Category: News

KC and Philly in SB 59

The Big Story – The Super Bowl Match-up is Set: The Kansas City Chiefs’ effort to outdo the Patriots dynasty continued Sunday by beating Buffalo again when it counted, this time 32-29, to give themselves a chance to be the first team to win three straight Super Bowls. They’ll try to do that in a rematch of SB 57 thanks to the Eagles crushing Washington 55-23 in the NFC title game.

A win over Philadelphia will put the Andy Reid/Patrick Mahomes Chiefs two wins shy of the Pats’ six SB wins and move 29-year-old Mahomes one step closer to matching or passing Tom Brady’s seven titles, all with TB-12 in the booth calling the action for Fox.

Sports 101: Lamar Jackson will find out next week if he’ll be NFL MVP for a third time. Name the six players who’ve won it three or more times already.

News Item – Philly Runs Over Washington: That is what the Eagles did in going for 229 yards on the ground and a league record seven rushing TDs in their 55-23 win over Jayden Daniels and company. Three of those TDs came from Saquon Barkley and three more from QB Jalen Hurts with rookie Will Shipley getting the final one.

Barkley’s first was a 60-yard scamper on Philly’s first play from scrimmage to give him a league record seven TD runs of 60 or more yards in one season. Overall it was 115 yards on 15 carries.

News Item – Red Sox in Free Agency: It was another week of the brass treating their fans like they’re stupid by talking a good game and doing nothing as the Dodgers signed the best closer on the market, 23-year-old Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, and Alex Bregman is looking like he could be headed back to Houston.

News Item – NBA Feb. 6 Trade Deadline Predictions:

Portland refugee Lob it to Robert Williams is reunited with Ime Udoka via a trade to the surging Houston Rockets.

Despite sinking in the west, Golden State holds on to dynasty relic Draymond Green six months after losing Klay Thompson for nothing.

Pat Riley doesn’t give in to petulant Jimmy Butler and give himthe ticket out of Miami he wants.

Brad Stevens has Celtics fans saying “I hope you’re right” when he does little to add to his bench.

The Numbers:

11.9 – far short of the 75 percent needed for election, percent of voters saying Dustin Pedroia belongs in Cooperstown.

18 – after sitting on the bench for over seven minutes to start the NFC title game the number of seconds it took the Eagles offense to score when Barkley ran for that 60-yard TD.

… Of the Week

Thumbs Up – Josh McDaniels Returns as Patriot OC: He’s not the New Age thinker Ben Johnson is but he has the championship resume and after doing a great job with Mac Jones in his rookie year he’s a good fit for Drake Maye.

Thumbs Down – Notre Dame: After their championship game loss to Ohio State USA Today’s Dan Wolken reported a locker-room scene with players cursing out reporters for asking questions they didn’t like, him being threatened as he left and ND staffers contributing to the chaos.

Why Can’t We Get Guys Like That Award – JuJu Smith-Schuster: The latest recent ex-Patriot to do something big in the playoffs was Ju Ju coming up with two huge catch-and-runs of 32 and 29 yards on separate drives KC cashed in for TDs vs. Buffalo.

What a Stupid I Yam Awards – Me: Whiffed on both predictions for last weekend’s games.

Random Thoughts:

Earth to Tony Romo – It’s true no QB has ever led his team to three straight Super Bowl wins as he reminded us Mahomes is trying to do. But the Super Bowl is just a fancy name for winning the NFL Championship and Bart Starr and Green Bay did that in 1965, ’66 and ’67.

Sports 101 Answer:Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas, Brett Favre and Tom Brady all won MVP three times, while Aaron Rodgers did it four times and Peyton Manning five.

Final Thought – Last Week’s Hall of Fame Voting: The biggest takeaway should be to take away the voting rights of the only person who voted against Ichiro to prevent the Japanese great from being the second unanimous selection behind Mariano Rivera. Of course Willie Mays had people who voted against him, so my grandfather was right when he said there are more horses’ behinds in the world than there are horses. But congrats to CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, who deserved their selections as well. And the same people who let steroids enabler Bud Selig breeze in still held it against three high-profile users who Bud looked the other way on during his watch in A-Rod, Manny Ramirez and Andy Pettitte. If Bud’s in, they should be too.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

News & Notes 25/01/30

JetBlue to FL

On Jan. 23, JetBlue launched service from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport with flights to Orlando International Airport as well as seasonal flights to other Florida airports. The Orlando flights will be year-round and daily, according to a press release on the airport’s website. Flights to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers (three times weekly) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (four times weekly) will be seasonal, the release said.

Math & science teachers

Five New Hampshire teachers received the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, according to a Jan. 22 press release from the New Hampshire Department of Education. The awards were announced the previous week by former President Joe Biden and honor teachers from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 award application cycles, the release said. The teachers are John Tietjen from Lebanon HIgh School (for 2021); John Blackwell from Phillips Exeter Academy (for 2021); Susan Leifer from Mast Way School in Lee (2022); Joanne Goelzer from Coe-Brown Northwood Academy (2023) and Sandra Swiechowicz from Raymond High School (2023). For more information on the awards, see paemst.org.

Lotto scam

The office of New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella issued a Consumer Alert for New Hampshire residents regarding a rise in reports of scammers perpetrating lottery and sweepstakes scams, according to a press release. “In these scams, a scammer contacts the victim and falsely claims that the victim has won a lottery or sweepstakes, such as the Publishers Clearing House (PCH) sweepstakes. The scammer tells the victim that before the prize money can be issued, the victim must pay certain fees upfront, such as taxes, legal fees, or processing fees. In many cases, the scammer instructs the victim to pay these fees by wire transfer, Bitcoin ATM, or prepaid gift or debit cards. In two recent reports, the scammers demanded fees in increments of $8,500,” the release said. The release said the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes never calls in advance to tell you that you’ve won and if you receive a call claiming to be from the sweepstakes, hang up and call Publishers Clearing House at 800-392-4190. Also, generally, “You will never have to pay a fee to claim a prize from any legitimate sweepstakes or lottery,” the release said. Report the scam to your local police department, the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau of the Attorney General’s Office at 271-3641, and the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Adult and Aging Services at 1-800-949-0470 or to doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints/index.htm, the release said.

The Last Ice, a short documentary by New Hampshire science teacher Greg Stott and Vermont filmmaker Nick Natale, will screen Friday, Feb. 7, at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord (starhop.com) as part of this month’s Super Stellar Friday programing, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Stott, the 2023 NH Charitable Foundation recipient of the Christa McAuliffe Sabbatical award, used his sabbatical to make a film about the last ice age and its effect on the Connecticut River Valley, according to the website. Admission costs $13 for adults, $12 for 62+ and ages 13 through college, and $10 for ages 3 to 12.

The Center for the Arts in New London will host master fly fisher Scott Biron on Monday, Feb. 17, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the art of fly tying, according to a press release. See centerfortheartsnh.org.

Sunday, Feb. 2, is the final day to view the exhibit “Dan Dailey: Impressions of the Human Spirit,” featuring the works of the “New Hampshire artist whose creative ideas and innovations in glass have expanded the canon of art,” at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester; currier.org). The show will feature more than 75 of Dailey’s pieces, according to a Currier press release. The Currier is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Recycled Percussion will perform four shows this weekend at the Nashua Center for the Arts — Saturday, Feb. 1, at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 2, at 1 and 5 p.m. See nashuacenterforthearts.com.

This Week 25/01/23

Thursday, Jan. 23

There will be an author talk at the Nashua Public Library (2 Court St., Nashua, 589-4600, nashualibrary.org) tonight from 6 to 7 p.m., “The United States of Cryptids.” From the legendary Bigfoot to the obscure Snallygaster, writer J. W. Ocker uncovers the bizarre stories of these creatures and investigates how communities have embraced and celebrated their local cryptids. This event is free and open to the public.

Friday, Jan. 24

Esperanza Spaulding, one of the greatest jazz bassists playing today, will take the stage at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $59 and are available through the Center’s website.

Friday, Jan. 24

The curtain rises on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. presented by the Majestic Academy of Youth/Teens (majestictheatre.net) at the Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway, Derry) tonight through Sunday, Jan. 26. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. tonight; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25; and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets cost $12 to $16.

Saturday, Jan. 24

There will be a Puzzle Swap at the Derry Public Library (64 E. Broadway, Derry, 432-6140, derrypl.org) today from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Love puzzles? This program is for you! You can donate your old puzzle to our puzzles, and take a new one home with you, whether you’re just taking a puzzle or leaving one. All are welcome.

Saturday, Jan. 24

Positive Street Art (48 Bridge St., Nashua, 589-9003, positivestreetart.org) will host a reception this evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Artists Michelle Peterson, Laura Zorawovicz, Dei Xhrist and Yasamin Safarzadeh will present a body of work one year in the making. Webs, wool and wood, mostly collected from rural spaces, some from commercial salvage, have been claimed and reworked. This event will include an orchestral performance by NH Philharmonic instrumentalist lead Nicholas So, a sound art piece by Dei Xhrist, and a string figure performance piece.

Saturday, Jan. 25

The Hooksett Winter Carnival will take place at the Hooksett Memorial School (5 Memorial Drive, Hooksett, 485-9890, memorial.sau15.net) today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be entertainment, vendors, snowshoeing, a bonfire with s’mores, a blood drive and more. Visit k16021.site.kiwanis.org/hooksett-winter-carnival.

Sunday, Jan. 26

Japan’s famous Yamato Drummers will perform at the Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) this afternoon beginning at 4 p.m. Tickets start at $38, through the Capitol Center’s website.

Save the Date! Saturday, Feb. 1

Queen City Black Market will be an event focused on the alternative, antique and oddity culture in New Hampshire. It will be held at the Henry J. Sweeney American Legion Post #2 (251 Maple St., Manchester, 623-9145, sweeneypost.org) on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 1 to 8 p.m. The market will pay homage to the alternative, punk, goth, DIY-scene in New Hampshire & New England. “Come join us and 20+ weirdo vendors” with a cash bar and food trucks, said the eventbrite page. Visit eventbrite.com to reserve a spot.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 25/01/23

What about “Clear-o-Pathra”?

The results are in. On Monday, Jan. 13, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation announced the winners of this year’s “Name a Plow” contest to find official names for some of its snowplows. “After receiving 975 name suggestions and over 3,000 votes from across the state,” the agency posted on its Facebook page (facebook.com/NHDOT), “we are excited to showcase the ingenuity and humor of our Granite Staters.” The New Hampshire public suggested possible names in one round of voting in December, then chose from a slate of those names in another vote. The winning names were CTRL-SALT-DELETE with 21 percent of the votes, Tomie dePlowa and Live Free and Plow with 15 percent each, followed by Adam Sander and 6 Snow 3 with 13 percent each, The Big Leplowski with 12 percent, and Fritz Plowerbee with 11 percent.

QOL score: +1

Comment: In its announcement, the NHDOT reminded drivers “to give snowplows plenty of room to work!”

Cash, boom bang

In cooperation with the New Hampshire Lottery Commission, popular percussion-based band Recycled Percussion surprised students at Charlotte Avenue School in Nashua on Friday, Jan. 17 with a concert. The school was also presented with a check of $2,500 from the Lottery Commission. According to a Jan. 17 press release from the Commission, “the Charlotte Avenue Elementary School was randomly selected through a New Hampshire Lottery Facebook contest that generated over 800 entries.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: “Recycled Percussion is known as the original junk rock band and originally formed in Goffstown, NH,” the press release read. “The group performs across the globe using instruments built from recycled materials. Recycled Percussion placed third on season four of America’s Got Talent in 2009 and had a residency in Las Vegas for 10 years.”

More broadband coverage

As reported by Nashua Ink Link in a Jan.13 online article, New Hampshire is halfway toward meeting its goal to provide broadband service to more than 40,000 unserved or underserved addresses across the state. “The project, part of $122 million provided to the state for broadband under ARPA’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, must connect a total of 48,016 homes and businesses by the end of 2026,” the article read. In a press release, Taylor Caswell, the Commissioner of the state Department of Business and Economic Affairs, was quoted as saying, “As of Dec. 1, about 28,000 addresses, or 58 percent, now have access to high speed, reliable internet access. This was an historic investment and the results are significant.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the same press release, “Well over 1,000 miles of fiber was installed, much of it in rural towns, but also places like the summit of Mount Washington, to help operations and communications at the state park and for the meteorologists at the Mt. Washington Observatory.” See nheconomy.com.

QOL score: 52

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 55

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at [email protected].

Great day for Manchester

The Big Story – OSU’s Big Day: Monday was a great day for former Central High quarterbacks Ryan Day and Chip Kelly as they led Ohio State to a 34-23 win over Notre Dame for the college football championship. They’re the first locals to win a national championship since Concord’s Matt Bonner won the NBA title in 2013-14 with the San Antonio Spurs. Congrats, fellas.

Sports 101: Travis Kelce (172) now has a sizable lead over Jerry Rice (151) for most catches in playoff history. Who are the three guys who round out the top five?

News Item – Celtics Play-By-Play Guy Drew Carter Drools Over Jayson Tatum Feat: Good god, young fella, pump the homer-ism brakes on Tatum climbing the list of the highest point totals by the age of 27. Journalists are supposed to give context, not drool. Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Bob McAdoo didn’t have two gigantic advantages Tatum’s era has. Those guys couldn’t enter the league until 22, while for JT it was 19. Plus there was no three-point shot then. Which means JT got a 4,312-point head start. Take that away and he’s at 8,628, which isn’t even in the top 25. Though many ahead of him also had his advantages.

News Item – Playoff Notes:

Player of the Weekend – Jayden Daniels: The dynamic rookie was the catalyst for Washington’s shocking 45-31 upset of 1-seed Detroit by throwing for 299 and two TDs and running for another 51 yards.

Player of the Week II – Saquon Barkley: Ran for yards 205 on 26 carries and two TDs on runs of 78 and 62 yards.

Smartest Decision – Bills Coach Sean McDermott: For taking the FG to make it an eight-point lead over a TD on fourth and 1 with 3:29 left like most automaton analytics followers of the day. Because when Baltimore couldn’t convert the two-point try to tie it at 1:33 the sure-thing FG won the game.

Turnovers Kill – Lesson 22,015: All the stats went to Baltimore. But they lost three and the Bills had none.

The Numbers:

2 – in Shaq Mason and Joe Thuney, guards playing in the playoffs for the Chiefs and Texans on Saturday who were shown the door by the offense-line-challenged Patriots.

6 – with two more in Philly’s win, league record TD runs of 60 yards plus in one season by Barkley.

100 – percent for sure prediction/boast from Rex Ryan he was a shoo-in to become Jets coach for a second time. But not so, as he was out of it before he even got interviewed.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – Major League Baseball: For banning Yankees fans/nitwits Austin Capobianco and John Hansen from all major league parks indefinitely for grabbing Mookie Betts’ arm and ripping the ball out of his glove on a play down the line in the World Series to “help their team.”

Sports 101 Answer: Nos. 3-5 all-time playoff reception leaders are Julian Edelman (116), Rob Gronkowski (98) and Tyreek Hill (96).

Prediction – Next Week NFL:

Buffalo 23-16: Bills finally get by KC thanks to the league laying down the law to the officials to not give KC any more game-changing gift calls.

Washington 27-24: Commanders stay the actual biggest story in D.C. by getting to their first SB since 1992.

Final Thought – Slump or Something Else for Celtics: On Sunday the Celtics were 8-8 in their last 16 games and playing awful basketball. What is the problem? Could be just a slump as guys like Derrick White and Jrue Holiday are not playing well. Could also be teams adjusted to defending their three-point barrages or the self-satisfied complacency of a one-time champ that doesn’t have the hunger. It’s likely all of that plays a role. But it’s also time to call out the coach for the following:

Always making excuses for players rather than calling them out when they show little effort.

Having no alternative when threes aren’t falling besides Tatum and Jaylen Brown driving.

Never getting a good shot at the end of a quarter or game. Same thing: Tatum isolates one on one, wastes too much time, then takes a horrible off-balance fade-away that bricks.

Dumb strategy to give two FT’s when up by three with seconds left. That cost them Saturday’s game vs. Atlanta and gave New Orleans a two-point shot for the win that went in and out on Friday.

An idiotic day-off rest plan, like when Al Horford and fragile flower Kristaps Porzingis played against the worst team in the league (New Orleans) and then sat the next night vs. Atlanta, who they have trouble against because they kill them on the boards.

In short: Joe Mazzulla isn’t the only reason but he’s killing them.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

News & Notes 25/01/23

Birds & frogs

The New Hampshire Audubon’s annual Backyard Winter Bird Survey is slated for Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9, and the Audubon will hold a webinar about how to participate in the survey on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 6:30 p.m. Go to nhaudubon.org to sign up to learn how to observe birds and submit data, identify commonly confused bird species and more, according to the Audubon’s newsletter. Instructions for participating in the count are also available on the website, the newsletter said.

The Massabesic Center in Auburn will also offer a Backyard Winter Bird Survey Practice Walk on Monday, Jan. 27, at 9 a.m. The event is free but RSVP online.

In the newsletter the NH Audubon also introduced its newest animal ambassadors: Northern Leopard Frog tadpoles. The frogs will have green and spotted skin and be on display at the Audubon’s centers, the newsletter said.

Volunteers & games

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, 669-4877, aviationmuseumofnh.org) will hold a volunteer open house on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for those interested in volunteering at the museum and its programs, according to a press release. Those interested in attending can call and leave a message or e-mail [email protected].

Or just visit the museum to check out the exhibit of vintage aviation-themed board games, on display for a final weekend, along with the “Holiday Festival of Toy Planes and Model Aircraft,” through Sunday, Jan. 26. The museum is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., the release said.

Class of 2026

Leadership New Hampshire, a program that seeks to help participants “explore critical issues facing the Granite State, gain a deeper understanding of its regions and communities, and create high-level, statewide connections,” is accepting applications for its class of 2026 through March 15. Those selected will participate in a 10-month program, according to a press release.

“Applications are open to anyone who has lived or worked in New Hampshire for at least one year,” the release said. See leadershipnh.org to apply or contact Leadership New Hampshire Associate Director Mandy Sliver at [email protected] for more information.

RIP David Lynch

Celebrate director David Lynch, who died last week, with a screening of his 2001 film Mulholland Drive (which is rated R) on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 6:30 p.m. at Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St. in Concord. Lynch received a Best Directing nomination for the film, which he wrote and directed and which star Naomi Watts. See redrivertheatres.org.

Reed’s North in Warner will host a seaglass tree workshop on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 4 p.m. Register to learn to make this craft for $65 per person via Reed’s North’s Facebook page.

Bella Vita Dance Company will hold a 603 Salsa & Bachata Social at 859 Hanover St. in Manchester on Friday, Feb. 14, starting at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20 solo admission, $35 for a couple ($5 more at the door). Lessons will run until 9 p.m., when the social dance will start. See bellavitadance.com.

Live Free Animal Rescue (livefreerescue.com) will hold its Great Gatsby Furball on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Zorvino Vineyards in Sandown. Tickets cost $125 and include a cocktail, dinner and dessert, according to the website, where you can find a link to purchase.

LaBelle Winery in Derry will host a Yellowstone-inspired dinner party on Friday, Jan. 31, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. featuring a three-course meal inspired by the TV show as well as games like cornhole and a mechanical bull, according to labellewinery.com, where you can purchase tickets ($85 per person).

Tickets are on sale now for the Granite Game Summit, a celebration of board games that will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton in Nashua with events Thursday, March 6, through Sunday, March 9. Tickets cost $80 and allow admission for all days ($35 for kids 13 and under). See granitegamesummit.com.

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