On The Agenda – Bar Harbor Town Meetings, Events, & Things to Do
FEB 12, 2024
*The Substack did not hold the change to our headline. Sorry for the error.
- We’ve updated this story at 5:10 PM, February 5, to include a link to the second Warrant Committee meeting February 5, which was just released.
ON THE AGENDA
Every week we document Bar Harbor town government, school, and other similar meetings that we know of. Please let us know if we’ve missed something. Also, sometimes things are on the town calendars and are cancelled or rescheduled, so make sure to double check before you head over!
All the meetings take place at the Bar Harbor Municipal Building at 93 Cottage Street unless otherwise noted. And they usually have a time for public comments. This is not true about executive sessions, which are closed to the public.
So, go! Be informed! Be part of the process. You deserve to be.
To see the town meeting calendar by month, click here.
To see the school board calendar by month, click here
BAR HARBOR GOVERNMENT MEETINGS!
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Harbor Committee
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 93 Cottage Street
Task Force on the Climate Emergency
No agenda posted online. Check before heading over that there is a meeting.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Auditorium, Municipal Building, 93 Cottage Street
MDI High School Board Meeting
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
MDI High School Library
Conservation Commission Meeting
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
3rd Floor Meeting Room – Suite 301, Municipal Building, 93 Cottage Street
Warrant Committee General Government Subcommittee
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 93 Cottage Street
MDIRSS AOS 91 Board Meeting
6:15 PM - 8:00 PM
MDI High School Library
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Warrant Committee Public Infrastructure Subcommittee
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
3rd Floor Meeting Room – Suite 301, (third floor), Municipal Building, 93 Cottage Street
Appeals Board Meeting
No agenda posted online. Check before heading over that there is a meeting.
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Council Chambers, (third floor), Municipal Building, 93 Cottage Street
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Comprehensive Planning Committee Meeting
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 93 Cottage Street
Thursday, February 15
Town Council Budget Workshop
The agenda is not currently posted online.
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Council Chambers
Things to Do In Bar Harbor
It’s our weekly round-up, and I may have missed some things so apologies!
To check out our news stories from the past week. Click on the archive section and you’ll see them in chronological order.
GET YOUR SCIENCE ON!
A virtual event hosted by the MDI Bio Lab. Register on the website for the zoom link. The speaker is Halyna Shcherbata, Ph.D.
MDI Bio Lab investigator Halyna Shcherbata, Ph.D., is an expert in how the genetic code is properly translated into useful proteins, or misdirected in ways that can lead to diseases such as attention-deficit disorder, autism and diabetes. Shcherbata focuses on the gate-keeping role played by microRNAs, molecules that regulate how genes are expressed during many important cellular activities, such as development or the immune response. She’s found that dysfunctions in the joint activities of a microRNA called miR-980 and a protein called RBFOX1 are associated with a wide array of human disorders. And because the fruit fly – Drosophila melanogaster – shares a similar set of genes and proteins with humans, she is pioneering powerful new methodologies and laboratory tools to use the tiny insect as a model for our disorders.
“I am using Drosophila to understand the molecular mechanisms of stress, aging, and neuromuscular disorders at the very, very precise level of molecules,” she says. “The Rbfox1 protein is even more complicated than we thought, and for me it’s mind-blowing that one protein can be so versatile. All this stuff is totally new.”
A native of Ukraine, Shcherbata earned her Ph.D. at the Lviv National University of Ivan Franko in 1996. Since then, she’s held positions at the University of Washington, the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen, and most recently at Hannover Medical School. She joined MDI Bio Lab’s faculty last year.
Feb 12
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
GET YOUR HERO ON!
BAR HARBOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
To check if Bar Harbor Fire Department is currently hiring, please go to the town’s jobs page.
But even if it isn’t, you can become a call member
Becoming a call force firefighter requires extensive training, hard work, and dedication to the community. We rely on call force firefighters to respond quickly to emergencies, to perform firefighting duties, and to provide assistance and support to career firefighters. To be a fall force firefighter is to have a chance to aid and serve the community, which is an extremely rewarding experience.
GET YOUR TRIVIA NIGHT ON!
Trivia Night at Fogtown Brewing Company Bar Harbor
Join us for monthly Trivia Nights on at Fogtown Brewing Company in Bar Harbor this summer! Each of our monthly trivia events will benefit a local organization! Register your team of no more than six at the bar with the bartender or host.
(Be sure to check social media for updates or weather cancellations!)
Date and Time
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST
Location
33 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor
Fees/Admission
No cover!
Website
Contact Information
(207) 801-9165
GET YOUR HAYSEED ON!
Have you always wanted to go to the Hayseeders’ Ball, one of the more intriguing traditions in Bar Harbor? Let us know. We have tickets. It’s March 1, Atlantic Oceanside and starts at 7 maybe? Email Shaun at sfarrar86@gmail.com
GET YOUR PRAYER SHAWL ON!
Welcoming all knitters and would be knitters…and crocheters! The Welcome and Care Team at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church UCC is hosting a weekly Prayer Shawl Mission Group every Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church UCC. The intention of the group is to create a sense of community and a flow of Prayer Shawls for distribution to those in need of comfort due to illness, loneliness, or loss. Supplies and instruction will be provided to those with skills for knitting and/or crocheting and for those with a desire to learn.
There are no costs to the participants.
For more information contact Pat by calling (203) 770-0063 or email: pgdizazzo@yahoo.com.
GET YOUR SUPPORT ON!
Support Group for Single Parents Welcomes New Members
Single parents interested in joining an existing support group are invited to an introductory meeting on Thursday, February 22, at Bar Harbor Congregational Church, 29 Mt. Desert St. Sponsored by the church’s Welcome and Care Committee, the group is facilitated by Suzanne Burns and Janet Hamel, both of whom were single parents for a time and are experienced facilitators.
Recognizing that single parents and their children face some common challenges, this group provides an opportunity to meet others in similar circumstances. Parents share ideas, concerns, and experiences. Information shared at meetings is kept confidential.
Parent participation in the support group is free, and free child care is provided starting at 5:45 pm. The group meets from 6 to 7:30 pm once a month on Thursdays.
Interested? Register by calling or texting Suzanne, 207-266-2128, or Janet, 207-460-7008 by February 21st to reserve your spot!
GET YOUR HISTORY HAPPY HOUR ON!
Hang out with the awesome humans at the Mount Desert Island Historical Society and Bar Harbor Historical Society at Jack Russell’s Steakhouse & Brewery
Are you a master of historical trivia, a fan of fantastic island stories, or a novice know-it-all? Join us at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 29 at Jack Russell’s Steakhouse & Brewery for the MDI Historical Society’s History Happy Hour. Special guests from the Bar Harbor Historical Society will up the ante with 5 rounds of ten questions based on Mount Desert Island and Bar Harbor history, people, and events. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams.
Gather over good eats and good times while putting your knowledge to the test at this free event. All welcome! Food and drink will be available for purchase.
To register go to: https://forms.gle/CEx6yZWAY4H5cgGk7
Tickets: forms.gle/CEx6yZWAY4H5cgGk7
GET YOUR WILDLIFE TRACKING ON!
Join Camp Beech Cliff’s Kareem Dieng at the Gilley on Saturday, Feb. 17 to learn about the art of tracking animals. We’ll get outside to see what we can find in the way of wildlife tracks and sign in the immediate vicinity. Kareem has a Level Two certificate in Track and Sign ID from Tracker Certification North America and CyberTracker Conservation. Camp Beech Cliff will be with us at the Gilley the third Saturday of each month through April. Fee is $14 for non-members and $10 for members. Registration required.
Date and Time
Saturday Feb 17, 2024
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST
Location
Wendell Gilley Museum 4 Herrick Rd Southwest Harbor
Fees/Admission
$10 for museum members $14 for non-members Registration is required
Website
http://wendellgilleymuseum.org/events
Contact Information
Melinda Rice-Schoon (207) 244-7555
Send Email
GET YOUR NOR’EASTER ON!
GET YOUR VOLTA ON!
Volta, in Trenton, has a ton of things always going on. You can check that out here.
GET YOUR SECOND SUNDAY SUPPER ON!
The Somesville Union Meeting House will have second Sunday community suppers through April. The free event runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
GET YOUR ICE QUILTING DERBY ON!
GET YOUR DOWNEAST TROUT UNLIMITED ON!
Free Fishing Weekend February 17th and 18th! No fishing license is required during this time. Dates during February school vacation make it the perfect time to introduce friends and family to the joy of angling. Feb 17 Family Day on Chalk Pond in Deblois 10-2 p.m. with traps, bait, hot dogs and bonfire provided.
Contact Jon Gay 207-598-7545.
There are some fishing derbies coming up, too. Tip- Jigging can be highly effective for many species and can keep novice anglers engaged on a slow day. You never know what the fish might be looking for so when jigging experiment with different lures, colors and speeds. For information on where to fish and tips from Maine’s fisheries biologists, check out the February Fishing Report . mefishwildlife.com/fishingreport.
Winter is a great time to enjoy the Maine outdoors but use extreme caution as ice conditions on the lakes and ponds in the Downeast region are hazardous. Always be safe and check the ice thickness. The 2024 Maine Inland Fishing Laws book is here https://www.maine.gov/ifw/docs/23-MDIFW-24-FISHING-LAWBOOK-2024.pdf
DETU Meeting Feb. 21 with Brian Stranko Maine Program Manager for Trout Unlimited, he will discuss TU priorities in Maine. Stranko has led habitat and salmonid conservation programs for more than 20 years; working with The Nature Conservancy and California Trout, a statewide salmon, trout and steelhead conservation organization. Moore Community Center and via Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85788112350?pwd=dnZHYXJvTzhwMlgvZzRvbVlPdW9yZz09
Penobscot Fly Fishers Cabin Fever Reliever: Feb 24-25 Brewer Auditorium Free DETU will have a table at this year’s PFF event. Contact Rob Packie rbpackie@gmail.com if you can help staff it. Hours are 10-4 on Saturday and 10 to 3 on Sunday. PHWFF Program Lead Mike Manning will be at our table to answer any questions about the veterans program. Come enjoy outdoor education and a silent auction, with winners drawn Sunday. Contact Rob Packie at rbpackie@gmail.com or www.penobscotflyfishers.com for more information.
Brian Stranko Discussion
Downeast Trout Unlimited welcomes Brian Stranko for a discussion of Trout Unlimited priorities in Maine. Brian is the new Program Manager for Maine TU and a leader in water, land and salmonid conservation for over 20 years. Prior to moving to Maine Brian worked for the Nature Conservancy, National Geographic Society and California Trout, a statewide salmon, trout, and steelhead organization. TU has many projects in Maine and advocates for better fish passage for trout and endangered Atlantic salmon. Join us as Brian shares priorities and goals for Trout Unlimited in Maine.
Contact DETU secretary at tpackie@gmail.com for info. Hybrid meeting Feb.21 5:30pm at the Moore Community Center 125 State Street Ellsworth and via Zoom. Pre-register at
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqf-GprzkpH9RvJdNc9nGcazE0nEf0P3xZ
Downeast Trout Unlimited (DETU) chapter 305 is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Maine’s cold water fisheries and their watersheds. To join go to www.tu.org/join305Downeast To renew call 800-834-2419. Donations may be mailed to Downeast Trout Unlimited, c/o Dana Hunter, Treasurer; 9 Lobster Pool Road Little Deer Isle, ME 04650. For more information contact Tammy Packie, tpackie@gmail.com 207-288-5442 or visit https://www.downeasttu.org or Downeast TU on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Downeast-TU
Get Your Book (And Author) On!
VIRTUAL WRITE ON! WRITING GROUP
Want support for your craft? The Write On! writer’s group has been meeting at the Jesup since 2014, and remotely during the pandemic. Each meeting, members may bring in up to 1200 words to read for feedback, and in turn offer feedback to others. Although each member doesn’t get to read work every time, the group shares the time fairly. The group meets on Zoom, and hold in confidence what is shared. This group welcomes adults 18 and up writing in many genres. There’s no homework–the only commitment is two hours on Saturday mornings.
Date and Time
SATURDAYS
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Location
Zoom
How to Attend
Call the library, 207-288-4245, for more about us and how to join, or email info@jesuplibrary.org.
STORY TIMES AT THE JESUP!
Baby and Toddler Time
Join Abby for fingerplays, songs, and stories on Mondays! Older siblings are welcome to join in.
- 10:30 AM 11:15 AM
- JESUP MEMORIAL LIBRARY34 MT. DESERT STREET
JESUP EVENTS
For a full list of Jesup Memorial Library events, click through to its calendar here.
GET YOUR ART ON!
OPEN STUDIO – MEMBER MONDAYS
Members can reserve a table in our studio for an hour or the whole session and have access to our non-consumable tools or use some materials from our stock!$10 for reserved space – participant brings supplies. OR $25 for reserved space plus access to consumable materials; felting, glass, paint, printmaking.Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Masking, vaccinated, and social distancing for staff and participant safety.
Date and Time
Mondays
2:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. EDT
Location
ArtWaves, 1345A State Highway 102, Bar Harbor
Fees/Admission
$42.00
Website
https://www.artwavesmdi.org/event
Contact Information
207-266-0010
Send Email
MONDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT FIGURE DRAWING
Please register, space is limited.
Artists will have a few quick warm-up poses then be able to spend time refining a long pose. Registration necessary- ArtWaves maintains distances for safety.The model is the star, no instruction, but plenty of easels, boards, horses, paper, charcoal and fellow friendly artists. Feel free to bring your paints and brushes as well!18 and over, under 18 allowed with parental attendance or prior signature.
Date and Time
Mondays and Thursdays
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Mondays 6-9 single pose and Thursdays multi poses
Location
ArtWaves Fine Arts Studio
Fees/Admission
$15 for 3-hour session
Members: $25 month fee
Contact Information
office @artwavesmdi.otrg
Send Email
KIDS CRAFTERNOONS
ArtWaves is devoting afternoons of studio (under the big tent) sessions for children to create. Most workshops use unique materials like fiber, ink, stained glass and wax. Weekly themes. Open to kids between 7-11. No skills required.Masks, vax’d (over 5), and distancing for staff and participant safety.
To Register:
Date and Time
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Location
ArtWaves, 1345A State Highway 102, Bar Harbor
Fees/Admission
$30 materials included or bring some of your own! ($20 for members)
Student membership is $36 a year!
Contact Information office@artwavesmdi.org
Send Email
ARTWAVES CLASSES AND EVENTS
ArtWaves often has classes, a variety every week. For the updated selection, check out its website here
GET YOUR MOVIE ON!
REEL PIZZA
Reel Pizza is open! To check out what’s playing go here.
Tickets are on sale via its website.
Please note that for a while this winter, it will be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
CRITERION THEATRE
The theater’s website is here, and click for the latest updates.
GET YOUR FITNESS, DANCE and WELLNESS ON!
YOGA SCHEDULE OF AMAZINGNESS!
THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE!
The Neighborhood House has a slew of classes to help you get your fitness on. Descriptions are at its website.
MDI YMCA!
The MDI YMCA’s program guide is here.
DESTINATION HEALTH!
For a full listing, check out here
DOWNEAST COMMUNITY DANCE
Downeast Community Dance meets every Sunday from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Moore Community Center in Ellsworth (first and third) and ArtWaves in Town Hill (second, fourth and fifth).
These free form dance gatherings are not facilitated, with music provided by volunteer DJs. Move to rhythms in your own way and have fun.
Admission is by donation.
For more information, contact Susan at 288-8103 or cloudnine@gwi.net.
Location
Dance Studio at ArtWaves, 1345A State Highway 102, Bar Harbor
MDI YMCA CLASSSES
For a full listing, check out here.
GET YOUR MUSIC ON!
THE FINBACK ALEHOUSE
The Finback has entertainment most nights. The schedule is posted every Tuesday.
THE NOR’EASTER
The Nor’Easter has music every Saturday night from 8-10 in the summer and 7-9 in the winter.
ONE OFF PUB
The One Off Pub often has music and is often open until midnight. The location? 119 Main Street.
HAVANA
Every Saturday night its open, at 6:30 p.m, you can come hear the maestro Bob Lombardi. Maestro isn’t something we put out there for everyone. Havana is on lower Main Street.
GET YOUR FOOD ON!
OPEN TABLE MDI!
For more information, click here.
COOL THINGS IN OTHER TOWNS
Chili Mac Cook Off in Trenton!
Time to dust off those award winning chili and mac&cheese recipes and show us what you’ve got.
Join us at Trenton Grange #550 for our first cook off. $10 per dish for entry and $5 per person ($20/family) for tasting and voting. Bragging rights will be *awarded* to the peoples choice. Proceeds will go to upkeep of the Grange.
Feb 18 at 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Trenton Grange No. 550, 1134 Bar Harbor Road, Trenton
TOWN GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
SOUTHWEST HARBOR
Regular Meeting Schedule (meetings held at the Town Office unless otherwise noted). Calendar is here.
TREMONT:
BAR HARBOR:
According to the town’s website, “Meetings that are broadcast live can be viewed at home by watching Cable Access Channel 7 or 1303 (Spectrum Cable only) and online at Town Hall Streams.”
“Things We Do in Bar Harbor” and “On the Agenda” is mostly curated by me looking for things happening in the upcoming week, which takes a lot of time and I truly do not know all that is going on.
If there’s something in Bar Harbor (or MDI) that you’d like me to mention, please let me know, because I’m definitely always missing some events every week.
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