THE GOINGS ON: Bar Harbor Residents Can Pay $15 to Have Bulky Waste Taken Away, Island Explorer Electric Busses
Second Maine Outdoor Economy Summit, Free Empathy Workshop and Other Press Releases
The Bar Harbor Public Works Department announces that residents may participate in the Fall Cleanup
The Town Council has adopted a plan to assist residents who do not have the means of transporting their bulky wastes. Bar Harbor residents can arrange for CURBSIDE pick-up by paying a $15 fee per item at the Finance Office in the municipal building. Residents will be contacted by the Highway Division to arrange a pick-up date. The available dates are October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. Instructions on how and where to leave your items will be available at the time the appointment is made.
An alternative will be available on Friday, November 3 between 8 AM and 3 PM, and Saturday, November 4 between 8 AM and 11:45 AM, at the Recycling Center on White Spruce Road. Bar Harbor residents only may take bulky wastes FREE OF CHARGE to the Recycling Center. Appliances and other metals are accepted at the Public Works Facility in Hulls Cove. Brush will NOT be accepted. No commercial haulers will be allowed to dump. Violators are subject to charges incurred by the Town for disposal of outside wastes.
Fall Clean-up 2023 Request Form
BIG CELEBRATION AND LEARNING EVENTS THIS WEEKEND AT THE ABBE AND COA AND CRITERION!
Island Explorer tests electric buses in Acadia National Park
BAR HARBOR, MAINE – The National Park Service (NPS) is partnering with Downeast Transportation Inc. (DTI), to test the feasibility of converting all or some of the Island Explorer bus fleet from propane to electric power. The pilot project is supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Two manufacturers, BYD USA and Gillig LLC, are providing American-built electric buses at no cost to DTI to operate on Island Explorer routes for two weeks in September. BYD USA is providing an electric bus from September 18 – 23, and Gillig LLC is providing an electric bus from September 25 – 30. The public will be able to ride the electric buses as part of Island Explorer’s regular service. While the electric buses are operating, data—such as average speed, energy use, and range traveled—will be collected remotely by NREL. The information will be analyzed and used to help determine the necessary battery capacities, locations for charging stations, and potential changes in route and service design. Some of the challenges to incorporating electric buses into the Island Explorer fleet are elevation changes, length of routes, and lack of charging infrastructure, which are different from urban areas where electric buses typically operate.
“The electric bus pilot is the first step to understanding how the Island Explorer could gradually convert from propane to electric power over the next six to eight years, which would be a major step in the development of the bus system,” said Superintendent Kevin Schneider. “We appreciate the great collaboration among Downeast Transportation Inc., Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the bus manufacturers in conducting this pilot.”
Since 1999, Island Explorer has provided Acadia National Park and surrounding communities on Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula with fare-free bus service for visitors, residents, and employees alike. The goals of the bus system are to protect park’s resources, provide a high-quality visitor experience, and alleviate traffic and parking congestion in and outside of the park. The current fleet of 32 propane buses is scheduled to be replaced over the next six to eight years.
Vehicle technology has changed significantly over the last two decades, and electric buses are being incorporated into fleets across the nation. President Biden’s Executive Orders #14008 - Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, and #14057 - Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability set a goal for procuring and incorporating clean and zero-emission vehicles into Federal, state, local, and Tribal government fleets by 2035 to address the impacts of climate change.
To view this news release online, visit Acadia News.
For more information on Acadia National Park, please visit nps.gov/acad or call 207-288-3338.
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About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 425 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at nps.gov, on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
LIVE MUSIC UPDATE AT THE FINBACK!
The Second Maine Outdoor Economy Summit to Be Held in Rockport Nov. 29 - Dec. 1
ROCKLAND—The Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation and Maine Outdoor Brands are partnering again to host the second annual Outdoor Economy Summit November 29 - December 1, at the Samoset Resort.
The Summit is the premier event for the outdoor industry to come together and focus on the shared vision of advancing Maine’s outdoor recreation economy. Close to 300 people attended last year’s inaugural event at Thompson’s Point in Portland and this year’s Summit promises to build on that success with a robust and diverse agenda, along with additional time added for attendees to connect, share ideas and forge new partnerships.
“The Maine Outdoor Economy Summit’s successful first year showcased the diversity, depth and breadth of the people working in, and connected to, the outdoor industry in Maine and the U.S.,” said Carolann Ouellette, director of the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation.“It established itself as the single event in Maine that brings together professionals focused on growing the outdoor recreation economy in economic development, conservation and stewardship, workforce and education and public health, the four pillars that guide the growth of the outdoor recreation economy as a whole.”
The two-day forum provides a platform for professional development and discussions on essential topics at the national, regional and local level impacting Maine’s outdoor recreation economy in the areas of innovation, rural development, workforce, access and equity.
“As a collaborative, public/private effort, the Maine Outdoor Economy Summit highlights the value of the outdoor recreation economy and the sector’s role in talent attraction, innovation, manufacturing and rural economic development opportunities in our state. All of which work together in creating the diverse and sustainable economy highlighted in Maine's 10-Year Economic Development Plan,” said Heather Johnson, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development.
New to the Summit for 2023 will be pre-conference guided activities and site visits, a special showing of the World Trails Film Festival on opening night, November 29, and on the evening of November 30, the unveiling of the Discovery Marketplace. The Discovery Marketplace is a networking reception and shopping experience with live music, food and drinks featuring Maine-based gear companies and outdoor experience providers selling products and outdoor adventures, as well as offering demos and interactive activities. Participants will also be able to have outdoor gear repaired by Maine GearShare, who is hosting a repair station at the Summit.
The Summit offers a unique opportunity to unite and applaud Maine’s vibrant outdoor industry. Our community includes a diverse range of stakeholders, from innovative entrepreneurs and skilled gear builders to experienced guides and dedicated land managers,” said Jenny Kordick, executive director of Maine Outdoor Brands. “The Summit promises to be a catalyst for ongoing expansion and industry leadership, providing a platform for all stakeholders to discuss important topics vital for our continued success.”
Maine’s outdoor economy stands out nationally as one of the top in the country in the value outdoor recreation adds to the state’s GDP, contributing more than 30,000 jobs and 2.8 billion dollars annually, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The ME Outdoor Economy Summit is presented by Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation and Maine Outdoor Brands, and part of their extensive work together to grow Maine’s outdoor recreation economy. Summit sponsors include Maine Marine Trades Association, Blaze Partners, Headlight Audio Visual, L.L.Bean, Bangor Savings Bank, Malone Auto Rack, Johnson Outdoors, Franklin Savings Bank, Outdoor Industry Association, Maine Technology Institute, Rinck Advertising, Acadia Benefits, Hurricane Island/Outward Bound, Lifeflight of Maine, The Nature Conservancy, Good To-Go and University of New England School of Business.
Additional information and registration for the Summit can be found at moesummit.com.
About Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation
Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR) was permanently established in 2019, to leverage Maine’s assets and outdoor recreation heritage to grow the outdoor recreation economy and build Maine’s outdoor recreation brand as part of a coordinated effort with partners from the public and private sectors. Learn more at maine.gov/decd/programs/maine-office-of-outdoor-recreation. Maine is a member of the Confluence of States, a coalition of eight states working to strengthen the outdoor recreation industry.
About Maine Outdoor Brands
Maine Outdoor Brands continues to work to unite, grow, and give a voice to the state’s outdoor recreation industry, supporting knowledge sharing, collaborative marketing, and commerce efforts and access to professional resources. MOB is committed to seeing Maine-based products, services, and retail brands thrive, and today has over 170 member brands that are a part of the mission.
Free Workshop Will Explore Tools for Building Empathy Through Mindfulness Practice
Community members are invited to join Healthy A
cadia on Thursday, October 5, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., via Zoom for, "Building Empathy and Self-Empathy with Mindfulness," with special guest Peggy Smith. The free online event is the latest installment in Healthy Acadia’s Monthly Mindfulness series.
We are often told “be more empathic” and are left to figure out what that means. Join mindfulness teacher Peggy Smith for an engaging workshop that seeks to demystify the concept of empathy.
In this session, participants will delve into concrete and easily graspable strategies that enable you to provide empathic responses when dealing with distress. Discover the inner workings of your brain during moments of emotional intensity and gain practical techniques to both soothe yourself and extend support to others. Practice specific, easy-to-learn strategies to offer ourselves and others an empathic response to upset. You’ll leave this workshop with a deeper understanding of empathic communication and valuable tools for maintaining composure in challenging situations.
Pre-registration is required for this free event. To register and receive the Zoom link, go to bit.ly/mindful-10523.
Peggy Smith is a certified trainer with the International Center for Nonviolent Communication, with over four decades of teaching experience. She is at the forefront of bringing empathic thinking and communicating to our region. A student of Mindfulness since 1991, Peggy has been ordained as a teacher by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. She has a passion for helping everyone develop their innate capacity for empathy by integrating mindfulness into how we think and communicate.
For additional information about this and future mindfulness events in the series or additional programs focused on building skills that promote mindful living, contact Ursula Hanson at ursula@healthyacadia.org.
Healthy Acadia is a 501(C)(3) community health organization building vibrant communities and making it easier for everyone to lead healthy lives. They serve Washington and Hancock counties, and provide additional community health support and leadership across Maine. For more information about Healthy Acadia’s community health initiatives, visit healthyacadia.org
WAYS TO HELP MDI HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
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