MLK Wishes and… “Windfall” Finally Coming to Maine Theaters!
As we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we’re reminded of freedom, fairness and equality. We’re reminded of valor. Dr. King, who was shot down in the prime of his life, had the valor to stand up for what he knew was right.
We’ve all heard Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” American Civil Rights speech. Seventeen minutes of power and passion. His words are still relevant almost 50 years after he addressed 200,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
Dr. King also gave us these inspiring words:
“Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.”
The hundreds of citizens across Maine who are bringing the facts about industrial wind power to their fellow citizens have been dismissed by a nervous Wind Lobby as “a vocal minority.” As Mainers take an interest in this important topic, multitudes are coming to the conclusion that wind is not the panacea we believed it to be when developers first came to town. Before long, it will be the majority who are supporting a science and economics based energy policy, which also protects Maine’s environment.
As we work toward that goal, FMM thanks those in our “creative dedicated minority” who work to make Maine—and the world—better.
Award-winning documentary “WINDFALL” in Maine during February
The excitement is building as people all across Maine are learning that Laura Israel’s award-winning documentary, Windfall, is coming to a neighborhood near them!
This description of the film is from Windfall’s website:
Wind power: it’s clean; it’s green; it’s good.
Or is it?
Wind power…it’s sustainable…it burns no fossil fuels…it produces no air pollution. What’s more, it cuts down dependency on foreign oil.
That’s what the residents of Meredith, New York first thought when a wind developer looked to supplement the rural farm town’s failing economy with a farm of their own – that of 40 industrial wind turbines.
WINDFALL, Laura Israel’s richly photographed feature-length film, documents how this proposal brutally divides the people of Meredith as they fight over the future of their community. Attracted at first to the financial incentives that would seemingly boost their dying economy, many residents grow alarmed once they discover that the 400-foot high windmills slated for Meredith may bring side effects they never dreamed of. Opposition intensifies when they discover that the fiscal model for wind energy development produces huge profits, not for host towns like Meredith, but for a mysterious group of outside investors, aided and abetted by huge tax breaks and Wall Street sleight-of-hand.
Israel also turns her camera on Tug Hill, New York, another small upstate town, where wind power is a done deal. Tug Hill’s 195 wind turbines create low frequency “whomping” sounds and strobe-like effects, which have significantly downgraded the quality of life and in some cases, the health of wind turbine neighbors unable to sell their homes. Meanwhile, the Meredith Town Board pushes to put their wind turbine plan through.
With wind development in the United States growing annually at 39 percent, WINDFALL is an eye-opener that should be required viewing for anyone concerned about the environment and the future of renewable energy.
STAY TUNED as FMM’s WINDFALL COMMITTEE makes arrangements to show this documentary around the state. Mark these dates in your calendar:
The Strand Theater in Rockland - Saturday, March 3rd at 2:00PM and Sunday, March 4th at 3:00PM.
Please check FMM’s website often. We will update it with new venues, dates and times as details are available.
Tim Sample at the Harraseeket Inn – Saturday, March 17th at 7:00 pm
On St. Patrick’s Day, Friends of Maine’s Mountains and the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport are welcoming Maine Humorist Tim Sample to the Casco Bay Room. Please join us for an evening of entertainment, laughter and camaraderie. Chase the winter blues away, Yankee-Style.
Proceeds benefit FMM.
A Downeast humorist.
A lovely setting.
A roomful of friends.
And green beer.
We dare you to beat that combination!
Space is limited, so please reserve your seats soon! For tickets information, please visit our website at http://www.friendsofmainesmountains.org/ See you on March 17th. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.