The GMRI is a fascinating place and a decidedly wonderful addition to the Portland waterfront. The…read moreprogramming they offer to local middle school students is exceptional and their new interactive learning lab, complete with a large observation tank, is state of the art. I found myself wishing that there was programming available to the general public. Every year, the GMRI holds a seafood celebration. I was lucky enough to attend this year. There were three floors of local chefs sharing their best seafood creations. Holding this event on all three floors, naturally walked guests through their facility, which I have to say, is extremely impressive. Their building itself, sits right on the working waterfront, with wonderful views and big tall windows to let in all the light. On the ground floor is the learning lab. Sitting inside the lab, with the tank on your left and the wall sized screen playing a video on local aquatic life, you could imagine yourself on a learning vessel, working and learning alongside marine biologists. The fare at the seafood celebration was pretty epic. There were haddock sliders, fish tacos and the most incredible scallop crudo. There were also bowls set out on communal tables of home made potato chips and onion dip, which had nothing to do with seafood, but were stand outs as well. Overall, this is a fascinating place that does great work and the GMRI seafood celebration is one of the rare times, the public is invited in for a view and some delicious apps. Well worth scoring a ticket or two next year!

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is all about science, education, and community - and that's…read moreconsistently reflected in the outreach they offer. Specifically, their focus is stewarding the ecosystem, cultivating science literacy, supporting sustainable seafood, and strengthening coastal communities. Basically, they're the good guys when it comes to all things ocean - you can breathe easy, because (you're in Maine) they're fighting the good fight to keep our Atlantic healthy! GMRI is not often open to the general public (because it's not an aquarium), so if oceanography, marine chemistry, and being informed on the future of our largest economic resource (fishing) interests you and you ever get the chance to tour their lab and education facilities which are spacious and bright (during their Lunch & Learn's or Science Cafés; or, if you're a middle schooler, their LabVenture! which used to house a half red, half blue lobster), you should absolutely do so. It will help you appreciate the tremendous amount of effort and care that goes into their research - and protection - of our ocean and its resources. We are lucky to have them located right on Commercial St. in Portland. The folks who work here are brilliant, passionate, and dedicated to what they do; every encounter I've had with them has been positive. They also host a Seafood Dining Series throughout the year that highlights (and celebrates the local, responsibly harvested) underutilized, yet easily accessible, seafood right here of the Gulf of Maine with Culinary Partners (restaurants) throughout the state.

As much as I'd like to keep this place a secret, it is totally amazing and worth five stars. Having…read morejust moved to Portland a month ago, there were a few "missing items" and "empty spaces" in my humble abode that needed filling. My next door neighbor alerted to me this place and I'm so glad. I picked up four dining chairs (sometimes they are priced as a package deal with a table, but these were actually priced individually and separate from the table). I thought about getting some sort of lounge or easy chair to read in but I haven't converted to Maine vehicle yet, so my Mazda wouldn't fit it. Next time! A gorgeous coffee table also caught my eye, so that item was also purchased. I had to make two trips, but hey-ho. I think prices are great. Obviously, you're getting used items but isn't there something really charming about having furniture that has been lovingly used? (As long as it doesn't smell like a dirty fart) You could go the route of IKEA and I have totally done so on occasion, but let's admit it, most of that crap is crap. Old used furniture was made with love. I can imagine that prices may have climbed in the past few years, though I only have Chicago Salvation Armies to compare it to, and I think the prices are still better here than Chicago five years ago. Stuff probably comes and goes fairly regularly so don't feel defeated on an initial visit. I will definitely venture back here.

This business (pleasantly) surprised me with its quality and selection. My son needed a seat for a…read moresmall space, and after going to several traditional furniture stores, we began shopping consignment. Not only did my son have a variety of desks to consider, the prices were well below what I thought would be reasonable. The staff, after showing us around the store and unobtrusively checking in, they assisted us with getting our purchase to and into our vehicle. We will think of Restore-HfH first the next time we need home furnishings.

First time experiences always determine a second visit do they?…read moreSuperb service and a quality product is what I received from Xpress Copy. From my initial phone call inquiry, through the customer service assistance, online estimate, and product delivery, Xpress Copy was the finest experience I've ever had in forty years of conducting administrative support purchasing. And after being in the Army, I know paperwork! Here are the highlights in order of importance: 1) Kelsey Berry. Outstanding Customer Service. She handled my entire process. You know how it is when a business answers your call and you immediately recognize you'll be well taken care of? That's Kelsey. Sharp, intelligent, and motivated, it's always reassuring when you know the first person you're speaking with is going to make it right, and take care of you. So many businesses ignore or fail at this basic fact. The owner obviously knows this and has carefully selected & trained this exceptional young professional in Kelsey. 2) Finished Product. My order was an unusually large file, requiring single side copy and binding. The options available to choose were great, and again, Kelsey helped me make an informed choice for the best results. 3) Speed. My order was complete and ready for pick up days before I had specified. This allowed me to not waste time and expanded my response turn around to the agency I was sending it to. Amazing! 4) Price. No other business came near the quote I received from Xpress Copy Service. Not even close. I realize some consumers base everything on cost, but I base it on customer service. That said, cost here was a winner. 5) Local Business. I love to support worthy local business when I can, not just because they are local. Local and EARNED gets my patronage and positive reviews. It's worthy to note that Xpress Copy Service is easily accessed in a congestion free area in Libbytown, Portland. No hassle drive up. 6) Last but not least, and I'm putting it here to make a point about Xpress Copy Service. Leadership. Supporting everything in my experience was the Leadership behind the organization. That is owner, Mr. Todd Kent. I know because I was late to pick up and it was after closing time. A man was there at the outdoor pick-up in front of the business in accordance with Wuhan Virus state law. He personally went back in and brought out my order. Xpress Copy Service could have done what most businesses would & have done: Taken the easy road, "Sorry, we're closed at three, come back tomorrow." The man who took care and stayed late was Mr. Kent. I didn't know it until I went to write this review and had to check their website first. In Army Special Forces, every leader is "First In, Last Out" and sets the personal example. Todd Kent is that kind of leader and business owner. I'm glad to have been able to business with his organization, and will be happy to do it again. THANKS XPRESS COPY SERVICE

The marvelous folks at Xpress Copy have proved once again why they are the best in the area. They…read morecame through with a small print job the same day, even with a correction I had to make at the last minute. The color invitations look great and the client was very pleased. The price was very reasonable as well. Always dependable and always personable no matter how small (or big) the job. Thanks, Xpress Copy!

We adopted a dog from them on 2/8 I believe, the foster mom was great, she didn't have her for…read morelong. We got her very skinny (again no fault of the foster she is awesome!). She was sent to us with some panacur which we gave her and then we have been feeding her as much as we could. She got bad diarrhea a couple weeks into us getting her which landed us at the vet. Now 5 vet visits later and we were given a VERY sick dog. Thank god she ended with us but it's truly ridiculous how little they vet these dogs. We are now $2600+ in the hole only having her for a month. We still don't know what's wrong as we are waiting on more tests. She won't gain ANY weight. Do not adopt from them.

We were approved to adopt a dog, then waited several days to be contacted to meet him. We were then…read moregiven three brief weeknight windows, none of which worked bc I have to work and can't just suddenly change my schedule. I let the foster know that we could come the following weekend, and her response was that we had better pounce on the dog bc lots of other folks were interested. We were not asking for the dog to be held for weeks, simply to coordinate schedules. Apparently this rescue approves a bunch of folks' applications, then adopts out the dog to whoever can get there first. We were not told this when we were approved Or before we spent an hour filling out the application. It feels like a really poor and reckless way to do animal adoptions, and we want nothing to do with it.

I can't say enough great things about CIEE! We hosted a girl from Latvia last year and it was the…read morebest experience our family has had! Our Local Coordinator Kathy was a huge support and checked in on us and the student all the time and even went to her racket ball match! Thank you CIEE for giving us a life long connection with a girl from Latvia who will forever be apart of our family!! Can not wait to host again!!!

you pay a lot of money to be in this program. It's like upfront $10,000 for the program cost to…read moretravel the apartment they put you in my college student was dirty and bug infested and they don't listen to you with placing you proper the communication is really bad. This trip is going to cost our family $20,000 and I would've been better used to do an and let the college student travel abroad for a month and stay at high-end and it would've been way less than that. The company they pair you up with are not good.

There is limited parking. The facility is falling apart and really dirty. The pool frequently has…read morelast minute closures with limited opening at the best of times. The therapy pool and steam room have been closed since the pandemic. There is often no hot water in the showers. the changing rooms are freezing in the winter (the windows upstairs were left open all winter) and dangerously hot in the summer as there is no AC.The lockers are not big enough to store winter clothing and boots. The changing rooms are really dirty. The staff are nice.

Visiting from Illinois, have a universal membership, drive all the way downtown and sign-in, ask…read morefor directions to basketball courts, attendant then tells me the gym is closed (not open always), not that there is a class scheduled but it's not open...Poor service at its best! Would never recommend

Ruth's Reusable Resources is a great nonprofit organization that is an incredible resource for…read moreteachers. Ruth's Reusable Resources gathers donations of supplies from various businesses that can be used within classrooms, and teachers to can get supplies for free. These supplies range from pencils, pens, paper, stickers, erasers, and other odd items that can be used for a variety of projects. I normally come to Ruth's at the beginning of the year, or when I need to stock up on miscellaneous materials throughout the year. It definitely helps when you are planning a large project for students and you are in need of items for students to utilize, instead of spending a ton of your own money to support these projects. The process at Ruth's Reusables is pretty rigid. You can't bring a friend, baby, spouse...you can only bring yourself, and Ruth will be the first person to let you know. As you are scanning the materials, there is a very set way of recording the materials you are taking on a clipboard, which they thoroughly check when you are checking out. This process can definitely take a long time, so plan on being at Ruth's for at least an hour, at the very least. I appreciate the organization that Ruth has established, as she used to be a teacher herself and she knows the cost demands that go along with the profession, and I will continue to go here when I am in need of classroom supplies!

What is Ruth's Reusables you may be asking yourself? Well, let me tell you…read more.. 3Rs is a nonprofit that receives donations from companies big and small in the form of supplies that could be reused by educators. Supplies could be anything from pieces of felt to desks and chairs. Anything that a company can donate, for a tax write off, ends up here. School districts and other non profits will pay for a membership, for the year, and their staff can "shop" here as often as they would like. I normally end up here when my class is running low on supplies, like markers or pencils. I also will go if we have some sort of art related project in the works that involves using tiny objects creatively. They have bins of the weirdest bits and pieces! As a teacher, this place is a goldmine. My parents, who were both teachers back in the day, used to spend insane amounts of their own money on the supplies I get for free here. Ruth is an interesting person. A Mainer for sure. She is tough, unapologetic, and hard working. I also wouldn't want to cross paths with her. The checkout process is strict and slow, as I'm sure it has to be to run such a tight ship. There is no "speeding" through 3Rs and I wish this could be remedied somehow. But I'm not complaining, it's just the one thing I wish were different!

I live in Ct. I had an annoying pop up on my pc "only secure content is displayed"…read more I was so nervous that I had a virus. I saw that Terri had the fix in a you tube video. She walked me through the steps and the issue was fixed in a matter of seconds. I can't thank Terri enough, my inability to cure the problem drove me nuts.

Terri is extremely responsive and helpful. She really knows computers and she knows how to teach…read moremany time-saving tips that make computer use more satisfying and work more productive. Despite her busy schedule, she's always been available on the spot to solve a sudden 'emergency'.