PORTLAND, ME — Long-time Portland staple Vivid Motion Dance brings dancers and choreographers together for their spring show, telling the tales of Grania: Pirate Queen. With a focus on entertainment and supporting the love of dance for all ages, all humans, and all levels, the all-volunteer community has become an outlet for dancers and budding choreographers, and a place where both experienced and new dancers are able to perform on the stage together.

Co-directed by Scott Potter and Ali Odlin, Vivid Motion Dance’s spring show Grania: Pirate Queen tells the tale of Grania “Grace” O’ Malley, a woman born from a seafaring western Irish clan who becomes the most feared chieftain and pirate captain of the Irish seas. Her spirit and passion for adventure are representative of the country that she eventually finds herself struggling to preserve. 

Family, friends, and foes alike ebb and flow with the tides that she sails—all while she and her people fall under the lengthening shadow of the English Empire. Grania eventually comes face to face with the formidable Queen Elizabeth, her greatest rival… and perhaps the only person who could understand her. 

This all ages show opens at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17 at The Hill Arts on Munjoy Hill in Portland ME. Performances will run through Sunday, May 19th. Tickets are on sale now at vividmotiondance.org.

WHO: Vivid Motion Dance, Portland’s innovative and kinda quirky dance company

WHAT: Grania: Pirate Queen

WHEN:  Friday May 17, 2024 at 7:30pm; Saturday May 18, 2024 at 2:30pm; Saturday May 18, 2024 at 7:30pm; Sunday May 19, 2024 at 2:30pm

WHERE: The Hill Arts, 76 Congress Street, Portland

All tickets are $25 in advance / $30 at the door and are available at vividmotiondance.org. 

There will also be a pay-what-you-can dress rehearsal on Thursday, May 10th at 7:30pm. For dress rehearsal reservations, please email tickets@vividmotion.org.

PORTLAND, ME — As May begins, the American Red Cross reminds eligible donors to keep the blood supply stable by racing to give blood or platelets in the weeks to come. Donors of all blood types – especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets – are crucial to keeping shelves fully stocked with blood products throughout the month.

Right now, there’s no letting off the gas when it comes to lifesaving care. With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential for hospital patients who count on transfusions every single day.

Book a time to give lifesaving blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts, all who come to donate April 29-May 31 will get a coupon for a free haircut by email. Plus, those who come to give April 29-May 19 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two and VIP racing experience to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Races at Darlington Raceway Labor Day weekend, including entry to the Sport Clips racetrack hospitality tent and a $1,000 gift card. Additionally, those who come to give April 29-May 19 will also get a bonus $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/racetogive for more details.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 2-May 19

Androscoggin

Lisbon Falls 

5/7/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lisbon High School, 2 Sugg Drive

Cumberland

Brunswick

5/7/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Brunswick High School, 116 Maquoit Road

5/7/2024: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Martins Point Healthcare, 114 Bath Road

Cape Elizabeth

5/16/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saint Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Rd

Falmouth
5/9/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Holy Martyrs Church, 266 foreside road

5/16/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Episcopal Church of St. Mary, 43 Foreside Rd

Gorham
5/9/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cressey Road Christian Church, 81 Cressey Road

Portland

5/2/2024: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Deering High School, 370 Stevens Ave.

South Portland

5/13/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Eastpoint Christian Church, 345 Clarks Pond Pkwy

Westbrook
5/10/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Westbrook Community Center, 426 Bridge Street

Yarmouth
5/8/2024: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., First Parish Congregational Church, 116 Main Street

5/15/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saint Bartholomews Episcopal Church, 396 Gilman Road

GORHAM, ME — The Town Council Appointments Committee is seeking citizen volunteers to fill a vacancy on the Gorham Economic Development Corporation.

If you are interested in applying to serve on the Gorham Economic Development Corporation, go to the Town of Gorham’s website to fill out an application.  For more information, you may also contact the Town Clerk’s office at 222-1670.

Applications will be accepted until May 9, 2024

AUGUSTA, ME — The Augusta Symphony Orchestra presents its final regular season concert on Sunday, May 19 at 6 pm at the South Parish Congregational Church, 9 Church St, in Augusta, ME.

Under the direction of conductor Jinwook Park, the ASO will begin with Mozart’s high energy Overture from the Marriage of Figaro. The concert then spotlights ASO’s cellist Jonathan Moody as soloist performing the beautiful Cello Concerto in C Major by Joseph Haydn.

After growing up in the Pineland Suzuki program, Jon received his B.M. in performance at Susquehanna University in 2015, studying cello with Andrew Rammon, and his M.M. in performance at Bowling Green State University in 2017, studying with Alan Smith and Brian Snow. Jon works full time drafting CAD and has been teaching, playing in ASO, and playing as a mentor in Colby Symphony and Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony. 

Following intermission, the audience will be treated to the best of Beethoven – three of the most famous movements from his symphonies. The orchestra will conclude the concert with a special add-on performance of Bizet’s famous opera Carmen Suite No 1.

As always, ASO concerts are free, with donations gratefully accepted. For more information, please visit www.augustasymphonymaine.org . Please join us for an evening of fine music!

Jon Moody

BRUNSWICK, ME – Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) is thrilled to announce the return of its highly anticipated 2024 Annual Yard Sale. Scheduled for Saturday, April 27th, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Sunday, April 28th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 22 Elm Street, Brunswick, Maine, this event promises to be a treasure trove for seasoned thrift shoppers and bargain hunters alike.

Morgan Rodgers, Director of Development at MSMT, extends a warm invitation to all, emphasizing the significance of this event, stating, “This Yard Sale offers the perfect opportunity to support our organization while securing amazing deals. Our volunteers have spent the spring season meticulously cleaning, sorting, and pricing thousands of donated items, and every dollar spent directly supports MSMT.”

The excitement doesn’t stop there! Attendees can also plan to attend the Preview Night on Thursday, April 25th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, offering an exclusive sneak peek at the treasures awaiting discovery for a nominal fee of $20.

Dane Whitlock, MSMT’s Director of Marketing and Communications, shares invaluable tips for maximizing your Yard Sale experience, emphasizing the importance of arriving early to secure the finest treasures. “Our dedicated enthusiasts know that the early bird catches the worm,” he says. “You can practically roll up with a truck and load it with everything you need to furnish a one-bedroom apartment – from bed frames to cookware, and even wall art.”

Reflecting on his own experience, Whitlock adds, “Last year’s Yard Sale was a goldmine for me, providing two sets of exquisite dishes, furniture pieces, and stylish lamps. For those eager to snag the hottest items, a $20 donation to MSMT grants early access.”

For more information, visit msmt.org/yard-sale.

GORHAM, ME — April 25th & 26th will mark a new chapter in the USM Dance program as faculty and guest choreographers bring back the annual Spring Dance Concert with original works inspired by themes of reclamation and renewal. 

The April event marks the first dance concert on the Russell Hall stage in over four years. USM Dance students will perform newly-devised contemporary works created over the course of the spring semester. USM Dance faculty Jessie Laurita-Spanglet and Maria Tzianabos and guest choreographers Scott McPheeters and Niki Cousineau of Biddeford-based Subcircle and Kimberly Schroeder, University of Delaware Dance faculty, have come together for a semester-long creative process to give students the opportunity to explore the choreographic process and grow as dance artists and creative thinkers.

For USM Dance faculty and dance concert producer, Jessie Laurita-Spanglet, the themes of reclamation and renewal are ideal for the return of the dance concert, “When we return to an old dance or a once-familiar piece of music or art, we reimagine it from a new perspective. Reclaiming requires stepping into the unknown and reframing what we thought we knew into something that will carry us into the future.”

The process of creating these pieces is rooted in collaboratively exploring a theme and seeing where it takes her students. “In my creative processes I often start with an idea and then I set about exploring the idea through movement with the dancers”, says Laurita-Spanglet. “I see the dances that I create as almost having a life of their own, and it is my job as the choreographer to listen intently, collaborate openly, and guide the process while also being open to the work moving in a direction that I did not initially intend.”  She sees the creative process as a type of physical investigation that intellectually and creatively challenges her students. And one that will, ultimately, make the dance concert worth the wait for audiences and dancers alike. “We are so excited to bring our dance students back onto the stage!”

The USM Spring Dance Concert runs April 25th & 26th at 7pm. All performances take place on the USM Gorham campus in historic Russell Hall. 

To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit USM Theatre online at https://usm.maine.edu/department-theatre/box-office-tickets/ or call the USM Theatre Box Office at (207) 780-5151. 

USM Spring Dance Concert

April 25th & 26th, 7pm

Choreographers: Subcircle: Scott McPheeters and Niki Cousineau; Jessie Laurita-Spanglet; Kimberly Schroeder; Maria Tzianabos 

Ticket Prices: $18 for Adults, $14 for USM Faculty/Staff/Alumni, $12 for Seniors 65+, $8 for Students/Youth

Those needing special accommodations to participate fully in this program, contact Janice Gardner at (207)780-5289 or janice.gardner@maine.edu. Hearing impaired: call USM’s telex / TDD number (207)780-5646

Audrey Bendel & Ellie Backman. Photo by Sarah Graff Photography

FALMOUTH, ME — University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host a Basics of Composting Workshop on Wednesday, May 1, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the UMaine Gardens at Tidewater Farm, 200 Presumpscot Point Road, Falmouth.

Aimed at those interested in turning food scraps and waste into nourishment for plants, this event will cover the basics of composting. Topics covered in the workshop include advantages of different compost feedstocks, best practices to build and maintain a healthy compost pile, and horticultural uses of finished compost. Participants will also learn about different small-scale composting set-ups, from bins to lobster traps to tumblers. By the end of the workshop, attendees should be able to compost wherever they live, whether it’s a farm, apartment or community garden. 

Space is limited. Registration is required at the event webpage. Program fee is offered on a sliding scale, $5-$15. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the program website or contact Pamela Hargest, pamela.hargest@maine.edu, 207.949.4524.

YARMOUTH, ME – April marks National Safe Digging Month and Summit Natural Gas of Maine (Summit) urges customers to prioritize safety by calling 811 before starting any digging projects. It is critically important to contact 811 at least three working days before any digging projects. Calling 811 allows local utilities enough time to mark underground lines before a project begins.  You should not dig until you receive notification from all utilities that they have marked their underground facilities or that no underground facilities exist in your dig area. 

“Safety is our top priority at Summit, and a simple call to 811 a few days before a yard project can protect you, your family, and your community from damaging an underground utility line,” said Lizzy Reinholt, SVP of Corporate Affairs, Sustainability, and Marketing at Summit. “It is required by law that every digging project, no matter the size, requires you to contact 811 to make sure the underground utilities are safely marked before projects begin. This includes common projects like planting shrubs, landscaping or installing a new fence.”

When customers contact 811, local utility companies mark the approximate locations of buried lines in their yards, reducing the risk of injuries and service disruptions. It’s crucial to hand dig near marked lines and avoid using mechanized equipment to prevent damaging underground utilities.

Striking a single line can lead to costly repairs, outages, fines, injuries, and even fatalities. Projects such as installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree, or laying a patio require a free 811 request at least a few days prior to digging.

The depth of utility lines can vary due to erosion, previous projects, and uneven surfaces, making proper markings essential even for shallow digs. For more information on 811 and safe digging practices, visit www.811beforeyoudig.com or https://www.summitnaturalgasmaine.com/NaturalGasSafety.

AUGUSTA, ME – The Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) announced today that Maine Revenue Services, a bureau of DAFS, will extend the deadline to file Maine state taxes, for eight counties impacted by severe January storms, matching the recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) federal tax extension deadline for Maine taxpayers until July 15, 2024. 

 On April 4, 2024, the IRS announced federal tax relief for individuals and businesses in certain Maine counties affected by severe storms and flooding that began on January 9, 2024 and designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, and York counties, postponing various tax filing and payment deadlines to July 15, 2024.   

This extension is separate from an earlier IRS and Maine State tax filing deadline extension through June 17, 2024, in response to 10 FEMA designated Maine Counties as a result of December 2023 storms.  

Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and York counties were not included in the first IRS extension for filing through June 17, 2024 related to the December 2023 storms.?This new relief related to the January 2024 storms will extend certain filing and payment due dates for taxpayers in those counties through July 15, 2024.? For affected Maine taxpayers in these five counties, tax returns and final or estimated payments originally due on or after January 9, 2024, and before July 15, 2024 for Individual Income Tax, Corporate Income Tax, Fiduciary Income Tax (trusts and estates) and Franchise Tax are postponed to July 15, 2024.   

 Hancock, Waldo, and Washington counties did receive relief related to the December 2023 storms and already have an extension for certain filing and payments for Maine liabilities through June 17, 2024.?This extended relief related to the January 2024 storms will extend those deadlines out another month to July 15, 2024.  For affected Maine taxpayers in these three counties, tax returns and final or estimated payments originally due on or after December 17, 2023, and before July 15, 2024 for Individual Income Tax, Corporate Income Tax, Fiduciary Income Tax (trusts and estates) and Franchise Tax are postponed to July 15, 2024.    

In sum, taxes are due in the following Maine counties as indicated: 

April 17, 2024: Aroostook 

June 17, 2024: Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset 

July 15, 2024: Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, York 

 Any related penalties and interest will be abated through July 15, 2024 (Relief Period). Affected taxpayers are encouraged to file electronically. Affected taxpayers filing paper returns should write “MAINE FLOODING” across the top of their return. Affected taxpayers are still encouraged to make payments and file if they are able and prepared to do so before July 15, 2024. 

 Regardless of filing method, if any affected taxpayer receives a notice of assessment of penalties and/or interest for the Relief Period due to late returns or payments, please contact MRS immediately at income.tax@maine.gov (Income Tax programs) to request abatement.  

Payment and filing deadlines for all other Maine tax types, including Maine sales tax and income tax withholding, remain unchanged.  

Taxpayers with questions about special federal tax relief associated with federally declared disaster areas should contact the IRS at (866) 562-5227 or go to the IRS website at www.irs.gov. 

SCARBOROUGH, ME – Evergreen Credit Union’s upcoming Scarborough branch will open its doors on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

To celebrate the new location, there will be a ribbon cutting, beverages and treats on April 20 from 8:30am-12:30pm. Evergreen members may also step into the Evergreen Cash Cube to win Sea Dogs tickets, an exclusive tour of Winslow Homer’s art studio in Scarborough, movie tickets and more.

The team is looking forward to welcoming new and returning members. “We’re excited to serve more of southern Maine with the branch opening,” said Jason Lindstrom, Evergreen’s President/CEO. “We welcome those in the Scarborough and the surrounding area to check out our newest branch.”

Evergreen Credit Union is Maine’s 5th largest credit union, with over $550 million in assets and serving 6 counties in southern Maine. Their Scarborough branch will be their 6th location. To learn more about Evergreen, visit https://www.egcu.org.

Evergreen CU’s Scarborough branch, scheduled to open Saturday, April 20, 2024.