Freaky Art

I linked to James O'Reilly's photos of Westbrook last week. But what I didn't tell you at the time (mostly because I didn't know) was that O'Reilly will be exhibiting his photographs at Freaky Bean on Main Street throughout June. And that an opening reception for the exhibit is Friday, from 5-8p.

So consider the opening a warm-up for next week's inaugural Fourth Friday Art Walk and the Freaky Bean exhibit a welcomed addition to the event.

- John C.L. Morgan

Just Do It

First, vote in Down East magazine's 'Seven Wonders of Maine' poll, and then contribute possible entries for the 'Five Wonders of Westbrook.'

I smell a poll coming, so just do it.

- John C.L. Morgan

Re: Dirigo Taxes

State Senator Phil Bartlett (D-Cumberland County), who represents a portion of Westbrook, co-authored an op-ed in today's Press Herald that picks apart the media's coverage of the controversial taxes that will be levied on soda, beer, and wine.

And on the opposite side of this debate, Maine Taxpayers United is sponsoring a training session for those interested in gathering signatures for a Peoples' Veto aiming to repeal the taxes. It is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 at 8a, and will take place at the American Legion Hall on Dunn Street. For more information on the training session, click here.

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. The City's website features an excellent resource that clarifies who represents whom in Augusta. To wit: 'SS 6' refers to State Senator Bartlett, 'SS 9' refers to State Senator Joseph Brannigan (D-Cumberland County), 'SR 125' refers to State Representative Ann Peoples (D-Westbrook), and 'SR 126' refers to State Representative Tim Driscoll (D-Westbrook).

Quote, Unquote: E.B. White

"To me 'Vacationland' is a particularly annoying device to be emblazoned on the bow and stern of my small overworked sedan."

- E.B. White in One Man's Meat (1942), a collection of essays about his life on a Brooklin, Maine saltwater farm.

- John C.L. Morgan

No Sleeping Pills Required

Two years ago this week, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously sided with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in the S.D. Warren Co. v. Maine Board of Environmental Protection et al. case about the state's ability to regulate the Presumpscot River.

Considered a landmark case for the Presumpscot specifically, and American rivers generally, a summary S.D. Warren Co. v. Maine Board can be read here. But for the truly adventurous (or dull), the Supreme Court's decision and the arguments surrounding the case can be read here and here, respectively.

And in closing, I hereby retroactively declare the 'Westbrook Word of the Year' for 2006 to be discharge.

- John C.L. Morgan

Better Know a Rep: Brendan Rielly

Better know a representative by checking out this 'Proust Questionnaire' of City Councilor Brendan Rielly (D-Ward 1) :

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Notre Dame's football team winning the national championship, or my kids succeeding at something they've worked hard at. Don't make me choose.

What is your current state of mind?
Peachy keen.

Which living person do you most admire?
Drew said his wife? I'll say Drew's wife, too. Anyone who can put up with him is a saint. No, I'd have to say my wife. I have to. She's reading this. Just kidding. I do admire Erica for her good heart and sense of humor, and the fact that she's stuck with me since we were both fifteen. Either she's a very loving person or just plain crazy. Both are traits I admire, and I'm not asking any questions.

What is your greatest fear?
Bats. Nasty, mean, ugly creatures. I could be profound and say fear of failing my loved ones, but I've gotta go with bats.

What is your most marked characteristic?
The third eye in the middle of my forehead. I keep it covered over with makeup. No, I hope my most marked characteristic is my positive attitude and willingness to make the best out of whatever situation I'm in.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Lack of patience.

Which living person do you most despise?
I don't despise any single person. I despise self-important people who have never had to work a day in their lives and who have no sense of humility, faith, duty, honor or community. And Yankees fans.

What is your greatest extravagance?
I don't really have any extravagances, although if I don't have air conditioning I get pretty cranky.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
See the traits of the living person I most despise.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
I don't think there is such a thing. Virtue only becomes overrated if it is false virtue, like pride or arrogance. Then it's no longer a virtue. Wow. That was way too profound for a Friday afternoon.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?
I suppose that third eye in my forehead...

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I'd be more patient, and I'd have the gift of flight.

What is the quality you most like in a man?
A snarky sense of humor.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?
A snarky sense of humor.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Okay.

Which talent would you most like to have?
Quarterbacking the Green Bay Packers would be pretty cool.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
You, of course. But since you're taken, I'll go with my wife.

When and where were you happiest?
Right here, right now. In general terms, I mean. I don't mean sitting at my computer typing to you, although this is pleasant.

Where would you like to live?
In the great city of Westbrook! I have a thousand places I'd love to travel to, but it's always nice to come home.

What is your most treasured possession?
We have lots of things that remind us of people we've known or places we've been, but I'm not a "thing" person, so I don't really have a treasured possession.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Not having friends or family who care about you.

What is your favorite occupation?
Dad and husband.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
A three-way tie: Luke Skywalker, George Bailey and Tom Joad. When I was a kid, I wanted to be Joe Hardy.

Who are your heroes in real life?
I start with my parents who taught me how to care for others, be a man, and give back. I continue learning from them as well as from my wife, my sister, my kids, and many of my friends. I'm always trying to learn how to be a better person and I certainly have a lot to work on. I'm lucky to be surrounded by people who are smarter, cooler and more put-together than me, and I learn from them. They're my heroes. Now I'm going to cry.

What do you most value in your friends?
A snarky sense of humor.

What is it that you most dislike?
People who think they know everything.

What is your motto?
Go get that ball. That's your ball! Sorry, that's my soccer coaching motto. Clarence the angel said: "Remember, no man is a failure who has friends." That works as well as anything.

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. To read City Councilor Drew Gattine's 'Proust Questionnaire' from two weeks ago, click here.

Song of the Week

This week's song is "Black Rivers" by Brown Bird.

- John C.L. Morgan

Top 10 Local CDs: April 28- May 4, 2008

Here are the Top 10 Local CDs for the week of April 28-May 4 (the album's spot in last week's Top 10 is in parentheses, much like this fyi note), courtesy of the Portland Phoenix:

1. Various Artists, "Greetings from Area Code 207, Vol. 7" (1)
2. Rustic Overtones, "Long Division" (2)
3. Dead Season, "Rise" (4)
4. As Fast As, "Destroy the Plastique Man" (3)
5. Time for Change, "Apocalyptic Fantasy" (-)
6. Sly-Chi, "The Space" (8)
7. Cambiata, "Into the Night" (9)
8. Cambiata, "To Heal" (7)
9. Sidecar Radio, "Wave Principle" (-)
10. Civil Disturbance, "The Battle Within" (-)

The list was compiled from Bull Moose Music.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: May 4-May 10, 2008

Week-to-Date:
High: 79F (May 8)
Low: 41F (May 6)
Precipitation: 0.56 inches
Previous Sunrise: 5:22a
Previous Sunset: 7:55p

Month-to-Date:
High: 79F (May 8)
Low: 29F (May 1)
Precipitation: 0.68 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 79F (May 8)
Low: -5F (January 4)
Precipitation: 21.96 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Main Street Mile Tee

Main Street Mile Results

Fourteen runners (and walkers) participated in the third annual Main Street Mile road race this morning. Encompassing Westbrook's Main Street from Stockhouse Restaurant to Profenno's, the event raised over $800 for the Westbrook High School's Class of 2008 Project Graduation.

The top five finishers in the 3rd annual Main Street Mile road race:

1. Zach Good, 6:18
2. Pat Bureau, 6:26
3. Joe Romano, 6:55
4. Allie Aceto, 7:11
5. Audrey Shutts, 7:11

- John C.L. Morgan

Photogenic, Take Two

Westbrook has suddenly become photogenic.

Besides James O'Reilly's photographs, there are also these nocturnal images of the city, courtesy of Brookie, Tony Bessey.

- John C.L. Morgan

Clean(er)

Clean-Up Report

One of the beneficial things life provides is ample opportunity for do-gooders to do well.

This morning, for example, I was one of about seventy volunteers dispatched to all the corners of Westbrook (clean-up sites included Beaver Pond, City Hall, Main Street, Prides Corner School, the Lincoln Street skating rink, the Riverwalk, the Rochester Street railroad tracks, the skatepark, the Sappi snow dump, Saccarappa Cemetery, the Stroudwater Street ice rink, Wescott Junior High School, Westbrook Commons, Westbrook High School, and William Clarke Drive) to pick up litter. And anyone who participated would affirm the opportunity (read: trash) was plentiful.

According to the clean-up coordinator, Joyce Perrey, Westbrook churches such as the First Baptist Church in Westbrook, Pride's Corner Congregational Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, The Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Greater Portland, and Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church supplied much of the manpower. But eight Key Clubbers (7 from Westbrook High School, 1 from, ahem, Cheverus) and an assortment of unaffiliated Westbrook residents (such as myself) also showed up to join the effort.

Also, the City of Westbrook Department of Public Services provided the tools of the trade, while local businesses (Full Court Press, Hannaford, and Home Depot) lent their support, both financially and materially.

And, finally, all the bottles and cans retrieved throughout the clean-up were en route to the 302 Redemption Center, with the proceeds of the returns designated for the Westbrook Food Pantry.

- John C.L. Morgan

Don't Just Look at It. Study It!

The folks at the Unicorn School of Metaphysics have just posted their short film, PROJECT AYNA-V. And this critic puts it in the category of so-awful-it-is-almost-awesome.

Nevertheless, I'd say it's the second-best film shot in Westbrook, behind only Motel Mission.

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. Bizarre thought of the day: Why is having some awe good, but being full of awe, well, awful? Maybe I have some etymologists in my reading audience who can answer this linguistic puzzler.

American Journal One-Liners

City Council gave preliminary approval to an amendment that requires severence payments to city workers of more than $3,000 to be approved by the Council.

Pike Industries has been awarded part of the contract to renovate an 18-mile stretch I-295.

Planning Board recommends the City Council continue to allow people build houses on 5,000 square foot lots.

Portland police officer (and Westbrook resident) remembered as "a wonderful neighbor."

Planning Board to quicken vetting process for Stroudwater Place.

Westbrook Little League opens 2008 season.

- John C.L. Morgan

Department of Clarification

While I was flipping through this week's American Journal, I was very surprised to see that I had paid for an advertisement for this blog's sister site, RiverbankRepublic.com.

But then I realized that Prides Corner News had adopted a logo very, ahem, similar to mine. So I just want to clarify that this site is in no way affiliated with the folks at PCN.

And that I do thank them for the link and will return the gesture.

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. And to further clarify possible mistaken identity in this week's AJ, no, I was not the "intoxicated male with a bottle of alcohol" napping in the hallway of a Webb Street apartment building in the early hours of April 28 (per the 'Westbrook Police Notes').

Just Do It

Participate in Saturday morning's Riverbank Park clean-up.

Beginning at 8:45a, the clean-up is scheduled to last until noon--rain or shine. And though the organizers of the event aren't necessarily encouraging participants to bring a sack of redeemable bottles and cans to benefit the Westbrook Food Pantry (they are saying only that proceeds from redeemable bottles and cans picked up during the clean-up will be donated to the Food Pantry), I am starting a quixotic and last-minute campaign to encourage all participants to show up with a couple paws full of bottles and cans to donate to the effort.

So just do it.

- John C.L. Morgan

Photogenic

Check out these beautiful photos of Westbrook from James O'Reilly's photo gallery (here, here, and here).

(Update: I just learned this evening that James O'Reilly is a Westbrook resident and actually lives a couple doors down from me. Moreover, I neglected another O'Reilly photo of Westbrook that can be seen here.)

- John C.L. Morgan

The Apple Whisperer and Other Atlantic Stories

Amid today's balminess (it's May in Maine, so give me a little room for hyperbole), the second-furthest season from our minds is fall with its cool, crisp air and its sweet (or tart or good or best), crisp fruit, the Maine apple. Therefore, save The Atlantic's unseasonal profile of Maine pomologist John Bunker until, say, October.

Just don't forget it's here. Or there, whichever you prefer.

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. A couple years ago, when my wife and I were renting an apartment in the building that now houses Weekend Anime (a healthy dose of cognitive dissonance, by the way, is knowing that your old bedroom is now the site for, well, never mind), I developed a strange habit of reading old issues of The Atlantic from the 1990s. So in keeping with my fondness of old issues of that esteemed magazine, here is a collection of old Atlantic stories that focus on Maine:

Non-Fiction
"Livin' la Vida Lobster" (June 2004)
"Maine Certified: The Potatoes of September" (September 2002)
"Fore Street: Restaurants Worth Building a Trip Around" (April 2002)
"Stalking the American Lobster" (April 2002)
"Hustler with a Lyric Voice" (October 2001)
"Uncivil Aviation" (April 2001)
"Recollecting Longfellow" (October 2000)
"Off the Maine Coast" (May 1997)

Fiction and Poetry
"Fourth of July in Maine" (March 1966)
"River Driftwood" (October 1881)