News in Portland

Out & About: World premieres by 2 Maine composers

World premieres of works by two Maine composers will be featured as three of Maine’s classical music organizations wrap up their 2012-2013 seasons with concerts this weekend, while another presents a special spring event on May 23. Oratorio Chorale exits with concerts on Saturday and...

Scott Andrews • Lifestyle •

Monday, May 13, 2013 at 3:00 pm

The Universal Notebook: The government is us, governor

“The government is what we call ourselves when we agree to work together,” retired U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., told an audience at Colby College in Waterville last month. The problem of partisan gridlock in Washington, Frank explained, is not a function of Republicans and ...

Edgar Allen Beem • Opinion •

Monday, May 13, 2013 at 2:50 pm

The View From Away: Laughter is the best medicine (followed closely by therapy and psychotropic meds)

One of the more enlightening aspects of my Canadian adventure, and a reason I will have a soft spot for Canada long after this job ends, is the experience of working without the specter of depression looming over my head all the time. The clinical kind, I mean. I still get plenty of the ga...

Mike Langworthy • Opinion •

Monday, May 13, 2013 at 2:30 pm

Policy Wonk: Balanced tax reform eludes Woodbury, 'Gang of 11'

It is not the boldness of the reforms that is troubling about LD 1496, the set of tax reforms proposed by the so-called "Gang of 11" and its principal architect, Yarmouth independent Sen. Richard Woodbury. It is the breadth of the legislation. The number of moving parts (proposed changes) ...

Orlando Delogu • Opinion •

Monday, May 13, 2013 at 2:20 pm

Forecaster Forum: Putting aside politics to reform Maine's tax code

What happens when one independent, five Democrats and five Republicans decide to leave their politics at the door in the name of Maine’s well being? A chance at real and meaningful reform is created. By now you have probably heard a good deal about the so-called “Gang of 11,&rd...

Rep. Mark Dion, Rep. Sara Gideon and Rep. Amy Volk • Opinion •

Monday, May 13, 2013 at 1:10 pm

Superintendent's Notebook: Portland schools encourage students to commute by foot, pedal

They picked the prettiest day of spring for National Bike and Walk to School Day on May 8. Hundreds of children in the Portland Public Schools participated, and so did I. Our district is promoting biking and walking as one of several initiatives to encourage sustainability. I began my day ...

Emmanuel Caulk • Opinion •

Monday, May 13, 2013 at 12:50 pm

Letter: Congress Square Plaza column ignored facts

If Marian McCue's Forecaster Forum about Congress Square Plaza appeared 30 years ago, it would have been on target. Today it is an opinion...

• Opinion •

Monday, May 13, 2013 at 9:00 am

Traffic pattern changing on Spring Street in Portland

PORTLAND — Starting next week and continuing into the fall, Spring Street in front of the Cumberland County Civic Center will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Vehicles traveling in both directions will be routed to the eastbound lanes (south side of the median), away from th...

• News •

Friday, May 10, 2013 at 11:00 am

Falmouth Spur turnpike ramps to close Monday

FALMOUTH — The Maine Turnpike Authority will close both southbound ramps connecting to the Falmouth Spur on Monday, May 13, to continue rehabilitating the Exit 52 interchange bridge, which carries Falmouth Spur traffic over the turnpike. The MTA, in a press release Friday, said the c...

• News •

Friday, May 10, 2013 at 10:50 am

South Portland High School graduate remembered as kind, ambitious

SOUTH PORTLAND — Kim Lim, a 2010 South Portland High School graduate and University of Southern Maine junior, died April 28 in a hiking accident in the Philippines. In a news release, USM President Theodora Kalikow said Lim, 20, was studying at Sogang University in South Korea. He we...

David Harry • News •

Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 11:20 am