Cool Sounds Concert Series: Bruce Nye the Elvis Guy

By: Melinda Hart

This year’s Cool Sounds Concert Series kicked off in downtown Bangor last night, starting with an outdoor market at West Market Square, followed by a performance from Bruce Nye the Elvis Guy. Vendors ranged from empanadas from Thistles Restaurant to hand crafted jewelry to eccentric sculptures.

Maine Women's Fund leadership luncheon

By: Melanie Brooks

The women of Maine Ahead magazine were in Portland today at the Maine Women's Fund annual luncheon: Melanie Brooks, managing editor; Jennifer Violette, Julie Kaye, and Tracy O'Clair, sales team; and Melinda Hart, administrative assistant. Since Maine Ahead was a cornerstone sponsor, along with the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, we were all proud to represent our company.

There were some amazing women from across the state that received awards this year and I wanted to take a moment and introduce them to you...

Bangor Greendrinks at Hampden Natural Foods

By: Melanie Brooks

Last night, Mindy Hart and I represented Bangor Metro at the second Bangor Greendrinks event held at Hampden Natural Foods. The owners revamped an old garage and turned it into a spectacular three-walled event space decorated with hanging flowers provided by Hummingbird Hollow.

Greendrinkers were tempted with food by Ann Marie's Kitchen and locally produced Cupelo wine and Black Bear Brewery beer. It was a great turnout and I for one look forward to attending more of these fun events. If you love the environment mark your calendars for the next Greendrinks event: July 6th. Place is TBD. Check out the Bangor Greendrinks on facebook and get involved!

What's Happening this Weekend...

With so much to do this weekend, it's impossible to be bored.

Acadia Birding Festival
June 10-13
Bar Harbor
This year's theme is "South to North: Land Use Issues Affecting Migratory Birds." Lectures, walks, adventures, and more.
www.acadiabirdingfestival.com

Food & Wine Pairings
June 12, 19, & 26
Cellardoor Villa, Rockport
Join Cellardoor Winery this summer to learn what wines go best with chocolate, cheese, and other foods. Each session features local farms and businesses. Must be 21 or older.
www.mainewine.com

Aroostook State Park Birding Festival
June 12
Presque Isle
Held in the senic and first Maine state park, this festival offers live bird displays, bird walks, and demonstrations for bird banding and bird calling. 5 am-1 pm. Adults $2.

Moose Mainea Craft Fair
June 12
Downtown Greenville
Area crafts will be on hand to sell their wares, which include moose memorabilia and collectibles.
www.mooseheadlake.org

Moose Tails
June 12
Greenville
Moose lovers are invited to come and learn all about Maine's largest mammal and the Moosehead Region's star resident. Inland Fisheries and Wildlife game biologist Doug Kane will share his expertise about Maine's moose herd with a slide show presentation. 4:30 pm.
www.naturalresourceeducation.org

Margaretta Days Festival
June 12
University of Maine, Machias
June 12, 1775, marked the first naval battle of the American Revolution. June 12, 2010, marks the Margaretta Days Festival and the 235th birthday of the U.S. Merchant Marine. 10 am-4 pm.
www.margarettadays.org

MDI YMCA Spring 10K
June 12
Bar Harbor
Hit the pavement for this annual fundraising event for the MDI YMCA. 10K or 1 mile fun run for children under 12 years of age. Prizes for all who finish the fun run, which starts at 9:15 am; 10K starts at 10 am. $15 for 10K; $7 for fun run registration.
www.mdiymca.org

Antique Power Show
June 12
Skowhegan State Fairgrounds
Celebrate 35 years of old iron at the Maine Antique Power Show. The event includes antique engines, a flea market, raffle, and silent auction.
www.skowheganstatefair.com

Food & Wine Pairings
June 13, 20, & 27
Cellardoor Vineyard, Lincolnville
Discover which wines best compliment local foods. Sessions feature area farms and businesses, such as Seal Cove Farm, Appleton Creamery, and O'Meara Family Farm.
www.mainewine.com

2010 Outdoor Market & Cool Sounds Concert Series

It's that time of year again! Thursday nights, from June 10-July 29 join your neighbors and friends in Pickering Square in downtown Bangor for an outdoor market (opens at 5 pm) and a free concert (from 7-8 pm).

The Outdoor Market, located in West Market Square and along Broad Street, features local vendors selling handmade artwork, handbags, ironwork, jewelry, stained glass, woodwork, and more. Locally produced specialty foods and produce will also be featured. The weekly concerts are free and fun for the whole family. We hope to see you there!

June 10: Bruce Nye the Elvis Guy
Bruce Nye, I mean, Elvis performs all over Maine and the Tampa, Florida area with his wife Darleene, er, Priscilla. He not only has the crooning voice of the King, he has the outfits too.

June 17: Kayla Wass Band
Don't be fooled. If you think you hear Trisha Yearwood or Carrie Underwood, you're really hearing Kayla Wass, a twenty two year old country singer. Wass and her 5 piece band will entertain you with traditional and modern country music.

June 24: Flash! In the Pans
One of the largest community steelbands in the United States, Flash! In the Pans will perform traditional songs of the Blue Hill peninsula.

July 1: Blue Northern
This five piece band will play traditional, original, and contemporary acoustic music. the band features vocals from four members, guitar, upright bass, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, and tenor guitar.

July 8: Evergreen
Evergreen, an American roots music ensemble, blends the elements of bluegrass, folk, blues, old-time, country, and swing into a seamless, energizing music that appeals to a wide range of listeners.

July 15: Teen Jamboree
Four or five local teen musicians will showcase their talents for 15 minutes each.

July 22: Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys
If you love bluegrass, Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys is the band for you. The Plowbys will perform some of the most dynamic and original bluegrass music ever heard in New England.

July 29: RetroRockerz
This group of fiftysomethings play some of the greatest music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. They play songs of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Check out their website for a full list of songs so you can request your favorite.

2010 Gubernatorial Candidates

By Katelin Walling

The primary election for governor is coming up June 8. There are a lot of candidates vying for your vote for the next Governor of Maine, so we decided to compile a list of the candidates and their platforms to help readers become more informed. Today we're featuring Matthew Jacobson.



Matthew Jacobson
Republican
Portland

West Market Festival 2010

By: Melinda Hart

A little rain couldn't stop Bangor's third annual West Market Festival this past weekend. People of all ages gathered downtown for a day of music, comedy, and fashion -- not to mention puddle jumping.