News – Page 104

The week that was

The Big Story – Pats Elevator Going Down: During the first run of the TV show Frasier, when things were really going bad for Frasier Crane he would pretend he was in an elevator and say, “going down.”Well, after the Patriots’ latest disaster, this time in Germany, the elevator on Coach B’s time in New England is descending so rapidly it’s like the cable snapped and the safety protocols aren’t working either. The latest in a series of debacles came in the form of a 10-6 baseball-like score vs. Indianapolis on Sunday, sending them into the bye at a surreal 2-8.

Talk radio will be ablaze with (1) will Coach B still be on the sidelines when they return in two weeks? (2) Mac Jones has punched his ticket out of town, and (3) with no chance of pulling out of their nosedive should they just tank to enter the Caleb Williams sweepstakes? Given all that, no sports radio for me, because none of it will be about finding solutions. Just pointing the finger of blame.

Sports 101: Who has committed the most fumbles in NFL history?

News Item – Pritchard’s Shooting Woes: Earth to Joe Mazzulla: Payton Pritchard may be short, but he’s not a point guard. The reason he’s shooting under 30 percent is that he can’t shake defenders for room to shoot. If you want points off the bench, let Jayson Tatum play point forward and spot up Pritchard behind the line, because what he is is a catch-and-shoot guy.

News Item – Rookies on Record Paces: Since Gale Sayers set an all-time NFL record with 22 TDs it will be tough to become the best NFL rookie ever. But Houston’s CJ Stroud and L.A. Ram wideout Puka Nacua are giving it the old college try. Stroud is on pace for 4,958 passing yards, which would obliterate Andrew Luck’s record 4,374 from 2012. And he has a shot at Justin Herbert’s record of 31 TD passes, though he’ll need to pick it up a bit as he’s on track for 28. As for Puka, he’s at 60 catches and 800 yards, which will give 120 catches and 1,562 receiving yards in 17 games and take him by Jaylen Waddle’s and Ja’Marr Chase’s 104 and 1,455 respective records.

News Item – 76ers Minus Harden: It was just one game, but what was evident when Philly beat the Celtics last week was that they are better without James Harden. And not just because he dominates the ball and can’t cover my grandmother. With Harden’s dominating days over, the emerging Tyrese Maxey is just better.

The Numbers:

11 – a not bad losing margin by the basketball team at the U when they lost to Syracuse in the Dome 83-72.

28 – Not so much for Dartmouth when they got smoked by Duke in a 92-64 loss the same day.

520 – million dollars over 10 years ESPN.com projects Shohei Ohtani will get in free agency this winter despite his injury-riddled career.

… Of the Week Awards

What A Stupid I Yam: To me for omitting in last week’s Sports 101 that Russell Westbrook joins Harden and Bob McAdoo as MVPs who’ve been traded four times.

Thumbs Down – Barf-Inducing Moment: I can take bad extra uniforms to juice merchandise sales, an in-season tournament I don’t get, even Tatum wearing hot pink sneaks, but I draw the line at having a non-parquet floor in the Garden at any time, like for the NBA’s new in-season tournament games. Come on, Adam Silver, that’s like tearing down the wall at Fenway for the All-Star game. Boooo. Barf. Booo.

Sports 101 Answer: Brett Favre is the all-time leader with 166, which means that since he’s also the interception leader with 336 he turned it over more than 500 times in his career.

In case you’re interested, Tom Brady is sixth with 138, while it’s astonishing Peyton Manning is ranked 59th with just 75.

Final Thought – Injured List: Those who said they were willing to include Rob Williams (which I was not) in the Celtics deal for Jrue Holiday because he’s injury-prone were right on the money last week. Lob It To Rob didn’t even make it out of the year’s first week before being lost for the season after knee surgery.

My fret was over lack of depth and that they were giving up the eventual replacement to Horford. But with the injury-prone Malcolm Brogdon now out with hamstring issues too, if they’d stayed the C’s depth would be even worse.

Ironically the injury news came on the same day Al Horford sat out to avoid playing back-to-back games. But the C’s won anyway when Pritchard and Sam Hauser had 28 bench points in a win over Brooklyn. So, as Casey Stengel used to say, you never know.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Still serving

A veteran helping veterans with at-home care

Mark Nalbandian of Bedford is a Navy veteran and caregiver at 360 SHS, a Bedford-based organization that offers home care and pairs senior caregivers with elderly clients in need. He delves into his journey from serving in the military to providing care for fellow veterans and shares his experiences and insights on how this transition has shaped his personal growth and impacted the broader community’s perspective on veteran care.

How has your experience as a Navy Airman shaped your approach to caregiving?

I spent six years in the Navy and during that time I learned quite a few great life skills, such as communication, consistency and the importance of showing up ready to work every day. I have had the privilege to care for three seniors who are Korean conflict veterans. I am currently caring for one of these clients still. It means the world for me to be able to support fellow veterans as they age in place.

What were some challenges you faced transitioning from military service to a caregiving role?

After my time in the Navy, I spent 25 years in commercial concrete, followed by a building contractor and real estate career. I began working with [360 SHS owner] Judy Loubier about five years ago. I got sick in 2008-2009 with stage 4 head and neck cancer. I faced some harsh treatments and needed constant care while I was recovering. Once I recovered, I saw my dad in the hospital. When he was picked up by an ambulance to bring him to the care facility, I inquired about the profession and what an average day looks like and it inspired me to try something new. Now, communication, companionship and everyday chores are a big part of my job. It’s really meaningful to help keep seniors and veterans safe and prevent falls.

What personal significance does caring for fellow veterans hold for you, and how has it influenced your growth since your military service?

I am in my mid to late 60s and the veteran clients like the commonality of and mutual understanding of being veterans. The related experiences are so meaningful and we can converse for hours. I love it. I worked for a few concepts before discovering 360 SHS, and five years later I know this is the last job that I will ever work. I don’t do it for the money. I do it because it is important and I pride myself on being able to support my fellow veterans.

How has your work at 360 SHS impacted the community’s understanding of veteran care?

360 SHS was doing a great job of caring for veterans before I was brought on five years ago. However, I can bring a different perspective, being a veteran myself, and have been able to build great relationships with senior veterans throughout the community. 360 SHS understands the importance of matching veteran caregivers with veteran clients as they are able to create meaningful relationships. It feels good to help veterans — and other seniors — age in place without having to get dragged out to a nursing home. I feel better knowing that they get to stay in their home and not have to leave their life behind after bravely serving our country.

What advice would you give to veterans considering a caregiving career post-service?

Do it! It is a lot more meaningful than when I was building bridges in my previous career. I never saw myself doing this job, but I love it and know I will do this until the day I retire. 360 SHS helps hire active reservists, knowing they might have to up and leave. They provide services for veterans who can get paired with 360 SHS through the VA. 360 SHS offers a lot of recognition and appreciation during Veterans Day and outreach to all veteran clients and caregivers.

Featured photo: Mark Nalbandian. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 23/11/16

Livable NH

AARP has unveiled the 10 top-scoring livable communities in New Hampshire according to its new AARP Livability Index. According to a press release, this index evaluates factors crucial for aging populations, such as housing, transportation, neighborhood elements, environment, health and community engagement. The highest-ranking communities in New Hampshire are Hanover, Lebanon, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Concord, Keene, Littleton, Goffstown, Peterborough and Manchester. While these communities have shown progress in job availability, environmental aspects and civic involvement, they all require improvements, particularly in housing affordability and access, as well as proximity to key destinations. The AARP Livability Index is a comprehensive tool that scores communities across the U.S. based on services and amenities impacting aging individuals, aiming to bridge the gap between current community provisions and the needs of older adults. The platform, accessible online at aarp.org/livabilityindex, allows users to search for scores by address, ZIP code or community and includes new features like the “Community Finder Quiz” and climate data for each location.

Organic rules

The organic certification process in New Hampshire is facing significant changes. According to a press release from the Free State Food Network, the National Organic Program, a federal standard for crops and livestock, has grown into a $50 billion industry but is now challenged by issues such as funding, potential corruption and lack of transparency. The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food (NHDAMF), the current accrediting agent for organic certification in the state, is considering relinquishing its role due to staffing challenges, rigorous program standards, and an outdated fee structure. While this move might end state enforcement of organic certification, it wouldn’t halt the issuance of certifications, as other agents could step in to fill the gap. Two legislative service requests are in place to address this issue: LSR 2024-2473 advocates for an agreement with the USDA for organic certification, while LSR 2024-2167 proposes removing the responsibility from the NHDAMF. Concerns have been raised about the National Organic Program’s governance, suggesting it now leans more toward commercial interests rather than the ethical and safety standards initially intended.

Future workforce

ApprenticeshipNH, a workforce program of the Community College System of New Hampshire, is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week from Nov. 13 through Nov. 19. According to a press release, the program, focusing on high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing, health care, IT and more, combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training in an “earn-while-you-learn” model. The highlight of the week is the first-ever ApprenticeshipNH Summit on Nov. 17, aimed at strengthening New Hampshire’s workforce by connecting employers, career seekers and community organizations. The summit will feature interactive workshops, networking opportunities and Champion Recognitions for businesses and individuals leading in apprenticeship initiatives. Funded primarily by U.S. Department of Labor grants, ApprenticeshipNH has established more than 100 apprenticeship programs and supported 1,300 apprentices since its inception in 2017.

Liquor commission kudos

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) has been honored for the eighth consecutive year by StateWays Magazine in the Control State Best Practices Awards, according to a press release. Recognized for its alcohol responsibility programming and retail innovations, NHLC won awards for “Best On-Premise Partnership” for its New Hampshire Mocktail Month program and “Best Retail Innovation” for the ‘Tis the Season marketing campaign. New Hampshire Mocktail Month, initiated in 2020 in partnership with Brown-Forman, involves the state’s restaurant community in promoting alcohol-free “mocktails” to encourage responsible drinking. The ‘Tis the Season campaign, conducted during the 2022 holiday season, effectively used various media platforms to enhance customer engagement and sales.

Capital trip

On Tuesday, Nov. 14, more than 50 small business owners from across the country, including a group from New Hampshire, visited Washington, D.C., to address challenges regarding access to affordable capital, according to a press release. In response to the Federal Reserve’s consideration of the Basel III Endgame regulation, which is expected to increase the cost of business loans and credit lines, these business owners met with more than 40 lawmakers and senior Federal Reserve officials. They aimed to highlight the negative impact of this regulation on small businesses and presented a comment letter signed by more than 3,000 small business owners nationwide, with 44 signatories from New Hampshire. New Hampshire representatives included Dina Akel of Vieira Luxe, Shira Nafshi of The Trainer’s Loft, Danya Landis of Machina Kitchen & ArtBar, Celeste Burns of Burns Automotive Services, and Toutou Marsden of Dell-Lea Weddings & Events. Their efforts were part of a larger initiative to advocate for small businesses in the current high interest rate environment.

Returning for its 11th season, the Ice Castles attraction is set to reopen in North Woodstock, according to a press release. This year’s installation, with an anticipated opening in late December or early January, features a new design with slides, caverns, tunnels and ice sculptures. Tickets go on sale on Nov. 29. Visit icecastles.com/new-hampshire.

Ellie Mental Health, which describes itself as having an innovative and community-driven approach to mental health care, has opened a new location in Manchester at 25 Sundial Ave., in Suite 310W. According to a press release, the mental health franchise has been rapidly expanding nationwide. Visit elliementalhealth.com.

Join Derry Public Library (64 E. Broadway) on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 6:30 p.m. for an informative session with Dan Blakeman of Lifetime Retirement Partners, as he delves into essential retirement topics. According to a press release, Blakeman will cover a range of subjects including long-term care, Social Security, and the development of a solid financial plan for retirement. Register online at derrypl.org/adult/events/9564/retirement-planning-workshop.

This Week 23/11/09

Big Events November 9, 2023 and beyond

Friday, Nov. 10

The Capitol Center for the Arts’ William H. Gile Concert Series has two free shows this weekend. Tonight, catch the NH 39th Army Band Veterans Day Concert at 7 p.m. at the Cap Center’s Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Admission is free but go online for tickets to the event.

Friday, Nov. 10

The curtain rises on the classic whodunit Clue, a play based on a movie based on a board game about who killed Mr. Boddy and presented by the Anselmian Abbey Players at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive in Manchester; tickets.anselm.edu, 641-7700). Shows tonight and Saturday, Nov. 11, are at 7:30 p.m.; the Sunday, Nov. 12, show is at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20.

Saturday, Nov. 11

The second Gile Concert this weekend is a Deepawali Celebration today at 6 p.m. at the Heights Community Center (14 Canterbury Road in Concord) featuring the band Himalayan Dreams. The event is free and tickets are not required; see ccanh.com for videos of their performances of Nepali music.

Tuesday, Nov. 14

LaBelle Winery in Derry (14 Route 111, labellewinery.com) will hold the grand opening of its LaBelle Lights holiday lights display today from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. More than a million twinkling lights are part of the path of lights, a map of which can be found at labellewinery.com/lights. The display is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 7. Each week features a theme; “Holiday Card Week” kicks off the celebration with “Holiday Pajama Week” Nov. 21 through Nov. 26, according to a press release, which says ticket holders are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots or a non-perishable food item for End 68 Hours of Hunger. Tickets are on sale now and cost $18 for adults, $12 for ages 65+ and $8 for ages 4 to 12 (kids ages 3 and under get in free and tickets on Tuesdays are half price), according to the press release.

Tuesday, Nov. 14

Chris Isaak comes to the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com, 437-5100) on the “It’s Almost Christmas” tour tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $95 to $125. Find more ticketed musical happenings in our Concert listings on page 38.

Wednesday, Nov. 15

Start planning your Thanksgiving menu with help from WineNot Boutique (25 Main St. in Nashua; winenotboutique.com), which is holding a “Selecting Wines for Thanksgiving” walk-around event. Tickets cost $20 for a 45-minute tasting session (first session starts at 4 p.m., final session starts at 7 p.m.). Consider 15 wines from three wine companies, according to the website, where you can purchase tickets.

Save the Date! Friday, Nov. 16
The Nutcracker will be presented by Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater, at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St . in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Thursday, Nov. 16, through Sunday, Nov. 19. The Nutcracker features more than 60 dancers and performers, according to a press release. Tickets cost $28 to $49. Shows are Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 19, at noon and 5 p.m.

Featured photo: Labelle Lights.

Quality of Life 23/11/09

Paying the bills

Doxo’s latest report, featured on CNBC and titled “Which Largest U.S. Cities are Most Expensive for Household Bills in 2023?,” found that the average household in Manchester spends $2,276 monthly, or $27,306 annually, on the 10 most common household bills — an amount that is 11.2 percent higher than the national average of $2,046. The report, which includes cost of living data for more than 4,000 U.S. cities, reveals that Manchester households allocate 44 percent of their annual income, which averages $62,415, to these bills.

QOL score: -2

Comment: Looking statewide, Manchester places as the No. 13 most expensive city in New Hampshire; Bedford takes the No. 1 spot.

Housing shortage

New Hampshire faces a severe housing shortage, NH Business Review reported, ranking fourth in the nation according to Up for Growth’s report, which highlights the state’s critical need for both owned and rental properties. The report cites a requirement for 31,000 housing units in New Hampshire, significantly higher than local estimates. This issue is exacerbated by restrictive zoning and construction challenges, as detailed in the Zoning Atlas by the Center for Ethics in Society at Saint Anselm College and other state agencies. The Atlas reveals the extensive limitations in New Hampshire’s zoning regulations, impacting the development of affordable workforce housing.

QOL score: -2

Comment: This housing crisis is further underscored by data from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, showing a drastic decline in housing affordability, with the state’s median household income now only 59 percent of what’s needed to afford a median-priced home.

A smooth election day?

For the Nov. 7 election, which had just begun at press time, the City of Manchester implemented several initiatives to encourage voter participation. According to a press release, electronic voter checklists, successfully trialed during the September municipal primary, were used in all city wards to streamline the voting process, reducing check-in times to an average of 13 seconds per voter. Additionally, the Manchester Transit Authority (MTA) offered free rides to and from the polls on local fixed bus routes. To use the free service, residents informed bus drivers that they were commuting to or from the polls, a benefit exclusive to local routes and not applicable to intercity buses.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Similar free Election Day transit services were also provided in neighboring communities such as Dover, Rochester and Portsmouth through the COAST public transit system.

QOL score: 91
Net change: -3
QOL this week: 88

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?
Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Eovaldi rolls in playoffs

The Big Story – The final dagger was plunged into the back of the Chaim Bloom era in Boston by Nate Eovaldi when he concluded a postseason run for the ages with a 4-1 Game 5 win over Arizona to end the World Series. It gave the Texas franchise its first ever world title since being born as the second version of the Washington Senators in 1961.

Eovaldi was deemed too expensive by Bloom for the starting pitching-poor Red Sox. He was replaced by the aging and injury-prone Corey Kluber. And by pitching just 56 innings all year while going 3-3 with an un-microscopic 7.04 ERA he was a major nail in Bloom’s coffin.

Meanwhile deep in the heart of Texas Eovaldi went 12-5 in the regular season and made the All-Star team as a prelude to his historic postseason performance, where his team won all six games he started as he went 5-0 with a 2.95 ERA and 41 K’s in 36.2 innings, leaving Red Sox Nation to play the Bob Lobel role and say, ‘Why can’t we get guys like that?’

Mark Ferdinando Memorial Sports 101: With his trade from the 76ers to the Clippers last week James Harden became just the second former MVP to be traded four times. Name the first one.

News Item – The ‘Was It Tom Brady or the Coach?’ Debate: Rough week for the coaches’ side. Coach B’s rep took another hit after the latest Patriots game ended in a 20-17 loss to the terrible Washington football team. Then, after getting whacked in Vegas to make it the second time he didn’t make it to the end of Year 2 as a head coach, you’ve got to think that’s all she wrote for Josh McDaniels’ HC career, which puts another notch in Brady’s belt.

Then there was Colin Cowherd reporting on his show the combined record of the Belichick coaching tree — McDaniels, Eric Mangini, Matt Patricia, Joe Judge and Romeo Crennel — wascollectivelyunder .300 lifetime.

News Item – Red Sox Introduce New GM: The gullible among us are buying the rap that new Sox Baseball Ops President Craig Breslow is the smartest intellect in baseball. The skeptics, however, note Bloom was also a Yale man and are thinking of Lou Gorman telling all he hired the equally inexperienced Butch Hobson as manager because a bright young mind like his won’t last long on the open market. And given that both were complete disasters, it makes one wonder if the only reason Breslow got the job is that all the top-tier candidates said thanks but no thanks to working for indecisive Sox owner John Henry.

The Numbers:

11 – wins vs. no losses on the road as Texas roared through the MLB playoffs.

38 – points along with 10 rebounds, two blocks and two assists in the breakout game for giant 7’5” French import Victor Wembanyama when the Spurs downed the Suns 132-121 last week.

80 – amount in millions Las Vegas is paying McDaniels and Jon Gruden not to coach the Raiders

… Of the Week Awards

Halloween Costume: Sen. Mitt Romney and wife Ann went as NFL “It” couple Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. Didn’t look anything like them, but A for effort for the buttoned-up Mittster.

Thumbs Up – The Celtics: Got to like their 5-0 start while becoming the second team ever to score 500+ points in their first four games of a season.

Thumbs Down – James Harden: Who cares if Danny Granger lost his job only because this me-first creep wanted out of Philly. Right, James? Boooo.

A Little History – Revived Classic Old-Time Quote: It comes from legendarily feisty Indiana Basketball Coach Bobby Knight, who passed away last week at 83. He once told a packed Assembly Hall crowd, “When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are past, I want they bury me upside down and my critics can kiss my ass.” An on-the-mark personal eulogy if there ever was one. RIP, Bobby.

Sports 101 Answer: The other four-times-traded MVP is the great Bob McAdoo, whose NBA odyssey took him from the Buffalo Braves (now L.A. Clippers) to the Knicks, Celtics, Pistons and eventually L.A., where he was a killer off the bench for the ’80s Showtime Lakers. He also was the guy Pistons GM Dick Vitale (yes that one) gave the two first-round picks for that Red Auerbach turned into Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, leading to three Celtics titles in the ’80s.

Final Thought – Corey Seager’s Mega Deal: I thought Texas was nuts giving the injury-riddled shortstop a 10-year deal, let alone for the whopping price tag of $325 million. Since he only played 119 games in 2023 I’m still iffy on the 10-year part. But in batting .327 with 33 homers and then being World Series MVP as Texas won its first ever world title, he’s paid off so far.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Category: News