Portland city officials are considering whether to return High Street and State Street, the one-way, up-and-over avenues across the downtown peninsula, to two-way traffic. I remember when they were designated one-way back in 1972. I was just out of college, just married, just started a new job, so I had no time to think about […]
Portland Forecaster
City-wide news from The Forecaster.
Policy Wonk: State of the state? Muddled
The possibilities for partisan gridlock in Augusta have seldom been greater, but lets begin on a positive note. Gov. Paul LePage is right when he calls for hospital Medicaid debt to be paid. Historically, each year’s Medicaid obligation was paid in full. The LePage administration has resumed this practice. The Baldacci administration (to balance the […]
Abby's Road: Feeling like a mom
When I was a new mother, I was asked when I first really “felt like a mom.” I’m not sure if this is a common question for new mothers, or if I was uniquely targeted because those around me wanted to be sure I realized that I was, in fact, a mother. I have spent […]
Letter: Don't believe the tar-sands advocates
I’m not surprised Canadian representatives advocating carrying tar-sands oil from Alberta to Portland came here with their dog-and-pony show (“Canadian official brings ‘fact’ about tar sands to Portland”). I am surprised however, that there is not more resistance by citizens to the tar sands, which has significant impact on global climate change. There are several […]
Letter: Maine's U.S. senators on the right track
As our country officially gets hit with the “sequester” spending cuts, which both parties agree are a poor way to address our national debt, I would like to point out that Maine’s politicians are doing a much better job than most at taking these issues seriously. I applaud their efforts and in particular Sen. Susan […]
Letter: Beem is right about reading with kids
Children’s literature is a great equalizer, as noted in Edgar Allen Beem’s recent column, “Grampy reads ‘Gumpy’”. In the true spirit of bipartisanship he lovingly described the power of picture books and the reading habit through a generational devotion to the character of Mr. Gumpy. Now with most anything these days there is always room […]
Letter: Portland should recognize its 'Education District'
I am writing in response to “Portland’s ‘Education District’ Hopes for Recognition” (Feb. 12). What a splendid idea by Ms. Schiller to take the opportunity while this study is going forward and include one of the foremost assets in the PACTS project. Improving signage for Portland’s various districts is a great idea in helping to […]
Ousted Baxter director allegedly posts parting words on school website
PORTLAND – The school chief fired by Baxter Academy for Technology and Science’s board of directors Thursday allegedly took control of the school’s website and Facebook page and posted an online protest against the board’s action. John Jaques was executive director of the soon-to-be-opened charter school at 54 York St. until Thursday afternoon, when the […]
Top picks: Jewel, Cherish the Ladies
Female musicians take the top two spots on this week’s picks of the tix. The top act is Jewel, a singer-songwriter who has sold multiple millions of records over the past 18 years. She will play Merrill Auditorium this Sunday. Cherish the Ladies is an all-female ensemble that plays traditional Irish music. They’ll visit Portland’s […]
Local author chronicles her "food frenzy"
FALMOUTH — After struggling with “food frenzy,” a local woman is hoping her new book helps others cope with the confusing world of food. Susan Lebel Young, the author of “Food Fix: Ancient Nourishment for Modern Hungers,” was born and raised in Falmouth and spent much of her life in Portland raising her children. A retired […]