The Brand New TV Show – Local Events, Local Humor

Last night I caught an episode of the The Brand New TV Show on WPME channel 17 here in Portland . The magazine style show arrangement and humor made for viewing enjoyment as Co-host and Executive Producer Matthew McDonald shared with viewers the happenings of Portland, as well as local music talent Sidecar Radio, who noted their upcoming gigs which include opening for 311.

Matthew’s delivery of the content kept me glued to 30 minute show wondering what was to come next, along with the Conan O’Brien-like witty/silly comments and questions he posed to the guests and fellow Co-host Chrystie Corns.

I understand the co-hosts and set change each episode, keeping with the ever changing content, as Matthew and Director Scott Hamann of Harbor Light Films provide viewers with Portland events with a touch of the Portland music scene. During this particular episode, they not only mentioned what was going on in the area, there were shout outs to local businesses and individuals, and I noticed they cut to commercials of local businesses like The Beadin’ Path in Freeport.

Overall an impressive show, which already has a strong following thanks to Twitter (you can follow the show at twitter.com/brandnewtvshow and their handle @brandnewtvshow). Perhaps some day I will be a co-host or guest. A man can dream for another 15 minutes of fame…

For more information on the show or to watch previous episodes, please visit their website www.thebrandnewtvshow.com

The Nutcracker – A Family Holiday Tradition

For two weekends only, the Maine State Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at Merrill Auditorium on November 28-29 and December 4-6. You can purchase your tickets through PortTix by calling 207-842-0800 during Box Office Hours Monday through Saturday from 12pm to 6pm, or go online at: tickets.porttix.com

Ticket prices range from $15 – 45 and there are student and senior discounts.

The Nutcracker schedule of performances are as follows;

Sat. Nov 28 at 2pm & 7pm
Sun. Nov 29 at 2pm
Fri. Dec 4 at 7pm
Sat. Dec 5 at 2pm & 7pm
Sun. Dec 6 at 2pm

For more information on this and other performances, please visit their website; www.mainestateballet.org

Coming Soon! New and Improved ILovePortlandMaine.com!

I thought the rainy day here in Portland would be a great opportunity to transition the old page at http://iloveportlandmaine.wordpress.com over to http://www.ILovePortlandMaine.com officially, however, we’re still experiencing some technical / programming issues.

Please bear with us, as we hope http://www.ILovePortlandMaine.com will feature all of the articles and posts you are used to and much more in the weeks to come.

Thank you again for your continued support.

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.