Figgy DiBenedetto

2 months ago | thebollard.com | Figgy DiBenedetto |Dan Zarin |Tom Major

Environmental RadicalHey folks! “O’er the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house we go!” Did I get you into the holiday spirit? I had to try, and that’s the only Thanksgiving tune I know. I’m writing this during the holiday season and I’m sure happy. I got hit in the head by a boomerang the day before Thanksgiving as a small lad. Ain’t been right since. That explains a lot of things. You guys don’t know I have a daughter. In fact, I have grandkids. Call this column a Christmas gift to them.

2 months ago | thebollard.com | Figgy DiBenedetto |Dan Zarin |Tom Major

Pork & Potatoes at CBG. photo/Figgy DiBenedettoCBG617 Congress St., Portland613-9356cbgportland.comThere’s nothing wrong with taking food seriously, but the pressures and pretensions of living in a foodie city like Portland sometimes make me cynical and I want to stick it to the man. And by “the man,” I mean James Beard. Sometimes I want to visit a place the late, great gourmand would never consider giving a try, a joint like CBG.

Dec 8, 2024 | thebollard.com | Tom Major |Dan Zarin |Figgy DiBenedetto

Mike Dunn with a can of Alte. photo/Tom MajorHigh on HempSo this month I’m putting my beer/beverage writer hat back on and calling for more state regulation of products people drink to feel buzzed. This might not seem like a radical position to you, but damn, I can’t believe I just wrote that. Congress’ 2018 Farm Bill (a.k.a. The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018) made it legal to grow hemp. Hemp and marijuana are two names for the same plant: cannabis.

Dec 8, 2024 | thebollard.com | Figgy DiBenedetto |Tom Major |Dan Zarin

photo/Figgy DiBenedettoEarth at Hidden Pond354 Goose Rocks Rd., Kennebunkport967-6550earthathiddenpond.orgAnticipating my folks’ annual autumn visit to Maine, as well as their 51st wedding anniversary and my father’s 78th birthday, I booked a table months ago at Earth at Hidden Pond, which was declared “Kennebunkport’s best restaurant” by … well, their own website. I’d been intrigued to try this classy place’s “farm-to-fork” cuisine for quite a while.

Dec 8, 2024 | thebollard.com | Dan Zarin |Zack Barowitz |Figgy DiBenedetto

Making a Better WorldHey, folks! So this month I’ve got some stuff to help you a bit if you’re with me in making this world a better place. Things like I recently read about schoolchildren up in Poland (Maine, that is) getting together and harvesting baby fish. Now if the whole world could do things like this…The first thing that came to mind when I thought about ways to help the world is vote Democrat. But then I realize I probably don’t have to tell you that, do I?