First Friday Art Walk, July 6th 5 - 8 pm

July exhibit information:




Exhibit Title: Size Matters

Artists: Francine Schrock and Caren-Marie Michel (www.francineschrock.com, www.carenmariemichel.com )

Medium: Oil on canvas

Gallery: The Gallery at Harmon's & Barton's, 584 Congress Street, Portland, 207-774-5948, www.harmonsbartons.com

Dates: opening, First Friday, July 6th 5 - 8 pm; exhibit through July

Gallery hours: Mon-Fri, 8 am - 5 pm; Sat 8 am - 3 pm; evenings by appointment

 
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

Preparing your outdoor areas for summer entertaining

POSITIONING AND FOUNDATION. Start by assessing your outdoor space, deck, or patio to determine the best location for your setup. Although you can position furniture differently for each event, start with a spot that provides plenty of room and a sturdy foundation. If you don’t already have a patio, consider laying outdoor flooring made of natural stone, wood, concrete, brick, or tile. It’s important to consider positioning relative to other features in your backyard. If you have a swimming pool, make sure your entertaining space is close enough to communicate with pool guests but far enough away to be out of the splash zone. Read more here: http://article.yourhomeandlifestyle.com/pages/article/YHL_JUN_12_04/18979/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

Tamarind-Glazed Spare Ribs

Cooking Corner


Sweet Temptation Ribs: Tamarind-Glazed Spare Ribs

Aarti Sequeira and Food Network

Ingredients:



For the Dry Rub:

2 (2-pounds) racks pork spare ribs

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 chile de arbol, optional

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons kosher salt



For the Glaze:

3 tablespoons peanut oil

1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked peppercorns

1/2 cup minced shallots

2 tablespoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

1/4 cup whiskey

2 tablespoons tamarind paste, such as Neera brand, see Cook's Note*

3 tablespoons sweet soy or kecap manis or stir together 11/2 tablespoons each ketchup and soy sauce, see Cook's Note*

2 tablespoons ketchup

Directions:

The day before you want to eat the ribs, line a baking sheet with some heavy-duty aluminum foil, and set a cooling rack on the sheet. Wash the rib racks and then thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels and place them on the rack.

To make the dry rub: Set a small skillet (I used a cast iron one) over medium heat. Add the fennel seeds, cumin seeds and chile, if using. Toast the spices, shaking often, until the seeds darken a touch, release their aroma, and smoke ever so slightly. Pour the seeds and the chile into a pestle and mortar or a spice grinder and grind until fine (break the chile up with your hands first if using a spice grinder). Add the brown sugar, paprika and 2 tablespoons salt and stir to combine, smoothing out any lumps in the sugar.

Sprinkle half of the rub over the ribs and massage into the meat evenly. Flip the ribs over and massage the remaining rub into the meat. Cover the ribs tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

To make the glaze: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, warm the peanut oil until shimmering. Add the peppercorns and cook for 30 seconds. Add the shallots, garlic and ginger. Cook until the shallots soften and turn slightly golden, about 5 minutes.

Turn the heat off and add the whiskey. Turn the heat back on, and cook until the whiskey has mostly evaporated. Then add 1/2 cup of water, the tamarind, sweet soy and ketchup. Stir together, and reduce the heat until the mixture is at a simmer. Cook until the mixture has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Set aside until you're ready to use it.

When you're ready to cook, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Pull the ribs out of the refrigerator and leave on the counter as the oven heats up. Then, remove the plastic wrap from the ribs. Roast the ribs until the meat is tender, about 1 1/2 hours, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Pull the ribs out of the oven and turn it up to 425 degrees F. Brush the tamarind sauce liberally on both sides of the rib racks, and return the ribs to the oven for about 10 more minutes. Brush with sauce one more time and serve with plenty of napkins!

*Cook's Note: Tamarind paste, sweet soy sauce and kecap manis are available in the international aisle of better supermarkets, as well as in specialty Latin and Asian markets

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

Three Things to Consider Before Purchasing Your First Home

Three Things to Consider Before Purchasing Your First Home


(ARA) - Buying your first home will likely be one of the most exciting and scary times of your life. Beyond the basic considerations - location, number of bathrooms, ranch style vs. multilevel - there are a number of important financial factors to determine before deciding which house is right for you.

1. Determine how a home purchase will affect your current lifestyle. In addition to the overall expense of the home, it is important to consider how long you plan to stay in the home, as well as your overall debt, both on credit cards and other loans. According to Investopedia.com, affordability should be the No. 1 thing you look for in a home, but you also need to be stable enough to know you are going to want to live in the home you pick for at least 10 years. If not, you could get stuck in a home you can't afford in a city you're ready to leave.

Not surprisingly, location not only affects affordability, but also potential resale value. Amy Hoak of MarketWatch states, "Homes located within walking distance of amenities such as schools, parks and shopping aren't only more convenient for their owners, often they're also worth more than homes in neighborhoods where driving is the rule." Consider your lifestyle when you choose a location. Spending more to live within strolling distance of your favorite shops and restaurants is only valuable if you'll take advantage of that proximity.
2. Consider your options for purchasing a home. Building a new home gives you greater control over style and finishes, though your move-in date will depend on the construction schedule. Newer existing homes will likely require fewer updates than an older home, but may be priced at a premium. If you are shopping for a starter home, consider your plans for the future. A smaller house may require less home maintenance and upkeep, but if you are looking for a larger long term investment and a place to grow and raise a family, opting for more space from the get-go may make the most sense.

3. Whatever the condition or age of the home you purchase, there's always the chance you'll want to make some changes, such as renovating a bathroom or upgrading your kitchen, or remodeling parts of the home to accommodate an expanding family. Try to anticipate and factor these costs into your total budget before purchasing a home. When it's time for these changes, will you be ready financially?

According to Consumer Reports, kitchen and bathrooms are at the top of homeowner's wish lists in terms of rooms that need work. Luckily, updating the kitchen or bathroom to reflect your personal style doesn't have to be an expensive task. Replacing your plumbing fixtures and finishes can dramatically transform the space. No matter if your design preference is modern or contemporary, Delta Faucet offers a wide range of styles and designs at various price points to meet your needs. For instance, the Linden kitchen and bath collection, in the Venetian Bronze finish, offers a striking combination of transitional style and old-world charm. Carry that look throughout the space with coordinating accessories and a fresh coat of paint for an affordable room makeover.

Buying a home is one of life's major milestones. If you are just starting the house hunting process, consider starting your search online at sites such as Zillow, Houzz, and Pinterest to get a feel for the homes and decor styles that appeal to you most. In addition to finding styles you like, this research will also help you find potential options within your price range. Remember, before making any purchases, consider your total budget and make sure you're prepared for not just the mortgage, but also any necessary improvements.

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

Portland Performing Arts Festival

June 28 – July 1, 2012


Tickets are now available for all the featured Festival performances--to find out more, click here: http://www.portlandfestival.org/
 
Explore the featured performances of the Festival: dance, theater, classical guitar or piano, jazz, and performance art. Or explore 40+ Festival Fringe events.
 
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 Outdoor Summer Concert Series

Portland Announces Outdoor Summer Concert Series


Today, the City of Portland announced the line-up for this year’s Summer Outdoor Concert Series featuring folk music at sunset along the Western Prom, kids’ fun at Deering Oaks and anything from blues to gospel to rock reggae along the Eastern Promenade. The concert series are sponsored by Portland Recreation, Families of the Western Prom Neighborhood, Maine Red Claws, Quirk Chevrolet, Friends of Eastern Promenade, Cabot Cheese, State Theatre, Betty Winterhalder Fund, Poland Spring, the Jacks Family, Ocean Gate Realty, Bangor Savings Bank, Portland Maine Rentals and the Willey Trust. When the funding for the Summer in the Parks Concert series was eliminated several years ago, local groups and businesses organized and stepped forward to keep the much beloved concerts in the community.



The concerts feature a wide array of local musical talent from the camp songs of Jon Call at the Crusher’s Kids Concerts in the Park at Deering Oaks to the musical stylings of Darien Brahms set to perform during the Sunset Folk Series at the Western Prom. Residents of all ages are encouraged to pack a picnic and enjoy some of the city’s popular open spaces while listening to these free live performances. Throughout the summer, the concerts organized by the city’s Recreation & Facilities Management Department will be held at Deering Oaks Park Bandstand, Western Promenade Park, and the Fort Allen Park Bandstand. Attendees should bring a chair or blanket and sit back and enjoy the performances. For more information about the concerts, visit the city’s website at www.portlandmaine.gov/rec/summer.htm or contact the Recreation Division office at 207-756-8275, (information/cancellation program hotline: 207-756-8130).



SUMMER CONCERT SERIES SCHEDULE

SUNSET FOLK SERIES AT THE WESTERN PROMENADE PARK

Sponsored by the Families of the Western Prom Neighborhood

Concerts last approximately 40 minutes (If there is inclement weather, the concert will be canceled).

Wednesday, July 11 - 8:00 PM Truth About Daisies

Wednesday, July 18 - 7:45 PM Darien Brahms

Wednesday, July 25 - 7:45 PM Brad Strause

Wednesday, August 1 - 7:30 PM Robby Simpson

Wednesday, August 8 - 7:30 PM Will Gattis

Wednesday, August 15 - 7:30 PM Curt Bessette & Jenn Kurtz

Crusher’s Kids Concerts in the Park

Sponsored by Quirk Chevrolet and the Maine Red Claws

Concerts last approximately 40 minutes at the Bandstand in Deering Oaks Park (If there is inclement weather, the concert will be relocated to Reiche Community Center, 166 Brackett Street).

Thursday, July 12 - 12:30 PM Sparks Ark (Wild Animals)

Thursday, July 19 - 12:30 PM Sammie Haynes (Singer Songstress)

Thursday, July 26 - 12:30 PM USM Chemistry Club (Big Bang Theory)

Thursday, August 2 - 12:30 PM Scott Grassette (Magic)

Thursday, August 9 - 12:30PM Jon Call (Camp Songs)

Friends of Eastern Promenade Concert Series

Sponsored by the Friends of the Eastern Promenade

Concerts last approximately an hour and are held at the Bandstand, Fort Allen Park (If there is inclement weather, the concert will be canceled).

Thursday, July 12 - 7:00 PM Randy Oxford Band (Blues) sponsored by State Theatre & A Friends of the Friends

Thursday, July 19 - 7:00 PM Primo Cubano (Classic Cuban Music) sponsored by Poland Spring

Thursday, July 26 - 7:00 PM Chandler's Band Concert (Marches & Bid Band Era) sponsored by the Willey Trust

Thursday, August 2 - 7:00 PM Local Circus (Bluegrass Folk) sponsored by State Theatre & Betty Winterhalder Trust

Thursday, August 9 – 7:00 PM Jimmy & The Soul Cats (Rhythm & Blues) sponsored by the Jacks Family

Thursday, August 16 – 7:00 PM Don Campbell (Folk Rock) sponsored by Ocean Gate Realty

Thursday, August 23 – 7:00 PM Rock My Soul (Gospel) sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank

Thursday, August 30 – 7:00 PM Royal Hammer (Roots Reggae) sponsored by Portland Maine Rentals
 
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

June/July 2012 REO list for Cumberland County Maine

Cumberland 1 George Street Westbrook 7/10/2012 Keenan


Cumberland 10 Libby Pines Road Standish $ 99,900.00 Equator

Cumberland 10 Nonesuch Cove Road Scarborough $ 190,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 100 Crooked Way Naples $ 52,500.00 gohoming

Cumberland 105 Totten Rd. Gray 6/20/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 106 Mountain View Road Gray $ 114,855.00 gohoming

Cumberland 11 Brown Road Raymond $ 129,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 11 Hillside Rd. Portland 6/19/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 11 Orono Rd. Portland 6/17/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 113 Nash Rd. Windham 6/24/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 13 Percy Hawkes Road Windham $ 195,900.00 Equator

Cumberland 1344 Washington Avenue Portland 6/29/2012 tranzon

Cumberland 135 Old Bath Road Brunswick $ 63,200.00 gohoming

Cumberland 14 Harpswell Island Road Harpswell 6/21/2012 Keenan

Cumberland 14b Collyer Brook Road Gray $ 87,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 15 Smith Avenue Steep Falls TBD PAS

Cumberland 152 Blake Road Standish $ 129,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 16 Meadow Lane Freeport $ 164,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 18 Oxbow Circle Naples 6/20/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 197 Pine St # 45 Portland 7/9/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 2 Elbridge Oliver Way Scarborough 6/19/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 205 Weymouth Road Gray $ 99,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 21 Chelsea Drive Standish $ 60,000.00 gohoming

Cumberland 23 Molly Lane Sebago $ 152,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 239 Tandberg Trail Unit 2 Windham $ 77,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 24 Green ST. Bridgton 7/8/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 240 Ossipee Trail Gorham $ 195,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 243 Taft Avenue Portland TBD PAS

Cumberland 25 Hemlock Street Portland $ 105,000.00 gohoming

Cumberland 250 Sabbathday Rd. New Gloucester 6/21/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 269 Forest Street Westbrook $ 155,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 27 Carriage Road Cumberland Foreside $ 234,900.00 Homesteps
 
Cumberland 27 Casco Terrace Falmouth 6/20/2012 mypublicnotices.com


Cumberland 3 Shelby Drive Gorham $ 159,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 3 Washington Court Naples $ 199,900.00 Bank of America

Cumberland 3 Washington Court Naples $ 199,900.00 Equator

Cumberland 30 Ring Landing Road Casco $ 116,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 31 Arthur Drive Standish 6/21/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 31 Hersey Street Portland 7/18/2012 Keenan

Cumberland 32-34 Vannah Avenue Portland 7/18/2012 Keenan

Cumberland 328 Lewiston Road New Gloucester $ 69,000.00 Homesteps

Cumberland 372-374 Park Ave. Portland 7/2/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 372-374 Park Avenue Portland $ 174,000.00 gohoming

Cumberland 375 Bridgton Road Unit 46 Westbrook $ 81,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 4 Pleasant Street Falmouth $ 319,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 41 Pinewood Drive Cumberland Center $ 229,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 415 Bridgton Road Sebago $ 107,900.00 Equator

Cumberland 43 Wards Cove Road Standish $ 229,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 442 Naples Road Harrison $ 25,500.00 Homepath

Cumberland 47 Foreside Common Drive Falmouth $ 222,900.00 reosource

Cumberland 494 Brighton Avenue Portland $ 149,900.00 res.net

Cumberland 5 James Henry Lane Westbrook $ 163,000.00 gohoming

Cumberland 5 Maple Ridge Drive Standish $ 102,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 510 Roosevelt Trail Casco $ 61,380.00 Chase

Cumberland 52 Running Brook Road Windham $ 119,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 53 Lakeshore Drive Casco 6/20/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 56 Bald Hill Road New Gloucester $ 123,500.00 gohoming

Cumberland 577 Auburn Street Portland $ 299,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 586 Richville Standish $ 225,000.00 Equator

Cumberland 59 Brackett St. Westbrook 7/1/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 59 Lawrence Road Gray $ 127,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 6 Bennett Street Bridgton $ 57,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 6 Mystikal Way Windham $ 314,900.00 res.net

Cumberland 63 Back Cove East Portland $ 167,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 630 Durham Road Brunswick $ 64,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 671 Auburn St. Portland 7/8/2012 mypublicnotices.com

Cumberland 69 Haven Road Windham $ 94,900.00 PAS

Cumberland 7 Deborah Lane Standish $ 134,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 7 Summerfield Lane Scarborough $ 295,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 73 Colonial Circle Harrison $ 55,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 79 Chestnut Street Westbrook $ 80,000.00 res.net

Cumberland 80 Ragen Lane Portland $ 227,900.00 res.net

Cumberland 85 Wildwood Circle Westbrook $ 239,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 876 Washington Avenue Portland $ 114,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 9 Fairfield Road Scarborough $ 172,900.00 Homepath

Cumberland 97 Swett Rd. Windham 6/21/2012 mypublicnotices.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

2012 Community Tour Celebration at Payson Park

2012 Community Tour Celebration at Payson Park


The 2012 Community Tour celebrates those who give their hearts, time and skills to strengthen communities. The two-month program kicked off on May 12th in Miami, Florida, and continues up the East Coast, closely following the route of the East Coast Greenway and culminating in Portland, Maine, on July 7th, the International Day of Cooperatives.



The Tour features eight major weekend stops in key cities along the northerly route, including Miami, Charleston, Durham, Fredericksburg, Wilmington, New York City, Providence and Portland. Additionally, smaller weekday events will take place at stops along the route between the key cities. While events and activities will vary by market, the overall theme of cooperatives, community service and volunteerism will be the hallmark of each celebration.

The Portland, Maine event will focus on getting the whole family active—in fun ways. You'll find booths highlighting volunteer opportunities for everyone from kids to adults: Portland Trails, Maine Island Trails, the Bike Coalition of Maine, the Maine Commission on Community Service, AARP Create the Good, Healthy Portland and more! And we'll have lots of great activities, from a hula-hooping contest to a game of Musical Cows.” Kids can participate in a Bike Rodeo, where they'll learn bike safety tips.



Don't miss spectacular performances by Pihcintu Multinational Children's Chorus and the Blue Lobster Community Chorus from Lucid Stage. Sample the food that makes Maine great—lobster rolls from the Maine Lobster Festival, fried clam cakes from the Yarmouth Clam Festival, and shrimp harvested by Port Clyde Fresh Catch, a fisherman’s cooperative, just to name a few.



Local Maine dairy farmers will bring in a calf for the kids to pet. And, of course, you'll be there to welcome the final riders as they conclude the 2012 Community Tour. Cabot Creamery Cooperative will also announce the Reward Volunteers GRAND PRIZE winners so get ready to cheer for community spirit, volunteerism, and big hearts!



WHEN: July 7, 2012 10am-2pm

WHERE: Payson Park, Baxter Blvd., Portland, ME



FOR MORE INFORMATION visit http://www.communitytour.coop/
 
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

It's for the birds...

The type of birds your garden attracts has more to do with the area of the country in which you live than the style of garden you have. For example, you’ll never see a bright red cardinal in Seattle, though if you live in St. Louis or other Midwestern locations, these striking, crimson beauties will be a common sight. Every region has its resident birds that stay throughout the year, including the territorial blue jay, woodpecker, American robin, eastern bluebird, and many others. Migratory birds pass through briefly on their way to warmer climates, and some species are seen only in the winter or take up summer residency. But wherever and however you garden, follow the tips here: http://article.homebydesign.com/pages/article/HBD_JUN_12_02/1148/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

Summer Decor Trends

This summer, lighten up indoor and outdoor spaces by utilizing neutral colors borrowed from natural surroundings. Lighter browns such as sand, beige, and cinnamon provide basic backdrops for summer decor but can also transition well into future seasons. This is also a safe palette to invest in for larger items such as couches or carpeting. During the past decade, darker browns have been popular, especially coupled with teal or orange, but recent years have shown a stronger move toward lighter basics. Although not traditionally a summer hue, gray is also a safe neutral that is gaining popularity and works as a transitional basic.

Finish the article here: http://article.yourhomeandlifestyle.com/pages/article/YHL_JUN_12_02/18979/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

Dartmouth Aires Concert on Father's Day

Dartmouth Aires Concert Father's Day


Sunday, Father’s Day, the Dartmouth Aires will perform a concert at Merrill Auditorium in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Festival of Nations. The Dartmouth Aires were runners-up in the popular national program, The Sing-off last year. The a capella group will sing original arrangements of popular tunes from the past and present and will feature Portland’s own Michael Odokara-Okigbo. The Boy Singers of Maine will also perform. Proceeds from the concert will support the Greater Portland Festival of Nations, the Boy Singers of Maine and the Mugadi Foundation’s latest endeavor to provide educational and living expenses to underprivileged children in Ethiopia. Tickets are $22 for adults and $12 for children/students and are available through PorTIX at www.porttix.com or (207) 842-0800.



The tenth Festival of Nations will be held Sunday, July 29th in Deering Oaks Park from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM. The festival is a day of music, dance and other performing arts and represents cultural traditions from across the US and the world. This year’s festival will celebrate more than sixty ethnic and diverse vendors including African American, Armenian, Bosnian, Cambodian, Caribbean, Congolese, French, Finnish, Greek, Hispanic Nations, Irish, East Indian, Italian, Native American, Nigerian, Polish, Romanian, Somalia, Sudanese, Thai, Ugandan and Vietnamese. The event showcases Maine’s ethnic diversity and traditions, encourages ethnic understanding, and promotes unity. For more information about the Festival of Nations, visit www.wini.us or call (207) 541-9173.



Founded by Dartmouth Aires’ Michael Odokara-Okigbo at age fourteen, the Mugadi Foundation supports efforts to improve the living conditions of children and youth in developing nations. Mugadi, which means I will live in the Igbo language was established following a trip by Michael and his mother to an HIV/AIDS orphanage in Lagos, Nigeria in 2004. Shocked by the living conditions, Odokara-Okigbo created a photo exhibit to show his peers what he had seen and learned. The exhibit was later displayed in hospitals, schools and museums and prompted him to create the Mugadi Foundation. Since its inception, the Mugadi Foundation has helped more than two hundred students in Nigeria pay for school fees, books, and clothes. In 2010, Mugadi started collaborating with CUP International, located in Hosur, India, and raised money for children in need in southern India. For more information about the Mugadi Foundation, visit http://themugadifoundation.org/

When: Sunday, June 17, 2012
3:00 PM
Where: Merrill Auditorium
20 Myrtle Street Portland, ME 04101
(207) 842-0800
 
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

World Refugee Day Today

World Refugee Day Wednesday


Next week, the City of Portland along with the State of Maine Multicultural Affairs Office, Catholic Charities Maine Refugee and Immigration Services, 211Maine, United Way of Greater Portland, Community Financial Literacy of Maine, Immigrant Women Health, and a host of community members and friends will hold its eighth annual World Refugee Day event with this year’s theme being, A Celebration of Women. The event presents an excellent opportunity to gather and hear testimony from women who have fled their country and make sacrifices and contributions to their community every day. A reception will take place from 4:00-5:00 p.m., along with music and a small program, including a Proclamation, following the reception. Admission is free.



The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) commemorates World Refugee Day each year to raise awareness for the plight of millions of refugees throughout the world who are forced to flee their homes. The annual commemoration is marked by a variety of events in more than 100 countries, involving government officials, humanitarian aid workers, celebrities, civilians and the forcibly displaced refugees.



When: June 13, 2012

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Where: Ocean Gateway

14 Ocean Gateway Pier, Portland

For more information, please contact Regina Phillips at 207.332.3051 or rlp@portlandmaine.gov.


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

Annual Friends of Evergreen Meeting

Annual Friends of Evergreen Meeting

Next week, the Friends of Evergreen Cemetery will host their 21st Annual Meeting. The meeting will feature guest speaker, Jessica Skwire Routhier for a presentation Lament for the Makers: The Artists of Evergreen. The meeting is free and open to the public.

As director of one of Maine’s oldest museums, the Saco Museum, Jessica Skwire Routhier’s current project, the Moving Panorama of Pilgrim's Progress, explores how art, faith, and landscape intersected in 19th-century America through the work of Frederic Edwin Church, Jasper Cropsey, and others. She is the author of a scholarly essay that will provide the introduction for an illustrated edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress forthcoming from Kent State University Press. Ms. Routhier is a graduate of Bowdoin College and Tufts University, where she received her Master’s in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies in 1996. After a fellowship in the European Paintings department of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Ms. Routhier joined the staff of the Portland Museum of Art, Maine. There she developed a specialty in 19th-century regional landscape painting, curating exhibitions and producing publications on Charles Codman, Charles Frederick Kimball, Harrison Bird Brown, and others.


When: Wednesday, June 13, 2012
6:30 PM
Where: Wilde Memorial Church, Evergreen Cemetery
 
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

Walking Tours at Evergreen Cemetery

Walking Tours at Evergreen Cemetery


Throughout the summer, the Friends of Evergreen will offer walking tours every Thursday at 5:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM. The hour-long tour will begin at the cemetery’s offices and will feature a discussion of the many well-known people buried in Evergreen who have made significant contributions to the culture of Maine through both their political and business pursuits. The History Docent Team will walk the public back in time where they will learn about seafaring Portlanders, the notable women of Evergreen, Civil War heroes and heroines and explore the art and symbolism in the cemetery. Attendees will learn surprising details and interesting stories about the much beloved open space. The cost for the tour is $7/$5 for members, children under 12 are free and are weather permitting.

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: Thursdays at 5:00 PM
Sundays at 2:00 PM
Where: Information/Visitor’s Center
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

Public Meeting to Discuss Homelessness

Public Meeting to Discuss Homelessness


Next Thursday, the City of Portland’s Task Force on Homelessness will host a public meeting and conversation on the issue of homelessness within the city and surrounding area. The Task Force will update the community on their work to date as well as seek input from the public on several key topics including an examination of the values of the community and how those values are reflected in the work to end homelessness, the structural and situational causes of homelessness, and ways various groups and members of the community can contribute to solutions.

Created by the Portland City Council last fall the Task Force on Homelessness is chaired by former City Councilor Dory Waxman, President and General Manager for the Maine Red Claws Jon Jennings and President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Portland Suzanne McCormick and comprised of city officials, business leaders, community members, homeless service providers, healthcare leaders, advocates, content experts and representatives from the faith community. The task force has been charged with developing a strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness within the community. The task force has been focusing the conversation on four aspects of homelessness; emergency shelters, access to primary and behavioral health services, affordable housing, and the distinct needs of certain populations experiencing homelessness including youth, families and veterans.

Currently more than three hundred and fifty people living in the city are experiencing homelessness. With the beginning of the downturn in the economy four years ago, this number has increased by twenty percent. Men, women and children seek shelter at one of six emergency shelters within the city every night. The City of Portland operates two of these emergency shelters, the Oxford Street Shelter and the Family Shelter, which provide critical serves to the community’s most vulnerable populations. Approximately sixty-five family members and 180 adult men and women will seek emergency refuge at one of these shelters tonight. Due to increasing homelessness and the need for emergency shelter, for the past eighteen months the city in partnership with Preble Street has had to expand shelter capacity by utilizing the day shelter at Preble Street to accommodate the rising numbers.

The city opened its first emergency shelter for homeless adults nearly twenty-five years ago. Since, the city and community have been committed to ensuring that anyone in need of shelter has access to a safe space to warm up or stay overnight. Last year, the Oxford Street Shelter was able to find permanent housing for nearly five hundred men and women, and the Emergency Family Shelter served more than two hundred and fifty families.

When: Thursday, June 14, 2012
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: Rines Auditorium
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

Portland Maine Voting Stations

Portland Voting Precincts


Here is the list of precincts and voting locations for the election this Tuesday!

Click here to find your precinct and polling place. http://www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/distlook.asp


1-1 East End Elementary School 195 North Street

1-2 Merrill Auditorium Rehearsal Hall 20 Myrtle Street

1-3 Peaks Island Community Hall Peaks Island

2-1 Reiche Elementary School 166 Brackett Street

2-2 Exposition Building 239 Park Avenue

3-1 Woodfords Congregational Church 202 Woodfords Street

3-2 Italian Heritage Center 40 Westland Avenue

4-1 St. Pius Church 492 Ocean Avenue

4-2 First Baptist Church 360 Canco Road

5-1 Stevens Avenue Armory 772 Stevens Avenue

5-2 Grace Baptist Gymnasium 476 Summit Street
 
Primary Elections


This Tuesday, there will be a number of contested primaries that Democrats and Republicans will be able to vote in. If you are Unenrolled, you may re-register and enroll in a party on Tuesday and vote for your favored candidates. Here is a list of candidates and the races they are in. If a race is not listed, that means those candidates are not in a competitive primary.



US Senate - Democratic Primary

Senator Cynthia Dill

Honorable Matt Dunlap

Representative Jon Hinck

Ben Pollard

US Senate - Republican Primary

Honorable Rick Bennett

Scott D'Amboise

Senator Debra Plowman

State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin

Attorney General Bill Schneider

Secretary of State Charlie Summers

First Congressional District - Republican Primary

Patrick Calder

Senator Jon Courtney

Maine House of Representatives District 115 - Democratic Primary

Justin Costa

Erik Jorgensen

Malory Shaughnessy

Maine House of Representatives District 117 - Democratic Primary

Dauna Binder

Anthony Donovan

Honorable Dick Farnsworth

Maine House of Representatives District 118 - Democratic Primary

Dillon Bates

Matt Moonen
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

Meticulous home with open floor plan, 2 story great room,custom designed kitchen, spacious 1st floor Master Suite, glowing hardwood floors, private  well landscaped and minutes to the Maine Mall, I 295, 15 min. to downtown 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

Freeport Home Priced to SELL

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

Pownal Land Listing

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

Historic Park Street Home

Historic Park Street - rare brick single family home on large lot with harbor views. This home offers flexible living space with sun drenched rooms, hardwood floors & high ceilings. Large unfinished lower lever.

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