In the "Further Evidence the Economy Stinks" category, I give you PORTopera.

The Portland opera company, which for 14 years has presented first-rate opera productions once a summer at Merrill Auditorium, is scaling back this year, fearful of being engulfed by the economic swoon.

Instead of two fully-staged performances of "Don Pasquale," PORTopera will present a single grand concert, with full orchestra, singers from past productions and Robert Moody at the podium, on July 30 at Merrill.

Don Head, PORTopera board president, said the decision to scale back has everything to do with money. The opera company does not want to face the prospects of trying to sell tickets to two performances. By doing a single concert instead of a two fully-staged productions, the company saves money on production costs, salaries and other expenses.

"As we anticipate continuing financial uncertainty, we are eliminating the risk a full opera production poses, replacing it with an alternative event that celebrates our 15 years of producing world-class opera for audiences in Maine," Head said in a statement.

He also said the company would return in 2010 with a fully-staged opera. "We will not lose track of our mission: to present great operatic masterpieces in Maine."

Maine painter Mary Brooking brings this sad news: On March 8 in the late afternoon, someone stole one of her paintings from the Frog & Turtle restaurant in Westbrook.

The title of the painting is "Startle Blue." It is a soft landscape, in blue and earth tones, showing a marsh, water and mountains. Its title is written on the back, along with Brooking's full signature and the year, 2008. Brooking's small signature ("m-a-r-y" in a square) is in the lower right corner of the painting.

She writes, "If anyone approaches you about buying this painting, please act interested enough to get the contact information, or, if you see it in someone's house, please contact either me or Detective Steve Crocker of the Westbrook Police at scrocker@westbrook.me.us."