DECEMBER 2023.VOL. 23 NO. 12. PORTLAND, MAINE.
PORTLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER. FREE!
Feel Good by Doing Good A look at a few local ways to feel good by doing good this season “Nearly one thousand people have volunteered their time to Preble Street this year to help support Mainers experiencing hunger and homelessness. It takes many, many hands to accomplish all we do — including providing over one million meals each year and ensuring people living outside have the clothing and gear they need to stay safe — and volunteers play a key role,” says Preble Street Volunteer Manager Elisa Fleig. “Preble Street volunteers - whether they volunteer once a year or once a week - make a difference, one meal, one interaction, and one act of kindness at a time. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of this amazing group of people!”
By Tony Zeli
It’s not a new idea, but in recent years more and more researchers are demonstrating the link between doing good and feeling good. For instance, volunteering is great for mental health. A review of some forty papers published by peer-reviewed BMC Public Health journal found that volunteering had favorable effects on depression, life satisfaction, and overall wellbeing. Further, volunteering and giving can even have positive physical effects, such as lowering your blood pressure. A 2013 study published in the journal Psychology and Aging demonstrated that adults over age fifty who volunteered about four hours a week were forty percent less likely than non-volunteers to have developed hyperTo donate, visit the Preble Street tension four years later. Receiving Center at 18 Portland Street, So, to help us all live a little longer Portland, between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monand happier, here are a few ideas to in- day, Wednesday, and Friday. To drop off spire. Be a part of the solution and give outside of those hours or for a list of the time or donations to Preble Street, shovel current most urgent needs, visit www. snow for seniors, or do good by simply preblestreet.org/you-can-help/in-kind-dobeing thoughtful about where you shop nations. for holiday gifts.
Food donations are accepted seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Preble Street Preble Street Food Security Hub at 75 Organizations like Preble Street, Darling Avenue, South Portland. Donawhich operates Northern New England’s tions of canned goods and non-perishable largest direct service emergency food items are especially appreciated. program, rely on the generosity of the community. According to Danielle Smaha, Shoveling for Seniors Preble Street Communications Director, Age Friendly Portland, a program of this season winter gear is especially crit- the city’s Elders Affairs office, is seeking ical to help those living outside to survive volunteers to shovel snow for elderly the freezing winter temperatures. Needs neighbors this winter. If you can’t help by include gently used and clean coats, boots, shoveling, consider becoming a neighborgloves, and hand warmers. But, in addition hood coordinator and help pair volunto giving, consider volunteering a little of teers with neighborhood seniors. your time. Even a small gift of time and “Portland has many distinct and very energy can pay big dividends for you and others. different neighborhoods, so having coor-
dinators who know their neighbors and the local streets helps to make this city-wide program much more manageable,” says Linda Weare, director of Elder Affairs. The city manag- Because volunteering is good for mental and physical health. es the snow shoveling program as a part of Portland’s positive force for the community – thanks Age-Friendly Community Initiative. There to the local multiplier effect. is no grant funding for the snow shoveling What is the local multiplier? Conprogram and it relies on volunteers. “The ceptually you probably already get it. snow shoveling program works because Buying locally keeps more money in the of the kind hearts (and strong backs!) of local community. What is interesting is the volunteers,” says Weare. that economists have been running the So, whether you can donate your data and the local multiplier effect is very time shoveling, or would like to help by real. When you spend your dollars at a coordinating and pairing volunteers with local and independently owned business seniors, now is the time to pitch in. And instead of a chain store or online giant, many of you are! In the past two months, much more of your money recirculates thanks to recruitment efforts, some forty through the local economy. volunteers have signed up. However, of the In fact, the local multiplier adds two thirteen neighborhoods in Portland parto four times more money into the local ticipating in the snow shoveling program, economy than the money spent at non-loonly nine of them have volunteer coordical companies. This is largely because indenators. pendent business owners spend more of If you are age sixty-five or over and their revenue locally than chain stores do. a Portland homeowner in need of help Not to mention local workers spend their with shoveling, or can help by volunteer- hard-earned money around town, too. ing, contact agefriendlycommunity@portEven purchasing gift cards this holilandmaine.gov or call 207-541-6620. day season – or all year long – can be a way to support local businesses. Though Local Multiplier Effect it doesn’t influence the multiplier effect This time of year there is a lot of pres- directly, it does mean more purchases at sure to buy, buy, buy… Yet we all know that locally owned businesses, which means consumerism doesn’t make us feel good – more benefits for the community thanks at least not in a meaningful and lasting way. to the positive impacts of the multiplier However, if you make good choices, you effect. Cont'd on Pg. 3 can turn holiday consumerism into a more
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Seasonal Affective Disorder: Know the symptoms
Bringing the world to Maine with the Camden Conference
Layne's pick for Wine of the Year 2023
Book Short: 'Devil Makes Three' by Ben Fountain
2 THE WEST END NEWS / DECEMBER 2023
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Feel Good Doing Good Compassionate & Innovative Memory Care Cont'd from Pg. 1
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Provided by AMIBA “Purchasing gift cards is a great way to support locally owned businesses,” says Jen Risley, Director of Operations for the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA). “It’s a wonderful way to encourage friends and family to Choose Indie Local, especially those folks who tend to shop at chains and online giants. It’s also a great way for family and friends to discover a new favorite business.”
do good simply by redirecting some of your holiday budget to local stores and restaurants. There you have it. Not at all an exhaustive list, but a few good ideas to help inspire you to feel good this winter by doing good.
Tony Zeli is publisher and editor. Contact him by emailing thewestendSo, now you know, it's a fact. You can news@gmail.com.
Mental Health Resources Provided below are some mental health resources available in Maine to anyone in need of confidential support.Thank you to Portland's public health staff for providing this list. Call or text 988: This national suicide and behavioral health crisis hotline is answered 24/7 by trained crisis specialists offering free, confidential support. Specialists also can respond by chat at 988lifeline. org.
hosts Maine’s Mental Health Resource Database. You can search the database to find specific mental health resources in your area. Maine Intentional Helpline is a free mental health peer-to-peer phone support line for adults, aged 18 and older, offering mutual conversations with a trained peer specialist who has life experience with mental health recovery. Dial 1-866771-9276 (WARM).
LGBTQ Youth can text “START” to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386: The Trevor Project offers free, confidential crisis counseling understanding of the specific challenges that can be faced by LGBTQ young people.
Maine Crisis Line is for individuals or families experiencing a behavioral health crisis or having thoughts of suicide and/or self-harm. Trained crisis specialists answer the line and provide free and confidential telephone support and stabilization 24 Teens and young adults can text hours a day, 7 days a week. Dial 1-888(207) 515-8398: The National Alliance 568-1112. on Mental Illness (NAMI) Maine Teen Text Spurwink provides outpatient and comLine connects youth with other youth to munity behavioral health care, substance help them manage their challenges every use disorder services, and support serday from 2 - 10 p.m. It is not a crisis line. vices for people of all ages, abilities, and Clinicians, educators and first responders can call 1-800-769-9819: The FrontLine WarmLine offers free support services to help these professionals manage the stress of responding to disasters, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., 7 days a week. National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Maine offers many mental health resources. Their website is namimaine.org. NAMI Maine’s website also
backgrounds, and their families. For more information: https://spurwink.org. The Opportunity Alliance Crisis Center: Individuals and families experiencing a behavioral health crisis have immediate access to a team of professionals who are trained to respond to mental health crises 24 hours a day: https://www. opportunityalliance.org/mobile-crisis-response-services.
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WHAT'S GOING ON
Reiche Community Room 12/4 - 1/10 166 Brackett St. (2nd Floor, Use Clark St. Entrance)
DATE Mon 12/04
Thu 12/07 Mon 12/11 Tue 12/12 Thu 12/14 Mon 12/18 Thu 12/21 Thu 1/04
and so much more... Join us on The Hill for amazing performing arts!
The Hill Arts (formerly St. Lawrence Arts) has a new name, look and feel! However, the mission and commitment remain the same:
Arts & Culture Neighborhood & Community Historic Preservation 12/1 Bloom Ballet: Monologue/Dialoge Conversing Through Dance 12/2 Hustle and Flow Presents: Dancestravaganza 12/3 Andy Happel’s 2nd Annual Holiday Hootenanny 12/8-16 Vivid Mo ion Dance: ‘Twas the Night Before Burlesque 12/10 The Hyperion Trumpet Ensemble 12/22 Capital City Improv: An Improvised Holiday Special 12/23 Dragology Presents: Feelin’ Frosty, hosted by Gem Fatale 12/30 Kate Schrock and Married with Chitlins BENEFIT Concert for Milestone Recovery 1/17 - 2/11 Good Theater Presents: One Man, Two Guvnors 2/28 - 3/24 Good Theater Presents: A Man of No Importance 3/29-30 JAMCO Comedy Series featuring Jamal Harrington 5/4 Rasa String Quartet 5/25 Dave Singley - Singer/Songwriter 76 Congress Street s www.thehillarts.me s 207-347-7177
6:308:00 p.m. 4:155:45 p.m. 6:308:00 p.m. 7:00 pm. 6:30 8:00 p.m. 4:155:45 p.m. 6:308:00 p.m 7:00 p.m. 4:155:45 p.m. 6:308:00 p.m. 4:155:45 p.m. 6:30 8:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
EVENT
Magazine Readers Socialize & Have Fun Spiritual Conversation Classic Movie ReCode Socialize & Have Fun Die Well Animation Movie Socialize & Have Fun Holiday & Sing-Along Socialize & Have Fun Travelogue
PRESENTER Rosanne Graef WENA Jan King WENA Christine Grimando WENA Leona Oceania WENA WENA WENA WENA
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Monday Strength, Balance, Flex DVD
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MUSIC. COMEDY. THEATER. DANCE.
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NOTES
E-mail hello@wenamaine.org for materials Play cards, games, puzzles, paint or draw Must register at hello@ wenamaine.org Doors open at 6:30 w/ popcorn & fizzy water Updating Portland’s Land Use Code Play cards, games, puzzles, paint or draw Pt. 2 of Video - “This Is How We Die...” Doors open at 6:30 w/ popcorn & fizzy water Play cards, games, puzzles, paint or draw Holiday & Winter Songs - All Welcome Play cards, games, puzzles, paint or draw Visit some place different - Antarctica Doors open at 6:30; popcorn & fizzy water
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Tuesday Wednesday Thu. & Fri. Tai Chi Chih Qigong/Tai Strength, Sara Leonard Chi w/ Karen Balance, Flex Morency DVD
WHAT'S GOING ON
THE WEST END NEWS / DECEMBER 2023
5
COMMUNITY EVENTS DECEMBER EVENTS, ART, CONCERTS & MORE. Email your events to thewestendnews@gmail.com.
Art Pop-up: Maine Artists Winter Holiday Fine Art Fair
Fri, Dec 1 / 4-8p/ Sat – Sun, Dec 2-3 / 11a-4p / 600 Congress St, Portland
Santa arrives at 11 a.m. Second Chance Ukelele Band from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Kids craft table and lunch available for purchase. Free admission. Plenty of parking. Open to the public. At the Portland Elks Lodge, 1945 Congress Street, Portland.
The Schwarz building at 600 Congress Street, across from the Portland International Museum of Art, is partnering with the Artisan Fair Returns Union of Maine Visual Artists (UMVA) for a Members Winter Holiday Pop-up Fine Sat, Dec 2 / 9a-3p / Sun, Dec 3 / 9aArt Fair the first weekend of December: 1p / 40 Walch Dr, Portland First Friday, December 1st, 4 to 8 p.m.; and Join us for amazing international arboth Saturday and Sunday, December 2nd tisan crafts from many of the countries and 3rd, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Partners for World Health serves: UganUMVA members will be offering art da, Kenya, Bangladesh, Senegal and many in all media including photography, paint- more. Jewelry, baskets, clothing, bags, and ing, mixed media work, and unique, hand- purses from around the world. Amazmade, fine-art holiday cards. ing deals on unique items that just might solve all of your holiday shopping needs! Elks Basket Join us on Saturday, December 2nd, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, December 3rd, Extravaganza from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Partners for World Fri, Dec 1 / 4-8p / Sat, Dec 2 / Health offices at 40 Walch Drive, Portland.
9a-2:30p / Portland Elks Lodge
Join the Portland Elks on Friday, December 1st, from 4 to 8 p.m., and on Saturday, December 2nd, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for their Elks Basket Extravaganza. Buy raffle tickets for the 70+ gift baskets on display. Proceeds to benefit A Company for Girls, The Family Restored, and Portland Wheelers. LIVE MUSIC
12.1 12.2 12.3 12.8 12.9 12.10 12.12 12.14 12.15 12.16 12.17 12.21 12.22 12.31 SCAN FOR TICKETS/INFO
•
PERFORMING ARTS
•
Noisefloor:
An Immersive Physical, Visual, Musical Experience
Wed, Dec 6 / 7-8:30p / State Theater, Portland
Chamber orchestra Palaver Strings partners with Little House Dance to present Noisefloor, a unique interdisciplinary performance featuring twelve musicians, eight dancers, and a new composition by Courtney Swain paired with choreography by Heather Stewart. This performance seamlessly integrates the media of music and dance, involving dancers in the composition process and including musicians in little house’s movement language. Noisefloor plays with the subjectivity of human experience, including visual and auditory perception and the logic of dreams. Musicians and dancers will move throughout the stage and surrounding areas, expanding the audience’s audiovisual field. Noisefloor is an immersive physical, visual, and musical experience. Cont'd Pg. 6
COMMUNITY EVENTS
AN EVENING WITH TOM RUSH - ACCOMPANIED BY MATT NAKOA BREAKIN’ STRINGS HEATHER PIERSON TRIO PRESENTS: A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS MR SUN - NUTCRACKER SUITE THE 14TH ANNUAL CICLISMO CLASSICO BIKE TRAVEL FILM FESTIVAL RASA STRING QUARTET LÚNASA: AN IRISH SOLSTICE CELEBRATION THE PORTLAND JAZZ ORCHESTRA HOLIDAY SHOW (NIGHT 1) THE PORTLAND JAZZ ORCHESTRA HOLIDAY SHOW (NIGHT 2) BLUES PROPHETS ROCK MY SOUL LOW LILY’S WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION W/ SPECIAL GUESTS KATIE MCNALLY AND NEIL PEARLMAN INANNA, SISTERS IN RHYTHM - WINTER SOLSTICE CONCERT CUBAN RHYTHMS & REVELRY: A HAVANA NIGHTS NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH FEATURING PRIMO CUBANO FULL SHOW CALENDAR + TICKETS: ONELONGFELLOWSQUARE.COM BOX OFFICE HOURS: FRIDAYS 12PM - 3PM BY PHONE OR IN PERSON
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6 THE WEST END NEWS / DECEMBER 2023
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The C Word
A Contemporary Craft Pop-up Ongoing thru Jan. / Washington Av, Portland The C Word: A Contemporary Craft Pop-up is a 3-month retail gallery, opening in October and running through January 2024. Our pop-up retail gallery will offer a colorful, curated selection of thoughtfully crafted items made by over 20 Maine artists. Follow @c_word.shop for more info!
WHAT'S GOING ON
COMMUNITY EVENTS DECEMBER EVENTS, ART, CONCERTS & MORE. Email your events to thewestendnews@gmail.com. Cont'd from Pg. 5 Performances are December 6th and December 7th at the State Theater in Portland, and on Saturday January 27th at the Rockport Opera House, Rockport. Tickets available here: https://www.palaverstrings.org/events.
‘Twas the Night Before...Burlesque!
Vivid Motion Dance Marks 20 Years with Annual Winter Burlesque
“Colors of the Season” opened to the public on Friday, November 24th, and runs through Sunday, January 7th. Victoria Mansion (109 Danforth St., Portland) is open Tuesdays through Sundays during the holiday season. First entry is at 10 a.m., final entry 3 p.m. Final entry is 12 p.m. on December 24th and December 31st. Closed Mondays. Closed December 25th and January 1st. Ticket prices and reservations can be found at victoriamansion.org/your-visit. Advance ticket reservations are highly recommended to ensure entry, particularly for weekends.
through Saturday, December 16th. All tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door NRCM’s Polar Bear Fri, Dec 8 – Dec 16 / 7:30p / The Hill and are available at vividmotion.org.There will also be a pay-what-you-can dress reArts, Portland Dip & Dash hearsal on Thursday, December 7th at Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Viv- 7:30 p.m. For dress rehearsal reservations, on New Year’s Eve id Motion Dance opens its annual winter please email tickets@vividmotion.org. Sun, Dec 31 / Run-walk: 9a, Polar burlesque Friday, December 8th. PortChristmas at Victoria plunge: 10:30a / SMCC, So. Portland land’s longest running burlesque tradition This event is about more than just a is co-directed by Brigitte Paulus and MJ Mansion 2023 bucket-list experience. It’s an incredible Emerson and features live music and origiTue – Sun through Jan 7 / 10 a.m. – 3 opportunity to make a difference and innal songs by the NB Ensemble band. p.m. / Victoria Mansion, Portland spire others to join NRCM in protecting In true, innovative, and quirky Vivid During the holiday season, many of the natural resources of Maine for future Motion Dance style, the company has reour community’s leading and up-and-com- generations. Join the Polar Bear Dip and vamped the classic holiday poem ‘Twas the ing florists, designers, artists, and fellow Dash at Southern Maine Community ColNight Before Christmas into a sizzling and non-profit organizations use the backdrop lege (SMCC) in South Portland on New sensual burlesque dance performance! of the Mansion’s interior design to create Year’s Eve morning. Run or walk at 9 a.m. This adults-only show opens with its unique decorations that emulate Victori- and polar dip is at 10:30 a.m. As the year live band at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Decem- an-era splendor. Now in its fourth decade, comes to a close, what better way to celber 8th at The Hill Arts on Munjoy Hill in this annual event welcomes thousands of ebrate than with a brisk 5k run or walk Portland, formerly St. Lawrence Arts, 76 visitors each year from the end of No- followed by a refreshing dip in the Atlantic Congress Street. Performances will run vember through the beginning of January. Ocean?
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
THE WEST END NEWS / DECEMBER 2023
7
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Know the symptoms and seek treatment By Emily Erickson, MD & Greg Bates, NP -Originally published Dec. 4, 2020. It’s that time of year when the days are shorter and the temperature drops. For some, this is a welcome change. It brings the excitement of outdoor winter activities and the holiday season. For others, this time of year can be very tough and could result in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—a condition that many may or may not know they are dealing with.
Prevalence of seasonal affective disorder
-WEN file photo by Nancy Dorrans
and spending more time outdoors, especially during daylight hours. Sometimes treatment options include prescription medications and/or cognitive behavioral therapy. These treatments can be done alone or in combination with each other.
Seasonal affective disorder consists of a subset of disorders that are caused by mood and biochemical disturbances that have a seasonal pattern. The most common form is seasonal depression. SAD can affect up to 5% of the population, but it can be as prevalent as 10% in northern Social isolation and seasonal latitudes where the weather is colder and affective disorder sunlight is harder to come by. In northern regions with extended winter conditions, These symptoms can be exacerbated patients with SAD can have symptoms up as social isolation is worse during winter. to 40% of the year, greatly impacting their People may also be experiencing more quality of life. anxiety and stress as they cope with making it through a cold winter while attemptSymptoms to watch for ing to remain connected to what matters Symptoms of SAD can mirror typical most—people. symptoms of depression. These include sadness, guilt, hopelessness, lack of ener- Seeking advice gy, fatigue, sleep problems, weight gain or Our team at Northern Light Merloss, lack of interest in activities, and difficulty concentrating. However, with SAD, cy Primary Care wants you to know that most people recognize or can trace a pat- you are not alone in feeling this way. We tern to the seasons. For example, symp- are here to help. toms tend to arise in fall and winter and Just as every person and every situago away, even without treatment, in spring and summer. Others, although less com- tion is different, so too can be the proper mon, experience symptoms in the spring treatment. It’s not unusual to have a bad and summer with remission in the colder day or feel down every now and then. months. But if it becomes a pattern and impacts your life, it’s time to seek advice. If you or There are treatments someone you know may be experiencing There are several treatment options these symptoms, a primary care provider for SAD, including phototherapy.This form could help you weigh options tailored to of therapy promotes exposure to light for your specific needs. set periods of time using light boxes that can be purchased online or at local stores. This treatment, also known as light thera- Emily Erickson, MD practices at Northern py, can significantly improve mood in one Light Mercy Primary Care in South Portland to two weeks. Other beneficial practices and Greg Bates, NP practices at Northern include exercise, relaxation techniques, Light Mercy Primary Care in Gorham.
Family Practice on the River is Now Accepting New Primary Care Patients!
Family Practice on the River
Caroline Wilmot, CNP
Kathleen McKeon, CNP
Looking for a PCP? Did you know that in the state of Maine Nurse Practitioners can do everything that a doctor can do. At Family Practice on the River, the CNPs perform physicals, prescribe medicine, refer to specialists and more.
Caroline Wilmot, CNP. As a Nurse Practitioner, Caroline focuses on Family Practice and has a special passion for Women’s Health. She strives to provide comprehensive care to each patient and is the PCP for many of Practice’s patients.
Family Practice accepts most major commercial insurances, Medicare, Maine Care, and self-pay options. Family Practice on the River is a full-service Healthcare office providing comprehensive medical care to individual adults and families.
She earned her degree from the University of Southern Maine and is a true ‘Mainer,’ loving everything that this state and especially the Kennebunk area has to offer.
Kathleen McKeon, CNP, has been a Family Nurse Practitioner since 2008most recently at Mercy Prime Care in Falmouth. She also has a passion for Herbal Integrated Healthcare. She is a PCP and is accepting new patients as of 9-20-22.
Caroline has been with Family Practice on the River for 5 years, before that she gained professional experience at Great Works Family Practice – York Hospital, MMC Breast Center,
“You’ll never come in for an appointment only to find out that you are seeing a different provider. You will always get to see your provider and you won’t have to wait weeks or months either.”
Here are two of the Practice’s Nurse Practitioners that are currently accepting new patients:
Planned Parenthood, Maine General-Express Care Clinics, Richmond Area Health Center and Falmouth-bythe-Sea Long-term-care and Rehab.
Family Practice on the River 62 Portland Road - Suite 47 • Kennebunk, ME 04043 (207) 502-7386 https://familypracticeontheriver.com
8 THE WEST END NEWS / DECEMBER 2023
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY
Betsy Mayberry & Vee Sheehan:
Bringing the world - and this year, India! - to Maine through the Camden Conference Every month PelotonLabs co-founder Liz Trice interviews local community members. This month, Liz caught up with Betsy and Vee, both Portland residents and longtime volunteers helping to run the Camden Conference, which hosts events every year that educate people in Maine and beyond on global issues. This year’s conference is February 16th through 18th, live in Camden and livestreamed to homes and other venues, including Luther Bonney Hall at USM in Portland. Also, leading up to the conference, there are dozens of community events, both live and virtual, held mostly in libraries.
How did you get involved in What does the conference fothe conference? cus on? What does it feel like? Betsy: I moved to Northport, Maine from New York in 2001. I had run social service agencies in New York, but hadn’t had much time to engage in global issues. I learned about the conference and got involved right away. I was very impressed with the quality of the speakers at the conference. It attracts well-known experts who enjoy coming to Maine and spending time with other experts in their field. Vee: My family were originally summer people, going to Tenants Harbor starting in 1948. My husband and I lived in Maine on and off since the 70’s, lived in New Orleans for a while, came back in 1985, and have lived in the West End since 2001. We have relatives that live abroad, and have lived in Mexico and France. I’ve been on the board of Greater Portland Landmarks and the SALT Institute, and am excited to have Portland Conservatory of Music right in the West End.
Betsy: The conference is based in Camden but has lots of participants from all over the country and abroad. It’s a three-day conference; you can go to Camden in person, but you can also watch a livestream from Portland or Rockland - or stream from home in your pajamas. We also have over forty events in local libraries leading up to the conference. February 2024 will be our 37th year.
Betsy Mayberry with other Camden Conference volunteers Pam and Karen at USM's livestream event 2023. -All photos courtesy of Camden Conference
global issues. Last year the focus was on trade, this year it’s on India.
Vee: Some of us really enjoy it when it’s about a particular region because you can try to understand the culture and art. India is such a treat, because it is such a complicated country, now the most popuWe try to make it collegial. Refresh- lous in the world, following China in terms ments are provided at break times and of rapid development. boxed lunches are offered on Saturday. People sit together to chat and eat. It is Since this year’s focus is India, very welcoming to people who attend will you have locals who are Inalone – a very warm atmosphere. On dian there? Will there be BolSunday morning, all our speakers come together to respond to questions from the lywood? Who are the attendaudience. It is a wonderful way to learn ees generally? about issues and meet people. We alterVee: Yes! We have talks in our free linate between covering individual counbrary series on Bollywood, which is now tries or regions and focusing on broader the world’s largest film industry in terms of tickets sold. Attendees vary from year
India: Rising Ambitions, Challenges at Home | February 16-18, 2024
CONT'D ON NEXT PAGE
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY
THE WEST END NEWS / DECEMBER 2023
Betsy Mayberry & Vee Sheehan on the Camden Conference
9
CONT'D FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
India: Rising Ambitions, Challenges at Home February 16-18, 2024
Above, Vee Sheehan (left) with other attendees and below students at the previous USM Camden Conference livestream. to year according to the topic, but many make it a favorite winter tradition. Our audience overlaps largely with audiences for Maine Public Radio and patrons of Maine’s senior college network, but almost a quarter of our audience consists of Maine high school and college students on scholarships as part of courses on the conference topic. We are reaching out to the Indian community in Maine and some of us will attend the Diwali festival in Scarborough. In addition to the Conference weekend, we offer a series of free community events at southern Maine and Midcoast libraries. Betsy: There are students who attend from high schools and universities. Teachers at those educational institutions teach a course related to the theme and bring students to the conference as part of the course experience. Their presence enriches the experience for all of us.
“India: Rising Ambitions, Challenges at Home.” Public Radio’s David Brancaccio will moderate. He has been our moderator for a few years and he’s excellent. Our previous moderator, Nick Burns, is now Vee: This year’s conference title is the ambassador to China.
Seventy-five years after independence, India is on track to have both the world’s largest population and the second largest economy. It is pursuing a unique path as a democracy and as an ambitious player in global affairs. Possession of nuclear weapons gives it prestige globally and confidence in its security amid unstable neighbors. Domestically, a diverse, complicated, multicultural mosaic of issues — from poverty, caste, religion, to repression of women and minorities — pose unrelenting challenges for democratic institutions. Other Events in December Free or by donation. For details: How will a younger generation of Indian leaders choose its priorities? What’s at www.camdenconference.org/events stake for China, Russia, and the United States as India expands its role in the glob- Women’s Identity in India: Old Views, al economy and becomes a more assertive New Views, Dec. 3, 3 - 4:30 p.m., Rockland. leader in the Indo-Pacific region? South Asia’s Climate Challenges and Pathways to Positive Solutions (via Nirupama Rao served as India’s Foreign ZOOM), Dec. 6, 6:30 - 8 p.m., CumberSecretary from 2009 to 2011, and as Inland Center. dia’s Ambassador to the United States, to Caste: A Crash Course, Dec. 13, 6 China, and to Sri Lanka. 7:30 p.m., Rockport. Visit CamdenConference.org for suggested readings and videos. The conference PelotonLabs is a co-working space in is from February 16th to 18th. In-person the West End of Portland, Maine with a cost is $300. Streaming live at USM and mission to connect and encourage peoRockland, $200. Home streaming, $250. ple working on their own to manifest their visions without fear. Reduced prices available to students. Nirupama Rao, Keynote Speaker
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FOOD & DRINK
LAYNE’S WINE GIG PRESENTS
Clickbait Catfight By Layne V. Witherell On one level this story is about a wine tour gone bad – really bad. But on another level, it is about all of us and our obsession with trying to connect on social media, or more specifically our obsessions with personal brand building and when those brands collide.
BABBEL FIrst, let’s look at this language app company that teaches you languages. As soon as you look it up once, it constantly reappears as ads on your phone – no different than any other algorithm generated ad. But I love the marketing from their ads, such as “customers play out their own unique language speaking fantasies.” There is real meat there. The origin of the name came from the Tower of Babel, but the dictionary definition is “to talk rapidly and continuously in a foolish or incomprehensible way.” Babbel simply reflects what every modern marketing company aspires to: the signing up of a new generation, the eager, fresh young demographic, while waving byebye to those boomers going off on Viking Cruises. Enter Tana Mongeau.
TANA MONGEAU Tana is a 26-year-old YouTube brand and TikTok sensation influencer with the looks and attire of her idol Paris Hilton.
She is an outrageous dynamo with over five million followers. The set-up is simple: Babbel’s goal is to sign her up on a wine tour of the Champagne region of France, with their language app in hand, singing the glories of the region in her newfound language and getting those five million young, eager followers on board. The problem occurred when neither branded tribe did their homework. As an internet brand, you must continuously post stuff (i.e. content) and in Tana’s case it could be beyond boardroom courteous. Also, not only was she her own brand, but she created a drink brand Dizzy Red Layne shares a tale of social media drama and offers some good books to read if Wine. “Made for 20 somethings that want your really want to learn about the people and the grapes of the wine world. -All photos courtesy of Layne Witherell to drink wine on their own terms in their own way.” Whew. Welcome to Tana. An In their own worlds they are both THE TOUR irresistible social media force. Tana is the symbol of the take no prisoners Gen Z stars, but those worlds couldn’t be more For her part, Tana and her cohorts different. Cynthia’s mantra of women emgeneration. are up drinking Champagne until six a.m. powering women in the “male dominatThey aren’t excited about a wakeup call. “I CYNTHIA COUTU: ed” wine industry works for a 50’ish cliendon’t want to learn about fertilization of @DELECTABULLES tele catering to women. Unfortunately for grass in the middle of France in a town of Cynthia, “diversity” has managed to sneak a population of 300 at 8:34 a.m. after I’ve Coutu is a fifty-something Canadian in under the door. Issa Rae, a black wom- just walked a mile and a half and there’s wine educator and tour director living in France who “empowers women one bot- an star and producer is under contract yet to be a glass of wine in my hand.” tle of Champagne at a time.” The problem to the Gallo winery to produce her own That’s not well and good, getting for her and Tana begins with her school- prosecco. And let’s not forget the first naher bored and all, while listening to the marmish looks and hyper wine educator tive woman winemaker in Oregon, Brandy scripted droning of a schoolmarm. Tana’s attitude, replete with loads of luxury travel Gray (Cherokee and Shawnee). Ironically, mistake was posting to her faithful, “I abindustry accolades. She refers to “Women indigenous peoples never made wine. It’s a solutely want her dead.” With Tana fresh in Wine” no less than FIFTY TIMES on her new world out there Cynthia. Then there Cont'd on Next Page is Tana. website.
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THE WEST END NEWS / DECEMBER 2023
LAYNE'S WINE GIG: Clickbait
zinfandel lasted for one hundred years. A very readable account.
Cont'd from Previous Page
“Great Winemakers of California: Conversations with Robert Benson,” Capra Press, 1977. His interview with Paul Draper is priceless. This is simply journalism at its best. He even recommends Ridge wine to drink while you are reading the chapter.
outrage is always necessary.When you say Then in the 1960’s some Stanford Univerthat to your half million chomping fans, sity people started it up again. Paul Drapthen repercussions are bound to happen. er was one of the partners as well as the winemaker. He can best be characterized Cynthia gets death threats.Wine tour as a philosopher farmer. They already had people just don’t get death threats. That is great cabernet, as Montebello Vineyards rarely part of the job. shows up on your phone. So, Tana loses her sponsor.
Enter the genius.
Babbel’s statement: “We need to vet people more carefully.”
With cabernet getting pricey, Draper searched for an equal quality alternative. It might be the zinfandel grape? Most zins in California were rustic, well-aged Italian styled wines. Being a philosopher and student, he found THE book: “The Wine Press and the Cellar,” by E.H. Rixford, 1883. Rixford, a California winery own- Layne's "Wine of the Year 2023," Ridge er spent years in Bordeaux studying the Three Valleys Sonoma (Zinfandel blend). techniques step by step of the greatest chateau. He recorded them all complete can lay down and age for decades as the with the exact grape variety plantings of winery uses specially selected American famous vineyards. oak barrels for a hint of toast complexity.
The website wineberserkers.com continues to light up like a Christmas tree. The theme here is that each group had their own agenda and didn’t get together to share goals and thoughts. Or, in the famous words of the late Rodney King, “Why can’t we all just get along.” It is, after all, the Internet Age.
WINE OF THE YEAR 2023 Don’t put that smart phone away just yet. There is more fun to come.
Draper then went on a quest to lo- GOOD WINE BOOKS cate dry farmed old zinfandel vines that Now that we have you thinking outcould be made in a new direction - in the style of the famed red Bordeaux. This is side the app, here are the books to read natural wine without the hype, boho label- if you want to explore the people and the grapes. ing or adorableness.
Point that VIVINO app on your phone to the label of the Ridge Three Valleys Sonoma (Zinfandel blend) wine at $27.99. WOW! It is a 4.1 or 4.2 and that tells you exactly nothing. If you really want to take The Three Valleys blend has more oba post-VIVINO phone app dive, you might vious fruit than cabernet and is easier to enjoy reading a book to really see why this drink when young. Petite Sirah is a symwine is great. biotic vineyard accompaniment, lending Ridge started as a turn of the century color, fragrance, and spice. The good news winery in the Los Gatos hills in California. is that they both ripen at the same time, Of course, prohibition wiped them out. saving worries about weather. Ridge wines
“Charles L. Sullivan Zinfandel: A History of a Grape and Its Wine,” University of California Press, 2003. He uncovers the unknown travels and origins of “the mystery grape.” Lots of historic lore out there, but he clears up the story. The search for the true origins of the
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“The Wine Press and the Cellar,” by E.H.Rixford, 1883. If you want to eventually turn off or throw away your phone, then go on a quest for this book. This is not light reading, but if you are caught up on your chemistry, he takes you inside 19th century Bordeaux chateaus. You can spend $2,500 for the original edition. You can buy a whole lot of Ridge wine for that money. Paul Draper, at 86, is retired and lives close to the winery. The accolades keep piling up.
Layne has been a professional in the wine business for many decades and was awarded the Master Knight of the Vine for his pioneering work in Oregon. He can be reached at lvwitherell@gmail.com. -All photos courtesy of Layne Witherell
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14 THE WEST END NEWS / DECEMBER 2023
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
The cool, delicious region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy By Nancy Dorrans Long known to Italians as the culinary heart of the country, Emilia-Romagna is now being discovered by international travelers. CNN recently posted National Geographic’s “cool (travel destination) list” 2024 and Emilia-Romagna ranked 3rd out of 30: 1. 2. 3.
Albanian Alps, Albania Belfast, Northern Ireland Emilia-Romagna, Italy
On our first day, a morning hike landed us at Cantina Terre Rosse Vallania - Colli Bolognesi. Here we were treated to a delicious lunch and our first of many servings of local salami, prosciutto, and Mortadella, the famous Bologna cold cut. Then a variety of breads and cheeses were followed by a second course of pasta: rosette shaped lasagna. Followed lastly with a tour and lesson on how they make and bottle their delicious sparkling Pignoletto!
The next day we walked from our hoThis was what my colleagues at Bikes tel through the porticoes of Bologna to Plus/Cycle Europe, an Italian Tour Oper- find chef Davide at his Bologna Cucina, the ator based in Bologna, already knew. This Cultura Italiana Cooking School. region - along with the persimmons - was Here the patient chef Davide helped ripe! our groups prepare and enjoy amazing I was there when this list came out, lunches of fresh Tagliatelle with Ragu and escorting two different back-to-back Ad- spinach, ricotta Tortaloni (a larger version venture Marketplace groups in this region of Tortellini) with butter/sage sauce, and of Italy, which is southeast of Tuscany, run- Tiramisu. All enjoyed with local wines, of ning east to the Adriatic sea, south of Ven- course. Buon Appetito! ice and north of Florence. Group One was more of a cultural and leisurely pace. The walks led by Betta, our expert tour leader, were designed to be gentle, usually no more than three miles per day with light hikes up hills. Group Two was a Women, Walking, and Wine group (plus two husbands) and was a bit more active with walks between eight and twelve miles each day.
Adventure Marketplace small group tour exploring Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. -All photos courtesy of Nancy Dorrans Adventure Marketplace is developing and organizing small active group adventures to “out of the ordinary” (non-touristy) areas. This will help you and our planet (and the effects of over-tourism). Experience new trails, immerse yourself in new cultures, meet local specialists, and enjoy some insider hospitality.
Frederico leading the balsamic lesson at Acetaia Sereni.
Group One cooking class at the Cultura Italiana Cooking School.
Both group adventures started in Bologna, “a gastronomic powerhouse with an In the afternoon we boarded the litincredibly rich history.” We continued to tle express trolley up to Madonna di San the lovely towns, hills, and fertile land of Luca, The Sanctuary of the Madonna of Emilia in the west and then east to RoSan Luca basilica. A few walked back to magna and the coast of the Adriatic Sea. town and stopped for an Aperol Spritz. Here we discovered the secrets be- We enjoyed sunset happy hour on the hind the fabled food and the increasingly terrace of our hotel, then pizza followed popular wines of the region. We visited by limoncello, live music, and shadows… and enjoyed local wines in cellars and All in a day. vineyards, tasting among other varietOn to Modena for a morning stroll ies Lambrusco, sparkling Pignoletto, Sangiovese (the same grape used in Chianti), and tour of this ancient and historically and my favorite, Trebbiano, made from “It- weird city. A visit to Casa Museo Luciano Pavarotti gave me a greater appreciation aly’s hard-working grape.” of Pavarotti, the tenor legend who along We visited local food establishments with his pop musician friends brought opthroughout the region and savored an era to a much wider audience. amazing variety of local delicacies: cold Next up, an afternoon balsamic vinecuts, cheeses, olive oils, balsamic vinegar, pastas, truffles, chocolates, and so much gar lesson and tasting with Frederico and more. his family at Acetaia Sereni. There is so
much to learn about the DOP and the IGP of balsamic. And I have so much more to share about my experiences on this Italian adventure! Stay tuned for Part II of our “Out of the Ordinary” adventures in the cool and delicious Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. And please visit my newly renovated website at www.adventure-marketplace. com for upcoming adventures and highlights. Adventure Marketplace is working to offer new adventures that are more sustainable and offer community building partnerships. Through hundreds of world-wide contacts made as a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association,
Nancy with Pavarotti in Modena.
Nancy Dorrans is founder of Adventure Marketplace... Navigating travelers on authentic, nurturing, global and local adventures since 2014.
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PUZZLES
THE WEST END NEWS / DECEMBER 2023
19th Century Inventions Trivia 1. Whitcomb Judson invented what small but essential mechanism, which the YKK Group in Japan is the world’s largest manufacturer of? 2. What Italian engineer is commonly known as the inventor of radio, for which he shared the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics? 3. Charles Goodyear developed the method for hardening rubber by adding sulfur which is named after what Roman god of fire? 4. Richard Trevithick invented the first steam-powered rock drill, just like the one what “steel-driving” folk hero beat in a race?
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ANSWERS: SEE PG. 16 & ONLINE TheWestEndNews.com/Puzzle-Solutions
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16 THE WEST END NEWS / DECEMBER 2023
PUZZLE ANSWERS Puzzles on Pg. 15
19th Century Inventions Trivia 1.
Zippers
2.
Guglielmo Marconi
3.
Vulcan (Vulcanization)
4.
John Henry
CLIMATE JUSTICE WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
Is Climate Change Solvable? money will be directly redistributed to Americans. This cash will more than offset increased energy costs during the transiWhile the summer-like temperatures tion to renewable energy. during the last days of October were warm and delightful, we are nervously The best estimates of the effects of aware this is another symptom of 2023 recently passed climate legislation show being the hottest year on record. Glob- that we are headed toward reducing US al average air temperatures for both land greenhouse gas emissions by about 30% and ocean are off the charts. Here are the by 2030. With the addition of bipartisan ocean data, from the University of Maine legislation speeding up clean energy per(the dark line represents 2023 temps): mitting reform, we can get to about 40% emissions reduction by 2030. If we pass the carbon fee with cash back embodied in the Energy Innovation Act, we can reach the 50% emissions reduction goal specified in the Paris Agreement. The emissions reductions of the different bills are illustrated here: By Casey Elizabeth Gilbert & David Kunhardt
So, is climate change solvable? Yes, it is.
The challenge is daunting, but we should not be discouraged.We can still act with a policy that is equitable and will take us most of the way towards reaching our emissions reduction targets. Although the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act have sped up action and stimulated increased private investment in clean energy beyond what was anticipated, it is not enough. Fortunately, legislation has been reintroduced to the House of Representatives called the Energy Innovation Act. This bill will tax companies releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and deliver those funds to Americans in the form of direct cash back. In other words, major polluters (such as coal, oil, and gas companies) will pay the government money in proportion to their tons of carbon pollution, and that
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How do we know taxing carbon will be effective? The United Kingdom introduced a carbon tax in 2013.The following six years saw a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas pollution of 61%, especially from reducing coal.
How can this policy be equitable if it makes fossil fuels more expensive? Regional economic analysis projects that two-thirds of all Americans, especially those of lower income (who tend to spend less on carbon-intensive products) will come out ahead with the cash from polluters. Those who have larger carbon footprints (generally wealthier people owning more vehicles or flying frequently) will pay more. Still the majority of people will receive more money in cash back than they spend on increased costs. Additionally, a consensus of over 3,600 Democratic, Republican, and non-partisan economists agree that a carbon tax with cash back will be both effective and good for the economy.
How can you help? Join Citizens Climate Lobby’s efforts to get the Energy Innovation Act (H.R. 5457) supported and passed. Write to your Senators King and Collins, both of whom are on the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, and your Representative Pingree or Golden. Additionally, you can sign on to the Carbon Cash-Back 4 ME campaign, in which more than two dozen Maine communities have passed resolutions asking Congress to take this action. The fight is not over. You can make a huge difference. Together we can pass equitable and effective legislation needed to reach our climate goals. Casey Elizabeth Gilbert of Portland and David Kunhardt of Scarborough are volunteers with Portland Citizens’ Climate Lobby. We’re All in this Together is a monthly column provided by Portland’s local Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
CLIMATE JUSTICE
THE WEST END NEWS / DECEMBER 2023
17
CLIMATE NEWS BRIEFS
Save Money & Stay Warm: Governor’s Energy Office releases guide The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) released an updated winter heating guide to help everyone save money and keep warm this winter. The guide includes key information, helpful tips, and links to online resources where consumers can explore topics like heat pumps, wood and propane heating, and energy assistance programs. The guide also includes information on energy efficiency incentive programs and heating assistance via MaineHousing, Efficiency Maine, and more. Earlier this year, Governor Mills committed to accelerating Maine’s transition to using 100 percent clean energy by 2040, a move that would ensure that high efficiency heating technologies in Maine – such as heat pumps – are powered by clean electricity to further reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
ecomaine Receives EPA Grant
Holiday Gifting:Thinking Outside the Box By Caitlin Marshall
vetting the quality of an organization.
It’s the holiday season, and in America, that always means one thing: it’s time ecomaine has received the Recycling to buy stuff. A lot of stuff. Education and Outreach (REO) Grant from the Environmental Protection AgenThe core of our tradition of gifting is cy (EPA) with funding of $2 million. The lovely; who doesn’t love cultivating gengrant aims to increase the recycling rate erosity and celebration? But when we’ve in Maine via a targeted pilot program with reached a new norm of “Door-Buster dedicated educational outreach program- Deals!” and “Cyber Monday Starts Saturming and single-sort recycling strategies in day!!” - we’ve lost our way. So, let’s think multi-family dwelling units, where access outside the box! Here are a few fun ways to participation traditionally has been lim- to spread the love and skip the stuff. ited. • Custom Coupon Book: A great option for kids; things like “you get ecomaine will be partnering with to pick the music for the car ride,” member communities (73 in total) to de“dessert before dinner,” or “stay up termine the highest-impact areas to taran extra half hour,” to be cashed in get in this program. Ecomaine intends to when they please. But it can work for reach out to disadvantaged communities adults, too! “Hot cider & snowshoeby offering specialized educational opporing,” “I’ll bring beers and we’ll weed tunities and translated materials. Additionyour garden together.” ally, they are currently visiting towns with lower recycling rates to encourage participation and increase education.
With the help of this grant, ecomaine will host a Kick-off Recycling summit which will bring together multi-family residents, property owners, homeowner associations, and municipal stakeholders Find the 2023 Maine Winer Heating to better understand the barriers they Guide here: https://www.maine.gov/ener- face. For more information email info@ gy/winter-heating-resources. ecomaine.org.
• A Handwritten Letter: Everyone appreciates a sincere, handwritten note. Especially in this age of emails and texts, a card written by hand shows you’re giving the gift of your time and attention. • Invent a Tradition: Instead of thinking of free or low-impact gifts, consider simply de-emphasizing gifting and building up other traditions. If your family already makes huge batches of tamales or has borscht on Christmas Eve, lean into those. But you can also start from scratch! Bake cookies for the neighbors, read the same book, bundle up for a night walk to look at the lights.
May your holidays be joyful and light! • Yankee Swap: White Elephant style is the best: nothing should be purchased new, or even be useful. It Caitlin Marshall is a Portland resident and should be the most ridiculous, tacky member of the Portland Climate Action Team item already at your home, innocent- (PCAT). ly wrapped up and added to the pile. Bright Ideas is brought to you by PCAT, • Contribute to a Cause: There are which meets the third Tuesday of the month, 6 many excellent climate-focused organizations, international to local. Char- to 7:30 p.m. All are welcome! FMI: portlandityNavigator is a great resource for climateaction@gmail.com.
COMPOST YOUR FOOD SCRAPS FOR FREE!
Collect food scraps at home and bring it to one of the drop-off sites and empty it into one of the containers. DROP OFF SITES LOCATED AT KING MIDDLE SCHOOL REICHE SCHOOL BRENTWOOD COMMUNITY GARDEN RIVERTON COMMUNITY GARDEN LIBBYTOWN COMMUNITY GARDEN PAYSON PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN BOYD STREET COMMUNITY GARDEN NORTH STREET COMMUNITY GARDEN PARKS & RECREATION 212 CANCO ROAD
18 THE WEST END NEWS / DECEMBER 2023
BROADER PICTURE
BOOK SHORT
‘Devil Makes Three’ by Ben Fountain Enter the lawlessness of Haiti, 1991, when a violent coup d’état results in the fall of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who escapes to Washington, DC. We meet American expat Matt Amaker, who is forced to abandon his beautiful and nearly profitable scuba diving business to the brutal military dictatorship now taking over the country. As far as Matt knows, they took it for the beach access, perfect for running illegal imports. An international embargo adds to the chaos and violence as factions of powerful players vie for control.
There, rookie CIA agent Audrey O’Donnell finds herself doing clandestine work for a ”sponsored transnational lynch mob,” that leads many of her key sources - including Misha, Matt, and Alix - dead, imprisoned, or exiled. I found it hard to empathize with Audrey’s choices, although Fountain does try to humanize her.
‘Mercy,’ by Lara Santoro — Maine author Anna, an Italian journalist stationed in Nairobi, is maneuvered by flamboyant and charismatic Mercy into hiring her as a house girl. While the insight into the lifestyle of international journalists is fascinating, it is Mercy who is the heart and soul of Santoro’s first novel. With the pace of a fast-moving news story, we follow Mercy in her quest for money, stature, and possibly happiness, although it is hard to know what really makes Mercy content. Wrapped up in a sobering view of the slums, political unrest, and the burgeoning AIDS pandemic, we fall in love with Mercy’s tenacity and wisdom, as Anna herself grows to depend on and admire her.
Review by Stephanie Miller
Matt turns to his business partner and friend Alix Variel, the entrepreneurial son of a socially prominent Haitian family. Their business destroyed, they devise a scheme to raise 18th century shipwrecks for the priceless treasure rumored to lie along the Haitian coast. Their attempts to fund the dive through a wealthy, eccentric businessman trigger a flood of disastrous events – including one where Alix’s sister Misha uncovers an arms-trafficking ring disguised as a US government humanitarian aid office.
cluding Stephanie herself.The story is dark but compelling. Leichter keeps it brief and focused.
DEVIL MAKES THREE By Ben Fountain | 531 pp. | Flatiron Books die. I cannot recommend the experience.” Told in three voices, Matt, Misha and Audrey, the award-winning author of “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” takes on a little known, but highly significant slice of American history, exposing cracks in our culture and global leadership. It highlights the blood politics and power struggles of one of America’s island allies, and questions the American aims and policies which surely contributed to the upheaval and daily struggles for dignity, fair work, food, and safety faced by the Haitian people. It gives us a glimpse into the long historical battle for control in the country and turns out to be a rather psychological study of power, domination, self-preservation, and ego.
Audrey is both ruthless and naMicro Shorts ive, blithely exploring voodoo practices while building her source network. Misha ‘Terrace Story,’ by Hilary dislikes her, and at one point, “smiled at Leichter (Audrey) and thought about the infinity of A beautiful terrace suddenly appears things Haitians couldn’t afford, sentimenin the closet of a cramped city apartment tality being one of them.” owned by a young family. Soon, it is clear It is impossible for ordinary Haitians that the entrance only opens when their to make sense of or maneuver through the friend Stephanie visits. Stephanie gets inquagmire of dueling political factions. A lo- vited over a lot. This short novel traces cal explains to Matt at a party, “Angry and how the astonishing expansion of space bitter, that’s a terrible way for a person to affects everyone who comes into contact be. But it’s awful, watching your country with Stephanie’s secret superpower, in-
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‘The Veins of the Ocean,’ by Patricia Engel Several in book club didn’t like this novel’s rather fantastic immigrant story of loss and faith, but I mostly found it heartbreakingly sad, despite the hopeful, happy ending. Woven through the story is a sister’s dedication to her imprisoned brother. Cast adrift after his unexpected death, she moves to a remote corner of Florida, connecting with another drifting immigrant, and together they slowly learn to trust. Dealing with grief, anger, and guilt, she comes to terms with the right to live her own life. Along the way are interesting insights into the cultures of Columbia and Cuba. Stephanie Miller is a voracious reader and bibliophile and spends a lot of time lost in the stacks of bookstores and libraries. Find her online @StephanieSAM.
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DECEMBER EDITION HILLTOP SUPERETTE’s
SLICE FROM THE PIE BITES OF NEWS THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT…
WENA selects Steven Scharf for President and former WEN contributor Rosanne Graef for Vice President… In city news… City breaks ground on Mavodones Landing a new public boat launch named after long-serving former city councilor Nick Mavodones… Rebels Dance Collective and Artlovelifestyle Magazine celebrate 10 years since Portland voted to legalize cannabis with an End of Prohibition Speakeasy… From the world of business… Portland names Bissell Brothers Brewery the Business of the Year in part for giving $50k annually to local charities… Body Positive Dance Fitness opens Portland’s only fulltime dance fitness studio at Pine Tree Shopping Center… East End bar The Snug closes after 17 years… In sporting news… Maine has the highest percentage (62%) of students who participate in high school sports in the nation… Portland Bulldogs win the 111-year-old Turkey Bowl defeating the Deering Rams 27-0… A special edition Portland Monopoly game available at local stores includes over forty landmarks like METRO, Casco Bay Lines, the Downeaster, and Narrow Gauge Railroad occupying the traditional “RR” spaces… From unnecessary lists… Portland is named the 2nd Most Underrated City by The Frugal Expat… Maine is named the 5th Most Charitable State by Wallethub thanks to high volunteer rates and hours spent volunteering per person… In animal welfare news… American Humane provides 207 service dogs to U.S. veterans in need of support through its Pups4Patriots Program… Maine Community Foundation awards a total of $408,980 to 29 nonprofit organizations to advance animal welfare through its Animal Welfare Fund… Census Bureau estimates the world population hit 8 billion on September 26...
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We don’t know when 18 became 19 But the shooter is no more. The lockdown has lifted And it was unrelated to covid The last gasp of summer Though it is almost Halloween The wind, relentless, Denudes trees Leaves fly down the street Suspended in the air until the breeze dies away Then they fall, slow as snowflakes. They move, while I remain inert.
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