Wellstone Film Series Wraps Up Season with "The Rape of Europa" on Thursday, May 28

On Thursday, May 28, we will be showing “THE RAPE OF EUROPA” (2006) at the South Portland Community Center. This will be the last documentary viewed in the 2008-9 season of the Paul Wellstone Documentary Series. (The 2009-10 series will resume in October.) Since the film runs 116 minutes, we will begin at 6:15 instead of the usual 6:30 to leave time for discussion.

As described by distributors, “The Rape of Europa” chronicles the twelve years of Nazis’ pillaging works of art throughout Europe and the international effort to locate, protect and return millions of valuable treasures. Directed by Richard Berge, the film narrates efforts of art lovers and everyday heroes who tried to thwart the looting Nazis and shows how experts from Europe and the US continue to recover priceless works of art missing or hidden for decades. 

Wellstone Film Series Continues with "Young At Heart" on Thurs. April 30th at 6:30 p.m.

Well, viewers at our March showing decided we needed an upbeat documentary next, so here it is for April: “Young At Heart” (2007). Doors will open at 6 p.m. at the South Portland Community Center in the Second Floor Teen Room on Thursday, April 30th, with the film beginning at 6:30. Running time is 107 minutes, which leaves us some time for discussion afterward. 

Rep. Terry Morrison to Host Tax Reform Public Forum on Monday, April 6th

Rep. Terry Morrison is hosting a Tax Reform and Relief Package Public Forum at the South Portland Community Center on Monday, April 6th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The forum will be held in the Senior Center wing and the public is invited and encouraged to attend. Joining Rep. Morrison for this important event will be the rest of the South Portland delegation to the Maine Legislature: Sen. Larry Bliss (D-7th Dist.), Rep. Jane Eberle (D-123rd Dist.) and Rep. Bryan Kaenrath (D-124th Dist.). In addition, the featured guest speaker will be Rep. Linda Valentino from Saco (D-134th Dist.). Rep. Valentino is a member of the Maine Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. Come hear all about the 2009 Legislative Tax Reform and Relief Package plan and be sure to bring your questions with you.

Wellstone Documentary Film Series - "Taxi To The Dark Side" on Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 pm

On THURSDAY, MARCH 26TH, we will be showing TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE at the South Portland Community Center.  As usual, doors open at 6:00 p.m.; the film, which runs 106 minutes, begins at 6:30.  Admission is free, though donations are always welcome to cover snacks.Directed by Alex Gibney, TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE was released in 2007.  In 2008 it won Best Documentary at the Academy Awards. 

An Update from Senator Lawrence Bliss (7th Dist.)

February 16, 2009 - The legislative session is well underway. We have already passed the “Supplemental Budget” document, designed to balance this year’s budget. We have now begun holding hearings on the Governor’s proposed budget for the next two years. This session, I serve as Chair of the Judiciary committee, and also sit on the Taxation committee.  There is quite a bit to learn on both of these committees, and I find myself reading bills and background information well into the evenings on a regular basis.