Great Food, Great People and Regulars Rule

The Depot Pub
20 Maine Ave,
Gardiner, ME 04345
(207) 588-0081

• 1 pair diamond stud earrings.- $100 Value – The Village Jeweler – 221 Water Street
• Dinner for 2 – $50 Value – Mad Dog Pub – 259 Water Street
• 1 bottle of wine – $20 Value – Water Street Café – 347 Water Street
• Floral arrangement – $25 Value -  Berry and Berry Floral – 207 Water Street
• Photo Shoot and 11”X14” Print – $50 Value – Picture Perfect Photography  – 226 Water Street
• 2 Tickets to “Primo Cubano” Hot Latin Jazz Performance – Feb. 11th – $30 Value – Johnson Hall –280 Water Street

The purchase price for this package deal is only $99 – Valued at $275.  For more information, contact Gardiner Main Street – 582-3100.  To purchase the package, visit Johnson Hall, Mad Dog Pub, Village Jeweler, Water Street Cafe, or Berry and Berry Floral.

Thur, February 8th

The Sweet Love open mic is particular special in that it is one of the very unique open mics that is available to all age groups. Since Sweet Love is not a bar, youthful musicians use this open mic as an opportunity to learn and hone new skills. A friend of mine was at last weeks open mic and said he was amazed at the amount of young talent that showed up and the interaction between them and some of the older players who come along.

If you are a player and are looking to improve you chops, you should drop by. They have a great turn-out and lots of talent will be in the room.

See you there!

Sweet Love
289 Water Street
Gardiner, ME, 04345

Follow this link for more information
Facebook Page for Sweet Love

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7:00pm until 10:00pm

Hurrah for Tuesdays !!

The Mad Dog Open Mic in Gardiner is held every Tuesday between 7 – 10pm.

Whether you like to jam,play on your own,tell jokes,read poetry or just like to be around some wonderful people,The Mad Dog is for you.

Everything is very relaxed, people love to come and enjoy Heidi’s excellent cuisine, enjoy Jeff’s fine beverage choices and listen to the wonderful talent on show.

Why not come along this Tuesday to Mad Dog’s Open Mic and have yourself a most enjoyable evening with us.

We look forward to seeing you

The Mad Dog pub
259 Water Street,
Gardiner, Maine

View Map · Get Directions

TUES. 7th.

Ticket Tuesday!!! all day run a Food and Drink Tab and get a $1.00 Scratch Ticket for every $10.00 Dollars you spend ,spend $20.00 and get 2 $1.00 or a $2.00 Ticket. Ask server for DETAILS. (Tab must have food)

WED.8th.

This Wednesday Trivia with Roger Collins  from 7-9 come in and have some fun CASH PRIZES AND GIVEWAYS and the best part is you meet new friends! Trivia Players get 10 Wings for a 3 Bucks and everybody that plays gets a chance to win a $50.00 Gift Certificate at the end of the month.Who will win this Month!!! Honestly who does That!!!!!!!!!

THURS.9th.

We are Changing up and doin something out of the norm. For those who just want to come out and relax with Friends we are doing Music Trivia  From 7-9 with Roger Collins Followed by Dance Tunes and Karaoke till 11. $2.00 16oz. Domestic Drafts,$2.00 Domestic Bottles and $2.00 14oz. Well Drinks. Check out our Half Price Burger Specials.

FRI. 10th.

This Friday it’s Roger Collins W/ Performance Entertainment and the best light show in town Takin your Requests!!!! .50 cent Natty Light, PBR and Rolling Rock Drafts and $1.00 Dr.Shots from 9-11 What a Combo Let the Party Begin!!!!!!!!!!!!

SAT.11th.

Its Party Time with Crossing Mason Dixon  these guys rock the house. Get here early to grab a seat cuz ur gonna want to dance to the great entertainment and a Great Party Band 9-12:30

SUN.12th.

16inch one Topping Pizza Or 20 Wings any style And a Pitcher of Domestic Draft or Soda for $16.95

Watch for Upcoming Sporting Events At The Grill

Mike’s Water St Grill
463 Water Street,
Gardiner, ME 04345

View Map · Get Directions

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A Gay Man’s Journey in Deaf Culture and this Crazy Place Called Life

Starring Dan Williams

Sunday, February 12, 2012; 4 pm

Snow Date: Sunday, February 26, 4 pm

Dialogues both comic and poignant, music, laughs and tears.  Call for tickets: 461-2213, after 3 pm. Email for information: knead24u@yahoo.com.   (Rental of Johnson Hall.)

$15 at door, $12, Seniors

Phone 461-2213, after 3 pm

Primo Cubano–Hot Latin “Son” Music

Back by Popular Demand!

Saturday, February 11, 7:30 pm

Bring your Valentine!

Primo Cubano is the only hot Latin band with a Cuban “Son”-style in Maine.   Primo Cubano uses the traditional acoustic instrumentation of tres, upright bass, guitar and trumpet with the rich percussion of congas, bongos, maracas, guiro, and claves.  The songs’ Spanish lyrics are sung in the rhythmic call-and-response style of Son, that’s easy to join in on.  With their combination of talent, experience, and energy, Primo Cubano creates smooth grooves that make you want to dance.  At the end of their show here in 2010, the crowd said, “bring them back!”   So here they are:

Guitarist Paul D’Alessio, a simple-living country man himself, came into contact with this music on a trip to Cuba in 2004 with the Brunswick-Trinidad Sister City Association, a cooperative between Brunswick, ME and the city of Trinidad, Cuba.  He began learning to play Son music on a guitar-like instrument native to Cuba called the tres and subsequently formed Primo Cubano, “Cuban Cousin”.

Trumpeter Marc Chillemi has also spent time in Cuba and has played in various other Latin groups.  He also plays percussion and sings on the choruses, or coros, to which the lead singer, or sonero responds with an improvised lyric.

Lenny Hatch has loved the congas since he first heard Mongo Santamaría play Watermelon, and he has been playing them in addition to the bongó and other percussion instruments for over 20 years now.

Eric Winter has been singing all his life and began studying Spanish at the age of 12.  He has become particularly interested in Cuban music in the last few years.  Eric also plays maracas and is the newest addition to Primo Cubano.

Keeping it all together is Duane Edwards on the bass fiddle. He is a graduate of the University of Maine at Augusta and plays in various groups in the area.  As a jazz student, he took very quickly to the tumbao bass pattern that makes this music so danceable.

$15, JH member $13 (bring a non-member free) Student (to age 22) $6.  Call for tix: 582-7144.

Sounds Good! Music Live at Johnson Hall. Show Supporter: Family Dental Practice, Augusta

Diverse Arts Programs, Year-Round Professional Shows

Sounds Good! Music Live at Johnson Hall Series
Classical concert
Center Stage theatrical series
Lively Lunches in Johnson Hall Mini-Park—music and theater
Entertainment Stage in the Park at Greater Gardiner River Festival

For Children and Teens:

Teen Band Shows
Summer Shenanigans Visual & Performing Arts Day Camp
Winter Shenanigans Visual & Performing Arts Day Camp
Art in the Park at Greater Gardiner River Festival
Teen-Elementary School Shows (theater and art after-school)

Community Shows
Waterfront Talent Show at Greater Gardiner River Festival
“Omar Ricardo” cabaret shows
Open Book Players–Community Readers’ Theatre

Rentals for events, meetings, classes, rehearsals and more, year-round.

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Johnson Hall
280 Water Street
(Mail) P.O. Box 777
Gardiner, ME
04345

Office hours
M-F, 9:30-5:30
For more info.,
call 582-7144

Join our Mailing List
Become a Member

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CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE

WEEKLY MEMORANDUM

TO:     Mayor MacLean, Members of the City Council, and Department Heads

FROM:    Scott Morelli, City Manager

DATE:    February 3, 2012

RE:      Weekly Memo

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Next week’s meeting agenda

Next Week’s City Meetings are available on our Calendar

Below please find an update on recent City activities:

• The pellet boiler for City Hall was delivered today and installation has commenced (see photos below).  As you know, this is our second pellet boiler; the first was installed at the public works garage in winter, 2010.  Half of the cost of the City Hall pellet boiler was paid for by a $61,000 grant through the Wood to Energy grant from Maine Forest Service (ARRA funded).  A study conducted in 2009 concluded that based on the purchase price, maintenance cost, and average heating oil comparative cost of $1.98/gallon, the City Hall pellet boiler would pay for itself in 16.8 years.  Given that we received half of the cost via a grant, the City’s return on investment (ROI) is reduced to 8.4 years.  In addition, the cost of oil is much higher than the $1.98/gallon used in the 2009 study, thus reducing the ROI by a few more years.  In all, the City is expected to save $195,896 over the 25 year life cycle of the pellet boiler. We will also save approximately 90 tons of carbon dioxide from entering our air.  The additional benefit of this pellet boiler is that most of the money we spend stays in Maine.  The boiler was manufactured in Bethel and the pellets we use are manufactured and distributed in our state, as well.  Once the boiler is up and running later this month or early next, we will plan to have an official ribbon cutting ceremony.  My thanks to Chuck Applebee for coordinating this process and helping to ensure the City got the most bang for its buck, and to the Council for having the vision and commitment to proceeding with this alternative heating system
• The City received over 30 applications for the part-time Assistant Planner position and will begin screening the applications shortly for a first round interview
• A group of area municipalities met yesterday to further discuss joint negotiations with Time Warner Cable on a franchise agreement renewal.  This consortium of communities helps to make the process more efficient and less costly as all split the costs for the specialized attorney who will help in crafting the contract language.  The group will meet again next month to finalize a strategy before meeting with TWC representatives.  I will be addressing the Council at some point in the coming month in executive session to talk about our goals for the contract renewal
• The City will be conducting a mandatory harassment prevention training program on February 17^th.  The training will be split into different sessions for supervisory and non-supervisory personnel

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to serve the people of Gardiner as City Manager.

Pellet boiler is hoisted over City Hall by a crane

Pellet boiler is set in place behind City Hall

Gardiner City Hall – 6 Church Street, Gardiner, ME 04345
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm   (207) 582-4200

Gardiner Public Library Circa 1907

On January 1st, we started a program called A Year of Reading.  Anyone and everyone – of any age – with a valid Gardiner Public Library card is eligible to join.  Each month we will have a different reading theme that will be sponsored by a local area business.  Read a book pertaining to that theme and be entered for a prize drawing at the end of the month.  Come in and join the fun!

February’s theme is Library Lovers Month and our monthly drawing is sponsored by Book It! located at 242 Water Street, Gardiner, ME.  Participants just need to read a book or watch a movie from the library to receive a 50% off coupon for one item at this “gently used” bookstore.  Please register at the library’s adult circulation desk.  Staff will gladly help you make your title selection if needed.

The Gardiner Public Library is located at 152 Water Street, Gardiner, Maine.  We can be reached at 207-582-3312.  This program is free and open to everyone with a Gardiner library card.

Please call 582-3312 for more information

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See you on the street!

Patrick Wright

Screaming deal for Valentine’s Day!!

Love your Downtown this Valentine’s day with a package deal that’s easy to love.

Sweet Valentine Deal on Water Street!

For only $99, you can purchase a package for your sweetheart (or suggest that your sweetheart buy one for you).  The package is valued at $275 and includes:

1 pair diamond stud earrings.- $100 Value – The Village Jeweler – 221 Water Street

Dinner for 2 – $50 Value – Mad Dog Pub – 259 Water Street

1 bottle of wine – $20 Value – Water Street Café – 347 Water Street

Floral arrangement – $25 Value -  Berry and Berry Floral – 207 Water Street

Photo Shoot and 11″X14″ Print – $50 Value – Picture Perfect Photography  – 226 Water Street

2 Tickets to “Primo Cubano” Hot Latin Jazz Performance – Feb. 11th – $30 Value – Johnson Hall -280 Water Street

Purchase Certificate at participating merchants, but hurry – the deal is limited to 25 packages.

Call to Sculpture Artists!

Gardiner Main Street is seeking temporary sculpture or installation artwork for Johnson Park, to be installed and exhibited between May and October. The work should be suitable for public exhibition in an exterior space.  The work should be at human scale or greater.

Johnson Park is in the middle of downtown Gardiner, next to Johnson Hall Theatre and across the street from the Artdogs artist studios. A $1500 stipend will be paid to the artist, $1000 when they are selected and another $500 at the time of de-installation. The chosen artist will be given an artist’s reception at Artdogs and be asked to speak about their work at an artist talk.

Interested artists should contact Gardiner Main Street and be prepared to provide up to 5 images of the piece(s) they wish to submit and a brief explanation about why they would like to have a piece exhibited in Johnson Park.

Applications will be reviewed in a timely manner by a committee of Gardiner community members and email notifications will be sent to all applicants regarding the committee decisions.St. Francis of Assisi Pet Pantry Hopes to Open in February!

Located at Christ Church Episcopal, 2 Dresden St., Gardiner, Maine-right off the Gardiner Commons.

These are tough economic times; we realize how important it is to maintain intact families and for many of us our pets are a big part of our family. Our pets contribute significantly to maintaining psychological well being which increases our overall health. So the pantry is being instituted to help our friends and neighbours who need some assistance in feeding and caring for their pet family members.

The pantry needs dog food, cat food, kitty litter, over the counter flea medication and sprays/powders for home decontamination, over the counter de-worming medications, chew toys, litter boxes, leashes and any other donations that would make a pet’s life better. Also needed is a capable handy person willing to donate their skills at putting up shelves for storage.

.

The pantry is currently looking for collection sites, donors, volunteers, and sponsors or parties interesting in hosting benefits! If you know of a church, business, or organization that would like to help in any way, please contact Syndi Holmes  207-620-6644.

Boys and Girls Club asks for your vote!

Team EJP Challengeis to help the BOYS & GIRLS CLUB of GREATER GARDINER!

Mainers are caring people!  Nearly 90,000 people voted for their favorite charities last year in the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation’s Community Matters More grant-making initiative.  The 2012 Community Matters More voting began January 23rd and runs for six weeks, ending on March 5th, 2012.

If the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Gardiner gets the most votes for the Central area and receive the $5,000.00 from Bangor Savings Bank, EJP will donate and match the $5,000.00 in your name(s) of people that take the time to vote, EJP Employees, Friends, Family & Businesses.

This year, a total of 68 grants will be awarded to the organizations listed on the ballot & to the top 20 write-in-recipients.  The organizations in each of the 8 regions (including write-ins) that get the most votes will receive $5,000 each.  The remaining 60 organizations will each receive $1,000.

To vote for your favorite nonprofit, go to www.communitymattersmore.com

Voting ends March 5, 2012 at 11:59 pm. If you Vote, please email your name(s) to Beth.Cooley@ejprescott.com

START VOTING TODAY; SPREAD THE WORD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

Make “A Journey to Oz”!

Winter Shenanigans Visual & Performing Arts Day Camp

Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center invites children in grades 3-8 to attend another great year of creative learning and artistic growth during school vacation week, on February 21, 22, and 23, from 9:30-4.   Registration brochures are available at Johnson Hall, Gardiner Public Library, at Johnson Hall Online

This year, Shenanigans campers will travel to the Land of Oz, in Richard Coleman’s “A Journey to Oz.”  The script, all in verse, tells the familiar story of Dorothy and her friends, Toto, the scarecrow, tin man, and cowardly lion visiting the wizard and defying the Wicked Witch of the West.  Produced by special arrangement with Busy Bee Scripts of the United Kingdom.

Theater Director Kathleen Nation and Art Director Laura Howe lead campers in playing theater games, learning lines, creating sets and props and producing the performance on the last day of camp. Tuition is $110, and includes all art materials. Space is limited.  Winter Shenanigans is sponsored by Staples Funeral Home, keeping tuition low.  Please contact Judy Lloyd at 582-7144 or info@johnsonhall.org to apply for scholarship assistance sponsored by Evergreen Foundation

Mailbox Vs. Inbox

Love Wins!

Sweet Love’s ‘Post This’ letter writing and card crafting series continues with an Open Valentine Circle! Come create a masterpiece to send to a friend! Materials available for use, also cards available for purchase (vintage, reproductions, and hand made!) The idea is to send some love to someone you love, meet new people, or just put some glitter on something!! They always have an abundance of treats, myriad of hot beverages, and hundreds of yards worth of beautiful wedding gowns for those of you looking to get hitched in 2012!! Get crafty in downtown Gardiner!

Saturday, February 4th 12:30-3:30 drop-in, self service creativity! Postage available with select purchases! They’ll even mail your Valentine! Call for more info 512-5859

Gardiner Main Street exists to promote and support a vibrant, healthy Downtown Gardiner.  You can help by volunteering, buying locally, and spreading the word about Downtown Gardiner.  Be part of the fun and excitement!

Gardiner Main Street | 287 Water Street, 2nd floor | P.O. Box 194 | Gardiner | ME | 04345

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"Archie"

February 2nd
Archie

Great Food, Great People and Regulars Rule

The Depot Pub
20 Maine Ave,
Gardiner, ME 04345
(207) 588-0081

Thur, February 2nd

The Sweet Love open mic is particular special in that it is one of the very unique open mics that is available to all age groups. Since Sweet Love is not a bar, youthful musicians use this open mic as an opportunity to learn and hone new skills. A friend of mine was at last weeks open mic and said he was amazed at the amount of young talent that showed up and the interaction between them and some of the older players who come along.

If you are a player and are looking to improve you chops, you should drop by. They have a great turn-out and lots of talent will be in the room.

See you there!

Sweet Love
289 Water Street
Gardiner, ME, 04345

Facebook Page for Sweet Love

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Ed DesJardins returns to The Mad Dog this Saturday.

This week at the Mad Dog we have our Tuesday Open Mic hosted by John Hasnip! This week we are introducing a new twist to the Open Mic – musicians and other performance artists who perform will receive dinner on the house! We’re calling it our “Sing For Your Supper” program and this week dinner will be vegetable lasagne with garlic bread! So all you musicians, comics, poets and other performers – come on out fto the Mad Dog and sing for your supper!

Friday night Singer/Songwriter Brian Patricks is back at the Mad Dog following the release of his most recent album, “Trials, Trouble and Tribulation.”

Brian intertwines finger style rhythmic guitar with a hint of harmonica into his sets of originals and covers of folk, blues and rock. One minute he may be jammin’ an ol’ folk or rock tune and the next he’ll throw in a fine classical or flamenco piece or break out into a smokey blues finger pickin’ number. You will hear influences in Brian’s originals of artists such as: JJ Cale, John Mayall, John Hiatt, James Taylor, John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, John Prine and Bob Dylan to name a few.

Saturday night Ed DesJardins and Logan Johnston return to the Mad Dog!

“I’m drawn by writers like Emmy Lou Harris, Ray Lamontagne, and Daniel Lanois, so it’s more mellow and hopefully meaningful st…uff that has some weight to it. The lyrics certainly matter – I play an acoustic guitar but get an atmospheric sort of vibe going with it. Not straight folk by any means.”

Ed’s first album of original compositions, “Innerspace”, a collection of “ten honest and poignant songs, is a rich sonic tapestry woven from his many and diverse musical influences”, was released in June of 2010.

Many will know Logan Johnston as the owner of Oaklands Farm and as a Gardiner selectman. Logan is also a talented guitarist who has played with many local musicians, most notably with Rick Dosedlo right here at the Mad Dog!

The Mad Dog is a gastropub reminiscent of an old world European pub, bistro or trattoria. We have been compared to some of our customers’ favorite eateries in Bordeaux, Glasgow, New York, San Francisco, and Portland’s Old Port district. Our menu is a diverse and eclectic mix of old favorite recipes and new finds from a variety of cuisines around the world adapted and presented using classical European techniques and styling. We strive to use the best ingredients available, including as many local ingredients as possible in the preparation of our menu, which highlights seafood from Pemaquid and Penobscot bay waters as well as native game and poultry, locally grown produce and .the highest quality herbs and spices from a variety of sources.

THE MAD D0G
259 Water Street, Gardiner, ME 04345
View Map · Get Directions

MON. 30th

TUES. 31st Ticket Tuesday!!! all day run a Food and Drink Tab and get a $1.00 Scratch Ticket for every $10.00 Dollars you spend. Spend $20.00 and get two $1.00 or a $2.00 Ticket. Ask server for DETAILS. (Tab must have food)

WED. Feb 1st This Wednesday Trivia with Buzztime Trivia from 7-9 come in and have some fun CASH PRIZES AND GIVEWAYS and the best part is you meet new friends! Trivia Players get 10 Wings for a 3 Bucks and everybody that plays gets a chance to win a $50.00 Gift Certificate at the end of the month.Who will win this Month!!! Honestly who does That!!!!!!!!!

THURS.2nd We are Changing up and doing something out of the norm. For those who just want to come out and relax with Friends we are doing Music Trivia From 7-9 with Roger Collins Followed by Dance Tunes and Karaoke till 11. $2.00 16oz. Domestic Drafts, $2.00 Domestic Bottles and $2.00 14oz well drinks Check out our Half Price Burger Specials.

FRI. 3rd This Friday it’s Roger Collins W/ Performance Entertainment and the best light show in town Takin your Requests! It’s 50 cent Natty Light, PBR and Rolling Rock Drafts and $1.00 Dr. Shots from 9-11 What a Combo Let the Party Begin!

SAT.4th Its Party Time with BAD PENNY these guys rock the house. Get here early to grab a seat because you’re going to want to dance to the great entertainment of Earl Blake and the GANG! 9-12:30PM

SUN.5th.is a Huge Super Bowl Party so stay TUNED!!!!!!!! GO PATS

Don’t forget to check out our Full menu and Great Beer And Bar Selection. Eat In Or Take Out!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike’s Water St Grill
463 Water Street,
Gardiner, ME 04345

View Map · Get Directions

Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center Receives Grants for Floor Reconstruction

Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center has received three grants to help fund the cost of reconstructing the floor of the theater, which had been severely damaged by water infiltration.  The new floor is completely rebuilt and refinished, thanks to generous grants from The Coombs Trust of Gardiner; The George A. Ramlose Foundation of Sterling, Massachusetts, and The Bank of Maine.  Additional funds were raised from private donors, to complete the funding for the project.

Johnson Hall produced its fall season working around the repair activities, and has been closed for two weeks for floor sanding and refinishing.  The Hall will open again on February 1, to host the Gardiner Farmers’ Market, and its next performance season begins on February 11, with Primo Cubano.

JohnsonHall PerformingArtsCenter, Entertainment & More Since 1864, is at280 Water Street, Gardiner.

Learn more at www.johnsonhall.org, or call 582-7144.

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As part of our movie theme of Hollywood and the Great Depression, this movie depicts the story of a widow and her family as they try to run their cotton farm with the help of a group of friends during the 1930’s.

The Gardiner Public Library is located at 152 Water Street, Gardiner, ME 04345.  Moviegoers are encouraged to bring their own movie snacks and popcorn may be available.

• Please call 582-3312 for more information

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CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE

WEEKLY MEMORANDUM

TO:     Mayor MacLean, Members of the City Council, and Department Heads
FROM:    Scott Morelli, City Manager
DATE:    January 27, 2012
RE:      Weekly Memo

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Next Week’s City Meetings are available on our Calendar

Below please find an update on recent City activities:

• Tonight the KV Chamber of Commerce will host its annual awards banquet and, as quite often is the case, entities from Gardiner will be receiving awards.  Pine State Trading will be presented with the “Business of the Year Award”, Reny’s will receive a “President’s Award”, and Johnson Hall will receive a “Community Service Award.”  Congratulations to these local entities and all the others in our region who are being honored
• On January 19, 2012 Gardiner Rescue 1 crew assisted Augusta Fire with a residential structure fire on Wilderness Way. The fire crews deployed attack lines and performed an aggressive interior attack on the fire. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire and conduct a primary search for occupants. Fortunately no one was injured in the fire and due to the rapid knock down the structure is still sound. This type of incident demonstrates the seamlessness of Gardiner crews integrating with another department to efficiently mitigate an incident. Gardiner Fire dedicates hundreds of training hours each year to develop the required skill sets needed to perform at a degree of professionalism that our mutual aid partners have grown to depend on
• As you know representatives from the Orton Foundation were here this week to meet with staff and community members about implementing their Heart and Soul Community Planning grant.  I’d like to thank City staff, Gardiner Main Street, the Board of Trade, and all those who attended the meeting with Orton to further discuss this matter.  I’d also like to again thank the Council for supporting staff in putting together this grant application
• The City is in the process of hiring an Assistant Planner.  This position will be part-time (30 hours/week) and will primarily assist with oversight of the Orton project.  The deadline for submission is next Thursday, February 2^nd.  For more information, visit our website
• The City will soon be sending out tax bill reminders to residents who do not hold a mortgage.  Up until 2010 we sent reminders to everyone.  Last year we changed the process in an effort to save money and did not send out reminder notifications.  This year we have found a middle ground and we will be able to both save money and send out reminders to those who are not paying taxes into escrow as part of their monthly mortgage payment

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to serve the people of Gardiner as City Manager.

Gardiner City Hall – 6 Church Street, Gardiner, ME 04345
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm   (207) 582-4200

Make “A Journey to Oz” with this year’s Winter Shenanigans!

Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center invites children to come to another great year of creative learning and artistic growth at Winter Shenanigans Visual & Performing Arts Day Camp. Children in grades 3-8 attend camp during school vacation week, on February 21, 22, and 23, from 9:30-4. Registration brochures are available at Johnson Hall, Gardiner Public Library, and online at www.johnsonhall.org children’s page.

This year, Shenanigans campers will travel to the Land of Oz, in Richard Coleman’s “A Journey to Oz.” The script, all in verse, tells the familiar story of Dorothy and her friends, Toto, the scarecrow, tin man, and cowardly lion visiting the wizard and defying the Wicked Witch of the West. Produced by special arrangement with Busy Bee Scripts of theUnited Kingdom.

Theater DirectorKathleenNationand Art DirectorLaura Howelead campers in playing theater games,learning lines, creating sets and props and producing the performance on the last day of camp. Tuition is $110, and includes all art materials. Space is limited. Winter Shenanigans is sponsored by Staples Funeral Home, keeping tuition low.

Please contact Judy Lloydat Johnson Hall to apply for scholarship assistance sponsored by Evergreen Foundation. Johnson Hall is at 280 Water St., Gardiner, and can be reached at 582-7144 or info@johnsonhall.org. The website is www.johnsonhall.org.

Johnson Hall Director Judy Lloyd

Johnson Hall receives Community Service Award, 2012 from Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce

Director Judy Lloyd to accept award TOMORROW, January 27th

The Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced that Johnson Hall will receive a Community Service award for 2012. We are honored to be chosen for this award.  Executive Director Judy Lloyd will accept the award at a gala dinner at the Augusta Civic Center on Friday, January 27.  Johnson Hall is especially pleased that the Chamber of Commerce recognizes that the arts enrich and strengthen our communities, and are important to a flourishing economic climate.  The award comes at a wonderful moment, as we seek lead donors for our campaign for the renovation of the second and third floors of the historic building into a 360-seat theater.

We hear there are still a few seats available at the dinner.  $50 per person.  Contact the KV Chamber at 623-4559.  Read more about the awards banquet here.

Spring Season Announced!

Seeking more business sponsors…

Primo Cubano

Primo Cubano

Primo Cubano is a hot Latin band with a Cuban “Son”-style beat, using the traditional acoustic instrumentation of tres, upright bass, guitar and trumpet with the rich percussion of congas, bongos, maracas, guiro, and claves.  With their combination of talent, experience, and energy, Primo Cubano creates smooth grooves that make you want to dance. When we had them 2 years ago, people said, “Great! Bring them back.”  So, here they are! A Sounds Good! show.

Tickets are $15, Johnson Hall member $13 (bring a non-member free), and Student (to age 22) $6.

Can u Hear me Now

A Gay Man’s Journey in Deaf Culture & This Crazy Place Called Life.
Sunday, Feb. 12, 4 pm

Dialogues, music, with Dan Williams. Signed for the deaf.

-Rental of Johnson Hall-

Tix at door $15.

Call for info: 461-2213 after 3 pm.

Lynn Deeves

Saturday, March 10 at 7:30 pm

Folk/rock Singer/songwriter.  Usually a solo performer, Deeves will be joined this evening by a stellar lineup of the area’s finest musicians featuring Robbie Coffin on guitars and vocals; Scott Elliot on bass and vocals; Alfred Lund on percussion, drums and vocals. It promises to be an inspired, soulful and fun night!  Tickets are $16, Johnson Hall member $13 (bring a non-member free), and Student (to age 22) $6.  A Sounds Good! show.  Co-Supporters are Dunklee & Nott Financial Advisors, and Gardiner Family Chiropractic.

Omar Ricardo Show—
The Sensational 60s
Saturday, April 7 at 7 pm

Frank Omar brings his troupe of musicians, including Dominic Garvey, Jane Burke, “Kiki LaFlamme” (Karen LaPlante), Teresa Beaudoin, Lynette Miller, Sally Walker and Dennis Price, to Johnson Hall for the annual laugh-fest of comedy and music.  All tickets are $28 for this fundraiser for Johnson Hall.  Price includes salty snacks, delicious desserts, and coffee.  Cash bar available.

Fred Garbo Inflatable Theater Company
Saturday, April 21 at 3 pm
at Hall-Dale High School, Hallowell/Farmingdale

This enchanting, hilarious family show features huge inflatables and needs the larger theater available at Hall-Dale High School.  Fred Garbo travels the world performing this show, and has not performed in Maine for several years.  Unusual opportunity to see him! Tickets are $19, Johnson Hall member $16, Child under 13, $10.  The show is part of the Center Stage Series, co-sponsored by Kennebec Savings Bank. Show support by Joel Davis & Assoc. Ameriprise Financial Services.

Castlebay

Friday, May 18 at 7:30 pm

Castlebay’s Celtic and New England traditional music is a delight. Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee blend history, legend and experience into their personable performance style. Their concerts feature poignant ballads sung in Lane’s ethereal soprano and Gosbee’s rich baritone interspersed with joyous dance tunes played on Celtic harp, guitar, fiddle and tin whistle. Tickets are $16, Johnson Hall member $13 (bring a non-member free), and Student (to age 22) $6. A Sounds Good! show.

Winter Shenanigans
Visual & Performing Arts
Day Camp Feb. 21, 22, 23–
Open for registration.

A Journey to Oz, by Richard Coleman.  A play in verse.  Based on book The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.  Arts camp for children in grades 3-8.  Registration brochures available at Johnson Hall, Gardiner Library, and at JH website.

By special arrangement with LazyBee scripts, U.K.

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Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center | 280 Water Street, Gardiner, Maine | 207-582-7144

www.johnsonhall.org | email us

Nikki Hunt

January 26
Nikki Hunt

Great Food, Great People and Regulars Rule

The Depot Pub
20 Maine Ave,
Gardiner, ME 04345
(207) 588-0081