Portland, ME

For the month ending October 31st, 2009, Happy Halloween :), the city of Portland saw 49 residential real estate transactions take place at a median price point of 200K, down 9% in pricing from October 2008, but representing a volume increase of 25%, perhaps due largely to the Maine first time homebuyer purchasing prior to the possible expiration of the federal housing tax credit. The current inventory of homes as of today was 432, down marginally from last mont.

For more info on Portland Maine property for sale, please visit www.mymaineproperty.com.

Thanks for reading,

John Herrigel
Maine Buyers Agent

For more similar blog entries from Jeff Mateja, please visit his Portland, Maine blog at www.ILovePortlandMaine.com




In early October of 1992, the Time and Temperature Building downtown would be illuminated to read "Play Ball", but who knew a Double-A minor league baseball team would be such a success in Portland, Maine. Days later, on October 4, 1992, it was announced that Portland, Maine, would join New Haven, CT, as the site of one of two new expansion teams.

When tickets went onsale on February 26, 1994, there were die hard baseball fans camped out in 12 degree weather to be the first to get their hands on tickets for the inaugural season, and opening day was sold out in only a few hours. Sure, Kathy Lee Gifford would sing the National Anthem, and Frank Gifford would throw out the ceremonial first pitch, but the Portland Sea Dogs would go on to win the inaugural game and continue with great success to this day.

Their Double-A affiliation with the Florida Marlins of the National League certainly did not discourage baseball fans from enjoying quality baseball games at Hadlock Field, as the Portland Sea Dogs would finish first in their division during their second, third, and fourth seasons as a franchise. Even better for the fans, they would have the honor and enjoyment of watching some great future Major League Players like Josh Beckett (Minor League Player of the Year in 2001), Livan Hernandez, A.J. Burnett, Edgar Renteria, Luis Castillo, Ryan Dempster, Charles Johnson, and Gary Sheffield, just to name a few. Attendance would continue to be solid in Portland with nearly 400,000 fans visiting Hadlock Field each season (averaging 6,000 per game).

In 2003, the Sea Dogs played their first game under their new affiliation with the Boston Red Sox, the hometown favorite in Portland and across most of New England. Attendance records would continue to be broken for the season with over 430,000 fans, or an average of more than 6,300 fans per game during the 2006 season. Whether it's a Bobblehead giveaway night or just a warm summer night in Portland, you can always count on a great crowd and a fun time at the ball game.

Who could blame fans for wanting to watch great baseball? Hadlock Field seats the fans close to the action with no bad seats and great sight lines. You're right there for all the action and the management involves the crowd very well in between innings and various promotional nights. Even better, there is the strong possibility for fans to see their Portland Sea Dogs starting one day for their beloved Boston Red Sox in the big show. Former Sea Dogs who have received the promotional call up to the Boston Red Sox include, Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester, Kevin Youkilis, Hanley Ramirez, David Ortiz (a short rehab stint), Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Clay Buchholz.

I don't know about you, but it is certainly a pleasure to see these players develop and be home grown here in Portland and one day watch them succeed at the next level at the friendly confines of Fenway Park. Head out to Hadlock Field and Let's "Play Ball!"

For more similar blog entries from Jeff Mateja, please visit his Portland, Maine blog at www.ILovePortlandMaine.com


Portland will be jamming Sunday, November 29, as the improvisational band Phish hits Portland for one night only between New York gigs. With a very devoted fan base, the Cumberland County Civic Center is sure to be mobbed with a sell-out crowd. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7:30pm.

A limited number of tickets are available directly through Phish Tickets’ online ticketing system. The ticket request period is currently underway and will end Friday, October 16th at 5:00pm EST.

Tickets will go on sale to the public on Saturday, October 24th at 9:00am EST. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be purchased, with no service charge, at the venue box office (Mon – Fri 9:30am – 5:00pm and Saturday 9am – 4pm) and select TicketMaster outlets.

General Admission Floor and Reserved stands tickets are $50.00 each. All those taping the performance must purchase general admission tickets. Please visit www.phish.com for more information and other fall tour dates.

For more similar blog entries from Jeff Mateja, please visit his Portland, Maine blog at www.ILovePortlandMaine.com




Whether you've ventured down to the East End of Commercial Street, looked from the Casco Bay Bridge up the harbor, or witnessed more of a buzz around town with crowded sidewalks and eating establishments, then you probably have noticed Cruise Ship Season is in full swing in Portland, Maine.

The arrival of American Glory, a small American cruise ship in late July, marked the beginning of the season of cruise ship activity in Portland, which is scheduled to draw 48 vessels into Portland's harbor and just over 70,000 passengers to welcome to our wonderful city.

On Saturday, September 5, Explorer Of The Seas, a Royal Caribbean cruise liner and the largest cruise ship (1,020 feet, 138,000-ton and 3,114 passengers) to visit Portland this year berthed for a 12-hour stop in the Old Port to the delight of many area businesses. You may have noticed the abundance of guests to the shores, shops, and restaurants, while others took quick trips via VIP Tour Buses to visit the area lighthouses, like Portland Head Light and our popular signature store, LL Bean in Freeport. This particular vessel plans to visit Portland three more times over the next two months.

The season could not come at a better time for the area businesses, who can expect a steady September and October flow of guests as we will welcome 36 of the 48 total vessels to visit Portland in these two months alone. Overall, the cruise ships will introduce just over 70,000 visitors to Portland.

According to reports from Cruise Lines International Association of Florida, Maine ranked 41st in the country in economic benefits from cruise ships with an estimated $24 million spent by guests during their visits here. Other industry experts believe Portland and Bar Harbor, the busiest Maine cruise ship destination generated more than that figure.

Either way, it's great for the Portland, Maine economy and wonderful that visitors can experience the city along their journey.

Looking at the cruise ship schedule we can expect visits from the major cruise lines Carnival, American Cruise, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean just to name a few. I personally cannot wait to see the Carnival Triumph (893 feet and 101,500 tons) and Jewel Of The Seas (962 feet and 90,090 tons). For more information on the schedule of ships, please check out;

For further information on when to expect the next cruise ships into Portland, please check out Port of Portland Maine Cruise Schedule

For more similar blog entries from Jeff Mateja, please visit his Portland, Maine blog at www.ILovePortlandMaine.com




Food lovers, set your sights, or better yet....your taste buds on the 2nd Annual Harvest On The Harbor in Portland, Maine, October 22-24. Deemed Maine's Premier Food and Wine Experience, the Harvest will feature three days of delightful foods and flavors for us all to enjoy, as the Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau once again shares the great works of our area restaurants and chefs.

After last years inaugural event, Harvest On The Harbor received recognition by Coastal Living Magazine as one of the Top Ten U.S. Seafood & Wine Festivals. Again, this years event will kick off at the Ocean Gateway Pier with the Grand Tasting on the Harbor Thursday evening at 5pm. Here you can sample some of the finest foods from many of Portland's great restaurants and chefs while enjoying an evening on the oceanfront. Friday will feature Maine's Lobster Chef of the Year Competition, Gourmet on a Budget with Peter Berley, and Italian Cooking and The American Table with Lucinda Scala Quinn.

Saturday will feature the premier experience, the Food & Wine Marketplace from 12-4 at the Ocean Gateway Pier where there will be over 100 exhibitors, including wineries, breweries, distilleries, and food artisans. A Taste of Maine exhibit will feature local wine, cheese, and seafood for food loving visitors, while a Man Cave will allow attendees to sample beers and learn the fine art of grilling.

The food experience will come to a close with Harvest Uncorked, a grand finale celebration at The Landing at Pine Point in Scarborough, featuring more great food and wines to sample, a cash bar, and dancing. Sounds like fun for all!

Over the entire weekend, area restaurants will also have special dishes featured for visitors looking to enjoy something different and delightful, and to showcase the quality and preparation of great food here in Portland.

For more information on Harvest On The Harbor, please check out their website; HarvestOnTheHarbor.com Schedule

To purchase tickets to the event - Harvest On The Harbor Tickets