Entertainment: Shake It Up "Weird It Up" Premiers April 1st

Entertainment: Shake It Up "Weird It Up" Premiers April 1st
Editor: David Mills

Fans of the Disney channel's series Shake It Up will be able to watch an all new episode entitled "Weird It Up" at 8:30pm on April 1st.

In this episode, Rocky and CeCe hire a manager who books them a gig on a Japanese game show where Flynn ends up being the contestant. Meanwhile, Ty takes an interest in a girl who only speaks Spanish and asks Deuce to accompany them on their first date.

Shake It Up stars Bella Thorne and Zendaya as CeCe Jones and Rocky Blue, Davis Cleveland as Flynn Jones, Roshon Fegan as Ty Blue, Adam Irigoyen as Deuce Martinez, Kenton Duty as Gunther Hessenheffer and Caroline Sunshine as Tinka Hessenheffer.  Recurring are R. Brandon Johnson as Gary Wilde and Anita Barone as Georgia Jones.

Photographs are courtesy of the Disney channel.

Bar Harbor Town Council Meeting April 3rd

Bar Harbor Town Council Meeting April 3rd
Editor: David Mills

BAR HARBOR, ME - To the residents of Bar Harbor there will be a Town Council Meeting on April 3rd at 7pm. There will be 2 public hearings for the following purposes.

Please note the Bar Harbor Town Council Meeting agenda for April 3rd is included.

Agenda

Bar Harbor Town Council

April 3, 2012

I. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 p.m.
A. Excused Absence(s)
II. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD – The Town Council will allow up to fifteen minutes of open public comment on any subject, for a trial period ending after its May 1 meeting.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. March 20, 2012
B. March 22, 2012
C. March 27, 2012
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
V. CONSENT AGENDA – A single vote has been scheduled to approve the fol-lowing routine items of business without discussion, unless individual agenda item action is requested by a Councilor:
A. MDI Regional School District Budget Validation Referendum – Possi-ble adoption of a motion “to countersign the warrant for the MDIRSD Budget Referendum, per MRSA 20-A§1486”.
B. Taxi Licenses: Possible passage of a motion “to approve one taxi cab li-cense for Bar Harbor Cruise Taxi and one taxi cab license for Bar Harbor Coastal Cab”.
1. Bar Harbor Cruise Taxi - Request of Ronald Baillargeon for one taxi. Approved by Police Chief and proof of insurance provided.
2. Bar Harbor Coastal Cab – Request of Craig Wood for one taxi. Approved by Police Chief and proof of insurance provided.
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Special Amusement Permit Renewals:
1. Kebo Valley Golf Club, 136 Eagle Lake Road, for a Class 3a, three or more musicians with amplification, as submitted by David Closson.
2. ImprovAcadia, 15 Cottage Street, for a Class 4, any other type of entertainment, as provide by 28A MRSA 1054.1.C, as submitted by Larrance Fingerhut.
VII. REGULAR BUSINESS:
A. Board of Assessment Review Appointment – Application of Michael Blythe for appointment to one of the two vacant seats with an expiring term of June 2012.
B. The Jackson Laboratory – Presentation on the Jackson Lab’s Ellsworth expansion by Jill Goldthwait, Jax Director of Government Relations.
C. Water Division Pump Station Improvements – Request of the Town At-torney for passage of a resolution to authorize the Treasurer and Chair of the Town Council to arrange for $1,754,150 in temporary and permanent financing for the Duck Brook Pump Station project.
D. Public Works Garage Complex – Request of the Treasurer for passage of a bond reimbursement resolution “Declaration of Official Intent” to allow reimbursement of planning expenses from future bond proceeds.
E. Annual Town Meeting:
1. Request of the Town Manager for tentative approval of the explana-tions and recommendations for warrant articles.
2. Request of the Town Manager for tentative approval of the draft war-rant for annual Town Meeting.
3. Warden Appointment – Request of the Town Manager that the Town Clerk be appointed to serve as Warden for the June 12th MDI Re-gional School District Budget Referendum election, pursuant to Title 20-A, and the State Primary.
F. Curb Cut – Request of the Witham Family Partnership on behalf of the Villager Motel, 207 Main Street, to narrow the existing driveway entrance to 24 feet, move the entrance 6 feet to the north and relocate one existing on-street parking space.
G. Sidewalks – Request of Councilor Walsh for discussion of sidewalk ob-structions.
H. MDOT Biennial Capital Work Plan – Request of the Maine Department of Transportation for municipal input on its Biennial Capital Work Plan.
I. Maine Municipal Association – Request for nomination of candidates for the MMA executive committee and president.
J. Treasurer’s Warrant – Request of Treasurer to authorize paid bills.
VIII. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT AGENDA
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A. Island Explorer Lease – Consideration of the acquisition or disposal of real property or rights therein. (To be held in executive session as permit-ted by 1 MRSA 405.6.C, since premature disclosure of this information would prejudice the competitive or bargaining position of the Town.)
B. Parking Garage – Consideration of the acquisition or disposal of real property or rights therein. (To be held in executive session as permitted by 1 MRSA 405.6.C, since premature disclosure of this information would prejudice the competitive or bargaining position of the Town.)
C. Town Manager’s Contract – (To be held in executive session as permit-ted by 1 MRSA 405.6.A for discussion or consideration of a personnel matter.)
X. ADJOURNMENT

Please send Rocky Coast News the results from this meeting to goodnews@rockycoastnews.com.

Ellis Paul Family Show at Strand Theatre March 31st

Ellis Paul Family Show at Strand Theatre March 31st
Editor: David Mills

ROCKLAND, ME - Playing selections from his Parent’s Choice Gold Award Winning album “The Hero In You” (January, 2012) and Silver Award Winning album “The Dragonfly Races” (2007), Ellis Paul creates a lively and engaging show for all ages.   This show at The Strand will be one of his first family shows featuring material from his new award-winning album!

Ellis Paul is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, poet, troubadour and father of two daughters, originally hailing from a potato farming family in northern Maine. Paul has become one of the leading voices in American songwriting and one of the top songwriters to emerge out of the fertile Boston folk scene.  He is the recipient of 13 Boston Music Awards, second only to multi-platinum act Aerosmith. He helped create a movement that revitalized the national acoustic circuit with an urban, literate, folk rock style that helped renew interest in the genre in the 90's.

Known for his deeply felt and socially conscious songwriting, often about heroes, Ellis Paul was inspired by his own two growing daughters and four years of performing for families to write about people who contributed something to the world through their work and art. ‘The Hero In You’ is a collection of songs that reminds both parents and children of the important individuals who had an incredible impact on American culture and history. America enjoys the kind of freedoms that have produced a long list of free thinkers, risk takers, innovators. By creating a dialogue within the family, and in the classroom, Ellis hopes to inspire kids to reach for the same great heights that these wonderful characters achieved.

“These people did amazing things, but they can also inspire young people today to go out and do something out of the ordinary to become the heroes of their own lives,”explains Paul.

His charismatic, personally authentic performance style has influenced a generation of artists away from the artifice of pop, and closer towards the realness of folk. Though he remains among the most pop-friendly of today's singer-songwriters - his songs regularly appear in hit movie and TV soundtracks - he has bridged the gulf between the modern folk sound and the populist traditions of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger more successfully than perhaps any of his songwriting peers.

Don’t miss this incredible musician and performer for a fun afternoon concert the whole family will enjoy!

We hope all those in community will be able to attend this family-friendly show today at 2pm. The Strand Theatre is located at 345 Main Street in Rockland, ME.

City of Belfast Council Meeting April 3rd

City of Belfast Council Meeting April 3rd

Editor: David Mills

BELFAST, ME - To the residents of Belfast there will be a City Council Meeting on April 3rd at 7pm. There will be six public hearings for the following purposes. 

Please note the City of Belfast Council Meeting agenda for April 3rd is included.

City of Belfast

Public Hearing #1

Council Chambers-Belfast City Hall

April 3, 2012

7:00 p.m.

Pursuant to Belfast Victualer License Ordinance a public hearing will be held on April 3, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon as possible thereafter, in the Council Chambers of Belfast City Hall on the following applications for a renewal Victualer Licenses to expire May 31, 2013.

Ronald Goldstein d/b/a Belfast Co-op
Ronald Benjamin d/b/a Belfast Variety, Inc.
Joseph Benjamin d/b/a Belfast Variety, Route 52
Nanette Gionfriddo d/b/a Beyond the Sea
Kurt Jones d/b/a Big Apple
Michael A. Bowen d/b/a Bowen’s Tavern, LLC
Lafayette Corporation d/b/a Comfort Inn Ocean’s Edge
W.D.Q. Inc d/b/a Dairy Queen Brazier
Jerry Savitz d/b/a Darby’s Restaurant
Christina DelSanto d/b/a Delvino’s
Lawrence L. Moses II d/b/a Dockside Family Restaurant
Hannaford Bros. Co. d/b/a Hannaford Supermarket & Pharmacy
Kevin Barrett d/b/a Jack’s Grocery
Christina DelSanto d/b/a La Vida
D& L Management d/b/a McDonald’s
Maunlad Corporation d/b/a Oriental Cuisine
Melissa Steele d/b/a Perry’s Qwik Stop
Paul Brown d/b/a Pizza Hut
Seng Thai Corporation d/b/a Seng Thai Restaurant
Daniel Alex d/b/a The Spot in Belfast City Park
Douglas Frost d/b/a Tarratine Tribe # 13
Saijai Chan d/b/a Thai Bhurapar Restaurant
William Pollock d/b/a VFW
David Bowen d/b/a Waldo County Shrine, Inc
Raymond Young d/b/a Young’s Lobster Pound

Public Hearing #2 

In accordance with Title 28A Section 653 MRSA 1964 a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon as possible thereafter in the Council Chambers of Belfast City Hall to hear an application by Moorings Oceanfront Resort Inc. d/b/a Papa J’s located at 193 Searsport Avenue, Belfast, Maine for a renewal Malt, Spirituous and Vinous Restaurant liquor license, interior and exterior.

Public Hearing #3

In accordance with Title 28A Section 653 MRSA 1964 a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon as possible thereafter in the Council Chambers of Belfast City Hall to hear an application by Saijai Chan d/b/a Thai Bhurapar Restaurant located at 37A Front Street, Belfast, Maine for a renewal Malt, and Vinous Restaurant liquor license, interior only.

Public Hearing #4

In accordance with Title 28A Section 653 MRSA 1964 a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon as possible thereafter in the Council Chambers of Belfast City Hall to hear an application by Seng Thai Corporation d/b/a Seng Thai Restaurant located at 138 Searsport Avenue, Belfast, Maine for a renewal Malt, and Vinous Restaurant liquor license, interior only.

Public Hearing #5

In accordance with Title 28A Section 653 MRSA 1964 a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon as possible thereafter in the Council Chambers of Belfast City Hall to hear an application by Michael Bowen d/b/a Bowen’s Tavern, LLC located at 181 Waterville Road, Belfast, Maine for approval to designate an exterior deck for outside Spirituous, Vinous and Malt liquor service.
                                                           
Public Hearing #6
Pursuant to Belfast Special Amusement Ordinance of the City of Belfast and the provision of Title 28-A
Section 1054 M.R.S. A public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers of Belfast City Hall on April 3,
2012 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon as possible thereafter on an application for a Special Amusement Permit for
Moorings Oceanfront Resort, Inc. d/b/a Papa J’s for live entertainment, music, vocals-Karaoke, DJ and dancing at 193 Searsport Avenue, Belfast, Maine, interior only.

City of Belfast

Regular Council Meeting No. 19

Immediately following the Public Hearing

1) Call to order
2) Roll call:  Mayor Walter Ash, Jr.; Councilors Marina Delune, Roger Lee, Eric Sanders, Michael Hurley and Nancy Hamilton, City Manager Joseph Slocum, and Admin. Assistant to the City Manager Jennika Lundy
3) Pledge of Allegiance
4) Adoption of the agenda
5) Communications
6) Acceptance of the minutes
Regular Council Meeting of March 20, 2012.
7) Open to the public
Please state your name and town you are from when addressing the City Council.
8) Old Business and Council Committee Reports
9) Permits, Petitions and Licenses - Consent Agenda
A. Request to approve an application for a renewal Victualer Licenses to expire May 31, 2013 for
Ronald Goldstein d/b/a Belfast Co-op, Ronald Benjamin d/b/a Belfast Variety, Inc., Joseph Benjamin d/b/a
Belfast Variety, Route 52, Nanette Gionfriddo d/b/a Beyond the Sea, Kurt Jones d/b/a Big Apple, Michael A. Bowen d/b/a Bowen’s Tavern, LLC, Lafayette Corporation d/b/a Comfort Inn Ocean’s Edge, W.D.Q. Inc d/b/a Dairy Queen Brazier, Jerry Savitz d/b/a Darby’s Restaurant, Christina DelSanto d/b/a Delvino’s, Lawrence L. Moses II d/b/a Dockside Family Restaurant, Hannaford Bros. Co. d/b/a Hannaford Supermarket & Pharmacy, Kevin Barrett d/b/a Jack’s Grocery, Christina DelSanto d/b/a La Vida, D& L Management d/b/a McDonald’s, Maunlad Corporation d/b/a Oriental Cuisine, Melissa Steele d/b/a Perry’s Qwik Stop, Paul Brown d/b/a Pizza Hut, Seng Thai Corporation d/b/a Seng Thai Restaurant, Daniel Alex d/b/a The Spot in Belfast City Park, Douglas Frost d/b/a Tarratine Tribe # 13, Saijai Chan d/b/a Thai Bhurapar Restaurant, William Pollock d/b/a VFW, David Bowen d/b/a Waldo County Shrine, Inc, Raymond Young d/b/a Young’s Lobster Pound.

B. Request to approve an application by Moorings Oceanfront Resort Inc. d/b/a Papa J’s located at 193
Searsport Avenue, Belfast, Maine for a renewal Malt, Spirituous and Vinous Restaurant liquor license, interior and exterior.

C. Request to approve an application by Saiaji Chan d/b/a Thai Bhurapar Restaurant located at 37A Front Street, Belfast, Maine for a renewal Malt, and Vinous Restaurant liquor license, interior only.
D. Request to approve an application by Seng Thai Corporation d/b/a Seng Thai Restaurant located at
138 Searsport Avenue, Belfast, Maine for a renewal Malt, and Vinous Restaurant liquor license, interior only.

E. Request to approve an application by Michael Bowen d/b/a Bowen’s Tavern, LLC located at 181
Waterville Road, Belfast, Maine for approval to designate an exterior deck for outside Spirituous, Vinous and Malt liquor service.

F. Request to approve an application for a Special Amusement Permit for Moorings Oceanfront Resort,
Inc. d/b/a Papa J’s for live entertainment, music, vocals-Karaoke, DJ and dancing at 193 Searsport Avenue, Belfast, Maine, interior only

10) Business
A. Consent
1. Approve the City Manager’s recommendation to hire Glenwood Bennett as a Public Works
mechanic.
2. Accept with regret the resignation of Russ Barber from the Planning Board.
B) Discussion of petitions for a referendum to withdraw from RSU #20.
C) Discussion about possible contribution of $2,500 to the Belfast Science Olympiad Team to compete
in the National Championship. (Requested by Councilor Sanders)
D) Request from the Farmer’s Market to allow for the sale of wine as part of the Market operation.
E) First reading of a proposal from the Harbormaster and the Harbor Committee to amend City
ordinances regarding the Harbor’s turning basins and the placement of moorings & floats in the Inner
Harbor.
F) Update on City sign design.
G) Consideration of new signage for City range ways and other water access points.
H) Request From Brooks Preservation Society to Install Certain Signs.
I. Update on the Harbor Walk.
J. Further discussion of the possibility of two polling locations in Belfast.
K) Request to approve the selection of a consultant for the Passy Rail Trail Project.
L) Consideration of a request from Erin Richardson-French to permit tables outside her restaurant, The
Lost Kitchen, on the seven foot wide sidewalk on Main Street.
M) Discussion about the future of Animal Control in Belfast.
N) Executive Session to discuss Union negotiations pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A 405 §6(A) & (D)
O) Executive Session to discuss real estate matters pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A 405 §6 (C).
P) Executive Session to discuss a Personnel Matter pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A Sec 6 (A)
Q) Signing of Council Orders and housekeeping items.

11) Communications

12) Open to the Public
Please state your name and town you are from when addressing the City Council.

13) Adjourn

Please send Rocky Coast News the results from this meeting to goodnews@rockycoastnews.com.

Slide-Talk by Maine Architect Jack Silverio at Rockland Public Library April 19th

Slide -Talk by Maine Architect Jack Silverio at Rockland Library Thursday April 19 at 6:30 PM
Editor: David Mills

ROCKLAND, ME - Maine architect John Silverio will present a talk with slides describing his three recently published books. The Book of the Hut is about the history of huts in ancient times, in fairy tales and poetry, as well as children’s drawings, play huts, recreational huts, and hut houses. Hearthspire is about designing wood heated houses with central masonry heaters. Radiance Indwelling is a collection of journal notes and sketches about architecture. He’ll be available for questions and book signing. Books will be availbale for purchase.

Jack Silverio was educated at the Rhode Island School of Design and also studied in Rome Italy and at the University of Pennsylvania. After building a homestead in Lincolnville in 1973 he has worked in a small studio near his house were he has designed hundreds of homes. He was joined in this effort in 2000 by his son Matthew. He also enjoys writing, drawing , painting, sailing and building small craft, playing the mandolin and living life with his wife Susan.

Special accommodations for persons with disabilities can be made with 48 hours notice. Please call the Library at 594-0310.

This is one in a continuing Thursday series of literary, film and cultural offerings sponsored by the Rockland Public Library & The Friends of the Rockland Public Library. Admission is free.

Sports: Thomaston Little League Baseball & Softball Try Outs March 31st

Sports: Thomaston Little League Baseball & Softball Try Outs March 31st
Editor: David Mills

THOMASTON, ME - Those interested in playing Little League baseball or softball this spring, try outs will be held this Saturday (March 31st) at the Thomaston Little League Field.  Boys baseball will be from 1-2:30 and girls softball 3 to 4:30.  Please make sure to arrive approximately 15 minutes before the tryout begins to ensure all paper work is filled out.  Little League requires a medical release form and player registration (both attached) and a copy of the participant's birth certificate.  For those who are already on either team, you are not required to attend the try out but please have your paperwork in as soon as possible.

Sports: Rockland Little League Baseball Try Outs March 31st

Sports: Rockland Little League Baseball Try Outs March 31st
Editor: David Mills

ROCKLAND, ME - There will be try outs for Rockland Little League Baseball tomorrow at Oceanside High School gym. The try outs starts at 10:45am (Age 9), 11:45am (Age 10) and 12:45pm Age 11 & 12).

There will be Rockland Little League Girls Softball try out on Saturday, the 31st of March at 9am.


We hope all those who signed up will be at Rockland Little League's try outs this Saturday, the 31st of March.

Entertainment: Jessie "The Kid Whisperer" Premiers Tonight March 30th

Entertainment: Jessie "The Kid Whisperer" Premiers Tonight March 30th
Editor: David Mills

Disney Channel - Fans of Jessie will be able to watch an all new episode tonight entitled "The Kid Whisperer" at 8pm. In this episode, Jessie thinks Luke needs strict discipline to keep him from misbehaving and enlists the help of fellow nanny, Samantha, who winds up being a dog nanny. Meanwhile, the kids break into Bertram's cluttered room and reluctantly agree to help him clean it up.


We hope you all that are fans of Jessie and the cast will tune in to watch their all new episode tonight at 8pm.

Photographs from tonight's all new episode of Jessie are courtesy of the Disney Channel.

Entertainment: Production Has Begun On "Girl VS. Monster Starring Olivia Holt

Entertainment: Production Has Begun On "Girl VS. Monster Starring Olivia Holt
Editor: David Mills

Production has begun in Vancouver, Canada, on "Girl Vs. Monster" (working title), a Halloween–themed Disney Channel Original Movie starring popular actress Olivia Holt (of Disney XD's "Kickin' It") as a teenager who, after inadvertently unleashing an immortal monster when defying her parents' wishes to stay home, is shocked to discover the family secret that she is a fifth generation monster hunter.  Olivia Holt performs two of the movie's pop rock songs, "Had Me @Hello," written by Dan Book, Alexei Misoul and Shelly Peiken, and "Fearless," written by Jeannie Lurie, Aris Archontis and Chen Neeman.

The movie also stars Brendan Meyer (Disney XD's "Mr. Young"), Kerris Dorsey ("Moneyball"), Katherine McNamara ("New Years Eve"), Luke Benward (Disney Channel's "Minutemen"), Brian Palermo (Disney XD's "Zeke and Luther"), Tracy Dawson ("Call Me Fitz"), Adam Chambers ("Good Luck Charlie") and Jennifer Aspen ("GCB").

Part of the blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie franchise, "Girl Vs. Monster" is slated to premiere in fall 2012 during the second annual month–long Monstober event. 2011 was the fifth consecutive year a Disney Channel Original Movie was the year's #1 cable TV movie in Total Viewers (the average delivery for the five movies is 12.5 million viewers) and the 10th consecutive year Disney Channel has delivered the #1 original movie telecast among Tweens 9–14.

Photo Credit: Disney Channel - In Photo: Olivia Holt

The adventure begins on Halloween as Skylar, a fearless teenager with a powerful singing voice, prepares for the ultimate Halloween bash with her best friends, Henry and Sadie. The plan for Skylar to sing at the party –– with rock band cutie Ryan Dean –– is crushed when her parents make her stay home. Then, when she sneaks out of the house, she unknowingly unleashes a monster – Deimata – who is determined to change the fate of Skylar and her family forever. As Skylar's world is turned upside down, she learns that her parents have been keeping a big secret – that she comes from a long line of monster hunters. Now, it's up to Skylar and her friends to channel their inner strength and conquer more than just this monster.

The writers of "Girl Vs. Monster" are Annie DeYoung ("Princess Protection Program"), Ron McGee ("The Nine Lives of Chloe King") and Geoff Rodkey ("Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!"). The movie is directed by DGA–winner and Emmy–award nominee Stuart Gillard ("Avalon High") and executive produced by Sheri Singer ("Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!") with Tracey Jeffrey ("The Suite Life Movie") as producer.  "Girl Vs. Monster" is a production of Bad Angels Productions, Ltd.

Schools: Girls Focus On Future

Schools: Girls Focus On Future

Future Focus event puts eighth-grade girls from central Maine in contact with Iraqi counterpart, women working their dream jobs

“Do you like Justin Bieber?”

With a roll of her eyes, Maryann replied, “Oh, noooo!”

Shrieks rang out in response through Given Auditorium at Colby College as 250 eighth-grade girls talked to Maryann Naman in Kurdistan, Iraq, live via Skype.  The girls, from four schools in central Maine, were at the morning keynote of Future Focus, an annual conference, March 28th, sponsored by the Waterville branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI).

Future Focus attendees create "elephant toothpaste" in a Colby College chemistry lab during Future Focus.

A few minutes earlier, Hannah Potter, a senior from Yarmouth High School, had told the girls about how she used her MLTI laptop to break down cultural barriers and develop friendships with students on the other side of the world, especially Iraq.

“My ideas about Iraqi teens were from the media, as were their ideas about American teens,” she said. “When I met these Iraqi teens, I discovered these things that I never considered: They consider important what we consider important.”

Potter then gave the Maine girls from China Middle School, Messalonskee Middle School in Oakland, Lawrence Junior High School in Fairfield and Waterville Junior High School a chance to try out this communication for themselves by connecting to her friend Maryann for a conversation.

The girls had plenty of questions for the Iraqi teen:

• What do you eat?  (Mostly rice. She wishes there were a Burger King nearby.)
• What is your school day like? (It runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., but they have just one day off per week.)
• Who is your favorite celebrity?  (Orlando Bloom.)

Curiously, no one questioned why Maryann spoke flawless English or seemed to notice that her speech was peppered with “like” and “um” and that she frequently fidgeted with her hair just like American teens.

It was as if she were right around the corner instead of on the other side of the world, at least until – without a break or change of inflection – Maryann said about her time living in Baghdad, “I couldn’t go to school for one year because they kidnapped my father. There wasn’t any reason, actually. It’s just like that. You can do whatever you want, but sometimes you’re gonna get killed.”

And that was just the beginning of the day.

A rat completes a swimming maze in the Neurobiology Lab at Future Focus. The event brought together more than 250 eighth-grade girls and more than 50 women from a variety of professions.

The purpose of Future Focus is to allow young women an opportunity to explore a wide range of careers, develop a broader perspective on what they can do, and increase their aspirations for higher education. The conference featured more than 50 women from a wide spectrum of occupations — from physician and politician to musician and insurance underwriter — who volunteered for the day to let the girls know about what they do.

But this day isn’t about standard talking heads with students sitting and listening. It’s about education that’s engaging and hands-on.

The girls attended panels in the morning, each with four women with different careers. But on the recommendation of a participant from a few years ago, the panels were set up as games.

At the start of session, the women’s occupations were posted on signs around the room. The girls placed the women under the signs they thought represented their occupations. Then the women stood under their correct signs, challenging the girls’ assumptions based on appearances. The girls then split into teams, the women asked them questions about their jobs, and the teams of girls competed to answer.

Preparing the mold for a chocolate flower: Future Focus attendees worked with Catherine Wilbur of Wilbur's Chocolate Confections of Freeport to design chocolate flowers.

The girls also went to hands-on workshops where they got to try out a woman’s job. These workshops included a police detective having the girls do DNA analysis and make casts of a footprint to a biologist showing them how rats compete in swimming races to a chocolatier letting girls design and make their own chocolate flowers.

The day ended with live music from Maine singer/songwriter Joan Kennedy, who not only got the auditorium and girls rocking with her music but took time to answer the girls’ questions about the music industry and signed autographs as the girls ran to catch their buses back to school.

Charlie Hartman is a project manager with the Maine Learning Technology Initiative at the Maine Department of Education. She was the primary organizer of Future Focus.

Wine & Poetry At The Good Tern April 13th

Wine & Poetry  At The Good Tern April 13th
Editor: David Mills

ROCKLAND, ME - Maine Poets Bob McLaughlin and Dave Morrison will read their poetry at a wine-tasting at the Good Tern in Rockland on Friday April 13 at 6:45 pm.  Admission is free and books will be offered for sale.

Bob MacLaughlin’s new book, FAULTY WIRING: the Alzheimer’s poems and other memories (Moon Pie Press),  reveals what one reviewer calls “the beauty and, yes, even the humor in subject matter we often try to hide from or place in a box of acceptable responses.” MacLaughlin, who lives in Warren, has been a newspaper sportswriter, magazine editor and advertising copywriter.

Dave Morrison’s most recent book is Clubland (Fighting Cock Press USA), a collection of poems about rock bars, written in verse.  Morrison’s poems have been featured in literary magazines and anthologies, and have been read on Writer’s Almanac.

The Good Tern Co op Food Market and Cafe is located at 750 Main Street in Rockland.  For information please contact Teisha Jones at 207-594-8822.

Rockland Main Street Spring Events

Rockland Main Street Spring Events

Rockland Main Street, Inc. is pleased to announce the dates of four events this Spring!

So You Think You Know Rockland ?  
Thursday, April 26th ::  6 PM  at The Strand
Second Annual  Historical Quiz Game Show, an evening of fun and learning about how much you really know about Rockland!   $10 Adults $5 Kids
Tickets available starting April 11th at Fiore & The Grasshopper Shop. Also available at the door the night of the event.

Only in Rockland.. Experience This Auction
Starts April 19th with Silent Bids at Camden National Bank Rockland, ending at The Strand April 26th with a few items up for live auction. Things you have always wanted to do will be up for auction .. watch for items in the local paper, facebook and online at rocklandmainstreet.com starting soon!

MidCoast Maine has Talent ... or not ?
Thursday May 31st 6 PM at The Strand
Returning for it's second year don't miss this opportunity to see some of the greatest undiscovered talent in the Midcoast area!  Paul Benjamin from the North Atlantic Blues festival hosts this fun event for Rockland Main Street, Inc.

Tickets : $15 Adults $10 Students::  Available starting May 1st at Fiore & The Grasshopper Shop, and at the door the night of the event.

Summer Solstice : A Street Fair to kick off the Summer Season !
Saturday June 23, 5 - 9 PM
Food, Music, Street Entertainment and Fun !
Don't forget the Whoopie Pie eating contest,
Pooch Parade and great bands.
Free event to celebrate Summer !

See you downtown!

So You Think You Know Rockland? April 26th
Only in Rockland.. Experience This Auction April 26th
MidCoast Maine has Talent !  May 31st
Summer Solstice June 23rd


Lorain K. Francis
Executive Director
Rockland Main Street, Inc.
lorain@rocklandmainstreet.com
(207) 593-6093

Rockland Main Street, Inc. is a focused partnership
of residents, businesses and local government
that enhances and protects the unique sense of place
and economic vitality of downtown Rockland, Maine.

www.rocklandmainstreet.com 

On Facebook ...  Rockland Main Street

A Main Street Maine Community

On The Docks: The Summer Sailing Season

On The Docks: The Summer Sailing Season 

Doug Mills Maritime Editor

The 2012 sailing season is only weeks away.  The North End Shipyard in Rockland will start hauling out the

historic tall ships of the Maine Windjammer Association for their annual spring refit and inspection in the next couple of weeks.  If you have not seen these majustic boats out of the water this would be a great time to stop by the North End Shipyard at 11 Front Street.

"So You Think You Know Rockland" Is Looking For Teams

 "So You Think You Know Rockland" Is Looking For Teams
Editor: David Mills

Rockland Main Street, Inc. is looking for six teams of three that are willing to take on the challenge to answer questions about Rockland's history, recent and not so recent, during Rockland Main Street, Inc.’s own quiz show, “So You Think You Know Rockland”. Audience members are needed to cheer them on and participate in the silent auction, Only in Rockland, Experience This! .

“So You Think You Know Rockland” will be held on Thursday, April 26th 2012 from 6 to 9 P.M. at The Strand, in Rockland.  Doors Open at 5:30 to give you time to meet and greet your friends, bid on Only in Rockland .. Experience This! auction items and enjoy The Strand concessions and beverages. The game begins with two teams competing to answer twenty questions on Rockland subjects such as people, events, buildings, local businesses, sports and other historical and current topics. Two more rounds of two teams each, before the Championship Round, which will pit the three winners of previous rounds against each other to see who thinks they know Rockland  and who really knows Rockland! Come prepared to learn a lot, laugh a lot and cheer a lot…but no calling out the answers!

Team entrance fee is $50, Teams can purchase an “Ask the Expert Card “for $25 .

Contact Lorain @ 593-6093 or lorain@rocklandmainstreet.com FMI!

Event Admission is $10, Students under 18, $5; Silent Auction proceeds and admission benefit Rockland Main Street, Inc.

Rockland Main Street, Inc. is a focused partnership of residents, businesses and local government that enhances and protects the unique sense of place and economic vitality of downtown Rockland, Maine.

FMI: rocklandmainstreet.com   593-6093

Entertainment: Opera in HD - Verdi's AIDA April 1st

Entertainment: Opera in HD - Verdi's AIDA April 1st
Editor: David Mills

CAMDEN, ME - Giuseppe Verdi: Aida (HD) - This exciting open-air staging of Aida in beautiful High-Definition performed at St. Margarethen took place amidst the intoxicating scenery of a rustically romantic Roman quarry. The Opera Festival St. Margarethen in Austria counts as one of Europe’s most important open-air festivals and over 200,000 opera lovers from all over the world visit it annually. The story of the forbidden love between the Egyptian leader Radames and the beautiful Ethiopian princess Aida was originally commissioned for the opening of the Cairo Opera House, which formed part of the celebrations surrounding the opening of the Suez Canal in 1871. This is an opera of epic proportions with horses, elephants, pyrotechnical special effects and more than 400 participants taking the stage.

Conductor: Ernst Märzendorfer
Corps de Ballet & Orchestra of the National Theatre Brno

In Italian with English and Italian Subtitles
Running time: approx. 173 minutes incl. 15 minute intermission

Starring:
Eszter Sümegi
Kostadin Andreev
Cornelia Helfricht
Pièr Dalàs
Janusz Monarcha

Directed for Stage by Robert Herzl
Director: Rudi Dolezal, Hannes Rossachee
Produced by: EuroArts Music, DoRo, Alfacam

Tickets: $18 in advance; $20 at the door. Special student rate $10 (18 and under) On sale February 14th at 5 PM at the Camden Town Office, 29 Elm St., 9 AM - 3 PM daily; online at camdenoperahouse.com (click buy tickets button) or by calling (207) 470-7066

Please come out to see Giuseppe Verdi: Aida at the Camden Opera House on April 1st.

Oceanside High School Senior Trekkers Participate in a Rite of Passage

Oceanside High School Senior Trekkers Participate in a Rite of Passage
Editor: David Mills

The students and mentors pose before embarking upon their 36-hour wilderness solo in the Berkshires of Massachusetts.

Nineteen Oceanside High School seniors recently completed their final expedition as Trekkers students. The five-day Rites of Passage expedition included a 36-hour wilderness solo designed to remove the busyness and pressure of everyday life and grant students the space and solitude to reflect upon the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

The group of students and five adult mentors traveled to the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, which served as the location of the wilderness solo. For many, this solo is the longest period of solitude that has been dedicated solely to the exploration of who they are and want to be. To aid in this reflective experience, Trekkers provided students questions, quotations and prompts concerning the nature of adulthood, their past and their future.

Before and after the solo experience, the students discussed their years in Trekkers and high school, identifying the aspects of their lives that bring them joy and brainstorming ways to continue cultivating these into the future.

While the solo symbolically marks the end of adolescence and the beginning of adulthood, the Rites of Passage expedition also marks the end of the students’ six-year participation in Trekkers.  During this journey, this senior class has developed significant relationships with the caring adults in the community, participated in cultural exchanges, explored unfamiliar regions of the country such as the Four Corners, completed service projects and developed the courage to embrace countless new experiences.

The conclusion of the 2012 Rites of Passage expedition marks the tenth group of students to complete Trekkers’ six-year model.

Trekkers is a nonprofit, outdoor-based mentoring program that connects young people with caring adults through expeditionary learning, community service and adventure-based education. To learn more about Trekkers and the Rites of Passage program, visit www.trekkersonline.com or call (207)594-5095.

Schools: CHRHS Bands to hold Spring Concert April 10th

Schools: CHRHS Bands to hold Spring Concert April 10th
Editor: David Mills

ROCKPORT, ME - The Camden Hills Regional H.S. Band, directed by Nancy Rowe, will hold their annual Spring Concert at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10 at the Strom Auditorium.  The concert will feature the CHRHS Concert and Jazz band.

The Concert Band will perform a variety of repertoire including “Night on Bald Mountain”, an orchestral work arranged for band and made popular by the Walt Disney animated film “Fantasia”.  The high school band will also be joined by 8th graders from Hope, Appleton & Lincolnville for the “President’s Day March”.

The CHRHS jazz band will feature senior pianist, Sam McKenna, singing an arrangement of “At Last”.  Other soloists include Stan Grunder on tenor sax, Sean Pierce on alto sax and Miles Ingraham on trumpet.   In addition, the Camden-Rockport Middle School Jazz Band will join the ensemble for “Blue & Sentimental” by Count Basie.


Admission to the concert is free.

Photo credit goes to Marti Stone Photography

Entertainment: Gordon Bok Performs At Camden Public Library March 28th

Entertainment: Gordon Bok Performs At Camden Public Library March 28th
Editor: David Mills

Camden, ME - Tomorrow night, March 28th, Gordon Bok will be performing at the Camden Public Library from 4pm to 7pm. Gordon Bok is a Musician/Singer who first music in his own dooryard. His family sang Scots, German, Italian, Australian and American traditional and popular songs -- all learned in places they had lived. As he began to work the boats along his coast, he heard the songs of the Maritimes, and ballads and chanteys from around the world. "But at home, Hank Williams was our kitchen-music, especially in coastal Maine," he said, "so I was singing those songs too, with Kendall Morse and others around home."

When he couldn't find songs that matched his own experiences or needs, he began to write his own, and has kept up a lively flow of poems, songs, stories, choral and instrumental works. One Maine chorus took one of Gordon's choral works on tour in Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece as part of their American repertoire. He reinvented and developed the cantefable/ "folk-opera" form which is now widely used by storytellers and musicians in this country.

He has been a singer and caretaker of the music and liturgy of the Kalmyk Mongolians who immigrated to America in the 1950s, maintaining and circulating an extensive collection of their surviving music among their descendants.

Gordon has written, sung, and helped to preserve the heritage of of the working waterman of the Northeast, hence his honorary Doctorate from the Maine Maritime Academy. He also received the Blue Ribbon award from the American Film Festival for original music and lyrics performed by him and other local musicians for the documentary film "Coaster: The Adventure of the John F. Leavitt."

We hope you all will be able to attend this great concert at the Camden Public Library by Gordon Bok from 4pm to 7pm.

Entertainment: Bill Barnes Jazz Trio Performs At Rock City Cafe March 29th

Entertainment: Bill Barnes Jazz Trio Performs At Rock City Cafe March 29th
Editor: David Mills

Rockland, ME - Bill Barnes Jazz Trio will be performing at Rock City Cafe on March 29th from 7pm - 9pm. Rock City Cafe is located at 316 Main Street, Rockland ME. Please come out for what should be a great evening of Jazz music.


A veteran New York session guitarist, BillL Barnes started his musical career in the late sixties,touring with Atco Records recording artist Aurthur Conley (sweet soul music). He has since played with a stellar line up of music industry heavies. His latest album Winds of Bodhgaya is now available.Trio, duo, or solo Bill's repetoire includes gypsy jazz, classic jazz standards, sultry bossa novas, tasty ballads and cool laid back blues.

Entertainment: Body of Proof "Go Viral Part 1" Premiers Tonight March 27th

Entertainment: Body of Proof "Go Viral Part 1" Premiers Tonight March 27th
Editor: David Mills

ABC - Fans of Body of Proof will be able to watch an all new episode tonight at 10pm entitled "Going Viral Part 1". In this episode, when scores of people start dying from similar symptoms, the team is faced with a city-wide outbreak of an unknown virus and no one safe – including Megan and her team. Center for Disease Control (CDC) Officer Charlie Stafford (Luke Perry) takes over the case to figure out not just what caused the outbreak, but who.


"Body of Proof" stars Dana Delany as Dr. Megan Hunt, Jeri Ryan as Dr. Kate Murphey, John Carroll Lynch as Detective Bud Morris, Nicholas Bishop as Peter Dunlop, Sonja Sohn as Detective Samantha Baker, Geoffrey Arend as Dr. Ethan Gross, Windell D. Middlebrooks as Dr. Curtis Brumfield and Mary Mouser as Lacey Fleming.

Guest starring Nathalie Kelley as Dani Alvarez, Luke Perry as Dr. Charlie Stafford, Dean Norris as S.A.C. Brendan Johnson, Nick Stahl as Marcel Trevino, Katie Gil as Wenda Powell and Julie Jenkins as Julie Tompkins.


We hope you all will be able to watch tonight's all new episode of Body of Proof entitled "Going Viral Part 1" at 10pm.

Photographs from tonight's all new episode of Body of Proof are courtesy of ABC.

Entertainment: Jay & Bijorn Peterson Rock City Cafe Performance Pictorial March 24th

Entertainment: Jay & Bijorn Peterson Rock City Cafe Performance Pictorial March 24th
Editor: David Mills

Rockland, ME - At Rock City Cafe on March 24th Jay & Bijorn Peterson performed from 7pm-9pm. We want to share with our readers photos from their performance.

Father and Son Duo Jay and Björn Peterson have been playing together since Björn , now 17, was nine years old, just after their move to Maine from their home state of Minnesota. Jay, a veteran of NPR's A Prairie Home Companion , also appeared last year on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, (just days before it flooded!). Björn, a recent graduate of George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill, is one of Maine's busiest young musicians, appearing this summer at both the Deer Isle Jazz Festival and the Bar Harbor Jazz Festival. A multi-instrumentalist, he received two MVP awards for guitar and bass as part of the 1st place jazz combo at the Maine High School Jazz Festival, as well as receiving an MVP at the invitational Berklee College of Music festival. Together, Jay and Björn play jazz and swing music from the 20s through the modern era, as well as a strong dose of Texas Swing , ala Bob Wills. They perform frequently in New England, as well as festivals from Louisiana to the Midwest. Their appearance at The Blackpot Festival in 2007 marked the first time a Northern act played at that distinctly Cajun event. Both father and son teach guitar in the Blue Hill area, as well as at Fiddle and Dance At Ashokan in New York's Catskills. Jay also hosts the popular Rhythm Ranch radio show on WERU Tuesday afternoons at 2 pm. He has also lectured at colleges and symposiums on the topic of classic country music . Jay and Björn serve up a swinging blend of music seldom heard in New England!