More Than $2 Million Awarded to Maine Nature Conservation

BRUNSWICK—
More than $2 million will help public and non-profit groups restore and protect high priority wetlands and other natural resources across Maine.
The Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program—which is administered by The Nature Conservancy, in collaboration with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—announced awards totaling $2.4 million to help restore, enhance and preserve wetlands and other important habitats at 17 project sites.
The program provides flexibility for both regulators and the regulated community to choose a fee in lieu of more time-intensive traditional mitigation options. These so-called ‘In Lieu Fees’ are collected by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and then transferred to the Natural Resource Conservation Fund at The Nature Conservancy.
“This third round of grants is another step forward for the conservation of aquatic resources in Maine,” said Alex Mas, who manages the program for The Nature Conservancy in Maine. “Traditional mitigation projects can often be scattered, small or poorly located; this program allows us to focus wetland mitigation funds in high priority areas to help ensure they continue to provide important benefits like habitat, clean drinking water and flood control for people and wildlife into the future.”
At a time of limited resources, this program has awarded crucial funding that will allow us to add wetland, waterfowl and wading bird habitat to a popular Wildlife Management Area,” said Chandler Woodcock, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIFW). “The funding also enables our Department to begin restoration work designed to enhance water quality and wetland health.”
“This collaboration between Maine DEP, The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Army Corps is facilitating a systematic and strategic process for comprehensive compensation projects that are saving and strengthening our state’s highest value wetland habitats,” said Commissioner Patricia Aho of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. “In just a few years, this program has become one of Maine’s most meaningful tools, used in partnership by conservationists and developers to ensure important environmental protections. It’s a win-win for Maine’s natural environment, and its economic one.”
“After all efforts have been made to avoid or minimize wetland impacts, this program provides permit applicants an efficient and workable alternative to traditional mitigation, while providing a better outcome for our wetland habitats,” said Ruth Ladd, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District. “The fees are used to restore, enhance, preserve or create aquatic resources and their associated uplands.”
This is the third round of awards from the Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program to advance important land and water conservation around the state. More than 2,300 acres of land will be conserved or restored statewide.
In rural Penobscot County, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will protect more than 2,000 acres of habitat, expanding the Mattawamkeag River System Wildlife Management Area. The majority of the property is wetland associated with the river and with Eagle Pond. Nesting bald eagles and rare Clayton’s copper butterflies—verified at just eleven sites worldwide—have been seen in the area.
In the mid-coast, a DIFW restoration project on Maquoit Stream in Brunswick will restore a wetland that will serve as habitat for migratory fish as well salt marsh sparrow (a Maine Species of Special Concern) and other birds—with the removal of a small earthen dam and reestablishment of a natural stream channel and more than 10-acres of wetlands.
In southern Maine, the York Land Trust will protect just over 22-acres within the watershed of Boulter Pond, which supplies drinking water for thousands of residents in Kittery, York and Eliot. The area is also an important habitat for woodpeckers and great blue herons.
The Great Works Regional Land Trust will protect 83 additional acres in South Berwick as part of the ongoing “Mount Agamenticus to the Sea” conservation effort. These wetland areas provide some of Maine’s best habitat for Blandings and spotted turtles.
In Franklin County, the Androscoggin Land Trust will protect 42-acres of forestland in the town of Jay as part of their “Expanding the Androscoggin Greenway Project.” The property will be managed for wildlife habitat, water quality protection and low-impact recreation.
Other award recipients include: Atlantic Salmon Federation, Maine Council; Blue Hill Heritage Trust; Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust; Georges River Land Trust; Greater Lovell Land Trust; Kennebec Land Trust; Sebasticook Regional Land Trust; Trout Unlimited; Western Foothills Land Trust; and the towns of Wells and Falmouth.

Supper Fundraiser to Support Traip Academy’s Robotics Team

KITTERY—

On Friday, January 20, Circle Subs in Kittery will be serving a Ham and Bean Supper to help raise funds for Traip Academy’s FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Team.
“We are so grateful that Circle Subs is helping us with this fundraiser,” said Nathan Dacy, the Robotics’ team captain. “Our biggest challenge has always been raising enough money to accomplish all of our goals. Donations can help us to cover our expenses, including registration costs for events, materials and supplies, and will help defray the cost of travel and accommodations for the competitions.”
The team, called the Robo-Rangers, is made up of high school students whose purpose is to work together to build a robot that can complete a specific set of tasks and compete against other high school teams in regional and national events. Teams are given a set of parts and the competition details at the beginning of January and have six weeks to construct a robot. FIRST was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology.
This is the second year for the FIRST Robotics Team at Traip. Last year they competed at Boston University. This year they will be competing at The Verizon Wireless Center in Manchester, March 1-3.
Along with the homemade ham and baked beans, the dinners will also include corn bread, dessert and a drink—all for just $7. Dinners can be picked up on Friday, January 20 between 5 and 7p.m. at Circle Subs on 167 State Road, Kittery. It is recommended that dinners be pre-ordered. To order a dinner call Circle Subs at 207-439-7655. Circle Subs will be donating the proceeds raised from the dinners to the Traip FIRST Robotics Team.
Photo caption: Pictured are members of Traip Academy’s FIRST Robotics Team. (Courtesy Photo)

YCCC Receives $5,000 in Scholarship Support

WELLS—
York County Community College and its Foundation recently received a $5,000 grant from the Sturdivant Island Tuna Tournament (SITT) Charitable Foundation—the first phase of establishing an endowed scholarship at the college.
SITT hosts an annual fishing tournament in South Portland that has generated over $300,000 to support programs and scholarships at Maine’s community colleges. It is SITT’s goal to eventually endow each of Maine’s seven community colleges with $100,000 for scholarships. The donation this year to YCCC was the first the school has received from SITT.
Last year, the group of Maine business leaders and fishing enthusiasts, led by Phil Grondin of R.H. Grondin & Sons, received national attention and recognition in honor of their outstanding support for Maine community colleges. SITT was one of ten community college donors in the country to receive the Benefactor Award from the National Council for Resource Development (CRD).
“This is a very generous contribution, and will allow us to offer scholarships to more students in financial need,” said John Rainone, YCCC’s Dean of Institutional Advancement and CRD’s 2012 President. “It will allow us to begin to offer additional scholarships in the 2013 academic year.”
York County Community College, established in 1994, is one of seven community colleges in the Maine Community College System. The college enrolls over 1,600 students in associate degree and transfer programs and over 2,500 individuals in non-credit continuing education and professional development areas.

“The Immortal Marilyn” Authors to Speak in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH—

Fifty years after Marilyn Monroe’s death, the screen legend’s influence on theater, television, film and other performing arts will be the subject of discussion at the Portsmouth Public Library on Wednesday, January 18, at 7:30 p.m.
John De Vito and Frank Tropea, co-authors of “The Immortal Marilyn: The Depiction of an Icon,” have studied more than 100 examples, ranging from documentaries to works that reference the star in more ambiguous ways. Masters of trivia on Monroe, the authors will answer questions from the audience following their talk.
Additionally, one of the plays studied by the authors, “Body” by David Mauriello, will be presented at the Players’ Ring Theatre in Portsmouth from January 27 through February 12. In “Body,” De Vito and Tropea write, “Marilyn's role is analogous to the poor young woman of so many fairy tales who is transformed by some magical, otherworldly means into a beautiful princess or golden goddess.”
This special presentation comes with much anticipation, as Monroe has been quite the topic of popular culture in the past few months. Specifically of note is Michelle Williams portrayal of the titular character in “My Week With Marilyn,” a film that has been followed by Oscar-buzz since it’s opening. The Simon Curtis-directed film was produced by The Weinstein Company.
De Vito is a film technician at the Boston Public Library and holds a BA in visual studies from Harvard University. Tropea holds a BA in English Literature and psychology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and a MA in literature and psychology from Harvard University.
Their January 18 talk, “Marilyn Monroe: An Icon for All Seasons,” is free and open to the public in the Levenson Community Room of the Portsmouth Public Library, 175 Parrott Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the discussion is from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Courtesy Photo)

Secretary of State Charlie Summers Announces “Conversations With The Communities”

AUGUSTA—
In an effort to address the safety concerns surrounding young drivers, Secretary of State Charlie Summers announces “Conversations With the Communities”—a public discussion regarding ways to improve the safety of Maine’s young drivers. “Too many tragedies occur on Maine roadways involving young drivers every year. This past year alone, there were around 50 fatal crashes where a young driver—someone between the ages of 16 and 24—was involved. That’s almost one crash a week,” Summers said. “It is my responsibility as the Secretary of State to look at ways to improve the safety of young drivers and all of us traveling Maine’s roadways. I want to ensure that when a young person gets behind the wheel, they have been provided with the best tools available and the experience they need to be a safe, responsible driver. And I feel the best way to begin this process is to engage parents, students, educators and other concerned members of the community in an effort to make Maine’s young drivers the best in America.”
Secretary Summers has established a Technical Review Panel (TRP) as required by Maine law, M.R.S.A. Title 29-A, that will conduct a comprehensive review of young driver requirements, such as laws, rules, and the driver education curriculum in Maine. The Panel is made up of representatives from the Secretary of State’s Office, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Education, the Insurance Industry, the Motor Carrier industry, and the driver’s education community. Summers has also asked Sarah Beth Campisi, a sophomore from Thorton Academy who recently completed driver’s education, to be a member of the TRP as well. Summers said, “Although I wasn’t required to have a student on the Technical Review Panel, I feel Sarah Beth will offer a unique perspective that will benefit the Panel as we discuss areas for improvement. She has recent, first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to be hitting our roadways as a new driver.”
“Conversations With the Communities” will be held on the following dates at the local Bureau of Motor Vehicle Offices: Thursday, January 5 in Lewiston at 6 p.m.; Monday, January 9 in Kennebunk at 6 p.m.; Thursday, January 12 in Portland at 6 p.m.; Tuesday, January 17 in Bangor at 6 p.m.; Wednesday, January 18 in Caribou at 6 p.m.; and Thursday, January 19 in Calais at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. For a complete schedule of “Conversations With the Community,” including addresses to the motor vehicle locations or for information and instructions on joining the discussion via Webinar, please visit the Secretary of State’s website at www.maine.gov/sos/.

CPS Announces Annual “Clinical Site of The Year” and “Best Practice” Award

SANFORD—

The 2011 Clinical Site of the Year award and the Best Practice award for the Northeast Region were presented to Goodall Hospital in Sanford, Maine by Comprehensive Pharmacy Services (CPS). The awards were presented to the Director of Pharmacy, Fred Anselmo. In order to receive the Clinical Site of the Year award, Goodall needed an Operations Audit score of at least 85 percent, outstanding financial performance by meeting or exceeding budget, superior scores on The Joint Commission Survey as well as clinical success and maintaining good relationships with hospital administration. For the Best Practice award, the hospital had to score at least a 95% on the annual operations audit, which includes regulatory, quality, clinical and operational categories.
Marcus Baker, Regional Vice President for CPS shares that the pharmacy team at Goodall Hospital makes a difference every day in their provision of care to the patients and staff of Goodall Hospital. “There is a strength in numbers in this top notch staff who support the patient centered care expected by hospital leadership and Comprehensive Pharmacy Services. They exemplify the CPS vision statement, “Advancing pharmacy practice, one patient at a time.”
Isabel Schmedemann, Chief Operating and Nursing Officer for Goodall hospital adds, “We couldn’t be happier with the performance of our pharmacy department. They excel everyday and are always at the forefront of patient care.”
CPS is the nation’s largest pharmacy services provider, partnering with greater than 300 hospitals and health care facilities in 46 states (including D.C., Puerto Rico and the USVI) and employing over 1,600 pharmacy professionals. For more information, visit www.cpspharm.com.
Photo caption: Goodall Hospital’s pharmacy staff pose with their Clinical Site of the Year & Best Practice award presented to them by Comprehensive Pharmacy Services. (Courtesy Photo)

Well, I’ll Be...: A Review of “Damned”

By Chip Schrader

Staff Book Reviewer
Chuck Palahniuk’s latest novel, “Damned,” combines themes of several of his previous works: the grotesque depiction of American celebrity he mastered in “Tell All,” the taboo of basic human drives from within “Choke,” and the supernatural elements that made his masterpiece “Lullaby” such a page turner. Having several of his books adapted to film, including his breakthrough novel “Fight Club,” Palahniuk is a staple on must-read lists worldwide. A note on local facts, he has stopped in Portsmouth during two of his recent book tours.
The titular “Damned” refers to the main character, Madison, the thirteen-year-old daughter of “Brangelina”-esque celebrities who is said to have died from an accidental overdose. Beyond dying early, Madison has somehow fallen from ‘grace’ and been sentenced to spend eternity in the “lake of fire.”
From the opening chapter, this concept treads upon the hokey side because of its lack of proper imagery of Hades and its depiction of a teenage rivalry between two condemned souls. As the story progress, Madison meets a group of friends that prompts a reference the “Breakfast Club.” There is the jock, the geek, the prom queen, the punk and Madison herself, the undesirable girl or recluse—she compares herself to the Ally Sheedy-played recluse of the famous John Hughes film.
Further on in the story, we learn that the reasons the characters have ended up in hell range from an offside penalty to stealing bread for a hungry family. Much like Dante, Palahniuk masterfully inserts dozens of other reasons for condemnation: saying the ultimate swear word more than 700 times in a lifetime, practicing Buddhism at any point and honking a horn too many times—which condemns cab drivers on the spot.
Humorous anecdotes like the aforementioned make an otherwise slim early narrative both fun and engaging.
Further into the book Madison endeavors to take over Hell. Her nerdy friend knows the origin and taxonomy of each demon, and the readers are treated to history lessons in world religion, as demons are merely gods of dead religion. Through this trek through the underworld, they travel through a river of clipped fingernails and various other unbecoming collections of human waste in order for Madison to reach her goal.
“Damned” slowly evolves into an adventure-story that makes up for a slow beginning. A story dependent upon character set-up, layered themes flesh out the narrative as Madison’s story unfolds. The scenarios are hilarious and outlandish—though sometimes become so explicit that readers may envision the adult-oriented cartoons of R. Crumb. Especially during at least one scenario that remains too graphic to depict in this publication.
As readers laugh their way through this book, much of the satire and jabbing seems both indulgent and unnecessary. As the book winds down to its last pages, though, Palahniuk proves his skill as a master satirist as he crosses every “T,” dots every “i,” and proves each pun intentional.
“Damned” is a fun and unique romp from a modern disciple. Kurt Vonnegut’s latest—though a tad more adult-oriented than some may think—is ultimately a solid read. (Courtesy image)