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Maine’s Social Media Event Double Header

September 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment

This week in Portland, Maine could quite possibly be summed up as the best week ever for social media! With only a couple days of summer left, there is no better way to ring in the beginning of fall. Are you a small business owner, professional marketer, PR professional, entrepreneur,  and/or non-profit?  Do you want to learn how to maximize the results you get from social media? Or do you feel like you need to get on board with social media to get your brand out there, but you have no clue where to begin & are completely overwhelmed? You are certainly not alone! This is the perfect week for you to get on track & figure out what you should be doing & how you should go about doing it. There are two big events this week in Portland, Maine; Social Media FTW Fall Conference & Social Media Breakfast Maine…

This Wednesday, September 22nd from 8AM to 5PM is the 3rd annual Social Media FTW Fall Conference at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. This conference will include sessions taught by industry leaders in social media, blogging, podcasting, branding, internet marketing and so much more. This full-day conference promises to deliver hands-on help for those who are new to social networking as well as higher level strategy sessions for those already involved in social marketing efforts. There are so many great speakers lined up for the day. I am looking forward to hearing from the two keynote speakers; Mike Volpe, CMO at Hubspot & Saul Colt, Head of Magic at Freshbooks, as well as networking, meeting new faces & making new connections.

*Just added: Unofficial September Tweetup 5 – 8:00 PM; After FTW! Cash bar. Abromson Center, USM, Portland

The following afternoon, September 23rd from 4 – 7:30 PM is September’s Social Media Breakfast Maine at the Eastland Park Hotel. It is usually in the morning & it is usually breakfast, but because of the previous day’s FTW Conference, they decided to move it to the afternoon & have it be a happy hour style event. The topic is How Local Breweries Are Using Social Media. [I wrote a blog post titled; 'Find Your Favorite Maine Brewery Using Social Media', back in July that you might want to check out. :) ] This ‘breakfast’  will be different in that there won’t be any bacon, but there will be beer. That’s a fair trade right? Also, Chris Brogan will be there co-hosting the event with Amanda O’Brien. Chris’s blog, [chrisbrogan.com], is in the Top 5 of the Advertising Age Power150. He has over 11 years’ experience in online community, social media, and related technologies. Oh & he also knows a thing or two about good beer. ;)

This is guaranteed to be a week chock-a-block full of anything & everything social media. Social media marketing, as we all know is extremely powerful. There are so many possibilities & opportunities. I hope you join me this week & are able to take part in Maine’s social media double header!

Filed Under: Blogging, Breweries, Fall, Maine, Portland, Social Media, technology · Tagged With: , , , , ,

Getting the Most Out of Fall in Maine

September 10, 2011 by 3 Comments

Thompson's Orchard. New Gloucester. Maine


“Wake me up when September ends.” Did anyone else hear those Green Day lyrics on September 1st & kinda sorta agree? I have to admit that at first, the idea of summer ending makes me so sad, but once I begin to think of how wonderful the next few months are in Maine during fall/autumn, I smile.

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Filed Under: Fall, Maine, Outdoor Activities, Portland · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Have You Heard Me On WJBQ 97.9 with Teddy McKay?

August 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

My radio debut on 7.26.2011!

This past Wednesday, August, 3 2011, at 2:40PM, I began my radio gig, ‘Stiffler’s Social Scoop’ on Portland’s #1 Hit Music station WJBQ 97.9 with Teddy McKay. Yes, I was nervous! But radio is so much fun & I can’t wait to get more comfortable with it! Let me share with you how this all came to be…

About three weeks ago, [July 15th to be exact because it was the Friday Nate & I closed on our new house! Amazing day!] Teddy asked me if I would like to do a radio segment with him about the social scene in & around Portland as well as some social media stuff and gossip? Basically bring my blog to the radio. I immediately said “Yes, tell me more!” We talked early that next week after my family & friends helped us move our life from our little 2 bedroom condo into a big house! [I have 2 completely empty rooms right now & I kinda love it!]

I went into the studio that week so that I could see how everything works and to get a sense of what radio is like. I was at the studio for about 3 hours that afternoon and at the end of Teddy’s shift, he & Rob Steele introduced me & ‘Stiffler’s Social Scoop’ to the radio world! Wheeee!

Teddy warned me that the first time I heard my voice I would be like “Whoa!”, and it was just like that. Of course in a radio studio you have reallllly nice mic’s that are made to make your voice sound great, but it still is a little weird. I spent a few minutes talking about my blog, Google+, as well as the upcoming August Maine Tweetup. And Yes! I was nervous, just like anyone would be, I think. But it wasn’t as nerve-wracking as I thought it would have been. [Prob because there are no cameras, just your voice ;) ]. But it’s FUN! Teddy didn’t record me because he wants me to have a couple weeks of practice under my belt or else I will just torture myself with trying to make sure I sound perfect. So once I get the hang of this radio thing, I will post the audio clips so that you can all hear if you miss the live thing. I will also make sure to post my weekly segment recap’s under the ‘My Q97.9 Segment‘ tab at the top of this page.

I hope you all join me along this journey! I’m excited for the potential of the segment and to see how it will evolve!

Filed Under: Radio Segment, Social Media · Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Maine Breweries: Find Your Favorite Maine Brewery Using Social Media

July 26, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy of LiveME

I’ve met very few people so far in my life that dislike beer [& the ones that I do are usually girls... Sorry ladies, but I had to call ya out! ;) ]. Except I do have a girl friend that can’t burp, so she doesn’t like beer. & that makes sense, right? There are many breweries that seem to understand the importance of social media & how engaging with their customers, as well as potential customers can make a world of difference when it comes to building their brand. If you are a brewery, you have a brand & you need social media.

I thought it would be fun to do some online exploring to see what Maine breweries are using social media & what they are doing with it. Mainers are always looking for something different & fun to do and often, we forget that we have a plethora of options right at our fingertips, year round! One great thing about beer is that it can be enjoyed all year, every season, but may be enjoyed a little bit more during those hot summer months. So get ready to ‘like’ and ‘follow’ your favorite Maine breweries & keep your eye out in your favorite store for a one of a kind, Maine beer. There are many options, so get chugging!  Also! Some of the breweries offer tours, but you have to act quick because ’tis the beer season! “Even better than a tour of a brewery?”, you ask. There are a couple of events this summer in Maine that are sure to make your day or weekend. On Saturday, July 30th in Boothbay The Maine Brewers’ Guild will host a “Craft Beer Comes to Boothbay” beer tasting event from 1:00 -4:00PM. If Boothbay isn’t what you were thinking, wait for Labor Day weekend… That when the 1st Annual Portland Brew Festival will be held  in the Portland Company Complex at 58 Fore Street. There will be 25+ brewers from around New England as well as 75+ varieties of beer to choose from. There will also be 3 sessions that you can buy tickets for that weekend; Saturday, 9/3 12 – 3:30PM, Saturday, 9/3 5 – 8:30PM & Sunday, 9/4 12 – 3:30PM.

  • The Shipyard Brewery – Summer Ale? Yes please! Right? How about Pumpkinhead? [It's coming sooooon by the way! :) ] By liking Shipyard on Facebook & following them on Twitter [as well as the rest of the breweries I mention in this post], you can stay up to date with what is going on with their brews, as well as the chance to win several things, including Maine lobsters! Shipyard has been brewing beer in Maine since 1994. They do full brewery tours every Tuesday nights from 5:30 – 7:30PM, but as I check their website, it looks like every Tuesday night for the rest of the summer is booked! [I'm also pretty sure I heard a rumor that there may be Apple beer coming soon, but I can't promise that!]
  • Sea Dog Maine Beer Co. – Have you ever tried their Apricot Wheat Beer? Freaking -phenominal! The Sea Dog Microbrewery & Restaurant has 3 locations; South Portland, Topsham & Bangor [& a Facebook page for each barney the sea doglocation] These 3 locations not only offer a full menu of their handcrafted ales, but also a really yummy pub style menu. If you’ve ever wondered how Sea Dog got their white dog mascot, let me tell you. His name is Barney & he was a Great Pyrenees. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us, but of course, his memory lives on and on. Barney loved the water [most Great Pyrenees want nothing to do with it], but he jumped in whenever the opportunity arose. He also loved to sail, which he began doing at just 3 months old, hence his nickname “Sea Dog.” :) You can also follow Sea Dog on Twitter where you can tweet about how much you love their beer.
  • Peak Organic Brewing Company – Peak is a small brewing company dedicated to making delicious, creative, hand-crafted ales. When possible, they prefer to source from local farmers who grow organically. These artisanal farmers tend to grow the highest quality ingredients, making their beer very tasty. One of my favorite things about this brew company [beside the fact they try to use only organic ingredients], is their use of social media! Of course they have a Facebook page & Twitter account, but they also have a page on their website where you can share/celebrate the ‘Peak’ moments in your life . They also give you the opportunity to have your story shared in their newsletter, as well as on their packaging. In 2009, Peak helped Maine farmers cultivate commercial hops, the first such harvest since 1880. Organic hops? Wicked cool!. This is a brewing company that certainly ‘gets it’ when it comes to brewing beer & social media. You can find your http://www.dearinternet.net/wp-admin/post.php?post=1572&action=edit&message=10favorite Peak beer in your local grocery store/liquor store, as well as in a number of restaurants from Washington D.C. to New York & Boston!
  • D.L. Geary Brewing – Geary’s is a company that is only a month older than me! ;) Incorporated in October of 1983 by Karen & David Geary, they shared a vision of producing world class products on a small scale for local and regional consumption. And that’s exactly what they did. At that time, there were only 13 so-called micro-breweries and most of them were in California and the Pacific Northwest. In December of 1986, New England’s first microbrewery was born! You can like them on Facebook & follow them on Twitter to stay up to date on their 5 full time products, as well as their 3 seasonal brews. You can also give Geary’s a call to schedule an appointment for a tour of Maine’s first micro.
  • Sebago Brewing Co. – Sebago Brewing was established in 1998 has four restaurant locations; Kennebunk, Scarborough, Portland Old Port, Gorham, as well as their Production Facility & Corporate Offices in Gorham. You can like them on Facebook as well as follow them on Twitter to stay in the loop on specials, as well as trivia night information. They also offer a gluten free menu, which I learned from reading a comment someone left asking if they did on their Facebook page. They have a cool feature on their site where you can upload a photo of you and your friends enjoying Sebago beer & you could find your photo in their ‘Gallery’ section of their website.
  • Gritty McDuff’s Brewery – Since 1988, Gritty’s has been a popular brewpub in the Old Port. They even claim on their Twitter page that they are the first brewpub in Maine to open since prohibition ended. ;) They currently have three English style brew pubs [Portland, Freeport, Auburn] that offer great food as well as a full selection of their yummy brews. Gritty’s is a very popular spot in our Old Port. Aside from the great food, drink & service they also have a number of long picnic like tables that provide a great place for a big group of friends to pile in & enjoy themselves! They also have the best chocolate cake, maybe ever! [Of course, that's a matter of personal opinion, but I am certainly a huge fan of their Black Fly Stout Cake. [Yes! It's made with their Black Fly Stout beer :) ]
  • Baxter Brewing Co. – This brewery located in Lewiston, Maine is a little different than the rest. They only package their beer in cans, hence their motto; “We do what we can. We can what we do.” Why the cans? They explain on their website that there are several reasons for it; Cans are better for the environment because they are made of a minimum of 50% post-consumer  recycled aluminum. Cans are also better for beer because they block out the UV light, which is said to be death for fresh beer. [Makes sense when you think about it doesn't it?] And cans can often go places where glass cannot. Maybe you’ve found yourself in such a situation? The brewery, which is located in the historic Bates Mill Complex in downtown Lewiston, Maine, is open daily[Except for Sunday & Monday's] for tours and tasting. You can also like them on Facebook & follow them on Twitter. If you are wondering where you can find & try their canned beer locally, check out the Can Finder on their website!
  • Allagash Brewing Co. – Allagash White anyone? Yummmm! Allagash is a Belgian-style brewery that was started in 1995 as a one man operation in a small space right outside of Portland. Tours are available at their retail store, which is currently under construction at 50 Industrial Way in Portland. They have a really cool section on their website where they offer beer pairings & recipes. I am surely going to do that soon because that Allagash White Beer Sabayon [dessert] sounds like it would be a hit with my other half. ;) You can also like them on Facebook, as well as follow Naomi Neville’s tweets, as she [@AllagashNaomi] is the official tweeter for Allagash Brewing Company.

If I missed one of your favorite Maine breweries, please let me know! What is your favorite Maine brew[ery] to visit, to taste or to follow on your favorite social media network?

 

Photo courtesy of LiveME

Filed Under: Breweries, Maine, Portland · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

5 Great Ideas For Date Night In Maine

July 10, 2011 by 1 Comment

View from the deck at Portland Lobster Company in Portland. Perfect summertime date night location!

As a child that grew up in Maine, I never appreciated how truly amazing the state I call “home” really is until several years ago. As a kid, you only know what you know. I knew that I lived in Maine, winters were really snowy, I got a lot of snow days, the summers seemed to go on forever and were always the best part of the year [besides Christmas! ;) ]. As an adult, I have come to appreciate my home state more and more as time goes on. It’s awesome and when you have someone to share it with, it makes it all that much better.

The nice weather that we all crave so much during the winter months is finally HERE, so it only makes sense to take as much advantage of it if you can, while you can.

I have put together a list of 5 date night ideas that I would recommend to anyone that lives in or around Portland, Maine.

Peaks Island Date - In just 15 minutes [approx. 3 miles from downtown], you can go from Portland to Peaks Island [which is part of Portland]. “Peaks” as the locals call it is the most populous island in Casco Bay and was once known as the “Coney Island” of Maine because of its hotels, cottages, theaters & amusement parks and became a popular summer destination during the late 19th century. Unfortunately, most of the hotels were lost during fires over the years, but the island’s charm has not been lost at all and that’s why I think it’s one of the most perfect dates.

If you catch a ferry via the Casco Bay Lines, you can get breakfast or lunch on the island… The Inn On Peaks Island is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week with breakfast served on Sunday mornings. The pub stays open later based on the ferry schedule. The inn brews and serves its own beer with an in-house 15 gallon brewing system. That’ll impress that man in your life. ;) The Cockeyed Gull [located on Island Avenue and just a short walk the from the ferry terminal] is another restaurant location with a deck overlooking Casco Bay. They serve lunch & dinner daily and breakfast on Saturday & Sunday mornings. I recently visited & was surprised to see on the bottom of their menu this: The Great State of Maine kindly invites you to order a bottle of wine with your dinner and take the remainder home. We will throw in a couple of paper cups in case you find some moonlight on a dock. :) After you enjoy your meal, head on over to Brad’s Island Bike Rentals & Repairs and pick up a bike [you can even get one with a basket!]. It costs about $10 for 3 hours, but with that comes a map as well as recommendations for you to stop off at during your voyage. When you are done with you island date, hop the ferry back to Portland!

Golf Driving Range Date – I have always loved to drive golf balls… I think it’s the field hockey in me ;) , and most guys I know really enjoy hitting a bucket or two of balls from time to time. When it comes to playing a “round” of golf… I’m all set… Waaaayyyy tooooo slooooowwww for me… Let’s hit those suckers one after another, after another… a nd not chase it around 18 holes? Sounds like a plan to me! So if you are in the Greater Portland area, I have some driving range suggestions for you… Maine has abo ut 20 golf  practice facilities and driving ranges across the state, so next time you are struggling to find something different to do for date night, consider checking out Tee ‘N Tee Golfland, Inc. in Westbrook. They are located on Route 302, on the right after the Riverside Dunkin Donuts if you are coming from Portland. There isn’t a whole lot to do in that area, but after wards I would suggest heading back up Route 302 towards Portland and to Tortilla Flat [It is literally right up the road, only about a minute or two on the left] and enjoy some margaritas, chips & guacamole or maybe some homemade key lime pie? It’s YUM!

Prout’s Neck Cliff Walk Date -If you have never gone on this walk, and you live in Maine… You HAVE to do it! It is absolutely breathtaking and the history of that land is also very special to Scarborough, Maine. Winslow Homer was an American landscape painter and print maker. He had a studio on Prout’s Neck that inspired many of his famous paintings. He died in 1910 at his studio which is now owned by the Portland Museum of Art. However, right along the coast is a beautiful one mile long [rocky!] cliff walk. *Do not think you can wear flip flops or any open-toed shoes… I made the mistake and almost broke my toe! Get your sneaks for this one! ;) It is a little hidden to find… I parked at Ferry Beach which is down the road a ways before you get to the very end of the peninsula… They have some public parking [It costs $10 during the day during the summer months]. I believe that you can also park at Black Point Inn, but I wouldn’t bank on that one unless you are paying to stay there. To find the Cliff Walk, you need to go all the way to the end of the road, past the yacht club and right before the gate, a little ways down a rocky driveway, is a path on the left… As you head down it you will see signs about dogs being allowed, but that you need to pick up after them… You’ll know you’re in the right spot then, but only after you feel like you are trespassing. You’re not, don’t worry :) It’s an amazingly beautiful walk with so many opportunities for photos! There are some grassy areas, as well as flat rocks that would be the perfect spot for a picnic!

Fondue Group Date at Home - I recently had fondue for the first time at a friend’s house! It is so much fun to do with a group of friends. You can do an appetizer, dinner AND dessert all with one fondue pot! This date is something you can do at your home with your special someone, OR you could invite over a couple of couple’s and enjoy the conversation created by the magic of fondue! If you’ve never had fondue, let me give you a little 411…  The word

Our Bananas Foster fondue dessert!

“fondue” comes from a French word “fondre” which means “to melt.” The “melting” is in reference to what’s going on in the fondue pot! When I recently had fondue for the first time, I was so impressed that you can cook; an appetizer, usually french bread, dipped in cheese [very delish!], the main course AKA meat fondue, which can be several different types of meat [we had chicken, shrimp & steak] cooked [dipped] in hot oil and then there are also several different fondue dipping sauces that are popular to serve with fondue. You have to make sure you time how long you cook the meat for, to ensure you cook everything thorough and don’t cross contaminate utensils with raw meat and then you can top it all off with dessert. We had a variety of different things [check out the photo] that we dipped in the Bananas Foster fondue. I can’t wait to get my very own fondue pot and begin having group fondue dates in our brand new house! If you are interested in doing the same, check out this website, Fondue Bits for some recipes. If you are interested in the Bananas Foster recipe, check out the Melting Pot Bananas Foster version. I defintely suggest you make it for your date and/or guests! 

Drive-In Movie Theater Date – Growing up, my parent’s took my little brother and I to the drive-in movie theater all of the time during the summer months. I always loved getting  my pajamas, going to the store and picking out all sorts of goodies and grabbing our blankets and pillows and piling into the back of car to watch not one, but TWO good movies. That is, if we were able to stay awake through the second movie. I also remember seeing in movies growing up, drive-in movie theater dates which were always just an excuse to make out or “neck” as my parent’s generation calls it. ;) In southern Maine there are a couple options when it comes to choosing a drive-in movie theater. My personal favorite is the Saco Drive-In! This year you can enjoy two movies for just $15 per vehicle. That’s a really good deal! You can also bring your dog… Just make sure you clean up after them and they aren’t barking throughout the entire movie… No one wants to deal with that! There are several other open drive-in theaters in Maine that would also be perfect for a date night. Watching a movie in your own car is always a more comfortable environment. It’s also a great experience!

What are your favorite date night ideas?! Please feel free to share them below in the comments! I am always looking for some new ideas! :)

Filed Under: Beaches, Maine, Portland, Relationships · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why I Love Bikram Yoga

June 15, 2011 by 1 Comment

If we are friends chances are you have heard me talk about Bikram Yoga and I have probably tried to get you to come to class with me. It’s an amazing experience that some may associate with “hell” [amateurs!], but I like to think of it as the ultimate mind and body challenge. And, well that’s exactly what it is. About a year and a half ago I went to my first Bikram yoga class and I was absolutely amazed at what it did to my body [I have an old back injury from high school] and how it made me feel [depending on your weight you will burn between 500 - 800 calories per class!] I have even gotten my fiance Nate to go class with me several times, pushing through the mental and physical challenge, and feeling like a million bucks at the end of the 90 minute class.

Bikram Yoga is HOTTTTT yoga, the room is usually at about 101 degrees Farenheit. The class is 90 minutes long and you go through an intense, 26 postures, each done twice. But don’t freak out because anyone can do it. My biggest advice is to make sure you hydrate enough before class and only breathe through your nose [with the exception of the first set of standing deep breathing exercises, called pranayama].  Once you start breathing through your mouth you throw your nervous system all out of whack and that’s when you start to panic and hyperventilate, feeling like you won’t make it through. You need to remain CALM! And as long as you do that, you will eventually train yourself to flow through the postures and they will become easier each and every time.

I love Bikram Yoga because it is a complete body workout. I also love to sweat and if you love to sweat out all the yucky toxins in your body, you want to come to this class.

If you are a runner, you NEED to try this yoga practice. There are many reasons why runners love Bikram:

  • You sweat! Remember that 90% of your body is made up of water, so flushing out toxins and re-hydrating with fresh water will keep your body very happy and healthy. Your skin will love you for it too!
  • You can practice with an injury! If you are a runner, chances are you have had injuries over the years. Get to Bikram! It will cure your injuries [even the old ones that you didn't realize were holding you back in your performance] and keep you in shape. The postures will help to flush out old scar tissue and other yucky toxins leaving your body flushed and back to its natural state [Think for a second of all of the toxins and chemicals in everything... Yeah, wicked scary!]
  • You will build tremendous lung capacity! 90 minutes of Bikram is equivalent to 90 minutes of running as far as your cardiovascular system is concerned.
  • It was improve your posture and give you an incredible spine! After you have been practicing for a while you will notice a wonderful improvement in your back and the way you feel sitting at your desk for eight hours a day. ;)
  • You will sleep better than ever! Make healthier food choices and overall I guarantee that you will feel so much better about yourself, inside and out. Yoga also is responsible for making your body much more immune to disease and sickness.
  • Bikram Yoga will give you the mental push you need that will help you realize that as humans, we have the potential to do absolutely anything we want to do. If you can dream it, you can do it. We all can agree and say “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yoga is great for you…” but this mental and physical challenge will change your life for the better. I guarantee it!

Are you open to trying Bikram Yoga? The 1st step is to have an open mind and the confidence that you can do it! If you live in or around the Portland, Maine area you need to go visit Michael & Angela at their studio, Maine Bikram Yoga. They are both amazing teachers! Your first class is free and they have free childcare [Ages 4 months and up!] Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30AM and on Saturday’s at 2:00PM, so no excuses!

If you already practice Bikram Yoga, what is biggest benefit or difference that is has made in your body and/or mind?!

 

Legal disclaimer – I am clearly NOT a doctor so don’t listen to what I just said until  you check with your doctor to make sure it is OK for you to practice Bikram Yoga. :)

 

Photos courtesy of Maine Bikram Yoga

Filed Under: Health & Fitness, Yoga · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Social Media Day 2011 – Portland, Maine Mashable Meetup

June 6, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Maybe you have been seeing or hearing about Mashable and aren’t really sure what that or they are all about? Mashable covers social media news, events and everything in-between. This year is the 2nd year Mashable has presented ‘Social Media Day’ via Mashable Meetup’s, which are worldwide events that are held to celebrate the technological advancements that enable everyone to connect with real-time information, communicate from miles apart and have their voices be heard… AKA the Facebook & Twitter social media revolution!

Outside deck at the Porthole Restaurant

To sum is up… This is a time for anyone and everyone in the Portland, Maine area that is a web enthusiast, blogger, Facebook, Twitter user… And let’s face it, in 2011 that is pretty much everyone! So, on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 7:00PM at the Porthole Restaurant, everyone that is friends online will be able to meet offline, in real life. Sounds like fun right? Well it is! And the Porthole is one of the most perfect locations in Portland for this event because of their large outside deck that overlooks picturesque Casco Bay, as well as their ice cold beverages which are always enjoyed after a long day of work… especially on a Friday Eve! ;)

So mark your calendar & plan to come on down on the 30th for social media mixer! I hope to see you all there! Please RSVP via the Mashable Meetup Facebook event page.

Images courtesy of Mashable.com & Roadfood.com

Filed Under: Local Events, Maine, Portland, Social Media · Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Why I Loved The Signature Event!

March 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A birds eye view from the balcony of the Commandery Knights Templar Armory room

On Monday evening the rarely seen Masonic Temple on Congress Street in Portland, Maine hosted one of the coolest events I have attended in a long time! More than 400 people attended the Maine Restaurant Week kick off party, The Signature Event – Cocktail & Dessert Competition, where more than a dozen bartenders and pastry chefs served up some of the most delicious treats & cocktails that I have ever tasted! For $30/ticket, and from 5 – 8PM we were able to sample anything & everything  as many times as we wanted with the opportunity to  vote on the desserts & cocktails that we enjoyed the most. The party was held in two large rooms that open into the entry hall. It was perfect & I hope to attend more events there very soon.

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Filed Under: Local Events, Maine, Portland · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Are you looking for something to do outside this Spring?!

April 27, 2010 by 11 Comments

Since becoming the owner of a Golden Retriever puppy about a year ago & living in the Portland, Maine area, I have made it a priority to find and seek out trails & hikes that we can explore & enjoy. I have always loved being outdoors. When I began to research trails and hikes in the area, I immediately discovered trails.org. AH HA! Just what I was hoping to find. This is the website is dedicated to the 50 mile network of trails in Greater Portland, Maine. There are so many options for trails in this area. There really isn’t an excuse to why you cannot get outside and get some exercise. (Well maybe if it’s raining) Bring your dog to enjoy the fun too! Mostly all of the trails allow dogs, but  I grew up in the woods of Maine…well sort of…it isn’t as rural as it sounds, but as a young adult when I moved to Portland, I thought “Oh great, here goes my love for wildlife and nature.” Not true at all. I encourage all of you to check out the Portland Trails. Plus it’s free, so it really doesn’t get much better than that :)

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Filed Under: Health & Fitness, Maine, Portland · Tagged With: , , , ,

The Valentine Bandit(s?) of Portland, Maine♥

February 15, 2010 by 2 Comments

I have spent the past couple of years living in & around Portland, Maine, enjoy my 20s. It is by far my most favorite city ever & as I have come to realize, it seems to get more & more interesting each & every year. Maybe it is because I will soon be approaching 30 & seem to notice a  bit more, but there are so many little things that happen in & around Portland that make it unique & truly unlike any other city in America. One of which is the Valentine Bandit which has struck Portland every February 14th since 1976, taping red hearts printed on sheets of white paper all over Portland and even in other nearby cities (I saw a heart taped to the new Westbrook Middle School this year!) People try and guess who it is responsible, but if you ask me, I will tell you that I don’t want to know! That takes all the fun out of it…just relax people & try to think for a minute that maybe there is someone or more than one out there that just wants to put a smile on your face whether you are acting miserable & single or happy & in-love. It can bring you back for a minute & help you to realize what life is all about. LOVE. It is what we are all chasing & don’t try to deny it because it is human nature. It is the ultimate emotion that we can feel & experience as humans (at least I think so) & maybe one of the only pure & true things that still exists on this planet. I guess it is what keeps us going everyday & keeps us together. I do know that the heart is frail & easily broken, but it is wonderfully resilient :)

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