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| I'm proud of my town | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 30 2010, 04:00 PM (382 Views) | |
| kathyk | Jan 30 2010, 04:00 PM Post #1 |
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Pisa-Carp
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I live in what's called "Central Maine" in the biggest urban area - Lewiston/Auburn - twin cities separated by the Androscoggin River. I like referring to it as the great LA of Maine. , because it's not a particularly sexy area compared to the rest of Maine. Portland has been totally revitalized in the past 25 years or so and the coastal areas are, of course, immensely beautiful, touristy and real estate is very high. LA, by contrast, is an old mill town, suffering the fate that so many of those in New England have, with movement of the mill work overseas and loss of jobs. One thing that has really set Lewiston apart (and by proximity, Auburn) is the migration here of a substantial Somali refuge population. I think there are well over 1,000 now. Consequently, there have been some growing pains assimilating them, and a couple of high profile negative stories. Well, in spite of some bad press stemming from the acts of a few bad apples, it appears the community is doing something right. This was in our local paper this morning. Responses to Bias make L-A National Leader |
| Blogging in Palestine: http://kksjournal.com/ | |
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| ivorythumper | Jan 30 2010, 04:10 PM Post #2 |
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
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Working on that thread killer award? j/k
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| The dogma lives loudly within me. | |
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| kathyk | Jan 30 2010, 04:13 PM Post #3 |
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Pisa-Carp
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Just trying to prove a point. Seriously, I think it's pretty cool,
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| Blogging in Palestine: http://kksjournal.com/ | |
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| Improviso | Jan 30 2010, 04:30 PM Post #4 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I bet these folks have mad skillz. When they start hijacking the fishing fleet boats off the coast for ransom, let's revisit that opinion. M'kay.
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Identifying narcissists isn't difficult. Just look for the person who is constantly fishing for compliments and admiration while breaking down over even the slightest bit of criticism. We have the freedom to choose our actions, but we do not get to choose our consequences. | |
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| apple | Jan 30 2010, 05:09 PM Post #5 |
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one of the angels
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it is a nice article Kathy. KC is pretty open to immigrants.. many people from many countries live here. |
| it behooves me to behold | |
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| kathyk | Jan 30 2010, 05:57 PM Post #6 |
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Pisa-Carp
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No worries. We don't have no fishin boats in Lewiston. Just a stinky river and a couple of canals. Edited by kathyk, Jan 30 2010, 05:58 PM.
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| Blogging in Palestine: http://kksjournal.com/ | |
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| Mikhailoh | Jan 30 2010, 06:30 PM Post #7 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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Just a question. I can clearly see what Lewiston has done for these folks. What, conversely, have these folks contributed to Lewiston? Edit: It made me curious- here's an article from Newsweek on that very subject.
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| kathyk | Feb 1 2010, 04:36 PM Post #8 |
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Pisa-Carp
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That article sums things up pretty nicely, Mik. It's really, really nice having some diversity here. Maine is probably one of the whitest states in the country (although, ironically we have a black mayor - a local, not a Somali). It's been good for Puffin to have friends from such a different background. I love seeing the Somali women in their beautiful garb. They dress very colorfully, and some of the wraps are gorgeous. I think it has opened a lot of people's minds in a very positive way. Of course, there are those (like the guy that threw the pigs head into the mosque and the guy that threw a ham sandwich at a kid in school - both stories found their way into national news ) who try to stir things up. Then there are those who complain about their getting government benefits - those people are usually on government benefits themselves. It drives this type absolutely nuts when they see a Somali driving a nice car. Of course it doesn't dawn on them that they might actually be gainfully employed. But, these people are in the distinct minority. They, probably more than anyone, need the exposure to people of different colors and cultures.
Edited by kathyk, Feb 1 2010, 04:36 PM.
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| Blogging in Palestine: http://kksjournal.com/ | |
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| big al | Feb 1 2010, 04:56 PM Post #9 |
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Bull-Carp
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I appreciate that article you posted, Mik. Thanks for searching it out. Big Al |
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Location: Western PA "jesu, der simcha fun der man's farlangen." -bachophile | |
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, because it's not a particularly sexy area compared to the rest of Maine. Portland has been totally revitalized in the past 25 years or so and the coastal areas are, of course, immensely beautiful, touristy and real estate is very high. LA, by contrast, is an old mill town, suffering the fate that so many of those in New England have, with movement of the mill work overseas and loss of jobs. One thing that has really set Lewiston apart (and by proximity, Auburn) is the migration here of a substantial Somali refuge population. I think there are well over 1,000 now. Consequently, there have been some growing pains assimilating them, and a couple of high profile negative stories. Well, in spite of some bad press stemming from the acts of a few bad apples, it appears the community is doing something right. This was in our local paper this morning.



Seriously, I think it's pretty cool,
) who try to stir things up. Then there are those who complain about their getting government benefits - those people are usually on government benefits themselves. It drives this type absolutely nuts when they see a Somali driving a nice car. Of course it doesn't dawn on them that they might actually be gainfully employed. But, these people are in the distinct minority. They, probably more than anyone, need the exposure to people of different colors and cultures.

4:59 PM Jul 10