One of America’s Most Livable Cities, Portland Maine

05/22/2013

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Portland is the largest city in Maine – with good reason! From gorgeous coastal views to a healthy job market and supportive community, Portland offers a wonderful quality of life.

Our city has a way of making a name for itself: Forbes magazine cites Portland as the #1 Best City for Jobs this Spring (2013), as well as one of America’s Most Livable Cities. Portland is also a college town in its own right, with the University of Southern Maine, Maine College of Art, University of New England and Southern Maine Community College campuses within minutes of the downtown area. Every market from web design & marketing and auto sales to plastic surgery and accounting has a place in Portland.

Portland businesses offer all of the amenities of a large city within a small, close-knit community. The Old Port is a small seafront area of Portland that houses hundreds of businesses – from hair & beauty salons, insurance services and home improvement to photography & video services, printing services and graphic design - and that’s just Audrey_Hotchkiss_Winter_Sunset_Congress_and_Highone corner of the Portland area!

The Portland community is home to several non profit & charitable organizations - so whether you’re interested in working for non-profits, or getting involved as a volunteer, you’ll find plenty of ways to do good (and meet new people while you’re at it!).

Have you fallen in love with Portland yet? If you’re considering making the personal or professional move, there are a number of businesses and services you should bookmark: From commercial and residential real estate, rentals and moving & storage businesses – once again, Portland professionals are there to cover your needs.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Portland, Maine’s Best Bars!

03/14/2013

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St. Patrick’s Day is a day to celebrate in Portland Maine with green beer, delicious Irish whiskeys and drafts. Take advantage of this lively opportunity to see the variety of Portland pubs and bars!

Portland Maine is a great place to be in St Paddy's Day!

Portland Maine is a great place to be in St Paddy’s Day!

For a night out with DJ’s and dancing, look no further than Binga’s Stadium or Pearl Lounge. Binga’s Stadium, located on Free Street is a sports bar/dance club hybrid that offers delicious hot wings and IPAs upstairs and a dance floor with some of Portland’s most popular DJ’s on the lower level. Pearl Lounge, located in the heart of Portland’s Old Port, offers a dance floor, VIP rooms and a bar large enough to accommodate big crowds.

To catch the game and grab a few drinks, check out these Portland sports bars! Fore Play offers several TVs, foosball and pool on the first floor, and a small dance floor, bar and DJ upstairs. Located on Old Port’s popular Fore Street, it’s in the center of the action. Asylum is a sports bar, concert venue, dance club and karaoke bar only a short walk away from the center of the Old Port. You can sit and enjoy the game in one room, or walk across the hallway to enter their newly renovated, dance floor complete with stage.

For some of the most unique drinks in town, head over to Sonny’s on Exchange Street. During the day, this bar and restaurant serves uniquely delicious lunch and dinner dishes, and at night offers a cozy atmosphere where you can sit and chat with friends over light music.

However you choose to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll find the best bars in Portland Maine!

Bring Spring Dreams Home with Touches Found Shopping in Portland, ME

03/14/2013

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It’s almost that time of year again-time for spring cleaning! Update your entire home by purchasing home goods and furniture from local stores in Portland Maine. Give your home a fresh new spring look while shopping locally, where you will discover the most unique, hand-crafted items that you can’t find anywhere else!

Kitchen Items to brighten up your home at Lovely Things in Portland, ME

Kitchen Items to brighten up your home at Lovely Things in Portland, ME

Winter snowfall may make you yearn for warmer days, so enjoy look forward to spring weather by surrounding yourself with the perfect items that make your house a home. Hang beautiful Maine imagery on your walls from the artwork and photography selection at “Lisa-Marie’s Made in Maine.” Or choose between several decorative stools in “Ten Thousand Villages” to add more taste to your favorite room. Brighten your kitchen with a turquoise billow teapot or a citrus lemon-shaped juicer from “Lovely Things.”

Continue your shopping in Portland by tidying up the outside of your home too! Choose your favorite Maine birdhouse or wind-bells from “Lisa-Marie’s Made in Maine” to hang in your yard. Shop at “Ten Thousand Villages” where you’ll find plant feeders and bucket candles for your garden as well as the perfect way to end your long spring days- the relaxation hammock.

Visit our EAT page and check out local restaurants to satisfy the appetite you have probably built up shopping in Portland!

Spring Weather is Near- Get Out and Volunteer in Portland Maine

03/14/2013

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It might be cold outside now, but spring is just around the corner! Welcome the spring weather by volunteering at one of the many non-profit events Portland has to offer! There are so many ways you can give back this spring, and Portland Maine has plenty of non-profit organizations with upcoming events you can chose between.

Start by spreading awareness during the week of March 11-March 17, for National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, hosted by the Greater New England Chapter. Attend the “Women on the Move Luncheon” in Portland Maine on March 14 and spend the afternoon spreading awareness, fundraising, and engaging other organizations and individuals to work towards a world free of Multiple Sclerosis. To learn more about how you can further support this cause visit our Dine and Donate page.

There is no better way to enjoy the spring weather than getting outside on a beautiful day. Make the most of these days by participating in a cause worthy event. Register now for the 84th Boys & Girls Clubs Patriots Day 5-Miler hosted by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine non-profit organization. Get your friends together and join in one of the largest fundraising events across the country by signing up for “Relay for Life” in the Greater Portland area to fund-raise for the American Cancer Society. These is an organized, overnight, walk for cancer in Relay Events beginning in March.

Local Volunteers for National MS Society in Portland, ME

Local Volunteers for National MS Society in Portland, ME

Parking & Lodging in Portland, ME for St. Patrick’s Day

03/14/2013

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If you’re planning a visit to Portland for St. Patrick’s Day, things can get pretty busy downtown! Between the warmer spring weather that’s on the way and everyone celebrating the holiday at Portland’s local Irish pubs and bars, parking and lodging

Portland Harbor Hotel puts you right in the heart of the Old Port, Portland Maine

Portland Harbor Hotel puts you right in the heart of the Old Port, Portland Maine

may be hard to come by. Here are some suggestions parking and lodging Portland, ME this March!

Enjoy a night out in Portland, Maine, without having to worry about parking. Portland has over 15 spacious parking garages, many located within a short walking distance of the best bars in the Old Port. Check out our full list of convenient parking garages in Portland, Maine.

Make your visit even easier by staying at these hotels – conveniently located in the Old Port they and offer parking. In the middle of the Old Port action you’ll find thePortland Harbor Hotel, The Portland Regency Hotel and the Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront. Only a short walk away is the Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Portland.

If you’re a business owner in Portland and are expecting a large crowd, make the night easier for your guests by using the Valet Services from Valet 4 ME! They provide valet and parking services to businesses that have limited or no parking space for customers. Stress less and maximize your customer base!

Check out our EAT Page for some great places to eat while you are in town.

Do You Need to Put Your Resolutions Into Action in Portland, ME?

02/28/2013

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February is here, meaning it has been a little over a month since most of us have set our New Year resolutions. If your resolution involved being more active, there are a number of Portland gyms, fitness centers and classes that can help you reach your goals.

Fournier's Fitness & Martial Arts does it all in Portland, ME

Fournier’s Fitness & Martial Arts does it all in Portland, ME

If you are looking for a personal trainer in Portland, Fournier’s Fitness & Martial Arts has you covered! Fournier’s offers everything from traditional, individual training, to fitness classes, kickboxing memberships and, of course, martial arts to challenge you in a new way!

Portland yoga studios are plentiful, but Portland Power Yoga has proven to be a popular choice for yogis of all levels! They have flexible class schedules taught by experiences yogis. If you’re looking to gain flexibility, strength and clear your mind in the process, yoga is the perfect fitness choice.

If individual training and classes aren’t your speed, and you love competitive sports, join a Portland sports league through Casco Bay Sports! Joining a league is great way to meet new people in the area who share a passion for sports. Basketball and volleyball are underway; find out which leagues have openings soon!

Whether your goal is to lose weight, strength train, increase flexibility or just get out and have fun while being active, start testing out the waters by visiting one of these Portland fitness centers and gyms.