After a pandemic-induced hiatus of over a year, Jim Norton returned to live comedy last autumn, then stopped performing in early October. He’s back on the road, with a brief Northeast jaunt kicking off at Laconia’s Colonial Theatre on Feb. 17. Norton spoke with the Hippo by phone recently, in an interview that touched on his edgy, no-holds-barred act, the state of comedy in an era of cancel culture, and how far he’s willing to go for his craft (spoiler alert — there are no limits).
Are you the same guy on and off stage, or do you turn it up when you perform?
You have to turn it up. There are times when I’m being 100 percent to-the-word honest, and there are times where I’m just being kind of honest, and there are times where I’m being just an a——. I don’t feel a need to be married to any one of those things if I’m having fun and I’m enjoying the jokes I’m doing. So, yeah, it is an exaggerated form of myself.
That a topic doesn’t have to be funny to be funny in a bit seems like kind of a guiding principle for you.
Throughout comic history things that aren’t funny are used to make people laugh. Go to something as benign as The Three Stooges. The way people literally look at comedy today, Moe would be canceled for slapping Larry and hitting Curly with a wrench. Those are physically violent things, but slapstick is never called out. … Most subjects on their own can be very sad or depressing or unsettling. I never need a subject to be funny to make fun of it.
You’ve observed that actors can play the worst people in the world without being criticized, but comedians are held to a different standard.
I think that’s because people are self-centered and they want their own personal comfort space with humor to be respected [and] they use your joke to springboard into the discussion. … People are too mentally lazy or stupid to start a conversation about the subject on their own. … I have zero respect for that, because I think the whole thing is a lie. … Lenny Bruce was technically a victim of it and Andrew Dice Clay in 1989 was the victim of it. So it’s not this … new soft generation; we’ve always been doing it.
One of your first big breaks was with Dice. What was the milieu like back then?
I expected it to be this wild sex fest on the road with all these hot girls. Meanwhile, after the show, all he wanted to do was hang out with his friends and lay in the hotel room and eat little chocolate treats…. But what an education as far as how to handle an aggressive audience … it made me a much stronger comic.
Is there a line that can’t be crossed?
No, no, no. … The problem is when people want something punitive to happen to the person who made the joke, that’s where it’s wrong. To have your own line is great, and we all have it. The problem is, we should never expect something to be done about it. Someone crossed the line; you didn’t like it. That’s the beginning and end of the conversation.
How about the Neil Young/Spotify controversy?
I would have respected Neil a lot more if he just left, but I also find some of what they’re doing to be a virtue signal. … Joe is a very close friend of mine for almost 30 years, but you know who I go to for medical advice? Doctors. I’m a grown man, and I listen to doctors that I know, so they may agree with Joe about some things, they may disagree with him, [but] I take responsibility for my own finding out of information. I don’t look to a podcaster or a comedian or a news pundit.
What other things are in the pipeline for you that fans should know about?
It’s more like just getting back to doing gigs. I would love to shoot another special but just getting back to gigs for me right now is the most important thing. I’m literally loving it. Like I’ve never taken a break before, and taking that year off was crazy. Going back on, I appreciate it like I haven’t appreciated it since I was in my first or second year, back in the early ’90s.
Jim Norton
When: Thursday, Feb. 17, 8 p.m. Where: Colonial Theatre, 617 Main St., Laconia Tickets: $32 to $62 at etix.com
J. Lo plays a pop star who makes the pop decision to marry a rando at her concert in Marry Me, a series of music videos with rom-com-ery squished in between and I am fine with that.
Kat Valdez (Jennifer Lopez) is a pop megastar engaged to fellow pop megastar Bastian (Maluma). After performing their hit song “Marry Me” at a lavishly costumed Kat Valdez concert, the two plan to get married on stage in front of the sold-out audience of concert-goers and millions more online. But during the costume change between the ballad and the ceremony, a story about Bastian cheating on Kat goes viral and Kat sees the report of his infidelities just as a riser brings her up on stage in her dazzling wedding dress, one of many awesome “ooo, nice!” outfits sported by Lopez and others in this movie.
Shocked, heartbroken and already killing it in a great dress, Kat Valdez decides she might as well marry somebody and says “yes, I’ll marry you” to a random guy in the audience holding a “Marry Me” sign: math teacher Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson).
Charlie knows basically nothing about Kat or Bastian or their music or what really is going on. He accepted teacher buddy Parker’s (Bedford’s own Sarah Silverman) invitation to the concert mostly because he thought it would improve his coolness standing with his daughter Lou (Chloe Coleman), who recently started attending Charlie’s school and had been bragging about how fun her mom’s new husband is. He was only holding the sign so that Parker could take a selfie. In the moment he is maybe a little bit dazzled by Kat, a little bit sympathetic to the idea of somebody going through a difficult situation and a little bit just stunned. When she pulls him on stage to marry her, he just sorta goes with it. Later, when her manager, Collin (John Bradley), asks him to basically date Kat for a while so they both look less crazy, Charlie agrees to it in part because she agrees to fundraise for his math team and in part because he genuinely wants to get to know her better.
We seem to have entered some phase in the culture where, at least for certain feel-good rom-com properties, nobody is that bad. Even Bastian isn’t a horrible villain. Nobody has to degrade anybody, nobody has to be an active jerk. We don’t have to see our heroine humiliated, we don’t have to like our hero in spite of anything. I’m liking this kindness and maturity approach to romance. It makes for a more pleasant viewing experience and it makes a whole lot more sense (wacky setup aside) with these characters who are “north of 35” as someone describes Kat at one point which, like, sure, they’re that, but those actors are also in their young 50s and it would probably be OK if the movie described them that way too.
But, baby steps, I can be happy with people having grown-up responses to things.
As mentioned, large parts of Marry Me do feel like their primary purpose is to get me to buy the Marry Me soundtrack, with songs by Jennifer Lopez and Maluma, which I’m strongly tempted to do because it’s solid pop music, frequently with Latin flair. Lopez is, of course, great at this and at blending the pop-star-performance part with the rom-com-heroine part of this role. Wilson’s role largely just requires him to not get in the way and occasionally be quietly funny — and he performs these functions absolutely fine, even if he doesn’t bring much in the way of his own sparkle to the proceedings.
Marry Me feels very traditional in its story beats and its characters but with just enough tweaks to keep it from feeling fusty and to make the entire experience more chocolate cake than stale candy bar. “Extremely pleasant and surprisingly enjoyable” doesn’t feel like a rave you’ll see on any movie posters but it does feel like a welcome addition to rom-com offerings. B
Rated PG-13. Directed by Kat Coiro with a screenplay by John Rogers & Tami Sagher and Harper Dill (based on the graphic novel by Bobby Crosby), Marry Me is an hour and 52 minutes long and distributed by Universal Pictures in theaters and via Peacock.
Death on the Nile (PG-13)
Kenneth Branagh mustaches back up as detective Hercule Poirot in Death on the Nile, another Agatha Christie adaptation that seems like a really elaborate live-action role-play game of Clue.
Branagh, for the record, is the only one winning at this particular game night. Well, Branagh and all the “below the line” costume, set design, hair and makeup types, who seem like they are also having a ball.
After a flashback to young Poirot that feels like vaguely interesting but irrelevant filler, we see Poirot in 1937 London, where he visits a nightclub that just happens to have a slew of people who will be important to the plot later. We see Jacqueline de Bellefort (Emma Mackey) and her fiance, Simon Doyle (Armie Hammer, bringing a whole layer to this movie that was almost certainly not intended at the time of shooting back in 2019), sexy dancing to the music of blues singer Salome Otterbourne (Sophie Okonedo), who is managed by her niece, Rosalie Otterbourne (Letitia Wright). Then Jacqueline’s (and, as we learn at some point, Rosalie’s) old friend Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot) arrives. Linnet is exceptionally wealthy and famous and looks like Gal Gadot. Simon, who had just been all but making out with Jacqueline on the dance floor, is instantly smitten with her.
Months later Poirot is vacationing in Egypt when he runs in to his old friend Bouc (Tom Bateman), who is also vacationing in Egypt with his mother, Euphemia (Annette Bening). As it turns out, they aren’t just there on a spontaneous holiday; they are also part of a larger party celebrating the recent wedding of Simon and Linnet. The group includes Linnet’s assistant Louise (Rose Leslie), her financial manager Katchardourian (Ali Fazal), her ex-boyfriend Dr. Windlesham (Russell Brand) and her godmother, Marie Van Schuyler (Jennifer Saunders), who has her own assistant, Bowers (Dawn French).
Also part of the group are the Otterbournes — because Salome was singing the night they met, the new couple brings them along.
Decidedly not invited is Jacqueline, who nevertheless seems to be following the group, insisting that Simon still loves her. Her behavior is so unhinged that Linnet decides to rent a boat so her group can be in its own controlled bubble. But naturally a locked room can still result in a murder and it is soon up to Poirot to catch “ze killah.”
Actually, in fairness, I don’t think he ever says exactly that; it’s more like “dhe mer-der-ehr” but it’s a whole to-do every time he says it. Poirot saying murderer or murder or killer is probably 60 percent of what works in this movie.
I didn’t hate this movie as much as some of the headlines for reviews I’ve been trying to avoid seemed to suggest I’d hate it. But that’s probably about the best I can say for it. This movie takes its pretty people and puts them in a pretty (if stagey) locale but it can’t bring much in the way of liveliness to that scenario. If anything, this movie highlights the flatness that Gal Gadot sometimes brings to her performances and the soap opera smarm of Armie Hammer (which kind of works here but maybe shouldn’t for this to actually be a mystery). Yes, Branagh seems to be having fun with his Agatha Christie cosplay, but he’s almost off in his own movie, having emotional beats where everybody else’s performance is at least 92 percent costume and hairstyle.
As a take on the locked room mystery, I could see a version of this movie with a sort of goofy puzzleness (and some fewer number of characters and shorter runtime) that would be above-average entertaining. I’m not saying genuinely funny in the Knives Out sense or campy like the old Clue movie; more like a kind of National Treasure meets Pirates of the Caribbean level of goofiness where everything feels like an amusement park ride version of a set and the characters aren’t afraid to go hammy. Here, Branagh hits those notes but everybody else is just too thin to add up to much more than backdrop for his Poirot.
Looking back at my review for Murder on the Orient Express, I think I disliked this movie less than that one, which might say more about me and my openness to any level of movie spectacle than it does about achievement of this particular movie. It isn’t a failure, but it is set up to only succeed as light popcorn adventure and on that level it just doesn’t offer the fun and chills that it needs to. C+
Rated PG-13 for violence, some bloody images, and sexual material, according to the MPA on filmratings.com. Directed by Kenneth Branagh with a screenplay by Michael Green (based on the book by Agatha Christie), Death on the Nile is two hours and seven minutes long and is distributed in theaters by Twentieth Century Studios
A new family-owned restaurant in Manchester is offering traditional African and Caribbean meals like oxtail stew, jerk chicken, goat meat and fried tilapia, in addition to all kinds of comfort options, from wing appetizers to burgers, macaroni and cheese and collard greens.
Gumaa’s Bar & Grill opened last month in the former Saigon Noodles space on Lincoln Street, just outside of downtown in the Queen City’s Kalivas Union neighborhood. The eatery serves lunch and dinner six days a week, according to manager Estella “Maya” Gumaa, whose mother, Aiesha Elmuhager, as well as her siblings and children, all have a hand in helping out.
“I come from a big family … and my dream was always to open a restaurant one day, because I’ve always loved to cook,” said Gumaa, who lives in Manchester but is originally from South Sudan. “I’ve been looking for a place for almost four years … and when this opportunity came along, I said, ‘You know what? Let me just jump in.’ My family has been very supportive.”
The restaurant’s menu incorporates dishes common across many African nations, as well as islands in the Caribbean. For plated entrees, there’s oxtail stew, curry chicken, goat meat, and whole marinated and fried tilapia. Each comes with a choice of two sides per order, like white or spicy rice, beans, fried sweet plantains, french fries, macaroni and cheese, and collard greens.
Harder-to-find options the eatery has served out of the gate include spicy okra stew and cow feet.
“The cow feet we prepare more like a soup … so we put it in a bowl and you can eat it just like that with a spoon, and some people like to have it with white rice on the side,” Gumaa said.
Beyond the traditional delicacies, Gumaa’s Bar & Grill does also have a variety of other familiar comfort foods available a la carte. The wings, for instance, feature several sauce flavors like Buffalo, barbecue and jerk, while other items have included chicken, beef or vegetable samosas, mozzarella sticks, barbecue ribs, chicken tender baskets, and shrimp, chicken or steak kebabs.
The restaurant has indoor seating and a full bar that Gumaa’s younger sister, Hillana Kodi, oversees. Gumaa said she hopes to add more items to the menu in the coming weeks and months.
“I’m starting slow right now, but gradually I’m going to add more … to make it a little bigger,” she said. “I want to add fried chicken, and maybe a lamb stew or fried lamb. … I also want to try to add things like spaghetti and meatballs and chicken alfredo.”
Gumaa’s Bar & Grill
Where: 342 Lincoln St., Manchester Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, noon to 1 a.m. (closed on Mondays) More info: Visit gumaas.com, find them on Instagram @gumaas603 or call 232-4154 to place a takeout order. Ordering is also available through DoorDash.
Featured photo: Chicken and shrimp kebabs. Photo courtesy of Gumaa’s Bar & Grill.
Animal caregivers weigh in on the best pet for you
By Angie Sykeny and Matt Ingersoll
Cats or dogs — which is the better pet for you? We asked local animal shelters, doggy day care and pet store owners to weigh in on the unique benefits to having either feline or canine companions, and the variety of different qualities present in each. Here’s a look at what they said.
Team Cats
Fascinating
Cats can be fun and entertaining to watch as they all have distinct personalities and their behavior is often unpredictable and full of surprises.
“Contrary to popular belief by non-cat people, cats are not all alike,” Hilscher said. “They are fascinating and very smart. … A cat can get you to do almost anything for them.”
Photo courtesy of The Cat’s Cradle in Deerfield.
Cathy Bailey, CFO and co-founder of Hearts and Tails Animal Alliance in Weare, said cats have a certain mystique that has “appealed to humans on a profound level for millennia.”
“Cats are … incredibly intelligent … and savvy — apparently the sole navigator of their own destiny,” Bailey said. “Possessing an innate beauty, … a cat is a treasure to behold … and to this day, we love to share our hearts and homes with them.”
Selective
Cats can be hard to please and picky about whom they choose to interact with, which makes winning their approval all the more rewarding.
“They are the ones that pick the time they want with their human,” said Jinelle Hobson, Salem Animal Rescue League executive director. “It’s on their terms.”
“I tend to favor cats because I feel like I have to earn their trust and love more so than with dogs,” Salem Animal Rescue League feline coordinator Tiffany Martin added.
Low maintenance
Caring for a cat is significantly less involved than caring for a dog, making them a good fit for people who work outside the home or travel frequently.
“When my husband and I bought our first home, we decided on a pet cat because we would both be away from home working all day,” said Kristen Westhoven, owner and operator of The Cat’s Cradle,a cat boarding business she runs out of her home in Deerfield. “We knew a dog would need more attention than a cat, so when a friend had a kitten up for adoption, we took him.”
In general, a cat can be alone at home for much longer periods of time than a dog could be, Hobson said, since they already have their food, water and litter box readily available to them.
“You can buy timed feeders and provide them with a cat water fountain so they have food and water,” SARL canine manager Katie Corso said. “They even have litter boxes that clean themselves.”
“If I’m running late I don’t have to worry about them as much, since they have food, water and a potty always available for them,” Martin added.
Seacoast Cat Club A New Hampshire-based affiliate of the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), a worldwide organization that registers more than 40 breeds of cats with individual pedigrees, the Seacoast Cat Club is open to all cat lovers. Most of their work revolves around their annual show in early May — this year’s show is set for Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, at the Douglas N. Everett Arena in Concord. “The primary reason for having a show is to have CFA judges handle the cats and judge them according to the CFA standards that are written up for each breed,” Seacoast Cat Club secretary Marilyn Conde said in an email. “The cat who fits the standard best is chosen as [the] best. However, there are also secondary placements. … It’s a hobby and a wonderful way to meet others who share a love of cats.” To become a member, annual dues are $15 per person. Find them on Facebook @seacoastcatclub for more details.
Affectionate
Because dogs tend to be more open with how they show their affection, they are often thought of as the more affectionate of the two pets, but cats can be equally affectionate; they’re just a bit more discerning in how and when they show that affection.
“To some, cats may seem aloof and indifferent, but in my experience, they’re gentle and affectionate … [and] oh so cuddly … when they want to be,” Bailey said.
“Contrary to popular belief, cats are loyal beings, albeit on their terms,” added April Guilmet, board of directors and events coordinator at Happy Tails Pet Rescue in Hudson.
Cats’ displays of affection are typically more subtle than those of dogs, but they’re there if you know what you’re looking for.
“When they give you the slow blink to let you know everything is OK, or when they squish up against you … all is right with the world,” said Adi Rule, vice president of Pet Tails Rescue in Northwood, “and their purrs are just magical.”
Testimonials
April Guilmet, board of directors and events coordinator at Happy Tails Pet Rescue
Cat fosterer (and dog owner)
April Guilmet. Courtesy photo.
“I currently have four cats living with me, or rather, they let me live with them. As an avid volunteer, I’ve been known to take my work home with me, and that means all my cats arrived as fosters and decided to stay. Each kitty has a very distinct personality. My rescued coonhound mix, Cannoli, is pretty much attached to me at the hip most days, whereas my cats Squeegie, Mikey, Aspen and Albert opt to seek attention at their convenience, which tends to be when I’m taking a shower or in a WebEx meeting.”
Tiffany Martin, feline coordinator at Salem Animal Rescue League
Cat owner
Tiffany Martin. Courtesy photo.
“My cat Bastet was surrendered to our shelter in July 2014 as a 5-year-old black semi-feral cat named Chaos. … At the shelter Chaos was very scared, and no one could pet her or get very close to her; she would run and hide up high. I knew that she was going to be overlooked at the shelter … so I told her she could come live at my house with my then-8-year-old son and me. If she decided she ever wanted pets, she could have them. We would love her for her. … It took just over a month of sitting or laying on the floor, just talking to her, letting her have her time to feel safe … before she started slowly coming out for pets. Now, she’s turning 13 this July, and she is a belly-rubbing love bug. Nothing compares to earning an animal’s trust and love.”
The money factor Whether you choose to become the parent of a dog or a cat, it’s important to consider the expenses associated with each. According to the ASPCA, the estimated annual costs of owning a cat are around $634, or roughly $53 per month. For dogs, these numbers vary a bit more and are largely dependent on the size of your pooch — the ASPCA estimates the range to be from about $512 per year ($42.66 per month) for smaller breeds like Boston Terriers and Pugs, about $669 per year ($55.75 per month) for medium breeds like German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers, and about $1,040.31 per year ($86.69 per month) for large dogs like Great Danes and Bullmastiffs. For both dogs and cats, all of the required expenses are taken into account, including food and regular medical care, but optional purchases or unexpected medical costs may also apply. The ASPCA also notes several ways that pet owners can save money, like making their own toys or treats. See aspcapetinsurance.com for more of a breakdown on costs.
Team Dogs
Man’s best friend
Cats are known to be elusive and difficult to read at times, whereas dogs tend to be more expressive and transparent. They’re good at developing special ways of communicating with their humans, and that rapport often grows stronger over time.
“I love the fact that we can learn a language that dogs want to learn,” said Amber McCune, manager and co-owner of American K9 Country, an animal care and event facility specializing in dog boarding and doggy daycare, obedience and agility classes, grooming, canine rehab and other services for dog-owners.
Many cats need their “me” time and can get irritated if their human doesn’t allow them to get some space when they need it, but that is not so much the case with dogs. You don’t have to worry about smothering them; if you have attention to give them, they will never turn it down.
“Dogs let you love on them for days,” said Laurie Gouley, social media director at Sato Heart Rescue in Milford. “Cats let you love on them when they allow it.”
If you want a pet that will always be by your side and accompany you as you go about your daily activities, a dog fits the bill. With a dog, you’ll never have to be alone if you don’t want to be.
“A dog makes a good companion,” Corso said. “I think dogs are well-suited to owners who might work from home or have more time to devote to their pet.”
Active
Photo courtesy of American K-9 Country in Amherst.
If you live an active lifestyle and spend a lot of time outdoors — or if you don’t but would like to start — a dog might be your perfect companion.
“You can train them, take them hiking, camping, swimming, to the dog park and go out to dog-friendly establishments in your community,” Corso said.
“I love being able to take them everywhere,” added Alyssa Mudgett, kennel technician at Darbster Doggy in Chichester.
Having a dog by your side can also be a great way to help you break the ice with new people and make friends.
“Dogs in particular can improve your social life,” Hobson said. “People stop all the time to give attention to dogs.”
Local dog parks
Derry Dog Park Fordway and Transfer Lane, Derry Hours: Sunrise to sunset, year-round Visit: derrynh.org Friend-Lee Pets Dog Park 40 Concord Road, Lee (directly behind the Friendly Pets store) Hours: Same as the Friendly Pets store in Lee (Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Visit: friendlypets.com Hooksett Dog Park 101 Merrimack St., Hooksett Hours: 6 a.m. to dusk, year-round Visit: hooksett.org Hudson Dog Park Benson Park, 19 Kimball Hill Road, Hudson Hours: 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Feb. 28; 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. from March 1 through April 30; 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. from May 1 through Aug. 31; and 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31 Visit: hudsonnh.gov Longhill Dog Park Longhill Memorial Park, 42 Longhill Road, Dover Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through March 31; 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from April 1 through Sept. 30 Visit: dovernh.gov Manchester Dog Park Bass Island Park, Second Street, Manchester Hours: Dawn to dusk, year-round Visit: manchesternh.gov Merrimack Dog Park Wasserman Park, 116 Naticook Road, Merrimack Hours: Sunrise to sunset, year-round Visit: merrimackparksandrec.org Terrill Park Dog Park Terrill Park, Old Turnpike Road, Concord Hours: Sunrise to sunset, year-round Visit: concordnh.gov Yudicky Farm Dog Park 1 Groton Road (Route 111A), Nashua Visit: nashuadog.org
Unconditional love
Dogs live for their human companions, Bailey said, and love nothing more than to make them happy.
“They put their heart and soul into figuring out ways to please people, expecting nothing more in return than some words of love and encouragement,” she said, “and maybe some treats — can’t forget the treats.”
Rule said every reunion with her dog feels like a celebration, even if she’s only been away for a few minutes.
“[I love] their soulful eyes, tappy paws and heart-healing smiles,” she said.
Testimonials
Charles Stanton. Courtesy photo.
Charles Stanton, executive director at New Hampshire Humane Society
Dog owner
“In my family, we have two rescue dogs: a bassett/American bull terrier mix and a shih tzu mix. They are bonded companions for one another and provide lots of daily entertainment for each other and our household. They are both moderately active and enjoy multiple walks per day. Polly, the basset mix, tends to be more of a snuggler and wants to be beside you on the couch, while Sophie is a bit more independent. All of our daily activities are arranged with them in mind.”
Gail Fisher, owner and founder of All Dogs Gym & Inn
Dog owner
“I have had at least one dog (and as many as eight) in my home since I got my first apartment. … Currently I have an 8-and-a-half-year old Chinook (New Hampshire’s state dog) named Larry and an 18-month-old Basset Fauve de Bretagne (French hound) named Brio. Both dogs love the sport of scent work — searching for and finding specific odors. Larry enjoys playing with his younger brother, but Brio has far more energy … and definitely benefits from going to doggy day care. Truth be told, it is Larry and I [who] benefit from Brio expending his energy in day care and coming home tired and relaxed. I can’t imagine life without the love of a dog.”
Alyssa Mudgett. Courtesy photo.
Alyssa Mudgett, kennel technician at Darbster Doggy
Dog owner
“My rescue pup, April, fits my family perfectly. She matches my younger dog’s energy, and they are wonderful together. She’s also going to be my hiking buddy this summer. I’m truly grateful to have brought her into my life. She’s been nothing but great, and you can tell that she’s grateful as well.”
Jill Crane of Paws on Pine
Dog owner
“Beyond the kennel dogs, which feel like our own, we have two dogs. First is Wilson, a 15-year-old chihuahua, who is a foster failure as they call it. He came to us in very bad shape and I couldn’t bear it for him to ever leave and start over. His personality is huge and captivates everyone he meets. Our second dog is Ivy, a mixed breed larger dog that we adopted three years ago. She’s an amazing [combination] of [a] lively player and the calmest, sweetest hugger you’ll ever meet. These two are best friends, a huge part of our kennel life and the best traveling companions ever.”
Everyone Wins
While choosing one over the other ultimately comes down to your own individual lifestyle, there’s no denying that both cats and dogs can make great pets.
“Any furbaby provides unconditional love to its human,” Hobson said. “Whether it’s a cat or a dog, pets in general improve our moods, reduce stress, provide us comfort and sense of relief and, of course, humor.”
Thinking about your own daily activities is the best way to make a decision for you, said Charles Stanton, executive director of the New Hampshire Humane Society.
“The question of pet ownership is more about what is best for the family and for the home,” he said.
Cathy Hilscher, owner of Cats Kingdom in Manchester, agrees.
“I do feel dogs are better fits for family households and small children for sure, overall … but if you are a cat person, you love your cat just as much as a dog person loves their dog,” she said.
Local animal shelters
• Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire (545 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3647, rescueleague.org)
• Animal Rescue Network of New England (PO Box 1053, Pelham, 233-4801, arnne.org)
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
Covid-19 news
On Feb. 11, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced in a press release that its virtual advisory committee meeting discussing possible emergency use authorization approval of the Pfizer vaccine in children ages 6 months to 4 years old has been postponed. The meeting had been scheduled for Feb. 15 but was postponed following new data findings from Pfizer’s ongoing clinical trials, according to the release. A new date has yet to be scheduled as of Feb. 14.
The same day, the FDA greenlit emergency use authorization for a new monoclonal antibody against the omicron variant. According to a press release, the authorization for bebtelovimab is for treatment of mild to moderate Covid in people ages 12 and up. The drug is not authorized for patients who are hospitalized or require oxygen therapy due to Covid.
In New Hampshire, health officials reported 531 new Covid cases on Feb. 11. The state averaged 635 new cases per day over the most recent seven-day period, a decrease of 36 percent compared to the week before. Hospitalizations stood at 174 statewide as of Feb. 11.
Revenues up
Last week Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Charlie Arlinghaus announced New Hampshire’s updated revenue projections for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, with estimates indicating that revenue will be $283.8 million over plan. “Republicans in Concord cut taxes and our economy is seeing record-setting results,” Gov. Chris Sununu said in a statement after the announcement. “By cutting taxes in New Hampshire, businesses have flooded in, revenues are through the roof, and our economy is soaring. This model has proven successful and New Hampshire families are seeing results.”
Superintendent resigns
Dr. John Goldhardt has stepped down as superintendent of the Manchester School District. The Manchester Board of School Committee announced his resignation Feb. 11 and said it was effective that day at 5 p.m. According to a press release, Goldhardt will still be an employee of the district until June 30, though he will not be acting in a superintendent capacity during that time. The decision was “an amicable transitional employment agreement with all parties involved, the release said. “I want to thank Dr. Goldhardt for his service to the City of Manchester,” Mayor Joyce Craig said in the release. “The past few years have been challenging. I understand Dr. Goldhardt’s desire to move closer to his family and wish him the best moving forward.” An interim superintendent was expected to be nominated and voted upon at the regularly scheduled Board of School Committee meeting on Feb. 14, and a special committee will be named to begin the search process for a new superintendent, the release said.
New commission
An order establishing the Governor’s Commission on Cryptocurrencies and Digital Assets was signed by Gov. Chris Sununu last week. According to a press release, the new commission will be responsible for reviewing and investigating the cryptocurrency and digital asset industry, as well as federal and state laws and regulatory rules and laws of international jurisdictions; holding public hearings; making findings and determinations regarding possible modifications and improvements to laws and regulations; and supporting any proposed legislation or regulations. Membership will include the Attorney General, or designee; the Commissioner of the Bank Department, or designee; one state senator recommended by the Senate President; one state representative recommended by the Speaker of the House; one representative of the New Hampshire Bankers Association who is a resident of the state; one representative of the Cooperative Credit Union Association who is a resident of the state; three public members with experience with cryptocurrencies, digital assets and the provision of services to institutions or consumers with respect to digital assets; and three additional members. A report with the commission’s findings, determinations and recommendations will be presented within 180 days, the release said. “New Hampshire is a hub of financial innovation, and this Executive Order will further our commitment to attracting high-quality banking and financial businesses in a safe and responsible manner,” Gov. Chris Sununu said in the release.
2021 drug deaths
Chief Forensic Investigator Kim Fallon of the state’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner released a report last week with the number of drug deaths in 2021. According to the report, there were 416 total deaths, with “fentanyl with or without other drugs” accounting for the greatest number of that total at 197 deaths. One hundred seven deaths are still pending toxicology. “If all the pending toxicology deaths are confirmed and no unsuspected drug deaths are identified, then the number of drug deaths in 2021 will be essentially the same as in 2020,” Fallon said in the release.
Summer enrichment
A free summer enrichment program for all New Hampshire students in kindergarten through 8th grade will be available to help students who have experienced learning loss due to the pandemic. According to a press release, the Prenda Discovery Summer Camp will provide assistance to students in a personalized, small-group setting. There are four two-week segments from July 5 through Aug. 26 that will be led by Prenda Guides in various locations, including homes, libraries, community centers and more. “While the pandemic has resulted in missed learning opportunities for many children, summer learning programs can empower youth and narrow achievement gaps,” said Frank Edelblut, commissioner of education. “This free educational platform will offer project-based and collaborative summer learning that targets creativity in the arts, technology, science and engineering.” For more information, contact [email protected].
Easterseals Camp Sno-Mo located in Gilmanton Iron Works was the recipient of a $161,384 donation after hundreds of snowmobilers gathered in Shelburne for the 50th Annual Ride-In to benefit the camp. According to a press release, local snowmobile clubs raised the money throughout the year through fundraising efforts like spaghetti suppers and bake sales. Camp Sno-Mo is for campers ages 11 to 21 with disabilities and special needs who participate alongside Boy Scouts in activities like water sports, team sports, hiking, archery, a ropes course and crafts, the release said.
On Feb. 11, U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen visited the Commercial Driving School in Concord to talk with trucking industry leaders about the importance of training qualified commercial truck drivers to address supply chain challenges. According to a press release, the state has received a 90-day waiver to adjust state laws to comply with new requirements of the Entry Level Driver Training program. “A robust trucker workforce is key to avoiding any bottlenecks in the supply and delivery of goods, and it’s clear the Commercial Driving School is hard at work training the next generation of truckers,” Shaheen said in the release.
NH Audubon’s Twitcher Reunion Tour Team in Rye took home the “Townie Award” during the Semi-Superbowl of Birding on Feb. 5, according to a press release. The competition involves looking for as many bird species as possible in 12 hours, and the team spent the entire day in Rye, tallying 62 species, including a thick-billed murre, a razorbill and a black guillemot, all relatives of the puffin, as well as a gray catbird and a yellow-rumped warbler, which usually don’t stick around in the winter, the release said.
New Hampshire is in the process of its once a decade setting of electoral districts at all levels of government. The state and federal constitutions call for each district to be about the same size so that a vote in one district is equal to one vote in another district. This is the reason we take a census every 10 years.
Not surprisingly, this process of setting districts is a political one with the political parties jostling for position every decade. Each tries to tilt the map to its advantage. The result taken to the extreme is what political scientists call gerrymandering, where the driving force of redistricting is to ensure one party or the other is all but ensured of getting elected and the districts tend to stretch over long distances to get in one voting group or another. On the face of it, that seems pretty undemocratic.
But it’s not. Elections aren’t fair and never have been. Incumbents have huge advantages over challengers. Just like in life, those in power are likely to stay there. But it’s no conspiracy. We — the voters — elect them. Maybe you identify as a Republican but nothing stops you from voting for a Democratic candidate or vice versa. Nothing stops parties from running candidates that might appeal to voters that typically favor the other party.
And that may be why Gov. Chris Sununu signaled that he opposes the Republican state Senate plan that would take the current two districts and rejigger them so that one heavily favors Democrats and the other Republicans. As currently configured, Republicans actually have a good shot at taking both districts if they put up candidates that appeal to a wider electorate, candidates in the mold of Sununu himself.
And that’s the rub. Gerrymandering by its nature shifts candidates of the dominant party to the party base because the only race that counts is the one inside the party. In addition if you’re a party insider in Washington you’re not really looking for Sununu-type officials that might not vote the party line. This goes for both parties. Though the parties want to win, if given the choice, they are going to support less independent candidates.
The flip side is that heavily gerrymandered districts with their more fringy candidates can present an opportunity to the other party if they are willing to be a big tent and allow for candidates with broader views. Voters will listen and will vote for great candidates regardless of their party affiliation if they feel it’s in their interest. But you can’t expect people to vote for candidates who don’t share some of their values. To me the problem isn’t gerrymandering, it’s the parties’ unwillingness to really be competitive in every district. Now wouldn’t that be something.
