Rep. Tuell's Weekly Update

SUPPORT OUR LOBSTERMEN at UMM AUG 12!

Monday night fishermen from across Washington County will have their chance to weigh in on "whale rules" that will change our local fishing industry in a big way. Myself, Sen. Moore, Rep. Alley and MANY others will be joining with fishermen to oppose these rules and their impact on our coastal fishing communities. It is very important that everyone attend -- whether you fish or are a family member of a fisherman, or someone whose business depends on the strength of the fishing industry -- and show your support as well.

The public meeting is from 6-9 pm at the Performing Arts Center at UMM. Although it seats 300, you may want to arrive early to get a seat. Wouldn't it be great if there were folks lined out the door?!?!

If you can't make it, there will be additional meetings up and down the coast. You can find a complete rundown here: www.mainelobstermen.org/events

Written comments are also welcomed.

Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments by sending an email to gar.ALWTRT2019@noaa.gov using the subject line "Comments on Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Scoping."

Mail: Submit written comments to Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2276. Mark the outside of the envelope: Comments on Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Scoping.

Questions? Contact Colleen Coogan, Take Reduction Team Coordinator, (978) 281-9181

BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT

August 16 7-8:30pm

Free Children's Entertainment (following the children's parade). The Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers will perform "Everybody Loves Pirates" at the Performing Arts Center, at University of Maine at Machias. Thank you to UMM for the use of this wonderful space. 

For more information: call WCCP & Washington County CAN Council, programs of Sunrise Opportunities, at 255-3426.

BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL CHILDREN'S PARADE

Parade: Line up at 5:45 PM, Machias Valley Baptist Church, Broadway. Parade starts at 6:00 PM (no motorized vehicles). Parade ends at Centre Street Congregational Church. Dress up, if you wish.

For more information: call WCCP & Washington County CAN Council, programs of Sunrise Opportunities, at 255-3426

(Free children's entertainment follows at 7 PM at UMM.)

BLUEBERRY RUN/WALK

Healthy Acadia is thrilled to sponsor the Machias Wild Blueberry 5-Mile Run/Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, August 17, 2019. The Wild Blueberry Run serves as the kick-off to the annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival, which features hundreds of craft and food vendors, exhibits, and fun activities. Race proceeds will directly benefit the Downeast Cancer Patient Navigation Program, a program of Healthy Acadia and the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center. Cancer Patient Navigators provide caring, effective support and access to resources and treatment for individuals throughout all phases of their cancer journey.

Event registration will take place at the Machias Valley Christian School, (118 Court Street), beginning at 6:00am the day of the race. The 5-mile race begins promptly at 8:00am, and the 1- mile event begins at 8:15 am. An awards ceremony will be held at the Machias Valley Christian School directly following the race.

Registration fees are as follows: 1-mile course: $10.00, or $15.00 on the day of the event. 5-mile course: $25.00/$30.00 day of event. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome and invited to participate. Pre-register by August 9, 2019 to reserve your T-shirt size. Teams MUST pre- register by no later than 4:00pm on August 14. An unlimited number of runners/walkers may register as a team. No headphones or pets are allowed on the course for either race. Baby Strollers are permitted on the 1-mile course.

Post-race awards will be given for 5-Mile: Top 3 female & male overall. Top female & male by age group: 14 & under, 15-24, 25-40, 41-55, 56-70, 71+, and First Walker.

Team Awards: 1st & 2nd teams. Top 3 score by place of finish. Ties are determined by fastest cumulative times. Awards for 1 Mile: Top female & male ages: 8 & under, 9-10, & 11-13.

Register for either event online (recommended) or mail your completed registration with check payment to: Blueberry Run, Healthy Acadia, 121 Court Street, Suite A, Machias, ME 04654; or register in person on the day of the race.

If you cannot attend, please consider donating to support the Downeast Cancer Patient Navigation Program. Checks may be made payable to Healthy Acadia and mailed or delivered to: Blueberry Run, Healthy Acadia, 121 Court Street, Suite A, Machias, ME 04654.

Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages in a broad range of initiatives to build healthier communities and make it easier for people to lead healthy lives across Washington and Hancock counties, Maine. Learn more at www.healthyacadia.org.

EASTPORT MUSIC FESTIVAL

August 9 -11, 2019

Eastport, Maine

Eastport, Maine, is an island city way Downeast, with views of Canadian islands and the sparkling Passamaquoddy and Cobscook bays. Its downtown is a National Historic District and is home to galleries, shops, restaurants and the Tides Institute & Museum of Art campus and the nearby Eastport Arts Center. The city's year-round population is 1,300, with summer residents and visitors adding to the mix. The island retains its gritty working waterfront edge with pride while supporting a burgeoning arts scene. The island is part of the ancestral lands of the Wabanaki, "People of the Dawnland", with the Passamaquoddy Tribe neighboring Eastport at Sipayik.

Festival overview

Over a dozen original acts signed up as of early March.

All genres from avant-garde to Zydeco are welcome, however the  festival is focused on highlighting  original music, songs, compositions, or live improvisations.

The Peavey Memorial Library Gazebo shall serve as the main stage.  Admissions are free but donations to the Peavey Library are heartily encouraged.  Artists are encouraged to sell merchandise and the festival organizers will try to help coordinate other performance opportunities throughout the event at galleries, eateries, etc. interested in hosting performance space and willing to allow acts to collect tips.

About the organizer, Coleman "Colie" Brice:

"I'm an active local musician who has organized dozens of local events and fundraisers, have released 36 solo albums all commercially available, and have been employed in the music business for over thirty years from DIY indie efforts to running a label distributed nationally by a major label.  I have worked as a musician, songwriter, sound engineer, label executive, and chief cook and bottle washer..  I was heavily involved in the Asbury Park, N.J., and Hollywood, Calif., music scenes.  I've played empty bars and sold out amphitheatres."

Coleman was invited to organize the festival by the city's Economic Development and Growth initiative and was recently appointed the EDGE Music Prpject Manager. "I was invited to try and match my skills and experience with a need to contribute to Eastport's downtown revival and because I have a lifelong passion for helping original artists come out of the herd and BE HEARD."

Contact information:

Prospective participants can inquire via email to: eastportmusicfestival@gmail.com

A web site will soon be available at http://eastportmusicfestival.org

MACHIASPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY LOBSTER LUNCH

AUGUST 24 11:30 - 2:30 THE GATES HOUSE (344 PORT ROAD)

Our 36th Annual LOBSTER  LUNCH will be Saturday, August 24th, on the banks of the Machias River, behind The Gates House.  Local lobsters from Bucks Harbor, and/or outstanding fish chowder will be served along with corn on the cob, salad, roll, blueberry cake & beverage. A suggested donation will be requested for this community Summer tradition & feast. Tour both The Gates House Museum + The Cooper House !! Shuttle service will be offered to & from remote parking + when necessary. (207) 255-8860 / (207) 271-0682.

Open House! Next Saturday, August 17 during the Annual Blueberry Festival, DRSC will be having our Machias Open House from 10-2.  We will have Cooper’s Pledge set up with his Lemonade Stand, food/drinks for sale, games to play, a sprinkler for kids (or kids at heart) to cool off and will be entering everyone who stops by into a raffle for a door prize. Stop by and see what Recovery looks like in our Community! *Open to the public and you do not need to be a member of the Recovery Center*

LUBEC LEGION SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE

The American Legion Auxiliary is collecting Back to School supplies. We would appreciate any help. Items needed are, but not limited to: paper, pencils, blue pens, erasers, crayons, markers, notebooks, binders, folders, tissues, hand sanitizer, ear buds, glue, back packs etc. Items can be dropped off at the Legion anytime after 4pm. There is a collection box located just inside the door. Thanks in advance for supporting our students. Let's make this drive the most successful one yet!!