On The Agenda – Bar Harbor Town Meetings, Events, & Things to Do
FEB 19, 2024
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!
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Town Council
This meeting includes the public hearings on the proposed land use ordinance amendments that will be up for vote in June if they proceed to the town warrant. That decision about proceeding will most likely be made at this meeting.
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Location: Council Chambers, (third floor), Municipal Building, 93 Cottage Street
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Warrant Committee Education Sub-Committee
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Municipal Building, 3rd Floor Meeting Room – Suite 301, 93 Cottage St.
Friday, February 23
Warrant Committee Public Safety Subcommittee
Time: 4 PM
Location: Municipal Building, 3rd Floor Meeting Room – Suite 301, 93 Cottage St.
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 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 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 VIGIL ON!
Join COA students in a vigil to demonstrate support for Palestine.
Student-run group “Human Ecologists for the Liberation of Palestine” (HELP) is organising a vigil in the Village Green on the 21st of February, creating a peaceful space for the community to gather in light of recent events happening in Palestine. The vigil will start at 5:00pm and should last somewhere between 30 minutes and an hour. Candles will be distributed, but feel free to bring your own.
February 21, 5:00PM – 6:00PM
Village Green,Bar Harbor
GET YOUR OPEN MIC ON!
Open mic night is back at the Finback!! We are still working on kitchen projects until March, but we are going to open the door on Friday nights for music! We’ll make a batch of chili or soup every Friday just in case you need something to warm up! Doors open at 7!
GET YOUR COMEDY ON!
Join Acadia Hotel for Comedy Night on Saturday, March 2nd at Gather Bar Harbor. Tickets are $20 per person and the show features acts from Brendan Williams, Tuck Tucker, and Johnny Friggin’ Ater. Doors open at 5 pm with showtime at 6 pm. Purchase tickets in advance by calling (207) 460-0088.
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 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 ICE QUILTING DERBY ON!
GET YOUR DOWNEAST TROUT UNLIMITED ON!
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.
FREE MUSIC LESSONS AT THE CRITERION!
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.
ONGOING:
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.
CONNERS EMERSON!
GET YOUR FITNESS, DANCE and WELLNESS ON!
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!
The Somesville Union Meeting House will have second Sunday community suppers through April. The free event runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
OPEN TABLE MDI!
For more information, click here.
COOL THINGS IN OTHER TOWNS
The MDI Historical Society’s Book Club will meet next, via Zoom, on February 26 at 6 pm to discuss Rob Lawton’s “Murder with an Ocean View.”
The Mount Desert Island Historical Society’s Book Club is open to new members! The club is an online community gathering to discuss books by MDI authors, or with local settings, using literature as an entry point to regional history. At quarterly book discussions, the Society provides MDI-specific historical context to bring the novels to life, such as sharing relevant artifacts from the collection, sound bites from oral histories, and photographs or slides of the book’s people and places. Finishing the novel isn’t required to attend meetings; we welcome readers whether they’re on page 12, 200, have finished the book, or haven’t had a chance to crack it open yet. The Book Club will meet next, via Zoom, on February 26 at 6 pm to discuss Rob Lawton’s Murder with an Ocean View. To join or receive updates about Book Club, please email Raney at raney@mdihistory.org.
February 26 at 6:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
GET YOUR CHAMBER CALENDAR ON!
The Bar Harbor Chamber has an event page and a calendar here. It doesn’t reflect all the things in our piece, but it’s a great start.
February 19
- Barre Flow with Aquene of the Glow Method -DROP IN- Monday Sept 18th 9-10am
- Monday Night Figure Drawing
February 20
February 21
February 22
February 23
February 24
- Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing) in Surry
- The Science, Magic, and Art of Color
- The Science, Magic and Color of Art
- CREATION CLUB
- CREATION CLUB
February 25
- Wildlife Track and Sign Walk
- Which Stitch: A Circle of Needles
- Dance Improvisation with Motion Collective
February 26
- Barre Flow with Aquene of the Glow Method -DROP IN- Monday Sept 18th 9-10am
- Monday Night Figure Drawing
February 27
- All Levels Slow Flow Yoga
- Baby and Toddler Time
- Baby and Toddler Time
- Yin Yoga
- PEOPLE-NATURE-ART WITH ROSE TANNER
February 28
February 29
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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