Well, hello spring. As of March 20, winter was officially over. Of course, we all know how that goes. In Maine, winter weather keeps going well past the calendar winter itself. One of our state’s many, many charms. Even so, the vernal equinox marks a turning point, and it is starting to feel like it, […]
Forecaster opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Neo-Nazis can’t scare Black community out of Maine
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 […]
advertisement
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 inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Brunswick Superintendent’s Notebook: Creative thinking brings healthy, local fish to school cafeterias
The Brunswick School Department has a fish story to share, but it’s not about the one that got away. Instead, it’s about a partnership with the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association that brings locally-caught fish to the plates of our students. Here’s how it works: During the pandemic, fishermen experienced a decline in sales primarily due […]
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 inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendents’ Notebook: Highlighting the value of the arts at city schools
March is National Youth Art Month, as well as National Music in our Schools Month, so we’re using our column this month to shine a spotlight on recent art and music accomplishments of our students and the dedicated educators who teach them. In just one example, PPS High School Orchestra students helped make the 39th […]
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 […]