Portland Millennials

We're completing the Book Riot's 2026 Read Harder Book Challenge. The challenge is simple - there's a list of 24 objectives ranging from genre types to books written by diverse authors and you try to complete as many objectives as possible.

As a group, each month we choose one task to complete. Each person gets to pick their own book - and the following month, we'll discuss the books we chose and pick our next objective as a group.

This month's chosen objective: Read a book written by an African author

The goal: Finish all 24. Yes, books can 'complete' more than one objective if you choose well. Feel free to discuss books in the comments.

You can track your tasks completed on a PDF.

It's a book club without the assigned book - you only read the books you choose!

I'll post updates in the comments so keep an eye out for those notifications. Stay home if you're feeling ill or exposed to someone sick.

Let’s hang out at Thompson's Point for Summer Sunsets Live with all the summer good stuff: Live music, beautiful scenery, food trucks, local cocktails and brews. Entry is free and you can also carry-in picnic food! Make sure to bring a picnic blanket or chair; we'll sit together in the grass. This event is on-leash dog-friendly and kid friendly. Thompson's Point does NOT let people carry-in drinks, alcohol or non-alcohol. There a place to fill a water bottle if you bring an empty one.

The band playing and food truck line-up is TBA - Thompson's Point will announce them on Instagram when the event gets closer. This event is outdoors so weather permitting.

Finding us: I'll post a comment on the event when I arrive so you know how to find us. It's a big area, but I'll be as descriptive as possible, so make sure to check here for that info. DM me if you can't find us.

Getting there: Walking or biking is encouraged. There are buses that go to Thompson's Point too. If you need to drive, please be aware that the parking lot is pay-to-park 24/7!

Stay home if you're feeling ill or exposed to someone sick.

Pumpkin Valley Farm is hosting Sunflower Fest with a big ole field full of sunflowers for us to gawk at and prance around in! Who's in?!

It's $15/person to enter the farm. Besides the flowers, they have farm animals to check out and maybe some live music that day. Cut your own Sunflowers $2 stem. After that, we can have lunch. You can bring a picnic lunch into farm (no outside alcohol) or the farm serves wood fired pizza, beer, and wine until 3pm. Credit card is accepted except at the concession stand that sells kettle corn, hot dogs, lemonade, and soft serve ice cream.

This event is weather permitting. Pumpkin Valley Farm is about 35 minutes southwest of Portland. We'll plan on arriving at the farm at 1pm and meet by the admission stand. Carpooling is encouraged.

I'll post updates in the comments, so keep an eye out for those notifications. I'll also post a comment on the event when I arrive so you know how to find us.

They don't allow dogs. It’s a good idea to wear athletic or hiking shoes (something you don’t mind getting a little dirty) and dress for the weather. Check out the farm's FAQ for more info.

Stay home if you're feeling ill or exposed to someone sick.

• Where will we be?: Meet us in the "overflow" room on Level 2 just down the hall from Council chambers. This room is set up with a TV broadcasting the meeting from chambers and has a comfortable setup with conference tables and chairs. After business hours, you will need to enter City Hall through the side entrance on Myrtle St. There are friendly security staff by the Myrtle St door that can tell you where to go.
• What are we doing there?: Getting a sense of local governance and how our city ticks. Feel free to bring a snack or non-alcoholic drink with you to the overflow room. Talking, eating, and drinking are perfectly fine in this room. It's a casual atmosphere. No participation in public comment necessary, but if you want, there is public comment on non-agenda items right at the start of the meeting, and public comment on other agenda items throughout the meeting.
• What to expect: A meeting agenda will be posted by the city at least a couple days in advance and we'll let you know when that's available. The council covers all sort so city governance including business licenses, departmental budgets, housing and urban development, historic preservation, parks & rec, etc. The council follows parliamentary procedure. You can look at past agenda/minutes or watch previous meetings here: https://www.portlandmaine.gov/602/Agendas-Minutes
• Why go to a city council meeting?: Because government decisions at the city level have a HUGE impact on our lives, and it's actually super interesting to see how the city operates and why things are the way they are. Being informed about what is happening in the city is cool, even if you don't want to be directly involved.
• Why is this a meetup?: Because city government is another aspect of community, and community building is the point of having meetups. We do not have a political motive or goal for organizing this event, and all respectful viewpoints are welcome.
• Who is my district's city councilor? You can find your city district on this map and then see which councilor is elected to your district here. There are 5 districts in Portland represented by different councilors, plus 3 "at large" councilors who represent everyone.
• Transportation/Parking: City Hall is centrally located on the peninsula and is a few blocks away from the GP Metro Pulse if the bus is an option for you. For drivers, there is 1 or 2 hour street parking around the area, and parking is free after 6pm.

I'll post updates in the comments so keep an eye out for those notifications. Stay home if you're feeling ill or exposed to someone sick.