Belfast, Maine, Pushes Ahead With Rail-Trail Along Key Corridor

Congratulations to the community of Belfast along Maine's central coast for its determined strides recently toward developing a new rail-trail.

Town officials said last month they are ready to go ahead and build a walking and recreation trail along a 3.5-mile, 100-foot-wide rail right-of-way between the Armistice footbridge in downtown Belfast and the Waldo town line to the northeast.

According to a story in Waldo Village Soup, Belfast council voted in 2010 to purchase the right-of-way along approximately three miles of the old Belfast and Moosehead Lake rail corridor for $200,000, with the intention of creating a multi-purpose trail.

Despite widespread demand for the transportation and recreation benefits that rail-trails invariably bring, there has been some opposition to the city's proposal from a handful of residents who own land along the corridor. Landowners have expressed unfounded fears that a trail close to their property would increase vandalism, crime and dumping.

To its credit, the city has not let threats of legal action by landowners dissuade it from building the community resource, inspired by the tremendous success of rail-trails in similar-sized communities across the region.

When complete, the rail-trail will add much more than its own three miles to the region's trail network. The corridor will link several preserves on the west side of the Passagassawakeag River, which are managed by the Camden-based Coastal Mountains Land Trust (CMLT). CMLT has pledged $100,000 toward the city's land purchase expenses related to building the trail.

The rail-trail will also connect to the planned Belfast Harbor Walk, which is slated to stretch from the Armistice footbridge south along the water to Steamboat Landing.

Carl Knoch, manager of trail development for Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Northeast Regional Office, visited Belfast in the fall of 2010 and was struck by the great potential of the corridor.

"There really isn't anything like it in that region," he says. "It is fantastic to see the city acting so decisively to provide an amenity that will do so much for many residents and businesses."

Photos by Carl Knoch/RTC.

HBO cancels 'Luck' after third horse death

HBO has pulled the plug on its gambling drama "Luck" after controversy erupted over the deaths of three horses during production.

“It is with heartbreak that executive producers David Milch and Michael Mann together with HBO have decided to cease all future production on the series 'Luck,' ” the network said in a statement.

The statement continues: “Safety is always of paramount concern.  We maintained the highest safety standards throughout production, higher in fact than any protocols existing in horseracing anywhere with many fewer incidents than occur in racing or than befall horses normally in barns at night or pastures.  While we maintained the highest safety standards possible, accidents unfortunately happen and it is impossible to guarantee they won’t in the future.  Accordingly, we have reached this difficult decision."

The network will air the rest of the first season’s episodes but will not continue with the second season, which had been ordered.

“Luck” was a high-profile bet for HBO. It starred Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte and was shot on location at the Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. HBO made the unusual move of renewing the show for a second season after the first episode of the series premiered earlier this year.

However, the ratings for “Luck” were low, and although critics praised the show's artistry, its slow story lines were a frustration to many viewers.

Mann and Milch offered the following statement: “The two of us loved this series, loved the cast, crew and writers.  This has been a tremendous collaboration and one that we plan to continue in the future.”

NH Fish & Game: Take Down Bird Feeders; Bears Are Out

Bird Feeders Should Be Down By March 15, Officials Say

CONCORD, N.H. -- The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department recommends taking down bird feeders now as bears remained active during the winter and more will be emerging from their dens shortly.

Officials usually use April 1 as the recommended time for taking down bird feeders, but food is readily available for bears after a mild winter, so they'll be active earlier.

Officials said food such as beachnuts kept bears active in December and January, and limited snowpack makes it easy to find food now.

Fish and Game recommends keeping the bird feeders down until Dec. 1, and securing garbage is just as important.

Fish and Game said spring is a critical time for bears. They typically lose 25 percent of their body weight during the denning period.

Residential prevention

• Take down, clean and put away bird feeders by April 1. Store the bird feeder until late fall. (Birds will do just fine with the natural foods available.) Bear damage to bird feeders is a common and growing spring complaint.
• Clean up spilled seed below feeder stations.
• Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Double bagging and the use of ammonia will reduce odors that attract bears.
• Garbage for pickup should be put outside the morning of collection and not the night before.
• Do not place meat or sweet food scraps in your compost pile.
• Do not leave pet food or dishes outdoors at night.
• Clean up and/or store outdoor grills after use.
• Use a bear-proof dumpster.
• Never intentionally feed bears to attract them to your yard for viewing. Since 2006, it is also illegal to intentionally feed bears.

What you should do if you encounter a black bear

• Normal trail noise should alert bears to your presence and prompt them to move without being noticed. However, if you see a bear, keep your distance. Make it aware of your presence by clapping, talking or making other sounds.
• If a bear does not immediately leave after seeing you, the presence or aroma of food may be encouraging it to stay. Remove any sight or smell of foods. Place food items inside a vehicle or building. Occupy a vehicle or building until the bear wanders away.
• Black bears will sometimes "bluff charge" when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground and slowly back away.
• Enjoy watching black bears and other wildlife from a distance. Respect them and their right to live in wild New Hampshire.
• Black bears do not typically exhibit aggressive behavior, even when confronted. Their first response is to flee. Black bears rarely attack or defend themselves against humans.
• More Bear tips: http://ow.ly/9F3t7 

FULL FISH AND GAME RECOMENDATIONS:  CLICK HERE

NH Snowmobile Trail Report 3-9-2012

March 9, 2012 Update Early spring conditions. Watch for open water bars and ice. Many gates have been closed. Use Caution. Lakes and Ponds are not safe. Pittsburg- 3-5" new snow. 4-8" base in higher elevations and 3-5" in lower. Grooming is ongoing, and overall riding is considered good with the exception of marginal riding in town.  Young’s field is now closed.  Please pay attention to all signage! There are still logging operations going on. Perry Stream Rd is closed to snowmobile traffic and stay on the side of Magalloway Rd; some shared roads and are posted 10 mph. Lakes are still considered to be unsafe!  For more details go to www.pittsburgridgerunners.org. Colebrook- Spring riding, watch for open water, icy conditions, snow is thin in lower elevations. Higher elevations watch for open water bars, ice in corners. Groomers will be out when conditions allow. For more info go to www.colebrookski-bees.com Stratford- 1" new snow on a 4-6" base. Trails are groomed and riding is good. There will be a dog sled race in the area on Saturday, use caution. Groveton/Nash Stream- 4-8" base. Trails are groomed and riding is good. 5 South closed. Diamond Pond/Coleman State Park- 10-12" base. Trails are groomed and riding is good to great. Several logging operations going on. Lake ice is marginal. Warming hut open Saturday and Sunday. Gas pumps open 24/7.  for more info go to www.swiftdiamondriders.com Errol- 2" new snow. 1-5" base. Trails are groomed and riding is good. Cambridge- 4-6" base. Trails are groomed and riding is good. Milan- 4-6" base. Trails are groomed and riding is good. Twin Mtn- 3-10" base. Trails are groomed and riding is moderate to good. Trails in town Twin are closed. Riding in the Base Station areas is also considered moderate to good. Dalton- 3-5" base. Trails are Not groomed and riding is marginal in lower elevations and moderate to good higher elevations. Grooming will continue when weather permits. Berlin- 4-6" base.  Trails are groomed and riding is good. For more details, go towww.whitemtridgerunners.com Berlin/Success- 3-6" base. Trails are groomed and riding is good. Gorham- 0-4" base. Trails are groomed and riding is marginal to good. Use caution around logging jobs. For more info go to www.presidentialrangeriders.org Jefferson- 3-5" base. Trails are groomed and riding is good. Trails in town of Jefferson are closed. For more details go to www.waumbekmethna.com Franconia Notch- 4-6" base. Trails are groomed at riding is good. Corr 11 North of Notch is not groomed and riding is marginal. Campton/Thornton- 0-6" base. Trails are groomed riding is marginal to good. Corr 11 Rail line not groomed use caution. Bear Notch- 4-8" base. Trails are groomed including rail section. Riding is good. Use Caution and watch for mushers and skiers. Sandwich Notch – Not groomed however some good riding. Spring conditions. Conway/ Chatham- 2-6" base. Trails are groomed and riding is moderate to good. East Conway to Maine groomed on Corridor 19 and riding is good. Ossipee- 3-4" base. RR tracks closed. Whiteface to Wonolancet and Whiteface marginal riding. Castle trails closed Pisgah State Park- Closed. Pillsbury State Park- Closed Rail Lines: Gates that are closed. Northern: Gates closed Ashuelot: Gates closed Fort Hill:  Gates closed Sugar River: Gates closed Concord to Lincoln:  Gates closed Additional Resources and Information Please be safe and ride with caution. Respect our landowners. Watch speeds and stay to the right. For more information contact brenda.drouin@dred.state.nh.us.  2012 NH Snowmobile Corridor Map   (For a printed map contact NHSA or the Bureau of Trails) Snowmobile Trail Conditions Reports Snowmobile Club Information Snowmobile User Information Snow Depth Map NH Weather Radar

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West Boylston Farm Turns Over 34 Sick Miniature Horses « CBS Boston

 BOSTON (CBS) – A large scale rescue effort is underway at the Animal Rescue League of Boston and The MSPCA, after a farm owner in West Boylston who was unable to care for 34 sick miniature horses, turned them over to animal officials.

 The ARL and the MSPCA Nevins-Farm are both involved in the effort to nurse the animals back to health. 

Animal doctors say the horses are all in very poor condition and are suffering from parasite and skin infections.

 “These horses are extremely malnourished due to the alarmingly high level of intestinal parasites that are interfering with their ability to absorb nutrients,” explains Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, director of Veterinary Medical Services at the Animal Rescue League of Boston. The ARL says that the cost of treating the horses will run into the tens of thousands of dollars. They are asking anyone who may be interested in donating to visit their website.