3rd Healthiest for Women

Self.com ranks the Portland metro area 3rd out of 100 healthiest places for women. Burlington took the top prize.

"'You can work downtown, hop on a bike at lunch and quickly be in a wooded area by a stream,' enthuses Heather Chandler, 38, publisher of the Sunrise Guide, a book of green-living tips for southern Maine. The area (including South Portland and Biddeford) posts primo scores for water and air quality and has nearly 70 percent more green buildings than the average. The state gives a green stamp of approval to eco-aware hotels and restaurants so customers can seek them out."

tip: I Love Portland Maine.com

Green Hand Bookshop Opens

The Green Hand book store is now open on Congress St. (next to Joe's Smoke Shop). The bookstore, run by Michelle Souliere of Strange Maine blog fame share the space with the 'International Cryptozoology Museum.'

photo by Bryan Buchman

The Scarlet Letter D

While Portland did the right thing last night, the majority of those who voted statewide chose discrimination with their votes to repeal the state's same-sex marriage law. The very disappointing result makes Maine the latest to not only continue to condone legal discrimination, but to reaffirm it by a popular vote.

While I am confident that in time this will be changed, we now have the mark of discrimination branded upon the state. It was a reminder that outside of Portland, many people in the state live in very different worlds. In countless communities there is no longer an economic engine, so people only leave and people who hold different values and provide new perspectives and don't move into those communities.

Once the bitterness of last nights vote passes, efforts to change the minds of those in the remote (and not so remote) communities can begin. Certainly many people won't change their views, but some will. While I don't know how this should be done, we can't just wait for the inevitable generational shift before we remove the stain of discrimination that has been placed upon our state.

Beans to Close Portland Outlet Store

The L.L. Bean outlet store on Congress St. will close next September. Maybe Linda will sell me irregular Smartwool socks.

VOTE, dammit

Phoenix endorsements
League of Young Voters endorsements

Bayside Trail Update

The Bayside Trail is coming along - see some photos by Corey Templeton at Daily Photo.

Oakhurst Adds Hybrid Truck

WMTW:

"The Portland-based company said the truck will use between 30 percent and 50 percent less fuel than its conventional trucks, burning about nine gallons a day as it delivers products to locations within 70 miles of Portland.

As part of the company's environmental commitment, Oakhurst said it has also installed a new solar energy system with 216 solar panels at its Waterville distribution center."

Art Beats Housing

Quimby will not have to pay for the housing units she is eliminating.

"The Portland City Council early this morning voted 6-3 to allow Roxanne Quimby to renovate a run-down apartment building on Congress Street into studios for an artist-in-residence program without having to pay more than $400,000 in city fees earmarked for affordable housing.

The vote at approximately 12:30 a.m. followed the “heart-wrenching” testimony of roughly 50 people divided equally between housing advocates who opposed the exemption and supporters of the arts who favored it, according to City Councilor David Marshall, chair of the council’s Housing Committee.

Councilors John Anton, Kevin Donoghue and Nicholas Mavodones Jr. voted against allowing the exemption."

- Portland Press Herald

Hell No on One! ~ Benefit Shows

Two shows at Empire Dine and Dance: Saturday 10/18, and an all ages show Sunday 10/19. Shows benefit Protect Maine Equality.

Featuring performances in whole or in part by members of:
Spencer and the School Spirit Mafia
Gypsy Tailwind
Lady Lamb the Beekeper
Jason Spooner
Kyle Gervais
The Rock and Roll Guru from WBLM
Chef Death Match
Kenya Hall
Lady Zen
The Number 9
As Fast As
The McCarthys
The Goodnight Process
Holy Boys Danger Club
Seymor (Billy Libby, Aren Sprinkle, Sean Morin)