I am really, really passionate about getting movie and TV studios to Maine. I truly believe it would be an enormous boost to our economy. Think about it, dozens of jobs ranging in skill level and pay grade. Free advertising for the state of Maine, low environmental impact, various venues across the state. Why WOULDN’T we want the industry here?

Here’s the deal, Maine is not competitive at all when it comes to incentives for filmmakers. Films set in Maine are being filmed in Canada, MA, and other locations. Filmmakers who want to film here can’t because the studios find better deals elsewhere. I’ve heard numerous stories about filmmakers that WANT to come here, but can’t because we don’t provide adequate incentives. How stupid is that? We have people that want to come here and create jobs, and highlight what a great state Maine is, but we are do nothing to welcome them. In fact, we are actively repelling them.

I think a great way to emphasize how little the state cares about attracting the film industry is easily illustrated by checking out the differences in Maine’s Film Office website and New Mexico’s Film Office site. Are you as angry and embarrassed as I am?

I mean. Wow. Just wow. Ours looks like it was slapped together by an intern in, well according to the site, 2006 – because they haven’t bothered to update the copyright at the bottom of the page. It’s full of dead links, no news, nothing. Just take it down, it would be less embarrassing.

New Mexico’s well. There’s a state that wants to attract some business. Not only is that site highlighting the film industry, but you can also check out other emerging areas they are trying to attract. Notice that nice big banner on the side touting the big tax breaks for films?

There’s  a lot of blow back about giving film companies tax incentives. Normally, I’m not gung-ho about slinging massive tax breaks to corporations but in this case, we have to do it. If we want the industry here, an industry that has all the advantages I listed above, we have to do it.  Why not? We give tons of breaks to mills and call centers, and we know how well that’s been working out. Those industries only focus on one skill in one area of the state. Films have the potential to spread the wealth state-wide.

What can you do about it? Find your representative on this list and tell them you want competitive incentives for the film industry in Maine. Let’s do this.

Everyone is straight up nuts about the impending ice storm. All the news stations are using the word ‘accretions’ repeatedly. CMP is e-mailing people. It is panic, mayhem! There’s nothing you can do about an impending storm and its accretions, so you might as well be prepared. In the spirit of mass-hysteria, I’m going to re-post one of my most popular blog posts of all time. I wrote this a few years ago when everyone was losing their minds over a blizzard. Obviously an ice storm is a bit different, but it’s mostly still pertinent.

I shouldn’t have to say this, but I’m going to because, haters and whatnot – this is humor. Please don’t send me nasty e-mails telling me I’m an idiot.

Here’s a link to CMP’s storm-preparedness guide for the real deal.

How you really need to prep for a storm:

Blizzard! Am I the only one who loves to see a weather forecast where one of the days actually says, “BLIZZARD? From twitter, I’d say not. While everyone is freaking out and getting their first aid kits, candles and water ready for potential power outages, I’ll tell you what you really need to do.

First off, yes get prepared. Fill up  your tub with water. What? You don’t know that trick? It’s so you can flush the toilet. Because Ew. Being able to flush your toilet is KEY.

Next, Do all your dishes and laundry. Make sure dishwasher is empty, and ready for filling. Trust me, nothing is worse that waking up to no power (well, except maybe a brown torpedo, see below), and a sink/dishwasher full of dishes, or a washing machine full of clothes that can’t  be dried. Especially if the power is out for 3 days….

Then, charge up all your things.  Phones, iPods, Laptops, what have you. You don’t want  to be stuck in a power outage with out your electronics! Also, when your kid asks you for the thousandth time when the power will be back on, you can just say, “Here, watch Blues Clues.”

Make Cookies. When  the power is out, you’ll be glad you did. Plus you need something to go with the milk you try to guzzle down before it  goes bad, even though the power has only been out for 2 hours and you could just take everything in the fridge and put it out in the snow, which brings me to the ‘porch fridge’.

Clear off a spot on your porch/patio/lawn etc. where you can put your fridge/freezer stuff. This is only necessary if you lose power for more than 12 hours. A few years ago we had about $500 worth of meat on our porch. I was afraid I would awaken to a pack of coyotes on my porch enjoying some nice free range pork, but they stayed away.

Find your shovels, boots, snow-pants, sleds, skis, etc etc BEFORE it starts snowing. Again, trust me. It’s really hard to find your snow shovel when it’s buried in a foot of snow, somewhere over there.

And finally, do a quick poop scan and scoop of your lawn if you have dogs. NOTHING is worse than finding a brown torpedo in your snowman.

If you do all these things, you’ll be totally prepared and hopefully nervous breakdown free. I have also found, the more prepared I am the less likely I am to lose power. It’s called Murphy’s Law, people.