Annual Tree Lighting

Nov 27th in Monument Square, Portland, Maine
Come see the spectacular lighting of the tree at this annual tradition at Monument Square. The Entertainment begins with Rick Charette and the Bubblegum Band. For info phone (207) 772-6828.

Be My Guest

Consider the big picture. If your party is at night, make sure your entrance is well marked with proper lighting. Greet your guests at the door and get them acquainted with the essentials right away, such as where they can hang their coats and get refreshments. Keep snacks on hand for the hungry. Chips and salsa or a platter of gourmet cheese, fruit, and crackers will keep people happy until the main course is served.
Only take on what you can handle. If cooking is not your forte, opt for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres instead. Finger foods are best when seating is at a premium. Make things easier on everyone with easy-to-eat fare. If time is not on your side, go with a caterer or order takeout. A filling dish like a hearty soup or macaroni and cheese can be a real crowd pleaser that is simple to serve. Healthy sides, such as a large salad or veggie tray, are always a plus.
If children are welcome, include some kid-friendly foods that require little or no preparation. Ordering a pizza is a treat for them and for the host. For dessert, a make-your-own ice cream sundae bar is a safe bet for all ages.
A buffet lightens up the mood and.... To read the rest of this great article, please visit: http://www.yourhomeandlifestyle.com/pages/article/YHL_NOV_09_03/18979/index.html

Portland’s Housing Replacement Ordinance – Bet you Didn’t Know…

Several times recently, Portland’s Housing Replacement Ordinance (HRO) and the fees that it authorizes have stirred controversy at City Hall. Last month a property owner was told that he must pay $150,000 to the City in exchange for a permit to demolish his derelict building (formerly B&B Cleaners at the base of Munjoy Hill). The rationale for the fee is that three apartments will be removed from the City’s housing stock. At $50,000 per removed unit, the City seeks to collect $150,000 for a fund that can be used to subsidize “affordable” housing projects. The property owner objects to the fee, asserting that the three apartments have not been used for housing in decades. He further argues that the HRO fee prevents him from being able to reinvest in a viable replacement building on the site – perhaps office and retail. He will likely litigate, and has indicated that he wanted to replace the building, but because of this fee he can only afford to maintain the property as a surface parking lot. Is that the property’s highest and best use for the owner? For the City?

The HRO has also caused community concern recently in the Roxanne Quimby, YWCA, Sportsman’s Grill, and Portland Hall projects.

The ordinance, enacted on the heels of the 1990’s boom, was intended to ensure a stock of affordable housing. Economists and urban planners traditionally maintain that a city cannot thrive unless it has this crucial piece of the puzzle: adequate housing stock for low-income workers. Some people say there is no housing shortage here, and market forces should determine housing values/costs, as well as how an owner uses a property. Many maintain that the HRO acts as a strong deterrent to would-be development. Others consider it an illegal impact fee.

The community has invested much to develop a viable downtown since the Maine Mall was built. Proliferation of subsidized housing projects is certainly “development” but there is disagreement whether it is desirable development. Meanwhile 800 affordable housing units have been added in Portland since 2002. While some lament the reduction in property that has commercial potential, others would assert that it is good to achieve increased residential density, greater viability for transit, street-safety after dark, housing for artists, and a downtown population base that sustains an urban merchant’s row.

Is there a broad view? A balance? A strategy? One landowner told me this is a major land-use poison pill for Portland’s economy, and asked me if it is the City’s plan to wake up one day to discover that “the peninsula has become one big Kennedy Park?”

The Chamber's policy Committee - Economic and City Affairs - is planning to make the HRO the subject of its December 16 Lunch & Learn. At Lunch & Learn we break bread while we examine a current issue in depth. You are invited to the forum, which is a moderated-panel discussion. Pros and cons are sought, and we devote a considerable part of the program to Q&A / discussion with attendees. The desired result is understanding. Click here to reserve your spot.

Elected Mayor – Making Progress
The Charter Commission has been meeting twice monthly. They hope to wrap up in July, 2010, with the goal of sending charter revisions to the voters in November, 2010, when Maine will elect its next governor. While anything is on the table, they are devoting their time largely to the topic of a popularly-elected mayor with a multi-year term of office. In case you missed it, they are reaching broader agreement on sending a mayor-manager model to voters for approval. The model that they are now (exhaustively) discussing is very similar to the model that the Chamber proposed in May of this year. It would preserve professional management of the City, but allow for a city-wide articulation and prioritization of issues – via a mayoral campaign and election.

The Chamber led the call for a Charter Commission. Our thinking has been laid out in our Fall 2008 Voter Guide, and in our Spring, 2009 Task Force Report which examines the “elected mayor” issue. Every ten years, after the Census, government re-draws the lines for voting districts - from City Council to Legislative to Congressional. The last “reapportionment” occurred in 2003 and gave us new districts in the 2004 elections. If Portland voters approve the charter revisions, they will likely be voting for mayor in 2014, unless the Charter Commission can devise a way to do it sooner.

Snow is Coming. Subscribe to Parking Ban Announcements
Be the first to know when a snow ban is or (or off). Save your clients and employees the hassle of the hook. Sign up here and the City will notify you all winter.

Or Just Leave the Car at Home
Ever wish you could get to work a greener way, but it just seemed too complicated, so you still drive alone (and a touch guilt-ridden) every day? No excuse now. An “all-in-one” map and timetable featuring public transportation options throughout the Greater Portland area is now available here. Post it at your place of employment.

The guide provides route maps and time schedules for Greater Portland Transit District (METRO), Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach Transit (ShuttleBus/ZOOM), South Portland Bus Service and the Downeaster. Information is also included for Casco Bay Lines, Regional Transportation Program (RTP) and York County Community Action. I also commend you to the Go-Maine website to see how easy and convenient it can be to reduce parking demand, save money, even text or apply mascara on the way to work!

Or Just Ditch the Car Altogether
Ever consider how much it costs to own a car? U-Car has four new vehicles parked on Portland Streets, available for short term rental. Rates for U Car start at $9.50 per hour or $66 per day. These rates include gas, 125 free miles and insurance. Once approved, a U Car member has access to reserve vehicles any time of the day. Members bring their U Car Share card to the vehicle and swipe in. The doors will unlock and allow the member to use the vehicle for the full reservation period. Upon returning the vehicle, the member will be charged for the time used. As demand rises for U-Car, City officials hope to expand the fleet. Post this one at work too.

Know your City Councilors?
In which Council District are you located? Click here to see the map. Want to get in touch with Councilors to thank them, invite them to your business, or provide input? Find out here how to get in touch with them.

City Calendar
Wondering when that Planning Board or City Council meeting is? What’s on an agenda? Check out the City’s calendar.

Ask The City
The City Manager has launched an online service called eContact. It allows citizens quick and easy access to information and specific information requests. Check it out Here.

Volunteer Portland
Want to get involved in Portland? The City maintains a website that allows you and your co-workers to peruse volunteer opportunities from “Adopt-a-Catch Basin” to “Ushering at Merrill Auditorium.” Please post at work as appropriate.

Dynamic Design

When homeowners hire a designer to turn the frame of their house into a well-designed home, it’s likely they’ll share their hopes for the final look to help guide their designer toward perfection. And yet, in the case of this 4,000-square foot residence in New York City’s Bloomberg Tower, the homeowners had only one request for designer Diane Paparo: They asked that she make it look different from the previous residences—a 12,000-square-foot new Mediterranean-style home and a contemporary West Coast home—she had designed for them.
Free from constraints, Paparo, who owns Diane Paparo Associates Interior Design, gravitated toward an international modern design built around furniture pieces from the product arm of her company, DP Studio. Each eye-catching piece perfectly suited the building’s architecture and the surrounding Manhattan neighborhood aesthetics, and came together to create a textbook example of international modern design.
“A lot of times people confuse contemporary design with modern. Modern design, to me, is something that is heavily detailed but is very clean-lined and uses modern materials like metals and glass,” says Paparo. “Contemporary design, to me, is just void of detail.”
Paparo established a modern focus from the start by employing plentiful details and a range of materials in the home’s gallery-like foyer. The room is rich with artistic detail, from a triptych from renowned New York City artist Donald Sultan to a corrugated copper chandelier from McEwen Lighting Studio that casts a soft orange glow about the space.
This gallery-like entryway segues into the main living spaces, where a swath of floor-to-ceiling windows offers arresting city views. To make these uninterrupted views visible from every inch of the loft-like space, Paparo removed the walls separating the kitchen, dining room, and living room. “This opened up the sight lines through these rooms to allow for maximum views from the foyer gallery and through all three rooms for a fifty-four-foot expanse of fourteen floor-to-ceiling windows facing north and east,” she says. “The ceiling height in these rooms is twelve feet, so the view is the show....To continue reading this article, please visit:
http://www.homebydesign.com/pages/article/HBD_OCT_09_07/1148/index.html

New Listing from John Hatcher - A House SOLD Name

November Forclosure List for Cumberland County, Maine

123 Bridgton Rd, Baldwin ~ 90000 ~ Res.net
169 Pigeon Brook road, Baldwin ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
43 Mountain Road, Bridgeton ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
6 Mockingbird Lane, Bridgeton ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
32 Holden Hills, Bridgeton ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
6 Loon Lane, Bridgeton ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
209 North Bridgton Road, Bridgeton ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
5 Maple Street, Bridgeton ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
235 Kansas Road, Bridgton ~ 69900 ~ 952921
235 Kansas Road, Bridgton ~ 69900 ~ Homesteps
136 S Bridgton Rd, Bridgton ~ 82500 ~ Fannie Mae
4 Brocklebank Drive, Bridgton ~ 169900 ~ Ocwen
32 Hilden Hills, Bridgton ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
405 Commons Drive, Bridgton ~ TBD ~ PAS
16 Weymouth St, Brunswick ~ 69900 ~ Res.net
72 Water St, Brunswick ~ 154000 ~ Fannie Mae
237 Hacker Rd, Brunswick ~ 169900 ~ Fannie Mae
49 MacMillian Drive, Brunswick ~ 195900 ~ ReoTrans
1 Charles St., Brunswick ~ Auction ~ Keenan
1 Charles Court, Brunswick ~ Auction ~ Lambert/Coffin/Haan
15 Weymouth, Brunswick ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
22 Overview Road, unit 22, Brunswick ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
35 Peary Drive, Brunswick ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
44 Spurwink Ave., Cape Elizabeth ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
1 Wabun Rd., Cape Elizabeth ~ Auction ~ Keenan
1018 Sawyer Road, Cape Elizabeth ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
Shore Acres, Cape Elizabeth ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
44 Spurwink Avenue, Cape Elizabeth ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
1094 Club Sebago Way, Casco ~ 64900 ~ 954254
1094 Club Sebago Way, Casco ~ 64900 ~ Homesteps
16 Mondor White Road, Casco ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
171 Middle Road, Cumberland ~ 189000 ~ Homesteps
8 Winn Road, Cumberland ~ Auction ~ Tranzon
151 Middle St, Falmouth ~ 265000 ~ Fannie Mae
94 Longwoods Road, Falmouth ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
141 Woodlands Drive, Falmouth ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
1 Carriage Road, Freeport ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
697 Gray Rd, Gorham ~ 175000 ~ Fannie Mae
45 Gordon Farms Rd, Gorham ~ 399900 ~ ReoTrans
30 Lincoln Street, Gorham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
16 Old Orchard Road, Gorham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
439 Libby Avenue, Gorham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
776 Gray Road, Gorham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
14 Sunset Lane, Gorham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
35 Jordan Drive, Gorham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
88 Mayall Road, Gray ~ 174000 ~ Ocwen
94 Depot Rd, Gray ~ 185300 ~ Res.net
187 N Raymond Rd, Gray ~ 186500 ~ ReoTrans
98 Lake Ave, Gray ~ 299900 ~ Fannie Mae
98 Lake Ave, Gray ~ 299900 ~ Res.net
145 North Shore Rd., Gray ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
44 Harpswell By the Sea, Harpswell ~ 90000 ~ Fannie Mae
618 Bolsters Hills Rd., Harrison ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
14 Right Way, Naples ~ 77300 ~ Res.net
75 Rolling Hill Dr, Naples ~ 380000 ~ 953279
75 Rolling Hill Dr, Naples ~ 380000 ~ Fannie Mae
179 Cooks Mills Road, Naples ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
66 Lambs Mill Road, Naples ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
14 Wall St, New Gloucester ~ 214900 ~ Res.net
17 Trout Run, New Gloucester ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
855 North Rd, North Yarmouth ~ 114900 ~ ReoTrans
110 Doughty Road, North Yarmouth ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
341 Island Ave, Peaks Island ~ 464000 ~ ReoTrans
341 Island Ave, Peaks Island ~ 464000 ~ Res.net
29 Powsland St., Portland ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
24 Catherine St., Portland ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
110 Starbird Rd., Unit 7, Portland ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
123 Wayside Dr., Portland ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
17 8th Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
185 Ridge Road, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
1685 Congress Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
103 Bradley Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
165 St. Johns Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
29 Powsland Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
36 Leeman Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
24 Catherine Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
54 Florida Avenue, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
16 Casco Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
82 Cumberland Avenue, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
157 Woodlawn Avenue, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
22 Arbor Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
20 West Street , Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
123 Wayside Drive, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
66 Glenwwod Avenue, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
53 Brackett Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
32 Candlewyck Road, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
121 Ridge Road, unite 38, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
1685 Congress Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ Tranzon
85 Berkshire Rd #B, Portland ~ 142500 ~ ReoTrans
432 Saint John St, Portland ~ 169900 ~ Res.net
605 Washington Ave, Portland ~ 197900 ~ Res.net
74 Euclid Ave, Portland ~ TBD ~ PAS
50 Boulder Rd, Raymond ~ 145000 ~ Fannie Mae
12 Willis Rd, Raymond ~ 327200 ~ ReoTrans
65 Raymond Hill Road, Raymond ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
4 Dodge St, Scarborough ~ 177900 ~ Fannie Mae
47 Tall Pines Rd, Scarborough ~ 224900 ~ 951635
95 Sawyer Road, Scarborough ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
10 Ross Road, Scarborough ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
81 Linton St, South Portland ~ 124000 ~ ReoTrans
1286 Broadway, South Portland ~ 169900 ~ Fannie Mae
100 Skillings St, South Portland ~ 200000 ~ Fannie Mae
15 Mussey Street, South Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
115 School Street, South Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
925 Ossipee Trail, Standish ~ 149900 ~ Fannie Mae
925 Ossipee Trail, Standish ~ 149900 ~ Res.net
606 Saco Rd, Standish ~ 180000 ~ Fannie Mae
31 Arthur Drive, Standish ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
31 Arthur Drive, Standish ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
59 Barrows Drive, Topsham ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
112 Douglas Hill Rd, West Baldwin ~ 139900 ~ Fannie Mae
25 Lawrence St, 42, Westbrook ~ 99000 ~ HUD
222 Brown Street, Westbrook ~ 105000 ~ Homesteps
28 Stagecoach lane, Westbrook ~ 196900 ~ Homesteps
35 King St., Westbrook ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
344 Spring Street, Westbrook ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
35 King Street, Westbrook ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
43 Wadsworth Avenue, Westbrook ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
92 Cottage Street, Westbrook ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
265 Presidential Way, Westbrook ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
343 Falmouth Rd, Windham ~ 64900 ~ ReoTrans
412 Pope Rd, Windham ~ 94900 ~ PAS
28 Whites Bridge Rd, Windham ~ 119900 ~ Fannie Mae
12 Critter Dr, Windham ~ 169900 ~ Fannie Mae
99 Swett Rd, Windham ~ 179900 ~ Fannie Mae
5 Beaulieu Dr, Windham ~ 184900 ~ Fannie Mae
28 Timberhill Rd, Windham ~ 190000 ~ PAS
32 Woldbrook Dr, Windham ~ 345000 ~ Fannie Mae
680 River Road, Windham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
389 Gray Road, Windham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
119 Chute Road, Windham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
520 Roosevelt Trail, Windham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
900 River Road, Windham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
20 Main Street, Windham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
725 River Road, Windham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
68 Nash Road, Windham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
4 Blueberry Lane, Windham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
20 Northwood Ct., Wiscasset ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
50 West Main Street, Yarmouth ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald

Please let us know if you would like more information on any of these properties, or if you would like more information on foreclosure properties in other parts of Maine. The Hatcher Group, Kelller Williams Realty, Portland Maine 207-775-2121 or email John Hatcher john@johnhatcher.us

Search all Maine properties for sale on our website - http://JohnHatcher.us

Winter Parking Bans in the City of Portland Maine

WINTER SNOW BANS - The City of Portland is making a change this year to start snow bans at 6:00PM rather than 10:00PM. They've experimented with this last winter and found that it saves money and leads to better plowing. How can we argue with that!? I am sure we will get a flyer on this but wanted to call it to your attention, so that the change does not get missed and cars towed...The white stuff is coming soon....

Portland Police Department unpdate

COMMUNITY POLICING As you have perhaps read, the new Police Chief has established Senior Lead Officers for each area of the City of Portland Maine, so neighborhoods have a dedicated officer to coordinate policing and enhance response. Each Senior Lead Officer will have a dedicated cell phone and the number is available to residents to call in concerns (emergencies should still be called in to 911).

Our West End Neighborhood Senior Lead Office is Karl Geib, who has been with the department for twenty-six years. A well-known face on the bicycle patrol, he has logged thousands of miles riding throughout the city of Portland. Geib is working towards his Master’s degree in School Guidance and has spent years working with students in the Portland Public Schools.

Karl is very well regarded and has been helpful in dealing with some tough issues in Deering Oaks. I think we are lucky to have him assigned to our area of the West End!

Karl's cell phone number is 207-650-9005 and he can be emailed at karlg@portlandmaine.gov

Another change the Chief has made is to go to longer shifts, so there are more cops on at certain times. We have noticed more patrol cars in the neighborhood, as well as some undercover cars...

The Chief has also implemented a new crime tracking system, which will help identify patterns and target their efforts. It has already provided helpful in solving crimes.

National Association of Realtors creates a website for YOU!

NAR LAUNCHES NEW SITE: Lots of great ideas and info for home owners on the new National Association of Realtors consumer site: http://www.houselogic.com/

Free Lecture Today at the Maine Historical Society

The Spirit of Christmas Past: Three Centuries of Christmas in New England

A Lecture by Kenneth C. Turino,

Manager of Community Engagement and Exhibitions at Historic New England

Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the Maine Historical Society

Free to all Portland History Docents and the Public

This well-illustrated lecture traces the development of the celebration of Christmas from the time it was outlawed in 17th-century New England through the beginning of the 20th century, when all trappings of a traditional Christmas were in place. For many people today, Christmas is the most important holiday of the year. But many of the customs that we take for granted are actually a product of more recent history. Kenneth C. Turino looks at how Christmas was transformed from a rowdy celebration to a family-centered event. Among the topics discussed will be how the Christmas tree became popular, halls were decked, and Santa Claus came to town.

Portland Maine City Budget

BUDGET The Fiscal Year '10 budget is going to be very difficult, as you can imagine. The School Department is facing a $2 million mid-year budget cut from the State and expects a $7 million reduction in state school aid in FY'10. Our West End Sen. Alfond, who chairs the Education Committee, is trying to promote a buffer for district who would suffer such large cuts but the outcome of such and effort is murky. The city administration will look for savings through reorganization, efficiencies, new revenue sources, etc....

New Back Cove Listing

Networking Lunch Series

November 12th, 12 PM - PROPEL entreverge Networking Lunch Series: Adrianne Zahner, Turtle Love Committee. Turtle Love Committee is a forward thinking internet-based wedding jewelry company that sells unconventional wedding and engagement rings. The company believes the value of a wedding or engagement ring should be based on the love and commitment it symbolizes, not the financial expense it represents. Turtle Love markets and sells wedding jewelry from local and national artisans that support their mission. Their willingness to defy the conventional has enabled them to achieve explosive growth since the company was founded in mid-2008. Come hear about this intriguing business. The luncheon will be held in the Chamber's Board Room, The Chamber is located at the corner of Middle Street and Pearl Street. To register, Click here.

The New Homebuyer Tax Credit - Questions & Answers

The UI bill including the homebuyer tax credit extension and expansion has passed the House by a vote of 403-12 after passing the Senate last night 98-0. The new provisions take effect as soon as President Obama signs the bill, which we expect will be before the weekend. Including a couple questions received in the last couple days about the new credit:

1. Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house?

A. No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit.

2. I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and am within the new income limits. I will go to settlement on November 20. If President Obama has signed the bill by the time I go to settlement, will I qualify for the new $6500 tax credit?

A. Yes. The existing homeowner credit goes into effect for purchases after the date of enactment (when the bill is signed). There is no reference to the date of contract for the new credit. The provision looks solely to the date of purchase, which is generally the date of settlement.

3. I am a first-time homebuyer but was not within the prior income limits at the time I entered into my contract to purchase on October 30, 2009. I will be covered, however, by the new income limits. If the new rules have been signed into law by the time I go to settlement, will I be eligible for a credit?

A. Yes. The new income limitations go into effect as soon as the President has signed the bill. The income limit and other eligibility rules will look to your status as of the date of purchase, which is the settlement date. So if the new rules have been signed when you go to settlement, you should be eligible for the credit (or a portion of the credit if you're within the phase-out range).

4. I am an eligible existing homeowner. I have a fair amount of equity in my home. I have found a home with a non-negotiable price of $825,000. Will I be able to use any of the $6500 tax credit?

A. No. The $800,000 cap on the cost of the purchased home is firm at $800,000. Any amount above $800,000 makes the home ineligible for any portion of the credit. The $800,000 is an absolute ceiling.

5. I owned my home for 10 years, but sold it two years ago year and have been renting since. If I purchase a home, will I be eligible for the $6500 tax credit if I meet all the other eligibility tests?

A. Yes. Because you lived in the home for more than 5 consecutive years of the previous 8, you will qualify for the $6500 credit. For example, Say John and his wife bought a home in 2000 and lived there until 2008 when he got a divorce. Whether John has been renting or bought in the interim, he WOULD INDEED be eligible for the credit because he owned a home and occupied it as his principal residence for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years. The keyword here is "consecutive." As long as he lived in that house for 5 years straight, what he did since 3 years doesn't impact eligibility.

6. I am an eligible first-time homebuyer. I entered into a contract to purchase on November 1, 2009. Do I have to go to closing before December 1? How does the extension date affect me?

A. You do not have to close before December 1. Once the legislation has been signed, it will be as if the Nov 30 date had never existed. Therefore, so long as the contract settles before April 30, the buyer will be eligible for the credit.

Lastly, NAR has prepared a side-by-side that you can circulate to folks who have further questions. It can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/yh652qr

New Deering Center Neighborhood Listing

Tax Credit Info

The Senate just passed bill (98-0) that includes the tax credit extension and expansion. It's expected to go to the House quickly and get approved quickly. Then onto the President for signature. This could happen by the end of the week.
Here's the summary from the NAR site:
• Credit available for purchases before May 1, 2010. Prospective purchasers with binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010 will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete the transaction.
• Credit remains at $8000 for first-time purchasers. No change to definition of first-time purchaser.
• New $6500 tax credit for repeat buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009 and May 1, 2010. Repeat buyers must have lived in their homes consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years.
• Income limits are expanded to $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return. Current law $20,000 phase-out retained.
• New anti-fraud limitations are imposed.

First Friday Art Walk - Join Us

The Gallery at

Presents
‘Color and Contrast’

with Local Photographer
Stephanie Hatzenbuehler
Artist’s Social, First Friday Art Walk, Nov 6th
Exhibition through November
584 Congress St ~ Portland ~ 207-774-5948

Stephanie is often drawn to bold, vivid color. She finds inspiration in the visual interest of mixing urbanscape and natural subjects. Her latest work plays with the juxtaposition between contrasting and often challenging images and several prints are actually shown in dyptic form, offering the viewer a unique visual experience. Join The Gallery in welcoming Stephanie back to our walls for a scintillating new show!

New West End Listing

PROPEL Fall Fashion Show

PROPEL Fall Fashion Show, featuring all the hottest in fall and winter fashion from Serendipity and David Wood Ltd. There will be a networking event with free appetizers and a cash bar, followed by the Fashion Show and live music all evening. Cost is 10.00 Networking at 5:30, Fashion Show will start at 6:30 and the event will go until 7:30. Since 1986 Serendipity has been successfully dressing Maine's fashionable and elegant women for business or casual wear and especially for special occasions, mother of the bride and guests. David Wood Ltd is a men's clothier and outfitter.
Free Parking in the DiMillo's lot at Longwharf on commercial Street.

Register Now!

Voting & District meetings

On Election Day, all local polling places will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Voters are reminded that polling places have changed in the past year and they can check online to locate their polling place, http://www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/pollplace.asp.

On Election Day, Portland residents can register to vote at their polling place. To register to vote, you must bring identification and proof of Portland residency to your polling place. A driver's license or state identification card with the current address meets both criteria, otherwise, a checkbook, car registration, or personal mail addressed to the applicant at the current address will suffice.

For up-to-date information about voting this November, visit www.portlandvoters.com.

Annual District Meetings Start This Week
Next Thursday, the first of five annual district meetings will be held with the rest to be held through mid November. City Councilors and staff will be available to discuss neighborhood issues and answer questions from the public. These meetings are the public's opportunity to meet their district councilor, the Mayor and representatives from the various departments within the city.

District 1 Meeting
Hosted by Councilor Kevin Donoghue
November 10 at 7:00 PM
East End Community School, 195 North Street
District 2 Meeting
Hosted by Councilor Dave Marshall
November 5 at 7:00 PM
Reiche Community Center, 166 Brackett Street
District 3 Meeting
Hosted by Councilor Dan Skolnik
November 12 at 7:00 PM
Deering High School Cafeteria, 370 Stevens Avenue
District 4 Meeting
Hosted by Councilor Cheryl Leeman
November 19 at 7:30 PM
Presumpscot School, 69 Presumpscot Street
District 5 Meeting
Hosted by Councilor John Coyne
November 17 at 7:00 PM
Riverton Community Center, 1600 Forest Avenue
For more information about these meetings, contact Mike Murray, the city's Island and Neighborhood Administrator at 756-8288, or MSM@portlandmaine.gov.

Know your voting rights

Voter Rights

The U.S. Constitution gives all citizens the right to vote.

I can register to vote in Maine if:

I am a United States citizen;

I live in a town or city in Maine; and

I am 17 years old and will be 18 years old by election day

If I am registered to vote in Maine, I can vote. I do not need to show an ID to get a ballot.(Title 21-A, Section 111 and 671)

I may vote by absentee ballot instead of voting in person at the voting place. I do not need a reason to vote by absetee ballot.

If I am not registered to vote, I can register on Election Day and vote. (I must register in person and must show an ID and proof of whereI live.)

I cannot be turned away from my voting place. I must be allowed to vote a challenged ballot.

If I am in line at the voting place at 8:00 pm on Election Day, I still may register and vote.

I may see a sample ballott and get help on how to mark my ballot before I vote. I also may ask for help to read or mark my ballot.

If I make a mistake, I can get a new ballot.

I have the right to use Maine's Accessible Voting System (AVS) at my voting place.

I may not be harrassed when voting or be pressured about how to vote.

If I have any problems or if I am not allowed to vote, I will call:

The Elections Division - 1-888-868-3763, or

The Disability Right Center - 1-800-452-1948 V/TTY