Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What will a brand-new Downeaster station mean for getting in and out of Portland?
Coming up: House of Heavy on the Portland Patch calendar
Hey there, Portland! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
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In today's newsletter:
- What will a brand-new Downeaster station mean for getting in and out of Portland?
- How vulnerable is Portland's Jetport during the next big power outage?
- Which Portland bike route matches your perfect coastal adventure?
Also on today's calendar: House of Heavy and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near Portland. 
- Tuesday: Humid with a shower or two, with a high of 73 and low of 64 degrees.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny and humid, temps: high: 78, low: 63.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 80 and low of 59 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Senators Collins and King say $48 million for new Downeaster train station in Portland is secured (penbaypilot.com) — Portland is set to get a new Amtrak Downeaster station, with $48 million in federal funding secured to relocate the current stop closer to the mainline between Mercy Hospital and St. John Street. Senators Collins and King say the project should shorten trips, reduce delays, and improve rail connections linking Portland with Brunswick, southern Maine, and Boston. 
2. Portland Jetport generators are only intended to provide partial power amid outages (wmtw.com) — A recent power outage at Portland International Jetport delayed 34 flights and exposed how its generators only support essential systems, forcing limited operations for hours. Officials say this partial backup is standard, but a newly approved city-funded battery system should eventually provide more coverage when CMP's grid goes down or surges back.
3. 8 best bike routes in Greater Portland (pressherald.com) — If you're looking to explore Portland by bike, this guide lays out several detailed routes that start downtown and fan out to Back Cove, Mackworth and Cousins islands, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and beyond. It explains distances, stress levels, surfaces, and state park fees so you can tailor rides to your comfort while discovering new views, lighthouses, and beaches.
4. Do you need to earn over $60K to afford a fair market, 2-bedroom Maine apartment? (pressherald.com) — If you're renting near Portland, you now need roughly $85,200 in annual income to afford a typical two-bedroom at fair market rent, according to new estimates. The brief explains how federal housing benchmarks are set, compares Portland to Bangor and rural Maine, and shows how the state stacks up nationally on rental affordability.
5. Group restoring Casco Bay's eelgrass meadows one seed at a time (pressherald.com) — Just off Portland in Casco Bay, scientists, students, and local volunteers are racing to restore disappearing eelgrass meadows that shelter juvenile fish and support the lobster fishery. By transplanting and seeding thousands of eelgrass plants, the team hopes to stabilize critical underwater habitat and build long-term data to guide restoration across the bay and the Gulf of Maine.
📸 Around Portland
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Portland
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Early Release / Staff PD Students Released at 1:10
Ocean Avenue Portland, ME 04103
5:15 pm - House of Heavy →
Live at Madrid's 144 Fore St Portland, ME 04103
8:00 pm - Longfellow Open House
Longfellow School-Portland Portland, ME 04103
4:00 pm - Longfellow Popsicle Social
Longfellow School-Portland Portland, ME 04103
4:30 pm - Early Release / Staff PD Students Released at 1:10
Ocean Avenue Portland, ME 04103
5:15 pm - BACK TO SCHOOL POPSICLE PARTY
Riverton School Portland, ME 04103
8:00 pm - OAES Open House and Watermelon Welcome
Ocean Avenue Portland, ME 04103
8:00 pm - Popsicle Party with Rowe Families
Amanda C Rowe School Portland, ME 04102
4:30 pm - Popsicle Party
Amanda C Rowe School Portland, ME 04102
4:30 pm - Good Together; Akwaaba Table Beer Dinner →
The Cellars at Allagash Brewing Company, 100 Industrial Wy, Portland
6:00 pm
Wednesday August 19
Friday August 21
Wednesday August 26
Thursday August 27
📣 Portland Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Club Assembly
Rotary Club of Westbrook-Gorham PO Box 91, Westbrook, ME 04098
11:30 am - Bike/Ped Committee - IN PERSON →
South Portland, ME Calendar, 929 Highland Ave., South Portland
7:30 am - Recreation and Conservation Commission →
City of Westbrook Westbrook Community Center - 426 Bridge Street Westbrook ME 04092
6:00 pm - Gipsy Kings featuring Tonino Baliardo - Historia Tour →
State Theatre, 609 Congress St, Portland
8:00 pm
Tuesday August 18
Wednesday August 19
Thursday August 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- SPECTRUM posted a job opening for Multimedia Journalist - Spectrum News NECN Portland in Portland. Apply here.
- Aerotek posted a job opening for Construction Laborer in Portland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portland here.
Ok Portland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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