by John Maguire
Coastal Journal staff

BRUNSWICK — By the end of July, motorists will be able to turn left onto Maine Street in Brunswick from the off ramp of Route 1. The Dept. of Transportation is reconstructing the ramp to accommodate two lanes.

According to Jim Mansir, project manager for the traffic program in the Augusta DOT office, crews are flaring out the ramp end near Maine Street to accomplish this goal.

Mansir said those involved in the project made some adjustments to the process, which changed the completion date.

“This is good,” he said. “Before, people had to turn right toward Topsham and turn around somewhere to go back up Maine Street. Once this project is complete, drivers will be able to make a left hand turn into Brunswick.”

Crowds will once again gather on the shore of Rockland Harbor to hear some of the music industry’s top performers in blues during the 18th annual North Atlantic Blues Festival. The two day event, July 16-17, will showcase nationally recognized blues performers from all corners as the streets close and the vendors come out to sell food, drink and crafts.

Performers at this year’s festival include: Robert Cray, Brooks Family Reunion, Magic Slim and the Teardrops, Eric Bibb, Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues, James Armstrong, Toni Lynn Washington, Trampled Under Foot, Nellie Tiger Travis, Dave Gross and Gina Sicilia.

For tickets and other information, visit: www.northatlanticbluesfestival.com. The festival hotline is: 691-2248.

by Emily Elliott
Coastal Journal contributor

Governor Paul R. LePage made the fifth stop on his Capital for a Day tour at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport. The event was held in the gymnasium on Fri., June 17 at 6 p.m. The Town Hall meeting brought out a couple hundred people from surrounding towns to question LePage and commissioners from five major state departments, and the Maine State Treasurer.

During the day on Friday, LePage toured several Knox County businesses, including Maine Windjammer Cruises, Dragon Products and Coastal Cement, Breakwater Vineyards, O'Hara Corporation, Mid-Coast Hopsitality House and the Breakwater Lighthouse.

by John Maguire
Coastal Journal staff

BATH— On Sat., June 18, a small gathering stood before Local S6 Union Hall across from Bath Iron Works to rename the hall the John W. Brown Union Hall after an early organizer in the labor union movement.

Melanie Marcotte, Brown's great grand niece, joined friends, local historians, a volunteer in the engineering department aboard the John W. Brown Liberty Ship, and several state and region workers' union members.