To the neo-Nazis who recently rallied in Portland: I want to make it clear that the Black community is here to stay in Maine. To everyone else: I must express my concern about the increasingly difficult situation for Black people in our beloved state. As a resident of Maine for the past nine years, I […]
American Journal Opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal
Letter: Gorham Town Council needs to cap the school budget
Last week, Gorham Superintendent Heather Perry said the school committee instructed her to manage the budget to a tax rate mill increase of $1.30. This is wrong. First, it would mean a real estate tax increase of more than 10%. Just for the school department. Second, the notion that the school committee manages the mill […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Skip Facebook rants and channel righteous anger into action
I’m not on social media much these days. It’s too exhausting. Mostly, I use it these days to see what my friends’ kids are up to, find cool science articles, or stare at adorable rescue dogs that I want to bring home. This week in particular, I have been angry with social media. All week […]
Posted inAmerican Journal
Letter: Cut city budget to manage taxes, not school spending
The mayor’s call for the school district to hold down taxes is hypocritical. The municipal budget increase last year was 9% while he held the school district to 4% when inflation was 8% in 2022. The schools have seen cuts for many years. There was an 18% decline in educators between 2017 and 2021, yet […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Rail service to Montreal? Yes, please
It is no secret that I am in favor of all things train. I have certainly been rather verbal about it, and even written my thoughts down here before as well. I like trains. Some of it – OK, a lot of it – is nostalgic. My dad was a train buff. More than once […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Joyful childhood memories of Ramadan
I often receive inquiries about Ramadan and fasting, and recently a white Maine student asked me about my favorite part of Ramadan. Surprisingly, many of my favorite experiences are not directly related to the religious significance of the month for Muslims. I began observing the Ramadan fast at the age of 8, even though fasting […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Cut down on artificial light, dark skies are healthier
I am off on an adventure. My honey’s solid bestie is getting married in Tucson, Arizona. Science nerd that I am, I leaped at the chance to visit “the astronomy capital of the world” and see those famous skies for myself. Tucson is an official Dark Sky City. In fact, it is home to the […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Urge pragmatic King to support Wabanaki sovereignty
I have lived in Maine my entire life, except for a few years spent away to determine if there is any reason to live somewhere else (there is not). One of my favorite things about our state is our strong tradition of pragmatism. Climate change threatens our fisheries? We commit to 100% renewable energy. Typical […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Higher education accessibility a boon for immigrants
A year after the onset of COVID-19, I had the privilege of speaking with students at Lewiston Middle School, which has a large number of first- and second-generation immigrant students, including many from Somalia. During the discussion, the students expressed their hopeful excitement that they would be the first in their families to attend college, […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Americans can agree on one thing: no more daylight saving time
Odds are, as you are reading this, you’re tired. Maybe feeling a little worn down. Sluggish, even. It’s the time change. We have just done the big “spring forward,” turning our clocks ahead one hour as we fall in line with daylight saving time – and while it is lovely to have my car dashboard […]