Portland Time

State of the Air

The American Lung Association recently released its annual 'State of the Air' report which looks at ozone quality, particle pollution, and groups at risk. Apparently the grades are based on the number of orange, red, and purple days which measure the healthiness (or in this case unhealthiness) of the air.

According to the report for Maine, Washington County has the best ozone quality with a 'C' grade and Hancock and York counties both share an 'F.' (Aroostook, Piscataquis, and Somerset counties didn't receive grades due to not having any data or maybe they don't have air there.) All of Maine struggled with the High Ozone Days but did very well in respect to particle pollution.

Here in Cumberland County, our ozone air got a solid 'D' and our particle pollution grade was an 'A.' Here is the summary:

In the Sun

Yesterday's high temperature of 92 degrees (33 Celsius) was some sort of record in Portland and was the first time it hit 90 in over a year.

Seagulls enjoying the weather

And some people enjoying the weather on the Eastern Prom

Looking into the Past: Up Congress Street

Looking 'up' congress street. This is taken from almost the same location as this picture, just looking in the opposite direction. I've posted shots in this direction before, and I assure you that it looks almost exactly the same today, which is a good thing. I do wish we had a trolley though.

In other local news, I hear it's supposed to be in the 80's (~26 Celsius) today! It will then settle down to a more comfortable and seasonally correct average temperature of 60 for the rest of the week.

Sandwich Shop

Sure was a nice weekend for a bike ride (that's not my bike in the picture) to the old port for a a sandwich. 

Also, Original Portland has a nice summary and link to the Press Herald's story this weekend concerning the Franklin Arterial. It had some great 'before and after' photos of the arterial's path of destruction. The city is hosting a public workshop on Wednesday about the future of the arterial that looks pretty neat.  Also make yourself familiar with the Franklin Reclamation Authority's website. 

Light on the water

A nice touristy shot of Bug Light in South Portland for today.

Also, I wish I thought of this, a google maps alphabet hunt.

Studio One

Studio One is a snazzy salon on Middle Street, in the Old Port. I was bored so I greyed out all the brick and left the window display in color. 

Also, this feed is in my 'blog list' to the right, but I will post a link here also. Check out yesterday's neat post on the Munjoy Hill News blog, called "Did you know?" This post (in a multi-post series) looks at the origins of a few street names around town. Did you know that Kellogg Street was named after a local pastor, and not a breakfast cereal brand? You do now. 

Floating Observatory?

This shot was taken from the Bug Light Park in South Portland, which offers some terrific views of the Portland skyline and surrounding harbor. I've posted many pictures from this location and will surely continue to do so. Here is a similar shot to the one above, showing how the shot was accomplished. I simply lowered my camera to the ground and the observatory in the distance was the only object peeking over the sidewalk. 

Decked

The new 135 Sheridan St. Condos seem to be finished, now through April 30th you can get a 'free' gas fireplace if you purchase a unit through their website. As you can also kind of see, Portland Trails has done some nice landscaping to connect Sheridan Street to the North Street Park/scenic outlook. 

Bicycle

A cyclist makes his way around Portland's Back Cove. 

Looking for a bike? I am. Some (there may be more I don't know of) of the Bike shops around town include: Gorham Bike and Ski, Back Bay Bicycle, Cycle Mania, Allspeed Bicycle and Ski, Peak Performance Multisport, Eastern Mountain Sports, and Ernie's Cycle Shop. 

Also be sure to check out the website for the Portland Bike Commuting group and the annual Bike Swap at USM this Saturday. 

West End = Best End

I don't know what this is all about. I'm sure the East Ender's have a different opinion. 

Edit: Thanks for the comment Matthew! This picture is of part of the 'Captcha the Flag II' event, billed as "(an) epic city-wide battle for directional superiority." Check out the event on facebook.

Milk & Exchange Streets

Looking down Milk Street to Exchange Street in the heart of the Old Port. It is almost summer and soon these streets will be full with tourists from Quebec, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and many other states and provinces. 

 

If they ever renamed Exchange Street (why?!), they could probably call it 'Buy Local Street.'