Environmental group receives activism award
Protect South Portland, the grassroots environmental group, has received the Judy Bond Memorial Award for outstanding citizen activism from the Toxics Action Center for the role it played in getting a local ban on tar-sands oil passed last summer.
The award was given out this past weekend during the Local Environmental Action Conference, New England’s largest grassroots environmental conference, which was hosted by the Toxics Action Center and the Massachusetts Climate Action Network.
Andy Jones, the community organizer for the Toxics Action Center in Maine, presented the award at the event, which was held in Boston.
“I’m thrilled to recognize the courageous members of Protect South Portland and very proud of everything our group has accomplished. Because of our work, the city of South Portland continues to be a great place to live,” Jones said.
He moved back to his hometown of South Portland two years ago and joined Protect South Portland as a volunteer, eventually joining the staff at the Toxics Action Center.
The environmental action conference brings together several hundred activists each spring for a day of learning, networking and inspiration.
“We are honored to be part of a long tradition of regular people standing up to powerful interests in order to decide the future of our communities” said Rachel Burger of Protect South Portland.
– Kate Irish Collins
Peoples UMC offers bean supper
On Saturday, March 21, 5-6 p.m., the Peoples United Methodist Church, located at 310 Broadway in South Portland, will host a baked bean supper. The cost is $8 per person or $17 per family. On the menu are baked beans, casseroles, homemade pies and more. Call 799-1413 for more information.
Lyric Theater to host fundraiser
Join Lyric Music Theater for an evening of fun and fundraising at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 21.
This one-night-only event includes toe-tapping song and dance numbers, as well as hors d’ouevres, libations and a silent and live auction.
All proceeds will support the theater, a nonprofit that has staged a variety of community theater productions for more than 60 years.
Doors open and silent auction begins at 7 p.m.
The variety show, entitled “Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day,” and featuring Lyric Theater favorites, begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are
$25 per person, which includes a seat for the show, refreshments and a bidding number for the auction.
Go online to www.lyricmusictheater.org or call 799-1421 for tickets or more information.
Take coffee break with SPPD
The South Portland Police Department will hold its next Coffee with a Cop event at Simple Simon’s on Wednesday, March 25, 8-10 a.m. Come meet with local patrol officers, ask questions and share concerns. This event is free and open to the public. Call 799-5511 for more information.
Celebrate mustaches at the library
Celebrate Mustache March with the South Portland Public Library. Hear mustache-themed stories and make mustache crafts on Saturday, March 21, at 10:30 a.m. It’s sure to be a dapper day of facial hair fun for all ages. This event is free and open to the public. Call 767-7660, ext. 3, or see www.southportlandlibrary.com for more information.
Preschool open houses set
The South Portland School Department will hold two open house events for families interested in enrolling their 4-year-olds in the city’s preschool program.
The first will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, at the Opportunity Alliance Family Center, located at 50 Lydia Lane. This session is for children living near Skillin and Brown schools.
The second open house will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, at Kaler Elementary School, located at 65 South Kelsey St. Call the superintendent’s office at 871-0555 for more information.
Learn to meditate
On Saturday, March 21, at 1 p.m., the South Portland Parks and Recreation Department will offer a session on learning to meditate. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Go online to https://apm.activecommunities.com/southportlandcommctr/Home to sign up.
This class offers a broad range of simple and effective concentration and meditation exercises including breathing, visualization, music and mantras and will provide participants the opportunity to develop their own personal practice.
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