Making Real Estate Easy!

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2012-02-10T20:50:00.000-05:00

215. Mediterranean Grill in Freeport: Pleasant simple atmosphere with good food like the salmon filet and fresh house salad. Bread served with delicious dipping oil.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mediterranean-Grill/188650221176216

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2012-02-08T14:44:00.000-05:00

214. The Crooked Mile deli and coffee house in the Old Port has delicious lunches including a grilled cheese and soup deal``try the sweet potato corn chowder!
The cupcake was very good too with very creamy lemon vanilla frosting and a dollop of lemon filling in the moist cake.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Crooked-Mile/115983705088938

2011 Energy Tax Credits: What You Need to Know to Collect

2012-02-07T15:08:00.000-05:00

Published: January 23, 2012 By: Donna Fuscaldo
They’re not as much as they used to be, but there are still energy tax credits to be had for upgrades made in 2011.Effort: Low 1-2 hrs (Form 5695)

Saves: Low $500 (tax credit)
2011’s federal energy tax credits of up to $500 for various home improvements are a far cry from what they were in 2009 and 2010. But if you upgraded to one or more of the following systems in 2011, you may be eligible to take a tax credit on your 2011 returns. (As of January 2012, the feds haven’t extended the credits beyond 2011.)

Biomass stoves

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning

Insulation

Roofs (metal and asphalt)

Water heaters (non-solar)

Windows, doors, and skylights

Storm windows and doors

The energy tax credits are small, but at least a credit is better than a deduction:

Deductions just reduce your taxable income.

With a credit, you get a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your tax liability: If you get the $500 credit, you pay $500 less in taxes.

Other limits on IRS energy tax credits besides $500 max

Credit only extends to 10% of the cost (not the 30% of yesteryear), so you have to spend $5,000 to get $500.

$500 is a lifetime limit. If you pocketed $500 or more in 2009 and 2010 combined, you’re not entitled to any more money for energy-efficient improvements in the above seven categories. But if you took $300 in the last two years, for example, you can get up to $200 in 2011.

With some systems, your cap is even lower than $500.

$500 is the max for all qualified improvements combined.

Certain systems capped below $500

No matter how much you spend on some approved items, you’ll never get the $500 credit—though you could combine some of these:

System Cap

New windows $200 max (and no, not per window—overall)

Advanced main air-circulating fan $50 max

Qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler $150 max

Approved electric and geothermal heat pumps; central air-conditioning systems; and natural gas, propane, or oil water heaters $300 max

And not all products are created equal in the feds’ eyes. Improvements have to meet IRS energy-efficiency standards to qualify for the tax credit. In the case of boilers and furnaces, they have to meet the 95 AFUE standard. EnergyStar.gov has the details.

Tax credits cover installation—sometimes

Rule of thumb: If installation is either particularly difficult or critical to safe functioning, the credit will cover labor. Otherwise, not. (Yes, you’d have to be pretty handy to install your own windows and roof, but the feds put these squarely in the “not covered” category.)

Installation covered for:

Biomass stoves

HVAC

Non-solar water heaters

Installation not covered for:

Insulation

Roofs

Windows, doors, and skylights

How to claim the 2011 energy tax credit

Determine if the system you installed is eligible for the credits. Go to Energy Star’s website for detailed descriptions of what’s covered; then talk to your vendor.

Save system receipts and manufacturer certifications. You’ll need them if the IRS asks for proof.

File IRS Form 5695 with the rest of your tax forms in 2012.

This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but isn’t intended to be relied upon as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Consult a tax professional for such advice, and remember that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.

Donna Fuscaldo

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/tax-credits/how-to-collect-2011-tax-energy-credits/#ixzz1ljDpJ5aB

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2012-02-07T15:01:00.001-05:00

213. Great Asian fare: Pai Men Miyake restaurant in Longfellow Square.
Beautiful surroundings for delicious items like avocado roll or chicken dumplings!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-02T20:34:00.002-05:00

Children's Museum: Portland, ME

2012-01-30T13:30:00.000-05:00

This fun museum made the Forbes Best 12 list:

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ehkj45fihl/childrens-museum-of-maine-portland-me/

York County Maine Real Estate Stats

2012-01-29T17:52:00.001-05:00

Checkout the York County area single family home statistics:

http://www.mainerealtors.com/Statistics/00-10/York00-10Data.pdf

Winter Scenes in Maine~~Ice Fishing

2012-01-28T18:49:00.002-05:00

Cumberland County Maine Real Estate Stats

2012-01-25T15:21:00.000-05:00

Check out the history of home sales/prices for Cumberland County Maine:

http://www.mainerealtors.com/Statistics/00-10/Cumberland00-10Data.pdf

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2012-01-24T19:48:00.001-05:00

212. Hair Salon: J Kelley on Congress St Portland~~Really fun hair salon with stylish cuts. They offer a glass of wine before you even sit down. Relax and enjoy the results!
http://www.jkelleysalon.com/default.html

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2012-01-18T15:10:00.001-05:00

211. Maine Diners: Blast from the Past in Waterboro~~ old-fashioned look with all the special accoutrements--counter, 60's music, dinette tables etc.
Get a cheap breakfast all day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blast-from-the-past-diner/156659804387795

Special Mention~~Fresh Doughnuts from Lucy and Edna's

2012-01-08T16:27:00.000-05:00

These doughnuts are fresh daily and very dense and chewy. They have a good coating of cinnamon sugar, too. Worth the drive to Pownal ME to get a bag of them! Best ever.....

7 Ways to Be a Better Recycler

2012-01-05T15:21:00.000-05:00

Published: July 18, 2011 By: Courtney Craig
Green Living
Recycling & Reusing

If you do just one thing to “live green” and care for the environment, chances are it’s recycling. About three-quarters of people in the U.S. recycle, and the EPA says that recycling “generates a host of financial, environmental, and social returns.” Most Americans recycle — but there's a right and a wrong way to recycle properly.
If you do just one thing to “live green” and care for the environment, chances are it’s recycling. About three-quarters of people in the U.S. recycle, and the EPA says that recycling “generates a host of financial, environmental, and social returns.”

What a lot of folks don’t know, however, is that it takes a little know-how to be a really good recycler. That’s because improper recycling can introduce impurities that gum up the recycling works.

The good news? It doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to be a smart recycler. Here are some great tips on how to be a top-notch recycler at your house:

1. If you drink from a plastic bottle, remove the twist-off cap and ring. They aren’t recyclable. In fact, bottles that arrive at recycling centers with the caps still on often are trashed. It’s too much work for the center’s employees to remove every cap, so do your part and remove them.

2. Don’t recycle anything that has food residue stuck to it. This goes for pizza boxes, paper towels, paper plates, and anything you’ve used to mop up a spill. Food waste adds impurities to products made from recycled materials, rendering them useless. Instead of tossing the whole pizza box into the trash, tear off the lid and any part of the box that’s clean, and recycle those.

3. Rinse everything out. It’s more efficient if the recycling center gets items that have been cleaned, and rinsing prevents your recycling bin from getting stinky and attracting pests. Don’t go crazy with scrubbing; a simple rinse is fine. While you’re at it, peel off any labels, along with as much of the sticky residue as you can.

4. Find out what types of plastic your local recycling center accepts. There are many different types of plastics, and not all of them are recyclable everywhere. Look for the number inside the recycling symbol — the three arrows that form a triangle — and make sure you only put the right types into your bin.

5. Pay attention to paper. Shredded paper doesn’t have the long fibers needed to make good recycled paper products, so find another use for it instead. Remove brightly colored paper, construction paper, and wax paper from regular white paper. Stick to paper from a notebook or printer. But don’t worry about tearing the little plastic window out of white envelopes — that small bit of plastic won’t hurt the recycling process.

6. Don’t put plastic grocery bags into your recycling bin. Instead, take a bunch with you next time you go to the store and recycle them there. If there’s not a bin to collect bags, ask the store manager to put one out. Better yet, get some reusable bags and forget about the plastic ones altogether.

7. When in doubt, call your local recycling center. Every community is different; find out how to maximize the recycling potential of yours.

Courtney Craig

Courtney Craig is an Atlanta-based writer and editor. She believes no effort is too small when it comes to green living, which she blogs about at The Greenists, a site she co-founded.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/blog/recycling-reusing/how-to-recycling/#ixzz1icJbtTJ4

101 things I Love about Portland Maine

2012-01-05T15:11:00.002-05:00

210. Burgers: always looking for good burgers in the area and today I found one at The Grill House Local Tavern in South Portland.

A big juicy chargrilled patty topped with blue cheese and with a side of crunchy sweet potato fries--perfect!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Grill-House-Local-Tavern/277611535618591

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2012-01-02T19:03:00.001-05:00

209.Plush West End Bar: Newer bar and restaurant in the old Katahdin site. Modern industrial style with large bar and great menu of small "tastes".
Happy hour from 5 to 8PM offers drink discounts including a $5 cosmo that's delicious.
We tried PEI mussels, French onion soup and burger sliders, and fudgy brownie--all really good!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Plush-West-End/120764227998789?sk=wall

HAPPY NEW YEAR MESSAGE

2011-12-30T20:08:00.002-05:00

Click to see message:

http://bit.ly/sx1OPX

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-12-28T13:37:00.002-05:00

207. GOGI, Korean and Mexican restaurant on Congress St: lunch was delicious~~sweet potato fries--crisp outside; fried pork dumplings--crunchy and hot; fish and chicken tacos--soft shell and fresh ingredients.

http://www.facebook.com/GogiME

Welcome to 2012~~The Year to Buy a New Home!

2011-12-27T22:47:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas

2011-12-19T21:09:00.000-05:00

From my house to yours......

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-12-19T20:59:00.000-05:00

206. Limo Service from Affinity in Buxton Maine: Great way to travel in luxury. We enjoyed seeing the Christmas lights with our expert and friendly driver Amanda. http://affinity-limousine.com/

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-12-11T16:01:00.000-05:00

205. Standard Baking Company on Commercial Street (behind Fore Street Restaurant): This outstanding bakery has fabulous breads of all types~~most notably their baguettes. At the holidays you can also find delicious treats like these lobster shaped sugar cookies.

How to Seal Out Drafts and Seal in Comfort

2011-12-09T14:18:00.000-05:00

Published: December 14, 2010 By: Jeanne Huber

Seal air leaks around your windows and doors to prevent wasting precious home heating and cooling energy that costs you money.Effort: Low 3-4 hours

Investment: Low $25-$37
Caulking and adding new weatherstripping can make old windows more efficient.
An average home loses up to 30% of its heating and cooling energy through air leaks. The most significant air leaks tend to occur around windows and doors. To stop air leaks and prevent your home heating and cooling dollars from vanishing in the wind, it’s important to seal any air leaks around windows and doors.

Check for air leaks
With windows and doors closed, hold a lit stick of incense near window and door frames where drafts might sneak in. Watch for smoke movement. Note what sources need caulk, sealant, and weather-stripping.

Seal air leaks around windows
If you have old windows, caulking and adding new weatherstripping goes a long way toward tightening them up.

Bronze weatherstripping ($12 for 17 feet) lasts for decades but is time-consuming to install.

Self-stick plastic types are easy to put on but don’t last very long.

Adhesive-backed EPDM rubber ($8 for 10 feet) is a good compromise, rated to last at least 10 years.

Nifty gadgets called pulley seals ($9 a pair) block air from streaming though the holes where cords disappear into the frames.

Seal air leaks around doors
Check for air leaks, and replace old door weatherstripping with new.

Foam-type tape has an adhesive backing; it’s inexpensive and easy to install. If it comes loose, reinforce it with staples.

Felt is either adhesive-backed or comes with flexible metal reinforcement. it must be tacked or glued into place. It’s cheap and easy to install, but it has low durability.

Tubular rubber, vinyl, and silicone weatherstripping is relatively expensive and tricky to install, but it provides an excellent seal. Some types come with a flange designed to fit into pre-cut grooves in the jambs of newer doors; check your existing weatherstripping and replace with a similar style.

Check exterior trim for any gaps between the trim and your door frames, and the trim and your siding. Caulk gaps with an exterior latex caulk ($5 for a 10-ounce tube).

Jeanne Huber Jeanne Huber is the author of 10 books about home improvement and writes a weekly column about home care for the Washington Post.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/maintenance-repair/seal-air-leaks-around-windows-and-doors/#ixzz1g4BX46VG

NEW LISTING~~LISBON, MAINE

2011-12-07T18:22:00.001-05:00

Check out this adorable Cape style home:

http://www.postlets.com/repb/6703215

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-12-01T20:39:00.001-05:00

204. Wine Bar on Wharf Street in Old Port: Relaxed, inviting atmosphere with comfy chairs and couches and fireplace plus friendly staff and good food make this a great meeting place. Oh, and the wine selection is great, too!

Closing in Portland~~ Happy Seller

2011-12-01T10:57:00.000-05:00

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-11-29T19:07:00.001-05:00

203. New bakery alert: Bakery on the Hill --Munjoy that is. A very pleasant seating area and friendly staff make this a must for all your elegant holiday desserts and a shopping break spot with plenty of yummy treats. I brought home a delicious creme brulee. Here is the "before" picture.

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-11-27T15:52:00.001-05:00

202. Siano's Brick oven pizza in Freeport location:
Delicious pizzas with choice of whole wheat crust and lots of toppings in large attractive setting.
http://www.sianosbrickoven.com/

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-11-27T15:48:00.000-05:00

202. Skillins Greenhouse in Cumberland

Get all your Christmas greens and decorations at one of their locations.

They have Amaryllis, Paperwhites, and Hyacinth bulbs, too.

http://skillins.com/

7 Ways to Have an Eco-Friendly Christmas

2011-11-27T01:29:00.001-05:00

Published: December 10, 2010 By: G. M. Filisko
With a few conscious choices, your merry Christmas can also be an eco-friendly Christmas
Create some inexpensive decorations by stringing popcorn and cranberries together. It's a fun project for the kids, too. Image: Andersen Ross/Blend Images/Getty Images

‘Tis the season to consume and decorate, which can leave your bank statement and the planet a little beat up. Celebrate an eco-friendly Christmas and nip your seasonal costs in the bud:

1. Light up with LEDs. LED lights use at least 75% less energy than conventional holiday decorations, according to Energy Star. That saves the average family about $50 on energy bills during the holiday, says Avital Binshtock of the Sierra Club in San Francisco. Or douse the lights and use soy-based or beeswax candles; their emissions are cleaner than those from paraffin candles.

2. Make your own decorations. Save money and keep your kids busy by hand-crafting eco-friendly decor—strings of popcorn or pine cones—instead of buying mass-produced holiday flare.

3. Wrap with stuff you already have. Get creative with reusable shopping bags, magazines, and newspapers instead of using wrapping paper. Even gift bags that recipients can pass on make for a more eco-friendly Christmas, says Brian Clark Howard of The Daily Green.

4. Buy a real tree. Real Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands are renewable and recyclable, Binshtock says. Real trees mean an annual cost, but that may be a wash if you tend to buy a faux tree several times a decade.

5. Say “no” to glossy paper decorations and wrapping. Shininess and color come from chemicals not easily recycled. Alternative: Decorations or wrapping papers that use soy inks or natural dyes.

6. Package it in cardboard. Plain, corrugated cardboard is good for packaging because it’s easy to recycle. If plastic factors into your holiday plans, look for No. 1 and No. 2 plastics, the easiest to recycle, says Ben Champion, director of sustainability for Kansas State University.

7. Create precious moments that don’t leave a trail of debris.

Do something experiential like taking the family to a museum.

Give a gift certificate or donation to an organization meaningful to the recipient in the receiver’s name. Happy holidays to you: No sales tax.

Buy fair-trade, organic, or locally made products, which are often one-of-a-kind and may not need as much packaging and shipping, Champion says.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/green-living/eco-friendly-christmas/#ixzz1estO10EG

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-11-21T17:24:00.000-05:00

201. Looking for a good reason to go to the Maine Mall? How about cupcakes? Yes, right in the center isle, you can pick bite size, regular or supersize. I tried a vanilla cake with berry frosting--bite size. The cake is very moist and the frosting is buttery and rich~~just the way I like them. There are several flavor combos to pick from and I plan to go back to try more. This is a local Cape Elizabeth company.

Happy Thanksgiving to all

2011-11-20T19:22:00.001-05:00

Click on link below for Thanksgiving Message:

http://marketing.remaxdesigncenter.com/03/70203/1593070/1593070.swf

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-11-20T19:05:00.001-05:00

200. Simply Divine Brownies in Freeport: All flavors imaginable of rich decadent fudgy brownies! Nuff said....

http://www.simplydivinebrownies.com/

Portland on Another Best of List: Deering Center Neighborhood

2011-11-15T23:34:00.000-05:00

I have always lived in Portland and love the older Victorian homes in Deering Highlands and Center.
Call for more information or to find out what homes are selling for in this area.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20466773_20916750,00.html

Energy-Efficient Fireplace Options

2011-11-11T13:37:00.001-05:00

Published: September 21, 2010 By: Rich Binsacca
Fireplaces & Chimneys

Energy-efficient fireplaces, both wood-burning and gas, let you enjoy the glow of a fire without letting your home heating energy go up in smoke.Effort: Low 3-4 hours (pro install)
Investment: Low $300-$500 (glass doors installed)

EPA-qualified wood-burning fireplaces regulate how much air is used for combustion, reducing energy use and emissions. Image: Industrial Chimney Company

A traditional wood-burning fireplace adds warmth and romantic ambience to a home’s interior. But most are energy hogs, converting only 15% of wood’s energy into useful heat. Fortunately, new energy-efficient fireplace designs are helping wood-burning fireplaces achieve efficiency ratings of 75% or more. Fireplace inserts and gas fireplaces are even more efficient.

Energy-efficient wood-burning fireplaces

If you’re adding a wood-burning fireplace, avoid the standard design, which sends too much of your home’s heated air up the chimney. Consider these energy-efficient wood-burning fireplaces:

Rumford fireplaces feature a shallow box design that reflects more heat into the room.

EPA-rated fireplaces have good performance and high energy-efficiency ratings. They are designed to pull in outdoor air for combustion, and circulate room air around the firebox to extract as much useable heat as possible. In addition, EPA-approved wood-burning fireplaces produce much less air pollution than standard fireplaces.

Fireplace inserts are sealed metal boxes designed to fit inside masonry fireplace openings. They use outside air for combustion, and are designed to circulate and warm inside air. Inserts burn a variety of biomass fuels, including wood and pellets. Some units are rated at 80% efficiency.

If you already own a standard wood-burning fireplace, make it more energy efficient by installing glass doors. Glass doors limit the amount of room air that is sucked into the fireplace during combustion.

Glass doors work particularly well when a fire is burning down for the night and you must leave the damper open. Otherwise, glass doors block radiant heat; keep them open when your fire is blazing. Expect to pay $300 to $500 for glass doors, installed.

Energy-efficient gas fireplaces

If you want the convenience and low maintenance of a energy-efficient gas fireplace, you have two good options:

Direct-vent gas fireplaces, which use two-way vents that supply outside air for combustion, have energy-efficiency ratings as high as 77%. That’s better than the top gas fireplaces connected to a chimney.

Vent-free gas fireplaces are even more energy-efficient because they don’t send exhaust outside. But they release a lot of moisture into inside indoor air.

Tax credits for fireplaces

Some types of fireplaces qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $300 until the end of 2011. In addition, certain states may provide tax credits for various types of energy-efficiency improvements, including fireplaces.

Rich Binsacca has been writing about housing and home improvement since 1987. He is the author of 12 books on various home-related topics, is currently a contributing editor for Builder and EcoHome magazines, and has written articles to such magazines as Remodeling, Home, and Architectural Record, among several others. He intermittently uses the wood-burning fireplace and the gas-fueled freestanding stove that came with his current home.

Day of Remembrance

2011-11-11T11:39:00.001-05:00

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-11-10T21:41:00.001-05:00

199,. Clay Hill Farm in Cape Neddick: Enjoy fine dining in a beautiful woodland setting with crackling fireplace.

Valet parking, excellent servers, and delicious menu choices. Pricey but worth it!
http://www.clayhillfarm.com/

Wine Happy Hour at The Front Room~~Portland

2011-11-07T19:32:00.000-05:00

The wines are only $2 a glass during their Happy Hour. Pair a glass with a bowl of fab French onion soup with gobs of cheese and you have a $8 meal! http://www.thefrontroomrestaurant.com/

Set Clocks Back This Weekend 11/6

2011-11-03T13:17:00.001-04:00

Time to set your clocks back one hour before bed on Saturday night.
This is also a good time to change batteries in alarms and smoke detectors.

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

2011-10-27T20:00:00.000-04:00

Tips to Spruce Up Your Kitchen: HouseLogic.com

2011-10-24T09:02:00.001-04:00

http://www.houselogic.com/photos/kitchens/10-tips-give-your-kitchen-low-cost-facelift/slide/the-hook-up/#the-hook-up

Special Mention in Woodstock: Mountain Creamery

2011-10-23T19:57:00.000-04:00

Speaking of mountains~~These hot fudge sundaes are piled high with topping including the best hot fudge sauce ever!

Their mile high apple pie!

http://mountaincreameryvt.com/

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-10-23T19:47:00.000-04:00

198. Overnight trips from Portland: Queechee and Woodstock Vermont:

Truffled Fries at the Elixir in White River

Toy Museun Queechee Falls

Antique Group Shop

More toys

Lunch at Bentley's in Woodstock

The perfect fall trip to see the Gorge, the falls, covered bridges, foliage, antiques and old toys, and to enjoy some great meals and tasty treats.

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-10-18T15:37:00.001-04:00

197. Cheap and hearty breakfasts: this "Full Belly" special was from All Day Breakfast in Biddeford--included real maple syrup for the blueberry pancakes!
http://www.mrbreakfast.com/r_display.asp?restid=5990

Why Leaves Change Color

2011-10-16T16:23:00.002-04:00

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/pubs/leaves/leaves.shtm

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-10-15T21:05:00.000-04:00

196. Indian Food at Hi Bombay: elegant dining with reasonable prices. The dishes are carefully prepared and so delicious!

The garlic nan and other breads are fresh and tasty. A real treat! http://www.hibombay.com/

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-10-15T21:00:00.000-04:00

195. The Snug, Irish bar on upper Congress Street feels authentic if you need a little taste of Ireland. http://thesnugpub.com/

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-10-08T23:02:00.000-04:00

194. Fun and funky art work in small studios in the building on the corner of High and Congress: New discovery tonight.
Wonderful creations by adults with developmental disabilities. I bought the cat.

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-10-08T22:54:00.000-04:00

193. Portland Museum of Art Cafe by Aurora Provisions: Stop in on Friday Art Walk and enjoy a glass of wine and dessert.

Museum is free on Friday nights.

Friday Night Art Walk~~Portland ME

2011-10-08T22:50:00.000-04:00

90 Hennessey Dr, Portland, ME | Powered by Postlets

2011-10-04T16:23:00.001-04:00

90 Hennessey Dr, Portland, ME Powered by Postlets

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-10-02T13:29:00.000-04:00

192. India Taste restaurant in South Portland: A delicious treat on a rainy Fall evening, the food is flavorful and fresh. We tried mango chicken and Masala chicken with garlic Nan bread. All perfect!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/India-Taste-Maine/109476209139608

Build Package in Wiscasset: New Listing

2011-10-01T12:09:00.000-04:00

Check this out: http://www.postlets.com/repb/6328199

2011-09-30T17:25:00.002-04:00

9 Unexpected Energy (and Money) Savers

Money-Saving Ideas

Here are a few surprising and simple ways to cut your energy bill this season:

Give your pocketbook and Mother Nature a gift this season by taking advantage of these simple, surprising ways to save energy and money.
Put lamps in the corners: Did you know you can switch to a lower wattage bulb in a lamp or lower its dimmer switch and not lose a noticeable amount of light? It’s all about placement. When a lamp is placed in a corner, the light reflects off the adjoining walls, which makes the room lighter and brighter.

Switch to a laptop: If you’re reading this article on a laptop, you’re using 1/3 less energy than if you’re reading this on a desktop.

Choose an LCD TV: If you’re among those considering a flat-screen upgrade from your conventional, CRT TV, choose an LCD screen for the biggest energy save.

Give your water heater a blanket: Just like you pile on extra layers in the winter, your hot water heater can use some extra insulation too. A fiberglass insulation blanket is a simple addition that can cut heat loss and save 4% to 9% on the average water-heating bill.

Turn off the burner before you’re done cooking: When you turn off an electric burner, it doesn’t cool off immediately. Use that to your advantage by turning it off early and using the residual heat to finish up your dish.

Add motion sensors: You might be diligent about shutting off unnecessary lights, but your kids? Not so much. Adding motion sensors to playrooms and bedrooms cost only $15 to $50 per light, and ensures you don’t pay for energy that you’re not using.

Spin laundry faster: The faster your washing machine can spin excess water out of your laundry, the less you’ll need to use your dryer. Many newer washers spin clothes so effectively, they cut drying time and energy consumption in half—which results in an equal drop in your dryer’s energy bill.

Use an ice tray: Stop using your automatic icemaker. It increases your fridge’s energy consumption by 14% to 20%. Ice trays, on the other hand, don’t increase your energy costs one iota.

Use the dishwasher: If you think doing your dishes by hand is greener than powering up the dishwasher, you’re wrong. Dishwashers use about 1/3 as much hot water and relieve that much strain from your energy-taxing water heater. Added bonus: you don’t have to wash any dishes.

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-09-30T15:39:00.001-04:00

191. Zapoteca: Mexican Restaurant: Nice waitstaff, delicious drinks (blood orange margarita), and yummy fresh food! http://www.zapotecarestaurant.com/

Come to Maine in the Fall to go Antiquing~~~

2011-09-24T18:38:00.000-04:00

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-09-24T18:07:00.000-04:00

190. Good old-fashioned Maine diners like Brunswick Diner in Brunswick, ME: comfort foods like burgers and breakfast while seated on a stool at the lunch counter.

Great lot in Wiscasset Maine

2011-09-22T13:35:00.001-04:00

http://www.postlets.com/repb/6274802

New Listing Gray Maine: Colonial to be built

2011-09-20T20:33:00.000-04:00

http://www.postlets.com/repb/6264232

RE/MAX: J D Power and Associates: Highest Customer Satisfaction!!

2011-09-20T19:43:00.000-04:00

RE/MAX Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction

9/6/2011

RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly talks about results of the 2011 J. D. Power and Associates Home Buyer/Seller Study(SM), which recognizes RE/MAX for providing the highest overall consumer satisfaction in both categories.

http://www.youtube.com/remax

Scenes from the Fidelity Classic Jumper Show in NH

2011-09-19T15:47:00.000-04:00

Great annual event in Hampton Falls NH with world class jumpers and this year's opening parachute show.

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-09-17T15:23:00.001-04:00

189. Jameson Tavern in Freeport~~This is an old inn with a lot of Maine history. The dining rooms are small and not very fancy but the food is good.
We tried the big burger with bacon and cheese and chicken in a white wine sauce with capers and sundried tomatoes. http://www.jamesontavern.com/ordereze/1000/Page.aspx

New Listing Gray Maine

2011-09-16T12:24:00.002-04:00

Build your own home:
http://www.postlets.com/repb/6239959

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-09-15T15:40:00.001-04:00

188. Another great lunch spot: 158 Pickett Street Restaurant in South Portland~~ a comfortable, funky place near SMCC (so lots of students), the fare here is hearty and delicious. I got a yummy grilled cheddar cheese sandwich with tomatoes and bacon. My friend ordered a big salad that had lots of fresh greens. The bagels and cookies looked good, too.

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-09-13T15:04:00.001-04:00

187. Clementine Restaurant in Brunswick Maine: An elegant and delicious dining experience from fresh chewy bread to fine desserts, this gourmet's delight was a real treat. We tried spice-rubbed pork loin and Provencal seafood stew--both superb. http://clementinemaine.com/

Fast Fixes for Common Gutter Problems

2011-09-07T10:26:00.000-04:00

By: Pat Curry
Published: December 4, 2009

Maintaining gutters is the most important thing you can do to prevent water damage to your home.
Mesh covers keep debris from clogging gutters, but they can sometimes be more expensive than the gutters themselves. Image: dmr-gutters.com

Gutters are designed to do one thing—channel water away from the foundation—and they’re critical to protecting the structural integrity of your house. But in order for gutters to do their job properly, they have to be kept in shape and free of clogs, holes, and sags.

Luckily, most common gutter problems are easy for homeowners to fix themselves. And it’s worth the effort. “Gutters are one of those things where routine maintenance and inspecting them can really prevent bigger problems down the road,” says Jason Stutzman, director of home maintenance and repair for Brothers Redevelopment in Denver.

Here are the gutter problems that the pros see most often, and the recommended solutions.

Clogged gutters
This is the most common problem of all. Left untended, gutters and downspouts get so clogged with debris that they’re rendered useless. The excess weight of leaves, twigs, and standing water can also make them sag and pull away from the fascia.
Clean them at least once a year, and twice a year if you have a lot of trees nearby. Gary Mindlin, managing partner of New York City-based Top Hat Home Services, schedules gutter maintenance four times a year, with additional checks after big storms.
You can clean your own gutters if you’re comfortable on a ladder, don’t mind getting wet and dirty, and don’t have an extremely tall house. After you’ve cleared the muck, flush them with a garden hose to make sure they’re flowing properly. If you’d prefer, you can hire someone to do the job for you for between $50 and $250, depending on the size of your house.
Another option for dealing with chronically clogged gutters is to outfit them with gutter covers. These include mesh screens, clip-on grates, and porous foam. They still need regular maintenance, though, and the cost can be more than the gutters themselves.

Sagging gutters and gutters pulling away from the house
This is usually a problem with the hangers, the hardware that secures the gutters to the fascia. They might have deteriorated over time, the fasteners may have backed out of the wood, or they’re spaced too far apart to support the weight of full gutters. The cost to fix it yourself is cheap; hangers generally cost $10 or less apiece, and the fasteners run about $1 each.

Leaks and holes
Leaky gutter joints can be sealed by caulking the joint from the inside with gutter sealant, says John Eggenberger, vice president of training and corporate development for the Mr. Handyman franchise of home repair companies. A tube costs about $5. Very small holes can be filled with gutter sealant. Larger holes will require a patch. If you can’t find a gutter patching kit at the hardware store, you can make a patch from metal flashing.

Improperly pitched gutters
Gutters need to be pitched toward the downspouts for the water to flow properly. You want at least a quarter inch of slope for every 10 feet. Get on a ladder after a rainstorm and look in the gutter; if there’s standing water, it’s not pitched properly.
To correct this yourself, you’ll need to measure from the peak to the downspout. Snap a chalk line between the two and find the spots where the gutter is out of alignment. You might be able to push it up into place by bending the hanger. If that doesn’t solve the problem, you might need to take a section down and rehang it. If you have seamless gutters, call the company that installed them to correct the problem.

Downspouts draining too close to the foundation
Downspouts need to extend several feet from the house, or they’ll dump right into the basement. Gutter extensions attached to the bottom of the downspout will discharge water well beyond the foundation. They’re inexpensive and easy to install. “I like the downspout material extended four or five feet and screwed on,” says Reggie Marston, president of Residential Equity Management Home Inspections in Springfield, Va. Cost: less than $20 per downspout.

Missing gutters
If your house has no gutters at all, consider investing in a system. The cost depends on the material. Most residential gutters are aluminum, which is lightweight and durable. “Unless an aluminum gutter is damaged by something, it will last forever,” says Scott McCurdy, vice president of Jacksonville, Fla.,-based disaster repair contractor Coastal Reconstruction. Vinyl, galvanized steel, and copper also are available options.
Aluminum gutters range from about $4.50 to $8.50 per linear foot installed. On a 2,000-square-foot house with about 180 linear feet of gutters, that’s roughly $800 to $1,500.

Serial remodeler Pat Curry is a former senior editor at BUILDER, the official magazine of the National Association of Home Builders, and a frequent contributor to real estate and home-building publications.

http://www.houselogic.com/articles/fast-fixes-common-gutter-problems/

Scenes from York Wild Animal Kingdom~~York Maine

2011-09-04T17:43:00.001-04:00

http://www.yorkzoo.com/

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-09-04T17:36:00.000-04:00

186. Pat's Pizza: sizzling good Italian food~~pastas and pizza at very reasonable prices. http://patspizzascarborough.com/

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-09-03T09:54:00.001-04:00

185. The Ogunquit Playhouse is summer theater at its best. Enjoy one of their fun musicals while you are visiting Southern Maine. Began in 1933...
http://www.ogunquitplayhouse.org/

Happy Labor Day!

2011-09-03T09:50:00.000-04:00

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-08-30T10:11:00.001-04:00

184. The Great Impasta Restaurant in Brunswick: An unassuming little place on the corner of |Main Street, this Italian eatery serves up some delicious fare. We tried meat lasagna and Foriana--pine nuts, walnuts, raisins and garlic over pasta. We also got a side of meatball and sausage. Everything was very tasty including the chewy rolls sitting in a basket with lots of olive oil!
http://thegreatimpasta.com/The_Great_Impasta/The_Great_Impasta_Italian_Restaurant.html

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-08-29T13:58:00.000-04:00

183. Acadia National Park: Located near Bar Harbor Maine, this park offers natural beauty and scenic trails. Not to be missed! http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-08-29T13:53:00.000-04:00

182. The Front Room: Great French onion soup...
Very cheesy, and delicious tender onions and not too salty broth.

http://www.thefrontroomrestaurant.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=12

WGME 13 Top Stories - Maple leaves falling early due to wet spring

2011-08-22T14:37:00.000-04:00

RE/MAX is positioned as Number One Real Estate Brand

2011-08-18T19:16:00.000-04:00

Saving Money with Salvaged Building Materials

2011-08-17T12:24:00.000-04:00

By: Amanda Abrams
Published: March 8, 2010

Salvaged building materials allow you to improve your home inexpensively—but might require an extra investment of time and energy.
If you’re looking to improve your home on the cheap, consider using salvaged building materials. Besides being less expensive than new materials, secondhand features can add character, quality, and value to your home. But note that the savings in dollars may require a greater investment in time and effort.

Remodeling with secondhand building materials has many fans. Some are owners of historic houses who improve their homes by adding period elements. Others follow green building practices and appreciate conserving resources and keeping materials out of landfills. And still others are looking for quirky elements that will break their homes out of cookie-cutter molds.

Recycled building materials are getting easier to find

According to the Building Materials Reuse Association, recycling is becoming more common in the construction industry. That means reclaimed building elements like doors, windows, plumbing fixtures, and wood flooring are increasingly easy to find.

Habitat for Humanity’s nationwide chain of ReStores sells recycled items, and many cities have architectural salvage yards. Online, neighbors advertise unwanted items on community bulletin boards, such as Craigslist, and national directories of recycled materials, such as EcoBusinessLinks, can be great sources for hard-to-find elements. And the price is right: reused pieces can be 50% to 75% cheaper than their new counterparts.

Searching for salvaged materials

Sounds terrific, right? But it’s not that simple. Using recycled building elements is like shopping at a thrift store: You can’t be certain you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. Anyone interested in a good deal to spruce up their home—an ornate wood mantelpiece or a set of Victorian doors, for example—has to be willing to compromise on some of the details and commit some time to the endeavor.

If you live in or near a city and have access to a salvage yard, you’re in luck. Many receive multiple new shipments daily, and some, such as Seattle’s Second Use, post their offerings online.

But in most cases, there’s no substitute for regularly showing up in person to check out what’s available. If you’ve got something particular in mind, plan on spending a few afternoons at the salvage yard trying to track down what you’re looking for. The same is true if you’re exploring online: locating the right piece may take longer than you’d expected.

Before beginning your search, make sure you’ve got measurements in hand. It’s useful if you can allow for some wiggle room: unlike big home improvement stores, the items on sale are usually one-of-a-kind pieces. So while a recent truckload might have dropped off a beautiful old mantelpiece, the size might not be an exact fit; know in advance if you can manage with a slightly larger or smaller size.

Dealing with lead paint

Some old items need to be treated with serious care. Ruthie Mundell of Community Forklift, a salvage yard in Edmonston, Md., says that the staff tries to flag items that appear to be lead paint hazards—that is, anything painted prior to 1978, when the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned lead in paints.

Nevertheless, buyers of old painted items need to be aware of the potential hazards. Older paint doesn’t mean the pieces are unusable, but the paint must be thoroughly removed or sealed—never scraped or sanded. The CPSC offers guidelines for treating lead paint in the household.

Finding savings

Some salvaged pieces are better deals than others. The best is often flooring: careful shoppers can find used floor boards from quality old wood that’s difficult to come by these days. Sat Jiwan Ikle-Khalsa, a green living consultant in Takoma Park, Md., scoured a local salvage yard and found maple, white oak, and rare heart pine flooring at a low price for his renovated 1940s-era home. He estimates he saved more than $2,000 over the cost of new flooring.

Other useful finds are doors, particularly those already on a frame, and plumbing elements. Antique light fixtures can be a great bargain, but check whether they’ve been recently rewired before you buy; otherwise, you may have to do it yourself, or pay an electrician for the service.

Windows are common, but many older widows are single-pane and not energy efficient. These are better used for interior walls to add light and air flow between rooms. Stained glass panels are relatively common at salvage yards and cost from $50 to $500.

Sample price comparisons for various salvaged materials

Salvaged oak flooring: $1 to $3 per sq. ft.
New oak flooring: $4 to $10 per sq. ft.
Average savings for 12x16-foot room: $960

Salvaged interior solid panel door (basic): $20 to $50
New interior panel door: $100 to $200
Average savings: $115

Secondhand pedestal sink: $20 to $250
New pedestal sink: $100 to $800
Average savings: $315

Recycled crown molding: $.30 to $1 per lineal ft.
New crown molding: $.90 to $3 per lineal ft.
Average savings for 12x16-foot room: $72.80

Don’t forget to add in transportation costs. Not all salvage yards deliver, and those that do aren’t necessarily cheap: the cost of getting materials across town could be $100 or more. It might make more sense to borrow or rent a truck on your own.

The value of salvage building components

Salvaged elements may not add to a home’s appraised value, according to Chicago appraiser Tim McCarthy, president of T.J. McCarthy and Associates. An appraiser probably won’t include a home’s reclaimed heart pine beams in the kitchen or the bathroom’s antique plumbing fixtures when calculating the house’s value.

But that doesn’t mean the seller can’t use those amenities as selling points and boost the asking price accordingly. “It’s very market-specific,” McCarthy says. In higher-end neighborhoods, homebuyers may be willing to pay more for authentic elements that give a house personality.

McCarthy recommends talking with a local realtor before making changes; they’ll have a good sense of the housing market’s current demands and should be able to tell you whether a vintage element will boost your home’s market value.

Working with salvage

To effectively integrate salvaged items, Arne Mortensen, owner of Mortensen Design/Build in Seattle, recommends choosing a contractor who has a particular interest and experience in working with recycled building materials. Salvage yard staffs may be able to recommend someone; other sources for ‘green’ contractors include online sites like Angie’s List.

Nonetheless, the time-consuming legwork of finding good pieces generally falls to the homeowner. To make the process easier, spend time thinking about and researching online what you want before you begin to shop. And be prepared to be persistent; happy hunting takes patience.

Amanda Abrams is a Washington, D.C.-based writer who spent years as a policy analyst improving people’s access to decent housing. Her interest in salvaged building materials and all things secondhand originated 15 years ago with a chance visit to Urban Ore, a vast warehouse of used treasures in Berkeley, Calif., where she was attending college at the time.

http://www.houselogic.com/

Tips from Emily

2011-08-16T12:54:00.000-04:00

Don't Drink Brown Water Unless It is Root Beer !

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-08-13T18:57:00.000-04:00

181. Antiquing in Wells Maine: Queen Anne's Lace Shop: A wonderful collection of decorative, architectural, garden, and just plain fun items. Lots of other shops along this area of Route One.

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-08-13T18:53:00.000-04:00

180. Federal Jack's Restaurant in Kennebunk~~Great views of the Kennebunk River, in or outside dining, great beers, and delicious food. http://federaljacks.com/

Build a great new home in Falmouth Maine:

2011-08-05T15:06:00.002-04:00

http://www.postlets.com/repb/6013687

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-31T20:26:00.001-04:00

179. Mackworth Island: An absolutely wonderful place to take a hike right near downtown Portland.

Enjoy the great scenic views, swing on the benches placed at perfect panoramic areas, build a fairy house, walk along the rocky shore. http://www.trails.org/map_files/mackworth_page_description.html

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-31T20:17:00.000-04:00

178.. Krista's Restaurant in Cornish Maine: Enjoy casual yet delicious dining on the screened porch. Listen to the babbling brook and waterfalls just outside. Colorful lanterns decorate the ceiling. Great selection of gourmet burgers. http://www.kristasrestaurant.com/

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-28T13:40:00.002-04:00

177. East End Cupcakes on Fore St in Portland: Delicious moist dense cakes with light creamy frosting. Several flavors every day and then specialties like carrot cake. Check it out: http://www.eastendcupcake.com/cupcakes/cupcakes-overview

RE/MAX: Customer Satisfaction!

2011-07-27T11:17:00.000-04:00

Good morning,

I have extremely exciting news to share with you!

J.D. Power and Associates announced today that RE/MAX ranks highest in customer satisfaction, for both buyers and sellers, in its 2011 residential real estate survey.

That's right – we've earned the highest level of appreciation from BOTH groups of consumers, which is a remarkable statement about the Outstanding Agents in our organization.

I want to personally thank and congratulate every one of you for contributing to this prestigious recognition. It truly reflects your professional excellence, your enthusiasm for education, your commitment to distressed sellers, your individual drive, and many other qualities that serve the interests of your clients. Your efforts change lives, and those people have spoken.

Our team at Headquarters is working with J.D. Power and Associates to determine how we can use the results of the survey, as well as their name and logo. As soon as possible, we will let you know what the guidelines are.

In the meantime, celebrate this incredible achievement and enjoy the fact that once again you've proven yourselves to be the best in the business.

Congratulations!

Dave
Sent by Dave Liniger, Chairman and Co-Founder, RE/MAX World Headquarters

RE/MAX, LLC
5075 S. Syracuse St.
Denver, CO 80237
United States

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-25T10:59:00.000-04:00

176. Boat House Bistro, Boothbay Harbor, Maine: I haven't tried the food here yet although the menu looks great but they have the best sangria ever!

It is a delicious blend including blueberries and pomegranate.

Enjoy a pitcher from their top deck overlooking the waterfront!

http://theboathousebistro.com/index.html

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-22T11:09:00.000-04:00

175. Maine Coastal Botanical Gardens in Boothbay: glorious floral displays and rock gardens with water falls and ponds. http://www.mainegardens.org/

Advice from Emily

2011-07-22T10:23:00.000-04:00

1. Never go behind a horse because you might get kicked.
2. Never hold an alligator or crocodile unless their mouth is duct taped.
3. Never be bad to a pitbull because it will be bad to you.

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-17T18:46:00.001-04:00

174. Bintliff's Restaurant in Ogunquit~~Just a short trip from Portland, this bistro offers fine dining with an elegant decor. If you arrive early, settle at the bar for a great drinl like this Cosmo. We tried the specialty of the house--juicy prime rib. http://www.bintliffsogunquit.com/index.shtml

Treatment Options for Getting Rid of Insects

2011-07-16T13:47:00.001-04:00

By: Brad Broberg

Published: March 10, 2010

There are safer pest control products on the market that use natural substances as active ingredients.
To get rid of wood-destroying insects (WDIs) and other pests, consider an approach—”integrated pest management”—that combines common sense with prevention techniques, conventional pesticides, and green alternatives, such as natural plant extracts and minerals.

Back in the late 20th century, spraying or pumping poisons became the widespread method of choice as home and garden pesticides grew into a $1.4 billion industry.

But today, amid growing concerns about the dangers of toxins to people, animals, and the environment, homeowners and pest-control professionals are looking for ways to reduce the amount of pesticides used by incorporating a range of treatments that are often less toxic but still effective.

Conventional pesticide treatment

With conventional pest control, the name of the game is extermination. The operator kills the insects with chemicals—often applied as sprays—and reapplies the pesticides on a regular schedule to prevent another infestation. That means you’re paying for treatment whether or not insects are actually present.

The risks of unnecessary exposure to pesticides aren’t to be taken lightly. While perhaps effective in the short run, pesticides have been shown to produce long-term consequences, including adverse effects on the endocrine, reproductive, and nervous systems of people and animals. Children are especially sensitive to the toxins found in many pesticides because their immune systems, organs, brains, and nervous systems are still developing.

Although the Environmental Protection Agency regulates all pesticides for safety, they remain potentially deadly to humans and harmful to the environment—especially if misapplied.

A less-toxic approach

The new buzzword in the pest-control industry these days is integrated pest management. Rather than merely blasting pests with poisons, IPM uses a combination of strategies to control pests and includes homeowners as partners in the process.

IPM consists of three basic steps: identifying pests; preventing pests; and—as needed—treating them.

What to expect from a pest-control pro

Just because a pest-control company says it practices IPM doesn’t make it so. The first thing to look for is knowledge about pests. An operator must be able to tell different insects apart and understand their habits and habitats to decide how best to help you control them.

IPM stresses prevention. The pest-control representative should inspect your home for signs of infestation and then recommend steps you can take to eliminate pests by denying food, water, and access. Example: Deterring termites and carpenter ants by keeping the soil around your foundation dry.

Although prevention is the preferred solution, the professional may need to take immediate action to treat an existing infestation. That may include using pesticides, but only as a last resort against an active infestation and never as a matter of routine. Ongoing monitoring of pest activity by you and your pest control operator determines if or when pesticides are reapplied.

When using pesticides, the exterminator should choose the least toxic product possible, apply as little as possible, and treat the smallest area possible—just cracks and crevices, for example, instead of an entire baseboard. Baits—gels, pastes, and granules applied directly or contained in bait stations—are preferred over sprays because they reduce exposure to fumes and residue.

Natural alternatives

If you’re uncomfortable with even limited use of pesticides, ask the pest-control expert about products that rely on natural substances for their active ingredients.

Examples include boric acid, a naturally occurring mineral, and essential oils, derived from the natural defense systems of plants. Although slower acting than chemical pesticides, products made from natural substances can be highly effective.

A word of caution: Even pesticides made from natural substances can be harmful if mishandled. They are, after all, intended to kill living organisms. In addition, some products include chemical additives that make the natural substance more effective, but which also are toxic.

Costs vary

How much you’ll pay to solve your problem will depend on the type of insect, the size of the infestation, and the type and intensity of treatment. Many pest-control pros offer free inspections, but the bill for actual service can range from less than $100 to spot treat an ant nest to several thousand dollars to eradicate termites and offer ongoing protection.

Compare estimates from several pest-control companies. A few national pest-control companies, such as Orkin and Terminix, provide free online estimates. But the best way to find out the extent of your problem and the options available is to have an expert come to your home and do an on-site inspection.

Make sure the company is licensed and a member of a local, state, or national pest management association. You may also want to check the company’s status with state regulatory agencies for consumer affairs and agriculture.

Brad Broberg is a freelance writer from Federal Way, Wash. A former newspaper reporter and editor, he writes about business and real estate for a variety of publications including the Puget Sound Business Journal.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/treatment-options-for-getting-rid-of-insects/#ixzz1SI8ME0rf

Scenes from 46th Annual Yarmouth Maine Clam Festival

2011-07-16T13:42:00.000-04:00

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-16T13:39:00.000-04:00

173. Freeport Chowder House: Delicious creamy chowders and fresh lobster rolls. We enjoyed haddock and corn chowder!
http://www.freeportusa.com/freeportmember074.html

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-16T13:36:00.000-04:00

172. Joe's Boathouse Restaurant~~great water and marina views and great food! Menu includes choices of fresh seafood and other culinary delights like grilled chicken and pesto over penne pasta. http://www.joesboathouse.com/ordereze/default.aspx

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-11T09:55:00.001-04:00

171: Country Antiques in Kennebunkport: Fun and interesting shop with wonderful folkart signs, decoys, lures. Fine art paintings and furniture round out the shop. Lovely back deck with river views, too.

Kennebunkport-Day trip from Portland

2011-07-11T09:48:00.000-04:00

Don't miss this lovely town for walking, dining, shopping!

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-11T09:40:00.000-04:00

171: While enjoying the cute town of Kennebunkport, take time for lunch on the deck or under the tent at Arundel Wharf--delicious fresh sandwiches and soups. http://arundelwharf.com/

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-11T09:34:00.000-04:00

170. Arundel flea market on route One outside of Biddeford offers a wide variety of collectible items including small furntiure and wooden boxes, old toys and games and jewelry. Take time to hunt and poke around and you might fina treasure. I found some nice old chocolate molds, shoe brushes and a standing shaving mirror with brush and soap holder. Check out Offshore Salvage Booth for some interesting items and good prices!

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-07T18:19:00.001-04:00

169. Aunt Kake's Bakery on Walton St in Portland: I found a new cupcake store today with a pleasant seating area with couches indoors and tables outside as well. I tried a triple white with moist white cake, a rich creamy frosting with white chocolate chips--a cool treat right from their fridge!

http://auntkakes.com/default.aspx

Start a Compost Pile

2011-07-06T12:20:00.000-04:00

By: Jeanne Huber

Published: March 9, 2010

Save money and grow healthier plants by recycling yard and kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost.
Instead of having your food waste, plant debris, and fallen leaves hauled to the dump, why not turn them into compost? The dark, rich organic matter helps garden and landscape plants grow bigger and more beautiful. Plus, it saves you money and time by reducing your water, fertilizer, and even weeding needs, since a few inches of compost laid like mulch will prevent most weeds from sprouting.

Making backyard compost even has a civic benefit because it saves landfill space, helping to keep garbage-processing costs lower for you and your neighbors.

You can make compost without spending a penny, or you can buy simple equipment that looks tidier and speeds up the transformation process. Whichever approach you take, you’ll need to understand a few key principles of composting.

How compost happens

Left alone in a natural habitat, plants create their own compost. Leaves, twigs, and overripe fruit fall to the ground and slowly get broken down into nutrients. You can make this same process happen in an out-of-the-way spot with a compost pile—and distribute the results by sprinkling the compost over planting beds as fertilizer, dropping it into the hole before you set a vegetable plant in the ground, or even using it as mulch.

There are two main ways to compost: You can use only yard waste—or add kitchen waste, too.

Yard waste composting

If you’re composting only yard waste, an open pile is all you need. For the richest, fastest results, alternate layers of green (nitrogen-rich) plant material, such as lawn clippings and plant cuttings, with brown (carbon-rich) material, such as dry leaves. Make the layers approximately equal or add a little more browns than greens.

Cut branches and stems down to 3 to 6 inches long—and skip any that are more than ½ inch thick—unless you’re willing to sift out remaining chunks when you use the compost. Moisten the materials with a garden hose as you add them so they are about as damp as a wrung-out sponge.

If a pile of dead plants would look too messy for your yard, corral the trimmings in a compost bin. You can buy one, but first contact your local solid-waste disposal company or municipal service to ask whether it offers a subsidy for buying a composter—or perhaps even gives them away free.

The Concord Compost Bin, which consists of top and bottom lids and a side wrapping made of flexible plastic perforated with holes, sells as for about $100 to $175, depending on capacity, at composters.com. Or you can make your own from wood and wire mesh following instructions from Lowe’s.

You can make “hot compost” or “cold compost.” Hot composting works faster (usually in three to six months) and kills most weed seeds. But you need to build the whole pile at once and turn it with a pitchfork every month or so to ensure that the stuff at the edges has a turn in the center and vice versa.

For cold composting, you just layer on the materials as you collect them, add water as needed to keep the pile damp, and let nature do the rest. It might look like nothing is happening, but after six to 12 months, when you remove the relatively unchanged top layer, you’ll find compost underneath. You can tell it’s ready if it looks like dark black soil, with no sign of its original form remaining.

With either system, having two bins makes the job easier because you can scoop the contents of one into the other to turn a hot pile, for example, or to expose the compost under a cold pile. Three bins are even better because you can store finished compost in one while you’re working on a new batch in the other two.

Adding food waste

Kitchen scraps are high in nitrogen, so adding them to your compost speeds up decomposition and results in a richer material. Plus, since it counts toward your green materials, which are usually less abundant than brown ones, it allows you to create more compost.

Just don’t put food waste in an open compost pile. That would draw rats, raccoons, and other pests. To make any compost bin rodent-proof, wrap it with metal mesh, called hardware cloth, with quarter-inch openings—including the top and the bottom.

Or you can choose a tumbler-style composter, which consists of a drum that rotates on an axis, so instead of turning a pile with a pitchfork, you simply tumble the drum a few times to mix up the contents.

This system works fast, though if you want finished compost in two to four weeks, as some of their labels promise, you have to shred everything first and turn the tumbler every day or two. Tumblers are also relatively pricey—around $300 to $400 at sites such as People Powered Machines and CompostBins.com. Some large-capacity bins may cost more.

What not to compost

Never put the following into your compost:

Weeds, which can survive and sprout again
Diseased or insect infested plants, which can infect your garden plants
Any plant, including grass clippings if you use weed control products, which was sprayed with a pesticide
Dog and cat waste, which can harbor parasites and diseases
Meat, which stinks as it decomposes and may contain harmful bacteria that can survive composting
Wood ashes, which are too alkaline for some plants

Jeanne Huber is a writer who specializes in home and garden topics. She composts yard waste and whatever kitchen scraps her chickens don’t relish.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/start-compost-pile/#ixzz1RLImuEyL

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-06T12:13:00.001-04:00

168.The Seaside Pavillion in Old Orchard Beach: This is one of those "Best-kept Secrets" that you find occasionally. In the back streets of Old Orchard Beach on the Salvation Army grounds is this delightful outdoor venue for concerts and other events. I just saw a Simon and Garfunkle Retospective and the accoustics were great. http://www.seasidepavilion.org/

101 Things I Love about Portland Maine

2011-07-05T10:55:00.001-04:00

167. The Black Point Inn Sunday brunch:

In very gracious surroundings and great ocean views, enjoy a delicious brunch with complimentary pastries and jazz. Check it out: http://www.blackpointinn.com/inn/

Summer Safety

2011-07-02T14:27:00.002-04:00

Consumer Product Safety Commision

Summer Safety Tips

¤ One of the best ways to stay safe this summer is to wear a helmet and other safety gear when biking, skating and skateboarding, and when riding scooters, all-terrain vehicles, and horses. Studies on bicycle helmets have shown they can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent.

¤ Use layers of protection to prevent a swimming pool tragedy. This includes placing barriers completely around your pool to prevent access, using door and pool alarms, closely supervising your child and being prepared in case of an emergency.

¤ Never bring charcoal grills indoors. Burning charcoal produces deadly carbon monoxide.

¤ When cooking outdoors with a gas grill, check the air tubes that lead into the burner for any blockage from insects, spiders, or food grease. Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing. If you ever detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas at the tank and don't attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed. Newer grills and propane tanks have improved safety devices to prevent gas leaks.

¤ Make sure your home playground is safe. Falls cause 60 percent of playground injuries, so having a safe surface is critical. Concrete, asphalt or packed dirt surfaces are too hard. Use at least 9 inches of wood chips or mulch.

¤ Use softer-than standard baseballs, safety-release bases and batting helmets with face guards to reduce baseball-related injuries to children.

¤ If you are a soccer mom or dad, beware that movable soccer goals can fall over and kill children. Make sure the goal is anchored securely at all times and never allow anyone to climb on the net or goal framework or hang from the cross bar. Remove nets when the goals are not in use.

¤ To prevent serious injuries while using a trampoline, allow only one person on at a time, and do not allow somersaults. Use a shock-absorbing pad that completely covers the springs and place the trampoline away from structures and other play areas. Kids under 6-years-old should not use full-size trampolines.

¤ Don't allow a game of hide-n-seek to become deadly. CPSC has received reports of numerous suffocation deaths involving children who crawled inside old cedar chests, latch-type freezers and refrigerators, iceboxes in campers, clothes dryers and picnic coolers. Childproof old appliances, warn children not to play inside them.

¤ If summer plans include camping and you want heat inside your tent or camper, use one of the new portable heaters that are equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS). If oxygen levels start to fall inside your tent or camper, the ODS automatically shuts down the heater before it can produce deadly levels of carbon monoxide (CO). Do not attempt to use alternative sources of heat or power to warm a tent or camper. Traditional camping heaters, charcoal grills, camping lanterns, and gas generators also can cause CO poisoning.

¤ Install window guards to prevent children from falling out of open windows. Guards should be installed in children's bedrooms, parents' bedrooms, and other rooms where young children spend time. Or, install window stops that permit windows to open no more than 4 inches. Whenever possible, open windows from the top - not the bottom. Also, keep furniture away from windows to discourage children from climbing near windows.

¤ Summer also means yard work. When mowing, keep small children out of the yard, and turn the mower off if children enter the area. If the lawn slopes, mow across the slope with the walk-behind rotary mower, never up and down. With a riding mower, drive up and down the slope, not across it. Never carry children on a riding mower.

---
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: http://www.saferproducts.gov/, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 (teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 for the hearing impaired). Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at http://www.cpsc.gov/. To join a free e-mail subscription list, (800) 638-2772or lease go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

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