About Town

November 2007 - Posts

Weekend plans?

by Deirdre Fulton | November 30, 2007

I'm trying for a mostly handmade holiday season, as everyone probably knows already from reading my Going Green column in this week's Phoenix . Those who are less craftily inclined might be looking for something handmade -- by somebody else. For... Read More »

"Heroes" in Maine

by Importer | November 29, 2007

Here's some fun trivia with which you can impress your friends while you're all gathered 'round the tube watching Heroes : Recent episodes, purportedly taking place in Maine, have actually been filmed in Malibu, California. To make the set... Read More »

Low-income housing money on the chopping block

by Deirdre Fulton | November 29, 2007

Money for low-income housing nationwide is at stake in Washington right now, as Congress debates a bill that provides funding for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). President Bush has threatened to veto a bill that even in its current... Read More »

Portland School Committee recall moves forward

by Jeff Inglis | November 28, 2007

Well, the radical right lives on in lefty Portland - the Portland Republican City Committee has passed the first hurdle in recalling three members of the city's School Committee - Democrat Sarah Thompson, Democrat Robert O'Brien, and Green Rebecca... Read More »

For the Bible Tells Me So

by Deirdre Fulton | November 28, 2007

Once again, the Christian Civic League of Maine unwittingly publicizes something it wants to demonize. This time around, it's the South Portland First Congregational Church's scheduled screening of For the Bible Tells Me So , a documentary that... Read More »

POWER for universal health care

by Deirdre Fulton | November 27, 2007

About 20 people from Portland Organizing to Win Economic Rights (POWER) gathered in Monument Square about an hour ago to advocate for free and universal healthcare. (An hour before the end of the work day on a chilly November evening wouldn't have... Read More »

Bettering Greater Portland's Public Transport

by Deirdre Fulton | November 27, 2007

Better public transportation means fewer cars on the roads, and that means less gas guzzling. So for an earnest greenie like me, this morning's regional bus transit summit, held at Portland's Ocean Terminal and attended by more than a few local... Read More »

Unemployed and homeless

by Deirdre Fulton | November 26, 2007

This guy was recently in Portland. Wish we'd have known -- lunch would have been on us. Read More »

Strimling wants to raise minimum wage

by Deirdre Fulton | November 26, 2007

Welcome back, everyone. In a few minutes, the state's Labor Committee will commence a public hearing on a bill that would increase Maine's mimimum wage from $7.00 to $8.40 over the next two years. State senator and congressional candidate Ethan... Read More »

Turkey publicity - 'Birds Gone Wild'

by Jeff Inglis | November 21, 2007

We get some really odd things in the mail, and the holidays seem to be an excuse for every stupid idea a marketing consultant ever dreamed up to be mass-produced and mailed (at great expense, we're sure) to media outlets all over the country, in the... Read More »

Sea Bags

by Deirdre Fulton | November 20, 2007

We are NOT LYING when we tell you that Sea Bags has come out with a regiftable, reuseable wine bag , just in time for the holidays. The Portland-based company (full disclosure: we sell their wares on our auction site ) hopes the accessory will "give... Read More »

Fire on Fire's aflame

by Deirdre Fulton | November 19, 2007

In October, Chris Gray told us that local group Fire on Fire had signed a record deal with Young God Records . Last week, buzz about the band's 5-song EP -- available at the Young Gods website and at live shows -- started spreading through Internet... Read More »

The "Bill of Wrongs"

by Importer | November 16, 2007

This is the text of the "Bill of Wrongs" committed by US Rep Tom Allen, according to protestors who demonstrated in his office last Tuesday . Nobody was arrested , but one woman, who has been arrested before at Allen's office , was handcuffed... Read More »

Protect Vote Smart in Monument Square

by Deirdre Fulton | November 16, 2007

Unfortunately, it's bitterly cold and raining, so it's a pretty crappy day for an outdoor demo. Project Vote Smart is a Montana-based organization that aggregates poltiical information on its web site in order to educate voters. Right now, two... Read More »

Only seven months to go!

by Deirdre Fulton | November 15, 2007

A few notes from last night's candidate forum at the University of New England, at which the six Democratic hopefuls running to fill Tom Allen's seat answered questions from UNE's students of social work: -- If we ever start a 1st Congressional... Read More »