Veggie recalls
Connected to the recall of organic carrots from Grimmway Farms, 4Earth Farms of California recalled “multiple brands of Organic Vegetable Medley, Conventional Vegetable Medley, and Organic Whole Carrots because it may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli),” according to a company announcement from Nov. 27. The products, which have “best by” dates of Sept 7 through Nov. 2, were distributed to seven states, including New Hampshire, according to the announcement, which is available at fda.gov.
Meanwhile, SunFed Produce announced a recall on Nov. 27 of whole cucumbers with the grower’s name “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.” due to potential salmonella contamination, according to a company announcement also available at fda.gov. The recalled cucumbers were sold between Oct. 12 and Nov. 26 to several states and Canadian provinces, not including New Hampshire but including Massachusetts, the recall said. “The cucumbers would have reached consumers through food service and retail outlets that may be located in states other than those listed above,” the announcement said. See the FDA’s website for product specifics.
Fuel Assistance Program
Dec. 1 marked the official opening of the New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Program (FAP), which helps vulnerable Granite State families with their heating bills. Last winter the program provided assistance to more than 28,400 households with an average benefit of $1,284 to help with heating costs, according to a press release.
The Fuel Assistance Program is a federally funded program administered by the New Hampshire Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with New Hampshire’s Community Action Agencies. It’s known in Washington as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP, according to the release.
The Fuel Assistance Program provides assistance to New Hampshire families and seniors whose annual household income is at or below 60 percent of the State Median Income, the highest amount allowed by federal statute. This year that means that means an annual maximum income of $87,949 for a family of four or $45,733 for a single-person household, according to the release.
More than 23,000 households have already applied for this winter, according to the release, and households can also apply for the NH Electric Assistance Program at the same time, which provides eligible households with a discount on their electric bill.
Households that qualify for the program are also eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which can help homeowners make improvements and upgrades that provide further reductions in energy costs.
To apply to the program, New Hampshire residents should contact their local Community Action agency. For Information about the NH’s Community Action agencies, including locations and contact information, visit capnh.org. Visit energy.nh.gov and find information about the Fuel Assistance Program under the Help with Energy and Utility Bills tab.
Save the sturgeon
According to a press release, the Atlantic coastal states of New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia have scheduled hearings to gather public input to an addendum to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Dogfish to reduce accidental capture of Atlantic sturgeons in nets made for spiny dogfish. In addition to the Dec. 11 hearing, stakeholders are welcome to participate in any of the virtual hearings, according to the release.
While the 2024 stock assessment update for Atlantic sturgeon showed signs of improvement, the stock remains depleted coastwide, according to the release.
The hearings are on Wednesday, Dec. 11, Tuesday, Dec. 17, and Wednesday, Dec.18, from 6 to 8 p.m. To register for a virtual public hearing webinar, find links at nhfishandgame.com. The Draft Addendum is available via the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s website at asmfc.org/about-us/public-input. Visit wildnh.com/marine.
Metallica scholars
The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) was recognized as the first institution in the Granite State to receive grant funding for the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) through All Within My Hands (AWMH), Metallica’s foundation, according to a press release.
The nonprofit philanthropic organization was created by the members and management of the band Metallica. CCSNH was awarded $75,000 to support students developing trade skills at New Hampshire’s seven community colleges, according to the release.
In New Hampshire, the Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges administered the grant and awarded 224 students with $50,575 of financial assistance to date to offset the cost of specialized equipment, materials, protective gear or other degree-specific equipment. The students receiving assistance had majors including health sciences and services, hospitality and culinary, industry and transportation and STEM/advanced manufacturing, according to the release.
In a statement, James Hetfield, Metallica’s lead vocalist and guitarist, said, “I am so proud — we all are — to see how this program is changing lives by providing much-needed resources to empower students, and it’s great that we’re able to make our biggest grant yet to support these students and the future workforce. … This year, our program will be in 60 schools in all 50 states!”
Red River Theatres in Concord (11 S. Main St.; redrivertheatres.org) has two classic holiday screenings on the schedule next week: catch 2003’s Love Actually on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. and 1946’s It’s a Wonderful Life on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze will play one show at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. This long-running holiday theatrical event wraps a Broadway-style production around contemporary circus arts. Tickets start at $59.
Noel at LaBelle is an evening with NSquared Dance accompanied by a three-course meal by LaBelle Winery on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at LaBelle in Amherst (345 Route 101). Visit labellewinery.com for tickets.
The Picker Artists (3 Pine St. in Nashua; pickerartists.com) will hold their Holiday Open Studios on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
