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 […]
Forecaster opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
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 […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
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 […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Sustainably Speaking: A new vision for downtown Freeport
In anticipation of phase 3 of Freeport’s Downtown Visioning, the Freeport Sustainability Advisory Board hosted an evening to highlight smart growth strategies and how they can be applied in Freeport. Guest speakers were Kristina Egan, executive director of the Greater Portland Council of Governments and Logan Capone, an urban planner with the Principle Group. Smart […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
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 […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
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 […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
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 […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
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. […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Pandemic milestone is something to smile about
This week, almost two years to the day that we shut our doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing a mask at Portland Public Schools became optional for our staff and students. This is a milestone moment for us, so I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight this and other changes in our health […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
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 […]