Salon Bonifacio gives back to Bangor community

BANGOR - A Washington County man gave himself a 38th birthday present he will never forget. In August, Guy Ortega opened his own business - a hair salon on Ohio Street in Bangor that he's named Salon Bonifacio.

"I wanted to use all my life experience and create my dream come true," Ortega explained. "I wanted to be in a field that made you happy."

Eight day road rally crosses finish line at Hollywood Casino racetrack

BANGOR - Car shows are a popular summer pastime in Maine, and this weekend Bangor hosted a show unlike any other. Fierce Ferraris, muscular Mustangs, lovely Lamborghinis, cruising Corvettes and dashing DeLoreans zoomed into the Queen city, the finish line for the 2012 Fireball Run adventure rally on Saturday afternoon, turning heads on every street they traveled.

"That was amazing. I had thoughts in my head how it would be, but to spend that many days with the same people traveling across the United States, we got to see amazing things that a lot of people wouldn't get to see and do in a race situation," explained "Timber Tina" Scheer of the Bangor Riverdrivers.

Urban, Aldean satisfy thousands of fans at the Bangor Waterfront

Jadon Aldean/Luke Bryan photos by Mike Fern, Keith Urban photo by Chris Joles

BANGOR How do you like your country music? Whether it's trucks and red Solo cups or sophisticated guitar and storytelling, the Labor Day weekend country shows at the Bangor Waterfront had it covered.

One day event attracts artists of all kinds

BANGOR - The city of Bangor will be on display this weekend as artists gather to capture the Queen city's character, curves and colors during Paint Bangor Day planned for Saturday, Sept. 8. It's an event that's been promoting the arts and the downtown area for years.

"It's open to anyone," said Ulrike Guthrie, president of the Bangor Art Society. "People are welcome to go anywhere in Bangor, but what's great is if they bring their easels and go downtown because it's visible."

Every once in a while I like taking time to honor a business or individual in the Bangor area who exemplifies what it means to be a Yankee. I am forgoing this week's column on food to tell you about a man I have known for a number of years, a man my dad considered one of his closest friends. Eric Furry, owner of Pro Libris Bookstore in Bangor, has been in business since 1980. His is a small business, with books lined up wherever you aren't standing. It's a monotone place, with his cat quietly perched in its own little spot. Sound inviting? Maybe not, but there's something that keeps his clientele coming back year after year.

A preview of the 2012-13 PTC season

BANGOR The 2012-2013 season from Penobscot Theatre Company is upon us.

This year marks the 39th season for Bangor's professional theatre, as well as the first full season for new Artistic Director Bari Newport, who has been at the helm since January of this year.

It's a vast and varied collection of plays, with Maine premieres and classics, madcap comedies and challenging dramas. There really is something for all tastes.

Second place finish earns Community Care much needed funds

BANGOR - Two weeks ago we told you about Community Care in Bangor competing in Toyota's 100 Cars for Good campaign. For one day only, the local nonprofit was vying against five other out-of-state nonprofits for a free set of wheels from the car dealer. Although Community Care didn't win the contest, it did place a respectable second.

"I'm surprised at how close it was," said Kate Davis, executive director of Community Care. "There was a 3 percent difference between first and second place. We don't know what that means in terms of votes, but when we found the winning agency was just outside of Orlando, I was really pleased with the Bangor market. I think it went well for us."

New nightspot opens on Harlow Street

BANGOR There's a new club in town.

The latest addition to the ever-expanding Bangor nightlife scene arrives on August 24. The Half Acre is a new nightclub located at 190 Harlow St.

Matt Brann and Mike Bjork are at the helm of this exciting new business. Brann is the former owner/proprietor of Club Gemini, a nightspot that occupied the same space a few years ago.

'We hadn't had any tenants for a while, so we wanted to renovate the space as a turnkey business,' said Brann. 'But when Mike and I got to working together, we eventually decided to dig up some resources and open the place up ourselves.'

Identities released in Bangor car fire 

BANGOR - Authorities are calling last week's car fire at Automatic Distributors in Bangor a homicide.

A passing motorist called police to report a vehicle on fire in the parking lot of the business located at 22 Target Industrial Circle just before 4 a.m. on Aug. 13. When the flames were put out, the bodies of three people were discovered inside. Those individuals have been identified as Daniel Thomas Borders, 26, of Hermon; Nicolle Ashley Lugdon, 24, of Eddington; and Lucas Alan Tuscano, 28, of Bradford. However, the cause of death is not being released at this time.