Falmouth Elementary School Contents Sale

Elementary School Contents Sale – Falmouth, ME - Sunday, June 3 - 8am-2pm


The Town of Falmouth, Maine is in the process of selling the contents of two former Grade K-4 schools (Plummer-Motz and Lunt) located at the corner of Middle and Lunt Road. The contents will be sold as is, where is, “garage/yard sale” style. Any items purchased will need to be paid for and removed during the hours of the sale (cash and carry). There are many interesting items that could be used in classrooms or repurposed for your home or office. Some of these items include: kids desks, kids chairs, teacher desks/chairs, office chairs, step stools/step-ups, filing cabinets, round/rectangular adjustable tables, bookshelves, bookcases, student mailboxes, phones, dry erase board (wall mounted), cork board, American Flags (classroom), MAC Air ports, wall hand sanitizer units, magazine racks, overhead projectors, waste baskets, AV carts, wall shelving, rolling easels, pencil sharpeners, cafeteria tables, toys, stage risers, learn time clocks, fish tanks, and much more. Please inform your local PTO’s as well.

If you have questions regarding the sale, please contact Matt Gilbert at mattg@town.falmouth.me.us.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Splash for Trash at East End Beach in Portland

Splash for Trash at East End Beach


Next month, the City of Portland and the Roddenberry Dive Team in partnership with NAUI’s Green Diver Initiative will host Splash for Trash at the East End Beach. The underwater clean-up is a part of a community effort to improve the water quality and environment at the beach. SCUBA divers will scour the sea floor for trash and debris and bring them to the surface for collection. Prizes provided by Barclay’s Skindivers Paradise will be given for the best “catch” of the day.

Trash in the ocean kills more than one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and turtles each year through ingestion and entanglement. Trash left at the beach can easily be picked up by the tide and find its way to the floor of Casco Bay where it could sit for hundreds of years posing a hazard to our local marine life. A tin can will take more than five decades to decompose and a plastic bottle thrown into the ocean today will still be decomposing four centuries from now. For more information about the clean-up effort, visit http://www.skindiversparadise.com/.

When: Saturday, June 2, 2012

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Where: East End Beach, Portland
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

No Trash/Recycling Pick-up in Portland on Memorial Day

No Trash/Recycling Pick-up for Memorial Day


The Department of Public Services Solid Waste crews will not collect trash or recycling on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012. Residents who normally receive collection services on Monday will have their trash and recycling collected the Saturday before, May 26th. Residents of Peaks Island, Great Diamond Island, Little Diamond Island and Cliff Island will have their recycling and trash collection the following day, Tuesday, May 29th. All items should be out by 6:30 AM to ensure collection. If residents have further questions about their trash/recycling collection, they can contact the Recycling Hotline at 756-8189.

The Riverside Recycling Facility will be closed on Memorial Day as well, and will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Portland's New Bulky Item Pick-up program

Portland Launches New Bulky Item Pick-up


Starting Monday, the City of Portland’s Department of Public Services will officially launch a new bulky waste program, Tag It – Bulky Item Pick-Up, for residents. The online program offers an easy and affordable way for residents to dispose of bulky and large items. Developed by department staff and the Solid Waste Task Force, the new program replaces the city’s heavy item pick-up and provides residents and renters alike with an easy method to dispose of large items.

Residents who wish to participate in the program may do so by filling out an online form at http://www.recycle.portlandmaine.gov/

Staff from the Department of Public Services will confirm the request via e-mail and issue the requested bulky item tag(s) to the resident through the US mail. Once the tag is received, generally two to three days after requested, the resident should secure it to the item and set it out at the curb on the specified date for pick-up. Generally, the disposal date will be the resident’s next regularly scheduled trash day. Tags for bulky items weighing less than thirty pounds such as kitchen chairs, cribs, lawn furniture, and toys are free and limited to ten per eligible household a year. Bulky Tags for items weighing more than thirty pounds, such as couches, beds, dressers and mattresses will be issued at a set fee of $40 per item

As part of the city’s efforts to reduce waste, residents are encouraged to donate unwanted items that are in usable condition to local charitable organizations or give them to friends or neighbors who could use them. Residents can also contact private waste haulers for disposal services.

The Tag It - Bulky Item Pick-Up program will operate from April to November annually. Electronic waste like televisions, computer monitors and other components are not eligible for this program. There are several options for recycling these items. For more information, visit the city’s website at http://recycle.portlandmaine.gov/ewaste.asp.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Portland Walkways for a healthier community

Portland Installs New Walkways to School


This month, the City of Portland is installing Portland Walkways, which identify safe routes for children and parents to walk or bike to school (photo attached). With installation expected to be complete by the end of the month, Portland Walkways will map routes to all Portland Public elementary and middle schools. The clearly marked routes, which are identified by Portland Walkways signs and arrows, were developed for safety and convenience with a travel distance of a mile or less to school. The walkways were designed to avoid major intersections as much as possible, follow sidewalk snowplowing routes and run along well lit streets. The Maine Centers for Disease Control recommends that children between the ages of six and seventeen get a minimum of sixty minutes of aerobic exercises every day. Walking or riding back and forth to school is an easy way to help meet these guidelines.

Funded by a contribution from the city’s obesity prevention program, this initiative is a part of a larger citywide effort to improve nutrition and combat obesity by promoting systemic change that makes it easier to live healthy and active lives. Maine is the most obese state in New England with one out of every three children in the state and fifty-eight percent of all adults in Cumberland County either overweight or obese. The City of Portland through Healthy Portland, a local Healthy Maine Partnership and program of the City of Portland’s Health and Human Services Department, initiated this effort through Healthy Portland’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work obesity prevention grant.

Two years ago, the city was awarded a $1.8 million CPPW obesity prevention grant from the federal government, which has supported a number of citywide programs. Other initiatives include working with the Portland Farmers’ Market Association to accept SNAP benefits, increasing the number of community gardens within the city, working with local restaurants to add calorie information to their menus, developing a citywide plan to increase safety and access to streets and trails for pedestrians and cyclists, and the installation of salad bars at Portland Public Schools.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

The Mysterious Penobscot Belle:

Thursday, May 24, 7:00 pm


The Richard D’Abate Lectures: Conversations About History, Art, and Literature
Details: http://www.mainehistory.org/PDF/Programs-Richard_Series.pdf
The Mysterious Penobscot Belle: Early Photography & A Forgotten Wabanaki Encampment in Portland in the mid-1800s

Speaker: Harald E.L. Prins & Bunny McBride, Kansas State University

About a dozen years ago, Prins and McBride, noted anthropologists who have done extensive work with Maine native communities, obtained a mid-19th century engraving of Mary Louise, a beautiful young Penobscot Indian woman, originally published as a ”Fashion Plate” in a popular women’s magazine. For purposes of mass reproduction, this fine image had been copied from a Daguerreotype, probably made by the young photographer Marcus Ormsbee who operated a studio at Middle Street in Portland. Although it is unlikely that the original artifact still exists, Prins and McBride claim that she was the first American Indian woman photographed in the Western hemisphere. Their presentation will explore her individual identity, comment on some fascinating details relevant to this particular portrait, and, last but not least, describe the long-forgotten coastal encampment just outside Portland frequented by Penobscots and other Wabanakis, including itinerant basketmakers, doctors, and showmen.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

10 quirky homes...

10 quirky homes for anti-establishment types

The one that caught my eye reminds me of the dining hall on the Gorham Campaus of USM...the aliens have landed!

Spin Me Right ‘Round - 116 Canaan Road, New Paltz, N.Y.

see all 10 homes here: http://www.inman.com/news/2012/04/30/10-quirky-homes-anti-establishment-types?page=0%2C4
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

7th Annual Doll Tea

Join Victoria Mansion at the Maine Irish Heritage Center for the 7th Annual Doll Tea!


About the Afternoon Tea..
________________________

This whimsical and extravagant event is back and better than ever! Children and adults will enjoy a traditional tea service by Nellie's Teas while learning about Victorian customs and etiquette. There will be delicious gourmet cupcakes and live music by Brian Callaghan. Ballerinas from Portland Ballet will be on hand to give lessons and display costumes. Adults and children are eligible for a variety of door and raffle prizes including stunning centerpieces by designer Sandy Riley, a Victorian birthday party, custom-made doll clothing by Sandra Gilley, two new American Girl Dolls, and much more! Each child will receive an activity book and have the chance to be crowned one of our Tea Royalty. Afterwards, children are invited to tour the Victoria Mansion and see custom dolls created by doll-maker Marion Bunton. Guests of the Doll Tea are encouraged to bring their own dolls to the event :)
 
Event Details:
Date/Time
Sunday, May 20th at 1pm

Location
ME Irish Heritage Center
34 Gray Street, Portland Maine

Victoria Mansion
109 Danforth Street, Portland Maine

Tickets
$40 1 adult & 1 child($30 for members)
$25 each additional adult ($20 for members)
$15 each additional child ($10 for members)
FMI: 207-772-4841, ext. *810

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Homemade GUACAMOLE

GUACAMOLE
Serves 8

2 large ripe avocados
¼ cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons minced red onion
2 tablespoons Mexican crema or sour cream
⅛ teaspoon ground coriander
⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
⅛ teaspoon curry powder
2 garlic cloves, minced into a fine paste
finely grated zest of 1 lime
juice of 1 lime
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper

Cut avocados in half, remove seeds, slice flesh into small squares with a knife, and spoon the flesh into a medium mixing bowl. Add the

remaining ingredients and mash gently with a fork until the guacamole is partly smooth with some small bits of avocado remaining. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Stunning custom built Oceanfront home

Stunning custom built Oceanfront home that was designed to afford spectular water views from most rms.Open flr plan offers bright & light rms.Gourmet kitchen,1st&2nd flr master suites, glowing hardwood floors throughout-step out your door & onto the beach
Visual Tour: http://tour.previsite.com/D4827250-2264-56EE-D55C-93A507F8EDC3

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Portland Climate Change Roundtable May 17

Climate Change Roundtable May 17


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed the first national standards to limit climate-changing carbon pollution from new power plants. By helping address climate change these rules would help protect the health of Maine’s families, natural resource-based economy, and environment.

Here in Maine, there are increasing signs of how vulnerable our health, environment, and economy are to climate change. EPA’s proposed standard bolsters the ongoing trend in the power sector to build cleaner sources of energy that take advantage of American‐made technologies and resources.

This event provides an interactive opportunity to learn about the standards, and to hear from a large panel of diverse Maine leaders who will provide their perspectives on these climate and energy issues. Panelists will include business leaders from forestry to tourism sectors, physicians, energy experts, local elected officials, scientists and a college president.

The agenda will include a 60 minute program and 30 minutes for public questions or input.

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2012; 10:30 AM – NOON
CUMBERLAND COUNTY CIVIC CENTER, PORTLAND MAINE
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Traffic Improvements Planning for Outer Congress Street in Portland

Traffic Improvements Planning for Outer Congress Street


Next week, officials and staff with the City of Portland including District 3 City Councilor Ed Suslovic along with representatives from the Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) will host a meeting to discuss proposed traffic changes to Outer Congress Street and get feedback from the public. This summer, Maine DOT plans to resurface Outer Congress Street from Stevens Avenue to Johnson Road. At the same time, the city plans to meet many of the objectives identified in the 2007 Outer Congress Street Corridor Study to better balance the safety and travel needs of all users of the roadway, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users. To achieve these goals, the city is developing a new striping plan that will reflect lane modifications, including dedicated left turning lanes for entry to Waldo Street and for eastbound traffic on Congress Street at Westbrook Street as well as adding a center two-way turning lane near Hobart Street.

When: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
6:30 – 8:00 PM

Where: Italian Heritage Center
40 Westland Avenue, Portland
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Portland's Arbor Day Celebration

Evergreen Cemetery Arbor Day Celebration


Next Tuesday, the City of Portland Department of Public Services and the Friends of Evergreen will host an Arbor Day Celebration to be followed by the planting of a ceremonial tree in honor of the holiday. The event kicks off Evergreen Cemetery’s new tree memorial donation program through the Portland Tree Trust, EverGreen. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

At 239 acres, Evergreen Cemetery is the location of the city’s largest urban forest and is a sanctuary for various wildlife and migratory birds. The cemetery’s origins date back to 1851 when the city purchased fifty-five acres at Steven’s Plain to meet the needs of the community’s rapidly growing population and diminishing available space at the Eastern and Western Cemeteries. Designed by civil engineer Charles Howe, the Victorian garden cemetery was developed as both a sacred place for memorializing the dead and a green space that could be enjoyed by residents. Carriage roadways and walking paths lead to ponds, bridges and various family burial plots often featuring a central monument as focal point. Greeting visitors as they enter the cemetery, the Wilde Memorial Chapel was designed as a mortuary chapel by Mary Ellen Lunt Wilde in honor of her husband Samuel Wilde in 1902. Today the chapel is the location for funerals, weddings, lectures and other community events.

Maps of various points of interest and walking trails are available at the Evergreen Cemetery’s main office and online http://www.friendsofevergreen.org/.

When: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 5:30 PM
Where: Wilde Memorial Chapel
Evergreen Cemetery, Portland
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Dock your boat at your front door

Dock your boat at your front door! Rare opportunity to live on the bank of the Saco River with views galore! Charming 1932 Bungalow with new gourmet kitchen, great room, large dining with built-in's, large lot w/ park like setting. Dock overlooking river.
Visual Tour: http://tour.previsite.com/93688F92-7D88-99D8-4D62-D75211AE7C3C

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Condominium with open floor plan

Rockwood Condominium with open floor plan. Large living/dining room with gas fireplace. Large eat-in kitchen, sunroom opening to private patio. Master bedroom with bath & walk-in closet, guest suite. Come see all the amenities in this 55+ community today.
View the visual tour: http://tour.previsite.com/2BB96E16-AA06-EBCF-4960-C3CF5B7B62CD

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Celebrate Public Works Week

This Saturday, the City of Portland Department of Public Services along with departments from Cape Elizabeth, Gorham, Scarborough, Standish, Windham and Yarmouth will celebrate National Public Works Week at Cabela’s. The public is invited to come explore public works equipment, see demonstrations and displays and meet your public services employees. There will be fun games and activities for the kids as well as snacks and door prizes.



When: Saturday, May 19, 2012

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Where: Cabela’s

100 Cabela Boulevard, Scarborough
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Refresh your Bathroom

Whether you’re eager to improve your powder room or are longing to modify your master bath, there are countless ways to make it happen. Rest assured that you don’t have to be in the market for a partial or complete remodel to make a major statement. Start with a fresh coat of paint and some unique accent pieces to add personality in spades.It’s Personal. It doesn’t take much to personalize your bathrooms. In fact, you may even be able to detract from its less-than-desirable features with a few well-chosen accents. Lean a ladder against the wall for a charming impromptu towel rack. Add a lacquer tray in a vibrant shade to corral your toiletries on the counter. Elevate the basics, like Q-tips and cotton balls, by displaying them in glass jars of varying heights for visual interest.


Just because a bathroom is considered a functional part of the home doesn’t mean you have to skip the fun part. Even if you don’t spend hours soaking in the tub, you still want to soak up the views when you visit. Keep in mind that any enhancement you make will help you better appreciate your space.
 

 
Read the rest of the article here: http://article.yourhomeandlifestyle.com/pages/article/YHL_MAY_12_01/18979/index.html

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

On the Waterfront: Heritage, Re-use, and Economic Development

Tuesday, May 15, 7:00 pm


On the Waterfront: Heritage, Re-use, and Economic Development

(Re) Designing the Greater Portland Landscape: Issues in Contemporary Design and Development (Program 4 of 4) Series details: http://www.mainehistory.org/PDF/Programs-ReDesigning_the_GPL_Series.pdf

Development and use of the waterfront is an ongoing policy balancing act, and has significant implications for Portland’s economic development, harborside landscape, and the city’s identity and heritage. Within recent years, major projects have included the construction of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and new hotels, the development of Ocean Gateway and other maritime infrastructure, and the effort to put significant structures like Cumberland Cold Storage back into active use. Other important sites—including the Portland Company complex and Maine State Pier—are works in progress. The waterfront will remain a subject of perpetual interest, opportunity, and concern. Please join us to learn about the issues that the city, developers, business and property owners, fishermen and lobstermen, preservationists, and city residents face and think about when they consider development along the waterfront. In Partnership with Greater Portland Landmarks. Open to the public. Suggested donation: $10 ($5 for MHS/GPL members)
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Ocean Ridge Condo with water views

Pristine condition.Rare opportunity to own in front building of Ocean Ridge-water views from all rooms, open floor plan, all the up grades, central AC, large master suite, finished lower level with walk out. A MUST SEE!

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Thinking About Refinancing your home?

Thinking About Refinancing?


Refinancing your home can be a smart decision, especially when lower interest rates are available. By refinancing, homeowners can often score lower payments, achieve a quicker pay-off, and lock down a lower interest cost. However, before you jump feet first into the refinancing pool, take the following into consideration.

Do the math. See how much refinancing costs, then check how much you'd save on monthly payments to figure how long it would take to break even.

Check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and correct any errors.

For example: Let's say you have a 30-year, $300,000 mortgage at a 5.5 percent interest rate. Your monthly mortgage payments are $1,703.

If you refinance to a 4 percent rate, with monthly payments of $1,449, you'll save $254 a month. If your refinancing costs $3,000, you can break even in a year.

Or maybe your priority is paying off the mortgage faster. If you have a 30-year, $300,000 mortgage at 5.5 percent, you will pay more than $300,000 in interest over the life of the loan. Refinance into a 15-year loan at 3.5 percent, and your monthly payments will rise to $2,145. But you will pay only $86,000 in interest over the life of the loan.
Reprinted with permission from RISMedia, publisher of Real Estate magazine. www.rismedia.com
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

The Portland Police Department is Now Hiring

Police Department is Now Hiring


The Portland Police Department is turning to new media in an effort to diversify and recruit the best candidates for currently open police officer positions. In advance of the scheduled written exam for applicants this spring, the department is spreading the word about their operations and employment opportunities on Facebook and You Tube in an effort to reach potential applicants who frequent these sites including the city’s Portland Cityline on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=3877548061016&saved#!/PortlandCityline). Videos have been developed which highlight work in the department and its important role in protecting and supporting the community (videos can also be viewed on the Police Departments home page http://police.portlandmaine.gov/default.asp). An additional video was developed to explain the required physical fitness exam and what is necessary for applicants to pass it (http://police.portlandmaine.gov/fitnesstest.asp).

Currently the Police Department is seeking to hire six officers. People interested in joining the department and serving the community will need to apply, pass a written and physical exam and be selected by the department for interviews (additional information is available http://www.portlandmaine.gov/apppacket2006.pdf). Written exams are scheduled for May 16 and June 7. Qualified candidates will then be chosen by the department and sent to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Prime West End Condo

Prime West End location for this loft style condo with high ceilings & open space. Updated kitchen, hardwood floors, 2 bedrooms with generous closet space. Walk to restaurants, shopping, Arts District & Parks. Strong association, 1Car parking, low heating cost.

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Cumberland County Foreclosures - May 2012

Cumberland County Foreclosures / REOs / Auctions / Bank owned properties from Market Street Title Co.

29 Forest Drive Topsham $ 77,715 Chase


418 Mere Point Road Brunswick $ 134,900 HSBC

415 Bridgton Road Sebago $ 122,900 HSBC

21 Bennett Street Bridgton $ 75,900 1048552

62 Misty Meadow Lane Bridgton $ 214,900 1047624

 630 Durham Road Brunswick $ 64,900 1039975

 418 Mere Point Road Brunswick $ 134,900 1044085

 219 Main Street Freeport $ 219,900 1049198

 3 Slelby Drive Gorham $ 177,900 1049388

6B Collyer Brook Road Gray $ 79,900 1048458

#B, 14 Collyer Brook Road Gray $ 100,298 1048535

 59 Lawrence Road Gray $ 147,900 1049283

100 Crooked Way Naples $ 54,900 1051461

#3, 3 Sunshine Lane Naples $ 245,900 1044817

 35 Belknap Street Portland $ 192,000 1049899
 
 4 Royal Pine Drive Standish $ 139,000 1040884


 7 Deborah Lane Standish $ 159,900 1049396

 #46,375 Bridgton Road Westbrook $ 101,900 1050071

 #105,91 Forest Street Westbrook $ 139,000 980669

#2, 239 Tandberg Trail Windham $ 85,900 1049837

52 Running Brook Road Windham $ 147,900 1048829

62 Misty Meadow Lane Bridgton $ 214,900 homesteps

 47 Foreside Common Drive Falmouth $ 222,900 reosource

 29 School Street Gorham 5/24/12 tranzon

106 Mountain View Road Gray $ 123,500 gohoming

 100 Crooked Way Naples $ 54,900 gohoming

 56 Bald Hill Road New Gloucester $ 155,000 gohoming

 328 Lewiston Road New Gloucester $ 79,000 homesteps

 35 Belknap Street Portland $ 192,000 HUD

80 Regan Lane Portland $ 237,900 res.net

 494 Brighton Avenue Portland $ 149,900 res.net

 372-374 Park Avenue Portland $ 163,000 gohoming

 13 Staurt Street Portland $ 172,900 va.reotrans

 21 Chelsea Drive Standish $ 60,000 gohoming

 67 Fort Hill Road Standish $ 115,500 homesteps

 4 Royal Pine Road Standish $ 139,900 homesteps

 15 Smith Avenue Steep Falls Coming Soon Pasreo

 243 Taft Avenue Portland Coming Soon Pasreo

 552 Sligo Road Yarmouth Auction 12-85 Keenan

 142 RidgeRoad Portland Auction 12-72 Keenan
 
 328 Naples Road Harrison $ 104,500 Equator


 415 Bridgton Road Sebago $ 114,900 Equator

 13 Stuart Street Portland $ 172,900 Equator

 59 Scottow Rd. Scarborough 6/5/12 mypublicnotices.com

 11 Old Thorne Rd. East Baldwin 6/12/12 mypublicnotices.com

596 Duck Pond Rd. Westbrook 5/20/12 mypublicnotices.com

27 North Gorham Rd. Gorham 5/28/12 mypublicnotices.com

89 Johnson Rd. Gray 5/28/12 mypublicnotices.com

130 Blueberry Lane Gray 5/20/12 mypublicnotices.com

 49 Lugrow Rd. Gray 5/20/12 mypublicnotices.com

 70 Emery Rd. Standish 5/28/12 mypublicnotices.com

735 Norway Rd. Harrison 5/14/12 mypublicnotices.com

 4 Pleasant Hill Road Falmouth 5/15/12 mypublicnotices.com

 93 Mast Rd. Westbrook 5/13/12 mypublicnotices.com

 11 Elliot Street South Portland 5/14/12 mypublicnotices.com

 80 Seavey St. Westbrook 5/9/12 mypublicnotices.com

 35 Mildred St. South Portland 5/8/12 mypublicnotices.com

 87 Hennessey Ave. Brunswick 5/8/12 mypublicnotices.com

 79 Bayou Rd. Naples 5/6/12 mypublicnotices.com

 89 Sandy Hill Rd. South Portland 5/7/12 mypublicnotices.com

240 Ossippee Trail Gorham 5/6/12 mypublicnotices.com

 209 Vaughn St. - #7 Portland 5/6/12 mypublicnotices.com

 13 Stuart Street Portland $ 172,900 Bank of America

328 Naples Road Harrison $ 100,900 Bank of America

 269 Forest Street Westbrook Coming Soon homepath.com

14 Inverness Road Falmouth Coming Soon homepath.com

59 Lawrence Road Gray $ 147,900 homepath.com

 41 Pinewood Drive Cumberland Center $ 264,900 homepath.com

 239 Tandberg Trail Windham $ 85,900 homepath.com

16 Meadow Lane Freeport $ 177,900 homepath.com

 375 Bridgton Road #46 Westbrook $ 101,900 homepath.com

3 Shelby Drive Gorham $ 177,900 homepath.com

6 Bennett Street Aka 2 Bridgton $ 75,900 homepath.com

14b Collyer Brook Road Gray $ 100,298 homepath.com

52 Running Brook Road Windham $ 147,900 homepath.com

Cumberland 11 Brown Road Raymond $ 151,900 homepath.com

 7 Deborah Lane Standish $ 159,900 homepath.com

 43 Wards Cove Road Standish $ 254,900 homepath.com

218 Harriet Street South Portland $ 149,900 homepath.com

 85 Wildwood Circle Westbrook $ 284,900 homepath.com

 400 Ossipee Trail Gorham Auction Williams
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

6 Easy Fixes for Common Home Problems

6 Easy Fixes for Common Home Problems
By Barbara Pronin

Bathtub stains – Combine equal parts cream of tartar and baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a paste. Rub the mixture into the stain with your fingers or a soft cloth. Let sit for half an hour, then rinse with warm water.

Tub decals – Spray the decals and surrounding area with WD-40, lifting the edges to get underneath if possible. Let sit, then gently scrape away the decals using the edge of a credit card. Degrease the tub with liquid dishwashing soap.

Dirty chandelier – Allow the fixture to cool. Wear a pair of white cotton gloves―one dry, one dampened with glass cleaner. (For crystal, use one part rubbing alcohol to three parts distilled water.) Wipe each prism first with the damp glove, then the dry one.

Stuck sliding windows – A little silicone spray lubricant, sold at hardware stores, will grease the skids. Spray it onto a rag, then wipe along the tracks, whether they’re metal, wood, or plastic.

Dried out cutting board – Revive by gently warming a bottle of pure mineral oil (available at drugstores) in a bowl of hot water, then wiping the oil onto the surface with a soft cloth. Wipe off the excess four to six hours later.

Stuck-in light bulb – Press the center of a foot-long strip of duct tape onto the middle of the bulb. Fold each loose end in half so it sticks to itself. Gripping each end between your thumb and index finger, give a counterclockwise twist to loosen the bulb.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

New Scarborough Listing

Visual Tour:

http://tours.virtualtoursinhd.com/14959

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Antique Cape in Yarmouth

Antique Cape circa 1890 w/recent renovations, conveniently located near Yarmouth Village & Yarmouth's Town Boat ramp with direct access to channel & Casco Bay. Newer windows, roof and furnace! Soap stone sink, wide pine flooring, 1st floor master & bath.

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

UM Law Building

Does anyone know the backstory of the UM Law Building that sits on the USM campus?


Specifically: architect? construction company? is it built with lift-slab? date built?
 

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Saving Second Nature: The Environmental Movement in New England

Thursday, May 10, 7:00 pm


The Richard D’Abate Lectures: Conversations About History, Art, and Literature (Program 6 of 7) Series details: http://www.mainehistory.org/PDF/Programs-Richard_Series.pdf

Saving Second Nature: The Environmental Movement in New England

Speaker: Dr. Richard W. Judd, Professor of History, University of Maine, Orono

This talk will focus on the pastoral landscapes of New England — the valley farms, familiar woods and past-enshrouded fishing out ports that became iconic symbols of New England beauty. It will explore how farm, village, and woods were idealized and romanticized in the tourist literature and regionalist writing of the late 19th century, and how these idealized images shaped New England environmental politics. New England environmentalists avoided the common premise that nature and culture were separate and antagonistic worlds, and instead embraced as their rallying points a blended landscape rich in cultural symbol and ecological harmonies, what Thoreau called “a partially cultivated country,” and what environmental historians today call “second nature.” This environmental goal generated a vast array of policy innovations, from farmland preservation to protecting the northern “working wilderness.” Judd is one of the foremost Maine historians and editor of the journal Maine History. This program is MHS's annual Olmsted Lecture, given this year in honor of Helen Koulouris.

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Townhouse style condominium minutes to beach!

Well maintained with hardwood floors, 2 decks, master bedroom with loft for office/workout room. Economical heating & stable association.

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Wall Street Journal: Vacation Homes Beckon...

Portland, Maine Five-year forecast: +4.7% per year - So, if you're thinking of buying a second home in the next five years, this might be your best opportunity!

This house: 4 bed/4 bath; lakefront home with cathedral ceilings and game room

Home price: $2.7 million
Read the entire artile here: http://on.wsj.com/KHmzz7 

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Barron Center Celebrates 30 Years

Barron Center Celebrates 30 Years


This month the City of Portland’s Barron Center, a long term nursing care center operated by the Department of Health and Human Services, celebrates its thirtieth anniversary since officially opening its doors in May 1982. As a part of the celebration, the center is seeking volunteers from the public to spend time with one of the more than two hundred residents at the center. Volunteers interested in teaching a class from a variety of topics including crafts, gardening, and music or wanting to spend a few hours a week enjoying the company or making friends with the residents are encouraged to contact Tonya Heskett, Director of Recreation and Volunteers at (207)541-6557. These opportunities offer something both for the volunteers and the residents, whose daily lives are brightened by the time spent with caring and dependable adults. Volunteer schedules are flexible.

Even at its inception more than two centuries ago, volunteers played a critical role in meeting the needs of these vulnerable populations. The Barron Center’s origins date back to the early 1800’s when the city established an Almshouse on Portland Street for the care of the poor, elderly and mentally ill. The Almshouse sat on more than one hundred acres of donated land used for farming and livestock to support the residents of the Almshouse. In addition to providing care to the poor and elderly, the Almshouse was also a correctional facility. In the 1870’s, the city added the Greely Hospital, which was among other things used to respond to smallpox and ship fever (typhus) epidemics.

While the conditions during the 1800’s were not ideal and reflect attitudes of the time, at the turn of the century operations began to change with a new structure and effort to improve the lives of those who sought care or lived at the Farrington Hospital and Boothby Home. The two facilities provided medical, surgical and pediatric services as well as residence to many of the city’s vulnerable. Later named the Portland City Hospital, the mission of the institution began to evolve and focus on extended and acute care for the elderly in the 1960’s.
Twenty years later, the city opened the Barron Center named after Mathew and Evelyn Barron, who together devoted sixty years of service to the city hospital. The center located on Brighton Avenue provides high quality skilled rehabilitation services and care for elderly and disabled individuals, nursing care, adult day care and short term respite care to hundreds of people every year. The 219-bed skilled and long term nursing care center provides compassionate and individualized care and keeps a more than two hundred year commitment of the community to care and treat its citizens in need with dignity and respect.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Red, White, and Blue Fruit Cups

Rachael Ray and Food Network
Red, White, and Blue Fruit Cups
Ingredients:

1 pint fresh strawberries
1 pint fresh blueberries
1 pint fresh blackberries
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 pint heavy whipping cream

Directions:

Slice strawberries and combine in a bowl with blue and/or blackberries. Sprinkle berries with two teaspoons sugar. Whip cream until soft peaks form and sweeten with remaining sugar. Serve berries in small cups with generous spoonfuls of fresh whipped cream.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Cinco de Mayo: The Story You May Not Know

Cinco de Mayo: The Story You May Not Know


In a few days, we'll mark the celebration known as Cinco de Mayo. Although many people have heard of this celebration, most people don’t realize that the event being commemorated may have actually played an important role in shaping the United States that we know today.

Feel free to share the interesting facts below with clients and friends in the coming days! You may surprise them with what you're about to read.

What Does Cinco de Mayo Commemorate?

Many people believe that Cinco de Mayo is the day that recognizes Mexico's independence from Spain. To set the record straight, that conquest happened on September 15th, 1810. Cinco de Mayo, on the other hand, celebrates an event that took place over 50 years later.

On May 5, 1862, the Mexican cavalry, under the command of Texas-born General Zaragosa, defeated the French at the battle at Puebla, a city 100 miles east of Mexico City.

The French army, having not suffered a defeat in nearly 50 years, landed in the port of Vera Cruz and headed toward the capital city with a specific mission. Fearless of any opponent, the French sought to overthrow the capitol and gain control of Mexico, even bringing along a Hapsburg prince to oversee the would-be empire.

Cinco de Mayo's Connection to the United States

The goal of France's leader, Emperor Napoleon III, was to gain proximity to the US in hopes of supplying the Confederate Army in their fight against the North. He had a vested interest in sustaining the division within America.

To America's benefit, the undersized Mexican cavalry used their knowledge of the terrain to defeat the powerful French army. This victory enabled the northern states to build the greatest army in the world at that time.

Fourteen months later, the North soundly defeated the Confederate Army in the battle at Gettysburg, thus ending the civil war. Union troops were subsequently rushed to the Texas/Mexican border to help expel the French from Mexico.

For this reason, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in both countries. More importantly, it's a great occasion to honor freedom and liberty.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Citywide Vote on School Budget May 15

Portland voters will be asked to approve the Portland Public School System's budget in a citywide referendum. Maine’s School Administrative Reorganization Law requires all school districts to hold elections for approval of their budgets. The budget must be approved by a majority of voters.

Voters will be asked:

1) Do you favor approving the Portland School Budget for the upcoming school year that was adopted at the latest City Council budget meeting?

Detailed information about the Portland school budget may be found on the Portland Public Schools Web site at www.portlandschools.org

All qualified residents of the City of Portland are encouraged to vote. Absentee ballots are available upon request and can be returned to the City Clerk’s office in City Hall from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM after the City Council vote on the school budget, scheduled for May 7, 2012 during their regular City Council meeting. Pursuant to Maine law, there is no absentee voting three days before any elect. For this election, May 10th will be the last day of absentee voting. Absentee ballots must be returned by May 15 at 8:00 PM. Residents can register to vote in person at the City Clerk’s office or on the day of election at their polling place.

All local polling places will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. For more detailed information about where or how to vote, contact the City Clerk’s office at 874-8677 or visit their webpage at http://www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/voter.asp

When: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
7:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Where: Local polling place; Voters can check online to locate their polling place, http://www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/pollplace.asp

Interested in volunteering for the election? Two volunteer positions, Deputy Registrar and Election Clerk, are available at all Portland polling places. Deputy Registrars register voters and act as a liaison with the Registrar at City Hall. Election Clerks check voters in, give them their ballots and wrap up the election at the end of the day. You must be a registered voter in Maine to volunteer. For more information contact the City Clerk’s office at http://www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/cityclerk.asp.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Check Out Art in Your Front Yard this Friday

Check Out Art in Your Front Yard this Friday


This Friday as a part of First Friday Art Walk, the Portland Public Arts Committee (PPAC) will launch Art in Our Front Yard: Portland’s Public Art Collection with a discussion of the Lillian M.N. Stevens Memorial Fountain or Temperance (The Little Water Girl) located in the Portland Public Library (photo attached). PPAC Chair Alice Spencer will lead a discussion of the statue, its history and significance within the city’s art collection. The public is encouraged to join the PPAC this Friday and learn about the art in their front yard.

The Little Water Girl was donated to the City of Portland by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in 1917. At the time, the WCTU urged its members to create public fountains to provide “pure drinking water” as an alternative to liquor. The Little Water Girl was given in honor of Lillian Ames Stevens, who was the second president of the WCTU, led efforts with the Anti-Saloon League and prohibition as well as supported the women’s suffrage movement.

Portland’s Little Water Girl is a copy of the original bronze fountain sculpted by English artist George Wade in 1893 for the World’s Fair in Jackson Park, Chicago. Two other copies are located in London, England and Detroit, Michigan. The fountain features a barefoot girl with outstretched hands cradling a small cup with water trickling into a basin below and resembles the Loyal Temperance Union badge.

The Little Water Girl was originally installed in Congress Square and twelve years later was moved to Deering Oaks where horses, dogs and people quenched their thirst. She was finally relocated to the Portland Public Library in 1979. An important part of the PPAC’s mission is to preserve and restore the city’s public art collection. In keeping with this charge, two years ago, the Little Water Girl was re-plumbed to a working fountain, cleaned and had her granite base was restored and renovated in conjunction with the library renovation. She now stands proudly in the lobby welcoming visitors to the building. While these renovations were underway, the Chicago Parks District recast the bronze statue to replace the original, which had been stolen in the late 1950’s.

In April 2000, the City Council established the Portland Public Art Program to preserve, restore and enhance the City’s public art collection. The Portland Public Art Program commissions art that engages with the surrounding environment to create, enrich, or reveal a sense of place, and to express the spirit, values, visions and poetry of place that collectively define Portland.

Currently, the public art collection contains twenty-eight works of art that are permanently installed throughout the city, including works of historical significance dating from the nineteenth century, as well as contemporary pieces that reflect the diversity and the spirit of the city. Of the twenty-eight pieces, twelve located within walking distance of the Arts District will be a part of the Art in Our Front Yard: Portland’s Public Art Collection series. June’s featured art work is the Jewel Box Bus Shelter in Monument Square. For more information about the Portland Public Art Committee, visit www.portlandmaine.gov/planning/pubart.asp

When: Friday, May 4, 2012
5:30 PM
Where: Lillian M.N. Stevens Memorial Fountain or Temperance (The Little Water Girl)
Portland Public Library, Portland
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Genealogy Research Trip to Boston - Get on the bus!

Thursday, May 17, 07:30 am – 8:00 pm


Genealogy Research Trip to Boston

Join MHS for a day of genealogical research at the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS). NEHGS, which was established in 1845, boasts a collection of more than 200,000 genealogical and historical volumes, over one million manuscripts, as well as census records, vital records, deeds, probates, military records, plus the latest resources in print, microtext, and CD-Rom. Individuals who would like to take the MHS bus to Boston for a day of sightseeing but who do not plan to do research are welcome.

Registration required by Monday, May 7. Fee: $35 for MHS members; $45 for non-members. *Does not include admission to NEHGS Library (NEHGS Admission: NEHGS Members: Free; non-NEHGS members: $15). To register, please call 774-1822.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Lots of May Celebrations!

Cinco de Mayo. The Kentucky Derby. Mother's Day. Teachers' Day and Nurses' Day. Victoria Day (for our friends at the Mansion!). Memorial Day. And countless graduations and birthdays and other notable occasions throughout the month!


Kick off your month of festivities by joining us at the Gallery at Harmon's & Barton's, 584 Congress Street, this First Friday night for the May exhibit of "The HeART of the Home"! The exhibit and sale features exquisite works by some of Maine's most talented fine craft artists - Eben Blaney, Libby Barrett, Cara Romano, Tighe James, Janet Nannen, and Lacey Goodrich - with pieces designed to embelish both your home and spirit! Hand made wood furniture, brightly painted floor cloths and placemats, textured jewelry in wool and silver, joyful ceramic bowls and vases, and stunning silk scarves dance on the walls and space of the Gallery throughout the month of May in hopes they will find the perfect person to go home with!!

We look forward to seeing you Friday night, May 4th, for First Friday Social from 5- 8 and during our special Mother's Day weekend hours: Saturday May 12th, 8-5 and Sunday May 13th, 9-2. Memorable treats for the HeART of the Home!
 

 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Veggie Gardening this year?

Time to Grow for It: Homegrown on Your Own


(ARA) - Who would have thought getting dirt under your fingernails would ever be considered one of the hottest trends going? According to Doug Jimerson, garden core director for Better Homes and Gardens, "growing your own fruits, veggies and herbs is something Americans are doing in record numbers this season."

"It's cheaper to grow your own produce than buy it - one $3 tomato plant will yield pounds of produce all season long," Jimerson says. "Plus, the produce you grow just tastes better than even your grocer's best. And while it's healthy to eat and grow your own, gardening is rapidly gaining popularity as a great way to get some exercise, relieve stress and spend healthful family bonding time."

Eating foods grown in your own backyard means you won't be contributing to the carbon footprint left behind by the "food miles" it takes to bring imported produce to your local grocers - so you're helping the environment, too.

Growing vegetables is easier than you think. Plan it properly, and you can enjoy a healthy, homegrown harvest from the fruits of your labor - without having to spend hours tending it.

Gardening 101
Sunshine is sustenance - Vegetables need at least six hours of full sun per day. The easiest thing to do is to place your garden in full sunlight. Make sure it's easily accessible for watering; if the garden is too far from your house it could get neglected. Check the last frost date in your region and wait until threat of frost is past before you begin planting.

No yard necessary - Gardening doesn't require a lot of room - although if you have the space and time to go large, go for it!. Many popular vegetables and herbs grow just fine in containers, making them a great option for those with limited space. For smaller yards, raised beds are an easy, low-maintenance option. If your garden is going right into the ground, just turn the earth with a shovel, toss out roots and rocks, mix in a soil amendment for healthy soil, and plant.

Water relief - Water regularly, but avoid doing so during the heat of the day when evaporation will diminish the effectiveness of irrigation. Water to wet the soil about 8 inches deep, but don't over-water.

Feed your food - All edible plants draw nutrients from the ground, and can quickly exhaust the soil without the help of a fertilizer. Always follow label directions.

Growing for it
Now that you've got an idea of the basics, it's time to pick your plants.

Start with transplants - seedlings are way easier to get growing than seeds, so you'll save loads of time and enjoy improved success. Fortunately, national purveyors like Bonnie Plants make it easy to find hardy, high-quality, regionally appropriate plants at your local garden retailers. Bonnie offers time-tested vegetable and herb favorites, as well as new varieties, in eco-friendly, biodegradable pots that not only reduce plastic waste in landfills, they reduce transplant shock. Simply tear off the bottom of the pot and set the whole thing - plant in pot - directly into the ground. Be sure to pay close attention to plant tags, they're packed with facts and details to help you successfully grow your plants.

Here are some favorites to consider for your garden:

* Tomatoes - The most popular, most-grown vegetable, tomatoes are always a best bet. Disease-resistant Bonnie Original is a hardy, flavorful addition to any backyard garden. For containers or small spots, try Sweet n' Neat, a prolific plant that sets fruit in grape-like clusters.

* Basil - The perfect complement to tomatoes, basil works well in gardens and containers. New Greek Columnar Basil is particularly bountiful, as it grows high, leafs out densely and rarely flowers. The flavor blends traditional basil with spicy overtones of cinnamon, allspice and cloves.

* Bell peppers - Versatile, flavorful and nutritious, bell peppers are great raw snacks and make an awesome ingredient for a variety of cuisines. Harvest peppers when they're green or red when the vitamin levels are higher.

* Eggplant - Black Beauty is the quintessential eggplant with a deep purple, glossy skin and meaty texture, and thrives in hot weather. White-skinned varieties like Cloud Nine offer a sweeter, bitter-free flesh.

* Mints - Easy-to-grow mints are available in traditional spearmint and peppermint and in more exotic flavors like Bonnie Plant's new apple mint, orange mint and even chocolate mint, which has a flavor that echoes the classic Girl Scout cookie.

Hefty harvest - The general rule: If it looks good enough to eat, it probably is. With many vegetables, the more you pick, the more the plant will produce. For more gardening tips, ideas and advice, visit http://www.bonnieplants.com/.
Courtesy of ARA Content
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Class in May

Portland Police Department Offers Self Defense Class for Women in May


This May, 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 May 8, 10, 15, and 17, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and May 19 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 (send checks to ASLF/PPD RAD Program, Portland Police Department, 109 Middle Street, Portland ME 04101). To sign up for the class or receive more information about Portland R.A.D., e-mail ppdrad@portlandmaine.gov or call 874-8643.

When: May 8, 10, 15, 17, and 19, 2012

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (5/109 class 8:00 AM – noon)

Portland Police Department
109 Middle Street, Portland Maine
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Kentucky Derby party

Saturday, May 5, 5:00 – 11:00 pm


The Mad Hatter Affair: Hats Off to Richard

Location: The Woodlands Club in Falmouth.

Consider this an official invitation to the Mad Hatter Affair, MHS's gala fundraiser. Now in its 16th year, the Mad Hatter is a festive Kentucky Derby party, a spirited way to welcome spring, and great opportunity to support MHS. The Mad Hatter offers a chance for friends of MHS and guests to gather, dress up in derby attire (outlandish hats encouraged!), sip mint juleps, watch the race live from Churchill Downs, and to dine and dance the night away. Activities include a hat parade and contest, and live and silent auctions. For more on this wonderful evening, including photos from last year’s event, visit the MHS blog: http://mainehistory.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/get-your-hat-on-triple-crown-is-the-theme-for-this-years-annual-gala/

Tickets: $100/person. For additional sponsorship opportunities, information about purchasing a table, and to view the list of fantastic auction items, please visit the Mad Hatter's homepage: http://www.mainehistory.org/support_gala.shtml

FMI and to buy tickets, contact Elizabeth Nash at 207-774-1822 ext. 206 or enash@mainehistory.org.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

3rd annual city-wide forum about Portland's open spaces

Green Space Gathering May 3rd


Next week, the Portland Parks Commission will host its third annual city-wide forum about the city’s open spaces, the Green Space Gathering. The public is invited to learn about the wide variety of green spaces within the city, efforts underway by the city and citizen groups to improve the parks and opens spaces, opportunities available to the public to get involved, and ways to start a community organization to adopt-a-park/spot in the city. Staff from the Department of Public Services and Recreation and Facilities Management will be on hand to discuss improvements made to several parks and playgrounds during the past year and highlight plans for the upcoming year. Last year, the city completed a number of enhancements at Dougherty Field including realigning the fields and creating new walkways as well as upgraded Taylor Street Park with new basketball courts and playground equipment. Projects for this year include identifying additional space for community gardens, working with the Friends of the Eastern Prom to restore the Fort Allen Park and completing a citywide tree inventory.

The meeting will also feature comments by several community partners who play vital roles in keeping Portland’s open spaces vibrant.

Barb Hagar, Spirits Alive, will discuss the Eastern Cemetery Master Plan recently endorsed by the Planning Board;

Kara Wooldrik, Executive Director of Portland Trails, will discuss her recent appointment; and

Anne Pringle, Green Space Coalition, will discuss citizen activism to preserve funding for the City’s open spaces.

Following the presentations, attendees will be able to ask questions of city staff and panelists and provide feedback. Members of the Parks Commissions and city staff will be available as well as local organizations and neighborhood groups active in the city’s parks to discuss efforts in various open spaces and parks. Portland Recreation will provide fun activities for children during the event so parents may participate in the conversation. Light refreshments will be served.

When: Thursday, May 3, 2012
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: East End Community School, 195 North Street, Portland Maine
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us