Chewonki: Nature-Based Education Resources for Families at Home. Continue (or start!) your child’s nature-based education at home with our new Chewonki at Home resource page. Find lessons, activities, and links to daily living streaming events with our wildlife educators, outdoor educators, and farm team… Get all the info at chewonki.org.

Community Law Foundation offices are closed and staff is working remotely. All in-person events are cancelled through the end of April. Stay tuned for more information on program updates, virtual gatherings, and events. For the latest info: clf.org.

TEMPOARILY CLOSED   Schoodic Arts for All’s Hammond Hall in Blue Hill will temporarily close until April 15^th. FMI: schoodicartsforall.org.

The Winter Harbor Music Festival will live stream the Flute and Piano Recital scheduled for Friday, April 3^rd, at 7:00, without an audience. The link to the live stream on their Facebook page is: facebook.com/search/top/q?=winter%20harbor%20festival.

TEMPOARILY CLOSED  The Jesup Library in Bar Harbor is currently closed to the public. Fees and overdues are waived at this time. Please keep your items at home until the Library reopens. 

On-line services including the Maine Downloadable Library through CloudLibrary and access to the databases through the Digital Maine Library remain available. For links: jesuplibrary.org. The public wifi is still on and there is no password to access it.

If there is any problem with your library card or if you would like to sign up for a library card during this time contact Laura at ledwards@jesuplibrary.org. Reference services are available by phone at 207-288-4245 or by email at info@jesuplibrary.org. The library will open as soon as it is safe to do so.

CANCELLED   The 54th Annual Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, which was originally scheduled for April 18, 2020. “It’s a difficult event to postpone and reschedule since the water level in the stream continually drops throughout the spring, along with the resources needed to safely run the event.” FMI: (207) 992-4490 or tracy.willette@bangormaine.gov.

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (maine.gov/dmr) announces that in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, access to all Maine DMR facilities in Augusta, West Boothbay Harbor, Bangor, Lamoine, Jonesboro, and Rockland will be by appointment only.

• Contact information for DMR staff can be found at: gov/dmr/about/employees.html.
• If you are exhibiting any flu-like or viral symptoms, we thank you in advance for NOT entering our facilities for the safety and wellness of others.
• For information on Maine’s response to COVID-19, visit the Maine CDC’s website at https://bit.ly/2U1Iy1a.

March 26, 2020 UPDATE on Maine’s Elver Fishery:  After ensuring protocols are in place to protect fishermen, dealers and communities from the spread of COVID-19, the Maine Department of Marine Resources will open the elver season at 8 a.m. on Monday, March 30, 2020.

Under the authority established by Governor Janet Mills’ March 15 Civil Emergency Proclamation, licensed elver harvesters may fish for and sell the quota of another licensed harvester. Dealers have also agreed to limit transactions significantly by only buying 1 pound or more of elvers.

(March 20, 2020  Due to public health concerns associated with COVID-19, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has announced the closure of Maine’s elver fishery, which had been scheduled to start Sunday, March 22, 2020. The closure, done through emergency rulemaking, will be for a minimum of two weeks and will be reassessed at that time. The announcement of the emergency regulation can be found on the DMR’s website.)

Other Operational Changes

• DMR is postponing all Aquaculture hearings and scoping sessions scheduled through May 1. Applicants and other stakeholders affected by this measure will receive updates as the situation evolves.
• DMR is postponing all aquaculture pre-application meetings through April 1. After that time, DMR will re-evaluate scheduling pre-application meetings. Applicants interested in scheduling a pre-application meeting should contact Angel Wilson at Wilson@maine.govor 207-350-7902.
• Applicants cannot schedule scoping sessions through May 1.

For industry members who need to apply for or renew a license or order tags, and can only do so on paper, there are applications and order forms available in the entryway of the Augusta office at 32 Blossom Lane in Augusta. There is also a drop box at the Augusta office where items can be left for DMR, including license applications and order forms.   PLEASE NOTE: NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME, HOWEVER CREDIT CARDS, MONEY ORDERS, OR CHECKS ARE ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT.

• However, DMR strongly urges industry members to submit applications, order tags, upload documents, report landings, etc. via DMR’s online system, LEEDS at maine-dmr-leeds-prod.pegacloud.com/
• If using LEEDS is not possible, DMR also encourages everyone to download documents from the department’s licensing web page at maine.gov/dmr/commercial-fishing/licenses/index.html and to submit them by mail to the address indicated on the document.
• Please visit our website for more updated information or to download applications, gov/dmr.
• Limited licensing staff will still be working to assist with licensing issues over the phone, but in order to limit contact as recommended by CDC, staff will not be available for face to face conversations.
• Option 1) DMR’s Licensing Division can be reached by phone at 207-624-6550.
• Option 2) Documents may be faxed to the Licensing Division at 207-287-4474 or 207-624-6024.  Staff will be available to assist with any questions or concerns.

Maine Farmers’ Markets: The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry understands that during this Covid-19 Pandemic, producers and consumers alike want to know where to access fresh, safe foods.

Given the recent exemption by Governor Janet Mills of businesses that provide essential services including agriculture and groceries from the statewide prohibition on gatherings of more than 10 people, the Department advises farmers’ markets to determine on a case-by-case basis whether to remain open. The Department recognizes that an outdoor farmers’ market or a wellspaced indoor market both involve a larger physical footprint allowing for a broader degree of interaction than a typical public gathering.

The Department recognizes that farmers’ markets are important food sources for many Mainers, including those living in rural areas and those using federal food benefits. For those markets that opt to remain open, we strongly urge taking steps to facilitate social distancing, providing hand sanitizer/washing stations for shoppers and vendors, and cease all food sampling. In this rapidly evolving situation, farmers’ market members should stay alert for emerging guidance from the Maine CDC. To the extent that farmers’ markets remain open, we caution everyone involved to practice excellent personal hygiene and to stay home if unwell.

For up-to-date info on specific Markets and more info: The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets at mffm.org, 207-370-1524 or director@mffm.org.

TEMPOARILY CLOSED  Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners (MOFGA) offices in Unity are closed to the public, and staff are working remotely until further notice. MOFGA events through April 1^st are postponed or canceled. To keep up to date or for more info: mofga.org.

Maine Parishes Announce Holy Week Live-Streaming Schedules: Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, April 5, and continues through Easter Sunday, April 12.  A list of livestreamed Masses and liturgies at Maine parishes during Holy Week is listed at portlanddiocese.org/HolyWeekLiveStreaming. This webpage will be updated frequently as additional parishes submit schedules and when changes are made to schedules.

TEMPORARILY CLOSED  The Maine State Library in Augusta is temporarily closed until April 15, 2020. In response to COVID-19 pandemic, the Maine State Library will close to the public through April 15, 2020, at which time a decision to open to the public can be reassessed.

During this time, staff will continue to report to work and will accept requests and answer queries via phone (207) 287-5600, email and via our website www.maine.gov/msl/. Many resources are available online via Digital Maine Library along with ebooks, and audio books from the Download Library.

The Talking Books and Books By Mail (contingent upon available titles) Programs will continue as long as there is no disruption to the US postal service. Library Development Staff will continue to support Maine’s libraries and librarians remotely during this difficult and uncertain time.

The Maine State Library has suspended Interlibrary Loan and Van Delivery Services until March 30, 2020. At that time, we will reassess the current COVID-19 impact on library closures in the state to determine if the service should be restored. FMI: (207) 287-5600, or maine.gov/msl/.