Free Portland Buses

There's a free bus service around Portland, for the summer at least. Called the "Portland Explorer," it stops in the Old Port, at the Jetport, the ferry terminal, the bus station, the train station, a couple hotels, and at the Maine Mall. You can download a map and schedule at their website, or pick up a brochure somewhere downtown (probably the Visitor's Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce).

Slow Week Redux

Fahrenheit 9/11 (I keep saying 451, Ray Bradbury is pissed) opened on Thursday at the Movies on Exchange, there were lines around the corner on Saturday. It plays at least through Thursday (July 1) every afternoon at 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, and 9:30.

Spiderman 2 opens Wednesday; it will be playing at the Nickelodeon and at the Prides Corner Drive-In in Westbrook.

Also, it is nearing the end of June and 2003-04 residential parking stickers will be expiring. Remind me before I get towed...

Friday should be the First Friday Art Walk (a monthly event); most art galleries are open and free to the public that evening, 5-9 pm.

I'm sure everyone other than me has been aware that next Sunday is July 4th; Fireworks are planned for 9 pm that evening on the Eastern Promenade. Arrive late to avoid the opening celebrations: country music and fast food samples. Need info on road closures?

Other than that, it seems a good week for vegetables, like kb said.

Ice cream on Middle Street

Apparently the new ice cream place (Coldstone Creamery) on Middle Street won't be opening until mid-July; they just started construction-like work last week. On Saturday they were using a gas-powered saw in the basement and filled the building up with carbon monoxide... with that kind of smarts, we'll be lucky to see the doors open by mid-August.

In case you haven't got the scoop (hehe): Coldstone Creamery is a California-based chain whose gimmick is mixing up ice cream flavors on a cold marble slab right when you order them. I'll probably stick with Beal's (at 12 Moulton St), though. Less gimmicky than Coldstone, plus they're a Maine company.

Afghan food

We're planning to go out for Afghan food sometime soon; this link is for my own future reference. They have an old website that has lunch and dinner menus, which have probably changed since the site was modified in 1997.

This one's for the children

Being sub-21, or worse, under 18, is definitely a problem if you want to see live music around here (other than big shows... Civic Center, anyone?). But Chris Carleton and Jake Simcock are doing something about it. And they're 20, so they feel our pain. They started Muscle City Productions to put on all-ages shows in the Portland area, at everywhere from churches and fire stations to dives like Liquid Blue. The Portland Press Herald had an article about the whole shebang, which is definitely worth a read. I'm getting all teary-eyed at how inspirational this is... local young 'uns, breathing new life into the "scene."

Also, at the bottom of the article, there is a list of upcoming all-ages shows. Streetlight Manifesto and Big D & the Kids Table will be at The Edge in Augusta (bit of a drive) on July 16! More ska! Also I would reccomend avoiding June 26 at Acoustic Coffee... (I <3 Acousitc C, just not that night's feature).

Dolls, Fish, Fathers

kb already mentioned the first thing here, but:

Things not to miss next weekend, in date order:

1. the Dresden Dolls

   Friday June 18, 8pm, Space, $8/18+ (show info: Dresden Dolls tour calendar)

   The last time they were in town they were excellent. They make energetic music consisting of a keyboard, drums, and witty vocals. And the drummer dude is wicked funny (he makes faces).

2. Reel Big Fish, Catch 22, the RX Bandits, and Lucky Boys Confusion

   Saturday June 19, 7pm, State Theater, $20/all ages(?)

   I've seen flyers that also include Big D and the Kids Table, but who knows? Anyways, ska concerts are the awesomest, I certainly am not up to convincing you right now, but this concert would. The tickets are kindof expensive (ante up; you'll win this hand).

   p.s. I completely missed Catch 22 last summer/fall the 2 or 3 times they were up in Augusta at the Edge. so I'm extra-excited this time.

3. Father's Day

   Go do something for your father. Buy him flowers, or a tea cozy.

(Sorry)

I was the nose-blower in last night's 9:30 showing of Harry Potter at the Nickelodeon.

National HIV Testing Day

Hey, kids, there's free HIV testing in Portland from June 17-20. It's annoymous, immediate, and done on a walk-in basis. Need a map?

This is in conjunction with Gay Pride Week (June 13-20) and National HIV Testing Day (June 27), and is organized by the Frannie Peabody Center, a Maine-based HIV/AIDS services organization.

10 best views in Maine

This is some dude's list of his top 10 views in Maine. They're mostly coastal, but so is Maine, hey? Maybe we'll make an effort to visit some this summer. The hike in Camden Hills State Park (#4) looks neat, especially paired with onion rings and ice cream.