In today’s economy, local nonprofits need all the help we can get. Inflation is high, businesses are struggling to hire and economic output still hasn’t returned to “normal” – far from it. And everywhere, people are in need. Of course, the private sector understands the current economic crisis firsthand. With our state’s jobless claims still in […]
American Journal Opinion
Through My Lens: Recognizing Ramadan important to Maine Muslims
Another Ramadan is here, and again it is business as usual in Maine. Ramadan has always been the time to be with family, pray together and feast together. The last year I sat down with my closest family, including my mother, to break the fast together was 2010. As a kid, even when we did […]
Mainewhile: World Central Kitchen rebuilding lives through food
I confess to being something of a reverse snob. If something is really trendy or popular, the odds are pretty high I will dismiss it out of hand without even really giving it a fair shot. I’m not saying I’m proud of this character trait, just acknowledging it. I don’t watch reality shows, I don’t […]
Mainewhile: Thank you, Rose Marie, for your final and thoughtful gift
While the news of the world continues, both the hopeful and the grim, for our family it has been a particularly sad week. My partner’s mother experienced a freak accident and died. Her death brought home a lot of life’s lessons really fast, but first I want to tell you just a little bit about […]
Life Unwound: Mindful messages hanging from a tree hit the mark
On my daily walk along Portland’s Eastern Promenade, I see people running with their dogs on East End Beach, throwing sticks in the water or across the sand for the frisky pups to chase and retrieve. I pass other walkers, runners, bikers, photographers, men, women and children enjoying the wide-open view, each other and the […]
Through My Lens: Justice could be served with Maine Supreme Court appointee
Gov. Janet Mills last week nominated the first Black judge to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Judge Rick Lawrence’s confirmation would be a giant step for Maine’s minority and Black communities. This news could not have come at a better time as Maine heads into a gubernatorial election year, when we will have to choose […]
Mainewhile: It’s more than all right to be wrong
Man, if there is one thing I hate, truly hate, it is being wrong. Hate it. It’s not so much that I hate admitting when I’ve been wrong, I hate being wrong. Full stop. This is why it got right under my skin that just the other week, here in this column, I was wrong. […]
Mainewhile: Getting tangled in the weird web of life
I’ve got three words for you: Giant. Parachuting. Spiders. Yes, yes my friends, to whoever carelessly said out loud, “This year could not get any weirder,” I would ask you to stop speaking. Challenge not the gods of irony for lo, you have brought down upon us massive spiders with striped legs and brightly colored […]
Life Unwound: Having a happy birthday is all about perspective as you age
My granddaughter exclaimed, “It’s February, my birthday month. I’ll be 7! I can’t WAIT to be older!” Me? “March, ugh, my birthday month!” What a difference! I notice more gray sprouts at the temples, more wrinkles, more age spots on my hands. The effect of longtime living in gravity takes its toll; my flesh sags […]
Forum: ‘Active hope’ required in fight against global warming
It’s hard to avoid hearing about floods, droughts, heat waves, fires and rising sea levels and not feel worried. If you’re concerned about climate change, you’re not alone. A recent survey of young people in 10 countries found that more than half reported feeling sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless and guilty about global warming (The […]