After-hours concert to feature Irish trio

The South Portland Public Library continues its series of free after-hours events with a traditional Irish music concert by The Nicole Rabata Trio. The concert will be held at the library’s main location at 482 Broadway, South Portland, on Saturday, March 8, from 7-8:30 p.m.

Irish flutist Nicole Rabata is highly regarded both in and out of traditional music fields. She has toured America and Europe, been featured on BBC Glasgow, and her solo recording was recently featured on NPR. Recently, she spent two months in India where she performed and taught music at the Gandhi Ashram School in the Himalayas. Her playing is featured on the forthcoming film “The Heavenly Angle” along with Natalie MacMaster. She is on the faculty at Colby College and 317 Main St. Community Music Center in Maine.

Performing with Rabata will be Christian “Junior” Stevens on the squeezebox. Stevens has become a fixture in the Irish traditional music scene in America. Performing on Button Accordion and Anglo Concertina, he has honed his craft performing at home and abroad, as an active promoter of traditional music, a highly sought-after dance musician, and as a teacher. He combines a deep respect for the centuries-old traditions with an evolving appreciation for modern musical sensibilities. He regularly performs with Maine-based ensembles The Press Gang, The Milliners, and Sylvain’s Acadian Aces.

Library writing group meets

The writing group sponsored by the South Portland Public Library will meet 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, at the main branch, off Broadway. The group is open to all genres and abilities. Bring a sample to share or just listen. Call 767-7660 for more information.

Library wants Legos

The South Portland Public Library is seeking the donation of Legos to start a new Lego Club. Anyone with Lego building blocks to spare can drop them off in the Children’s Room at the main library, off Broadway. Call 767-7660 for more information.

Tax prep help

available March 8

CA$H Maine Free Tax Preparation Day on Saturday, March 8, at Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, 125 John Robert’s Road, South Portland, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

CA$H Maine, a coalition of 10 statewide nonprofits, is also providing free 1-on-1 counseling on college savings, including information on up to $1,250 in grants per child that are available to all Mainers ($1,550 for newborns registered before their first birthday). CA$H Maine will help clients determine if they can claim the earned income tax credit and will provide access to a free credit report when they work with a CA$H Maine savings coach. CA$H Maine will have savings counselors on-site.

Information about free CA$H Maine sites is available by visiting www.cashmaine.org or by calling 2-1-1.

Collins returns to reporting roots at the Current

Long-time Current Publishing staff writer and award-winning reporter Kate Irish Collins is thrilled to be back on her original beat, as she takes on covering the communities of Scarborough, South Portland and Cape Elizabeth once again.

Collins was the first full-time reporter hired by publisher Lee Hews when she founded the Current in 2001. Collins has been covering a variety of different areas for the publishing group for the past several years and most recently was just down the road in Biddeford and Saco.

“I know much has changed in these dynamic communities since I last covered this beat, but what I know hasn’t changed is how passionate area residents are about local politics, their schools and showing off their civic pride,” Collins said.

“I hope to keep up the great coverage Scarborough, South Portland and Cape Elizabeth have received from the Current for more than a decade,” she added.

Collins is also happy to be able to once again haunt some of her favorite spots in southern Maine, from Bug Light Park and the greenbelt in South Portland, to Pine Point in Scarborough and Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth.

Anyone with story ideas, suggestions, announcements of upcoming events or questions should feel free to contact Collins at kcollins@keepmecurrent.com or 710-2336.

Locals earn NYA honors

The following students in Scarborough and South Portland attained honor roll status for the first semester at North Yarmouth Academy.

Highest Honors

Grade 9: Gabrielle Linscott of South Portland

Grade 8: Kara Jensen of Scarborough

High Honors

Grade 12: Freddie Hu of Scarborough, and Mitchell Rand of Scarborough

Honors

Grade 11: Kristina Block of Scarborough

Grade 10 Joshua Chapman of Scarborough

Maine Spine & Nerve Institute relocates to Scarborough

Maine Spine & Nerve Institute, a practice that specializes in using advanced medical technology to treat peripheral neuropathy, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bulging discs, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis without pain medications or surgical intervention, has relocated from Damariscotta to 200 Professional Drive in Scarborough.

“Our new, state-of-the-art facility is conveniently located just off Route 1 and will allow us to better serve our patients,” said Dr. Douglas VanderPloeg.

In addition to a new office, Maine Spine & Nerve Institute has a new website, www.mainenervespine.com, that is filled with patient testimonials, articles and general information about Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, Electroanalgesic and Laser Therapy used to reduce or eliminate pain in qualifying patients.

The business offers a free consultation to anyone suffering from neuropathic or spinal pain. For more information, visit www.mainespinenerve.com or call 219-8078.

Nicole Rabata