Sunday

MCMA April Events

Mechanics’ Hall April 2016,Events
March 30th,7:00 pm.,MCMA’s Maker Series of talks features local entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated the challenges of starting their own businesses. The series will launch this month with a presentation by Paul Farrell of Union Bagel Co.
Union Bagel make bagels with quality ingredients and organic flour from its location on 147 Cumberland Ave. in Portland. They hand roll, boil, and bake them on a stone hearth in the traditional style, and the result is the full flavor and rich texture of a real bagel. By combining personal experience and with business practices still based on principles of solidarity and cooperation, Union Bagel operates as a business that considers the community's interests as well as its own. Its mission remains twofold - to bring the best traditional bagels to Portland Maine, and to create a successful enterprise that is both supportive of and dependent upon a strong regional economy.
Please join us for an entertaining and informative session in the Mechanics' Hall Ballroom. Your admission includes light refreshments. 
Tickets are free for Maine Charitable Mechanic Association members. Others are $10 via Eventbrite or at the door. Or choose to become a member for $25 for the year, and receive admission free for the entire series! 
MCMA’s Maker Series of talks features local entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated the challenges of starting their own businesses. The series will launch this month with a presentation by Paul Farrell of Union Bagel Co.
Friday, April 1st, 5:00-8:00pm, First Friday Artwalk
Art exhibit, Paintings by Ahmad Al Bujasim
Ahmad Al Bujasim, Artist
Ahmad was born in 1975 in Baghdad.  He completed the 7th grade and served in the army between 1996 and 1999 before leaving his country of Iraq in 2001 to escape the war and fled to Jordan.Prior to leaving, however, he continued his study of art with Professor Yusuf-al-Taie of Arabic calligraphy, decoration and painting in Second Academy during 1986.
     He exhibited in the Ministry of Culture and Information and the Fine Arts Gallery Baghdad ion 1998.
    In 2004, the Jordan Radio and TV Corp acquired 4 works by him on the subject of the Nabataean Civilization.
   In 2008, the Andean House of Fine Arts, Anman, Jordan, acquired 19 works by the artist.
    Due to the instability of the region in 2015, Ahman and his family left Jordan as refugees and arrived in Maine.
Ahmad is married and has 3 children.
    His collage paintings feature contrasting methods of drawing and color. Many of his drawings are types of birds, feeling that color and form must be balanced and understandable to the observer as well as conveying the imagination of the artist.













Tuesday, April 5th, Noon-1;00 pm, First Tuesday Bookclub
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry ,by Rachel Joyce

                        A moving story about an ordinary man on an extraordinary journey.
                 Harold Fry is convinced that he must deliver a letter to an old friend in order to save her, meeting various characters along the way and reminiscing about the events of his past and people he has known, as he tries to find peace and acceptance.
Recently retired, sweet, emotionally numb Harold Fry is jolted out of his passivity by a letter from Queenie Hennessy, an old friend, who he hasn't heard from in twenty years. She has written to say she is in hospice and wanted to say goodbye. Leaving his tense, bitter wife Maureen to her chores, Harold intends a quick walk to the corner mailbox to post his reply but instead, inspired by a chance encounter, he becomes convinced he must deliver his message in person to Queen..........” from, goodreads.com
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published July 24th 2012 by Random House 

Bring a lunch; dessert and drinks(Tea or Lemonade) provided, 12 Noon at the Mechanics’ Hall Library-519 Congress St, second floor, elevator accessible. All are welcome.Pre-reading of the book not required FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail mcma1857@gmail.com Check us out on Facebook…https://www.facebook.com/Maine-Charitable-Mechanic-Association-191213157568169/
Wed., April 6th, 6:00-8:00pm, Pub Hub
April's PubHub is all about The Pitch!  
We’re trying something new for the April PubHub – we’re opening it up to local companies who want the chance to practice their pitch in front of a live audience. Three companies will share their pitch with and get feedback from our panel of judges: Sam Fratoni, Chair of the Maine Angels; Ann Marie Swenson, SVP and Regional Manager of Business Banking, People’s United Bank; Betsy Biemann, former President of Maine Technology Institute; and Zeke Callanan, Esq., Opticliff Law.  Link below to register, a free event.

FMI-https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pubhub-48-pubhub-pitch-night-tickets-23107106979


Thursday, April 7th, 6:00pm, MCMA Annual meeting
The Annual meeting of the members of the MCMA for the election of Officers and Trustees and for the discussion of general business will be held in the ballroom at Mechanics’ Hall.
Discussion and Voting on amendments to the MCMA Constitution and By-Laws.


Monday April 11th-First Travel lecture The Maine Charitable Mechanic Association is proud to begin another Travel Lecture Series at McAuley H.S. Auditorium, Stevens Ave., Portland.  Our first lecture will be on April 11, 2016 and feature a live presentation by Harry Pringle tracing the amazing migration of the Monarch butterflies from the islands in Casco Bay to Mexico and back.  The program begins at 7PM, refreshments are served and all are welcome to attend.  McAuley has ample on-site parking and is handicap accessible. 

Tuesday, April19th,Maine Skeins, 4:00-6:00pm
        Join us for some good conversation and snacks while you work on your latest project.
Bring supplies you no long need for our Swap Box.Thanks  
                 Fmi or to rsvp call 773-8396 or email -mcma1857@gmail.com  at the library.

Monday,Apr. 25th- travel lecture will also be at McAuley, beginning at 7PM.  This will be a DVD on New Zealand, 
The program begins at 7PM, refreshments are served and all are welcome to attend.  McAuley has ample on-site parking and is handicap accessible. 

Wed. April 27th, 7:00 pm-The Second of the MCMA’s Maker Series  will feature Skylar Kelly of Black Point Mercantile.  They make hand made floorcloths and other home goods.  

It is free for MCMA members and $10 for non-members.  Tickets will be available through Eventbrite.

 







March Events at Mechanics' Hall

March 2016,Events in Mechanics’ Hall, 

First Tuesday Book Club, March 1st, 2016,  The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,   by Mark Haddon 
“Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. And he detests the color yellow. 
Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, for fifteen-year-old Christopher everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning. He lives on patterns, rules, and a diagram kept in his pocket. Then one day, a neighbor's dog, Wellington, is killed and his carefully constructive universe is threatened. Christopher sets out to solve the murder in the style of his favourite (logical) detective, Sherlock Holmes. What follows makes for a novel that is funny, poignant and fascinating in its portrayal of a person whose curse and blessing are a mind that perceives the world entirely literally.”.....from Goodreads 
Bring a lunch; dessert and drinks(Tea or Lemonade) provided, 12 Noon at the Mechanics’ Hall Library-519 Congress St, second floor, elevator accessible                            
All are welcome. Pre-reading of the book not required FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail mcma1857@gmail.com Check us out on Facebook 


PubHub #47 – Steve Johnson on Growing Revenue for HootSuite

Wednesday, March 2 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Mechanics' Hall • 519 Congress St. • Portland
• About PubHub: PubHub is the first Wednesday of each month at our new home at Mechanics' Hall. Please join us - it's free for everyone to attend (just register first!) Help us spread the word and share this invitation with your network! 

• About the Speaker: Steve Johnson joined social relationship management system company HootSuite in 2011 as its 27th employee. As Chief Revenue Officer, his task was to lead the go-to-market side of the business. Five short years later, he had grown revenue by 56,000%. That’s not a typo: Fifty. Six. THOUSAND. Percent. And HootSuite now has more than 900 employees.

He recently stepped down from HootSuite, and currently serves on several boards, including Portland’s Certify, LLC. At the March 2 PubHub, he’ll share a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to drive ultra-fast growth. Join us!



March 4th  First Friday Downtown Artwalk
Climate Change and the Gulf of Maine

The Maine Charitable Mechanic Association (MCMA) is excited to support The Union of Maine Visual Artists (UMVA) in its new project to create artistic, large-scale video projections that support non-profits.  During the March 4 First Friday Art Walk, the UMVA will project a visual story developed by 350 Maine on the façade of Mechanics’ Hall, 519 Congress St., about the warming of the Gulf of Maine.  The experience will start shortly after sunset.
March 4th, FIRST Friday ARTWALK-”RUSSIA NORTH”

Russian North” curated by Dennis Marrotte.

 Exhibit opened-Jan.1st, 2016 and will continue into the month of March,and for the First Friday Artwalk, displayed in the Mechanics’ Hall Library for the month of March. Photographs by 10 members of the Photo Club " SPOLOKHI ", from Archangel, Russia, sister city of greater Portland Me.The majority of the Photographs were made in 2014 - while some of Nikolai Chesnokov's works are from the 1990's, to see the collection of pictures check out the web site below.Some new additions also on Exhibit.
5:00 to 8:00 pm,Friday,March 4th, and the exhibit can be seen during library hours, 10:00am-3:00pm, Tues., Wed. and Thurs.. To view pictures on line checkout the web site below







Tuesday,March, 15, Maine Skeins, 4:00-6:00pm in the library
Join us for some good conversation and snacks while you work on your latest project.  
Bring supplies you no long need for our Swap Box.Thanks
All are welcome.
FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail mcma1857@gmail.com





Mechanics' Hall February Events

First Tuesday Book Club, Feb.2nd
The Light Between Oceans

”After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season and shore leaves are granted every other year at best, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. 
Tom, whose records as a lighthouse keeper are meticulous and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel has taken the tiny baby to her breast. Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.”........from Goodreads
    Bring a lunch; dessert and drinks(Tea or Lemonade) provided, 12 Noon at the
Mechanics’ Hall Library-519 Congress St, second floor, elevator accessible
All are welcome. Pre-reading of the book not required
  FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail  mcma1857@gmail.com
Check us out the MCMA on Facebook


 PubHub #46 – Crowdfunding! Zootility and Pakpod Talk Kickstarter

Wednesday, February 3 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Mechanics' Hall • 519 Congress St. • Portland
• About PubHub: PubHub is the first Wednesday of each month at our new home at Mechanics' Hall. Please join us - it's free for everyone to attend (just register first!) Help us spread the word and share this invitation with your network!





FEB.5th,FIRST Friday ARTWALK-”RUSSIA NORTH”

Russian North” curated by Dennis Marrotte.
1st Friday Feb 5 continues  the "Russian North" Exhibit, with added photos from the Spolokhi  photo club of Archangel.  Exhibit will continue through the Month of February.
 Photographs by 10 members of the Photo Club " SPOLOKHI ", from Archangel, Russia, sister city of greater Portland Me.The majority of the Photographs were made in 2014 - while some of Nikolai Chesnokov's works are from the 1990's, to see the collection of pictures check out the web site below.
5:00 to 8:00 pm, Feb.5th and the exhibit can be seen during library hours, 10:00am-3:00pm, Tues., Wed. and Thurs.




 Tuesday, Feb.16th, Maine Skeins, 4:00-6:00pm in the library
Join us for some good conversation and snacks while you work on your latest project.  
Bring supplies you no long need for our Swap Box.Thanks

New signage at Mechanics’ Hall on Congress St

Thursday

"RUSSIA NORTH"-ARCHANGEL, Talk by Dennis Marrotte

"Russia North", Archangel
January, 27th 2016
Noon Time Lecture
Speaker, Exhibit Curator-Dennis Marrotte 
Mr. Marrotte will talk about the photographs on exhibit in the library buy 10 members of the Photo Club :Spolokhi" from Archangel, Russia sister city of Greater Portland ME.









Fore more information about the sister city program can be found at

http://www.arkhangelsk.org 

To view the photos check out  www.johnbald.net/archangel/index.html
All are welcome, bring a lunch, refreshments and desserts provided.
519 Congress St.
second floor, elevator accessible
FMI, Pat at the library, 773-8396 or mcma1857@gmail.com





Saturday

January, 2016, Mechanics' Hall Events

January 2016 MCMA library events

Russian North” curated by Dennis Marrotte.
Exhibit opens-Jan.1st, 2016, First Friday Artwalk and on display in the Mechanics’ Hall Library for the month ofJanuary, Photographs by 10 members of the Photo Club " SPOLOKHI ", from Archangel, Russia, sister city of greater Portland Me.The majority of the Photographs were made in 2014 - while some of Nikolai Chesnokov's works are from the 1990's, to see the collection of pictures check out the web site below.
5:00 to 8:00 pm, Jan.1st and the exhibit can be seen during library hours, 10:00am-3:00pm, Tues., Wed. and Thurs.



First Tuesday Book Club, Jan.5th 2016 
The Road to Character 
by David Brooks 
“I wrote this book not sure I could follow the road to character, but I wanted at least to know what the road looks like and how other people have trodden it.”—David Brooks 
“With the wisdom, humor, curiosity, and sharp insights that have brought millions of readers to his New York Times column and his previous bestsellers, David Brooks has consistently illuminated our daily lives in surprising and original ways. In The Social Animal, he explored the neuroscience of human connection and how we can flourish together. Now, in The Road to Character, he focuses on the deeper values that should inform our lives. Responding to what he calls the culture of the Big Me, which emphasizes external success, Brooks challenges us, and himself, to rebalance the scales between our “résumé virtues”—achieving wealth, fame, and status—and our “eulogy virtues,” those 
that exist at the core of our being: kindness, bravery, honesty, or faithfulness, focusing on what kind of relationships we have formed.”
From Goodreads 
Bring a lunch; dessert and drinks(Tea or Lemonade) provided, 12 Noon at the Mechanics’ Hall Library-519 Congress St, second floor, elevator accessible 
All are welcome. Pre-reading of the book not required 
FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail mcma1857@gmail.com Check us out on Facebook 

PubHub #45 – Nicole Bradick of CuroLegal on Selling Your Startup

Wednesday, January 6 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Mechanics' Hall • 519 Congress St. • Portland
• About PubHub: PubHub is the first Wednesday of each month at our new home at Mechanics' Hall. Please join us - it's free for everyone to attend (just register first!) Help us spread the word and share this invitation with your network! 


• About the Speaker: In 2011, Nicole Bradick launched Custom Counsel, a company that matched robust idle legal talent with law firms that needed high-end help 

Noon Book Talk.

 Tuesday,January 19th, 2016, noon. Mr. Pierson, local author and poet will discuss his latest historical novel
Annie and the Prince of Wales, by Duane Robert Pierson
“The future king of England comes to Portland Maine, as does the British fleet. There is a magnificent ball for the officers. A thousand militiamen escort the Prince down Congress Street to the harbor. Thousands of visitors come to the peninsula to see it all. Annie Murphy and Addie Harman fall in love and meet their future husbands.
This novel is about something that actually happened, now completely erased from the collective memory. Not many are aware that the biggest event in the history of Portland, Maine took place over a period of days in October 1860. At that time the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), concluding a 90-day tour of North America, came to Portland Harbor to embark for home in England. All this occurred just two weeks before Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States. At that time the country was also in the midst of what is known as the Second Great Religious Awakening”……..longfellowbooks.com 
The author will have this book and his other historical novel-“Katie, Maggie and the Marquis de Lafayette”, Portland 1825 available for sale also or bring one in to sign
  12:00 Noon in the Mechanics’ Hall Library, 519 Congress St, second floor, elevator accessible, bring your lunch, refreshments and dessert provided

The Maine Skeins will meet Tues, Jan.19th and every 3rd Tues at the MCMA library from 4:00 to 6:00 pm approximately. you may come earlier if you wish. bring a craft-in-progress to work on or just come to talk about a handiwork of any sort. we have started a give away or swap time if you have supplies or books you no longer want. be inspired to finish that old project hidden in the closet or start a new one.

FMI call us at 773-8396 or email mcma1857@gmail.com



Friday

December Events at the MCMA

 First Tuesday Book Club, Dec.1st
Broken for You-by Stephanie Kallos 

 “National best seller and Today show Book Club selection, Broken for You is the story of two women in self-imposed exile whose lives are transformed when their paths intersect. Stephanie Kallos's debut novel is a work of infinite charm, wit and heart. It is also a glorious homage to the beauty of broken things. When we meet septuagenarian Margaret Hughes, she is living alone”..
...from Goodreads
    Bring a lunch; dessert and drinks(Tea or Lemonade) provided, 12 Noon at the
Mechanics’ Hall Library-519 Congress St, second floor, elevator accessible
 All are welcome. Pre-reading of the book not required
 FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail  mcma1857@gmail.com
Check us out on Facebook

Wed., Dec.2nd

PubHub #44 - Kerry Gallivan of Chimani on Accelerating Beyond Startup

Wednesday, December 2, 2015 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Mechanics' Hall • 519 Congress St. • Portland
• About PubHub: We are so excited to relaunch PubHub on the first Wednesday of each month at our new home at Mechanics' Hall. Please join us - it's free for everyone to attend (just register first!) Help us spread the word and share this invitation with your network! 
• About the Speaker: 
In 2010 on a rainy day on the western side of Cadillac Mountain, not even Kerry Gallivan’s iPhone could provide him with the info he needed to navigate his route. Shortly thereafter, he teamed with Shaun Meredith to launch Chimani, the leading developer of mobile apps to help you explore the outdoors. In October, the company announced it had raised $745K from investors including the Maine Venture Fund, Maine Technology Institute, Maine Angels, and early Facebook employee Steve King. Kerry will speak about launching Chimani, accelerating beyond startup, and finding investors to fuel growth. 


 December artist in the Mechanics’ Hall Library 
Friday, Dec. 4th-First Friday Artwalk Artist-Lydia Dehler’s Exhibit- “VIVIDLY INSPIRED”
“My name is Lydia Dehler and I am a sophomore at Scarborough High School. I'm sixteen years old and love the fine arts. I have been drawing for as long as I can remember, but have only done detailed pictures for the past two or three years now. I have improved over the years and still aim to advance in my art abilities in any way I can. You can find me on Instagram @vividlyinspired.”
Lydia’s Exhibit-“Vividly Inspired”-  will be on display for viewing for the month of December during library hours.



 Wed.Dec 9, Noon Time Book Talk in the Mechanics’ Hall Library
  John William Babin will discuss his new book-“Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in Portland: The Fireside Poet of Maine”, by author John William Babin and Alan M. Levinsky, Forward by Herb Adams
“When Peleg Wadsworth built his family home on Congress Street in 1786, he could see the Fore River from his front door. The city grew up around the structure as the Wadsworth-Longfellow family flourished and made history within its walls and the fabric of young America's culture and government. Peleg's daughter, Zilpah Wadsworth, married Stephen Longfellow IV on the first floor, and they raised their eight children in the home with love and high standards. Their second-eldest son, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, wrote his first childhood poem there before going on to pen great classics including "Paul Revere's Ride" and Evangeline. Young Henry watched his father help craft the Maine Constitution and experienced revolutionary ideals of his home city. Step inside the historic Longfellow House and explore the city that shaped a beloved American poet.” from-Book Depository. com

12:00 pm,Bring a lunch,Refreshments, tea and coffee served. 


Saturday,December 12th,  “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” by Dylan Thomas will be read by Abraham A. Schechter , Portland Public Library & Portland Room, librarian and archivist along with Pictures from his studies in Wales.
To be held in the Mechanic’s Hall Library at 1:00 pm.
Free and all are welcome to have some tea and desserts to celebrate a Welch Christmas -lechyd da!(cheers)

Saturday

MCMA November Events





 November Events







First Tuesday Book Club Nov.3rd, 2015 Richard Blanco
Reader’s Choice - “Looking for the Gulf Motel” or “Boston Strong”
“Family continues to be a wellspring of inspiration and learning for Blanco. His third book of poetry, Looking for The Gulf Motel, is a genealogy of the heart, exploring how his family’s emotion legacy has shaped—and continues shaping—his perspectives. The collection is presented in three movements, each one chronicling his understanding of a particular facet of life from”....from Goodreads




Boston Strong: The Poem to benefit The One Fund Boston
Boston Strong is a commemorative chapbook that beautifully reproduces Richard Blanco’s poignant poem presented May 30, 2013 at the benefit concert to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred on April 15, 2013 during the Boston Marathon.”. ...from Goodreads
Bring a lunch; dessert and drinks(Tea or Lemonade) provided, 12 Noon at the Mechanics’ Hall Library-519 Congress St, second floor, elevator accessible
All are welcome. Pre-reading of the book not required
FMI call Pat at 773-8396 or e-mail
mcma1857@gmail.com Check us out on Facebook 



Nov.6th, First Friday, Doug Bixby-Colored Pencil, “Life in Doodles” is back by Popular demand !!, Another chance to catch the history and humor in daily events with a artistic flair! Friday night-5:00 to 8:00 pm and during library hours in the month of November.
" Doug Bixby recently retired after a 25 year planning and engineering career at Bath Iron Works. For much of that time he kept a daily written and pictorial record of his activities on a desk calendar. Using pencil, pen, colored markers and the occasional collage, each monthly sheet became a unique and humorous diary of events.
"This was my creative outlet over the years while on the phone or waiting for the computer to sort through data."
Travel Presentations-Monday
Nov. 9th “A Mountain called Katahdin”
Selected for Screening at
Environmental Film Festival, National Museum of American History, Washington, DC
Honorable Mention, Rural Route Film Festival, New York, NY The Frugal Environmentalist Festivals
Mountain Festival, Golden CO
Shown on Maine PBS

“I commend this moving film to anyone who loves Maine or nature, and especially to those who love both.”
Senator George J. Mitchell

Five years in the making and 100 minutes in length, Wilderness and Spirit, A Mountain Called Katahdin captures the spirit of Katahdin and the people who have been drawn to Maine’s “Great Mountain”. The film explores ways of thinking about the wilderness and how people from many walks of life, past to the present, have found spiritual solace and strength in this mountain called Katahdin.
This landmark documentary includes first recorded footage of the Katahdin 100 Run of the Penobscot people and the only footage of Earl Shaffer’s historic climb up Katahdin on his 50th anniversary AT Thru Hike. The film brings together the writings of Henry David Thoreau, the paintings of Frederic Church and Marsden Hartley, interviews with Baxter State Park staff, Governor Baxter descendants, Donn Fendler, subject of “Lost on a Mountain in Maine”, the legendary stories, dances and music of the Penobscot people, and the recollections of the residents of Millinocket and the hikers and climbers of Katahdin. Music for the film was composed by Tom Myron. The traditional Penobscot music is performed by the Keepers of the Penobscot Drum.
“Wilderness is a vast time out, a place where we no longer dominate, where we recognize we are part of something larger than ourselves.”

From the film, Roderick Nash, author, Wilderness and the American Mind

Nov.23rd -Hawaii
The presentations will be held at:
CATHERINE McAULEY HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
631 Stevens Avenue opposite Evergreen Cemetery
Parking Lot off Walton St.
7:00, starting time-Doors open @6:30
Wheelchair accessible
All are welcome and admission is free

FMI-call 773-8396 or mcma1857@gmail.com