Ten Inexpensive Ways to Wow Buyers

Now is the time for home owners contemplating a spring sale to spruce up their properties in anticipation of what Mike Larson of Weiss Research calls a potentially vibrant home-selling season. "If you have been beating your head against a wall, this is going to feel a lot better,” he jokes.

Here are 10 cheap ways to make a property more attractive to shoppers.

1. Improve first impressions. Touch up the paint on the front door and other areas that buyers see first.
2. Clean up the landscaping. Trim the hedges and trees and plant some annuals in the flowerbeds.
3. Paint the interior. A coat of light yellow or cream with contrasting white woodwork looks fresh and clean.
4. Refurbish the floors. Buff the hardwoods. Install new carpets – or at least get them professionally cleaned.
5. Take care of the big problems. If the house needs a roof or the front stoop is crumbling, get them fixed.
6. Buy warranties. Putting appliances under warranty gives homebuyers a secure feeling.
7. Improve energy efficiency. New windows or improved insulation tell a potential buyer the seller is on top of things plus they come with tax benefits.
8. Replace light fixtures. Updated fixtures, especially at the entrance way and in the foyer, create a good first impression.
9. Buy a stove. Home owners whose kitchen isn’t top of the line can jazz it up for a few hundred dollars by buying a new stove, which gives the room a fresh feel.
10. Tidy up the bathrooms. Get rid of mildew, replace caulking and replace stained sinks.

Free Health Screenings for Women

This Saturday, the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program will team up with the Maine Medical Center Breast Care Center in Scarborough to offer free women’s health screenings in recognition of National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Women ages 40-64 with limited or no health insurance can schedule an appointment for free services, including a clinical breast exam, pelvic exam, mammogram, and Pap test.

According to the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging, mammograms should begin at age forty for women with an average risk of breast cancer and by thirty for high-risk women. Women that receive a health screening will have the opportunity to enroll in the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program for ongoing coverage.

The Free Screening Day is an ongoing partnership between the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program, a statewide program offered through the City of Portland Public Health Division, Health and Human Services, and the Maine Medical Center Breast Care Center.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact Anne Tricomi at 207.541.6955 or via email, act@portlandmaine.gov.

When: Saturday, January 25, 2010

8:00 AM - Noon

Where: 100 Campus Drive, US Route 1

Scarborough

Maine Home Sales Up 10.36% In 2009

Single-family existing home sales in Maine rose by double digits during 2009. The Maine Real Estate Information System, Inc. (MREIS) reports a total of 10,486 homes sold in 2009 - a 10.36 percent increase in home sales compared with 2008. The median home sales price (MSP) of $164,000 reflects a decrease of 8.89 percent in that same time period. Median sales price indicates that half of the homes were sold for more and half sold for less.

According to The National Association of Realtors (NAR), 2009 nationwide sales increased 5.0 percent. The single-family national median sales price declined 11.9 percent to $173,200.

For the month of December only, Maine Realtors reported 852 home sales, up 35.89 percent from December 2008. The median sales price for December 2009 of $165,000 reflects a 1.54 percent gain. Regionally, NAR reports that December 2009’s sales are up 21.3 percent when compared to the same month in 2008. The regional median sales price rose 3.2 percent to $241,700.

“Overall, the trends are very positive,” said Ann McFarland, broker with Mitchell & Byers Realty in Damariscotta. “They indicate that buyers are purchasing homes and that sellers are serious.”

Following are two charts showing statistics for Maine and its 16 counties. The first chart lists statistics for the month of December only, statewide. The second chart compares the number of single-family, existing homes sold (units) and price (MSP) during the 12 months of 2008 and 2009.

Click HERE for more information.

Downtown Showdown Saturday!

January 30th, the 2^nd Annual Downtown Showdown sponsored by Sunday River and Sugarloaf with support from the City of Portland is coming to Monument Square. The resorts will build the two-story take off and 30-foot long staircase with the new feature of a cannon rail for skier and snowboarders to slide down. The Downtown Showdown is an invitation-only competition including twelve skiers and twelve snowboarders from industry teams, shops and academies, who will be competing for cash and prizes. For more information about the event, visit www.thedowntownshowdown.com.

The Downtown Showdown is a precursor for the 2^nd Annual Portland WinteRush, Maine’s coolest outdoor festival February 13^th. Portland WinteRush offers a number of fun activities for people of all ages to enjoy outdoors in Portland’s Deering Oaks Park. The festival begins with the PolarBear 5K sponsored by Tri-Maine followed by the 1st Annual Portland Snow Plow Parade along Park Avenue. Families can try their hands at snow fort building, snow painting, and snowball fights with Portland Recreation and Healthy Portland staff. In keeping with Portland tradition, the city will build its own sledding hill, the Hannaford Sledder Shredder, down State Street Extension. The first toboggan run in Portland was built in 1919 and was a city-held tradition for four decades. WinteRush’s Sledder Shredder reinvents this tradition for 2010. Other activities included snowshoeing through the book Snow Day! (illustrated by local artist Scott Nash) with WinterKids, cross-country skiing on groomed trails throughout the park, and for those more interested in spectator sports, attendees can vote for the best snowman for the 1st Annual Neighborhood Organization Snowman Contest or check out teams as they create art out of snow for the Maine Snow Sculpting Contest.

The City of Portland Public School Parent/Teacher Organizations will be offering hot and cold food and beverage treats at the event locations. All proceeds from the sales will go to benefit Portland schools. For those looking for a fun souvenir, Portland Co-curricular Boosters will be selling WinteRush t-shirts, hats and other items at the park.

For more information about WinteRush and an event schedule, go to www.portlandwinterush.com.

When: Saturday, January 30, 2010

5:00 PM

Where: Monument Square

Congress Street, Portland

From ME to Haiti

At the close of last week's day-long telethon, From ME to Haiti, more than 850 residents and local businesses had pledged $68,000 in support of Konbit Sante Cap-Haitien Health Partnership and its work in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, $10,000 of which came from corporate donors including Gorham Savings Bank, UNUM, the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce, Green Furniture, Boulos, Oakhurst Dairy, Woodard & Curran, and Gorrili Palmer Engineers. The telethon, sponsored by the City of Portland and WGME raised critical funds for the local nonprofit’s Earthquake Response Fund which will support recovery and rebuilding efforts after last week’s devastating earthquake. Today’s pledges combined with the $75,000 already contributed to the Earthquake Response Fund, means that total support has exceeded $143,000.

People can still support the fundraising effort by making a contribution online at www.healthyhaiti.org, via mail, make checks payable to Konbit Sante, P.O. Box 11281, Portland, ME 04104 and note Earthquake Response Fund in the memo field, or by dropping off a contribution in person at City Hall in the City Manager’s Office.

The City of Portland is uniquely tied to Haiti through its sister city relationship with Cap-Haitien, a community in northern Haiti. This relationship came about in part from the work of Konbit Sante, which supports health and medical programs as well as other public health projects in the northern part of the country. Last week, Konbit Sante’s Board of Directors announced that it had established the Earthquake Response Fund. The fund was started with an initial donation of $25,000 from Konbit Sante’s operational reserves. The fund raised will be used to address long-term and short-term health needs related to the earthquake.

Local News Reports on rising Maine Home Sales

channel 8 News reports on how Maine home sales are on the rise, especially in the $250,000 and under range.

The full video can be viewed HERE.

December Cumberland County Foreclosure/Bank Owned/REO Property Listings

136 S Bridgton Rd, Bridgton ~ 77000 ~ FannieMae
4 Brocklebank Drive, Bridgton ~ 159900 ~ Ocwen
43 Mountain Rd, Bridgton ~ 177900 ~ Res.net
405 Commons Dr, Bridgton ~ 239900 ~ PAS
18 Cushing St, Brunswick ~ 49900 ~ Equator.com
660 Durham Rd, Brunswick ~ 52900 ~ Res.net
17 Range Rd, Brunswick ~ 77900 ~ Equator.com
22 Overview Road, Brunswick ~ 114975 ~ Homesteps
237 Hacker Rd, Brunswick ~ 149900 ~ FannieMae
72 Water St, Brunswick ~ 154000 ~ FannieMae
16 Meredith Dr., Brunswick ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
2 Wainwright Dr, Cape Elizabeth ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
18 Orchard Rd, Cape Elizabeth ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
195 State Rd, Casco ~ 120900 ~ Equator.com
195 State Park Rd, Casco ~ 120999 ~ 959649
138 Gray Rd, Cumberland ~ 147900 ~ Equator.com
10 Brookside Dr, Cumberland ~ 170900 ~ Equator.com
8 Winn Rd, Cumberland ~ 359000 ~ 956687
64 US Rt 1, Falmouth ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
15 Farm Gate Road, Falmouth ~ Auction ~ Tranzon
697 Gray Rd, Gorham ~ 175000 ~ FannieMae
17 Timber Ridge Rd, Gorham ~ 255000 ~ FannieMae
7 Caitlin Dr., Gorham ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
420 South St, Gorham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
465 Libby Ave, Gorham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
24&42 Fillion Sway, Gorham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
312 W Gray Rd, Gray ~ 142000 ~ FannieMae
94 Depot Rd, Gray ~ 167200 ~ Res.net
98 Lake Ave, Gray ~ 289900 ~ FannieMae
98 Lake Ave, Gray ~ 289900 ~ Res.net
145 North Shore Rd., Gray ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
18 Karen Drive, Gray ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
10 Ames Drive, Gray ~ Auction ~ Lambert/Coffin/Haan
181 North Shore Rd, Gray ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
70 Shaker Rd, Gray ~ TBD ~ FannieMae
44 Harpswell By The Sea, Harpswell ~ 90000 ~ FannieMae
68 Cundy's Harbor, Harpswell ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
197 Lewis Rd, Harrison ~ 69900 ~ 957792
197 Lewis Rd, Harrison ~ 69900 ~ FannieMae
66 Lambs Mill Rd, Naples ~ 125000 ~ 958044
66 Lambs Mill Rd, Naples ~ 125000 ~ FannieMae
75 Rolling Hill Dr, Naples ~ 369900 ~ 953279
75 Rolling Hill Dr, Naples ~ 369900 ~ FannieMae
73 Whipporwill Rd, Naples ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
14 Wall Street, New Gloucester ~ 214900 ~ Res.net
17 Trout Run, New Gloucester ~ 219900 ~ Homesteps
317 Bennett Rd, New Gloucester ~ 225000 ~ FannieMae
94 Penney Rd, New Gloucester ~ 244900 ~ PAS
22 Castle Road, New Gloucester ~ 259900 ~ Homesteps
855 North Rd, North Yarmouth ~ 89900 ~ Equator.com
134 Royal Rd, North Yarmouth ~ 152900 ~ Equator.com
28 Bayberry Dr., North Yarmouth ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
28 Bayberry Dr, North Yarmouth ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
53 Brackett Street, Portland ~ 54900 ~ Homesteps
82 Cumberland Ave, Portland ~ 85000 ~ FannieMae
20 West Street, Portland ~ 124900 ~ Res.net
2 Back Cove Est, Portland ~ 134900 ~ FannieMae
205 Holm Ave, Portland ~ 139900 ~ Res.net
54 Florida Ave, Portland ~ 143000 ~ FannieMae
85 87 Glenwood Avenue, Portland ~ 259900 ~ FannieMae
85 -87 Glenwood Av, Portland ~ 259900 ~ Res.net
24 Catherine St., Portland ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
119 Ridge Rd., Portland ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
37 Fallbrook St., Portland ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
83-87 Plymouth St, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
53 Tyng St, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
39 Illsley St Unit 7, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
25 Alice St, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
145 Ridge Rd Unit 40, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
1 Talbot St, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
122 Woodland Ave, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
1024 Washington Ave #8, Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
229 Congress Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ Tranzon
1685 Congress Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ Tranzon
16 Swan Street, Portland ~ Auction ~ Williams
83 Verrill Rd, Pownal ~ 99900 ~ Equator.com
50 Boulder Rd, Raymond ~ 135000 ~ FannieMae
8 Tenny Hill Rd, Raymond ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
4 Dodge St, Scarborough ~ 164900 ~ FannieMae
47 Tall Pines Rd , Scarborough ~ 174900 ~ 951635
30 Horseshoe Dr, Scarborough ~ 259900 ~ FannieMae
4 Clover Leaf Ln, Scarborough ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
6 Hillside Ave, Scarborough ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
29 Baldwin Rd, Sebago ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
273 Ocean St, South Portland ~ 110000 ~ FannieMae
81 Linton St, South Portland ~ 124000 ~ Equator.com
1286 Broadway, South Portland ~ 124900 ~ FannieMae
100 Skillings St, South Portland ~ 200000 ~ FannieMae
11 Curtis St, South Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
7 Coach Rd, South Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
554 Highland Ave, South Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
182 Sawyer St, South Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
49 Appletree Dr, South Portland ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
238 Western Avenue, South Portland ~ Auction ~ Tranzon
925 Ossipee Trl, Standish ~ 139900 ~ FannieMae
925 Ossipee Trl, Standish ~ 139900 ~ Res.net
606 Saco Rd, Standish ~ 180000 ~ FannieMae
57 Lucky's Run, Standish ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
16 Hope Ave, Standish ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
57 Luckys Run, Standish ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
7 Mast Pine Circle, Standish ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
15 Wifflefield Rd, Standish ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
606 Saco Road, Standish ~ Auction ~ Williams
112 Douglas Hill Rd, West Baldwin ~ 124900 ~ FannieMae
92 Cottage St, Westbrook ~ 75000 ~ FannieMae
25 Lawrence Street, Westbrook ~ 80190 ~ HUD
275 Brown St, Westbrook ~ 128900 ~ Res.net
10 W Pleasant St, Westbrook ~ 144900 ~ FannieMae
125 Brackett St, Westbrook ~ 155000 ~ Equator.com
28 Stagecoach Lane, Westbrook ~ 169900 ~ Homesteps
265 Presidential Way, Westbrook ~ 320000 ~ FannieMae
63 Rochester St., Westbrook ~ Auction ~ Fine Attorney
95 Oak St, Westbrook ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
21 Haskell St, Westbrook ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
412 Pope Rd, Windham ~ 93900 ~ PAS
28 Whites Bridge Rd, Windham ~ 107000 ~ FannieMae
56 Vance Dr, Windham ~ 129900 ~ 959579
99 Swett Rd, Windham ~ 149900 ~ FannieMae
12 Critter Dr, Windham ~ 159900 ~ FannieMae
5 Beaulieu Dr, Windham ~ 174900 ~ FannieMae
8 Edith Jeffords Rd, Windham ~ 209900 ~ 957160
68 Nash Rd, Windham ~ 214900 ~ 959200
541 Roosevelt Trl, Windham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald
150 Nash Rd, Windham ~ Auction ~ MPN - Portland Press Herald

Portland helps Haiti

As you are aware, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday killing possibly hundreds of thousands and leaving tens of thousands injured, homeless or in search of loved ones. As with any tragedy like this, our hearts go out to the men, women and children lost or in pain.
Beyond that, the City of Portland is uniquely tied to Haiti through its sister city relationship with Cap-Haitien, a community in northern Haiti. This relationship came about in part from the work of Portland nonprofit, Konbit Sante Cap-Haitien Health Partnership, which supports health and medical programs as well as other public health projects in the northern part of the country.
As soon as I learned of the earthquake and shocking toll of life, I spoke with key personnel to see what if anything Portland could do to help and to learn of any news about our sister city, Cap-Haitien. While Cap-Haitien did not suffer major physical damage from the earthquake, the entire country is being affected by this disaster. With relief efforts underway, Portland emergency personnel are monitoring the situation and awaiting any formal request for assistance that we can fulfill. Nate Nickerson, Konbit Sante's executive director has learned that United Nation helicopters are now airlifting critical patients to the Justinian Hospital in Cap-Haitien, the nation's second largest hospital. Nate will be traveling to Haiti on Saturday for a first-hand assessment of what will be needed to respond to these urgent needs. For those interested, updates on conditions in Haiti are being updated on Konbit Sante's Facebook page.
Konbit Sante announced yesterday that it has established an Earthquake Response Fund and they have contributed $25,000 from their reserves as an initial donation to the fund. To contribute to this fund, please visit www.healthyhaiti.org and note that your contribution is for the Earthquake Response Fund. According to Nate, "The needs are going to be long-term and are going to affect the whole country. We're just beginning to grasp the scope of this disaster." These funds will be used to address long-term and short-term health needs related to the earthquake.
I share this information with the residents of Portland, as you, like me, may be asking what steps to take to help with humanitarian efforts. A collection effort is underway at the City Manager's office in City Hall where charitable donations can be made to Konbit Sante's Earthquake Response Fund.
People can also make donations online to the American Red Cross, International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or Doctors Without Borders at www.doctorswithoutborders.org.
Also all proceeds from Sunday's 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Concert at Merrill Auditorium will be donated to relief efforts. For those interested, tickets can be purchased at the box office at Merrill Auditorium.
As you already know, Portland is deeply compassionate, caring community and if we can help alleviate the pain for our brothers and sisters in Cap-Haitien, we will. Our city motto, Resurgam, means I will rise again and I know that today, Portland, will rise to the occasion.
Sincerely,
Nick Mavodones
Nicole Clegg
Director of Communications
City of Portland
389 Congress Street, Room 208
Portland, ME 04101
office: 207-756-8173
cell: 207-272-4477

On the Job Ergonomics

Office workers rarely view their workplace as a health hazard. After all, we’re not climbing roofs on a construction site, fighting fires, or doing anything we consider remotely dangerous to our physical health. Yet constant computer work can cause health hazards and repetitive strain injuries—carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and chronic back pain among them—and these conditions affect more than our office lives. Click here to view the whole article on creating an ergonomic work station.

Luxurious Master Bedroom Suites

Giving a designer complete control to create your dream home is a bit like letting a work colleague steer your career or letting your preteen kids take over the family finances. It’s a risky move, and because of that risk factor, it simply isn’t done.

Unless, by chance, we’re speaking of this dream vacation home on Red Mountain in Aspen, Colorado. In this rare situation, the designers had earned the trust of the homeowners while working on their three previous homes in Miami. So when the homeowners hired husband-and-wife team Brett Sugerman and Giselle Loor of b + g design a fourth time, they felt comfortable giving them free rein to design their mountainside retreat.

The close relationship between the homeowners and designers gave Sugerman and Loor the confidence to...Click here to read the full article on 5 Luxurious Master Bedroom Suites.

The Homebuyer Tax Credit - simplified!

By a Senate vote of 98-0 (with House approval momentarily) they have extended and expanded the tax credit for homebuyers. About 1.4 million first-time homebuyers have qualified for the credit through August. The National Association of Realtors estimates that 350,000 of them would not have purchased their homes without the credit. The projected cost to the government about $10.8 billion in lost taxes.

Here's the highlights. And note the "upgrades in who it covers":

1) First-time homebuyers - or anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years - would still get up to $8,000. To qualify, buyers have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30.2) Buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years would be eligible for tax credits of up to $6,500. (Nice push for trade up/down)

3) The credit would be phased out for individuals with annual incomes above $125,000 and for joint filers with incomes above $225,000. (Significant increases above current regulations)

Note again, the credit is available for the purchase of principal homes costing $800,000 or less, meaning vacation homes are ineligible.

Lower Your Utility Bills!

1. Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Compact fl uorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can be a huge energy saver. Replace some (or all) of your incandescent bulbs with fluorescents and enjoy reductions in heat production, energy use, and electric bills! Savings: Changing five of the most frequently used light bulbs in your home can save you $100 per year on electric bills!

2. Program Your Thermostat
When you are at home, keep the thermostat at 78°F or higher in the summer and 62°F or lower in the winter. Programmable thermostats allow you to program the systems to reduce output when they are not needed (e.g., when no one is home during the day, or in the evening when everyone is sleeping). Savings: Reduce your energy bill by $100 per year or
more!

Want to learn more? Click here to read the entire article from the Green Building Council

New Listing from The Hatcher Group

Get outside this winter!

Cross-country ski trails groomed at Riverside
Following this weekend's three-day storm, city crews have completed grooming operations for cross-country ski trails at the Riverside Golf Course. Eight kilometers of trails are now open for both freestyle and classic skiing.

Other activities people can enjoy at Portland parks and open spaces includes:
Cross-country skiing and Snowshoeing

Capisic Pond Park - Open fields for skiing or snowshoeing.

Evergreen Cemetery Woods - One hundred acres of forest with trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or walking (Main entrance is located at 672 Stevens Avenue).

Mayor Baxter Woods - Woods will trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and walking. Dogs allowed (Located off Hartley Street, between Forest Avenue and Stevens Avenue).

Oatnuts Park to Presumpscot River Preserve - One of the best spots in the Greater Portland area for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Miles of trails along the Presumpscot River leading to the Presumpscot Falls (Located on Allen Avenue Extension or Summer Street).

Payson Park - Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing near the Back Cove.

Riverside Golf Course - Eight kilometers of groomed tracks for skiing along the Presumpscot River.

Riverton Trolley Park - Good spot for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Snowboarding & Sledding
Riverside Golf Course - Lots of hills for snowboarding, sledding and tubing with the new addition of snowboard rails donated by Sunday River! For people looking to warm up, Bogeys' Restaurant is open seven days a week at Riverside North.

Payson Park Sledding Hill - Sledding, tubing, snowboarding with the new terrain park for snowboarding and skiing. It includes a fun box and a rail.

Eastern Prom Hill - Fantastic sledding, tubing, telemark skiing and cross-country skiing.

Family Festival at Portland Museum of Art

Special Portland Museum of Art event this week, featuring Museum of African Culture Director, Oscar Mokeme

Family Festival at Portland Museum of Art
Spirit Masks with Dance & Drums

Date: Saturday, January 9
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Price: Free with Museum admission
Members' Price: Free
Location: PMA Great Hall & Galleries

All children must be accompanied by an adult.
11 a.m. to Noon: Mask-making
Noon: Masquerade performance

Families are invited to celebrate the African mask collection of David C. Driskell with a very special masquerade performance by Oscar Mokeme, Director of the Museum of African Culture in Portland. Mokeme comes from a long lineage of Igbo Royal family healers in his native country of Nigeria. Come hear the drums, see the mask in motion, and explore the symbols and meanings behind the masks as you make your own!

Rape Aggression Defense Training Class Offered in February

This February, the Portland Police Department will offer its Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Training class. R.A.D. provides women with the tools they need to both avoid dangerous situations and escape them. The course is specifically designed to help women survive situations in which their lives are in jeopardy.

This class is open to all women, ages 13 and older, in the Greater Portland area who would like to develop real life defensive tools and tactics. The Basic Self-Defense Course consists of a series of four classes and one scenario day. The class is scheduled for February 2, 4, 9, and 11, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and February 13 from 8:00 AM to noon. All classes must be attended to complete the course. The classes will be held at the Portland Police Department, 109 Middle Street, Portland, Maine.

A donation of $25.00 for the course is suggested. All donations support the Amy St. Laurent Fund, which sponsors the R.A.D. trainings. Due to attendance issues, all donations must be paid prior to the first class.

To sign up for the class or receive more information about Portland R.A.D., e-mail ppdrad@portlandmaine.gov or call 874-8643

I used to work with Amy St. Laurent's mother & highly reccomend every woman taking this class. If you don't know Amy's story, please read "Finding Amy" by Joseph Loughlin & Kate Flora.

When: February 2, 4, 9, 11, and 13, 2009
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (2/13 class 8:00 AM - noon)
Where: Portland Police Department
109 Middle Street, Portland

City to Hold Bicycle Forum this Saturday

It might be cold and snowy outsdide for a few more months, but if you'd like a part in shaping our great City of Portland - here's your chance!
This Saturday, the City of Portland will host a Bicycle Forum, Riding into 2010. The forum is the public's opportunity to assist the city develop long and short term strategies to improve bicycling within the city as well as help Portland become a Bicycle Friendly Community designated by the League of American Bicyclists. This fall, the city was awarded an honorable mention for its application and the organization identified a number of initiatives the city could undertake to improve its bikability including among others, expand Bike to Work Day, increase the number of bike lines along major arterials, improve public education efforts for safety, and incorporate bicycling issues/needs in planning and large-scale development. Riding into 2010 is the public's opportunity to provide feedback and think creatively with City Councilors and staff as they prioritize and work to implement initiatives bearing in mind the current financial constraints of the city budget.

Members of the public are encouraged to pre-register at http://www.portlandmaine.gov/planning/conferenceregistrationbikes.asp.

When: Saturday, January 9, 2010
9:00 AM - Noon

Where: Merrill Rehearsal Hall
City Hall, Portland

Instant Garden Charm for your table...

The ancient art of topiary is a wonderful way to bring fun, versatility, and formality into your garden and home. What’s topiary? Simply trimming and shaping plants into ornamental shapes, which can be any object or geometric shape you can imagine. Garden history books describe Tuscan villas with animals formed from boxwood nearly 2,000 years ago, and ever since, this historic garden art form has remained popular in estate and home gardens throughout the world. The term “topiary” can mean something as large as a garden giraffe or as small as a tabletop centerpiece, but it’s always related to shaped plants. Read the full article here:
http://www.homebydesign.com/pages/article/HBD_DEC_09_05/1148/

Housing Ordinance unfair to porperty owners?

Portland’s Housing Replacement Ordinance to be Examined
Several times recently, Portland’s Housing Replacement Ordinance (HRO) and the fees that it authorizes have stirred controversy at City Hall. On January 5 the Council will begin to examine it.
The ordinance, enacted on the heels of the 1990’s boom, was intended to ensure a stock of housing that is affordable to local people. Compliance with the ordinance’s fees can cost a property owner $57,000 per removed housing unit. Economists and urban planners traditionally maintain that a city cannot thrive unless it has this crucial piece of the puzzle: adequate housing stock. 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 all 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.

While I consider it unlikely, the Council could repeal the ordinance. The Council’s Housing Committee will put the issue on their agenda for their January 5 meeting. You are free to attend or weigh in.

Maine's interest rates

TODAY’S RATES (01/05/2010)

Rates
15 Year Fixed Rate: 4.750%
30 Year Fixed Rate: 5.250%
3/1 ARM: 4.500%
5/1 ARM: 4.500%
FHA & VA 30YR: 5.250%
Jumbo 30 fix: 6.350%
Jumbo 7/1 ARM: 5.950%
Jumbo 5/1 ARM: 5.850%

** All rates are on primary residence single family homes within the state of Maine. All prices based on 30% down with a loan amount not to exceed 417,000. Adjustments in rate will be made for all homes that fall outside that category. Approval based on credit worthiness (730 or above credit score) and appraisal. All rates subject to change at any time without notice.

Provided by:
Jeff Cochrane
Senior Loan Officer
Reliant Mortgage Company LLC.
970 Baxter Blvd
Portland, Maine. 04103
Phone: 207-553-7516
Cell: 207-831-3686
Fax: 207-321-5399
Email: jeff@firstinmaine.com

Home is where the office is...

In many ways, it seems our society is returning to its roots. Ages ago, when a person’s job was tending the land right outside his front door, such a thing as work/life balance didn’t have to exist; work and life were one in the same. These days, there are many people who are going back to this model—albeit a modern version of it—by forgoing an out-of-the-home job and working professionally within the home. With so many people merging home and work to create a space that will satisfy both requirements, the need for a productive and efficient environment has never been greater....
Read the full article here: http://www.yourhomeandlifestyle.com/pages/article/YHL_JAN_10_01/18979/

New Listing from The Hatcher Group

The Next Eggs & Issues

Will there be Wind Turbines in the Ocean? And what’s a Bridge in a Backpack?

Professor Habib Dagher is the Director of the Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center a state-of-the-art research and development laboratory at
the University of Maine in Orono.

Dr. Dagher also leads the DeepCWind Consortium, a recently awarded DOE program to develop floating offshore wind technologies in the US.

Come and learn how a bridge in a backpack works, what this R & D lab is doing for Maine and why Maine could be a leader in off-shore wind power.

Friday, January 8th 7:00-9:00 am

Networking: 7:00am. Breakfast 7:30am Holiday Inn By the Bay, Portland
Free Parking available at the Holiday Inn By the Bay lot next to the hotel.

$16 members / $26 non-members / Register online: Eggs & Issues, January-Habib Dagher
If you are using an Eggs & Issues Ticket Booklet register via email - registrations@portlandregion.com
Please register by January 6th
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To fax or mail your registration (Download flyer) Mail to: Portland Community Chamber, 60 Pearl St. Portland, ME 04101 /Fax: 772-1179

Payment is expected at the time of registration. Cancellations must be received in writing 48 hrs prior to the event in order to receive a refund