Your weekly guide to the best of Bangor

Riley Green brings his "Cowboy as It Gets Tour" to Maine Savings Amphitheater on Saturday night, joined by Justin Moore, Zach John King, and Hannah McFarland. Show starts at 7pm. If you've got a teenager headed back to school next week, this might be the send-off they need. Tickets start at $86 at waterfrontconcerts.com.

Sunday, head to Brewer for the Champion the Cure Car Show at the Lafayette Family Cancer Center. Classic cars, vendors, music, door prizes, and a community turning out for something that matters. The event raises money for local cancer care. Want to register your car or just come cheer for winners? All are welcome. Head to CTCChallenge.org for details.

Five exhibitions are still on view at the Zillman Art Museum on the UMaine campus through September 5. Worth the short drive if you haven't made it over yet this summer.

Ever tried to make dough in your regular mixer?

The results aren’t pretty: Clumpy texture. Stodgy bread. Overheated motors.

So, how do the pros get it right?

Introducing Ooni Halo Core Spiral Mixer.

Its secret is the same dough-making technology that professional bakers have used for decades.

Until now, most spiral mixers have been industrial-sized machines with industrial-sized price tags.

They also only made dough. And that gets a no from us.

To put the same professional tech into the hands of home bakers, we rebuilt the spiral mixer — creating a mighty little machine that can whip, beat and knead to professional high standards.

Upgrade to Ooni Halo Core

MJ's Italian Bistro opened August 7 at 16 Union Street, in the space longtime locals know as the old Carolina's Sports and Spirits. Owner Mark Greenleaf ran Carolina's and is back with something different: casual Italian fine dining, four evenings a week.

The name MJ comes from his future son Marcus, who's due in October. Greenleaf describes it as a great date spot where your food actually comes at a pace that lets you enjoy it. Follow their socials for hours before you head in.

While you're catching up on what's new downtown: Rasa, at 175 Exchange Street, is serving dosas, biryani, and fresh naan from a clay oven.

Eric Pelletier has been showing up for Bangor for more than 20 years. Last week, the city made it official.

The City Council voted unanimously on August 10 to name Pelletier the permanent Chief of the Bangor Fire Department. He joined the department in 2005 after working his way through the ranks at Hermon. In Bangor, he went from lieutenant to captain to deputy chief. When Chief Geoffrey Low resigned in June, Pelletier stepped in and kept things steady without missing a beat.

The Bangor Fire Department answers nearly 11,000 calls a year, one of the largest in the state. Pelletier's been in the building, doing the work, for two decades. The unanimous vote says everything.

Humpback whales are feeding in Penobscot Bay, and people can't stop talking about it. Dozens of close-to-shore sightings have rolled in near Stockton Springs, Searsport, and Belfast Harbor over the past month. Researchers from the College of the Atlantic's Allied Whale have identified at least four individual whales.

If you're heading to the midcoast this weekend, keep your eyes on the water. The show is free. Just please keep your distance if you spot one. Boat strikes are a real risk when whales come this close to shore.

Presented by: Foam Rush Maine

Back to school is almost here. Bangor-area schools are kicking off the new year soon. If you've got kids heading back, this is the weekend to get supplies sorted and schedules locked in.

Champion the Cure Car Show is Sunday, August 16 at the Lafayette Family Cancer Center in Brewer. Register your car or plan to attend: CTCChallenge.org.

This week's photo by Ken D'Errico.

Got a great shot of greater Bangor? Submit it for a chance to be featured in Queen City Weekly. Submit your photo here.

If you or someone you know needs a meal or groceries, here are some places operating in Bangor right now. Call ahead to confirm hours before you go.

Salvation Army Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen, 65 South Park St. Meals Monday through Friday, 11:30am to 1pm. Food pantry Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 to 11am (walk-in). 207-535-9572.

Manna Ministry, 95 Center St. Hot meals Monday through Friday, 4 to 5pm. Food pantry Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 3 to 4pm.

Brick Church, 126 Union St. Meals Monday through Friday, 4:30 to 5:30pm. Clothes and showers also available Tuesday and Thursday, 10am to 2pm.

Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, 263 Main St. Soup kitchen daily at 11:45am. Food pantry Sunday and Tuesday, 1 to 4pm (one visit per month).

Bangor Food Pantry, 28 High St. (at Hammond Street Congregational Church). Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am to noon. Bangor residents only.

Bangor Region YMCA, 17 Second St. Food pantry Tuesdays 6 to 8am, Thursdays 6 to 7:30pm, Saturdays 12:30 to 2:30pm.

Have an announcement, job posting, event, or local news tip for Queen City Weekly? Reply to this email or reach us at [email protected].

Got a great shot of greater Bangor? Submit it for a chance to be featured right here. Submit your photo here.

Paid sponsorships available. Contact [email protected] to learn more.

Queen City Weekly publishes every Friday morning. Forward this to someone who loves Bangor.

Instagram: @queencityweekly | Facebook: QueenCityWkly

That's the week. Go vote in that photo contest before 10 tonight and be sure to get outside this weekend.

Have an amazing week, and see you next Friday. — Ken, Editor

Queen City Weekly | Greater Bangor, Maine