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Portland, with its population at 64,358, is a lot of fun for a little city. Situated on Casco Bay, you must wear your walking shoes to see Portland at its best as the downtown area is just the right size to cover on foot. Many visitors refer to Portland as the "San Francisco of the East", because of its historic working waterfront, ethnic neighborhoods and spectacular vistas. Stroll along the cobbled side streets past historic homes and landmarks. The architecture captures the character of the city. There's the opulence of the Victoria Mansion, the elegance of the Custom House, and the towering grandeur of Portland City Hall.
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Portland is an easy going place. The dress is casual, the spirit is friendly, and the emphasis is on fun. Downtown guides, dressed in white outback hats and purple shirts are "walking information booths" ready to give you directions, maps and tips on everything from where to have lunch to what ferry to catch.
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Portland is Maine's cultural capital. Congress Street is the hub of the Arts District, branching off to the Portland Symphony Orchestra, Portland Stage Company, Performing Arts Center, Oak Street Theatre, and the Maine College of Art. The Summer Performance Series offers over 50
outdoor noon concerts in the area parks and squares.
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The Old Port offers one-of-a-kind shopping and dining. The historic commercial district if full of quaint brick restaurants, shops and galleries and the waterfront is teeming with activity. Take a ferry and cruise through Casco Bay past scenic lighthouses, forts and islands. There are whale watches, sunset trips, naturalist tours and more.
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The greater Portland area also offers golf, horseback riding, windjammer sailing, white water rapids, and deep sea fishing. A visit to Nova Scotia is just an overnight cruise on the Scotia Prince.
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The Holiday Inn by the Bay is an award winning hotel, having won the Torchbearer Award given to the top 37 Holiday Inns in the country for excellence in customer service, product quality and community involvement. The hotel is situated on a hill overlooking Casco Bay and the Historic downtown waterfront area. Right across the street from the Holiday Inn by the Bay hotel is the Museum of Fine Arts and the Children's Museum of Maine. The hotel provides a large indoor pool,
saunas and a fitness center. There is complimentary parking for registered quests, as well as complimentary shuttle service to and from the Portland International Jetport, which is just 3.5 miles away.
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The Program committee is working diligently to offer NAOSMM members quality seminars for the 1998 conference. Keeping in mind that a large part of our membership is represented by smaller universities and colleges, we are trying to gear some of the topics to this group, while
maintaining the interest level for all. Some of the subjects that will be addressed at the conference are:
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<li>a review of the Biotechnology and Molecular Biology for those of us who feel left behind on the biotechnology superhighway. </li>
<li>a program on computer system management of multiple facilities via the Internet. </li>
<li>an overview and preparation for career opportunities in Biotechnology (why do we teach proper lab technique to science undergraduates). </li>
<li>a seminar on DEA controlled substances, What You Need to Know.</li>
<li> comprehensive review of stable isotope applications and a glimpse into their future uses in teaching and research labs.</li>
<li>a seminar on glass interactions for analytical chemistry.</li>
<li>a review on modernization of stockrooms and purchasing processes.</li>
<li>and more topics including materials management, regulatory affairs, safety, etc. </li>
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