A Great Way to See Portland

Gorham Bike And Ski located at 693 Congress Street is a convenient location to the Pomegranate Inn and a terrific resource for a new way to experience Portland's downtown and beyond.

I had a visit by one of their employees the other day on a very fun and retro Comfort Bike to let me know about their rental services.

Here's just a sampling of what they offer:

Comfort Bikes

Pro Road Bikes

Tandem Bikes (What fun!)

Car Racks

I love the fact that all their bike rentals include a helmet, lock, waterbottleholder and platform pedals.

Consider a bike tour during your next trip to the Pomegranate Inn!

Architalx 2009 Lecture Series

Each spring, Architalx produces a world-class lecture series presented by architects, landscape architects, engineers, and designers from around the world who address contemporary design issues with exemplary projects. The lectures are a means to engage the public by expanding an awareness of design and the environments in which we live.

Please join Architalx in their 21st season as four contemporary design practitioners share their vision to create engaging, meaningful spaces.

April 2 - Tom Kundig, Award-winning Seattle based architect
April 9 - Michael van Valkenburgh, Award-winning NYC based landscape architect
April 16 - Charles Walker, Structural engineer, Zaha Hadid Architects, London
April 23 - Blaine Brownell, Minnnesota based architect exploring new building materials

Lectures will be held on Thursday evenings at 6:00 PM at the Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Square, Portland. Doors open at 5:30. Admission is $8.00

Architalx is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to broadening the awareness and understanding of architecture, landscape architecture and design. Architalx presents lectures, exhibitions, and discussion groups to foster a provocative and creative dialogue within the Maine design communituy.

Funding for Architalx programs comes from their collaborators, lecture attendees, local design firms, corporations, and from the generous support of individual contributors.

Portland Stage Company

The Portland Stage Company presents "Trying" Showing March 31 - April 19. A witty and poignant account about growing old, inspired by the playwright's personal experience as the secretary of Judge Francis Biddle, Attorney General. Biddle has little patience for his young secretary, and they have many battles regarding everything from their differing belief systems to grammar. Eventually their struggle gives way to respect and eventually friendship.

Performance Schedule - Previews: Tues., Wed., Thurs., March 31–April 2, all performances at 7:30 pm
- Opening Night: Friday, April 3 @ 7:30 pm
- Special Performances
- Tuesday Evening: Tuesday, April 14 @ 7:30 pm
- Thespian Thursday Matinee: Thursday, April 16 @ 2:00 pm
- Regular Performances
- Wednesday-Friday at 7:30 pm
- Saturdays at 4:00 pm & 8:00 pm
- Sundays at 2:00 pm
- Final performance: Sunday, April 19 @ 2:00 pm
- ASL performance: Sat., April 11 @ 8:00 pm

Ticket Prices

Note: Special ticket prices for groups are available. Please call for information.
Previews
Adults: $26 • Seniors: $23 • Students: $13
Weekday Performances - Tues., Wed., Thurs. & Fri.: Adults: $32 • Seniors: $29 • Students: $16
Weekend Performances
- Saturdays & Sundays: Adults: $36 • Seniors: $33 • Students: $18

Still showing at the Portland Stage Company through April 11th is "The Passion of the Hausfrau" the adventures of a Portland mom and would-be writer who discovers her own creative power by embarking on a hilarious and heartfelt journey of mythic proportions. Adapted from Portland's own Hausfrau muthah-zine, a self-published quarterly that chronicles the passion that is parenting, written and cartooned by Nicole Chaison.

Performance Schedule


Regular Performances:
Thurs. & Fri. @ 8:00 pm
Saturday @ 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday @ 3:00 pm

Susan Jeske, Former Ms. America

Susan Jeske former Ms. America was facing health issues that led her to a holistic doctor for healing. After hearing what products were in her daily regime, he informed her that they were the cause of her health problems. In only two weeks, her symptoms were gone. This was the first time that Susan realized that what she used on her skin could impact her health. At that point she quit a very successful cosmetic job and started on a journey of study of cosmetics and skin care.
What she found was very disturbing and led to her deciding to share her story and why she is so passionate in her quest to educate the public.


Susan will be speaking at USM on Friday evening March 27 at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27, at the Abromson Center at the University of Southern Maine. Call 207-767-4622 to preregister for the event.

Maine Maple Sunday, March 22

An important piece of Maine heritage and history can be celebrated across the State on this Sunday, March 22. Maine Maple Sunday provides an opportunity for Maple Farmers throughout Maine to open their doors to the public. If you have never experienced a Sugar House in operation, you should take advantage of this opportunity to see how it all works. Many farmers have new boilers, but the concept is the same as it has been for generations. Many farms will offer not only syrup for sale for but you can enjoy tastings of the golden nectar and purchase maple related products.
You can watch the process of turning 40 gallons of raw maple sap into one gallon of golden, delicious maple syrup. It will give you a great appreciation for all the love and labor that goes into every bottle you see on the store shelves. Some sugarhouses are also offering sleigh rides, wagon rides and tours. You may get the opportunity to have maple syrup on pancakes or ice cream...yum yum! There may even be some of you out there that have had the pleasure (and oh, yea, the pain) of Rock Maple Splinters. These are a magical concoction of raw sap, lots of ice (or snow) and whiskey. Maine Maple Sunday is usually more enjoyable if you haven't had Rock Maple Splinters on the Saturday night before......

There's So Much Happening in Portland!

Now through March 22 the Portland Stage Company is in the final days of the offbeat, fun production, "Out of Sterno". Tickets are available at 207-774-0465.

Also in the final days is the exhibition that everyone has been buzzing about on the streets and in the cafes of Portland. Backstage Pass at the Portland Museum of Art is a walk through the history of Rock and Roll through the medium of photography. Remember...Friday nights from 5-closing, the Museum offers free admission!

Cinderella is being presented by the Maine State Ballet on March 21 and 22 at 2 and 7 PM at the Maine State Ballet Theatre. The Theatre is located at 348 US RT One in Falmouth.

The ever popular Smucker's Stars on Ice featuring Olympic, World and National Champion Ice Skaters will be arriving to perform at the Cumberland County Civic Center on Saturday, April 11 at 3 PM. This tour will be featuring Tanith Belbin, Ben Agosto, Evan Luasek and Kimmie Meissner.

The Portland Ballet will be brining the romantic masterpiece, Giselle to the John Ford Theater at Portland High Shool on March 28 at 7:30 and the 29 at 2:00 PM.

Portland Flower Show

The Portland Flower Show has begun! A sure sign of spring...thank goodness....is the annual Portland Flower Show. This year promises to be a great one since other New England Flower Shows have begun to go by the wayside due to our flailing economy. Saturday there will even be a special appearance by Bob Crowley, the "Survivor" winner. Shuttles are being offered that will be going up and down Commercial Street until 30 minutes after the Show each day.
The Show is being held at the Portland company Complex which is located at 58 Fore Street. The hours are 10am-6pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Sunday the hours will be 10 am-5 pm. At the Cafe you will be able to attend daily lectures and there is also a Children's Discovery Garden. Tickets at the door are $15pp with free admission to Children under 12.