September 2009

By Carol McCracken   (Post # 295)

Luke MacFadyen has more than kept his promise to the community and to himself and so he’s moving on to pursue another interest of his.  He and his business partner, Jeremy House, promised to run the Hilltop Coffee Shop for one year.  That time has come and gone.  So, in July of this year, the two put the popular gathering spot up for sale.

In March of ‘08, the Coffee Shop at 90 Congress Street opened its doors for business after spending the entire previous night moving from across Congress Street.  But that only happened after gutting  the interior and adding the  front windows.  The interior was finished with barn siding that House located.

“There are 3 or 4 local people seriously  interested in buying the property and the business,” said MacFadyen late this afternoon at the Shop.  Several are in the restaurant business already and several are not,” he added.  But so far no one has made an offer on the property which is listed at $450,00 with Jim Landry.

“We want very much to have the place remain as it is – a coffee shop.  70% of the business is done before noon,” MacFadyen said.  The co-owners do not want another restaurant in the neighborhood, but they would like to see the afternoon business enhanced by the sale of pizza or something of that nature.  There have been suggestions such as adding live music, an open mic as well.  “It’s priced to sell as a coffee shop,” MacFadyen said.

As for MacFadyen’s future plans, he is starting up a farm in Richmond where he expects to grow grain and possibly other products. 

“Too much coffee used to make me nervous.  Now I don’t drink any at all and I’m still nervous,” said MacFadyen laughing heartily.

By Carol McCracken (Post # 294)

If all of the financial pieces fall into place as anticipated, it’s likely that new ground will be broken for the 40 unit townhouse style units located on the current site of the Marade Adams School property on the Hill, by early 2011.  That latest information came from Ethan Boxer-Macomber, development officer for Avesta Housing.

The former Adams School was closed a few years ago when the new East End Community School at 195 North Street was opened.  Following the closing an extensive and lengthy review process was conducted by co-chairs Matt Thayer and Dan Haley.  The “Reuse Committee” discussed many options for the use of the building including housing and parking as well as  community space, etc.  “It was the most open public hearing ever in the city,” said Dan Haley earlier today.    

The real estate market for high end condominium units is slow, but Avesta is pursuing the construction of the Beckett Green housing for middle-income families.  However, to do this a subsidy of $3.6 million is required.  To defray some of that cost, Avesta expects to be the recipient of $1.25 million of money from the economic stimulus recovery act.  It also will be asking the city council next month to grant Avesta a TIF for housing in this instance.  Avesta will continue to look for funding to build Beckett Green and there could be as many as 5 – 10 different sources of money said Boxer-Macomber earlier today.  “There is no one signle entity” to finance the buiding he said.  Hopefully, construction will begin by early 2011.

Avesta Housing recently hosted an informational meeting with some of  the community.  Avesta invited some immediate neighbors of the former school as well as those previously involved in the community process.   This  was  the first of many such dialogues with the community said Boxer-Macomber. 

The most recent tenant of the former elementary school was A Company of Girls who left last year.  It was a well regarded non-profit for at risk girls in the area.  A Company of Girls had prior to their residency at Adams, been evicted from its long-time rental at 10 Mayo Street.  Wealthy businesswoman Roxanne Quimby purchased the historic building from PROP.  This summer Backman Painting Co. repaired the exterior of the building and repainted it as well.  However, Quimby has not been available to say what her future plans for this building are.  Quimby has not returned phone calls from MHN.

For more information on the redevelopment of Adams School, please visit www.avestahousing.org.  Click on About Us and then on News.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 293)

The Natural Resources Council of Maine invites you to a 50th anniversary event on Wednesday, October 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Hannaford Hall, at the University of Southern Maine, Portland. 

Dan Reicher, Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives at Google, will be the keynote speaker for the Council’s annual meeting.  Google is investing tens of millions of dollars in clean energy technology.  “Along with innovators, companies, and nations around the globe, Google sees an opportunity and urgency for transforming our economy from one running on fossil fuels to one based largely on clean energy.  The technologies and knowo-how are either available or under development, according to Google, and embracing them will create new industries and millions of jobs, cut energy costs, improve national security and reduce the threat of climage change.”

Prior to Mr. Reicher’s talk, there will be a reception starting at 6:30 p.m. with cash bar and at 7:30 p.m. the annual meeting welcome will be given by Brownie Carson, Executive Director of the Council.  

The event is free and open to the public.  Registration is appreciated.  For more information or to register by telephone, please call Joyce Gracie at (207) 430-0128 or visit us at www.nrcm.org

Meredith Alex, Eating Her Favorite Marguerita Flavored Jelly Beans at Her New Studio, Mad Girls World, at 275 Commercial Street!

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 292)

Plans for the Second Annual Harvest on the Harbor were announced on Thursday at the Ocean Gateway on the Portland waterfront – where most of the events will take place late next month.  Plans for several of the new features were part of the announcements.

Included in the announcements were a new twist for the 2009 Maine Lobster Chef of the Year.  The public will determine which of the three finalists will earn the title.  Those attend the cook-off event on Friday, October 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. will have an opportunity to taste the lobster recipes of the three finalists already selected and then vote for their favorite.  The cook-off happens at Ocean Gateway on Thames Street at the bottom of the Hill.  Tickets for this event and others can be purchased at www.HarvestontheHarbor.com for by calling 207-722-4994.

The three finalists in this year’s lobster cook-off are:  Melissa Bouchard, Chef, Dimillo’s Floating Restaurant, Portland; Rick Skoglund, Jr., Sous Chef, Samoset Resorts, Rockport; and Mackenzie Arrington, graduate of Culinary Institute of America, New York.

An entirely new feature in this three day food and wine festival is the inclusion of the food themed gown installations designed and created by the Hill’s very own relatively new resident Meredith Alex.  Meredith attended the press conference on Thursday with two models wearing her food themed gowns. These two installations will be worn by models  next month in public places in order  to promote the festival;  perhaps places such as the Farmers’ Market in Monument Square and elsewhere in downtown Portland.   (Meredith has been featured in ‘Down East’ magazine.)   For much more on Meredith, please visit post # 284 herein.

“Following last year’s succesful event, we are thrilled to bring you the second annual Harvest on the Harbor,” said Barbara Whitten, President of the Greater Portland Convention &  Visitors Bureau.  “This event highlights Maine’s culinary scene and helps promote this vibrant area but it also shows off the aristic and creative scene we have here.  We realize that this event would not be possible without the enthusiastic support of this wonderful community and sponsors.”

Two corporate sponsors are DOWN EAST Magaine and Hannaford Brothers.  (Attendees must be 21 years +)