2010 Fall Meeting of the National Council of Space Grant Directors

 

The Maine Space Grant Consortium is pleased to host the 2010 National Space Grant Directors meeting in beautiful downtown Portland, Maine on October 14-16.

Please read the information on this page before registering for the meeting.

Maine - The Way Life Should Be!!!

Did you know that Portland, Maine was rated the best overall town in the east coast by Outside Magazine (August 2010 issue)?

With a population of 516,826 and median home price of $235,000, Portland is one of those rare places that really does combine small-town charm with big(ger)-city opportunities. But what we really love is the uniquely Maine mix of generational fishermen and young professionals, the latter lured here by the relatively low cost of living and (for Maine, at least) a diverse economy that includes everything from major financial and insurance corporations to media companies like our partner Outside TV. The cobblestones of Old Port are quaint but not too cute, the working harbor is gritty yet still gorgeous, and the seafood is always fresh: Bon Appetit recently named Portland America's Foodiest Small Town.

Casco Bay and the outlying islands are perfect for sunrise paddles or sunset sailing. Roadies can get their fix at lunch on the 28-mile loop to Black Point. Mountain bikers can hit 18 miles of bony single- and doubletrack at nearby Bradbury Mountain State Park after work. You've got Class IV–V rapids on the Kennebec and Penobscot and, come winter, your choice of three resorts (Sugarloaf, Saddleback, and Sunday River) all within three hours. Of course, you can always just grab your longboard (and five-mil wetsuit) and join the hardy surfers at the breaks on Higgins and Scarborough beaches. This is Maine; they're out there year-round.

South Portland has the same Casco Bay view (plus the Portland skyline) but two distinct advantages: less congestion and bigger backyards. You can find hundred-year-old, three-bedroom New Englanders for $220K.

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Airport Information: Portland International Jetport

The Portland International Jetport is a 15-min ride to the Holiday Inn by the Bay. The airport services Air Canada,

AirTran, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, United Airlines and U.S. Airways. Transportation to the hotel from the airport includes a hotel shuttle (you need to call when you arrive) and taxis (will not cost you an arm and a leg when compared to other fancy cities).

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Hotel registration information:  Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, Portland Maine - $170/night (plus 7% tax)

Rooms are available for $170/night, plus taxes.  These rates are available for the nights of October 12-16.  The deadline for hotel registration under this special group rate is September 10, 2010. 

Note:  A limited number of rooms are available for the nights of October 12, 13 and 16.  If you plan to arrive in Portland early, especially if you plan to participate in one of the optional tours on Wednesday, October 13, please book your hotel room soon to ensure availability.

To book your hotel reservations, contact the hotel at 1-800-345-5050.  Please do NOT use the on-line registration link to make your reservations.  Please reference "National Council of NASA Space Grant Directors" when making your reservations to ensure you receive the special group rate. For more information on the hotel, visit their website at http://www.innbythebay.com/

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Meeting Registration: $425 per individual

Registration includes, Thursday evening reception with Comedian Bob Marley, morning and afternoon snacks and beverages during the meeting breaks, Friday evening Lobster and Clam Bake on Peaks Island, breakfast and lunch on Friday, and breakfast and box lunch on Saturday. Note: The Thursday evening reception does not include dinner. Does NOT include Optional Tours

We are also providing Tee Shirts.  In the meeting registration website please select your desired size.

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Guest/Student Registration - Does NOT include Optional Tours

Guests, including students will only be charged for meals. There are three options to select from. Please select only one option per guest/student when you register for the meeting.

Option 1 – Breakfast and lunch for Friday and Saturday - $70 per person.

Option 2 – Thursday evening reception with Bob Marley plus the Friday evening lobster/clam bake - $80 per person.

Option 3 – Both option 1 and option 2 - $150 per person.

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Optional Tours – Wednesday, October 13, 2010

As the tour times overlap, please select only one tour option per person when you register for the meeting.

Option Tour #1 - Lighthouse Tour and Shopping trip to Freeport and LL Bean: $30 per individual
Approximately 8:30 am to 5 pm.   Group boards bus at the Holiday Inn by the Bay and travels to the Portland Headlight, Portland Headlight Ocean viewing area and Portland Headlight store. Guests can visit the Portland Headlight Museum and gift shop.  The group will then travel through Willard Square and Southern Maine Technical College and stop at Fort Preble location so guests can take a walk along the waterfront.  The group will then travel to Bug Light and enjoy the walk out to Bug Light and view the harbor side atmosphere.  At this point the group will travel to Freeport and arrive about 12 pm.  Drop off will be at the LL Bean store.  Shopping coupons, walking maps, etc. are available at the Freeport Merchants Association Booth across from LL Bean.  Lunch and shopping are on your own.  There are LL Bean Demonstrations from 12:00 PM on at the LL Bean store.  The group returns to the hotel at 5 pm.

Option Tour #2 - Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Guided Tour with Lunch on own followed by Foliage Tour through Cape Porpoise & Biddeford Pool to Portland: $30 per individual
Approximately 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Group boards bus at the Holiday Inn by the Bay, for day trip to Kennebunk.  A tour guide will escort the group to the Franciscan Monastery, Wedding Cake House, and Sea Captain Home along the Atlantic Ocean and past President Bush’s Walker’s Point compound.  At 11:00 am the bus will drop off guests at Dock Square for lunch and shopping on their own.  At approximately 2:30 pm the guests board the bus and enjoy a fall foliage trip along the trails of Maine: Kennebunkport thru Cape Porpoise and Biddeford Pool - Wind your way around one of Maine's Pristine Lobster Coves and local working Harbors, travel thru Cape Porpoise along Rt. 9 , the Fall Foliage should be at its Peak. We will travel through the marshes and Maine woods, passing the University of New England Campus on the shores of the Saco River, before we return to the Holiday Inn at 3:30 pm.

The pictures are typical of fall foliage in Maine and the Bush compound (originally Walker's Point), is the summer home of 41st President of the United States George H. W. Bush. Located adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean in southern Maine, near the town of Kennebunkport, the property has been a family retreat for more than a century.

Option Tour #3 - Lucky Catch Lobster Cruise: $40 per individual

This will be an unforgettable excursion on the waters of Casco Bay while Captain Tom guides you through the daily routines of a Maine Lobsterman. Participate in the excitement of hauling up the traps or sit back and relax as you cruise near picturesque lighthouses, historic civil war forts and the “Seal Rocks”. Each lobster tour lasts for 80-90 minutes and passenger numbers are limited to ensure that everyone gets an up-close and personal Maine lobstering experience.

You’ll see how these tasty treats get from the bottom of the ocean to your dinner plate and learn about lobster habits, conservation efforts and the difference between hardshells, shedders, shorts, culls and keepers.

A diverse variety of marine life will enter a lobster trap, and some common visitors include rock crabs, snails, starfish, and hermit crabs. Our see-thru “live tank” offers a chance to watch these little creatures until the end of the day when all are thrown back into the sea.

The price per individual includes the cost of the cruise, the wholesale “boat price for the lobster you catch, and the cost of preparing the freshest lobster dinner (includes lobster bib, crackers and French fries) anywhere across the pier at the Portland Lobster Company restaurant.

Two cruises are scheduled with a maximum of 14 people per cruise.  The first is from 2 pm to 3:30 pm and the second is from 3:45 pm to 5:15 pm.

Don't you love her expression (I think this is the first time she held a lobster)

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Lobster and Clam Bake on Peaks Island (evening of October 15)

Approximately 5:30 pm to 9 pm.  Guests board busses at the Holiday Inn by the Bay for the short trip to the Peaks Island Ferry, the Casco Bay Lines, Bay Mist.  At 6 pm the Bay Mist (covered) departs for a half hour cruise to Peaks Island. The cruise will take us through the deepest natural harbor on the Atlantic Coast, we will pass Spring Point Light, Fort Gorges, Bug Light, Fort Scammel, and Portland Headlight.  A cash bar will be available on the boat. 

The Lobster Bake will take place at Greenwood Gardens, a former turn-of-the-century summer playhouse converted into a charming, rustic event facility owned and operated by the Peaks Island Lions Club.  The Peaks Island Lion’s Club, through lobster bakes and facility rentals raises funds to maintain Greenwood Garden buildings and ground maintenance along with donating to various Island causes. 

At 8:45 pm the Bay Mist departs for Portland and arrives at 9 pm at the Casco Bay Lines for guest boarding on busses back to the Holiday Inn by the Bay.

The menu for the Lobster and Clam Bake includes Maine Boiled Lobster, New England Clams, Boiled Potato, Cole Slaw, Corn on the Cob, Maine Blueberry Cake, Coffee, tea, and punch.  For those who prefer non-seafood meals we have planned for optional meals.  These include grilled steak, grilled chicken, and stuffed pasta.

Us Mainiacs would never ever think of formal wear for a lobster/clam bake. So you out-of-staters please dress casually but be prepared to dress for cool weather. See note below regarding October weather in Portland and what to wear.

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What will the weather be in October?

Data on historical weather for Portland, Maine has been compiled to generate the average monthly temperature for Portland. But, will the weather be an "average warm" or an "average cold" when you visit Maine? It's hard to say. If you look at the record high and record low temperatures for Portland, Maine - versus the average high and low - you will certainly see why it is hard to make a weather prediction much in advance.  And because Portland sits on the coast of Maine, it is subject to the influence of the northern Atlantic Ocean. The rule of thumb, plan for occasional unexpected weather conditions when you visit Portland, Maine and you will always be prepared!

Average October Weather in Portland, Maine (Fahrenheit)

The weather in October in Portland will likely put frost on the pumpkins. On the other hand, the chill in the air can be truly invigorating, as leaves change to brilliant colors during the Portland, Maine fall foliage. Don't be surprised, if by month's end, you have seen a snow flurry. Don't be surprised either, if for a day or two, the thermometer feels more like late August or early September, than mid-fall.

What to wear?

What do you pack for a Portland, Maine visit? LAYERS - for each of the four seasons. With its geographical diversity, the weather in Maine tends to be a bit unpredictable and Portland's proximity to the northern Atlantic Ocean makes it even more vulnerable to fluctuations.

In the early fall very moderate temperatures are common, and are often accompanied by a significant temperature swing - between daytime highs and nighttime lows. Layering can be important. Recommendations are a lightweight spring or fall jacket, medium weight sweater, and long pants.  Just in case and especially for the Lobster and Clam Bake bring along a winter coat.

The Holiday Inn by the Bay prepared a listing of activities and tours in the greater Portland area that may be of interest to you if you are planning an extended visit. The hotel is more than willing to help you make necessary arrangements. You can also browse www.visitmaine.com for information on activities throughout Maine.

Click here to register for the meeting