Special Maine premiere: Sustainability

The Green Living Project, which has documented more than 30 sustainability-related projects in 10 countries in Africa and South America has turned its lens on Maine. The multi-media Sustainability Across Maine will premiere on Thursday (Jan. 7),  7-9 p.m., at Frontier, in Fort Andross (the renovated riverfront mill in Brunswick). Admission is free.

Featured on the program are:

• Maine Huts & Trails, the off-the-grid trail system

• Island Institute’s wind-energy programs

• Chewonki’s sustainability programs

• Inn by the Sea’s green initiatives

• Primo Restaurant’s backyard organic farm

• Maine Compost School

• Local Sprouts Cooperative

• Guyot Designs

Food and freebies: The first 50 attendees will receive a $25 L.L.Bean Gift Card, Keen socks, and other goodies. In addition, there will be live music; beer, wine, and food provided by Peak Organic Brewing Co., and Frontier; door prizes and give-away such as travel packages from Maine Huts & Trails, Inn by the Sea, Primo, and others; and a gear raffle from event sponsor National Geographic Adventure, Gregory, Keen, Clif Bar, and others, with proceeds benefiting some of the projects.

Frontier: If you haven’t been to Frontier, it’s a combo cafe, gallery, live music/event spot, and cinema inspired by founder Michael Gilroy’s world travels. Definitely a cool place worth checking out, if not for this event than another time. I’m a huge fan of the market plates, a tasting platter of a specific cuisine–perhaps the Middle East or France or Italy. Delish!

Restaurant updates: York, Portland, Brunswick

Just a few updates worth noting (and for most, the websites have yet to catch up):

In York, the Chapman Cottage has, for the most part, closed its dining room to the public. It will remain open to guests on weekends in the off season, when it will be open to the public one night each month as well. That’s a loss, it was a lovely place to dine. Owners Donna and Paul Archibald are looking forward to working just 60 hours per week, rather than 120. Can’t blame ’em.

In Portland, Walter’s is back! Yay! The perennial favorite reopens tonight at its new location, 2 Portland Square. Katahdin, another long-timer on the Portland restaurant stage, has closed and is expected to reopen in January on Forest Ave., in the former location of the closed Geo’s.

And in Brunswick, local fave Scarlett Begonia’s has moved off Maine Street into the new Maine Street Station. No more ordering at the counter, and no more BYOB: The space is far larger and there’s even a bar.

Air show to return in 2011

According to an AP story earlier this week by David Sharp, the famed Blue Angels will again soar above Brunswick:

The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority will hold the air show in the summer of 2011, and it will feature the Navy’s Blue Angels just as in years past. The visit by the Navy’s flight demonstration team will coincide with the 100th anniversary of Navy aviation.

The show is slated for Aug. 27-28, and unlike previous shows, there will be an admission fee charged.