Shannon Bryan |

Warm-weather education: 16 cool things to learn

May 15, 2013

The impending summer will certainly teach you a few things (like how sunburns are awful and ice cream is awesome). You might even learn that a cup of wine and some cellophane are an easy trick to get rid of fruit flies (local hint: the Semi Sweet from Maine Mead Works will lure those buggers in like nothing else). But if you’d like to take your warm-weather education to a level beyond dairy products and peeling skin, check out our list of lessons and workshops that’ll teach you something fun and unforgettable:

From here to beer: On tour with The Maine Brew Bus

May 15, 2013

Board The Maine Brew Bus, also known as Lenny, for guided tours (and sampling!) of local breweries, distilleries, and fermentories. It’s rumored that Lenny used to ferry kids to and from schools in Kennebunkport. In a way he’s still in the educational transportation business – except now he conveys scholars of beer, mead, hard cider, and rum.

16 odd Maine spots and road-trip-worthy curiosities

May 10, 2013

Some of Maine’s uniqueness comes naturally. But most of Maine’s “weird” comes straight from the courageous, crafty — dare I say, a little strange — minds of our fair locals. If you can dream it, a Mainer can build it (with a bit of elbow grease, some scrap metal and a blowtorch).

Farms, tables, and strawberry fields: Graze dinners at Pineland

April 25, 2013

Strawberry lovers are going to love the first farm-to-table dinner from Graze at Pineland Farms. The series kicks off June 19 with “Strawberry Fields Forever,” a strawberry-centric four-course dinner served either al fresco or under a tent across from Pineland Farms’ English Gardens.

Creating paper mache people: Puppet-making workshop

April 25, 2013

You don’t need a puppet until you do. Sometimes those moments pop up unexpectedly (Ah! I have a kid! She just asked about the birds and the bees! Ah! I need to make a YouTube video reenactment of Isaac’s live lip-dub marriage proposal and my human friends are all out of town!)

Rams on Congress Street: Portland’s Ebune parade

April 24, 2013

Rams are not indigenous to downtown Portland, which means it’s unlikely you’d see a horde of the horned animals sauntering down Congress Street. Except next Sunday, May 5, you will.

Rams will overtake the eastbound lane of Congress Street from the Maine College of Art (MECA) to the Eastern Prom during Ebune – All Peoples, All Creatures Spring Parade & Celebration.

10 Maine races that take the “run” out of running

April 24, 2013

Lucky for us reluctant runners, there’s a litany of upcoming ~~runs~~ zombie invasions, obstacle courses, mud pits, colored powder showers, escaped fugitives, and finish-line beers to keep us focused on anything but the fact that we’re actually running.

Live in store: Record Store Day performances

April 17, 2013

Record Store Day is bringing music fans and live bands together – in real life, right there in front of you – at participating local record stores around the country. There’s a litany of Record Store Day special releases available only a record stores. Music you can actually look at, hold, and spoon in bed, if that’s your jam.

Four Seasons in a Day: MECA Fashion Show

April 11, 2013

Titled “Maine: Four Seasons in a Day,” the fashion show highlights the designs of MECA alumni and current students, while giving a nod to Maine’s own distinct seasons. And while Portland is no stranger to unique style, the fashion show will certainly be chock full of distinctive pieces that aren’t often seen on the streets of Portland: A Druidic headdress, wood-veneer bow ties, a mouse-pelt vest. Also in the mix, a selection of vintage dresses culled from a larger donation made to the school by Roxanne Quimby.

A local’s way to Casco Bay: Introducing Portland Paddle

April 10, 2013

Portland Paddle aims to change that. The company, run by Quigley and co-owner Zack Anchors, will offer kayak and paddleboard tours, rentals, and lessons from their “mobile unit” at East End Beach. No doubt visitors from away will appreciate the chance to get up close and personal with Portland’s waters. But Portland Paddle also hopes to give locals the opportunity to experience their own watery backyard – maybe for the first time.