Westbrook Almanac: August 24-August 30, 2008

Week-to-Date:
High: 83F (August 25)
Low: 50F (August 26)
Precipitation: 0.02 inches
Previous Sunrise: 6:04a
Previous Sunset: 7:18p

Month-to-Date:
High: 83F (August 25)
Low: 49F (August 20)
Precipitation: 6.28 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 87F (June 9, July 8, July 17, July 19)
Low: -5F (January 4)
Precipitation: 37.24 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

River Runs Red

If the Presumpscot River turns a reddish hue next week, it (probably) does not mean Westbrook is at war with Falmouth.

The watery crimson will instead be a result of a dye-tracing study intended "to track the rate of flow and dispersion of water" in the river.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Teacher is a Finalist for Teaching Award

Gloria Noyes, a fifth-grade teacher at Congin School, is one of four finalists for the 2009 Maine Teacher of the Year award.

The winner will be announced at a surprise school assembly in September.

- John C.L. Morgan

Did You Know?

Did you know Westbrook High School was the second school in Maine to implement a Chinese language program? Only the Maine School of Science and Mathematics has an older Chinese language program than Westbrook High, which started its Chinese program in 1997.

There are now 16 schools in Maine with a Chinese language program.

- John C.L. Morgan

Movies at Riverbank

(Courtesy: Suzan Norton)

On Location: Movies at Riverbank

(Editor's Note: The Westbrook Historical Society and the City of Westbrook co-sponsored a public screening of The Palm Beach Story underneath the stars in Riverbank Park on Friday evening. Below is a quasi-review of the movie.)

In one of his memoirs, Rudy Vallee compared his casting as John D. Hackensacker III in the Palm Beach Story to the hypothetical (and unorthodox) casting of Marlon Brando in a Charlie Chaplin re-make, baggy pants and derby cap included.

The seemingly strange casting of Vallee aside, here are four (random) thoughts about the movie:

• Despite the film censors' apparent attempts to scrub similarities between the fictional John D. Hackensacker III (Rudy Vallee) and the real John D. Rockefeller III from the movie, the former is clearly based on the latter. Besides the similar names, there are the numerous references to vast inherited wealth, a New York heritage, and the reference to his grandfather being considered a "burglar" (read: Robber Baron). It should be noted, however, that Hackensacker's philandering sister is evidently based on one of Preston Sturges's ex-wives, not Rockefeller's sister, Abby.
• The film's portrayal of blacks is often cringe-inducing. Blacks only played the roles of stuttering and stammering porters who--when they weren't butchering the English language (one porter mispronunced yacht twice, muttering "yatch-it" each time)--were on the receiving end of the white characters' meanness [besides the one porter who almost became target practice in the Ale and Quail Club's drunken shooting fit, another was on the receiving end of an unneccessary and uncharacteristically cold scolding from Geraldine Jeffers (Claudette Colbert)].
• The movie is well-written. Despite a flimsy plot and an unsatisfactory ending, the movie's dialogue is witty and smart. Which is good, considering it has been deemed the seventy-seventh funniest movie by the American Film Institute.

And finally, Rudy Vallee could afford to laugh about the unorthodox casting as John D. Hackensacker III: The role won him the National Review Board 's Best Actor of 1942 award.

- John C.L. Morgan

(Disclosure: I was involved in the planning and showing of the movie.)

Dahlin, Torres to Play at Warren Memorial

Emilia Dahlin and Vanessa Torres will be performing at Warren Memorial Library (WML) Friday night to kickstart the 2008-2009 WML Women in the Performing Arts series.

The concert begins at 7p and is free.

- John C.L. Morgan

Stroudwater Place Workshop, First Reading Scheduled

According to Westbrook City Council President Brendan Rielly (D-Ward 1), the City Council will host a workshop devoted to the Stroudwater Place contract zone on Monday, September 22. And, Rielly wrote in an e-mail, he anticipates the first reading of the contract zone will occur on Monday, October 6.

Rielly did warn the dates could change, but "that's the plan at the moment."

- John C.L. Morgan

Re-Use of Wescott

Yesterday's PPH article about the re-use of Wescott Junior High School is ripe with ideas for the former school:

• A regional athletic facility that would include an ice arena, a 50-meter swimming pool, and a therapeutic pool (the current Davan Pool).
• Re-location of City Hall.
• A centralized location for the city's social service organizations, including the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, the Westbrook Food Pantry, the Westbrook Historical Society, Westbrook Senior Citizens, the Boys & Girls Club and a day-care facility operated by the People's Regional Opportunity Program.

According to the co-chair of the Wescott Junior High School Re-Use Committee, Jim Violette, the committee wants to avoid asking the city's taxpayers to "contribute any significant money toward the project" to avoid political controversy. And the piece points to a Harriman Associates estimate that the price of the conversion from a school to a community center would be between $10 to $20 million, depending on what's built.

- John C.L. Morgan

Hon. Otis S. Trafton, Westbrook's Thirteenth Mayor (1916)

Westbrook Politics: August 25-August 29, 2008

There are no events scheduled for this week.

- John C.L. Morgan

Song of the Week

The song of the week is Marie Moreshead's "Take Me to Italy."

Yes, I know I'm jumping on the bandwagon. And yes, I appreciate the irony of a hyper-provincialist pimpin' a song about getting away. But the song's playfulness is just too much to resist.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: August 17-August 23, 2008

Week-to-Date:
High: 82F (August 18)
Low: 49F (August 20)
Precipitation: 0.06 inches
Previous Sunrise: 5:56a
Previous Sunset: 7:32p

Month-to-Date:
High: 82F (August 18)
Low: 49F (August 20)
Precipitation: 6.26 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 87F (June 9, July 8, July 17, July 19)
Low: -5F (January 4)
Precipitation: 37.22 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Top 10 Local CDs: August 11-August 17, 2008

Here are the Top 10 Local CDs for the week of August 11-August 17, (the album's spot in last week's Top 10 is in parentheses, much like this fyi note), courtesy of the Portland Phoenix:

1. Dead Season, "When Everything's Lost..." (1)
2. Dead Season, "Rise" (2)
3. Bill Chinnock, "Badlands" (-)
4. Jerks of Grass, "Come on Home" (3)
5. Loki, "No Disclaimers" (6)
6. As Fast As, "Destroy the Plastique Man" (7)
7. Prospect Hill, "For the Lovers and the Haters and the Dead" (-)
8. Cambiata, "To Heal" (9)
9. Civil Disturbance, "Battle Within" (-)
10. Dead Season, "Down Again" (EP) (-)

The list was compiled from Bull Moose Music.

- John C.L. Morgan

Tranchemontagne's Eats

For those debating their next dinner out, here's The Frog and Turtle's James Tranchemontagne's top restaurants, according to the chef's Chow.com profile:

1. Gotham Bar and Grill (New York City, NY)
2. Back Bay Grill (Portland)
3. 98 Provence (Ogunquit)
4. Main Street Cafe (Westbrook)

That's some heady company for our modest diner on Main Street.

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. FaT is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Saturday, September 13 with $1 drafts 9p-12a, $4 bourbon and whiskey (it's unclear if the special includes Duffy's Pure Malt Whiskey), and Jaye Drew and A Moving Train. There's also free cake at 10p (here's to the cake just being one gigantic donut), and prizes will be given away throughout the night.

P.P.S. For those uninspired by Tranchemontagne's picks, there's also this compilation of Paper City food reviews put together by some Internet hack.

Catching Up

I took an unexpected vacation from the Internet this week, so here the three news stories that popped up while I was MIA:

Westbrook High School athletes began training for the fall season.

The Planning Board unaminously recommended the City Council approve a contract zone for Stroudwater Place (here and here).

The Westbrook Babe Ruth team was defeated in the finals of the Babe Ruth World Series (here and here).

- John C.L. Morgan

Technical Difficulties

I planned to load this week's installment of the Paper City Minute tonight, but my camcorder's on the fritz.

Carry on.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: August 18-August 22, 2008

Tuesday, August 19
Planning Board public hearing
Westbrook High School, Room 114
7p
FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Song of the Week

This week's song is "Sun Sets on Washington Ave" by South China.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: August 10-August 16, 2008

Week-to-Date:
High: 78F (August 13, August 15)
Low: 53F (August 13)
Precipitation: 1.19 inches
Sunrise: 5:48a
Sunset: 7:43p

Month-to-Date:
High: 78F (August 4, August 13, August 15)
Low: 53F (August 13)
Precipitation: 6.20 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 87F (June 9, July 8, July 17, July 19)
Low: -5F (January 4)
Precipitation: 37.16 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Top 10 Local CDs: August 4-August 10, 2008

Here are the Top 10 Local CDs for the week of August 4-August 10, (the album's spot in last week's Top 10 is in parentheses, much like this fyi note), courtesy of the Portland Phoenix:

1. Dead Season, "When Everything's Lost..." (1)
2. Dead Season, "Rise" (3)
3. Jerks of Grass, "Come on Home" (-)
4. Rustic Overtones, "Long Division" (4)
5. Phantom Buffalo, "Take to the Trees" (2)
6. Loki, "No Disclaimers" (5)
7. As Fast As, "Destroy the Plastique Man" (6)
8. The Baltic Sea, "Through the Scenic Heights and Days Regrets" (10)
9. Cambiata, "To Heal" (7)
10. Spose, "Preposterously Dank" (-)

The list was compiled from Bull Moose Music.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Babe Ruth Falters, 8-1

The American Journal's Mike Higgins has an inning-by-inning account (starting in the bottom of the fourth inning) of the Westbrook Babe Ruth team's loss to Eau Claire, Wisconsin in the Babe Ruth League World Series.

I also recommend the piece if you're interested in learning about the businesses of Van Buren, Arkansas.

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. Why is it referred to as a World Series when teams from only the United States are participating?

Westbrook Picture Frame Closes

Westbrook Picture Frame and Fine Arts Gallery, a frame shop and art gallery featuring the works of numerous local artists, has closed.

Citing a sluggish economy and high gas prices, owner Ken Atkinson said there wasn't enough business to remain open and that he plans to vacate the Edwards Block building. He is unsure of whether he will re-open a shop in the future.

- John C.L. Morgan

What About Frenchtown?

Much of the initial commentary concerning Tim Flannery's proposal to build 66 loft-style apartments in the Dana Warp Mill has been limited to the benefits of Westbrook's downtown district. But how could such a development affect Frenchtown?

At first glance, it seems the likely tenants for the apartments would be younger people who are looking for more affordable rents than they might find in Portland, but who are also looking for a Portland-esque lifestyle. And a strong feature of Portland life right now is taking place on Munjoy Hill.

So, in keeping with my belief that Brown Street has the potential to be Westbrook's Munjoy Hill (not to mention my inquisitive mood), a few questions: Could the apartments be a part of the improvement of that neighborhood? And, if so, what affect might the City Council's anti-bar stance regarding Brown Street have on such a transformation? Will it enable it, or hamper it? Or am I just too pre-occupied with that issue for my own good?

- John C.L. Morgan

Only in Maine

The Oxford Plains Speedway, an auto racetrack in Oxford, Maine, is handing out free Allen's Coffee Flavored Brandy visors to the first 200 fans to entice fans to attend Saturday night's races.

Great idea, considering The Champagne of Maine's unusual popularity in the Pine Tree State. In fact, the promo is so ingenious that I flirted with the idea of trekking up Route 26 just to snatch one of the visors for, like, six seconds.

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. I just experienced a lightbulb moment: Maybe that's how I can attract a healthy crowd to the, ahem, free outdoor screening of "The Palm Beach Story" in Westbrook's Riverbank Park on Friday, August 22.

Three Cheers for Flannery

Tim Flannery, the developer responsible for the the rehabilitation and rejuvenation of Dana Warp Mill in 1997, has evidently done it again. Per this week's American Journal, Flannery's plans to construct 66 loft-style apartments on the fourth floor of the mill are receiving nearly unaminous praise from city officials.

And why not? Echoing City Councilor Michael Foley's affinity for an 18-hour downtown, and considering the late great urban planner Jane Jacobs's requirement of mixed uses (not only does this idea satisfy Jacobs's preference for a blend of residential and commercial development, it also incorporates her belief in the recycling of an old building for a new use) for thriving cities and neighborhoods, I think Flannery's idea is a great one.

The apartments--which will consist of studio apartments and 800-foot rentals--will probably attract childless tenants, so there shouldn't be a great uptick in education costs. And, of course, the beautiful (and quirky) mill alongside the Presumpscot is located close enough to Westbrook's downtown to enable the city's merchants to receive an economic spark from the mill's residents, without the usual trade-off of clogged streets and limited parking.

- John C.L. Morgan

Maine Speech

spleeny
adjective
1. sensitive to the cold

- John C.L. Morgan

Maine Poetry

I recommend "Words from the Frontier," a delightful audio collection of Maine poetry, including that of Westbrook native Candice Stover.

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. And don't forget about Westbrook poets Alice N. Persons (3:05) and Nancy A. Henry (2:45).

Quote, Unquote

"Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism in making character assassinations are all too frequently those who, by our own words and acts, ignore some of the basic principles of Americanism: The right to criticize; the right to hold unpopular beliefs; the right to protest; the right of independent thought."

- U.S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith (R-Maine), from her famous "Declaration of Conscience" speech in June 1950.

- John C.L. Morgan

I Heart Geeks

Whereas most people rely on travel magazines or tourist guides to inspire the site of their next leisurely vacation, Dr. Dora Ann Mills evidently relies on literature from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) for vacation hints.

Dr. Mills, the Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control, writes in the fledgling Public Health blog that her recent trip Downeast "to take the time to breathe a bit more deeply" was inspired by none other than a study published by the HSPH that concluded Washington County has one of the most severe declines in life expectency among women in the country.

No word yet on which United Nations publications Dr. Mills consults when planning her foreign travels.

- John C.L. Morgan

Wells, Maine

On Location: Wells, Maine

When we woke up Friday morning, my wife and I actually empathized with out-of-towners: We had a date with Vacationland, and it was in danger of being washed out.

Partly to celebrate my wife's birthday, but mostly to enjoy a full day together without the Little One, we decided it would be nice to spend the day at the beach. So, after figuring Down East was too much of a drive for a day trip and that the local beaches presented a been-there-done-that quality, we settled on a day at Wells. And feeling especially adventurous, we I decided we'd take The Downeaster to Wells and rely on the Shoreline Explorer to trolley us around the seaside town.

Fortunately, by the time we stepped onto the Downeaster platform in Wells, what had been destined to be a soggy day had instead turned into an overcast day with a few sprinkles. (What a sad commentary on the weather of the last three weeks when I refer to a relatively dry, overcast day as a fortunate occurrence.)

Anyway, Congdon's Donuts Family Restaurant and Bakery had fat pills that rivaled those featured at a Sunday brunch by The Frog and Turtle. Wells Beach offered the salty air, fine sand, and laid-back leisure time the 'ol lady and I craved. The sauteed mussels, fried clams, onion rings, and lobster bisque at Mike's Clam Shack were so good I can't even think about eating seafood for the next month without feeling ill. Forbes Seafood Restaurant actually found a way to screw up soft-serve ice cream (it wasn't creamy or smooth enough) And though I haven't yet decided what I think about Mamma Mia!, I have decided theatres within the Five Star Cinemas chain need a jolt of improvement.

As for my lingering reservations of an almost-carless trip (we drove to and from the station in Portland), they were relieved by seamless transport throughout the trip. Besides the smooth ride on the train, we hopped on and off the shuttle trolley about ten times and it literally dropped off us onto the doormat of each place on our itinerary. The $3 day pass for the trolley was a bargain.

All in all, it was a pleasant "stay-cation," and a modest reprieve from Mother Nature, if not from the ubiquitous tourist.

- John C.L. Morgan

Lobster, Etc.

Brad DeLong, an economist cum blogger, evidently was in Maine recently and proposed these ideas for a new slogan for the Pine Tree State:

1. Raymond, Maine: Home of the landlocked salmon.
2. Maine: Where the construction workers are surprised and alarmed if you obey the signs they wave.
3. Maine: We drive fast and erratically on two lane roads.
4. Maine: All Ur biting insects R B-long to us, California!
5. Maine: All Ur summer rains R B-long to us, California!
6. Maine: Lobster-themed products aren't just a good idea, they are the law
7. Maine: Where "BLT" means "bacon, lobster, and tomato."
8. Maine: Where McDonalds serves lobster rolls.
9. Maine: Where 7-11 serves lobster rolls.
10. Maine: Where Tim Horton's and Dunkin Donuts do not yet serve lobster rolls, but their resistance is futile.
11. Maine: Where else can you get lobster tempura sushi?

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. If you're as hooked on lobster as DeLong is, you'll like the wares of Entertain Ya Mania, a Westbrook-based company. (Hat tip: Stacy Tucker-Stanley)

Hon. Oscar G.K. Robinson, Westbrook's Twelfth Mayor (1911-1915)

Westbrook Politics: August 11-August 15, 2008

Monday, August 11
Accounts and Claims Committee meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
6:30p
FMI

City Council meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
7p
FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Song of the Week

The song of the week is Sumner McKane's "Under Water Disorientation." Pass it on.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: August 3-August 9, 2008

Week-to-Date:
High: 78F (August 4)
Low: 58F (August 9)
Precipitation: 2.02 inches
Sunrise: 5:40a
Sunset: 7:53p

Month-to-Date:
High: 78F (August 4)
Low: 58F (August 9)
Precipitation: 5.01 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 87F (June 9, July 8, July 17, July 19)
Low: -5F (January 4)
Precipitation: 35.97 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Top 10 Local CDs: July 28-August 3, 2008

Here are the Top 10 Local CDs for the week of July 28-August 3, (the album's spot in last week's Top 10 is in parentheses, much like this fyi note), courtesy of the Portland Phoenix:

1. Dead Season, "When Everything's Lost..." (1)
2. Phantom Buffalo, "Take to the Trees" (6)
3. Dead Season, "Rise" (2)
4. Rustic Overtones, "Long Division" (3)
5. Loki, "No Disclaimers" (8)
6. As Fast As, "Destroy the Plastique Man" (4)
7. Cambiata, "To Heal" (7)
8. Civil Disturbance, "Battle Within" (-)
9. Prospect Hill, "For the Lovers and the Haters and the Dead" (-)
10. The Baltic Sea, "Through the Scenic Heights and Days Regrets" (-)

The list was compiled from Bull Moose Music.

- John C.L. Morgan

On Vacation

I'll be staying away from the computer until Sunday night.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Energy Center Rebukes Pike

In a strongly-worded letter to the editor in this week's American Journal, the director of government and regulatory affairs at Calpine Corporation--Westbrook Energy Center expressed concern about Pike Industries' plans to expand on Spring Street and spit out some dissatisfaction with Pike's means of salesmanship.

Evidently writing on behalf of the Westbrook Energy Center, John Flumerfelt not only lists the standard concerns about Pike's expansion (increased blasting, degraded air quality, etc.), but also attacks Pike Industries personally. Well, at least as personally as one can attack a company.

Pike, Flumerfelt writes, has resorted to inconsistent arguments and has not "done a very good job of convincing the community that it will be a good corporate citizen."

Oh, no he didn't.

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. The Westbrook Energy Center is only one of about a dozen new "Supporters" to join the anti-Pike group, WestbrookWorks, since I last checked the group's website in mid-July. The business Bisson Moving and Storage has added its name to the list, as well as individuals George Rodrigues, Mary Spear, Jonathan Wilcox, Ruth Noble, Kirk Noble, Denice Campbell, Joann Nappi, Elli O'Connell, and Mark L. Hunkler.

Quote of the Day

"It tasted like someone mixed a quarter-cup of salt water with a quarter-cup of chalk and a teaspoon of acid. It burned my mouth. When I finished the swim I had ulcers in my mouth, and my tongue had a white coating that peeled off. It was very, very sore."

- Westbrook resident Pat Gallant-Charette describing the water she swam in while attempting to cross the English Channel. (Hat tip: AJ Q&A)

- John C.L. Morgan

American Journal One-Liners

City Council gave preliminary approval to a temporary ordinance amendment that would allow taxi companies based in other cities and towns to drive clients from one Westbrook location to another.

Phil Csoros of Gorham will challenge State Senator Phil Bartlett to represent part of Westbrook in the State Senate.

Pat Gallant-Charette talks about swimming the English Channel.

Referendum concerning a City Charter commission will not be on the November ballot.

Municipal officers rejected an application for a liquor license for Brown Street bar.

City Clerk is a rock star.

- John C.L. Morgan

Whitman, Summers Tour Westbrook Businesses

Via PolitickerME.com, Christine Todd Whitman and Charlie Summers toured D&G Machine Products Inc. and Au Inc. earlier today.

Whitman is a former New Jersey Governor and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. And Summers is battling Chellie Pingree to represent Maine's first district in the U.S. Congress.

- John C.L. Morgan

Maine Speech

[Editor's Note: In his book One Man's Meat, the essayist E.B. White observes "[t]he tongue spoken here in Maine is as different from the tongue spoken in New York as Dutch is from German. Part of this difference is in the meaning of words, part in the grammar. But the difference is great." So in honor of Mainers' distinct tongue, I'm mining both One Man's Meat and Tim Sample's CD How to Talk Yankee to provide a weekly look at Maine speech.]

elegant
adjective
1. extremely good

- John C.L. Morgan

No Bar For You

To borrow a couple phrases from City Councilor O'Hara and President Bush, what we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is the soft bigotry of low expectations.

In other words, the Municipal Officers (a subcommittee of the City Council that includes all the councilors and the mayor) rejected Allen and Lynn Moores' proposal to re-open the Skybox Bar and Grill on Brown Street because, well, the bar would've been located on Brown Street. And Brown Streeters obviously cannot be trusted with an establishment selling alcohol in the vicinity.

Now, Westbrook's solons should be credited for being consistent, even if they are consistently wrong on this issue. They did, after all, echo their arbitrary rejection of Tom and Ellen Dores' request for a liquor license in March with an equally arbitrary rejection of the Moores' request for a liquor license on Monday.

However, that's where the councilors' consistency ends and their inconsistencies begin.

Westbrook's councilors, for example, approved the Moores' requests for a victualor's license, a billiards license, and a pinball license on Monday despite having rejected the Dores' requests for the those same licenses back in March. To be sure, the disparity would be understandable if the councilors had fewer concerns about the management effectiveness of the Moores than they did the Dores. But a lower level of confidence in the latter is not borne out in the dry councilors' repeated public statements that the rejections had to do with the tavern's location, not its owners.

Nevertheless, the councilors' greatest strike against consistent governance was not their puzzling approval for an assortment of one owner's licenses and the rejection of another's. Instead, the greatest head-scratcher is the unevenness with which they treat bars in Westbrook.

Skybox was shut down and remains dormant, the argument goes, because it is a nuisance and disrupts the peace and tranquility of our sleepy rural hamlet city. Yet Profenno's Bar and Grill, a bar whose patrons generated only four fewer complaints to the Westbrook Police--surely the best metric of a bar's mischief--than Skybox did between Febuary 2007 and February 2008, received approval for its liquor license on the very same night councilors rejected the Moores' request for a liquor license.

So where do City Councilors draw the line between a troublesome bar and a bar worthy of staying in business?

Brown Street, stupid.

- John C.L. Morgan

Did You Know?

Did you know Simon and Garfunkel's song "Richard Cory" is based on a poem with the same title written by the Maine poet Edwin Arlington Robinson?

The song was featured on the duo's 1966 album Sound of Silence, and the Pulitzer Price-winning poet published the poem in 1897.

To read critics' perspectives on the poem, click here.

- John C.L. Morgan

(Hat tip: Portland Monthly)

Windy Hill Farm

On Location

Though the Winship family has farmed the land on Windham's River Road for four generations, the quaint market boasting the product of Windy Hill Farm--a location worthy of its plainspoken moniker--has been open since only 2000. Nevertheless, they've accumulated a collection of homegrown foodstuffs large enough to stock the pantry and refrigerator of any self-respecting locavore (or, as in my case, to stock the cupboards and freezer with a local flavor to complement a weekly trip to Hannaford).

To wit, a list of the Maine-produced goods one can expect to see during a visit to Windy Hill Farm:

• Beef generated by the Black Angus and Black Angus/Simmental hybrids raised by the Winship's on Windy Hill Farm. Though the cattle are primarily grass-fed, grain and hay supplement their diets.
• Lamb engendered by the sheep from Windy Hill Farm.
• Pork derived from the pigs raised on Windy Hill.
• Poultry from Maine-ly Poultry in Warren, Maine.
• Vegetables grown on Windy Hill Farm, as well as a complementary offering of corn from Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine.
• Eggs from the hens housed at Windy Hill Farm.
• Honey produced by the batch of honey bees cultivated on Windy Hill Farm.
• Pickled goods from Mike's Maine Pickles in Easton, Maine.
• Jams, salad dressings, and salsa made under the Windy Hill Farm label, presumably using Windy Hill Farm ingredients.

- John C.L. Morgan

Diamonds in the Rough, Continued

An update on the achievements of Anthony D'Alfonso and the Westbrook 13-15 Babe Ruth team I wrote about this past weekend:

After dropping the first game in a best-of-three series against the Vermont Mountaineers, the top-seeded Sanford Mainers won game two yesterday in the continuation of a suspended game from Sunday. The decisive game three will be played tonight in Sanford's Goodall Park at 6:30p. D'Alfonso is hitting .286 with 1 double and 3 RBI in the two games.

Also playing tonight is the 13-15 Babe Ruth team, who are taking on Manchester, NH for the New England regional championship. Since Westbrook enters the game unbeaten, and Manchester has one loss, Westbrook must win only once to advance to the Babe Ruth World Series. Manchester, on the other hand, must defeat Westbrook twice to advance to the World Series.

- John C.L. Morgan

Paper City Minute: Saccarappa Falls

To kick off our Paper City Minute feature, here's one minute of Saccarappa Falls. According to the sign erected by the Westbrook Woman's Club in 2003, Saccarappa Falls was the site of the first saw mill in 1729, the first permanent home in 1739, the Portland Manufacturing Co. in 1830, and the Dana Warp Mills in 1867. (Alas, the sign does not qualify the "firsts" listed.)

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. Check out Kate Power's video of Westbrook Police Chief Bill Baker leading a pack of grunting dignitaries to a tumble over the falls of Saccarappa.

Proposed CMP Project Would Run Through Westbrook

Westbrook is one of 89 Maine towns and cities located along the route for the Maine Power Reliability Program, a proposed $2 billion program spearheaded by Central Maine Power to upgrade electric transmission systems throughout the state.

According to an article in yesterday's PPH, CMP argues such an upgrade is needed to prevent future blackouts. CMP also argues the large investments ($1.4 billion for a 345,000-volt transmission line going from Orrington to Newington, NH, and $625 million for a 345,000-volt transmission line stretching from Central Maine to northern Aroostook County) and the potential construction jobs the project could generate (8,000) are also positive aspects of the project.

On the other hand, the article warns the project will impact thousands of abutters (the article says 4,500 abutters in "either the southern or northern sections of the project" will be affected), will require CMP to buy (or, as the article notes, possibly take via eminent domain) 550 parcels of land along the southern leg, and will increase electric bills (CMP could not provide details regarding this effect). The article also states that ratepayers would pay for 8 percent of the project.

A video outlining CMP's arguments in favor of the project can be seen here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: August 4-August 8, 2008

Monday, August 4
Finance Committee meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
6:45p
FMI

City Council meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
7p
FMI

Tuesday, August 5
Planning Board meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
7p
FMI

Wednesday, August 6
Zoning Board of Appeals
Westbrook High School, Room 114
7p
FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Top 10 Local CDs: July 21-July 27, 2008

Here are the Top 10 Local CDs for the week of July 21-27, (the album's spot in last week's Top 10 is in parentheses, much like this fyi note), courtesy of the Portland Phoenix:

1. Dead Season, "When Everything's Lost..." (1)
2. Dead Season, "Rise" (2)
3. Rustic Overtones, "Long Division" (4)
4. As Fast As, "Destroy the Plastique Man" (3)
5. Mindset X, "Thread" (5)
6. Phantom Buffalo, "Take to the Trees" (-)
7. Cambiata, "To Heal" (7)
8. Loki, "No Disclaimers" (8)
9. Cambiata, "Into the Night" (-)
10. Paranoid Social Club, "Axis III & I" (9)

The list was compiled from Bull Moose Music.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: July 27-August 2, 2008

Week-to-Date:
High: 85F (July 29)
Low: 59F (July 30)
Precipitation: 4.85 inches
Sunrise: 5:32a
Sunset: 8:02p

Month-to-Date:
High: 77F (August 1)
Low: 64F (August 1)
Precipitation: 0.18 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 87F (June 9, July 8, July 17, July 19)
Low: -5F (January 4)
Precipitation: 31.14 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Song of the Week

The song of the week is "Amnesia" by Fire on Fire.

- John C.L. Morgan

Quote of the Day

"My guess is that if you are an experienced Maine traveler, you already own at least one copy of the Maine Atlas and Gazetteer. If you don’t, you may be the only person in Maine who doesn’t."

- Edgar Allen Beem in his article "Maine Atlas Showdown," published in the September issue of Downeast.

I've often wondered if Delorme's Maine Atlas and Gazette is the best-selling book in Maine. Would it be heretical of me to suggest that it outsells even the Bible?

- John C.L. Morgan

Diamonds in the Rough

In a PPH article about former Westbrook High baseball player Anthony D'Alfonso's stint for the Sanford Mainers, D'Alfonso's manager Joe Brown had this to say about the former Blue Blaze:

"If this young man isn't playing professional baseball at some point in his
career, then I don't know where the scouts are. This is my 10th season of
coaching summer baseball, and he's in my top 10 in terms of projectability of
the players I've seen."

And in other baseball news, the Paper City's 13-15 Babe Ruth baseball team won their second game in the New England regionals yesterday, defeating Western Massachusetts. The team, which includes ten players from the 2005 Little League World Series team, next plays tomorrow evening at 8p.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Art, Take Two

Yesterday, I posted nine art-related events in Westbrook you should know about. Here's an addendum to that list: Jim Ingraham, a Westbrook High alum, will be at Walker Memorial Library on Monday, August 4 to talk about his new book Remains to be Seen.

Ingraham, who spoke with the American Journal's Leslie Bridgers this past week, will begin his talk at the historical library at 12p. And, if you're unable to attend that event, he will be at Portland's Longfellow Books on Tuesday, August 5 at 7p.

- John C.L. Morgan

How Much for Cheap(er) Gas?

Considering the cheapest price for gas in Westbrook today is $3.87, I recommend you check out Maine's "Mecca" (how rich the irony) of cheap gas, the Valero gas station in Newport.

I mean, it's only two hours away.

- John C.L. Morgan

Manoogian Plans "Clean-Up" of Casa Novello

In a Windham Independent article about the closure of Casa Novello in Windham, owner Gary Manoogian is quoted as saying that he plans a "clean-up" of the original Casa Novello located on Main Street in Westbrook.

The article cites increased costs, low customer volume, and a heavy debt load as the reasons for the Windham establishment's closure. But, aside from Manoogian's "clean-up" quote, it doesn't delve into the future of the Westbrook restaurant.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Art Nine-Pack

Tonight
Westbrook photographer James O'Reilly is exhibiting his photographs at the Eastland Park Hotel as part of Portland's First Friday Art Walk from 5-8p.

Monday, August 4
Westbrook painter Caren-Marie Michel is opening her show entitled "Southern Maine Panorama: Caren-Marie Michel" at Windham's Little Sebago Gallery & Frame. A reception involving the artist will also take place Saturday, August 9 from 5:30-7:30p.

Wednesday, August 20
Wavelength, a cover band whose repertoire evidently ranges from Neil Diamond to Alicia Keys, plays in Riverbank Park as part of the city's Concerts in the Park series.

Friday, August 22
The fourth edition of the Fourth Friday Art Walk takes place from 5-8p. Artists showcasing their work are located from the heart of Mechanic Street to the top of the Dana Warp Mill.

And Westbrook's golden boy Rudy Vallee stars in the 1942 screwball comedy The Palm Beach Story, which is the showcase in the first edition of the Movies at Riverbank public movie series. The movie will begin at 8:30p, and seating, snacks, and bug juice are recommended.

Wednesday, August 27
Tony Boffa and Co. brings down the curtain on the summer's Concerts in the Park series. Of course, if you miss them in the park, you can always catch them every Thursday at The Frog and Turtle.

Friday, August 29
Emilia Dahlin, the award-winning singer-songwriter from The City, closes out a summer of free concerts at Warren Memorial Library. The concert begins at 7p.

Saturday, September 7
A stroll in the park + Fine art = The Riverbank Art Festival.

And finally, the folks that brought us the zombie film PROJECT AYNA-V have been busy filming their next zombie masterpiece, Clean Water Act. Alas, a release date has not been announced.

- John C.L. Morgan

Mad Gabs