The West End NEWS Volume 7 Number 5 May 4-16, 2007

Liz Looks at the Stars
May 4th - May 16th

*** Flowers for you… to the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world ***

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) The new moon on May 16th will put you in the mood to go for broke. Picture one of those Nike ads with some sweaty, good-looking model. That'll be you. Opportunity is so ripe in the air, you can smell it. What does it smell like? New money? Freshly ground coffee? Stepping off the plane in Hawaii? Whatever it is, steam ahead full force! At the beginning of the month, you may feel some negative aftermath from the full moon in Scorpio that occurred on May 2nd. Losing your patience with children, being irritable for no reason…blame it on the moon. By the 16th, it's smooth sailing again. For Aries moms: A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest. ~Irish ProverbAries flower: Honey Suckle

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) If you are a mother or have a mother who is a Taurus, planning a get-together on May 13th may spell conflict. After the 16th, communication will become much easier. The new moon in Taurus on May 16th signals good things for you. If you are taking a trip, insight will be revealed as to the cosmic reasons for your travel. Pay close attention to any lessons learned this month! To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, which is also British comedian Michael Palin's birthday, rent one of his travel documentaries and get an armchair view of another part of the globe. From his series Around the World in 80 Days: "The compulsive urge to travel is a recognized physical condition. It has its own word, dromomania, and I'm glad to say I suffer from it." Happy Mother's Day, Taurus! “You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back." ~William D. TammeusTaurus flowers: Rose, Poppy, Violet

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Optimism and joy are the prevailing emotions for you this month, Twins! With Venus in Cancer, you may find romance with a like-minded individual. If you find yourself getting stressed out for any reason, try saying this tongue twister ten times fast "Lilacs in bloom shed sweet perfume". For you Gem moms: “A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." ~Tenneva Jordan. Gemini flowers: Lily-of-the-valley, Lavender, Lilacs

CANCER (June 21 - July 22) Interesting news, Crabs: Venus, the ruling planet of love, will be in your sign from May 8th until June 4th. While this transit may stoke the flames of your current romance, shaping May into your loveliest month of the year, watch out for your tendency to be clingy. If your partner or your friends comment on your complaining about imaginary wrongs and slights done to you, be sure that the love you are expressing is not your need to hang on to someone for fear of being alone. You may wish to consider professional help in order to overcome this negative aspect of your personality. From fellow Cancer Phyllis Diller: “It would seem that something which means poverty, disorder and violence every single day should be avoided entirely, but the desire to beget children is a natural urge." Cancer flowers: White Flowers, Particularly Roses

LEO (July 23 - August 22) Saturn, the planet of tests, trials and difficulties, is currently in Leo. It has a way of taking things away from you, either because they are no longer of any use to you, or to get you to grow up and take responsibility for your own actions and attitudes. You'll be glad to know that by August, Saturn will finally stop pestering you guys. If you haven't found your true love yet, try looking next door, so-to-speak. I haven't given you a new book to read, lately, Leo's, but here's your May selection: The Devil's Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America's Great White Sharks by Susan Casey. It will get you in the mood for summer! Happy Mother's Day, Leo mamas! “Children are a great comfort in your old age - and they help you reach it faster, too. " ~Lionel Kauffman. Leo flowers: Flowers: Sunflower, Marigold

VIRGO (August 23 - September 22) Restless? You may have a yearning to meet new people and see new sights. Travel is favorable this month. If you love those days when it seems like everyone you know calls or stops by, look forward to May 11th! The Pisces moon brings up nostalgia for everyone, and Mercury has come “home" to its sign Gemini, enhancing communication. The combo will keep your phone ringing all day! For Virgo moms: "Mother - that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries." ~T. DeWitt Talmage. Virgo flowers: Small & Colorful, i.e. Forget-me-nots

LIBRA (September 23 - October 22) Look forward to expanding your horizons toward the end of May. Women will take the form of caregivers for you this month. Whether she's a family member, boss, or friend, let her know you appreciate the love. If you are a teacher or a student, May will be a productive month for you intellectually. The full moon in Scorpio on May 2nd, last quarter moon in Aquarius on May 9th, new moon in Taurus on May 16th, and first quarter moon in Virgo on May 23rd are all in fixed signs, meaning that type of energy for the month will be stubborn, intractable, but excellent for academic learning. Happy Mother's Day from fellow Libra Oscar Wilde "All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his." Libra flowers: Bluebell, Daisy

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21) Are you finding yourself drawn to things just out of reach? This quality has two sides: the positive side is when you are looking forward to achieving or attaining something, and it fuels you to work hard to get it; the negative side is when you give up out of continual frustration. My advice is always to make a list of what you want (especially at new moon time - this month May 16th), and then look at the list next month to see what you can cross off. Scorpios, you know how you sometimes take criticism very, very deeply? Try not to do that this month, because it's more likely to be the critical person's own baggage than a serious flaw on your part. Don't judge yourself any more harshly than you'd judge a friend. Here's a funny one from Scorpio Fran Lebowitz: “Ask your child what he wants for dinner only if he's buying." Scorpio flower: Geranium

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21) Do you have big plans for May? Sandwiched between the two full moons (May 2nd in Scorpio and May 31st in Sagittarius) are enough accomplishments to make any Archer proud. Productivity. Good job. “Your children vividly remember every unkind thing you ever did to them, plus a few you really didn't." ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook. Sagittarius flowers: Carnations, Dandelions (although, if shopping for a bouquet for your beloved Sag., I would not recommend these…)

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19)You don't have an inkling as to what fate may hold, but it looks brighter when you anticipate joyfully what is to come rather than damning the burdens of the moment. Your tension headache will disappear today when you believe that you are destined to accomplish something outstanding. Give your Capricorn mom a chuckle with this: “A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after." ~Peter De Vries Capricorn flowers: Ivy, Pansy, Amaranths.

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18) If you're a writer, expect a visit from your muse during the last 2 weeks of May. The new moon on May 16th will inspire you to institute some changes in your surroundings. Somewhere in between moving, and switching your bedside table to the other side of the bed. A deep thought from Aquarian Oprah Winfrey: “Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother." Aquarius flower: Orchid

PISCES (February 19 - March 20) May is the second-best month for romance for you this year. The first was February, when Venus was in your sign, but expect some loving days ahead in May as Venus visits Cancer (your most compatible sign). Any relationships with children you may have become wide open for fun, creativity and empathy. To all the mothers out there, from fellow Pisces Dorothy Canfield Fisher “A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary." Pisces flower: Water Lily

No Wonton Soup to Go

On April 15, at 1:40 AM, Portland police offficer Charles Frazier observed a dark-colored Ford Taurus enter the Woodfords Corner area, traveling at an imprudent rate of speed. The car proceeded to Deering Avenue and didn’t stop when the officer activated his blue lights and siren.
The vehicle proceeded inbound on Deering Avenue to Devonshire Street, and then to St. John Street. It ultimately stopped at Lang’s Express at 325 St. John.

Jennifer Shoemaker, 37, of Portland was arrested for driving to endanger and failure to stop for a police officer. Even if Lang’s had been open at that time, she would not have been allowed to get any takeout to bring to jail. Marge Niblock


PORTLAND BUY LOCAL LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE
The Portland Independent Business and Community Alliance (PIBCA), the non-profit group behind Portland’s Buy Local campaign, has launched its newly- designed Web site at www.portlandbuylocal.org.

The site’s new features include a new online directory of local, independent businesses participating in the campaign: the IndieBiz Directory, which currently has 209 listings.

Hinck’s Bill to Protect Renters from Lead

The Natural Resources Committee has unanimously approved a bill proposed by Rep. Jon Hinck, D-Portland, that would protect renters from the harmful health effects of lead, which is often found in paint in older buildings.

The bill, LD 555, would require landlords to give tenants 30-days notice if they are doing any renovation or repair activity that could disturb lead paint. A landlord could do the work sooner if all adult tenants sign a waiver form. Hinck worked with the Portland Tenants Union to develop the measure.

Lead is a toxic metal that can cause a variety of health problems including learning disabilities, nervous system disorders, problems during pregnancy and seizures. Children under 6 years old are particularly susceptible.

For more information on LD 555 www.housedemocrats.maine.gov.

Roof Peels Off PD Headquarters
By MARGE NIBLOCK

The vicious Nor’easter that hit Maine on April 16th severely damaged the roof of Portland Police Headquarters at 109 Middle Street. The roof is one sheet of rubber with seams, which was glued to the surface at the top of the building. High winds peeled the rubber off the steel bedding, creating tears and causing it to flap in a menacing manner. Nothing could be done at the time because of the wind’s severity.

Water poured into half of the fourth floor ceiling. Many detectives were at work that day, even though it was Patriot’s Day, a state holiday. Computers and all valuable items were removed, and people were sent home.

The headquarters was built in the mid-1970s and the approximately 7,000-square-foot roof has received repairs, as needed, according to Bob Leeman, Director of Public Buildings for the City of Portland. It was thought that the entire roof might come off, and it was monitored throughout the night. Leeman said that had the rest of the roof come off, it would have been handled by “bucket management.” Plastic was placed on the ceilings and an alert crew watched and waited.

Deputy Chief Bill Ridge and Detective Lieutenant Tony Ward, along with other detectives in the Criminal Investigation Division were displaced by the destructive forces of nature. The cost for the damage sustained by the roof is estimated at $50,000. A crane set up on Middle Street was necessary to replace the destroyed rubber. It is possible that FEMA may reimburse the funds needed for the roof. Portland is self-insured, although the City also carries a policy for property and casualty insurance through the Maine Municipal Association; however, that policy has a $50,000 deductible.

Repairs which may take two to three weeks have already started on the interior, with the final carpeting hopefully being installed within a month.

The glass on one of the front doors was also damaged and shattered when it was blown open by the force of the wind, and the Police Benevolent Association’s men’s locker room in the basement was flooded.