Happy Memorial Day!

FALMOUTH TOWN OFFICE

WILL BE CLOSED

MONDAY, MAY 31

IN OBSERVANCE OF

MEMORIAL DAY

Inaugural Oyster Paddle - Yum!

Inaugural Oyster Paddle


3PM - 6PM Sunday, May 30, 2010

Sure. A lot of folks we know have paddled in Maine's ocean waters and been lucky enough to spot a friendly lobsterman and buy some "lobstah right off the boat." It's almost a cliché. But we don't know anyone who has paddled out to where the oysters are being harvested and had the opportunity to shuck them right out of the sea. For this inaugural Oyster Paddle, you'll join LCK owners Marc and Ponch as we paddle a short distance to the harvest where we'll meet Peaks Island Shellfish owners Bridge and Mark. It's a rare and special opportunity. If you can't join this time, we'll be doing this weekly through the summer. We'll provide boats , guides, and safety gear. You provide the appetite. Inaugural tour is $50 for guided service and you will buy as many oysters as you like - to eat or take home - from Peaks Island Shellfish. Oysters will be a buck a piece, which is a pretty amazing deal. We'll depart the shop at 3PM and return to the shop around 6PM Call us at the shop for more info or to reserve your spot. Play Local. Eat Local

Where: Lincoln Canoe & Kayak - Freeport, ME, 8 Varney Rd Freeport

Phone: 207-865-0455

Cost: $50 for guided service and kayak, oysters will be $1 per.

Cooking for Digestive Health

Cooking for Digestive Health


10 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 2010

Digestive issues plague many of us. Join Hannaford registered dietitian Beth Williams and dining expert chef Barney Knox and learn what foods can help as well as possible causes of digestive stress. Class includes diet suggestions, recipes and samples. To register visit www.mainehealth.org/LRC or call 1-866-609-5183. Raising Maine

Where: Falmouth LRC, 5 Bucknam Rd. Falmouth

Cost: $ 15

Opening Day of the Falmouth Heritage Museum

Opening day 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Tours, historical presentations and more. Docent-lead tours are at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Bus tours of sites along Falmouth Foreside are available for $9 ($5 for Falmouth residents). Go to http://www.falmouth.me.us/ to register!
Where: Heritage Museum , 60 Woods Road Falmouth

Free Film & Discussion tonight at the Falmouth Library

"A Chemical Reaction"


7 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2010

locally-produced film about the struggle of one town to ban the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides followed by a discussion with the producer, Paul Tukey

Where: Falmouth Memorial Library, Lunt Road, Falmouth Maine

Freeport Libbry's Artist of the Month

Sights that Delight and Other Artistic Ventures


11:30am to 8:00pm Monday, May 24, 2010

“Sights that Delight and Other Artistic Ventures” is the theme of this month’s exhibit by Freeport resident and artist Judy Segal. Judy captures familiar local landscapes with gentle subtlety and evocative loveliness. It is with great pleasure that the library welcomes Judy’s encore exhibit.

Where: Freeport Community Library, 10 Library Drive Freeport

Phone: (207)865-3307

A LEGO benefit for Habitat for Humanity

Brick By Brick : A LEGO Competion for Adults who Never Grew Up!


3-8pm Saturday, May 22, 2010

Come enjoy building with America's favorite plastic blocks while drinking some of Portland's favorite beverages in the upper level of Empire Dine and Dance. Donations will be requested in lieau of entrance fees. Come compete by yourself or with a group of friends! The earlier you arrive, the more time you have to build and enjoy the Empire's menu of drinks and food. This event will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland. No preregistration is required, but building space can be reserved by calling coordinator Stefanie Millette at 207-772-2151.

Where: Empire Dine and Dance, 575 Congress St. Portland

Phone: 772-2151

LL Bean Bike Weekend!

Bike Weekend


Starting Friday, May 21, 2010

Come by any of our Retail Stores for an event bike lovers of all ages won't want to miss. Enjoy special guests, fun cycling activities, bike safety courses for kids and exclusive product discounts. http://www.llbean.com/shop/retailStores/calendar.html Raising Maine

Where: LL Bean, 95 Main Street Freeport

Phone: 1-877-755-2326

1st Annual Stiletto Challenge!

1st Annual Stiletto Challenge


5pm-8pm Thursday, May 20, 2010

Join us as we come together to raise money for Breast Cancer & Lift Up Ellie (http://www.liftupellie.com/). This one-of-a-kind event will feature THREE 100-yard dashes (Men's, Women's & Team). Beyond the obvious "bragging" rights, each winner will receive a fantastic prize package. And afterwards, all in attendance will be invited to stay for our VIP "After Party". Suggested Donation: $25.00

Where: The Landing at Pine Point, Scarborough, Maine, 353 Pine Point Road Scarborough

Phone: (207)774-4527

Not so "evil" eye...

Cultural Creations: Greek Good Luck Charms


11:30am & 2pm Wednesday, May 19, 2010

We’ll practice tracing circles to make a Mati or ‘eye’ to ward off all things bad. Raising Maine

Where: Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine, 142 Free St. Portland

Phone: 207-828-1234

Cost: $ Free with admission

Sail away with the Ancients

Coastal Studies for Girls hosts Guest Lecture Series


7 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2010

The public is invited to attend a series of lectures this spring at the Freeport Public Library hosted by Coastal Studies for Girls.

Throughout the semester, Coastal Studies for Girls welcomes experts such as marine biologists, environmentalists and nature photographers to share their knowledge with our students as part of our curriculum.

 Sail away with the Ancients. Dr. Ward will share the research, boat building process, and seafaring skills needed to replicate and launch the Min of the Desert, a replica of an ancient Egyptian vessel. www.coastalstudiesforgirls.org

Where: Freeport Public Library, Freeport

Phone: 865-9700

A History of North Yarmouth Academy (1810 – 2010)

A History of North Yarmouth Academy (1810 – 2010)


7:30 PM Monday, May 17, 2010

In 1810, subscription papers were circulated by local citizens to "erect a school-house in which youth of both sexes might have an opportunity of receiving a better education." NYA was chartered in 1814 and has now been meeting its original mission for almost 200 years. A detailed history of the institution is being prepared. We'd like your help. Place-based Historian Jay Robbins has been involved with NYA since 1991 as a parent, as an archaeologist and as the compiler of a 2005 preliminary draft Bicentennial History of the school. Jay will share his research with us and will encourage us to share our memories.

Where: American Legion Log Cabin, 196 Main St. Yarmouth

Phone: 207-846-6259

Cost: 3 $5 $3 mem/$5 non

Falmouth Rolls! Falmouth’s First Annual Bike Fair

Falmouth’s First Annual Bike Fair


Saturday, May 15th*, 11 to 2 PM

Village Park - behind Wal*Mart

Ride or Bring Your Bike! Activities for all ages!

* Bike Riding Skills/Safety Clinic - Bike Coalition of Maine

* Helmet Fitting - Falmouth Fire Dept.

* Learn Basic Bike Maintenance - All Speed Bicycles

* Clinics on Bike Touring, Foul Weather Biking – Bob Shafto and Jim Tasse

* Healthy Living in Casco Bay – Healthy Living Casco Bay
* Raffles * Free Gifts*

Sponsored by Falmouth Community Programs

*Raindate: Sunday,May 16th

Please Contact Falmouth Bike/Ped Coordinator, Savas Gunduz savas_gunduz@hotmail.com with any questions.

FREE SAILING AND OPEN HOUSE

FREE SAILING AND OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, May 23, from 10 to 3, rain or shine SailMaine will giving free sailboat rides in Portland Harbor! Shore-side boat rigging, know tying demonstrations and new this year - a marine yard sale are among the fun activities.
 
Come learn what this nonprofit community sailing center is all about. Adults, teens and kids (age 8 and up) are welcome. SailMaine will provide life jackets, but if you have one feel free to bring it along and your wind pants too! For more information please visit http://www.sailmaine.org/ or call the Event Coordinator at 650-2085.

Falmouth Military Memoirs and Remembrances Day

Falmouth Military Memoirs and Remembrances Day


2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 15, 2010

Exhibits at the library and at the Ralph D. Caldwell Memorial Post Legion Hall. The day will be concluded with a flag retirement ceremony at 3:30 p.m.

Where: Falmouth Memorial Library, Lunt Road Falmouth

Phone: 781-4727

Guided Walk at Freeport's Tidebrook Preserve

Guided Walk at Freeport's Tidebrook Preserve


2 p.m. Saturday, May 15, 2010

One of Freeport’s most beautiful outdoor places, Tidebrook Preserve is comprised of 44 acres of fields, woods and gardens on the shore of the Harraseeket River. Tidebrook’s owners generously allow public access to the preserve’s trails. Join FCT on May 15 at 2 p.m. to walk the grounds and enjoy the stunning views. Directions: From Route 1 by the Freeport Public Safety Building, turn east onto West Street. West Street becomes Torrey Hill Range Road, which runs over a steep hill, and then becomes Bartol Island Road after it crosses Lower Mast Landing Road. Follow Bartol Island Road for .75 of a mile to the end of public way where the pavement ends, and continue for .25 of a mile along the dirt road. Park along the left side of Bartol Island Road.

Where: Tidebrook Preserve, Bartol Island Rd Freeport

Phone: 207-869-1012

Leadership Lessons I learned from Ted Turner

7:30-9:30 a.m. Friday, May 21, 2010

"Leadership Lessons I learned from Ted Turner," presented by author Bill Burke and sponsored by the Association for Consulting Expertise (A.C.E.). 7:30-9:30am, Portland Country Club, Falmouth. Event includes networking and breakfast. Non-members and guests welcome. Cost is $22 and registration is required in advance by visiting www.consultexpertise.com. FMI, call (800) 464-5043 or e-mail programs@consultexpertise.com.

Where: Portland Country Club, , 11 Foreside Road (off Route 88) Falmouth Maine

Waterfront Land

Happy Mother's Day

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you mothers out there for your immeasurable contributions!!! Wishing everyone a Very Happy Mother’s Day!

Exquisite Waterfront Estate

Bird watching at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth

INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY WALK

Come to Gilsland Farm in Falmouth on Saturday, May 15, to participate in this global event highlighting migrant birds. BIRDWALK; shorebirds, flycatchers,warblers and more will be returning from Central and South America, many stopping here to refuel on their way to northern breeding grounds. Eric Hynes will help you identify these birds by sight and sound on at tour of the sanctuary from 7 to 9:30 a.m. at Gilsland Farm.

Exquisite Waterfront Estate

Do you know an outstanding Falmouth citizen?

ANNUAL CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Every year the Town of Falmouth honors an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the municipality through the Citizen of the Year Award. The award acknowledges exceptional contribution to the community and positive examples of citizenship.

The Town of Falmouth is accepting nominations for the 2009 Citizen of the Year Award. Nominations may be submitted by any individual or group in writing and must be 500 words or less. Nominations will be judged by the Town Council on the following criteria:

• Contributions to community welfare
• Civic achievement
• Volunteerism
• Conscientious service to Falmouth town government 

The Award will be presented to the 2009 Citizen of the Year in June at the town municipal banquet.
Please send nominations to the Town Manager’s office, 271 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, ME 04105, Attn: Melissa Tryon by Friday, May 14, or you may e-mail: mtryon@town.falmouth.me.us.

Falmouth Leaf Bag Collection dates

TOWN OF FALMOUTH


SPRING LEAF BAG COLLECTION

May 13th & May 20th

Be sure to place bags out at the curb by 7:00 a.m.

Leaf bags are available at Town Hall, 271 Falmouth Rd and Parks & Public Works Department, 101 Woods Rd
*Leaf bags are available in quantities of 15 per resident (while supplies last)
NOTICE: THERE WILL BE NO BRUSH PICKUP. HOWEVER, BRUSH IS ACCEPTED AT THE TRANSFER STATION.

Falmouth Library Events

FRIENDS OF THE FALMOUTH MEMORIAL LIBRARY

The Friends' Potluck luncheon and Annual Meeting with special guest author, James Hayman will be held on May 11 from Noon to 1:30 at the Falmouth Memorial Library. Bring a dish to share! James' book, "The Cutting", is a stupendous first novel; a mystery thriller that takes place in and around Portland and the Maine Medical Center. You will stay away from the Western Cemetery after reading this book, especially on foggy days! He will be talking about "The Cutting" and his next mystery thriller coming out later this year. Books will be available for sale and signing.

Just a reminder that the month of May is "Bottle Sorting Time" at the Bucknam Road Recycling Station. This is a major fund-raiser for the Friends. Please sign up at the library.

SCHOOL BOARD UPDATE

SCHOOL BOARD UPDATE – BETH FRANKLIN, CHAIR

The school year seems to be zooming to a close, and several very important milestones have been crossed. First of all, the Town Council unanimously approved the school budget for FY2011. If approved by the voters at the Budget Validation Referendum on June 8th, the mil rate will remain flat for another year, in spite of reductions in state general purpose aid. As I’ve stated many times in the past, getting to a flat mil rate proposal required a huge amount of budget scrutiny on the part of our administrators as well as sacrifices by every person working in the district.

The June election also gives voters an opportunity to decide whether or not they want to continue voting on the school budget versus reverting back to giving the Town Council final approval authority. Three years ago, the consolidation law mandated that taxpayers be given an opportunity to vote on their school’s budget. The law also mandated that the choice of whether or not to continue with a vote by all of a town’s taxpayers would be revisited every three years. Our three years are up, so Falmouth citizens will be asked on June 8th to vote for continuing to hold a BVR or to go back to giving final approval authority to the Town Council.

The other big news from this past month is that Gregg Palmer, currently the principal of Searsport District High School, will be joining the team as the new Falmouth High School Principal. Supt. Barbara Powers informed us that Gregg was the unanimous choice of the interview committee and brings a wealth of experience and talent to the position. Gregg has been recognized for his expertise on standards-based education in a high school setting, and the initiative he undertook at Searsport brought his school statewide recognition. We are delighted to have such a quality candidate for this important position and look forward to working with Gregg in the years ahead. I’d also like to thank the search committee for their participation and contributions to this intensive process: Jack Hardy, Sue Palfrey, Mike Casey, Elizabeth Lupien, Louise Little, Jon Radtke, Lynn Harder, Dan Bennett, Nisu Seder, Karen Lechner, Susan Smith, Zareh DerHagopian, Maggie Parrish, Analiese Larson, Andy Kinley, and Barbara Powers.

Workshop on 5/3: Athletic and Co-Curricular Participation Fees:

The School Board will hold its regularly scheduled workshop meeting on Monday, May 3rd, and will consider the proposed structure for athletic and co-curricular participation fees. The proposal currently is for a two-tiered approach at both the high school and middle school. At the high school, the fee for cross country and indoor and outdoor track will be $100; all other sports will be $175. At the middle school, a similar structure is proposed with the two fees of $50 and $100. This fee structure recognizes the necessity of generating sufficient income to maintain all athletic programs at a basic level of funding that includes coaching stipends, officials fees, some supplies and some transportation. A separate flat annual co-curricular fee will be instituted in the middle and high schools. As with all new constructs, we recommend that this model be evaluated after one year to assess the impact of these fees to the athletic teams and determine what, if any, adjustments need to be made.

The subcommittee responsible for the participation fee model has made several other recommendations to the administration that do not require board approval, but for which the public should be aware. These include:

* All registrations for athletic teams will go through the community programs registration system.

* First teams will be funded in the budget like all other teams. The existence of first teams for a given sport will be at the discretion of the Athletic Director, and the decision process will include the number of student athletes interested, the availability of opposing squads to schedule, and the overall availability of funds in the athletic budget. This may require changes to current board policy.

* All athletic and co-curricular events for which gate money exists will be collected by a representative of the school system and these moneys will go to support the respective athletic and co-curricular budgets. Areas that these moneys will fund include: financial support for student participants, additional equipment or capital needs for specific teams not otherwise available in the budget, and additional support when needed for first teams.

There has been a wide array of feedback of this and other proposed fee structures and its potential impact on the participation of student athletes. Some of this feedback against this structure includes:

* Students on some JV and/or first teams already have less opportunities than the varsity athletes and may not participate with such a fee;

* Leveling the fee at $175 does not seem fair when some of these sports costs far less than others; and,

* The teams that will be most impacted by the introduction of a fee will be the “no-cut” sports where participation is based more on recreation than competition.

Other Significant Policy Considerations, or “What’s in a Name?”

Also on the schedule for Monday evening will be proposed new and revised policy directives to the superintendent guiding acceptance of donations, naming rights, advertising, and everything else related to generous individual, group, and corporate financial and in-kind support to the district. The policies under consideration are:

FF: Naming Facilities

KCD: Public Gifts/Donations to the School

KMB: Student Awards and Scholarships

KJA: Policy on Outdoor Advertising – School Department Athletic Fields

KHB: Advertising in the Schools or on School Department Property for Greater Than One Month’s Time

Please come and listen if you would like to understand the background regarding development or revision of these draft proposals, which will guide gifts to the new facility and fields as well as the existing schools. The first reading of the revised or new policies will be held on Monday, May 17 during the regular board meeting. Public comment will be invited during the workshop.

Lunt School to Address Daycare Needs of Kindergarten Children:

Principal John Flaherty and the kindergarten teachers at Lunt School are very excited to finally be able to offer on-site enrichment/daycare for kindergarten students, allowing them to remain at school full days rather than attending more traditional daycare for a comparable cost. The program will be called “The Lunt School Play and Learn: An Enrichment Daycare Experience for Kindergarteners.” While many schools have been able to offer all day kindergarten, there has not been space available at the primary school until now, when one classroom space will be newly available. The purpose of the kindergarten extension program is to offer parents sessions running opposite their 2-1/2 day session.

As Mr. Flaherty writes in the descriptive brochure, which is about to be distributed: “The plan is to engage the children in many hands-on experiences, some educational in nature, and others that are art/music/physical education in nature. There will also be opportunities for field experiences and/or guest programs. Volunteers will be encouraged. This is not intended to represent an all-day kindergarten program. The activities will extend our present kindergarten curricula, yet is not intended to teach new skills. The intent is to enrich what the children learn in their regular kindergarten program.”

He further explains that the program will be licensed as a daycare. Registration materials and fee schedules will be released very soon. If more than thirty families register, a lottery will likely take place as space is limited by availability.

Once Falmouth Elementary School opens in the fall of 2011, space will no longer be a concern. Financing this experience for all, however, will require close monitoring through the 2011-2012 budget development process. This pilot year will help inform future program direction for an all day learning experience for Falmouth’s youngest students.
School Board Candidates:

On June 8th, Falmouth will elect two new citizens to the Falmouth School Board, and four individuals have filed to run. They are Audrey Grassman, Marna Miller, Chris Murry, and David Snow. Information should be forthcoming in the local newspapers concerning their backgrounds and perspectives.

Carpool to the Stone Mountain Arts Center for a great show!

STONE MOUNTAIN - THE ROOSTER REVIEW

Nestled in the foothills of the White Mountains, the beautiful Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield, Maine has become one of the most popular concert venues in the country. Enjoy a family style, full course lunch and a great variety show known as "The Rooster Revue".
 
Hosted by folk singer, Carol Noonan, the show has lots of great music, laughs, and fun while showcasing some of New England's greatest entertainment treasures. Leave the Falmouth Village Park on Tuesday May 18 at 10 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m. FMI 781-5253
 
Get your tickets early :)

Learn all about Jonah & the Whale

Symposium: Jonah and the Whale in Story, Science, Art, and Music


7:30 PM Tuesday, May 11, 2010

A free pre-concert symposium, “Jonah and the Whale in Story, Science, Art, and Music in Long Reach Hall at the Maine Maritime Museum, Bath. Panelists will make illustrated presentations on whales and the environment; the biblical Jonah and Judaic tradition; Jonah in art, allegory and fantasy-realism; and depictions of the sea and its creatures in music--all in relation to Dominick Argento's dramatic oratorio, "Jonah and the Whale."

The following week, the Oratorio Chorale presents Argento’s oratorio "Jonah and the Whale", with members of the Maine Chamber Ensemble, guest artist Ray Cornils, and soloists Daniel Cole, Timothy Neill Johnson, and Suzanne Nance.

Performances are on May 22 at 7:30 p.m. and May 23 at 3 p.m. at the Falmouth Congregational Church, 267 Falmouth Rd. in Falmouth.
Where: Maine Maritime Museum, 2453 Washington St. Bath

Come learn about Green Building from a Falmouth Designer!

NAPLES WATERFRONT COTTAGE TOUR

Tour the waterfront cottage of Falmouth Interior Designer, Katy Gannon-Janelle. Katy's cottage is currently featured on the cover of "Do It Yourself" magazine, a "Better Homes and Gardens" publication.
 
Tour includes highlights from a do-it-yourself perspective, as well as from a "green building" viewpoint.
 
A copy of the magazine and light refreshments included. Lunch is on your own. The Falmouth Community Program bus will leave the Falmouth Village Park at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 21 and return at 3:00 p.m. FMI 781-5253
 
Learn more about Katy here: http://www.gannonjanelle.com/about.html