Portland, Maine – Healthy City for Women

Congratulations ladies of metro Portland, Maine,…as SELF.com has ranked Portland as the 3rd Healthiest Place for Women in its annual list of the Top 100 healthy places for women.

See the article announced by MSNBC.com and The Top 10 Healthiest Places for Women List

What SELF.com is saying about Portland, Maine…

“You can work downtown, hop on a bike at lunch and quickly be in a wooded area by a stream,” enthuses Heather Chandler, 38, publisher of the Sunrise Guide, a book of green-living tips for southern Maine. The area (including South Portland and Biddeford) posts primo scores for water and air quality and has nearly 70 percent more green buildings than the average. The state gives a green stamp of approval to eco-aware hotels and restaurants so customers can seek them out. (courtesy of SELF.com)

Contest for You – “Portland in 48 Hours…”

You asked to be more involved,…so now we’re turning to you and creating a contest out of it for everyone!!! You could win Fifty Dollars!

At ILovePortlandMaine.com, we want to know….

“If You had only 48 hours in Portland, Maine…

What would you do?”

To enter, all you need to do is send us your response to the above question, in 300 words or less, and let us know what you would do, or where you would go, and why. Be creative. Be original.

Three winners will be selected….

One (1) Grand Prize winner will be selected based on a combination of originality, creativeness, and the overall story, and will receive one $50 gift certificate of their choice.

Two (2) additional winners will be selected at random from all eligible entries received to each win one $20 gift certificate to the restaurant of their choice.

The Rules:

• Entries must be received via email to JeffMateja@hotmail.com no later than midnight (12am EST) on December 18, 2009, to be eligible. Please write “Portland In 48 Hours” in the subject of the email. Thank you.

• Entries must include; Name, age, address, and phone to best reach you.

• Entrants must be 18 years of age or older to win.Entries can be mailed as well to: Jeff Mateja, 50 Sewall Street, 2nd Floor, Portland, ME 04102

• Entries should not exceed 300 words.

• Only one entry per person.

• All entries become the rights of ILovePortlandMaine.com and may be reprinted here on ILovePortlandMaine.com

• Winners will be notified by December 20, 2009.

Best of luck to everyone! We look forward to seeing your responses.

Maine Bio-Fuel Inc: Your vegetable oil = Their treasure

Cheers to business partners Dean Sgouros and Jarmin Kaltsas, who are doing amazing stuff off of Riverside Street in Portland, where their company Maine Bio-Fuel Inc. produces pure biodiesel for use in diesel cars and trucks.

Their grand opening this week brought more attention to a fascinating endeavor which has drawn quite an interest, and their timing could not be more perfect. Environmentally friendly, the company picks up vegetable oil waste product from local Portland restaurants to use in the conversion to the renewable biodiesel fuel, all at a time when there is a global emphasis to cut down on our reliance on petroleum and to reduce our emissions. As word travels, so does the number of restaurants willing to have Maine Bio-Fuel Inc. come pick up their vegetable oil waste free of charge. What a great idea, and a win-win situation for all.

If you have a diesel fueled car or truck, you can stop in at 410 Riverside Street, Portland, and fill up today.

For more information on the company, please visit their website MaineStandardBioFuels.com

12-Lane Bowling Alley planned for Bayside Neighborhood

Soon you may be able to enjoy a night of bowling without having to venture from the peninsula. Earlier this week, the Bayside Neighborhood and bowling enthusiasts received favorable news as the Portland Planning Board unanimously approved a proposal by Charles Mitchell, owner of Bowl Portland, and State Senator, Justin Alfond, to convert the former Skillful Vending warehouse (58 Alder Street) into a 12 lane, big ball bowling alley with a second floor restaurant and lounge. Construction and renovations are planned for late December/early January with completion expected in another four months.

We will keep you posted as further details surface. In the meantime, keep practicing!

 

Wicked Walking Tours of Portland

Courtesy of Wicked Walking Tours

Throughout October and November take a comic and scary journey through Portland’s Old Port. Running each Wednesday through Saturday, the Wicked Walking Tours lantern guided tour begins at 72 Commercial Street (Park near RiRa and Flatbread) and walks you through the haunted Old Port sharing haunting tales and legends, and history you probably are not aware of about spooky Portland.

Tours last one hour and reservations are required. There is a 40 person limit per tour. Tickets are $15 for Adults and $13 for Seniors and Children under 12 years of age. To make reservations, please call; 730-0490.

For more information on the tour, please visit; www.WickedWalkingTours.com

Halloween Zombie Hash – Gritty’s

Zombie softball….Zombie ball….now this!! Sounds like a lot of fun…

Halloween Zombie Hash – Gritty McDuff’s, 396 Fore St. Portland
2:30pm – 5:30pm Saturday, October 31, 2009
Over run the Old Port with Zombies! Us Zombies usually end up lost and meandering around aimlessly through town so why not dress as zombies for this hash!? It ought to provoke some good reactions. Start stockpiling fake blood now. Meet at Gritty’s on Fore Street at 2:30pm with your best Zombie attire. Be ready to run through the Old Port for a short while before ending up at another local watering hole. Best part…it’s free!

Halloween Events for the Kids

Wondering what else is out there besides trick or treating for the kiddos? Here are a few events to consider…

Pumpkin Carving Contest – Harraseeket Inn, 162 Main Street, Freeport

Open to children and adults of all ages. Bring your carved pumpkin to the Harraseeket Inn by Friday October 30th. Winners will be announced October 31st. Adult prize is dinner for two in the Broad Arrow Tavern or the Maine Dining Room. Child prize (16 and under) is a pizza and pool party for you and 4 of your friends. Winners need not to be present to win. Cost is $1.00 to vote for you favorite pumpkin and all proceeds go to Freeport Community Services. For more information, please visit the Harraseeket Inn at 162 Main Street in Freeport, or call (207)865-9377.

Halloween Spooktacular – Portland High School, Cumberland Ave., Portland

2 p.m. Saturday, October 31, 2009 – Ghoulish performances, Children’s Costume contest and more presented by the Portland Ballet. Tickets available at http:// www.brownpapertickets.com

Halloween party and Crazy Maze – ATA Karate for Kids of Falmouth, 196 US Rt 1 Falmouth

1-3pm Saturday, October 31, 2009 – Family oriented halloween costume party and Crazy Maze adventure. The ATA Karate for Kids studio in Falmouth hosts this annual event, and the maze takes nearly 2000 “scare” feet of space! There will be guided tours of the maze with storytelling, games, food and fun! Admission: $5.00 per child or $10.00 for an entire family. Register now by calling 781-4226, as space is limited.

PortlandTaps.com

So many beers…So little time. The well-known poster could not be more true.

Thankfully, the folks at PortlandTaps.com have simplified your beer drinking experience here in Portland with their great website. If you’re in search of a cold beer, wondering where you can find a particular one, want to know what you will spend on a night on the town drinking, or simply wish to know the latest drink specials in the area, this site is designed for you.

PortlandTaps.com brings the bar menu to you online. You have a general overview of the bars in the area where you can find beer, and what you’ll pay for your brew at each establishment. A great way to check in on the brews out there, and figure out when, where, and what you might try during your next trip to the bars.

As the creators state, one of the reasons for the site was to provide a guide of information about the beers you’re drinking and the prices you’re paying. That being said, my favorite piece on the site is the Beer Select Menu, where you can pick the beer you want, click Apply, and it generates a list of where you will find that beer, beginning with the cheapest option. You may already know you can grab a pint of Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale at Grace Restaurant on Chestnut Street for $4.00, but were you aware you can grab one for $3.00 at Mathew’s on Free Street, or $3.50 at Howie’s Pub on Washington Ave.

Hey, so there you go…you can figure out what you want to drink, where you want to drink it, all on the web before you head out. BRILLIANT!!

Halloween Costume Parties

Wondering what is going on this Halloween in and around Portland? With Halloween falling on the weekend this year, and an extra hour of sleep on Sunday I might add, there certainly is not a lack of fun and excitement in store for the young and old.  Here is a list of a number of events you may wish to consider…

Friday, October 30:

1st Annual PumpkinHead Bash
The Landing, 353 Pine Point Rd, Scarborough

Get the weekend started early on Friday, Halloween Eve. Hit the dance floor and enjoy the live music of Colorblind, and martini and Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale specials (21+ event). Costumes encouraged and prizes will be awarded. Even better, shuttle will be available to and from Park and Ride on Marginal Way. Tickets: $20 each, and add $7.50 for transportation from the Portland’s Park and Ride (I-295 Exit 7, near Marginal Way and Franklin Arterial). Doors open at 8pm. Shuttle leaves Portland at 8 pm and 9 pm, and returns from The Landing at 11:30 pm and 12:30 am. Tickets available at TheLandingPinePoint.com

A Nightmare on Fore Street
58 Fore Street, Portland – Portland Yacht Company

Brought to you by the folks at PortSports Social Club, the scary costume party Halloween Bash will feature a best costume contest, music, dancing, and prizes. The Dogfish Cafe will cater a full cash bar and provide sweets and snacks. Tickets are $15 and are very limited. PortSports members and friends are invited. Disclaimer: Due to liquor license laws, all attendees must register and buy tickets to this event before October 29 at 11:59 PM. No entry will be allowed to party goers that show up and are not on the list. NO EXCEPTIONS! This event is for PortSports members and friends 21 year of age or older. ID’s will be checked at door. Friday October 30, 2009 8:00PM – 1:00AM. You can join PortSports for free by visiting www.PortSportsMaine.com.

For more information, please visit: PortSports Halloween Event

Goth Ball – Goth Through The Ages
The Asylum, 121 Center St, Portland

Another Halloween Eve event. With the theme “Goth through the Ages!” attendees are encouraged to pick their favorite type of goth and go to the extreme. The best “outfit” wins free admission to PLAGUE for the rest of 2009. Admission: $4 and free before 9:30pm. 21+ event. For more information, please visit - www.gothicmaine.com

Saturday, October 31:

Q-Ball – Portland’s Biggest Halloween Party

At the new Bingas Wingas Stadium Smokehouse & Sports Bar beginning at 9pm, with $1,000 in prizes in the Q Costume Contest, with $500 going to the best costume. Everyone in attendance will be eligible to win the Grand Prize – a trip to Miami to see Lady Gaga on New Years Eve.

Tickets are $15, and can be purchased at Bull Moose Music, Bingas, or online at Brown Paper Tickets. You can also win tickets by listening to Q97.9 radio

14th Annual Halloween Thriller – Sid Tripp & Proactive Resources
Mariner’s Church Banquet Hall, 386 Fore Street, Portland

Another exciting costume party featuring the haunting sounds of Under The Covers, this party promises to rock the Old Port for another Halloween. Tickets are $20 and can be prepaid by calling (207) 772-3599, or you can pay cash only at the door. 21+ event. For more information, please visit www.ProactiveResources.com/Halloween. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to local Southern Maine charities. Doors open at 8pm. Party lasts until 1am.

3rd Annual Halloween Bash
Frog and Turtle Gastro Pub, 3 Bridge St, Westbrook

Come enjoy a great night of fun as the folks at Frog and Turtle transform their dining room into a haunted attic. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Ticket includes band, food buffet, and chocolate treat table. Costume prizes will be awarded as follows; Best costume – trip to Vermont and tour of Long Trail Brewery,  Most Original costume: Mug Club membership,  Sexiest Costume: Westbrook Spa Package,  Couples Costume: Special custom 5 course dinner with wine. Good luck!!

A Spooktacular Evening With Absolute Health Chiropractic

Looking for an opportunity to relax and unwind before the ghosts and jack-o-lantern’s overwhelm you on Halloween Night?

Then check out the Spooktacular Evening at Absolute Health Chiropractic, located located at One City Center – The Bay Club. Absolute Health Chiropractic is unlike your average chiropractic office, they are dedicated to treating the whole person not JUST their pain. Join Dr. Caitlin Morrisroe and the rest of the Absolute Health Chiropractic staff as they celebrate the autumn season in style.

Featured participants include tarot card reading, foot reflexology, massage and Reiki. Cocktails and snacks will also be provided.

Don’t miss this chance to kick back from 6 pm – 8:30 PM on Tuesday, October 27th for a great cause. Tickets are $50 and all proceeds will benefit the Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM) which advocates for victims and survivors of sexual assault.

There is still VERY limited space available so call today and sign up (207-699-2622)