Category: News

March Madness arrives

The Big Story – NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament: It all started with Tuesday’s play-in games, which included San Diego State vs. (yup, once mighty) North Carolina. It goes full throttle Thursday with the top seeds being Auburn, Duke, Houston and Florida. The two biggest questions are (1) Can 10-seed UConn be the first to win three straight titles since the UCLA dynasty won seven between 1967 and 1973? and (2) How close to full strength will Larry Bird play-alike Cooper Flagg be when Duke opens Friday after spraining his ankle last weekend?

Sports 101: Aside from UCLA’s seven straight titles, how many of the eight other schools to win back-to-back NCAA titles can you name?

News Item – The Good, Bad and Ugly for Pats Last Week: Good – They solidified the defense, with the best FA signings being Eagles nose tackle Milton Williams and Detriot CB Carlton Davis. Edge rusher Harold Landry’s wasn’t bad either. Bad – Maybe he can’t play anymore, but not throwing a fifth-round pick at the desperate for anything Rams to take a flier on Cooper Kupp seems dumb. Especially with him signed at manageable money for just two years. Ugly – They got no left tackle and no number one wideout, leaving their two biggest needs unfilled.

News Item – Garrett Crochet: The new Sox hurler was named the opening day starter. Given his numbers — one run allowed in four starts with a whopping 21 strikeouts in 10.1 innings — that’s hard to argue with. That’s 18.2 k’s per nine innings and is more than baseball’s all-time one-game record was for 85 years until Roger Clemens struck out 20 in 1986. Can someone please tell me why top prospect Roman Anthony only had 22 at-bats as of Monday? That he knocked in eight runs in those 22 is impressive, as that projects to 240 RBI over a full season! I know, not possible, but that’s what it comes to in a short sample size.

Biggest Sox Question – They still don’t know who the closer will be.

Biggest Sox Surprise – Trayce Thompson. Klay Thompson’s unheralded little brother has a team-leading six homers and 13 RBI in 30 AB’s.

Sox Injured List – Starters Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford will start 2025 on the IL.

News Item – NFL FA Leftovers: The vaunted QB draft class of 2021 with five taken in the first 15 picks is likely the biggest bust ever. With Justin Fields (Jets), Zach Wilson (Miami) and Mac Jones (SF) moving last week they’re all now on their third teams. Trey Lance was bounced out of SF after just two years and first overall pick Trevor Lawrence ain’t exactly the most popular guy in Jax these days. After leaving the Giants and Steelers hanging I’d tell Aaron Rodgers to stuff it. Dealing with his nonsense once might have been worth it, but now it’s a distraction.

The Numbers:

6 – record-setting number of schools Rick Pitino has taken to the NCAA Tournament after St. John’s won the Big East Tourney Saturday to join BU, Providence, Kentucky, Louisville and Iona.

70 – pace for the second most wins in NBA history the Cleveland Cavaliers are on.

Of the Week:

Thumbs Up – David Andrews: A true Patriots gamer gets it on his way out the door after being released.

Random Thoughts: Calling the SEC having 14 teams in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament “historic” is a joke. With major conference expansions as schools defect from their traditional conferences that’s no great accomplishment, because the big schools are stuffed into half as many conferences as there used to be. Jones to SF and Jacoby Brissett to Houston. The Pats are supplying the NFL with QB’s.

Sports 101 Answer: The back-to-back winning schools are Oklahoma State (45-46), Kentucky (48-49), San Francisco (55-56), Cincinnati (61-62), UCLA (64-65), Duke (91-92), Florida (06-07) and UConn (23-24).

Final Thought – Golf Media:

After he suffered a torn Achilles last week it’s sad to see Tiger Woods hurt again. But when is the golf media going to understand that he is no longer a big story? Every time a big tournament rolls around, like last week’s Players Championship, he’s a lead story despite the fact he’s far more likely to miss the cut than finish in the Top 25. Last week’s headline was Tiger Won’t Be Here This Year. It’s just nuts. Earth to golf media: It’s over. Like with Michael Jordan, Willie Mays and Peyton Manning the end comes for everyone no matter how great they are. And then those still don’t lead Super Bowl and World Series stories.

Why don’t they just let it be and put him in the Hall? Because no matter what, he ain’t coming back to within three time zones of what he once was.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

News & Notes 25/03/20

Open senate seat in ’26

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced on March 12 that she will not seek reelection in 2026, according to a press release.

Shaheen, who is 78 according to Wikipedia, was the first woman elected governor of New Hampshire, in 1996; she served three terms, the release said. In 2008 she was elected U.S. Senator, the release said.

“There are urgent challenges ahead, both here at home and around the world. And while I’m not seeking reelection, believe me, I am not retiring. I am determined to work every day over the next two years and beyond to continue to try and make a difference for the people of New Hampshire and this country,” Shaheen said, according to the release. See shaheen.senate.gov for her video message and a video highlighting her accomplishments. Married to Dover native Billy Shaheen, Jeanne Shaheen has three daughters and seven grandchildren, the release said.

Ed commissioner

NH Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut will “complete his term in office and will continue in holdover status to support schools through the end of the school year,” according to a press release from Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s office. Edelblut is the longest-serving education commissioner in the country, having served since 2017, the release said. “My office will launch a search for our next Education Commissioner who will build on this momentum and further our goal of improving our standards and academic performance, supporting our incredible teachers, and delivering a best-in-class education for every child in New Hampshire,” Ayotte said, according to the release.

Raw milk alert

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services sent out a press release on March 14 advising consumers not to drink Brookvale Pine Farm raw milk with “best if used by” dates through March 22 because the milk “may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.” The release said that the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food notified DHHS that a cow at the farm was diagnosed with listeria infection, the release said. The milk was sold in half-gallon containers at the Brookvale Mercantile in Brentwood, the release said. “Brookvale Pines Farm is working closely with DHHS to conduct ongoing milk testing, contact customers who may have purchased raw milk from the farm, and ensure the public’s health and safety,” the release said.

“To report an illness after raw milk consumption, contact DPHS at 603-271-4496. For more information about raw milk, visit the CDC website,” cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/raw-milk.html, the release said.

The Derry Public Library, 64 E. Broadway in Derry, will host a Red Cross blood drive on Saturday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To register call 800-73302767 or go to redcrossblood.org.

“Worlds,” featuring works by artists Julian Kent and Emma Kohlmann, is open now at Outer Space Arts, 35 Pleasant St. in Concord. The paintings will be on view through May 18; the gallery space is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. See outerspacearts.xyz.

“Three Vignettes” is open now at the Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center at Saint Anselm College in Manchester. “This exhibition comprises works from the permanent collection, with brief essays/meditations by 17 Saint Anselm College students,” according to a press release. The exhibit is open through May 9 and the gallery is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday, 4 to 7 p.m.

The Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St. in Nashua, will hold a “Little Green Thumbs” program on Wednesday, March 26, at 4:30 p.m. for grades K through 5. Kids will learn how to plant basil seeds and take care of the plant, according to a Facebook post. See nashualibrary.org.

This Week 25/03/13

Thursday, March 13

The BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) will host TR3 with Tim Reynolds tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $36 in advance or $44 at the door.

Thursday, March 13

Country trio Rascal Flatts will perform at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) tonight at 7 p.m. on their “Life is a Highway” Tour. Country stars Chris Lane and Lauren Alaina will open. Tickets start at $24.75 through ticketmaster.com.

Friday, March 14

Cowboy Bebop Live will come to the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) tonight at 8 p.m. The Bebop Bounty Big Band brings together storytelling and high-octane jazz in a complete multimedia experience highlighting the story of critically acclaimed anime Cowboy Bebop on the big screen with live music. Tickets start at $39.

Saturday, March 15

The Manchester Historic Association (129 Amherst St., Manchester, 622-7531, manchesterhistoric.org) will present a lecture, “All Aboard for Pine Island Park!,” at the Millyard Museum today from 11 a.m. to noon. Free with Museum admission. RSVP at 622-7531 or [email protected].

Saturday, March 15

Learn how to make Ukrainian Easter Eggs, which elaborately decorated with dye and hot wax, from Ukrainian artisans today from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. ans Dunay, March 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. The cost is $44 pe rperson or $30 per person for groups of four at NH School of Languages and Arts, 3J Taggard Drive in Nashua. Sign up by emailing [email protected].

Saturday, March 15

“Uncensored: Underground Art Experience” will be held today from 6 to 8 p.m. at 20 Garden Walk in Manchester, according to an email from Porsche Jones, one of the artists whose work will be displayed (others include Hazel Heywood of Grindark Studios, Jenn Coffey, Dapper Thom, Jenny Tibbits, Hannah Rowell-Jore and more). Admission is free to this exhibit “which showcases work that is political or otherwise too provocative for your average show. Not suitable for all ages,” the email said.

Saturday, March 15

Join To Share Brewing (720 Union St., Manchester, 836-6947, tosharebrewing.com) tonight at 7 p.m. for the Hardcore Queens Breaking Up Band and Drag Show, hosted by Glamme Chowdah. Tickets for this 21+ show are $15 cash at the door.

Sunday, March 16

Dartmouth Health Children’s Battle of the Badges Hockey presented by the Elliot Perry Foundation will take place today at 1 p.m. at SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com) when Team Police and Team Fire face off in this annual fundraiser. Tickets cost $16 for adults; kids 12 and under can get in for free. See childrens.dartmouth-health.org/events for more.

Save the Date! Friday, March 21
Ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham will take the stage at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) Friday, March 21, at 7 p.m. as part of his Artificial Intelligence Tour. Tickets start at $66.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 25/03/13

Pi Day

Friday, March 14, is National Pi Day — as in π, 3.14… . The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord is holding a Pi Day Lunar Eclipse celebration from 12:01 to 3 a.m. on Friday, an all ages event that includes Pi activities, watching the lunar eclipse and pizza, according to starhop.com (registration required). Sal’s Pizza in Manchester and Derry is tossing itself into the spirit of the day, by offering $3.14 off every extra-large pizza when you use the code “PIDAY” in store or online.

QOL score: +1 (.1415926….)

Comment: According to the Sal’s website, an extra-large pizza is 19 inches in diameter. Using the formula C=πd, that works out to a circumference of approximately 59.7 inches.

Potholes will get worse from now on

Between fluctuations in temperature and the hard wear we put our roads through, potholes are an unavoidable hazard of driving in New Hampshire. According to a Feb. 17 article in Discover magazine, we should expect them to only get worse. The article quoted Jennifer Jacobs, a civil engineer at the University of New Hampshire. “[Roads] are designed to operate under certain climate or weather conditions,” she said. Jacobs and her team have used climate change models to calculate the damage to roads under hotter weather and more extreme temperature shifts, and have determined that the calculations that are used to estimate how much maintenance our roads will need might be significantly inaccurate in coming decades.

QOL score: -1

Comment: The Discover magazine article went on: “To resist the forces of climate change, the team recommends making asphalt layers 7 to 32 percent thicker, with layers getting heftier as temperatures rise. ”

Winnie graduates

As reported by WMUR in a March 5 online article, Winnie, an emotional support dog with the state’s 911 call centers, has graduated from her training and is ready to start full-time work providing support to New Hampshire’s emergency dispatchers. According to WMUR, with the help of her trainer Abigail and the Hero Pups organization, Winnie “was recognized by the New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Emergency Services and Communications for completing training.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: WMUR quoted Mark Doyle, the director of emergency services and communications: “Winni has been specifically trained to provide emotional support and mental health wellness for our team. Since Winni completed her training and joined the team full-time around the start of the new year, her impact has been immediate and overwhelmingly positive.”

Downward dog. And cat. And maybe bunny.

As reported by The Concord Monitor in a March 10 online story, a local program is pairing yoga practitioners with animal partners. “To encourage the adoption of animals in their shelter and foster connections between humans and their four-legged counterparts,” the article reads, “Pope Memorial SPCA holds yoga classes twice a month where participants can practice poses alongside shelter pets.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: Spending time with an animal has been shown to lower stress in humans, the SPCA said in the article, as does yoga.

QOL score last week: 57

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 59

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

Let us know at [email protected].

NFL 2025 begins

The Big Story – NFL Year Opens: The new business year starts today with the opening of free agency, where the real action takes place over the next 10 days. The next time to add talent is over three days during the 90th annual NFL draft beginning on April 23. And the final big time is after June 1 when teams can cut players and lessen the cap hit by splitting their contracts over 2025 and 2026.

Sports 101: Name the 10 who once played for the Patriots who are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

News Item – Patriots FA Start: Despite being flush with free agent cap space with acknowledged huge holes on the O-line and at lead receiver they passed on immediate opportunities to address them right out of the gate. They wouldn’t meet the price of KC and Seattle to bring old friend Joe Thuney and wideout DK Metcalf to Foxboro. The 33-year-old Thuney, coming off a First Team All Pro season, has one year left on his $15 million and cost the Bears just a fourth-round pick to get him. For Metcalf, Pittsburgh gave up a second-round pick and $150 million over the next five years to trade for him. A lot of dough, yes, but that’s the going rate for high-end receivers.

If they had done that, they could have used their fourth overall pick to get a high-value left tackle to fill their three biggest holes, then focused their two third-round picks and remaining FA money to fortify the interior defense, which they started doing by signing Mike Vrabel’s edge rusher in Tennessee, Harold Landry.

So it sounds like more talk, little action again.

News Item – More Patriots Thoughts:

Travis Hunter: Not that the Patriots have to follow it if they decided take Henry. But he was listed as a DB at the Combine, which indicates where many believe he’s best suited to play. Given their previously stated Top 3 need that lowers the odds that NE will take him at 4.

Will Campbell: Does 3/8 of an inch in arm length really mean that much? The LSU left tackle is the highest-rated O-lineman on the Big Board. But the chatter about him is his arms are too short because they measure 32 5/8 inches in length, which is below the accepted 33 inches minimum for a left tackle.

Cooper Kupp: With Metcalf, Tee Higgins, Davante Adams and Deebo Samuel off the table what would you give to L.A. to get the once great but on the back nine wideout? A fourth-round pick?

Joe Milton: It would be stupid for the Patriots to trade their backup QB as the rumor mill is saying they might. They should showcase him in pre-season at least, because a strong showing raises his value even higher.

The Numbers:

30 – in case my Cowboys-loving friend George Copadis has forgotten, the number of years since “America’s Team” last even got to the Super Bowl.

84 – combined points scored by Peyton Pritchard (43) and Derrick White (41) to fill in the gap for the missing Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in Wednesday’s 128-118 win over Portland.

Of the Week:

Thumbs Up – Joe Mazzulla: For correctly treating Saturday’s game with the Lakers as more than just a regular regular-season game by playing Tatum 45 minutes, Jaylen Brown 41 and Al Horford a season-high 38, leading to a 111-101 statement win.

Best Game of the Week – Nikola Jokic: For the Larry Bird play-alike putting up the first 30-point, 20-rebound, 20-assist game in NBA history in Friday’s low-scoring 149-141 win over Phoenix.

Radio and TV Broadcasters Phew of the Week: They were spared the arduous task of trying to pronounce the first name of Sox prospect Jhostynxon Garcia for at least another year after he was optioned to the minors last week.

And don’t ask me, I don’t have a clue.

Random Thoughts:

I heard all the chatter about Metcalf not being a good fit for Josh McDaniels’ system. But shouldn’t offensive coordinators find ways to get talented receivers the balls in the way that capitalize on their outstanding skills over just fitting them into the system? Isn’t that what coaching is about?

Sports 101 Answer: The 10 Patriots Famers are Nick Buoniconti, John Hannah, Mike Haynes, Ty Law, Curtis Martin, Junior Seau, Randy Moss, Richard Seymour, Andre Tippett and Darrelle Revis.

Final Thought: True, most are happy with Mike Vrabel as the choice for Pats head coach. But given that the barren roster had far more to do with their going 4-13 than Alex Van Pelt or even Jerod Mayo did, that puts personnel chief Elliot Wolf in the spotlight. With holes all over the roster he needs to deliver at least six players in free agency and the draft who can contribute in a significant way next season. Otherwise they won’t be much better.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

News & Notes 25/03/13

TB patient

According to a press release from March 7, the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services and the Manchester Health Department identified a person with tuberculosis who was at the Families in Transition Adult Shelter and the 1269 Cafe in Manchester while infectious. “Anyone who visited these facilities from October 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025, could have been in contact with the individual and testing is available to find out if they were exposed to the bacteria that causes TB,” the release said. “People who believe they may have been exposed can also contact their primary care provider to request TB testing. Anyone without a primary care provider can call 211 to establish care.” On average, 12 people are diagnosed with TB in the state each year, the release said. Call DHHS at 271-4496 or visit dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/disease-prevention/infectious-disease-control/tuberculosis-tb.

Scam restitution

Homeland Security Investigations with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire are seeking to identify victims of a gift card fraud scheme for victim restitution purposes, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release. “In December 2023, Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the Concord, New Hampshire Police Department (CPD) began investigating a sophisticated gift card fraud scheme that is perpetuated by criminal organizations in China. This network has established a base of operations in New Hampshire due to the State’s tax-free retail environment and is responsible for millions of dollars in consumer losses,” the release said. The filing period for victims is open until June 30. “Potential fraud victims who had gift card funds stolen or used without authorization between October 1, 2023, and January 11, 2024 … are asked to provide the gift card number(s) and receipt or proof of purchase to [email protected]. Please also include the victim’s name and contact phone number,” the release said.

Baby shower

United Way of Greater Manchester is asking for donations for its annual Community Baby Shower on Wednesday, April 23, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the United Way of Greater Nashua office, according to a press release. The United Way is accepting new and gently used baby items including strollers, high chairs, carriers/backpacks, pack & plays, cribs (mattresses not accepted), diapering items, feeding supplies, clothes and more, the release said. Donations can be dropped off at 20 Broad St. in Nashua between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays by April 18, the release said. The United Way also has a donation registry: tinyurl.com/2025BBSHWR. Email [email protected] or see unitedwaynashua.org.

“Moving Parts,” an exhibit of kinetic energy in art, will open at Mosaic Art Collective (66 Hanover St. in Manchester; mosaicartcollective.com) on Saturday, March 15, with a reception from 4 to 8 p.m., according to Mosaic’s Facebook page. See Saw Art, a gallery space within Mosaic, will also open an exhibit on March 15: “Here & There” featuring artwork by Heather Morgan, Eleanor Croteau-LaBranche, Samantha Johnson and Mark Abercrombie, which will also have a reception from 4 to 8 p.m. The exhibit will be on display March 14 through March 30; see seesaw.gallery.

The Andres Institute of Art (106 Route 13 in Brookline; andresinstitute.org) will hold its annual Spring Iron Melt on Saturday, May 10. Purchase a mold now for $45 to carve at home and return to the Andres Welcome Center for the pour. See andresinstitute.org.

The March Science Cafe at Soel Sistas Cafe (30 Temple St. in Nashua) will meet on Tuesday, March 18, at 6 p.m. to discuss “Mindful Insights: Unraveling the Science of Meditation.” Attendance is free.

The Nashua Public Library Friends Annual Book and Media Sale runs Friday, March 14, through Sunday, March 16. Friends members (you can join at the door) get Friday access; the general public can attend Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Most items are 25 cents to $2. See nashualibrary.org.

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