Winter Gateway Farmers’ Market Opening Saturday, Nov. 5

YORK—

The Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce our 2011 - 2012 Winter Farmers’ Market season beginning on November 5th at the American Legion!

Steph Oeser, the market manager, says, “We’re looking forward to kicking off this winter season! Last year was a great first year. It usually takes a few years to really establish and develop an event, but the market took off in a way we didn’t fully expect. It was a fantastic learning experience and I’m so excited to see how this season takes shape. Based on vendor surveys and customer feedback from last winter, we changed the hours to 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The new location at the American Legion also provides easy access from Route One and tons of parking (including designated handicap spaces).”

The market is again sponsored by The Bank of Maine.

The 2011 - 2012 Winter Gateway Farmers’ Market will take place on 11 Saturdays between November and March indoors at The American Legion (next to Hannaford), in York, Maine. The dates are as follows: Nov. 5 and 26, Dec. 10 and 17, Jan. 7 and 21, Feb. 4 and 18 and March 3, 17 and 31. The market will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and there will be 25-30 vendors each Saturday. Many of our vendors are back from last winter’s market and several of our regular summer food and craft vendors are also attending. Just like our summer market, this event is always free to attend.

The goal of this market is to support local farmers, food-producers, artists and artisans, while offering a one-stop shopping experience for customers looking to buy all of their produce, breads, sweets, meats and specialty foods for the week. The select crafters at this market offer locally made, unique gifts for you or someone special (especially during the holiday season)!

Check out www.gatewayfarmersmarket.com for a complete list of participants and when they’ll be attending the market. Vendors interested in participating should download an application at www.gatewayfarmersmarket.com or contact Steph Oeser at the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce at 207.363.4422 or stephanie@yorkme.org. Space is limited and filling up quickly.

Photo Caption: Greens from Riverside Farm at last year's winter market. (Courtesy photo)

Updates from the Bridge

By Larry Favinger

Staff Columnist

KITTERY—

The replacement of the Memorial Bridge that connects Portsmouth, N.H., and Kittery continues to move forward on several fronts.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has named a Chicago firm as the apparent team for the design/build contract for the bridge and the Maine Legislative Council has unanimously approved the submission of a bill by State Sen. Dawn Hill, (D-York) to allow signage on Interstate 95 to aid downtown Kittery businesses by directing travelers to them.

Other legislation submitted by Sen. Hill to provide immunity from tort claim lawsuits for a New Hampshire based transportation company looking to expand its one Maine route through Berwick to include Kittery and Eliot since the closing of the Memorial Bridge failed to receive support from the Legislative Council. It was voted down in a 5-5 vote.

Sen. Hill said Monday she will appeal that decision.

A team headed by Archer Western Contractors had been selected for replacement of the bridge that carries Route 1 across the Piscataqua River.

Archer Western submitted a bid price of $81,420,000 to replace the 88-year old lift bridge that is closed to motor vehicle traffic. The projected date for opening the new span is July 2013.

The bid opening is “another important milestone in our aggressive approach in partnership with the Maine Department of Transportation towards building a new Memorial Bridge," Christopher Clement, NHDOT commissioner, said.

"We will get the successful bidder on the job to restore this vital transportation link between New Hampshire and Maine as soon as possible."

Design-build is a process in which the design and construction phases of a project are combined into one contract, with the goal of expediting project completion.

On the legislative front Sen. Hill said she appreciates “the support of legislative leaders to recognize the importance of signage on Interstate 95 “to the people and businesses of this area. I look forward to discussing this issue in the upcoming session.”

“The bridge may be closed, but the community is still open for business,” she continued. “This bill will help the people and businesses of Kittery during this period.”

Sen. Hill said the signage will not be billboard-type that is prohibited by State Law but will help direct traffic to popular local destinations, similar to detour signage.

As to the tort immunity proposal, Sen. Hill said she would like to reinforce the importance of it with help from the business community. She is seeking individuals and businesses to write in support of this legislation.

“I think once I am given the chance to explain the situation, there will be a clear understanding that this bill is of emergency status,” she said. “Input from local businesses and residents will be very helpful in garnering the support needed to move forward.”

At present the New Hampshire company does not fall under Maine’s immunity from tort claim lawsuits because it is located in New Hampshire.

Sen. Hill noted that without protection in Maine Law, the transit business faces insurance issues and is thus reluctant to expand its services. Maine transit organizations are protected from tort claim lawsuits.

A date for appeals has been scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Maine legislators filed over 290 bills for the upcoming session but none is allowed to be processed before the full Legislature unless approved by the council.

The State Constitution limits legislative business during the Second Regular Session to budgetary matters and legislation of an emergency nature.

The legislative session is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012.

Young, Loud and Snotty: A Review of Steve Jobs’ Biography

By Chip Schrader

Staff Book Critic

Biographer Walter Isaacson has covered the lives of innovative thinkers Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, and Henry Kissinger. Being his latest subject, Steve Jobs approached Isaacson about being his biographer while still working on the Einstein biography nearly ten years ago. This was shortly after Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The book was released only weeks after Jobs’ death, but was not necessarily intended for a posthumous release.

The first chapters focus on Jobs’ childhood. His adoption, his biological parents’ more privileged background, and his adoptive parents’ blue collar background lead all the way up to the day his adoptive parents realize this emotional and manipulative child was more intelligent than they were.

The next several chapters borrow and quote heavily from Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak’s autobiography “iWoz.” In fact, the chapters in this section mimic “Woz’s” autobiography by naming and organizing chapters after the Apple products that were being introduced at this stage in their lives: “Apple I, Apple II, Lisa, Macintosh,” etc.

Those who had read “iWoz” can almost skip a good portion of the first one hundred pages without missing too much vital information, but this fact also reinforces that Isaacson’s research seldom, if ever, conflicts in perspective. This consistency of facts about the relationship between Wozniak, Jobs, and the foundation of Apple validates Isaacson’s research. Moreover, Isaacson freely elaborates on many of Jobs’ associates’ backgrounds throughout the book, providing a small biography of each important personality that comes into his life.

Isaacson has interviewed ex-girlfriends, friends, foes, current and former colleagues. There are no pulled punches, and the cheap shots are free game, as they were in Jobs’ life. In later chapters, Isaacson reminds us of how Jobs had worked with the likes of Ross Perot, founded Pixar, and played a major role in Disney picking up a contract with Pixar to supply the 3-D animation technology. We even are given a glimpse at his part in the creation of the “Toy Story” Franchise.

Isaacson’s detailed account of these business endeavors and friendships brings the reader back to the eighties when Atari video games were king, and his description of American culture’s continual evolution. The cast of characters surrounding Jobs’ life paint a vivid reminiscence of a bygone era. Moreover, the biography shows how long and how short the span of thirty years really is, and how quickly the world changed.

Thoroughly researched, and written with a balanced perspective and detail, the book reads like an intelligent conversation. It never lags or gets dull, even the explanation of the technology and business negotiations keep the reader engaged. Isaacson keeps the details pertinent without driving the descriptions over reader’s heads, a tall order when trying to aptly explain such a rapid technological evolution.

With all of the headlines coming out showing how unpleasant Jobs’ disposition, hygiene, and ethics are, the story provides something deeper than just headline gossip. In fact, the last chapter consists mostly of Jobs’ own words and statements on his own life. This biography is a time machine that brings every reader back to recent eras we can easily access. It is epic in scope as it covers a revolutionary personality who forged a revolution.

Hardcover: 656 pages. Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 24, 2011).

Photo Caption: (Courtesy book cover image)

New-Look Pirates: Not Looking Too Good

By Scott Andrews

Staff Columnist
PORTLAND—
The Portland Pirates sport a new look for the 2011-2012 season. There’s been a near-total turnover in players plus a new NHL parent club and a new head coach.
But the new-look Pirates aren’t looking too good on the ice, at least so far. At press time (on Tuesday) the Pirates sported a 2-3-0-1 record over the first three weeks of their 80-game season, good for a .417 percentage. They’ve shown flashes of brilliance to be sure, but the overall picture is dominated by a sputtering offense and a porous defense.
That’s a far cry from the recent past. Last year’s Pirates had excellent results, posting a 47-24-7-2 record for a .644 percentage, one of the best showings in Portland history.
What’s the story? As in all minor league sports, changing parent club affiliations is a constant factor. Following the 2010-2011 season, the Buffalo Sabres transferred all of their American Hockey League players from Portland to Rochester, N.Y., to become the newest incarnation of the Rochester Americans.
(The American Hockey League is the game’s second tier, a single step below the big time. AHL players are under contract to their NHL parent clubs, and they can be called up at any time.)
Soon after Buffalo’s move, Pirates principal owner Brian Petrovek inked a new affiliation pact with the Phoenix Coyotes to move their AHL players to Maine. As a result, the Portland Pirates are now the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate. Or another way of putting it, they’re last year’s San Antonio Rampage.
But Phoenix is a franchise with a troubled financial history. The team is currently owned by the NHL in a caretaker role. The NHL is trying to unload the club, and a change of home city will likely accompany any transfer. On a positive note, the Coyotes have enjoyed two consecutive winning seasons.
From the fans’ point of view, the principal consequence of the above moves is an almost-total turnover of players. The lone holdover is Igor Gongalsky, a Ukrainian-born forward who made a minor impact over 54 games with the Pirates in 2010-2011.
In an unrelated move, Pirates head coach Kevin Dineen, who was popular with both the players and the fans, seized his well-deserved – and long overdue – opportunity to step up to an NHL head coaching position. Dineen, who owns the best coaching record in Pirates history, now helms the Florida Panthers.
Ray Edwards, in his second year as an AHL head coach, will stand behind the Pirates’ bench this season. With San Antonio last season he posted a 40-33-0-7 record for a .544 percentage.
This year’s Pirates? A big question mark.
Unquestionably the Coyotes’ top prospect is Andy Miele, a Michigan native who won last year’s Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey. Miele is a sparkplug whose stature on the ice far exceeds his 5-foot-8 height and his 180 pounds. He enjoyed a stellar game on Oct. 19, tallying two goals and three assists as the Pirates beat Manchester. At press time, Miele had been called up to Phoenix.
Like Miele, the Pirates are young and relatively inexperienced. Edwards will be relying on a few veterans to help guide his up-and-coming players. In particular, look for center Ryan Hollweg, defenseman Dean Arsene and goalie Curtis McElhinney to provide a crucial center of gravity.
Edward summarized the situation. “There are a lot of new people in the organization,” he said. “Every day we’re learning who we are.”
Photo caption: Forward Andy Miele promises to be one of the top players for the Portland Pirates this season. He’s shown here in the Phoenix Coyotes September training camp. (Jeff Gross photo)

Berwick Student Wins World Equestrian Championship

SOUTH BERWICK—

Gabrielle Blackman (Kittery Point, ME), a junior at Berwick Academy, recently participated in the Grand National Morgan Horse Show in Oklahoma City and won the world championship for Classic Pleasure Saddle, Jr. Exhibitors ages 14-17. Gabrielle has been riding since she was six years old and trains year round at Taylor River Farm in Hampton Falls, NH under the direction of Sarah Gove and Richard Boule. She competes March through October in A level regional shows and, after winning the national championship, qualified to move onto compete in the world championship this year. Gabrielle took home the top prize over 23 other competitors.
Gabrielle participates in the high school equestrian athlete program sponsored by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and has received her varsity pin for riding for her freshman and sophomore years.
At Berwick Academy, Gabrielle plays on the basketball team, works on the Upper School literary magazine, “The Vernacular,” and is a member of the Gay Straight Alliance. Gabrielle also plays the guitar and sings at BA. She has performed in Winterfest, an audition-based show that features the School’s most talented musicians, dancers, and artists, for the past two years.
Photo caption: Gabrielle Blackman ’13 was recently crowned Classic Pleasure Saddle, Jr. Champion. (Courtesy photo)

Marshwood Middle School Celebrates Veterans Day

ELIOT—

On November 10, 2011, Marshwood Middle School will commemorate its eleventh annual Veterans Day Celebration. The school-wide assembly, which starts at 9:00 a.m., features various tributes from students and faculty to local veterans. Last year, over 230 guests attended the school’s gathering. Several veterans are invited by Marshwood students because they have grandparents, parents, aunts, uncle, neighbors or community members who have served our country.
Local police and fire department members and various dignitaries including town officials, school board members, and state representatives attend the celebration to honor our veterans. All guests form a reception line at 8:30 a.m. and the students greet guests with small talk and a handshake. The reception line emphasizes a personal touch for every student to come in contact with the guests. This small act assists in setting the tone of the celebration.
As everyone gathers in the gymnasium, patriotic music is played and within the next hour, various tributes are presented in form of song, readings and power point presentations. After the Celebration, there is a reception in the library for guests and faculty.
It is extremely important for students to understand the sacrifices our veterans have made and continue to make for us. The veterans are touched by the sincerity and respect from the students and enjoy the assembly. We all at times can take our freedoms for granted, but this celebration encourages us all to remember the sacrifices made for us as Americans and to once again recognize that freedom is never really free.
Photo caption: Marshwood Middle School will host its 11th annual community Veterans Day celebration on November 10. (Courtesy photo)

Portsmouth Shipyard Earns Energy Award

By Larry Favinger
Staff Columnist
KITTERY—
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has earned the Secretary of the Navy’s Energy and Water Management Award for fiscal 2011.
The award, of which there were only seven throughout the Department of the Navy, notes significant reductions in energy and water use.
The shipyard has cut its energy use by nearly 55 percent since 2004, and its water usage by just short of 20 percent since 2007.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus congratulated those winning the award, terming their efforts “critical to the accomplishment of the Navy’s mission.”
“Your excellence in energy and water efficiency efforts are an example for all other commands to follow,” he said. “We must all continue to be good stewards of our resources.”
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and U.S. Sen. Jeanne Sheehan, D-N.H., also praised the shipyard for winning the award.
“Congratulations on this significant achievement,” Sen. Collins said. “I look forward to seeing the Secretary of the Navy Energy Flag flown at Portsmouth during the next year.”
“This prestigious award recognizes the significant accomplishments of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard’s comprehensive energy efficiency program, aggressive awareness campaign.”
“Your accomplishments and dedication is reflected in your success, and I look forward to seeing your energy improvements continue as the Navy intends to make nearly $100 million in facility and restoration investments during Fiscal Year 2012,” she said.
Collins also praised the Navy Support Activity Portsmouth for its gold level achievement for outstanding energy programs.
“These notable achievements have set new standards and created a model of performance not just for the Navy, but for the Department of Defense and private industry,” she said.
Shaheen, who with Under Secretary of the Navy Robert Work, presented the award to the shipyard, said the Navy “has been at the forefront of efforts to reduce the federal government’s energy use, and the Portsmouth Shipyard is a great example of the progress it has made.”
“I commend the Navy and the shipyard for their leadership on energy efficiency, for their dedication to improving our nation’s energy security, and for their commitment to ensuring the shipyard is operating at its best.”
“It is an honor to be recognized for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard’s energy and water management efforts,” Capt. Bryant Fuller, the shipyard commander, said. “Our goal is always to improve our conservation programs, as the result is a true cost and energy savings for the nation. This award is truly a testament to the entire Shipyard, led by our Energy Task Force, pulling in the same direction to take great strides in reducing our water and energy consumption.”
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, established in June 1800, is the oldest continually operated shipyard in the U.S. Navy.
During World War II over 70 submarines were built at the yard that then employed more than 20,000 workers. One noteworthy achievement during that time was the launching of four submarines in one day.
The shipyard built nuclear powered submarines in the ’50s, launching its first, the USS Swordfish, in 1957, and its last, the Sandlance, in 1969.
Since then it has overhauled and upgraded Los Angeles class submarines and is now doing similar work on the Virginia class.