Life + Culture

Book Lovers

Nine new reads recommended by Portland bibliophiles Article by Rose Heithoff, Rebecca Starr, and Beth Babcock Back Cove Books Cranky by Phuc Tran Find out how kind friends and honesty help one cranky truck cool down in this humorous new picture book series about big trucks, big feelings, and even bigger friendships. (Release date: February 6) Next Level: A Hymn in Gratitude for Our Differences by Samara Cole Doyon Told from the loving perspective of a mother of a child with autism, ...

Food + Beverage

Valentine's Date Night

Check out our readers' favorite romantic restaurants around town Article and Photography by Via Vecchia "We love VV for date night! It has the perfect trifecta: a cozy, warm atmosphere, beautiful food, and an excellent wine list." -@kimmacumberinteriors Yosaku "Yosaku has always been my favorite date spot. It's warm and comfortable with nooks and private areas, the food is consistently excellent, and the service is always on point." -@madamemojo Solo Italiano "Amazing true Italian...

Arts + Culture

Thoroughly Modern Maker

Ceramica Co. founder Hannah Hazel on pottery, running a business, and finding inspiration across Maine Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Tay Sikes Photo and Karlee Noyes Photography How did you get into ceramics initially? I was going to school for business but I needed an art elective, so I enrolled in a pottery class and felt like I was finally getting the hang of it at the end of the semester. It’s such a foreign art, and the only way to get better is to practice, so I went back...

Health + Wellness

Move Better, Feel Better

Oak Hill Stretchlab owner John Smart explains the benefits of getting stretched Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by courtesy of Stretchlab What is assisted stretching? We use a technique called physical neuromuscular facilitation, or PNF, to stretch people one-on-one using a tension scale of zero to ten. Zero is when you’re sitting there and can’t feel anything, and ten is when it feels like your arm is going to pop out of your socket. Ideally, we want you at a five.  How does it...