Tap , tap Smile! Portland just ranked No. 24 in National Geographic Ex- plorer’s list of “The 25 Happiest Cities in the United States.” A team of social scientists determined an in- dex to measure metropolitan merriment that “draws on nearly 250,000 interviews conducted with adults from 2014 to 2015 in 190 metropolitan areas across the U.S,” reports George Stone of Na- tional Geographic. Portland made the shortlist “based on metrics like walk- ability, access to nature, and civic en- gagement.” Of course, to us, Portland will always be number one. After a decade at Portland Sympho- ny Orchestra, music director Robert Moody will retire from the position at the close of the 2017/2018 season. Now it’s your turn to choose from the three finalists for his replacement from “over 240 applications from across the globe.” Ken-David Masur, Daniel Meyer, and Eckart Preu will perform two concerts each in Mer- rill Auditorium. Audience feedback will help select the winner. “I like the process of finding something that the local audience will respond to,” says Masur. “Something that will trigger their soul. And I’m looking forward to systematically exploring the city’s many good restaurants.” For just $5 you could be the proud owner of a new home–a tiny one. The Maine State Lot- tery recently introduced the “Tiny Homes, Big Wins” draw. Winners will receive a cus- tom-built small house, including $1,000 in bonus cash toward decoration. With each prize home valued at $60,000 this game might just be worth the gamble. Tickets available through December 9. The next winner will be drawn December 12. Letters for Jacob Big Little Lottery 16 p o r tl a n d monthly magazine Jacob Thompson of Saco has requested an early holiday gift: Christmas cards and letters from across the country. The nine- year-old is fighting Stage 4 neuroblastoma in the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center. A GoFund- Me page written by Jacob’s parents says this will be “the last time” he is admitted. So far, Jacob has received over 14,000 letters of support and goodwill, including messages from Portland native Anna Kendrick, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and, most recently, two penguins. The Portland Press Herald reports that two African penguins were transported from the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut to Jacob’s bedside. Ja- cob’s mantra is “live like a penguin,” according to his mother, Michelle Thompson Simard. You can donate to Jacob at gofundme.com/xkcjc8 or send a letter to Jacob at the Maine Medi- cal Center on 22 Bramhall Street, Portland. from top: courtesy portland symphony orchestra; adobe; corey templeton; wind river tiny homes