Education; Descrimination; Pronounciation

PORTLAND — Erica Archer has come a long way from her neophyte wine days, "Sutter Home White Zinfandel from the gas station on the way home from waitressing." Now she runs Wine Wise, hosting the sort of educational events detailed on Maine Today. "By the end of the class, you'll feel like wine conqueror prepared to storm any wine shop within a 50-mile radius. Or maybe that's just the wine talking. Still, your wine confidence will have grown." [MT]

AUGUSTA — A blind man who claimed that he was treated differently from other customers because of his service dog, "likely was discriminated against by the Great Wall Buffet" according to the Bangor Daily News, reporting on findings of the Maine Human Rights Commission. If the man, Bruce Archer, and the restaurant, "now cannot settle the dispute through mediation, Archer can sue in Superior Court." [BDN]

PORTLAND — Not sure how to pronounce boo yah behss (bouillabaisse) or nyo kee (gnocchi)? Maine Today's got a handy "Say It, Eat It" guide, complete with the voice of Anestes Fotiades from Portland Food Map to demonstrate exactly how it's done. Why?" We want to eat unique cuisine and step out of our culinary comfort zones. ... But we also don't want to sound like complete idiots when ordering." [MT]

Erica Archer of Wine Wise (center) talks to guests on a wine tasting cruise. [Photo: Trip Advisor]