A smoker approaches the "Buttler" in Monument Square.

Working Waterfront

Portland promotes cigarette butt recycling to make downtown friendlier

PORTLAND — Mike Roylos is old enough to remember when offices, restaurants and other businesses featured strategically placed ashtrays. Though they were filthy and smelly, often holding a still-smoldering cigarette, they served a purpose. Today, ashtrays are long gone. Smoking rates are down, and those who do smoke, must do… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A dead whale washes ashore on an island: what to do?

Christmas Day in the Cranberry Isles arrived with winds high enough to cause ferry cancelations, though the air temperature was unseasonably mild. Fortunately for us, our family had arrived two days earlier. In a rare event that might occur once in five years, both of our sons came home to… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Peaks islanders fight peak oil with weatherization effort

PEAKS ISLAND — Maggie Small wasn't exaggerating. She'd said earlier on this chilly late March day that people often stop her on the ferry to ask about the effort she is helping coordinate to weatherize 100 homes on the island. As we board the boat for Portland, sure enough, she… SEE MORE