Category: News

Quality of Life 22/02/24

Benny and the Cats?

Benny, Casey, Tucker — those are the options for the name of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats’ new bat dog in-training, and fans are being asked to vote for their favorite. According to a press release, the golden retriever puppy won’t be working as the bat dog this year, but he will be making appearances at Delta Dental Stadium throughout the season, including his official debut at the May 13 game. The to-be-named puppy is a rescue who came from New Hampshire-based volunteer organization Hero Pups, which provides support dogs to veterans and first responders in New England. “We’re proud to continue the legacy of Ollie the Bat Dog, who provided us so many wonderful memories over the years,” Fisher Cats President Mike Ramshaw said in the release.

Score: +1

Comment:The winning name of the Fisher Cats’ new bat dog in training will be announced in the coming weeks. Vote at nhfishercats.com.

Help wanted

New Hampshire employers are having a hard time finding people to work for them: According to WalletHub’s 2022 States Where Employers Are Struggling the Most in Hiring report, the Granite State ranks 4th in the nation. The report said that overall the country’s labor force participation rate is experiencing the slowest recovery of any recession since World War II. In New Hampshire the job openings rate during the latest month was 8.50 percent; in the past 12 months it was 7.28 percent. Alaska topped the list, followed by Vermont and Wyoming, the report said.

Score: -2

Comment: This is tough on businesses, and customers too — understaffing is making for longer lines at the grocery store, longer waits at the drive-thru and more frustrating customer service experiences.

Professional education opportunities

Through its micro-credential program, UNH is now offering more than 250 micro-credential courses and 26 certificate programs, the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs announced last week. Classes and programs focus on providing work-ready skills and are available in areas ranging from computer science and cryptocurrency to business management and law, according to a press release. Classes are taught in person and online; they start as low as $50 and are open to anyone, not just UNH students. Several similar programs are available at other schools in the state’s Community College System, including at NHTI, where all micro-credentials lead to an NHTI certificate or a degree program, the release said.

Score: +1

Comment: “Our state’s micro-credential programs give individuals a cost-efficient option to higher education that allows them to obtain and showcase ‘work ready’ skills,” BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell said in the release. “It’s an interesting turning point in our higher-education system that will shape the future of the state’s workforce as a whole, benefitting thousands of companies.”

QOL score: 60

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 60

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at [email protected].

NBA at All-Star break

The Celtics went into the All-Star break within one infuriating Jayson Tatum isolation play on a 10-game winning streak. With them having won 11 of their last 13 most will say that’s me seeing the glass as half empty.

But while I know that it got him a makeable 18-foot buzzer-beater in a 112-111 loss to 19-41 Detroit, I also know putting that Kobe wannabe shot/game in the top drawer had a big part in why they suddenly were/are playing so well. I could go into more detail, but suffice it to say I think it’s better for all when he aggressively takes it to the basket as he did during all but one play in the streak.

As for the streak, it’s nice, but I’m not gaga over it yet, as aside from the 50-point dismantling of Philly, six wins were against under-.500 teams, while Miami and Denver had half their top players out with injuries.

Still, there were clear signs of playing more effectively as a unified team, which is the best news as the second half starts in Brooklyn on Thursday night.

Here are a few other NBA stories making news at the break.

Speaking of Brooklyn, Bill Parcells once famously said, “You are what your record says you are.” So since their record is 4 and 10 in the 14 games the unvaxxed Kyrie Irving has played I’m not sure why it’s such a big deal whether he plays or not.

Rodney Dangerfield You’re Waaaay Off Award: To me, for saying Phoenix would have a hangover season after going to the finals last summer. Wrong. At 48-10 they have the league’s best record and lead Golden State by 6 1/2 games out West. My bad.

I also didn’t see Memphis (41-19) and Cleveland (35-23) getting as good so quickly behind their young stars. Ja Morant is already among the NBA’s 10 best players while Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are going to be big-time players for the Cavs.

Incidentally, think New Orleans regrets taking the always injured Zion Williamson over Morant in the 2019 draft?

Not sure what planet Tracy McGrady moved to after he retired. But hearing him say that Giannis Antetokounmpo would “struggle” in McGrady’s era is evidence it’s in a galaxy far, far away.

How about the L.A. Lakers rescinding the season tickets for life given by the late owner Jerry Buss to Laker all-timer Jerry West? But that’s what a franchise now run by daughter Jeannie did to a guy who, as an iconic player, coach and GM, was instrumental in building it to be worth $2 billion or so today. Better yet, they didn’t even tell him. They did it with a text to his wife. Classy.

Actually, here’s a real example of class. Got to love Joel Embiid paying the $20,000 fine of just-up-from-the-D-Leaguer Jose Alvarez after the two got double T’s for jawing at each other in a recent Sixers-Pelicans tilt. The picture of the 6-foot Alvarez standing chest to chest with the 7-foot Embiid is hilarious. The big fella reportedly said he did it because “there was nothing to it beyond just two guys jawing. He’s on a two-way contract, I make a lot more money and liked his spunk.” Not sure spunk-hating Lou Grant would do it, but it was classy.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. After building ridiculous expectations on a mediocre for most franchises barely-make-the-playoff season, the ravenous New York media is now killing coach Tom Thibodeau because the Knicks haven’t lived up to the not in touch with reality expectations they set in the first place. Even though they’re the ones who hailed bust Kemba Walker as a savior mainly because he played his high school ball in the Bronx. Ditto for ever inconsistent free agent Evan Fournier. While it’s true the Knicks have struggled, who’s really to blame for the natives being restless, a team that’s at the level everyone outside New York thought they would be at, or a media horde dumb enough to pitch them far above what they actually were?

And remember, these are the same doofuses who proclaimed the now twice traded 7’3” Kristaps Porzingis as an emerging superstar even though he did his best work 30 feet from the basket. Who turned out to be an injury-prone middling player with a one of a kind name.

Ben Simmons Saga Finally Ends: The short summary of the James Harden–Ben Simmons blockbuster trade is that each team gave up a guy who quit on them for someone who could quit on them in the future.

But when the final results are in I expect Brooklyn to win this deal big for two reasons.

First, Nets GM Sean Marks got more by getting a much younger and signed for three more years headliner in Simmons, a solid three-ball shooter in Seth Curry and two first-round picks for the unhappy Harden, whom they likely were going to lose as a free agent in four months.

Second, who remembers the fall-away jump shooting Michael Jordan in Washington? Or how about Russell Westbrook in L.A. now?

To keep Harden, Philly will have to give him a five-year deal worth north of $250 million. A contract that starts at 33 for a guy who clearly is much bigger than in Houston and has seen his scoring average drop from 34 per to 22 a night in two years. If the size is age, not just being out of shape, that will affect his killer first step, which in turn will make his killer step back easier to defend. All of which means they’ll eventually be paying $50 million to a guy who’s lost half his offensive arsenal.

Thus Philly had better win a title in the first two years or this could be a catastrophe, because like with Westbrook they’ll never be able to dump the contract at the end.

Sweet spots

’Tis the season for Girl Scout cookies

Carrie Green Loszewski, vice president of engagement for the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, talked about Girl Scout cookie season and how customers can buy cookies and support their local Girl Scouts.

What challenges are Girl Scouts facing with cookie-selling this year?

Like so many industries over the last two years, we’ve been hit in the Girl Scout cookie industry the past few months with shortages and delays. The bakers we contract with have experienced some staffing shortages and ingredient delays and, now, some transportation issues that have resulted in us not receiving the full order of cookies we placed. We were able to fill all the orders the girls took for the first part of the sale in January — that’s when they go door to door and ask their neighbors and friends and family [to buy cookies], and they collect orders on their order card or through our digital app. Those orders get placed in what we call the ‘initial order,’ and those were all delivered last weekend. Our ‘covered orders,’ which are a smaller portion of our sale and are the cases you see the girls selling outside Walmart and the grocery stores on the weekends — for those, we didn’t receive the full amount of different varieties of cookies we ordered.

What are the different ways people can buy cookies?

We have a cookie locator on our website where people can enter their zip code and see all the booths … happening within 20 or 30 miles. … The girls also have the ability [to sell through] our online platform called Digital Cookie. They set up their own electronic cookie store, upload a video, their goals and set all the parameters. Then, they can share that link with friends and family, who can purchase cookies using a credit card. If they’d like, they can select to still have their cookies [hand] delivered by the Girl Scout. … [People who don’t know a Girl Scout personally] can go to that cookie locator on the website and select a troop’s digital link … to purchase cookies online to be shipped to their house. The cookies often come within two to three days. … We also have DoorDash available in the Manchester area, so people who live in that vicinity can order their cookies through DoorDash.

How are troops keeping themselves and customers safe while selling in the community?

They have to follow all the safety protocols; they’re expected to wear masks and follow any requirements by the store [where they’re selling]. Some troops got really creative last year and this year with large chutes [to distribute] the cookies or used a Plexiglas display as part of their booths to make sure everyone stays safe.

Which cookies are available and which are in short supply?

Some booths won’t have all the varieties customers are used to seeing. The shortages are mainly with the Tagalongs, Trefoils and the new cookie the Adventurefuls. We’ve still got plenty of Thin Mints, which are the No. 1 selling cookie … and the Do-si-dos, Lemon-ups and S’mores should all be available at the booths. There are fewer cases of Samoas, but most booths should have some. … [For online orders,] we have some varieties [labeled unavailable] because … we aren’t sure what we’re going to be receiving for reorders, and we don’t want people to purchase them online and then not [receive what they ordered] … but we’re hoping we’ll be able to [make] more varieties [available] once we know what we’re going to be receiving for reorders, which will hopefully be in the next few weeks.

How can a customer support Girl Scouts if the cookies they want aren’t in stock?

We’re encouraging customers to try a different variety that maybe they haven’t tried before, or to stock up on [other cookies that are in stock]. … Customers can also choose to donate a box if they don’t see a variety they want to eat. [Donated boxes] will be given by the troop to local fire departments or hospitals or military veterans.

What are the proceeds from cookie sales used for?

The cookie program is the main money-earner for our troops. They’re using these funds to go camping in the summer, to go on trips, to do service projects in their community and to help them earn badges.

What kinds of skills are the girls learning from selling cookies?

The cookie program has always been a great way for girls to learn business skills. … [With the shortages], they’re learning firsthand how to help customers who might be disappointed and how to sell some of the different varieties we have available. … The skills they’re learning have also stayed really up to date. Twenty or 30 years ago, when I was selling cookies, it was all about building your confidence to knock on someone’s door or make a phone call. Now, they definitely still build those types of skills, but they’re also learning about what information to share on a video [online] … so that it makes a good sales pitch and how to share a store link to get the most customers to see it.

Featured photo: Carrie Green Loszewski. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 22/02/24

Covid-19 update As of Feb 11 As of Feb 18
Total cases statewide 288,191 293,697
Total current infections statewide 5,343 3,073
Total deaths statewide 2,294 2,333
New cases 4,011 (Feb. 8 to Feb. 11) 5,506 (Feb. 12 to Feb. 18)
Current infections: Hillsborough County 1,314 749
Current infections: Merrimack County 547 286
Current infections: Rockingham County 769 439
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Covid-19 news

State health officials reported 846 new cases of Covid-19 on Feb. 18. The state averaged 371 new cases per day over the most recent seven-day period, down 42 percent from the week before. As of Feb. 18 there were 108 hospitalizations statewide, the fewest since August of last year.

Also on Feb. 18, the state Department of Health & Human Services announced in a press release that, effective Monday, Feb. 21, the state-run fixed vaccination sites have modified their hours. The sites operated by ConvenientMD are now open seven days a week from noon to 7 p.m., while the sites operated by On-Site Medical Services are open Monday through Saturday, from noon to 7 p.m. According to the release, the hours were modified to allow for greater access beyond traditional school and work hours. Go to covid19.nh.gov and click on the “vaccination fixed sites” button to view a complete list of locations — no appointments are required.

State of the State

Gov. Chris Sununu gave his State of the State address on Feb. 17, praising New Hampshire for its economy, how it’s handled Covid and its progress toward better mental health care, among other things. “Today the Granite State is ranked as the freest state in the nation. … We have the strongest economy in the Northeast and the fastest population growth in New England. … We are No. 1 in America for public safety … first in economic freedom … and we continue to have the lowest poverty rate in the country with some of the highest average wages for our citizens,” he said in his address. Sununu pointed out that in the past year the statewide property tax has been cut by $100, the rooms and meals tax has been cut, business taxes have been cut, and the state’s rainy day fund has doubled. Regarding Covid, he said that “it has been safer to live in New Hampshire through the pandemic than virtually any other state,” with relatively low infection rates and hospitalization rates and a high vaccination rate. And in other health-related progress, Sununu said in his address that “For the first time in state history, New Hampshire is developing the most innovative paid family medical leave program in America — one that is truly voluntary and funded without an income tax.” The state’s mental health system, too, is seeing major improvements, he said. “When I came into office, the State had a mental health system that was fragmented and designed by and for bureaucrats, not for families and individuals … and [we] have worked to dramatically transform the entire mental health system,” he said. As for new initiatives, Sununu announced the creation of the InvestNH Housing Incentive Fund, a $100 million federally funded program to increase housing construction throughout the state. He also announced the creation of the New Hampshire Veterans Campus; the state will partner with Easterseals to build this campus on a 15-acre site in Franklin, to provide mixed housing, supportive services and a retreat campus for veterans and their families.

Library goals

The Nashua Public Library has some new goals for the next three years. According to a press release, staff and trustees surveyed the public, talked with focus groups, and held retreats for staff and trustees to answer the question, “What does Nashua want and need from its library?” After an analysis of the data they compiled, staff and trustees have decided to focus on three strategic directions: Make the library welcoming and comfortable and a hub of community activity; support learning and culture in the community by connecting people to learning opportunities in an inclusive way; and keep the library collaborative and connected by integrating it into the community. Three long-term goals were set for each of the three strategic areas, the release said, and the library is now working on an action plan to meet those nine goals. The plan is expected to be completed this spring.

Dr. Gretchen Mullin-Sawicki, president of NHTI in Concord, will be stepping down from her position later this spring, having served as president since 2019. According to a press release, she is relocating to be closer to family, and Chancellor Mark Rubinstein will serve in a dual role, leading NHTI for about six months while the Community College System of New Hampshire’s board of trustees begins its search process.

Drivers should anticipate daytime and nighttime lane closures for bridge work on I-293 in Manchester. According to a press release, the project entails replacing the concrete bridge deck and expansion joints, and work is expected to last through the fall. Initial lane closures will move traffic under the bridge at Huse Road while construction crews set up protective shielding on the bridge, the release said.

Longtime instructional paraeducator Beverly Mann celebrated 40 years as an employee at New Searles Elementary School in Nashua last week as staff threw her a surprise gathering under the guise of a Valentine’s Day staff breakfast. According to a press release, more than 50 current and former colleagues attended the event, which was also a celebration of her 80th birthday.

This Week 22/02/17

Big Events Feb 17, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, Feb. 17

The Full Monty, the musical based on the 1997 film, concludes its run at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) with shows tonight at 7:30 p.m.; tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 19, at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 20, at noon. Tickets cost $39 and $46 (plus fees).

Thursday, Feb. 17

Oscar completists can mark off Drive My Car (NR, 2021), nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best International Feature Film and Best Adapted Screenplay, tonight at the Music Hall (28 Chestnut St. in Portsmouth; themusichall.org). The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $15 for adults.

Saturday, Feb. 19

Unwind with some music this weekend. Area 23 (254 N. State St., Unit H, in Concord; thearea23.com) will feature a bluegrass jam with Ross Arnold at 2 p.m. today. Then at 8 p.m., catch Scalawag. Find more live music in our Music This Week listing, which starts on page 35.

Monday, Feb. 21

If President’s Day (today) is one of your days off, head to the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org, 669-6144), which isn’t usually open Mondays but is open today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. , according to the website. The “Looking Together” docent-led close study of one piece of art that day will be of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ “Standing Lincoln” at 11 a.m. and noon.

Monday, Feb. 21

Or use this day to get outside. Beaver Brook Association (117 Ridge Road in Hollis; beaverbrook.org, 465-7787) is holding a Guided Winter Hike for ages 14 and up today from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Admission costs $20. The hike (or snowshoe walk, depending on the weather) will go through meadows and evergreen forest and near wetlands, according to the website.

Wednesday, Feb. 23

The Flying Ace, a 1926 silent film with an all African American cast, will screen tonight at Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St. in Concord; redrivertheatres.org, 224-4600). Tickets cost $12. The screening will feature live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis.

Jeff will be performing at several other silent film screenings this week. On Thursday, Feb. 17, he will accompany Girl Shy (1924), a Harold Lloyd rom-com, at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10. On Sunday, Feb. 20, he will accompany When Knighthood Was in Flower (1922), which stars Marion Davies, at 2 p.m. at the Wilton Town Hall Theatre (wiltontownhalltheatre.com). (Suggested donation is $10).

Save the date! Feb. 28 through March 6

The Nashua Garden Club and the Nashua Public Library will hold a Seed Swap Monday, Feb. 28, through Sunday, March 6, at the library (2 Court St. in Nashua; nashualibrary.org) during library hours (Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m, according to the website). Samples donated by seed companies and information on collecting seeds and gardening will be available, according to a press release. People with seeds to swap can bring them packaged in small quantities, labeled with the name and instructions, to the Chandler Memorial Wing of the library before Feb. 28, the press release. A virtual lecture, “The Soil Food Web” by Diane Miessler, will be presented on Thursday, March 3, at 7 p.m.; register at bit.ly/soil2022. See nashuagardenclub.org for more information.

Featured photo. Kathryn Boyd and Laurence Criner star in The Flying Ace (1926).

Quality of Life 22/02/17

Top teacher

Tristan Bowen, a fourth-grade teacher at Riddle Brook School in Bedford, has won the 2020 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, representing the country’s top honors for teaching in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science. According to a press release, Bowen has been teaching for 22 years and is one of 102 teachers nationwide to receive the award. She and other award recipients will receive a certificate signed by the president of the United States, a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation and a trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in professional development opportunities.

Score: +1

Comment: “What sets Tristan apart is her forward-thinking and student engagement abilities, especially in the area of STEM education. She encourages creativity, critical thinking and problem solving through interest-based learning for her students,” Principal Molly McCarthy of Riddle Brook School said in the release.

Red Cross needs help

The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers for its Disaster Action Team and for blood donor ambassadors due to an increase in the number of house fires this winter and the ongoing critical need for blood. According to a press release, local Red Cross Disaster Action Team members have responded to at least 83 home fires in New Hampshire, helping 421 people, since July. Now, more volunteers are needed to help families with immediate needs after a fire, as well as to provide emotional support. Most locally, disaster team volunteers are needed in Laconia and Plymouth and on the Seacoast. The Red Cross is also looking for 26 blood donor ambassadors in Hillsborough and Rockingham counties, according to the release. Blood donor ambassadors greet and register donors and offer support throughout the donation process.

Score: -2 for the high number of house fires and the critical blood shortage

Comment:Vaccinations are required for in-person volunteer roles, the release said.

Local Hall of Famers

Sixteen Central High School graduates have been named as inductees into the Manchester High School Central Hall of Fame. According to a press release, the new inductees are usually announced every five years but were postponed last year because of Covid. Some of the biggest names among the inductees are Col. Jason Fettig, director of the President’s Own Marine Band; Rep. Chris Pappas, who represents New Hampshire’s 1st District in Congress; Max Clayton, whose Broadway credits include featured roles in The Music Man and Moulin Rouge; and Kayleigh Cronin, who is currently appearing on the Great White Way in a production of Mrs. Doubtfire, the release said.

Score: +1

Comment: Previous inductees of the school’s Hall of Fame, which was founded in 1996, include Olympic gold medalist Bob Beattie; John Sullivan, former secretary of the Navy; Chip Kelly, former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles and current UCLA head coach; and comedian Adam Sandler.

Free small business support

The NH Tech Alliance and NH Small Business Development Center have launched a free Cybersecurity Review program for small- and medium-sized businesses. According to a press release, businesses in New Hampshire with up to 500 employees can participate and receive an online education, a one-on-one consultation with a cybersecurity consultant, and a report with action items based on the consultation.

Score: +1

Comment: The release said 61 percent of all small- and medium-sized businesses have reported at least one cyber attack during the previous year according to the 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report.

QOL score: 59

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 60

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at [email protected].

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