Every once in awhile, a seemingly innocuous topic will blow up my email. The most controversial or misunderstood columns bring about lengthy voice-mail messages, and earn me dirty looks while roaming the aisles at the grocery store. Thinking the most recent scathing glances were because I was wearing a “Feel the Bern” shirt, even the […]

Greater Portland Books/Authors Wednesday 9/16 Monica Wood, novelist speaking on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, part of “Art in Our Front Yard” Series presented by Portland Public Art Committee, 3 p.m., free, Longfellow Square, Portland. Thursday 9/17 “The Spirit of Capt. Reuben Blanchard,” discussion with author Chet Blanchard, sponsored by Cumberland Historical Society, 7 p.m., free, Cumberland […]

As adults, we tend to glaze over the dining idiosyncrasies of our immediate family and closest friends. Behaviors once thought odd are now common occurrences we no longer pay attention to. Take for example, my friend’s mother, who insists she sit with her back to the wall while dining out. “I learned it from my […]

Greater Portland Books/Authors Wednesday 9/9 “The Assassins,” Brown Bag Lecture with author Gayle Lynds, noon, free, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland, 871-1700, portlandlibrary.com. Friday 9/11 “Distilled in Maine,” reading and discussion with author Kate McCarty, 5:30 p.m., $15, Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress St., Portland, 774-1822, mainehistory.org. Wednesday 9/16 Monica Wood, novelist speaking […]

Greater Portland Film Wednesday 9/2 “Turbo Kid,” 7:30 p.m., $8, students $6, SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland, 828-5600, space538.org. Thursday 9/3 “The Woman in Gold,” 1 p.m., free, Freeport Community Library, 10 Library Drive, Freeport, 865-3307, freeportlibrary.com. Tuesday 9/8 “The Look of Silence,” 7:30 p.m., $8, students $6, SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland, […]

Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the unofficial finis for summertime in Maine, and that’s certainly the case in the arts and entertainment department. But summer’s exit is marked by one of the season’s biggest events: This weekend in Brunswick the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Special features some of the biggest names and top artists in […]

The couple had been pleasant to serve. Sniffing, tasting and swapping a round of signature cocktails, they asked me to bring and open a mid-range bottle of Malbec while they plotted out their ordering strategy. Apparently celebrating something, they knew their way around the descriptive ingredients, not asking for further explanation of the specials. Somewhere […]

Fair and equal treatment for all is not a common behavioral mantra in the restaurant business. Senior staff, even if they’re less competent or committed, usually get the bigger, better shifts. Such scheduling is part of the “charm” that accompanies the hiring, staffing, retention, and lack of structure in the serving world. In the restaurant […]

Greater Portland Books/Authors Wednesday 8/26 “Of Sea and Cloud,” discussion with author Jon Keller, noon, free, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland, 871-1700, portlandlibrary.com. “The Girl in the Glass,” discussion with author James Hayman, 7 p.m., free, Freeport Community Library, 10 Library Drive, Freeport, 865-3307, freeportlibrary.com. Thursday 8/27 “The State We’re In,” reading by […]

The summer arts and entertainment calendar may be winding down, but this week’s top tickets prove how much energy remains. “Million Dollar Quartet,” currently running at Ogunquit Playhouse, is based on the historical 1956 recording session that brought together four pioneers of rock-and-roll: Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. All four […]