Category: News

Greater Nashua Mental Health

In a Facebook post on Feb. 2, Greater Nashua Mental Health said that the 440 Amherst St. location in Nashua is closed due to the fire on Monday afternoon. Three firefighters were injured and the building was destroyed in the fire after a natural gas leak and explosion, according to a Feb. 3 report on WMUR. Greater Nashua Mental Health advised patients to call during business hours if they are scheduled for in-person appointments at the 440 Amherst St. location; Greater Nashua Mental Health locations on Prospect and Pine streets are “operating as usual,” the Facebook post said. See gnmhc.org.

Discover science

SEE Science Center, 200 Bedford St. in Manchester, will hold a Community Discovery Night on Friday, Feb. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. “During this free event SEE is inviting all members of the community to discover Black influence in Science Technology Engineering and Math,” according to a press release. Sign up by Wednesday, Feb. 11, at see-sciencecenter.org. This family event will feature food, demonstrations, activity stations, a scavenger hunt and more, the website said. “SEE will continue the celebration during February to celebrate Black History Month. The scavenger hunt will be available daily and pop-up activities will be available on select weekend and vacation days,” the press release said. SEE will be open extra days for school breaks in February: Monday, Feb. 16, and Monday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m to 4 p.m., the release said.

Farming conference

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire will hold its 24th Annual Winter Conference on Saturday, March 7, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, according to a press release. The conference, featuring the theme “Taking Root: Nourishing Community,” is open to farmers, gardeners, food system professionals, organic advocates and others, and will feature more than 20 workshops, the release said. The day also features a Green Market Fair and a keynote with David Trumble of Good Earth Farm and Sara Hansen of Kearsarge Gore Farm, the release said. See nofanh.org for tickets.

Housing conference

New Hampshire Housing will hold a homeownership conference at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord on Wednesday, March 18, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., according to an email about the event. “The agenda includes discussions on housing affordability, property taxes, and housing finance trends, along with a keynote fireside chat,” the email said. Tickets cost $75 and include breakfast. See nhhfa.org.

The Eleventh Letter Writing Gallery, 146 N. Main St. in Concord, in partnership with the Women’s Caucus for Art/New Hampshire Chapter, will hold a free drop-in Valentine’s Day Art Event on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 1 to 3 p.m., with supplies provided to decorate an “I Am Grateful For You” postcard, according to a press release. See theeleventhletter.com.

“Paint Your Partner” at Stark Brewing, 500 N. Commercial St. in Manchester, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 1 to 3 p.m., during a special Valentine’s Day event from Junior Service League of Concord and NH Craft Club. Registration for a pair costs $45 — “bring a significant other or a friend!” the press release said — with craft materials provided, and Stark Brewing’s menu will be available to purchase from. See jslconcord.org/upcoming-events.

Spyglass Brewing Co., 306 Innovative Way in Nashua, will hold a competitive puzzle night on Thursday, Feb. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m, according to spyglassbrewing.com. The fastest team (of up to four players) to put together a 500-piece puzzle wins a prize and bragging rights; limited spots available, the website said.

Bob Baines

Bob Baines, who served as Manchester’s mayor in the early 2000s, died last week, according to a statement from his family posted on current Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais’ Facebook page. The statement, posted Jan. 23, reads: “With heavy hearts, the family of Robert ‘Bob’ Baines shares the news of his passing. Bob left us peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. We kindly ask that you keep the Baines family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly challenging time.”

Baines was elected mayor in 1999 and his tenure is listed as 2000-2005 on the city’s website. Baines was currently a member of Manchester’s Board of School Committee, representing Ward 9. Baines, who was born in Manchester, taught music at Alvirne High School from 1968 to 1977, was the principal of Manchester High School West from 1980 to 1999 and was named New Hampshire Principal of the Year in 1990 and Educator of the Year by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce in 1996, according to manchesternh.gov. “Mayor Baines married Maureen McCaugney of Nashua in 1974 and they have three children: Christina, Timothy and Catherine,” the city’s website said, and the Union Leader reported that they also had four grandchildren.

In the Jan. 25 issue of “Day By Day,” the Substack newsletter by local author and Hippo co-founder Dan Szczesny, Dan shared his memories about Baines: “His years as mayor coincide with myself and my two partners creating and launching HippoPress … Back then, one of our first stops … even before the paper had launched, was the mayor’s office. … Much to our surprise, he welcomed us enthusiastically. … [During] that first meeting with him (maybe the second or third) he was blunt about our chances of success, in particular because he hated the idea of the paper being called The Hippo. ‘That doesn’t even make sense!’ he’d say. We went with it anyway and the name stuck. And every time any of us saw him after that, he’d just smile and yell ‘Hey, Hippo!’ … He was a good guy. That’s it, that’s what sticks and this has played out after his passing as friends, officials and lawmakers from ever side of the political spectrum have come out to sing his praises.”

Interim chief

Deputy Chief Barrett J. Moulton has been named Interim Chief of the Concord Police Department effective Jan. 24, according to a Concord city newsletter. He takes over for Chief Bradley Osgood, who retired Jan. 23, the newsletter said. “Chief Moulton has more than 27 years of experience in law enforcement. He grew up in New Hampshire and attended Northeastern University. He joined the Concord Police Department in 2006 after serving as a Police Officer and Sergeant with the Town of Loudon,” the newsletter said.

The New Hampshire Audubon is holding an open house for raptor biologist Chris Martin, who has retired after 35 years with NH Audubon, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road in Concord, according to an Audubon newsletter. RSVP by Jan. 30 at nhaudubon.org.

Capitol Cross-Country Ski Day, featuring races, gear demos and free lessons, will take place Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Concord Community Nordic Trails at Beaver Meadow Golf Course in Concord, according to skithebeav.org, where you can register for the races and clinics for youth and adults.

The Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St. in Nashua, will hold its first-ever metal concert with the local death metal band Cytokine on Friday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. in the Chandler Wing, according to a press release. The concert is free and all-ages. See nashualibrary.org.