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There has been much hype for Portland’s newest Mex destination.  It is well worth it.  This gas station turned brightly colored restaurant is the best Mexican food going.  The seemingly awkward location is actually quite ideal.  Away from the crowded streets of the Old Port and abutting the more industrial side of town.  Glimpses of the working water front can be had from the picnic tables (with padded benches) out front.  The menu is straight forward.  I can personally only vouch for the fish tacos (it takes 3 to make a proper lunch), but my dining companions were nodding in improvement of their meals as well.  El Rayo has ended the good Mexican food drought in this town.  The owner mentioned that they have been a bit overwhelmed by the crowds surging in for lunch, comparing it to being born and then immediately turning 21.  The response has been so overwhelming that they shut down dinner for the past week or so.  Dinner service is back tonight, just in time for First Friday.  Go there.  Go there now.
 
 
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Now that Portland’s development league NBA team has been anointed with a adequately cheesy name and cheesy logo (it looks more like a turtle with a Dali moustache than a lobster) it is time for the team to focus on the most important aspect of basketball…the dance team.  While the roster has yet to be unveiled, this has not stopped management from getting the half time entertainment in order.  And what does it take to be on the Red Claws Dance Team?  According to the team’s website, just a car and a willingness to show up for the 24 home games.  So pull on your flesh-colored hosiery and midriff-bearing top and get your game day hair and make-up ready before heading  over to the tryouts on June 6th.  Oh, and don’t forget the $25 application fee.  You have to feel good about going for any job that requires payment to apply.  They even take Discover.

 
 
 
 

Greendrinks on Tuesday at return host O’Naturals.  A little after its year anniversary, Portland Greendrinks is celebrating with a spankin new website designed by the socially consciousness crew over at SOAP.  Planned Parenthood is involved this month, so there are free condoms with the free beer.

 
Hausfrau. 04/07/2009
 

Hausfrau plays at Portland Stage for a couple more days (until the 11th).  One of a handful of performances in the Studio Theater this year.  This one has extra significance as it is based on the motherhood tales of Portland-based writer Nicole Chaison.  The play is adapted from Nicole’s quarterly publication, Hausfrau muthah-zine.  Get there.

 
 

It may sounds like a skin disorder, but the official name of the Portland’s new D-Leage b-ball team is the Maine Red Claws.  The Sea Donkey write in campaign proved to be no match for the overwhelming number of votes for the MRC’s.  If management is wise, they will just hire the Three Sons Lobster that stands out in front of RiRa’s as their mascot.

 
 

Written by one-time stand up comic Deborah Zoe Laufer and making worldwide debut at Portland Stage.  A solid write-up was recently posted on The Bollard.

 
 
 
 

The NBA’s little know Development League (aka D-League), is moving into Portland.  The team’s owners are clamoring for a name and have opened up voting to the public.  The 7 proposed options are almost as unfortunate as the name of the league:  Maine Beacons, Maine Crushers, Maine Claws, Maine Destroyers, Maine Red Claws, Maine Swarm and Maine Traps.  Maine Traps?  What does that even mean?  And Swarm?  Isn’t that a WNBA team?  How about the Maine Mollusks, or Portland Hipsters?  Personally, I am going with my favorite write-in option: The Portland Sea Donkey’s.  You can vote here:  www.nbamaine.com. 

 
 

Pecha Kucha at Space tonight.  Come see what the creative types around Portland are working on.  Each presenter gets to wow the crowd with 20 slides, 20 seconds each.  That’s like 6.66666666 minutes per person.  From what I have read of the Rockland Pech Kucha, it seems like a pretty good time.  Plus Space has a lovely little bar in the corner of the gallery, should the presentations go south.  Doors open at 6:30 and PowerPoint gets fired up at 7:20.