the use of facial recognition with four or fewer units. Other exempon privately owned consumer devices and tions include hospitals, dorms, and churchwhen used to manage secure entry like at es. health care facilities.

• Housing Safety Office establishes an Allowable Increase Percentage and a Tax Rate Rent Adjustment annually Question C: Green New Deal In addition to an Allowable Increase • Requires publicly funded buildings to use up-to-date environ- Percentage (based on inflation), if the mil rate is increased in the City, then a propmental standards… erty owner may get an additional Tax Rate Requires all building projects receiv- Rent Adjustment of up to 5%. There are ing $50,000 or more in public funds grant- other mechanisms to increase the rate ed by the City, such as affordable housing rent can go up, too. For instance, when projects, be built using up-to-date envi- a new tenant moves in (up to a 5% inronmental building standards, LEED Silver crease). However, under no circumstances Standard to be specific. may a property owner raise the rent of a • ...and be built with solar-ready unit by more than 10 percent in any given year. Tenants may appeal these increases or living roofs with the rent board that this referendum To aid stormwater management and would establish. promote biodiversity, living roofs may • Incentivizes property owners to include roof gardens, green roofs, landprovide 90-day notice for evicscaped roofs, and such. tions • Workers on these projects reProperty owners must give 90 days’ ceive extra pay and training written notice to the tenant before they Workers would be required to take can terminate tenancies-at-will. a 10-hour training course for safety and • Creates a tenant/landlord board firms must pay prevailing wage rates set to review rent increases and setby the city or state depending on which tle disputes is higher.

The city council appoints 12 mem• Strengthens workforce housing bers, 7 to fill at-large seats and 5 from requirements each of the city council districts. Suggests Currently 10% of units in new build- appointing no more than 3 property owning developments (of 10 units or more) ers and at least 3 tenants. Members serve must be affordable to people making without compensation for 3-year terms 100% of Area Median Income (AMI). This that would be staggered so 3 seats are up question asks to raise these requirements every year. to make 25% of units affordable to those This board would have the power to: making 80% AMI. Also, asks to increase the fee developers must pay to opt out of this requirement from $100,000 to $150,000 per unit.

• Decide on applications for rent increases greater than those allowed by the ordinance

• Creates an annual report detailing the city’s use of fossil fuels

• Grant or deny appeals from tenants regarding housing safety

To include information such as listing all new buildings built in Portland with green building technologies and an assessment of the benefits of adopting this policy.

• Mediate and resolve tenant disputes and impose fines

Find Questions E & F on Pg. 5

OPINION

Ballot Question Guide Question E – Restrict Short Term Rentals (STRs) • Restricts all mainland STRs to only those that are owner-occupied

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Cont'd from Pg. 4

La Vida Local: Irregular Notes on West End Life

Question F – Remove Cap on Cannabis Retail Stores

Just Thinking Out Loud

• Reduces distance between esBy Rosanne Graef tablishments

Months B.C. (Before Covid-19), the Asks voters to reduce the required City of Portland hired a University of Current city code allows STRs in distance between marijuana retail facilities New Hampshire team to determine the non-owner occupied buildings but they and dispensaries from current 250 feet to city’s needs regarding community centers. are limited to no more than 400 units on 100 feet.

There were the usual focus groups and the mainland. This question asks to ban • Removes the cap on the number neighborhood surveys and results were them altogether on the mainland, but not of marijuana retail stores predicted to be available in Fall 2019. By islands. Short-term rentals (STRs) would January of this year, with no report in only be allowed in owner occupied buildCity code currently limits marijuana sight, I inquired as to what was up and ings that are the owner’s primary resi- retail stores and dispensaries in the City was told that probably March would see dence. to no more than 20. the report being presented to the powers • Simplifies and increases fees on that be and then eventually made public.

STRs We all know what happened in March and thus far, to my knowledge at least, nothing Currently fees range from $100 to about the results has been made available $4,000 depending on whether a unit is to the City Council or to residents. owner occupied or on an island.This question asks voters to simplify, with $1,000 Also B.C., Portland began the process for the mainland and $400 on Portland’s of updating its Age-Friendly City plan. I asislands. sume that’s also hanging out there in anticipation of some future resumption of that • Increases penalties for violations, effort. These two topics of Age-Friendcreates a log for complaints, and ly Cities and community centers, in the allows the city to revoke licenses meanwhile, have crossed paths for many for violations Portlanders in the current A.C. (After Covid-19) era. I’m referring specifically The city may impose fines of $1000 to what was being referred to as a pubper day for the first offense, $1500 per lic health crisis of isolation and loneliness each additional offense, for operating an among members of the older population. unregisterd short-term rental. And the permitting and inspections department The period of stay-at-home orders can decline a STR registration if there are that affected everyone is now ending for public complaints (which will be logged many. However, all senior programs ofand made publicly available) that have not fered by Portland Recreation have been been resolved within 1 week. cut and the Reiche Community Room is unavailable during the 2020/21 school year for activities organized by neighborhood volunteers. While the weather is favorable, some of those volunteer-run programs have been happening outdoors, but no one from the City appears to be givLisa Savage for U.S. Senate Vote for Medicare ing this particular population’s concerns The US has done more harm to its This election season, as an older Main- much creative thought. workers than good in recent years, de- er, I want to urge fellow Maine voters to Another project that Portland emspite what the current occupant of the consider candidates with clear plans to barked upon B.C. was the development White House and his supporters say. protect and strengthen Medicare, which of a One Climate Future climate action Housing, food, and health care have tak- provides health care for more than 52 en the express train from expensive to million Americans 65+, half of whom live plan in conjunction with South Portland. unaffordable while workers’ pay has re- on incomes below $23,500 per year.

Following months of surveys, presentamained as stagnant as the Scarborough tions, and meetings the 250+ page plan marsh. However, this election we have an Medicare is a crucial safety net for hard- was made public at the September 16th opportunity to put someone into office working Mainers who pay into the pro- meeting of the city’s sustainability and that doesn’t bow down to the powers gram their entire working lives, but this 2020 election could determine whether transportation committee [Read more on that fuel this abomination. there are changes to the country’s health Pg. 16.]. You can read the report on the Lisa Savage is the only person in this race care system, including to Medicare. Medi- City’s web site—don’t worry, there are who will really go to work for the work- care enrollments in the U.S are expected lots of photos, graphics, charts, and big ers of Maine, because she was one. Lisa to grow rapidly in the next decade, so letters. But the recommendations are was a teacher for 25 years, during which we need to ensure that our elected offishe served as a union negotiator. Her op- cials offer plans to ensure that there are ponents, however, have collectively raised no cuts to Medicare and the program is over $41 million in contributions from protected for current and future generthe behemoths that they would eventu- ations. ally serve if elected.

Workers are continually being asked to Particularly in Maine, the oldest state in do more with less, while those on top the country, Medicare supports older are growing to unimaginable heights. En- Mainers regardless of their incomes or suring all workers receive a generous health status. So, many Mainers depend living wage, rather than protecting large on Medicare coverage, and in light of the amounts of money held by the few, is COVID-19 pandemic, protecting access what Lisa stands for. This, coupled with to health care for older folks like me sustainable, well-paying jobs generated by feels especially critical.

Letters to the Editor

plans like the Green New Deal, is a much So, please, as you consider candidates better way to ensure a robust economy prior to the 2020 election, urge them to that all can share in. prioritize guaranteeing Medicare coverIf you are exhausted by the fat cats con- age in their platforms for the millions of stantly controlling the economy whilst older Americans like me that rely on the leaving the working class to fight over program. Before you decide who to vote what’s left, I firmly encourage you to take for, ask candidates to state their plans for a look at independent candidate Lisa Sav- protecting Medicare for those of us who age prior to placing your vote in Novem- need it now and others in the future. ber.

-Tim Duffy, Parkside

5

-Ruby Parker, Scarborough

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Before Covid-19, city projects for community centers, aging in place, and addressing climate change began. West End resident Rosanne Graef wonders how we will further them After Covid. boiled down to Six Big Moves: Build better buildings; Connect people to places, to opportunity; Power everything with clean renewable electricity; Grow a circular economy; Nourish ecosystems which nourish us; Build collaborative capacity to create this future.

Of course, it was during the B.C. years when we created this mess for ourselves.

And now that it’s A.C., the parameters within which we must operate to address it have changed. Some things, however, have not. Let’s hope that the folks, largely in the 20-50 age group who are entrusted with implementing the One Climate Future plan keep in mind the ideas of community centers and Age-Friendly Cities so that 30 years from now they themselves won’t be confronted with that most inclusive of “-isms,” ageism.

One Climate Future still has to make its way to adoption by both cities’ councils. In the meanwhile, here’s what you can do to pitch in: • Don’t idle your car - it’s bad for your wallet, the environment and everyone’s health.

• Don’t throw your mask in the street.

• Question idiotic ideas like shipping beer around the world—send the labels instead.

• VOTE Rosanne Graef lives in the West End and is a volunteer contributor. Email: lavidalocalwen@gmail.com.

SUBMIT YOUR OPINION Share your opinion with the editor. Email thewestendnews@gmail.com or mail to: The West End News Attn: Editor 795 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04102.

Letters to the editor should be no more than 300 words. Include your name, neighborhood/town, and phone or email for confirmation. Op-eds should be no more than 700 words.

Deadline for publication is the fourth Friday of every month. Our column space is very limited, publication is not guaranteed, and submissions may be edited for length and content.

6

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

WHAT'S GOING ON

Save Our House of Music Portland Kids Duathlon Raises $8,000 for Covid Needs in City Schools On October 2nd, Maine musicians and artists gathered in the Old Port outside a favorite local venue in a masked rally to raise funds to support the Portland House of Music and Events (PHOME). Organizers took photos of each musician, performer, and supporter of the arts. They held signs that said “Save PHOME” and “Save Our Venues.”

The goal, to raise awareness and help keep the Portland House of Music and other Maine venues alive after the devastating blow from closing due to Covid-19.

Organizers asked that anyone attending keep six feet apart and wear a mask.

Local performer Viva, from Viva and the Reinforcements, noted that our community cannot afford to lose even one more venue. Our access to culture and live music depend on it. PHOME is a room where local acts can aspire to play and performers of all types are welcome, truly making it feel like “home.”

The Portland House of Music and Events has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser with a $125,000 goal. As of print, they had raised approximately $55,000. Their plea on the fundraising page says:

“D

ue to the devastating financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, our beloved Portland House of Music & Events (PHOME) has been forced to remain shut down, with no date to reopen in sight. As such a tight-knit community of musicians, bartenders, staff, and music lovers, we have resorted to what we feel is the only way possible to keep our favorite venue alive; and that is to start a gofundme page. PHOME has survived thus far by paying bills with no revenue for nearly 6 months.

Let’s help PHOME stop the financial

Viva and the Reinforcements play at Portland House of Music and Events long before Covid-19 forced venues to close their doors to audiences and performers.

-WEN file photo bleeding. There is no other venue in the area that has provided more support to local musicians and artists.

WE NEED THIS VENUE TO SURVIVE. After exhausting all other avenues to help PHOME pay the bills, we are now looking for the community to come together and save PHOME. If you are able to donate anything, it will help to buy some time until we are able to safely reopen the doors and share the live music experience together again. Thank You.”

From left: Amy Landry, Race Director, Portland Kids Duathlon; Xavier Botana, Superintendent of Portland Public Schools; Tom Landry, Owner, Benchmark Real Estate; Andrea Weisman-Summers, Executive Director for the Foundation for Portland Schools; and Dan Nogar, Dean of Students at the East End Community School.

-Photo courtesy of Amy Landry

Organizers of the 2020 virtual Portland Kids Duathlon recently presented $8,000 to Xavier Botana, Portland Superintendent of Schools and Andrea Weisman-Summers, Executive Director for the Foundation for Portland Public Schools. In its third year, the Portland Kids Duathlon, presented by Benchmark Real Estate, has raised a total of $23,000 for the FoundaMake your donation by visiting: tion. portlandhouseofmusic.com.

While many kids and adult races cancelled in 2020, Race Director Amy Landry chose to move forward. “More than ever, the schools needed the funds, the kids needed something to look forward to, the families needed a sense of normalcy, and everyone needed to continue habits to keep us as healthy as possible,” she said. “Our sponsors stuck with us and we were thrilled with the outpouring of support from our athletes and families despite moving to virtual.” She said she was pleased that even in a pandemic, the race raised 80% of what it did at last year’s live event and had 92 virtual participants.

According to Weisman-Summers, this year’s funds will be used to support students and educators with COVID related needs. “These include things like innovation grants to educators, extra academic support for students, providing no cost meals to supplement the federal free lunch and breakfast program, and urgent support to families in crisis,” she said.

new bike and Benchmark donated a helmet and bike lock to go with it. Dan Nogar, Dean of Students at the school and bike club coordinator said he’s always looking for donated bikes, helmets, and locks as many of his students come from families unable to purchase them.

“The donations to the East End Community School’s bike club will help encourage students to take up that healthy sport – and maybe participate in future duathlons,” said Botana. Landry said she plans to give a number of free spots to the 2021 race to bike club members and offered to run duathlon training sessions for the bike club next spring.

A local triathlete, Landry founded the event to give kids the same race experience as their parents and to raise money to support Portland’s schools.This year, 92 kids from across Maine and New Hampshire participated. Many can be seen in the post-race video with photos and footage sent in by parents. Landry shipped medals, race bibs, t-shirts, and swag from sponsors ahead of time so families could recreate the race together on their own. She held a city approved in-person packet pick up on the scheduled race day where kids could still get their professional photos taken on the podium.

The race is presented annually by Benchmark Real Estate, owned by Landry and her husband Tom. The company donates all race proceeds to the Foundation for Portland Public Schools, which provides philanthropic support to the city’s school district.

Additionally, Hammond Lumber, CycleMania, and Benchmark donated equipment for the East End Community School Bike Club. When organizer Amy Landry learned the club was in need of a place to store and protect their bikes and equipment, she reached out to race sponsor The next Portland Kids Duathlon will Hammond Lumber who agreed to donate be held on July 25th, 2021 at Payson Park a large, new shed. CycleMania donated a in Portland.

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WHAT'S GOING ON

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

COMMUNITY EVENTS OCTOBER 2020 For Food Lab Fall Member Market

Sat., Oct. 3, 4-pm, Fork Food Lab Fork Food Lab will be hosting their first fully outdoor Fall Member Market this Saturday October 3rd, from 4 to 7 p.m., at their facility on 72 Parris Street, Portland. The event is free, but guests are asked to register on Eventbrite: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-member-market-tickets-122457847719.

Guests will be required to wear masks anytime they are not seated at the high top tables dining on Ethiopian food catered by Niyat Catering or having a beer or glass of wine (available for purchase).

Many Food Lab food producers, including caterers, consumer packaged goods, and cooking class chefs will be tabling and excited to talk to the public about their services and products!

Restrooms will be open to the public, but the rest of the facility will be closed to maintain sanitation standards for the working kitchen.

READ THE WEST END NEWS ONLINE

Flu Vaccine Clinic

Mon., Oct. 5, 12–6pm, City Hall Rm. 24 The City of Portland’s Public Health Division, in collaboration with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Northern Light Home Care and Hospice, Greater Portland Health, and MaineHealth Care at Home, announces the availability of public influenza (flu) vaccination opportunities in Portland.

Portland City Council District 4 Candidates Forum Wed., Oct. 7, 7-8pm, via Zoom

Join the Back Cove Neighborhood Association and Friends of Woodfords Corner for the Portland City Council District 4 Candidate Forum with candidates Rose Mahoney and Andrew Zarro, on Wednesday, October 7th from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom Video Conference.

7

West End Halloween Parade Cancelled Oct. 31 – Event Cancelled

Due to concerns that a gathering could help spread Covid-19, lead organizers have cancelled the annual West End Halloween Parade. There are no permits and no insurance for a formal event this year. But expect the parade to return as soon as Halloween 2021.

“We will try to compensate for this next year with a big Halloween parade All are welcome to attend to hear and celebration!” said parade organizer from the District 4 candidates. For a link Wynne Wirth. to register in advance for the forum, email info@backcoveportland.org.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the forum on October Portland Public Health Division, 7th. working with its partners, will offer nocost flu vaccine opportunities at various locations. Additional flu clinics are being conducted at area businesses, at Portland You Can Get There From Housing Authority sites, homeless shel- Here (w/ James Fereira) ters, and assisted living facilities.

Wed., Oct. 7, 1 p.m., via Zoom, runs for 3 wks.

“It will be especially important this year, in light of the presence of Covid-19 in our community, that as many people as possible receive their flu vaccine,” said Bob Fowler, Portland’s Public Health Director.

Are you car-free and new to Portland? Have you sold your car, would like to, or just use it less often? This course will cover what you need to know about navigating both within and outside the city without one. We’ll cover modes of Public flu clinics will be free and avail- alternate transportation to help you feel able to the public at City Hall, Room 24 informed and confident about living here, (Myrtle Street entrance) on October 5th without needing to own/use a car. Instrucfrom 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. tor will contact students with Zoom link.

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THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

FOOD & DRINK LAYNE'S WINE GIG

READ,TRAVEL, EAT, DRINK

By Layne V. Witherell

Every morning I awaken to my favorite cup of coffee and sit down for writing inspiration with a book by one of my beloved writers, the late, great Tom Wolfe. I taught a Contemporary Culture class in the early 70’s at my alma mater, San Francisco State University, using the masters works as a text. He summed us all up beautifully: “They dressed righteous and ‘with the people.’ They would have on guerilla gear that was so righteous that Che Guevara would have had to turn in his beret and get bucked down to company chaplain if he had come up against it.”

To left is The Velvet Devil Merlot, $12.00$15.00 retail; and below Kung Foo Girl Riesling, $12.00 retail.

“T

hey dressed righteous and ‘with the people.’”

-Tom Wolfe HEY! That is me you were talking about. We ate at the funky ethnic restaurants in North Beach in San Francisco (rabbit special on Friday) with the gallon of a no-name Sonoma red wine on the floor and a piece of chalk to mark what you drank.

Frankly, I enjoyed being an explorer of the local authentic restaurants and wineries totally devoid of stretch limos and quasi-hysterical bridesmaids. Their wine lists today feature Cline Zinfandel, a terrific $10.00 red at retail for $78.00 a bottle.

Now, that’s gentrification.

The reason that I mention all of this is that it fits perfectly with this month’s theme column. We were reading, traveling, eating, drinking, and writing while working on my college thesis on early California wine for my history degree, “Wine in California: An Introduction.” Reading, traveling, eating, and drinking are vital to complement your wine enjoyment.

In my 45 years in the wine biz lots, a whole lot of things, have happened. Some you expect, and some get dropped on you like a swarm of seagulls devouring your freshly purchased lobster roll. Recently, I had the opportunity to stay at home, work on an updated edition of my book,

"C

harles K. Smith, renowned Washington State winemaker, and former rock and roll promoter, simply personifies our hopeful next step into a real culture with wine."

promoter, simply personifies our hopeful next step into a real culture with wine. His Kung Foo Girl Riesling, $12.00 retail; and The Velvet Devil Merlot, $12.00-$15.00 retail; you can bring the beads and phone photos.

Layne Witherell with “Charles K. Smith” lookalike at Mardis Gras, 2020. -Photos courtesy of Layne Witherell

Find the flavor proximity of NOLA foods in Portland, places like Hot Suppa with their fried green tomato BLT, shrimp, and corn and andouille chowder and and write for four months. We left a New Eaux with their gumbo that your spoon Orleans vacation in February just before can stand at attention to. You can find the wines here as well. You should be able to the world went south. replicate everything except the crazed parade. A fruity, refreshing little Velvet Devil A TASTE FOR NEW Merlot with gumbo or to wash down that ORLEANS andouille chowder.

The picture seems like a thousand The if-you-are-fortunate part comes years ago. The Krewe of Cork local wine with many of the great wines that we both pros marching parade at Mardi Gras with saw and enjoyed while in New Orleans: your author next to a Charles K. Smith wines that simply do not make it to Maine. lookalike drinking one of his wines. Our In my 45 years in the wine biz I have done scene is just feet from our table at the a whole lot of stuff (actually, a different Royal House, home of remarkable local thing every five years or so): Winery eating and drinking: gumbo, jambalaya, CEO, Importer, retail wine store owner fried alligator, crawfish etouffee, and fat, and buyer, small distributor manager and delicious char grilled oysters, all washed large distributor manager, radio talk show down with a couple of bottles of Charles host, journalist, educator, and wine comK. Smith wines. petition judge. Also, we go out to dinner The Grand Marshall of the parade, a lot, thinking and reflecting on the food Charles K. Smith, renowned Washington and wines.

State winemaker, and former rock and roll CONT'D ON PG. 9

Community Leaders Business Owners Artists & Other Interesting Folk of Southern Maine

Podcast available on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts and Spotify

FOOD & DRINK

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

READ,TRAVEL, EAT, DRINK

Freshest Seafood & Finest Caviars

CONT'D FROM PG. 8

Life in the Wine Biz

To Ship or Not to Ship This is the second of “how we get our wine” chapters. There is simply the “Dating Game” between wineries and distributors. My favorite three examples are Silver Oak, Adelsheim Vineyards, and Swedenburg Winery. Each offers up their own sets of pros and cons for the marketplace.

Salability, amount of work involved, and sexiness of the wine versus time spent to polish it to a high gloss of excitement is what entices an importer or distributor.

This brings me to my book “Wine Maniacs: Life in the Wine Biz 2020 revised edition.” There have been so many changes in the wine world since the last edition, I decided to take a closer look at the natural wine movement, generational changes, books on sommeliers, and women in the wine industry. Since this is a Kitchen Sadly, some regions of the wine proConfidential style memoir, it is bound to ducing United States (read: about 47 create some chatter. states) will not make it to where you shop.

There are two chapters that I think Too much work for a distributor to proabout often and are applicable to our trip duce a less than highly polished gloss. Also, to New Orleans, as well as a variety of their production is small, and prices can other places. They have to do with how be high compared to their competition.

You need a good wine with a better story. you and I purchase our wines.

Today, stories really sell.

The Gigantic Wine Distributor

I worked in the inner circle of management for a large wine distributor in Virginia, like Maine, a wine franchise state. A what? America is divided 50x50 franchise to non-franchise states. In a non-franchise state, the winery has control of the brand. Having a bad hair day?

Just yank the brand and go appoint their competition. In a franchise state you are in a “till death do us part” legal relationship.

Brands can be swapped like trading cards between distributors. “Hey, I’ll trade you a Mickey Mantle for a Willie Mays,” but they are strictly off limits to the bad hair day people.

This is a chapter to sink your teeth into. It is my unconsummated relationship with the wines we saw in New Orleans.

I spent years in the “room where it happened” and the account is that of a particularly good note taker, viewing the political machinations that occur regarding how and what we get for wine. I referred to it in my book as “the best democracy that money can buy.” Sorry, you don’t get to vote on this one.

That brings us to the bigger question—shipping. I have yet to try out the direct shipping to my “wink, wink” door.

The entire chapter ponders the question, as well it should. A trusted local wine merchant is worth their weight in golden algorithms.

These are strange and different times.

Will wine drop down like those seagulls?

Stay tuned.

WINE MANIACS: LIFE IN THE WINE BIZ, 2020 Revised Edition is available now at PRINT: A BOOKSTORE, 273 Congress Street, Portland. Call them at (207) 536-4778 or email info@printbookstore.com.

Cost: $20.00, 250 pages, paperback.

9

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By Layne V. Witherell

Updated 2020 Edition

Informed Irreverent Fun

Now available at Print: A Bookstore KITCHENS MATRESSES LAUNDRY REFRIGERATION

We will be doing a virtual kickoff and wine tasting with Print: A Bookstore and the Portland Public Library on Thursday, November 12th, at 7 p.m. Contact Print for details, (207) 536-4778, info@printbookstore.com.

CONTACT LAYNE Reach Layne at lvwitherell@gmail. com for one on one tours and private tastings.

COME IN WE’RE OPEN!

Layne has been a professional in the wine business for many decades as a teacher, importer, writer, competition judge, and winery CEO. He was awarded the Master Knight of the Vine for his pioneering work in the Oregon wine industry. Visit http://winemaniacs.wordpress.com/blog.

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FOOD & DRINK

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

THE PORTLAND PALATE

Dining Al Fresco in a New World Review by James Fereira

As a food writer, it’s been hard to know what and how to write about eating out during a pandemic. We try all the angles to keep our readers interested. From straight-on to snark, it’s a continuous stream of striving toward invention in a new world with ever-changing rules.

Speaking of new, during this evolution which each of us is navigating, ‘measured risk’ seems the rule: no inside dining for me yet. At least the sense of grave danger The upstairs decks at Bayside American Cafe (left) and The Treehouse (middle), and the pond and waterfall at Yosaku (right). stepping outside my home has subsided.

-All photos by James Fereira (except where otherwise noted) Living in the city, the world is still a human obstacle course, but I seem to be negotiFriend Joyce and I landed a nice ta- and toasted walnut tossed with spinach, I love this deck at Bayside American ating it with greater skill and confidence. Cafe and sit out here once a year. Things ble aside a large outdoor plant and water creme fraiche, and lemon were excellent. had changed this time. For one, no ciga- fountain which offered space around us.

The air is cooler now, but redolent of Ah, what a joy to experience such a rette smoke wafted from the Rockin’ Not sitting inside is a shame. The interior, a familiar summer ritual: dining al fresco. glorious al fresco dinner out with a good Ricky’s crowd, as the bar closed (thank- as much as the deck, is a masterpiece in Sure, the pandemic has forged for survival friend, and at $65.00 inclusive. One imcomfort, lighting, and ambiance – if not a fully) last year. a proliferation of pop-up ‘corrals’ downprovement though: when you serve a garbit dark. town. No, thanks. Half the point of eatnish of luscious red grapes… make sure It felt strange to sit far apart from othing-out for me is experiencing the internal er patrons, eating off throw-away plates, they are the seedless kind. That was not atmosphere, too. I’m not interested in sit- and ordering from a QR coded menu a pleasant surprise. Then again, maybe my ting in a parking lot. There are, however, on my phone. Nevertheless, there was a etiquette was faulty, and they were only dedicated decks and patios that pre-ex- familiarity and comfort in knowing that meant for decoration. isted this crisis. They were around before some parts of life are still as they were.

Covid-19 was a thing, and they are my ‘go to’ in summer. Here are some of my favorites.

Pina Colada at The Treehouse.

Bayside American Café 98 Portland Street, Portland 207-774-0005 For my solo late lunch on a Friday, there was a 30-minute wait. Dodging my way past the copious litter and homeless encampment, I meandered over to Deering Oaks Park and the rose garden to pass the time until my table was ready.

Treehouse Restaurant 484 Stevens Avenue, Portland 207-874-0706

My short Pina Colada was refreshing, and we shared a savory Brussels sprouts appetizer: pan-seared with crispy bacon and sweet raspberry balsamic. For a main Joyce enjoyed a savory chèvre and bacon flatbread, with sautéed garlic, fresh herbs, caramelized onions, and Romano. It could have spared some on the goat cheese. My ravioli crisps with sautéed shallot, garlic,

Going ‘off peninsula’ I visited this recondite yet superb restaurant in Portland’s Deering neighborhood…on the #9 METRO bus route. It’s cleverly hidden above Pat’s Meat Market, up a long staircase.

Since I was last here two years ago, they’ve improved their image. From girly Masked-up I ordered a satisfying short-shorts mentality to stylish longsmoked salmon Benedict with baby spin- dress classy. Treehouse Restaurant has ach and mixed potato home fry, with iced transported itself.The food is still amazing, ample, and affordable. coffee for $23.00 including gratuity.

Yosaku One Danforth Street, Portland 207-780-0880 Another must-visit patio for me is the lovely deck here in Gorham’s Corner, complete with flora and fishpond.The wait was brief, and I was lucky to snag a solo table by the waterfall.

Their minimized paper menu lacked a deciphering of terms, so I went with what was familiar: a shrimp and vegetable tempura with dipping sauce, white rice, iced tea, and California rolls. It was delicious, as always, and ran me a reasonable $24.00 including tax and tip.

Pan-seared Brussels sprouts at The Treehouse.

It felt good to check this summer restaurant ritual off my short list. Move over, Covid.

CONT'D ON PAGE 11

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Dining Al Fresco

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

11

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Bramhall Pub neon sign. -Photo by Alex Landry; Beet salad at Bramhall Pub. -Photo by James Fereira.

Bramhall Pub 769 Congress Street, Portland 207-805-1978

Black Cow 83 Exchange St., Portland 207-772-7774 Friend Jon and I met here on what turned-out to be a showery day. We were the first customers as they opened for lunch and got to pick an umbrellaed table alongside their historic building at Post Office Park.

After giving the required contact information for possible tracing purposes and having the Covid safety rules explained… we ordered. Essentially identical, minus the cheese on his, we enjoyed chocolate shakes and shoestring French fries accompanying burgers with shredded lettuce, pickles, mustard, onion, ketchup, and mayo.

Chocolate shake at Black Cow.

What?! You just don’t experience that every day! They get points for good service and ingenuity. And at $51.00 plus tax and tip, this dinner satisfied two hungry guys Friend Alex and I ventured over on nicely. foot to this favorite local hang-out. Sure, These were some of my adventures we were practically the only patrons over dining al fresco this summer. There’s no 50, but sitting out back among millennials telling yet what next year will bring. But helps keep one youthful, right? if we truly want this pandemic to go away We each ordered a Citizen hard cider and stay away, listening to science and not (from Burlington, VT): the slightly hoppy politicians – or the covidiots who worship Lake Hopper, and for me the Dirty Mayor them – must prevail. with a touch of ginger. Yum. They come in Use common sense everyone and a can, but that’s nothing that a tall glass mask-up, please, for everyone’s sake, especan’t fix. cially mine.

His roasted beet salad with arugula, James Fereira has a background fried goat cheese, pistachios, and an orange-honey vinaigrette dressing was a bit in square dancing, social activism, salty, but delicious. I went for the Bramhall and being a Portland History Docheeseburger with Bearnaise sauce, let- cent. In his spare time he enjoys getting censored on FaceBook tuce, tomato, onion, and fries on the side.

ly spared us. About $25.00 each covered As the rain began to fall, we declined this meal, inclusive. I’d been craving the They had no mayo in stock, yet I like the kind offer to wear ponchos, preferring call for a burger for a few weeks now, and some on my burger and with my fries. So, to take our chances, and the wet most- this meal did the trick. the chef made me some from scratch.

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THE WEST

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

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END NEWS

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

EAST END REDEMPTION

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THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

Andrew Zarro & Viva: Keeping the culture alive Every Month PelotonLabs founder Liz Trice interviews a community member for The West End News.

This month Liz caught up with Viva, the band leader and singer for Viva and the Reinforcements, and Andrew Zarro, the owner of Little Woodfords Coffee Shop and candidate for Portland City Council.

Andrew: How are things going?

Viva: It took me about until two weeks ago to get adjusted to 2020.You? Andrew: We moved! Before the pandemic, we were in negotiations with my landlord, then we closed in March for two full months, reopened May 16th, then we learned that they were jacking the rent up and we were going to be priced out of the neighborhood that I worked my butt off to improve. . . So, we rented the little building at Congress and Franklin that used to be Plum.

It was so hard to leave this community we worked to support! We built out the new space in three weeks, and we opened in July. It’s been a good summer and we’re preparing for fall and winter. It’s sad to not be in our old space, but we will open in our community again.

– close, then all those restaurants along government endlessly subCongress Street wouldn’t be there. sidize business rents, either.

We need to support the When the music stops, then the basics for people, and also commercial success will stop. The whole to make sure that those charm of Portland is that we have these spaces will be there for hundreds of small businesses. What can people to gather when the we do save that? pandemic is over.

Andrew: You can talk about it. People love Viva: No one can occupy to talk about Portland is top 10 this and spaces if the Government that, but when push comes to shove … doesn’t allow us to. When we pay properit’s hard enough to be a small business as ty taxes to a government, that government is, but now we’re seeing a mass extinction. then protects it for us. Typically, we’re payA lot of bakers we buy from don’t even ing for protection from attack, but now have a storefront – they work at Fork we need protection from a public health Food Labs. disaster. The [Portland Public] Library is I’m a worker owner. . . I’m working hard all the time, and that’s the identity of a lot of the microbusinesses in the city, and we don’t have that representation on our city council. There’s a huge range of size of businesses, there’s a lot of diversity in our economy. When Port City said they were closing, we really felt that. And some people said, “Something else will go in there – it’s just a business.” But these are our neighbors, these are our friends.

not going away, but all our music venues might.

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sion to civic conversation. It’s okay to disagree, but we’re going to see each other at Hannaford, and we have a lot of work to do and we need to lift each other up.

Especially for people in my generation, we can get angry, we can protest, but we have to run [for office]. We need queer voices, people of color, women… we need to be running and showing up at every opportunity, and if we lose, we lose, but we need to get out there.

Andrew: The Northern Europe countries gave money to businesses to pass through to keep paying employees that weren’t going to work. Vermont took funding from the CARES act and issued $30 gift cards to everyone in Vermont, and they could Editor’s Note: Learn more about the only be spent at local businesses. It im- efforts to save the Portland House of pacted businesses, and it was measurable, Music on Page 6. and you know the money stays locally. We could do that. Any dollar you send to Amazon is gone forever. I’m going to ask people to take the Portland Pledge this holiday season to buy everything locally. Don’t even buy deodorant online. So many places have closed: Drifter’s Wife, Piccolo, Port City Music Hall…

Viva: You touched on something I’ve been thinking of with the fires on the west coast. Our air quality is still really good, our water is really good, we have passionate people that are doing good things. …

There is going to be more gentrification Viva: And there’s the third space thing. A and migration. third place, like your cafe, is where peoAndrew: Houses in the $400-500k range ple can interact with others who aren’t are going under contract really fast to cash in their family. I feel that way about Port buyers. People want to move here, and City – I’ve had so many good experiences people who live here can’t compete. The there! Port City was the size that 1% of air quality is good, it’s safe, our numbers Maine musicians might hope to play once are great, but we’re not going to be able a year, and it hosted acts that the State Liz: ...Vinland... to live in this city if we don’t do something Theatre is too big to support.Why are we about this soon. working so hard if we’re not going to have Viva: Really? Ag, that’s farm to table...

Viva: Who will be here to keep the cul- spaces where we can come together and Andrews: . . .Cordell’s barber shop in ture alive? Portland House of Music just experience each other?

Woodfords Corner. . . Outdoor seating put up a GoFundMe: we can’t afford to Liz: I’ve been wondering about how we ends November 1st, what are we going to lose that venue. The reason we have so can support people and still have space do November 2nd? Maybe we should almany diverse and talented musicians is be- available when the danger of the pandemic low extension for outdoor seating. cause there is room for upward mobility, passes. Every person that has a roof over and Portland House of Music is the only their head and food and some healthcare Viva: Why not provide financing for heatvenue of that size that working musicians is okay, and it doesn’t make sense that we ing lamps. can hope to play more than once a year. would need to keep public spaces open Andrew: All these problems were already And if those venues – think One Longfel- to make sure that people have those ba- here, and Covid exacerbated them. I relow Square and State Theatre and Geno’s sics. But it doesn’t make sense to have the ally want to bring kindness and compas-

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BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

We need elected leaders who will support local businesses

15

By Mary Alice Scott You’ve probably heard it before. Buying something from a locally owned, independent business instead of a chain puts 3.5x more money back into our local economy.

It’s an incredible statistic. And it’s a big part of the reason why the “buy local” movement has seen success across the country. Grassroots organizations like ours along with big corporations like American Express have adopted the “buy local” messaging to increase consumer awareness and drive support for small, local businesses.

But there’s a catch. Consumer-driven support for local businesses can only go so far. There have now been several reports that the pandemic has increased corporate consolidation. For some, it may be surprising to know that this effect can be traced back to policies. In fact, many of these policies have long been in place.

Mary Alice Scott is Portland Buy Local (PBL) Executive Director, and WEN publisher and editor Tony Zeli is president of the board of directors and WEN is a PBL media partner.

Candidate Questionnaire on Local Business Support Portland Buy Local asked candidates in Portland to complete a questionnaire on how they will support small, local businesses once they are elected.

To view the completed questionnaires, visit our website at www.portlandbuylocal.org/votelocal. And vote for candidates who will support the small, local Federally, we’ve seen a lack of anti- businesses that make our community a trust enforcement over several decades. unique and wonderful place to live.

After over a year of hearings, the House Judiaciary Committee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law has bipartisan momentum to enforce antitrust laws that big tech companies have been breaking for years.

Portland Buy Local was one of 40+ organizations around the country to cohost a hearing for elected leaders about the damage that corporate consolidation has on our communities. And there may actually be some positive outcomes. This is only possible because of continuous pressure on elected leaders from individuals and grassroots organizations like ours.

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THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

CLIMATE JUSTICE

One Climate Future Plan Released by Cities

Vote early to be sure it’s counted “W

e’re out of presidential terms to waste.”

That’s 350 founder Bill McKibben ruminating on the ongoing crises we face – monster storms (Hurricane Laura), heat waves resulting in wild fires (California), a pandemic that makes evacuations far more complicated, flooding in China – all of which warn us that time is running out and immediate climate action is critical.

McKibben goes on to say that whoever takes over the White House in January is “going to be dealing with an immediate and overwhelming climate crisis, not just the prospective dilemma that other Administrations have faced. It’s not coming; it’s here.

The luxury of moving slowly, the margin for zigging and zagging to accommodate various interests, has disappeared.”

In addition, the pandemic and its resulting economic dislocation, as well as the climate crisis, must be addressed. And a viable plan will have to, in some way, be the solution to widespread job loss. Not a simple task, especially given the interests that keep us locked into the use of fossil fuels.

We need to understand that if there’s going to be effective American climate action, it’s going to have to come from Joe Biden. As Biden and Harris campaign for the future of our democracy, they also have to fight for the future of the planet.We are out of options. The Orange Zombie and his cronies must go if we are to save anything of what we know and love.

BRIGHT IDEA:Vote early to be sure it’s counted There are many reasons to vote in this election.

And there are good reasons to believe that, if we don’t take back the White House, our democracy will be lost. And, if we don’t elect the one candidate who promises to fight for the planet, Earth will also be lost.

We are not likely to get another chance to make a difference. So, stand up now – early enough – to be counted. Request your absentee ballot and return it right away, preferably in person.

“B

-WEN file photo

e a patriot. Set a good example of what America means for the generations to come. They will need it.”

-Timothy Snyder in “On Tyranny”

Decisions we make today impact our children, grandchildren, and all generations that follow. Make choices that will improve their lives by voting. It also sets a good example and encourages civic responsibility.

Together we decide our future. Be part of that future by voting.

Neither we, nor the planet, can afford another four years of an administration that denies climate change and science.

Author’s Note: Bill McKibben’s column, “The Climate Crisis,” in The New Yorker is largely responsible for our content this month.

Bright Ideas is brought to you by Portland Climate Action Team which, during the pandemic, meets online the fourth Thursday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m. All are welcome to join in. FMI: portlandclimateaction@gmail.com.

The Cities of Portland and South Portland have released a draft of One Climate Future, a joint climate action and adaptation plan. One Climate Future is a regional approach to climate action, bringing together two cities to meet shared climate commitments: transitioning to 100% clean renewable energy in municipal operations by 2040, reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050, and wherever possible, accelerating these reductions through rapid and equitable action by 2030.

Together, the communities of Portland and South Portland developed One Climate Future. Over an 18-month planning process, thousands of residents completed surveys, attended events, and participated in workshops. These voices elevated One Climate Future to take on the climate crisis in representative and creative ways. City staff, businesses, and local leaders also contributed knowledge, ideas, and experiences to help shape the plan.

the future. Our collective work provides an important plan to meet these aggressive goals. Given the common bond between our two communities, it makes sense to join forces to address the challenges we will face in the future such as floods caused by rising seas, more intense storms, and higher temperatures. It is truly an example of being stronger together.”

“We are immensely proud to launch One Climate Future together” says South Portland Mayor Kate Lewis. “One Climate Future goes beyond climate action and clean energy. It reflects significant goals to improve public health, build a diverse economy, and ensure the vitality of our coastal ecosystems.The progress we make through this plan will positively affect our quality of life into the future.”

One Climate Future includes nearly 70 strategies across four focus areas: buildings and energy, transportation and land use, water reduction, and climate resilience. These strategies will entail local action, regional partnerships, and state coordination. Collectively, the plan lays out a course to meet considerable carbon reduction and clean energy goals, build community resilience, grow a circular economy, and create more just and equitable cities.

District 2 City Councilor Spencer Thibodeau, Chair of Portland’s Sustainability and Transportation Committee noted that he and his fellow city councilors have followed the development of One Climate Future with great interest. “Both Portland and South Portland have made commitments to bold climate action to ensure Both councils will need to vote on our communities can thrive now and in the plan.

CLIMATE JUSTICE

We’re All in This Together Climate Solutions Beyond Your Backyard

By Portland Citizens' Climate Lobby

Responding to the Global Climate Crisis: From Denial to Leadership

By David Vail

David Vail is Professor of economics emeritus, Bowdoin College, and is part of the Economics Policy Network of the Citizens' Climate Lobby.

The Maine Climate Council is framing a strategy to cut Maine’s greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to inevitable adverse shocks. We need a farsighted state strategy. But since the causes of climate change are global, so must be the solutions, and American leadership is crucial. With a climate denier in the White House,Americans face a stark choice this November.

International climate initiatives have been long on rhetoric but disastrously short on concerted action. As Nobel Prize economist William Nordhaus puts it, “The key agreements, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the 2015 Paris climate accord, have relied on voluntary arrangements, which induce free riding that undermine any agreement.”

The United States is the ultimate free rider: we failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and, by Trump’s edict, we are exiting Paris. Past failed initiatives make it clear that decisive international action will not happen without American leadership. Other nations have little incentive to impose costly emission cuts on themselves while the USA – by far the world’s largest cumulative emitter – shirks.

The Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) proposes a three part strategy to encourage American energy efficiency and renewable energy innovations. First, a gradually rising fee – or tax – on carbon emissions. Second, tax revenues returned to households as equal dividends, offsetting their higher cost of living. And third, border adjustments – i.e. import tariffs – to prevent exploitation by foreign nations that fail to impose a carbon price on their exporters.

Most economists agree that international action should follow a similar approach. A common carbon emissions tax is no panacea, but it is the most cost-effective, readily implemented – and probably most politically feasible – mechanism to get the ball rolling.

More than twenty nations have carbon taxes, but with tax rates all over the map, businesses and consumers face

Urban Trees:

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Wanting to know their true economic value

By Tony Zeli If you ask any given city manager, what is the value of our city’s trees, the answer you might receive goes something like: If we had to replace all our City trees, it would cost X million dollars. Their budgetary singlemindedness might be excusable – it is what they do, after all. But our hypothetical city manager isn’t considering the complete value of our trees, are they?

First, there are the climate impacts.

Trees reduce air pollution, store carbon, save energy by shading and cooling buildings, and provide habitat and food for wildlife. But further, trees increase property values and have other positive economic impacts one might not at first expect.

Portland just finished its hottest summer ever and Gulf of Maine waters, among the world’s fastest warming, are far above normal this year. Smoke from West Coast fires is in our skies.

Widening the lens, global warming is undermining survival of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, as deserts expand, rising seas drown low lying coasts, and tropical forests burn.

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Economic Impact of Urban Trees According to a 2010 study in Portland, Oregon, street trees add $8,870 to Gulf of Maine waters are among the the sales price of a home. And if you apply world’s fastest warming. CCL volunteer the average tree effect to all houses in the David Vail gives readers another key other Portland, then it would yield a toreason to vote this November. tal value increase of $1.35 billion. Imagine, -WEN file photo by Tony Zeli (Rockport, ME) any hypothetical city manager might like to hear that.This increased valuation from vastly different costs and incentives. Cru- trees could potentially yield increased ancially, there is no common enforcement nual property tax revenues of $15.3 milmechanism to deter cheating by nations lion. that don’t impose a carbon tax, though a Outside of the residential impact, othcountervailing tariff is being designed by er studies have looked at small city retail, the European Union. inner-city business districts, and neighborEffective international action faces hoods around strip malls. They have found three challenges where American leader- that shoppers don’t just like shopping in the shade or at a beautiful spot. They ship will be crucial: may be willing to pay more for goods and • Setting the timetable for carbon services in business settings that contain tax increases, strengthening incen- high quality trees and green landscapes. So, tives while minimizing dislocation, trees are literally good for business.

• Designing countervailing tariffs to Baltimore Adds It Up discourage holdouts, Given the growing evidence of their Allocating carbon tax revenues colvalue beyond lumber and paper products, lected by national governments. some cities are attempting to take a more These are deeply political choices, complete accounting of their urban trees. but a wealth of economic analysis can help In fact, the City of Baltimore calculates shape effective policies. the value of their trees by considering the Regarding revenue allocation, I would services they provide to residents. Specifadvocate the CCL’s dividend proposal ically, trees clean the air, improve public with an added commitment to global eq- health, and increase property values.

•

uity. Channeling sixty percent of US revenues to low and middle income American households would offset their higher living costs; and targeting forty percent to vulnerable groups in poorer countries would ease their plight.

We can be proud that Maine is taking climate leadership, but prospects for America spearheading global action hinge on this November’s election – another key reason to vote.



vote

What’s the value of this tree that towers above Sacred Heart Church on Grant Street in the Parkside neighborhood?

It might provide tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of services to Portland residents annually. But no one’s adding it up.

-WEN file photo metric tons of air pollution (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, etc.)

The City of Portland does not calculate such information. And so, some would argue that city leaders, local developers, and others are making decisions impacting our urban trees without a complete picture of their value.

When Will We Know the Value of a Tree

Portland Protectors’ Avery Yale Kamila said that their group “recognizes the high value that all trees provide,” and they want to see legislation passed to protect urban trees. For Kamila’s group, Portland’s recently passed heritage tree ordinance (that protects large urban trees in historic districts) does not go far enough. Among What does that add up to? Well it other concerns, it was a missed opporturns out that an urban tree provides tunity to require the city to calculate the $57,000 in annual economic and envivalue of Portland’s urban trees. ronmental benefits to the people of Baltimore. A quick look at Baltimore forestry Of course, looking only at economic department’s website and you can see for value, we miss a great deal of the totality yourself that trees provide: of our urban trees. After all, beauty and inspiration are never completely quantifi• $3.3 million a year in energy savings able. But when we must make an economby shading buildings from the summer ic argument, it would be nice if we could sun and blocking winter winds properly valuate our precious resource.

• $10.7 million a year storing 527 tons of carbon Tony Zeli is publisher and editor. Reach • $3.8 million a year by removing 700 him at thewestendnews@gmail.com

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THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

THE BROADER PICTURE

Can Positive Thinking Change Your Life?

By Michael Stern

As I write this there are less than 50 days until the 2020 election. Regardless of your political orientation, it is likely that you’ve been having thoughts about how terrible it would be if “the other guy” wins.

With everything going on in the world right now, it seems reasonable to feel anxious, overwhelmed, or exhausted.

That makes it the perfect opportunity to practice positive thinking by focusing on and celebrating the good things in life.

Positive Outlook and Emotional Intelligence As a trained emotional intelligence coach, I understand positive outlook to be the ability to see the positive in people, situations, and events. It means being persistent in pursuing goals despite setbacks and obstacles. (1) Research shows that a positive outlook tends to lead to positive emotions (2) and people who frequently experience and express positive emotions are more resilient, resourceful, socially connected, and more likely to function at optimal levels. (3)

Positive Thinking is not Magical Thinking It’s important to remember that ‘positive thinking’ will not solve all our problems, and research shows it can actually create more problems, for example: • Fighting to suppress or control your thoughts and feelings may amplify their intensity.

• Delusional positive thinking about outcomes can unintentionally make us feel as if we have already accomplished something we have yet to accomplish, causing us to be complacent.

• Un-tempered optimism can lead us to persist in situations that are actually dangerous, while ‘realistic pessimism’ may be more realistic and safer.

By Dr. Oren Gersten

Insurance is a card in your pocket, health care is a relationship with a doctor you know and trust. This is a recurrent mantra for doctors across the country who have broken away from fee for service, insurance-based health care. This simple phrase illustrates the idea that health insurance in and of itself is not a path to better health. It is important to acknowledge that lack of health insurance is strongly correlated with poorer health outcomes and under-utilization of health care. If the goal is to improve the health of our nation, it would be nice if the solution were as simple as extending health reframe your experience. insurance to all people. Unfortunately, as • Recognize small acts of kindness in much of health care, the answer is not and return them if you can. We could that simple. all use a little extra love right now.

In order to illustrate the shortcom• Acceptance and forgiveness. Ac- ings of an insurance-based system, I will ceptance does not mean giving up or use three real examples from my primary giving in. It means allowing and ac- care practice. I have omitted some details knowledging the full range of your ex- and changed names to maintain patient perience. Once you have processed confidentiality. your feelings, you can authentically let go and move on.

Patient A – $600 Shingles

Michael Stern is a certified Emotional Intelligence coach whose mission is to support others in creating a better life and a more beautiful world. Visit www.Integral Alignment.com.

• Gratitude journaling can help you Vaccine focus on the good things in your life Patient A has an employer sponsored and feel a sense of appreciation for health plan through Cigna insurance. After yourself and others. talking with his doctor about preventive care he decides he would like to receive Positive thinking is an important ele- the shingles vaccine. National guidelines ment of resilience and wellbeing, but don’t recommend Shingrix, an updated version beat yourself up for having challenging of the older vaccine called Zostavax. Shinthoughts or feelings. Instead, remind your- grix is about twice as effective at preventself that life is especially challenging right ing shingles as Zostavax. now, and attend to your experience with When Patient A attempts to use incuriosity, courage, and compassion. Also, connect with others who can help you re- surance to pay for Shingrix, he finds out connect with the good things in your life, that it is not covered under his plan and and remember that you have the ability to he would need to pay $600 out of pocket to receive the vaccine series. He then learn, grow, and create positive change. enlists the help of his primary care doctor No matter what the election results to appeal this decision by his insurance are, we know it will bring new challeng- company. After one to two hours on the es. And the interrelated set of crises we phone with different people representing face isn’t going away anytime soon either. the insurance company, his primary care So, our only choice is to practice seeing doctor cannot get a clear answer on how the possibilities and opportunities in any to get this medication paid for by insursituation. ance.What is even more frustrating is that If you find yourself struggling to trans- they actually recommend using the older form negative thinking patterns and adopt version of this vaccine called Zostavax, a more optimistic and resilient mindset, which is not only less effective but was don’t hesitate to reach out for support discontinued as of 7/1/2020. from a trained therapist or coach. A crisis This patient eventually elected to is the perfect time to remember that we work around insurance and use a medicaare not alone, that there are people in our tion coupon through GoodRx to pay for lives who love and support us, and that we this vaccination. can ask for the help we need.

We need to be careful not to confuse ‘positive thinking’ with delusional thinking – thinking that ‘everything is going to be okay’ without any effort or discernment on our part. Instead, we can commit to showing up to participate fully in our lives, learning from our experiences, and finding ways to improve a situation. And rather than striving for unconditional optimism in all circumstances, we can cultivate a This is an edited version of an article generally optimistic outlook that is tem- originally published on www.crediblepered by realistic pessimism. mind.com.

How to Practice

Insurance, what is it good for?

RESOURCES

With practice, you can cultivate the (1) Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R., Davidson, R. ability to see the positive and the possibil- J., & Druskat,V. (2017). Positive Outlook: A ity in all situations.

Primer (Building Blocks of Emotional Intelligence Book 5). More Than Sound, LLC. Here are some simple, effective, evidence-based approaches you can take to (2) Fredrickson, B. (2003). The Value of develop your positive thinking skills: Positive Emotions. American Scientist, 91(4), 330. https://www.americansci• Mindfulness practice can help you entist.org/sites/americanscientist.org/ become aware of your internal di- files/20058214332_306.pdf alogue and interrupt any repetitive negative thought patterns. It can also (3) Fredrickson, B. L. (2013). Positive train you to return your attention to Emotions Broaden and Build. Advancthe present moment, which allows es in Experimental Social Psychology, 47, you to focus on what you can control 1–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12and choose more optimistic ways to 407236-7.00001-2

Patient B – CT Scan Not Covered Patient B has health insurance through Anthem. His doctor recommends a non-emergent, prognostic CT scan. The insurance company decides that the patient’s insurance plan does not cover the type of CT scan ordered, even though the patient’s primary care doctor feels that it is an appropriate study.

The patient elects to pay for the study in cash instead, however the study cannot be scheduled until there is an official denial letter from Anthem. The primary care doctor then must take time away from caring for patients to do a “peer to peer” telephone call, where a physician representative from Anthem discusses the case with the primary care doctor.

Oren Gersten, M.D. is a boardcertified family doctor who brings his passion for connecting and caring for people to his private practice, Portland Direct Primary Care, at 27 Ocean Street, #3, South Portland. Reach him at (207) 6189792 or visit online, PortlandDirectCare.com.

After several hours of unnecessary phone calls and paperwork the patient is then free to spend his own money on the CT scan.

Patient C – Referral Is Denied Patient C schedules an appointment with her Ophthalmologist. After a discussion she decides to schedule cataract surgery. Her employer is part of a “self-funded” HMO plan managed by Anthem. This plan requires every single referral to pass through her primary care doctor. Anthem considers her chosen primary care doctor to be “out of network,” despite a state law barring this kind of designation.

The insurance will not accept a referral authorization from the patient’s primary care doctor.

The patient’s insurance is in effect mandating who she can choose for a doctor.

Unfortunately, these three examples are far from unique. Insurance puts unnecessary burdens on primary care doctors and interferes with a patient’s ability to make independent decisions about their healthcare. If we decide as a country to extend health insurance to all people, let’s make sure we understand what we are signing up for.

For many people a high-deductible insurance plan paired with a Health Savings Account allows the flexibility to spend tax-free dollars on low cost, high probability services like primary care and still have catastrophic coverage in case of emergencies. If an option like this were available to more people at an affordable price, it may be the quickest way to make insurance a useful piece of our healthcare system.

THE BROADER PICTURE

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

19

PERSPECTIVES FROM THE SKY OCTOBER 2020

Finding Balance as Chaos Battles Order

By Leo Knighton Tallarico As we enter October 2020, we begin a slow dance into Election/Eclipses/ Aquarius Age.

Power Struggles & Mercury Goes Retrograde

On October 1st there is a Full Moon in Aries, seeking a balance beSeptember ended with gravity wield- tween peaceful relating and forceful activing serious Saturn going Direct in Capri- ity. Let the balance find you, it is there for corn.This is equivalent to a feeling of Time you to experience. marching on with or without our approvWar or Peace is a likely question al. “Ready or not, here I come.” this month of October. Civil rights issues, Covid, and the stock market/economy will Mars in Aries remain as serious subjects to work with September 29th is the day Sat- through this year at the least. urn goes from Retrograde to Direct, On Sunday October 4th, Pluto which puts its often heavy heart moving ominously also shifts from Retroforward as is required. grade to Direct.

Saturn can also make one feel alone Remember that all the challenges we and/or heavily burdened by responsibility. now face in 2020 came after the Saturn/ On the same day as Saturn’s Pluto conjunction in January this year. shift in direction to Direct, the usu- Eclipse Season was another planetary culally slow-moving Saturn is crashed prit that helped bring on all the important into by fast and bold Mars in Aries. issues we have been working through this Mars has the tendency to go off the han- year. dle, and to push forward against anything On October 9th, Mars in forceor anyone in its way. And Saturn tends to ful Aries makes an intense square to be rather dug in and not open to being Pluto.

And Pluto is in raw form since moved. it just changed into Direct motion This is an “accident ready to happen.” on October 4th.This could be a most Anger, frustration, disaster can be expe- intense week with Mars in Aries trigrienced around this day. And both Trump gering the Saturn/Pluto conjunction and Biden have those powerfully transfor- in Capricorn. Powerful transformation mational planets affecting them through continues to be a priority in our collective their birth charts. lives. We need to grow in consciousness to be an important way-shower for the Trump’s natal Venus in Cancer is opAge of Aquarius. posed now by heavy and controlling Saturn and squared by Mars in Aries. Venus If Trump or any of “his people” try to in Cancer seeks safety and comfort. Sat- create a crisis that seeks to bring the winurn and Mars cannot allow such peaceful ning vote for him this year, it could create contentedness. Biden’s Jupiter in Cancer is a strong explosive energy in retaliation. also exactly opposed by Saturn. He will be “Wag the dog” wars are not just imagithwarted from any desires for deep soul nation. They have been carried out before connection. by many presidents/dictators who seek to keep their jobs.

Do NOT push any big agendas this week. At the least you will likely This Mars square Pluto explosiveness feel frustrated and angry, and at the looks like a theme for October: power most a serious conflict will arise. and power struggles.

W

e need to grow in consciousness to be an important way-shower for the Age of Aquarius.

To make our lives even more vol- Halloween, is on October 31st. atile, Mercury goes Retrograde on Just a few days before the Election, it October 13th. is a great time to take advantage of SamYou know the drill: no big decisions or hain – being the time when the veil bestarting big projects. Be alert to dreams, tween the material world and soul world daydreams, or visits with people of your is the thinnest. Visits to spirits who have died are “easier” than usual. Sit by the fire, past. clear your energy field, and give strong intention to make the connection.

Chaos vs. Order Easy to see how this thinning veil On October 16th there is a New between worlds would make Halloween.

Moon on Libra square to all the tranAncestors were understandingly afraid of siting Capricorn planets. the deceased they connected with. Hence Saturn, Pluto, and Jupiter in Capricorn scary monsters to dress up into. will challenge the peace of Libra, as we See you next month, likely the most move toward an important turning point intense and powerful of the year. election. Sometimes the mundane trivialities of life can be comforting.

-Leo On October 18th, Mars squares Jupiter, triggering the ongoing impact this year of Jupiter square Pluto.

Chaos and order continue as important theme this year. At their worst they are anarchy versus fascism.

On October 22nd, the Sun goes into Scorpio, deepening our soul’s voyage at this time. Scorpio does not do light and cheery, but it does go deep and passionate, sometimes secretive, always at the core of experience.

Samhain – The Thinning of the Veil Eclipse Season has begun now and it puts Samhain on its back.

Samhain, or its modern version of

Leo Knighton Tallarico is an astrological and spiritual guide with 30 years of experience. To contact Leo, please email soulus@aol.com.

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THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

PUZZLE PAGE

many words can you make from the Words In How letters in the phrase below? Words must have at least 3 letters. Plurals don’t count, nor do Words proper nouns, abbreviations, or foreign words

By Rosanne Graef

not commonly used in English.

“My name is Ozymandias” -from Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley

GOLD = 150 words | SILVER = 125 words | BRONZE = 100 words BONUS = How many words containing at least one “Y” or “Z” can you make?

September’s bonus: Words with two identical adjacent consonants in “Of cabbages and kings.” Here’s a few: kiss, bass, gesso, cess, boss, dabbing, sobbing, nabbed, sobbed, fobbed, gassed...

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Busting the myths of breast cancer screening

21

-Provided by Northern Light Mercy Hospital

By Diane Stoller, MD, FACS

MYTH: If you don’t have breast cancer in your family, you are not likely to get it. Of all breast cancers,

Each October we observe breast cancer awareness month, which serves as a lifesaving annual reminder about the importance of getting screened.

only five percent are genetic. Gene mutations are rare but are more frequently tested now, as insurance coverage for testing has improved in recent years. In fact, more than 75 percent of women who have breast cancer have no family history.

It seems we all know someone who has gone through breast cancer. And that makes sense since it’s the most common cancer among women, with 10 to 12 percent of the female population being MYTH: Mammograms are harmdiagnosed at some time in their lives. ful due to radiation. Modern mammography equipment produces high qualFortunately, for many women who ity images with low doses of radiation. To are diagnosed, the outcomes are very put it into perspective, we are typically good. Medical advances and a better unexposed to radiation each year from derstanding of breast cancer and its treatsources such as natural surroundings. The ments have made huge strides in the last radiation dose a woman receives with a two decades. For example, many women screening mammogram is about equal to are now able to avoid chemotherapy since that received over several weeks from the understanding of who will benefit natural surroundings or background radifrom this therapy has greatly improved. ation.

Tumors are also found at much smaller

MYTH: More is better when it We are in this fight together. comes to cancer surgery. Women Knowing what to do and when can

sizes now due to the use of screening MYTH: Women no longer need mammograms. mammograms after age 70. The Unfortunately, there are many myths peak incidence of breast cancer in Maine about mammography that circulate and is between ages 68 to 72. Women should could cause someone to delay or avoid maintain annual mammograms and should screenings. Let’s take a moment to review consult with their physician about screenings. those and fact check.

who are candidates for breast preserva- save lives. tion have just as good of a survival rate as those who have both breasts removed. Dr. Stoller is a breast surgeon who The need to remove large numbers of practices at Northern Light Mercy lymph nodes has gone down in the last 20 Breast Care, a nationally accredited years. Techniques identifying one or two breast care center. -Photo courtesy of N.L. lymph nodes to test have been developed, Mercy Hosptial sparing many women extensive lymph node surgeries.

My message to women is simple: receiving annual mammograms saves lives.

My practice at Mercy Hospital prioritizes access to care. We see patients who receive an abnormal mammogram or are newly diagnosed with breast cancer within two business days, and we are conveniently located in the same building as our imaging services, which includes 3D mammography. To learn more about your risk and options for screening, I encourage you to give us a call or speak with your primary care provider about your individual screening needs.

Content Provided by Northern Light Mercy Hospital

Northern Light Mercy Hospital, a nonprofit community hospital sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, has been providing care to greater Portland since 1918. Mercy consistently receives an ‘A’ grade by The Leapfrog Group for meeting the highest safety standards in the country. It has also been recognized as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report.

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THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

Spontaneous Moments with Strangers

“D

By Nancy Dorrans

o you know of Whoopie Goldberg?”

Samantha Brown, host of several Travel Channel shows, said this recently on a Facebook live broadcast: “…What I miss the most is spontaneous moments with strangers…That spontaneous moment of just meeting someone who you have never met before and you will never see again but you have a moment together.”

-Bishop of Mutare We made it to “The Point” in Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca), the westernmost point of continental Europe. There was quite a line to take a photo at the marker. A woman we don’t know is in our group shot.

The photo captures the moment when my friend Roxanne says, “Who are you?” She was standing with us because she wanted to be “next” to get her photo taken.

Like many of you, I’ve had to cancel travel plans this year. And like Samantha, one of the things I’ve missed most are making connections with people while traveling and taking something from these experiences. When this happens, I feel more a part of the moment and community and connected. It can happen to you too; you just must have an open mind.

I’ve experienced so many amazing, heartwarming, astonishing, hilarious spontaneous moments with strangers...

In November 1989, I was in Costa Rica to explore and go on a rafting trip with a few travel agents and a group of North American white-water raft guides.

The first evening a few of us went out in San Jose for dinner. As we were leaving the establishment a large Costa Rican man at the bar dressed in a stylin’ stonewashed jacket and matching jeans stopped me.

He chose his words carefully and slowly.

With a smile he said, “Good – night – my – friend.”

I remember the moment because it was spontaneous, and his smile and words warmed my heart. I remember the date because it was the week the Berlin Wall fell. We didn’t hear about that news until we got back home.

I’m a Traveler, Not a Tourist By now, you know I have a love of travel. I consider myself a traveler, not a tourist. What makes the difference between a traveler and a tourist? A tourist has a list of popular sites, restaurants, and activities they want to see and experience.

They may be hesitant to leave the resort Last spring, I es- or talk to the locals. corted a small group A traveler digs deeper. They make an to Portugal for the effort to go off the beaten path and meet first Women, Walkand engage with the locals. They want to ing, and Wine Adexperience secret spots, hear live music, venture. We visited a dine on specialties, and hear stories that pottery factory and are not in the travel guides. Anyone can were mesmerized be a tourist.

To be a traveler, you need an by the potter and open mind and a willingness to step out of his wheel… Then your comfort zone.

This is the difference. there was the jolly Frenchman traveling with his 90+ year old mother…

At Cabo Da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. The photo captures the moment when Nancy's friend Roxanne says, “Who are you?” to the stranger among the group. (Below:) The handsome Portuguese potter and Nancy with the jolly Frenchman and his mother, age 90+, all strangers met on the Adventure -All photos courtesy of Nancy Dorrans Marketplace Women, Walking, and Wine tour. from South Africa) was as a shark patroller, protecting the beachgoers of Adelaide.

Once in Geneva my travel agent friend Joyce and I decided to stay in town after dinner rather than head back to our hotel (by the airport) with the rest of the group. We got off the train as the doors shut and ventured out on the town. A few of the locals heard us speaking in English and started talking to us about their American high school exchange experiences. We ended up staying out very late.

When we went back to the train station, we met one of the employees from the United Nations as he was walking out. He told us the trains and busses had stopped running for the night. He was in a uniform, told us his brother lived in New York, and showed us his family photos.We figured it was okay. He offered to give us a ride back to the hotel. It was spontaneous and okay!

Several years ago, while out on Star Island in the Isles of Shoals, I met an older Navy veteran wearing a hat with the name of the ship he was stationed on in WWII. I casually asked him where his ship sailed.

He said, “Well…for one thing, we delivered the atom bomb. It was a secret mission. Our ship was torpedoed, and I spent five days in the water…” It was THAT In 1994 in Zimbabwe on the way to ship, the USS Indianapolis. I was breathless.

Chimanimani, my friend and I stayed with He shared his experience, evoking Robert the Bishop of Mutare. After dinner he Shaw’s chilling monologue in the movie asked us if we wanted to watch a movie.

Jaws!

“Do you know of Whoopie Gold-berg?”

I met a young female pilot at a ranch he said, “I have the funniest movie we in South Australia that was herding cattle can watch. Sisters’ Act! I just love that with her plane. Her first job (after moving Whoopie!”

Can I compare travelers and tourists with donkeys and elephants, conservatives and liberals? I think so. Education, experiences with strangers, and open minds are the key differences for me.

I’m a traveler. I have an open mind and a willingness to step out of my comfort zone. I’m also a lifelong folk singing non-competitive right-brained creative democrat. I love elephants, just not when I vote.

Nancy Dorrans is an independent entrepreneur, volunteer, painter, outdoor enthusiast, traveler, and travel advisor at Adventure Marketplace.

Nancy is a resident of the West End. -Photo by March Forth Maine

THEWESTENDNEWS.COM

THE WEST END NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

THE DUMPSTER…

23

THE WEST END NEWS Published by Zeli Enterprises, LLC 795 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04102 www.thewestendnews.com thewestendnews@gmail.com

WHERE WE THROW ALL THE STUFF THAT WE DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH…

Iconic organic farmers’ Common Ground Fair was 100% online this year with virtual map and livestreams… Independent Green candidate for US Senate Lisa Savage will spend the remainder of her ad budget only with Maine media organizations and zero dollars with social media… City website now offers a customer service chatbot… That will handle plenty of parking complaints because as of October 1st street maintenance signs go back into effect… In excessive list news, Portland is named the best city for remote workers thanks to affordability and speedy internet…

And the other Portland is ranked 1st best City for Vegans & Vegetarians and 3rd best City for Coffee Lovers while our Portland doesn’t crack the top 10…

Meanwhile Maine is recognized as the 2nd Least Diverse State in U.S.… Thank you to Benchmark Real Estate owner Tom Landry for donating $100 to Portland Buy Local for every 2020 home sale…

Tony Zeli, Publisher & Editor Rick Ness, Sales Printed in Maine by Lincoln County Publishing Co.

ALL SALES INQUIRIES Contact Rick Ness 207-577-7025 rickthewestendnews@gmail.com

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS Nancy Dorrans, Travel & Adventure James Fereira, The Portland Palate Dr. Oren Gersten, Beyond 7 Minutes Rosanne Graef, La Vida Local Michael Stern, Emotional Intelligence Leo Knighton Tallarico, Astrology Layne Witherell, Layne's Wine Gig

Thank you for contributions from David Vail, Citizens' Climate Lobby Mary Alice Scott, Portland Buy Local Ben Taylor, Best Worst Trivia Liz Trice, PelotonLabs Dr. Diane Stoller, Northern Light & Portland Climate Action Team

Thank you for reading!

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in our pages belong solely to the authors and not necessarily to the publication.

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OCTOBER EDITION 2020

el corazÓn mexican restaurant

delicious authentic mexican food from the heart prepared fresh daily to order

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On behalf of Laura, Joe, and the rest of the El Corazon ´ family we want to thank all of you out there in newspaper land for all your continued support with your take-out and delivery orders during this difficult time. We truly appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts (Corazon). ´ Together we will re(Maine) strong.

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www.elcorazonportland.com (207) 536-1354 “To know how to eat is to know enough”