The South Portlander

State Rep. Jane Eberle of South Portland invites constituents to her monthly coffee hour Saturday, Jan. 10, at the new J.P. Thornton’s on Broadway.  Eberle, a Democrat, will answer questions from 11 a.m. to noon.  Thornton’s is at 740 Broadway, where Cap’n Newick’s used to be. For more information, call 776-3783.

Applications to Southern Maine Community College and Maine’s other two-year colleges are showing dramatic increases for the spring semester, state officials report.
Applications to SMCC in South Portland are up 15 percent. York Community College reports a 19 percent increase, according to the Associated Press.
Officials speculate that unemployed workers are turning to community colleges to hone job skills or prepare for new careers.
Maine’s two-year colleges already were experiencing huge increases since switching from a technical to a community college system, allowing for easier transitions to four-year schools upon graduation.
Nearly 600 more people have applied to the community colleges for admission for the spring semester over last year.

Here is a press release from the Longfellow Chorus about an upcoming concert in South Portland.

The Longfellow Chorus, of Portland celebrates native son Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 202nd birthday with a performance of the Edward Elgar-Longfellow cantata The Black Knight with full orchestra accompaniment, and the premieres of 10 winning choruses and songs from its 2009 International Composers Competition.
Show time is 3 p.m., Sunday, March 1, First Congregational Church of South Portland, 301 Cottage Rd. A pre-concert event beginning one-half hour before the program will feature an informal panel discussion by the winning composers. $20 suggested donation at the door. Information: 772-1160; http://www.longfellowchorus.com/Program202.html
Note: New singers in all vocal categories are being accepted into The Longfellow Chorus until Jan. 29. Call or email Charles Kaufmann, Director, 772-1160;

A 150-year-old coastal home at 2 Ship Channel Road that fetched $910,000 and an office complex on Gannett Drive that drew $3 million are the top sellers in South Portland real estate in September and October. Click here to see a complete list of real estate transactions and a map showing the locations of properties.

Gov. John Baldacci, in his radio address Saturday, urged Mainers to be “Survivors,” like SoPo resident Bob Crowley, winner of the TV reality show.
According to media reports, Baldacci noted Crowley’s can-do attitude facing tough challenges. Mainers may need to display that same resourcefulness as the state and nation plunge into a recession.
Crowley got a million dollars for his efforts. Many Mainers will try to hold on to what they have.

The City Council is expected to proclaim Tuesday, Jan. 6, as “Bob Crowley Day” in South Portland. The Council will issue the proclamation at its regularly scheduled Monday night meeting.
South Portlanders will get the chance to meet with the winning “Survivior” and newly minted millionaire on Tuesday, at 7 p.m., at the Community Center.
Crowley will talk about his experience on the hit reality TV show, display some “artifacts” from his stay in Africa, and answer questions. His appearance will be for about 45 minutes.
No other events are planned.

Mayor Tom Blake called a special Council meeting this morning, so that city leaders could accept a land donation from resident Thomas Shorthill.
The 2.8-acre parcel, which has 1,000 feet of waterfront, is on Elm Street. By accepting the land donation, the city preserves the parcel from development.
Blake described the parcel, located in the Pleasantdale neighborhood, as “a great place for putting kayaks and canoes in the water.”
He said the parcel, which has wetlands, “is marginally developable.”
Blake noted that the Pleasantdale neighborhood does not have a lot of open, recreational space. There is a house on either side of the vacant lot.
Blake, a founder of the South Portland Land Trust, was recently elected mayor by fellow Council members.