Author Paula Benoit and illustrator Thomas Block will launch their new children’s book, “Baxter in the Blaine House,” with a signing on Sunday at L.L. Bean. In “Baxter in the Blaine House,” Baxter the dog serves as tour guide of the mansion that’s been home to Maine governors and their families since 1920. Gov. Paul […]

You probably knew someone like Mavis Gary in high school. If you didn’t date her, then you most likely hated her. Beautiful, statuesque, popular, occasionally cruel and not unintelligent, girls like Mavis ruled the school — and seemed poised to rule the world. But Mavis’ life didn’t turn out that way. At the start of […]

One of the first things I noticed when I walked into “Maine Wood 2012” was a small sign on Gregory Crispell’s “Four Drawer Box” that reads: “Please handle with care.” The usual operating assumption in museums and galleries, of course, is a giant, imaginary sign that says “DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT TOUCHING THIS OR ANYTHING […]

Brad Bird has made some of the more brilliant and thrilling animated movies of the past two decades, if not of all time. He pushed the boundaries of feature animation with “The Iron Giant” and won best-animated-feature Oscars with “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille,” merging commercial and critical success. But Bird scorns complacency, quoting Steve Jobs’ […]

Portland’s magnificent Kotzschmar Organ will be undergoing extensive repairs next year. No doubt, we will miss the historic organ while it is out of commission for up to 18 months. This means that every concert that utilizes the Kotzschmar between now and its 100th anniversary next summer should be treasured. With that as context, Tuesday’s […]