Thursday, September 30, 2010

Running into the Sunset

Along the Western Promenade last evening, a beautiful night for a jog:


Leaves - OK:


Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Volunteer Around Portland - September 2010



Welcome to the first installment of Volunteer Around Portland. This may be a monthly thing, or maybe not. Anyhow, I thought it makes for good filler material between the daily photos.

Interested in finding a volunteer opportunity in Portland (or elsewhere)? I recommend visiting idealist.org, volunteermaine.org, craigslist.org, or simply googling 'volunteer opportunities in Maine' for a million other sites. Here are some volunteer opportunities worth featuring in this inaugural post:

Harvest on the Harbor - Event Volunteers 
For more info, visit here or here. This top-notch annual event held at Portland's Ocean Gateway Terminal is Maine's premier food and wine experience. The event happens from October 21-23 and volunteers are needed for a wide range of activities.

East End Community School - Classroom Volunteers
The EECS, up on the hill, is looking for classroom volunteers. According to this posting at volunteermaine.org, volunteers assist teachers and  work with students on projects, among other duties. I bet volunteers even get a break for recess. 

Portland Trails - Trail Work Volunteers
As someone who reads this blog, you may know that I am a fan of the Portland Trails organization. They are a good group of people with a good purpose. If you use their network of trails, you may find it fulfilling to help out with trail maintenance and upkeep. It's good exercise too! Click here for info.

Are you involved in an organization that is looking for volunteers? Send me an email to be featured in an upcoming post.

Pai Men Miyake & King of the Roll

Pai Men Miyake is now open in Longfellow Square.


And here's a look across the street of the new-ish King of the Roll facade at night:


Tuesday, September 28, 2010

This doorway belongs to an old brick building (note the Greater Portland Landmarks plaque) on Park Street. Note the faces engraved on the doors. As taking the photo, someone who apparently owns or live in the building informed me that the faces are based on the children of the person who constructed the building. An interesting tribute to ones children.


And in the name of randomness, here is a sign fail on Exchange Street: 


Monday, September 27, 2010

Flashback: September 2009

Let's look back at a few photos posted a year ago this month (before the month is over, it sure went fast!)




You can check out all the photos from September 2009 by clicking here, or look at photos from any month since January 2008 by scrolling down to the 'blog archive' section on the right side of the page.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Museum Day

I believe that today, the 25th, is the Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day. Check out their website to print your free admission ticket. It looks like the Portland museums that are participating are the Maine Historical Society Museum / Longfellow House (awkwardly pictured below), the Portland Museum of Art, and  the Children's Museum & Theater of Maine


Friday, September 24, 2010

Countries on Congress Street

Congress Street is probably among the state's most ethnically diverse streets. This also applies to a diverse range of businesses. From African Grocery to Z Fabrics (see what I did there?), Congress has it all. 

African Grocery (African food)


Mesa Verde (Mexican Food)



Thursday, September 23, 2010

The Plan


In the fashion department, I saw a retro Pirates shirt recently, nice:


Have you heard about the Portland Police Department's new anonymous crime tip hotlines? You can submit anonymous messages to the police through text, voicemail, or the web. Here's the city's press release, and here is a Press Herald article on the subject. 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

We Built This City

Looking through the construction of a new Walgreen's on Marginal Way (Bayside). Formerly the site of a "Whole Grocer" store. 

In this installment of "Pumpkin Watch 2010," here is a good one outside of Arabica Coffee on Free St.


I believe today is the first day of the fall season, so I need to get in the habit of using the 'fall' label instead of the 'summer' label for my posts.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Long and Winding Road

View from the Casco Bay Bridge:

Another cruise ship photo from last weekend:

For the non-Portland related link of the day, check out this photo gallery at the National Geographic website that has tips on how to take pictures of/in cities. It has several beautiful images along with helpful hints. It's a good spot for some photographic inspiration.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga will be at a rally in Deering Oaks Park at 4pm today. The rally is in regards to repealing the 'don't ask don't tell' law. This post has nothing to do with that, I just want to see how many people google the phrase Lady + Gaga + Portland and end up on my site.

On to the photos... Cruise ship season is in full swing, as seen from the Casco Bay Bridge:

It is also a good season for being on a smaller boat:

Saturday, September 18, 2010

A Pumpkin on Every Porch

I have seen a growing number of pumpkins around town. I believe that the fall season officially begins next week. This photo is from Winter Street in the West End.






Friday, September 17, 2010

Looking Up and Down

Museum of Art stickers, as seen on a light post on Free Street:


The Park Street fence of the Victoria Mansion. I'd rather have this fence than a white picket one.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Portland History - Lincoln Park Wind Mill

Read the Rock:


Once again, note the lack of comprehensive posts this week due to being on vacation. I created this week's post earlier this week and am trying the "scheduled posts" setting on blogger.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Monday, September 13, 2010

Bulletin Board

At the Corner of Congress and High Streets. I believe the antique store here will be moving back in once renovations are completed.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Bookends


Cunningham Books is closing apparently. Get down there and get some book on sale. I've been in there a few times and will miss its presence in Longfellow Square. Every square needs a bookstore!


Thursday, September 9, 2010

Better Know a Street: South Street

Today, lets take a peek at South Street. This street is 254 feet long (measured here) and is a dead end road accessed from Pleasant Street. Before the Spring Street arterial and the Civic Center was created, I believe this street connected over to Spring Street and perhaps beyond. Prior to getting to know this street better, if someone asked me "how do you get to South Street from here?" I would have had no idea. So know I know,  and maybe you will remember where it is, too.

View Larger Map

Looking North from Pleasant Street

I believe this is some sort of office, maybe an architecture firm

My favorite building on South Street

On the other end of South Street, looking back to Pleasant Street


Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Elite

Elite Taxi on St. John Street 


"Twas the Night Before Christmas," found in the West End:


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Fog Rolling In

Some fog beyond the Ocean Gateway terminal. Wish I had my telephoto lens to get a closer shot of Bug Light surrounded by the fog. Maybe next time.

Friday, September 3, 2010

You Have Mail

Somewhere on Munjoy Hill:


The new facade of King of the Roll restaurant in Longfellow Square was revealed recently. Interesting.



Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Moving

I think I've shared some shots of this Bayside scrapyard before. It's pretty photogenic. 


Today is move-in day to my new apartment , I didn't end up with the Maine-themed UHaul but I got a picture of it.