Category: News

News & Notes 23/06/15

Protest at coal plant

A group of 75 climate activists and advocates of the No Coal No Gas campaign gathered outside Merrimack Station in Bow last week to demand the retirement of the coal plant and an end to the fossil fuel era. According to a press release, the event coincided with upcoming retirement offers for electricity generators in New England, providing an opportunity for the closure of Merrimack Station, and the activists expressed their determination to end the use of coal if the owners of the plant, Granite Shore Power, do not take action. Wearing white Tyvek suits, they raised signs with messages like “Happy Retirement, Merrimack Station,” “Shut it down” and “Climate justice now,” expressed concerns about the plant’s pollution’s impact on the environment and community health, and emphasized their belief in the need to phase out fossil fuels and the importance of not replacing the coal plant with a gas plant or expanding fracked gas projects, but rather turning to clean and renewable energy to mitigate the climate crisis. Law enforcement stood by, including Bow police, state troopers, an aerial drone and water patrol. The No Coal No Gas campaign is supported by various organizations dedicated to environmental justice and climate action. The gathering was part of a nationwide series of actions planned for June 8 through June 11 to end fossil fuel projects and address climate change, according to the release.

Guns scrapped

Gun violence prevention advocates, including GunSense NH and other members of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, organized a “Guns to Gardens” event at Concord Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord on June 10. According to a press release, the event allowed gun owners to voluntarily surrender their firearms, and 31 unwanted firearms, including an AR-15, were taken out of circulation. New Hampshire law prohibits the destruction of firearms by law enforcement, so Guns to Gardens offers an alternative for disposing of unwanted guns: The unloaded firearms were disarmed by trained volunteers and rendered inoperable, and the scrap metal from the firearms will be donated for metal artists to repurpose into garden tools. “This effort is a great opportunity for Granite Staters who want to remove unwanted firearms from their homes without putting them back out on the market,” Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress, said in the release. “We are excited that so many people came out to our first Guns to Gardens event with the goal to reduce unwanted firearms in our homes and instead transform them into something more useful, and less harmful, to our community.”

Aeronautical Institute to open

A new online higher education institution, the New England Aeronautical Institute (NEAI), is set to open in New Hampshire. According to a press release, NEAI, approved by state legislators, will offer its inaugural term starting this fall, providing individuals with the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Aviation degree. The Institute will specialize in flight operations and the managerial aspects of the aviation industry, aiming to address the future demands of aeronautics. With the first day of classes scheduled for Oct. 9, NEAI is poised to fill a gap in the state’s educational landscape by offering flight operations training and academic programs to enhance professional careers in aviation. The arrival of NEAI has been met with enthusiasm from state officials, including Frank Edelblut, the education commissioner, who highlighted the expanded academic and career possibilities it brings to New Hampshire students.

Fighting spam

Attorney General John M. Formella has joined a coalition of 28 state Attorneys General in urging the Federal Communications Commission to clarify telemarketing rules regarding consent for robocalls and texts. According to a press release, the coalition supports the FCC’s proposed amendment to ensure that National Do Not Call Registry protections also apply to text messages. The amendment aims to close a “lead generator loophole” by requiring consent for multiple entities that are logically and topically associated and listed on the same webpage. However, the Attorneys General argue in their letter that the proposed action may introduce ambiguity and suggest that clarification of the existing single seller-to-individual consumer language would be more effective.

House passes amended SB58

An amended bill addressing the issue of arrests without a warrant while under the care of medical professionals on the premises of residential care or health care facilities has been passed by the House. According to a press release, medical personnel have been required to provide emergency care to anyone who seeks it, even if they exhibit abusive behavior. However, if a health care worker is threatened or assaulted, law enforcement cannot make an arrest because the violence did not occur in their presence. The amended version of SB58 allows for the arrest of individuals who disrupt medical care through threats or actual violence. Once the necessary care is provided, the police will have the authority to remove such individuals from the premises.

Easterseals NH will soon reveal design concepts for its planned military and veterans campus, which will be the first of its kind in the state, according to a press release. Supported by $23 million in Covid Relief Funding from the state, Easterseals NH aims to enhance its efforts in the military community through the redevelopment of its 15-acre campus in Franklin. The campus will feature affordable rental housing for veterans, a hub of services for various military service providers, a retreat center and opportunities for therapeutic recreation.

Intown Concord’s Market Days, the largest annual festival in downtown Concord, will return for its 49th year on Thursday, June 22, with festivities through Saturday, June 24, including local vendors, live entertainment, family-friendly activities and more. According to a press release, this year’s festival will have a new approach as a sustainable event, featuring initiatives to promote recycling, waste reduction and eco-conscious practices. Staffed recycling stations, reusable cups in the beer tent and vendor composting are among the sustainability initiatives. Visit marketdaysfestival.com.

The Manchester School District will hold graduation ceremonies for all four of its high schools, on Saturday, June 17, at the SNHU Arena in Manchester. According to a press release, there will be two ceremonies in the morning — Manchester School of Technology High School at 8 a.m., and Manchester Central High School at 10 a.m. — and two in the afternoon — Manchester High School West at 2 p.m., and Manchester Memorial High School at 5:30 p.m. West High School will be hosting its 100th anniversary gala at the Millyard Museum from 4 to 6 p.m. on the same day.

This Week 23/06/08

Big Events June 8, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, June 8

Celebrating Billy Joel – America’s Piano Man is coming to the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St.) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the pianist’s album Piano Man. The multi-instrumental band will play all of Joel’s hits. Tickets to the show cost $29 to $59 and can be purchased at nashuacenterforthearts.com.

Saturday, June 10

Today is the first day of the Motorcycle Week at New Hampshire Motor Speedways (1122 Route 106 North, Loudon) starting at 10 a.m. The event runs from today through June 18 with events on and off the track, like demo rides by Katancha and Harley-Davidson, USCRA FIM North American Vintage Championship races, and classes with Penguin Roadracing School. The event is free to attend. Visit nhms.com for more information.

Saturday, June 10

Join The Sweet Spot at Sheridan Emmett Park (324 Beech St., Manchester) for a Summer Kickoff Craft Fair from noon to 4 p.m. There will be 40 vendors selling crafts and goods. For more information, visit facebook.com/thesweetspotandco.

Saturday, June 10

The Range (96 Old Turnpike Road, Mason) has the first concert in its Summer Concert Series tonight. The show will feature jam band Max Creek, which first formed in 1971. Tickets cost $30 in advance, $38 the day of, and kids younger than 6 years old are free. Visit therangemason.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

Sunday, June 11

NH Guitars (41 Range Road, Windham) is hosting an informal summer jam session outside the shop today from 2 to 5 p.m. Visitors are invited to bring their own guitars or pick one up at the shop and join the team of instructors and professional musicians. Custom bass and guitar builder Mike Saint Germain will be at the jam for a meet-and-greet. For more information visit nhguitars.com.

Tuesday, June 13

SEE Science Center is teaming up with Science on Tap and Science Café NH to present Science Discussion Roadshow at the VFW Post 8641 (292 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack). The topic will be the science behind ice cream. The doors open at 5 p.m., and the discussion begins at 6:30 p.m. More information about this event can be found at see-sciencecenter.org.

Tuesday, June 13

The Henniker Concert Series starts tonight with Peabody’s Coal Train, a New Hampshire-based Americana six-piece band that started up in 2023. The concert is at 6:30 p.m. at the Angela Robinson Bandstand (57 Main St.). In case of rain the event will be moved to the Community Center adjacent to the park. There will be food available by Primetime Grilled Cheese. Visit Facebook.com/HennikerConcert.

Save the Date! Saturday, June 17
The awards ceremony for the 23rd annual Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic is today at 8 p.m. on the Hampton Beach Sea Shell Stage (100 Ocean Blvd.). Voting for the people’s choice portion of the award will be from 1 to 3 p.m. The ceremony is followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The sculptures will be on display at Hampton Beach through June 26. For more information visit hamptonbeach.org

Quality of Life 23/06/08

Working ahead

Nine New Hampshire high school students this month received both their high school diploma and an associate degree at the same time. According to a press release, the students are the inaugural graduating class of Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies, a chartered public high school on the campus of Manchester Community College that opened in 2019. The school offers dual-credit programs with a focus on mechatronics, allowing high school students to receive an associate degree in advanced manufacturing from Manchester Community College the same year they graduate from high school. The graduates have already secured internships at prominent companies, according to the release.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Spark Academy plans to expand its offerings to include a degree program in bio fabrication, and openings for the upcoming academic year are still available.

Sustainable fun

Intown Concord, in partnership with New Hampshire Federal Credit Union, has set out to make Market Days, the largest annual festival in downtown Concord, a sustainable event. According to a press release, the festival, planned for June 22 through June 24, will feature initiatives to promote recycling, waste reduction and eco-conscious practices. Staffed recycling stations, reusable cups in the beer tent and vendor composting are among the key sustainability initiatives. Visit marketdaysfestival.com to learn more.

QOL score: +1

Comment: “By making Market Days a sustainable event, we hope to inspire other festivals, organizations, and individuals to adopt similar practices, creating a greener and more sustainable future for our community,” Intown Concord stated in the release.

We’re spendy

A recent study by Forbes Advisor that examined budgeting, debt management and financial planning across the 50 states revealed that New Hampshire ranked as the sixth least financially disciplined state. According to the study, only 56 percent of residents follow a budget that guides their spending; 22 percent regularly save a portion of their monthly income; 32 percent contribute to a retirement account; 26 percent usually achieve their financial goals, such as paying off student loans; and only 18 percent claim to possess high levels of financial discipline.

QOL score: -1

Comment: The study notes low unemployment as a possible factor in securing Alabama’s status as the most financially disciplined state, though interestingly, New Hampshire surpasses Alabama in that area, ranking third for unemployment, while Alabama ranks sixth.

QOL score: 76

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 77

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

Featured photo: Students at Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies. Courtesy photo.

Honoring those who served

The Big Story – Baseball Took a Hit on D-Day: In the last week we have remembered with reverence and awe the courage and sacrifice made by American servicemen and women with Memorial Day and the 79th anniversary of D-Day, which I think is the greatest day in our history for what America stands for. Below I recognize athletes, especially baseball players, for their service in World War II and on D-Day. In the meantime, thank you for your service.

Sports 101: Name the baseball player who spied behind German lines for the U.S. during World War II.

News Item – Down Goes Chris Sale, Again: With the ERA at 2.23 in his previous five starts, when he struck out 37 and walked just four over 32.1 innings, it all seemed to be going so well. But the fingers are always crossed with Sale, because sooner or later something seems to go wrong. And it did last week when he had to leave after 3.2 innings vs. Cincinnati with an inflamed left shoulder that led to his latest IL stint.

News Item – Panicsville Hits the Hoop Hub: With the Celtics going out of the playoffs earlier than anyone wanted, there is a huge hue and cry locally to make big changes. In situations like this, I wonder what Red Auerbach might have done. Conveniently we can look back at what he said and did after the Celtics were swept out of the playoffs by the Bucks in 1983. Red’s response was, “You don’t go into panicsville to break up a ball club as good as this one just because you lose one series.”

Bill Fitch did step down as coach. But Red kept the core intact by ponying up the big bucks to re-sign free agent Kevin McHale,who was a whisker away from signing with the Knicks. And then somehow got Dennis Johnson and a first-round pick in a trade for back-up center Rick Robey. Both were keys to winning it all in 1984 and again in ’86.

The lesson: The worst time to make decisions is when emotions are raw. Take time, assess, and then act.

A Little History – Baseball at War, 1942-1945: A look at three Hall of Famers who saw WWII action on D-Day and elsewhere.

Yogi Berra: Nineteen-year-old Lawrence Peter Berra was on the USS Bayfield ferrying troops to Omaha Beach and providing cover for them on D-Day, and he earned a Purple Heart after being wounded by German fire.

Bob Feller: By joining the Navy two days after Pearl Harbor he was the first big-leaguer to enlist in the service, a naval gunnery officer who fought in the Pacific aboard the USS Alabama. It’s likely the 266-game winner lost 100 career wins due to his four years served.

Warren Spahn: The 363-game winner was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star after seeing action in the Battle of the Bulge and the Bridge at Remagen.

The Numbers:

.280 – May batting average for Sox rookie Triston Casas after being buried at .131 at the end of April.

0 – points scored on 10 shots taken by Miami’s Max Strus in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

8 – fouls called on Denver to 15 on Miami in Game 1.

Random Leftover Celtics Thoughts:

Is Charles Barkley ever right? After saying everyone in America knows Miami won’t win Game 7, the winner of exactly zero NBA titles called the Celtics failures after Miami did win. Making the question, well, Chuck, if they’re as bad as you say they are, then what kind of a numbskull would pick them to win Game 7?

Was Caleb Martin scoring just three points in Game 1 of the NBA Finals after annihilating the Celtics in their series just because he was due for a bad game, or because they actually decided to just cover him?

No question Marcus Smart is a disruptor and versatile team defender. But he’s not the lock-down individual defender he’s made out to be. Said another way, he’s no Michael Cooper or Scottie Pippen in one-on-one match-ups.

Sports 101 Answer: Journeyman catcher Moe Berg, who was Jewish and who spoke several languages after graduating from Princeton and Columbia Law School, spied behind Nazi lines gathering intelligence on their nuclear program.

Final Thought: Kendrick Perkins says Larry Bird was no legend.

In saying he’s not on ESPN’s First Take to make friends, mission accomplished. But is Perk’s role to be a complete blithering idiot instead? When you’re a Gen-X journeyman who never actually saw the greatness of Bird in person, speaking nonsense like Bird was not a legend because “he never won a scoring title” lets people know you have no clue about Bird’s dominant impact in 99.9 percent of the games he played.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Finding Gold

Upcycling project earns a Girl Scout Gold Award

Anya Merriman-Mix of Amherst, a Girl Scout and high school senior at The Dublin School, recently earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, investing more than 93 hours and more than $500 in funding in organizing sustainable fashion workshops. Merriman-Mix talked about her initiative to raise awareness about the harmful effects of fast fashion and promote upcycling as a viable solution.

What inspired you to raise awareness about the impact of fast fashion and promote upcycling?

During Covid, when I was stuck in my house and trying to find things to do, I saw a bunch of people making their own tops, by crocheting them or using recycled materials. … I started doing some research around it … and into fast fashion and the impact that it has on other countries. … The fashion industry no longer operates around just four seasons; it puts out new styles every few weeks. This results in a huge influx of clothes that stay in stores for a short period, then get sent back to the countries they came from if they’re not sold. I found all this really interesting. I regularly go through my closet and donate or give away anything I don’t want, and I discovered that many donations given to places like Goodwill aren’t always bought, and a lot of it is unusable. If something gets donated and sits there for a long time, it also gets sent back [to other countries]. There’s an overflow of clothes and fabrics that aren’t needed and can’t be reused and end up in landfills. I wanted to raise awareness and make people more conscious of their clothing-buying decisions … and I noticed that many people have no idea what upcycling is when I bring it up.

How did this translate into a project for Girl Scouts, and what did that project consist of?

I decided to propose an upcycling course for my school during what’s called “J-term,” which is a two-week period in January when my school offers various courses. A couple of teachers expressed interest, and we worked together to create the course. That’s when I decided to turn it into my Gold Award project [for Girl Scouts]. … I also ran a workshop for Brownies where they made their own tote bags and dreamcatchers. What’s interesting is [the Brownies] actually took the extra fabric from their dreamcatchers and started making bracelets out of it … they took it upon themselves, which was really great to see. I’m going to teach another upcycling course at a Girl Scout summer camp this year. I also created a website, and I’ve connected with a woman in Milford who does upcycling through her company called Mountain Girl.

How can individuals who are not creatively inclined toward upcycling dispose of their unwanted clothing and fabrics responsibly?

If you can’t find someone to give them to directly, donating clothes is always a better option than throwing them away. There are higher-end thrift stores like Mother and Child that accept good quality clothes. Companies like Lululemon and Patagonia also have buyback programs where you can return old clothes for them to resell.

How has this project changed the way you think about and manage clothes in your own life?

I try not to buy clothes unless I need something specific for an event or it’s something that I truly love and know for sure that I’ll wear again. I look for higher-end brands that are moderately affordable, because they usually offer better quality.

What skills aside from upcycling have you developed through this project?

Public speaking and advocacy were significant skills I developed. I had to communicate and convince different people about my project and learn to adapt my message for different audiences, such as teachers, Girl Scouts council members and Brownies.

What advice do you have for other Girl Scouts who are working toward earning the Gold Award?

If you have an interest, start researching and brainstorming ideas. I had been passionate about upcycling for a few years, but I didn’t have much preparation or knowledge at the beginning [of the project], so I learned things as I went along. … Not everything goes smoothly all the time, but it’s definitely worth a shot. I know I’m really glad I took on this project.

Featured photo: Anya Merriman-Mix. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 23/06/08

Sununu is a ‘no’

Gov. Chris Sununu is not running for president in 2024, as he explained in a Washington Post opinion piece from June 5 and as was reported by several local media outlets that day. “Our party is on a collision course toward electoral irrelevance without significant corrective action. The stakes are too high for a crowded field to hand the nomination to a candidate who earns just 35 percent of the vote, and I will help ensure this does not happen,” Sununu said in the piece (former President Donald Trump received 35 percent of the vote in the 2016 Republican primary). Sununu said in the Washington Post piece he believes he can have more influence “on the future of the Republican Party and the 2024 nominating process” as governor. In an interview with WMUR aired on Monday, he said he could be more unleashed as governor than as a candidate. The WMUR piece also said Sununu has not yet said whether he plans to run for a fifth term as governor.

Schools survey

The New Hampshire Department of Education has released the results of its 603 Bright Futures Survey, which recently gathered feedback from educators, families and community members on the previous school year. The survey showed progress made in innovation, school safety and partnerships between schools and families, while areas for improvement identified include student anxiety, behavior and additional support for educators. Other key findings include positive relationships between staff and students; the need for more support for educators working with special education and academically advanced students; and the importance of social and emotional support systems in schools. Full survey results can be viewed at secure.panoramaed.com/nhed/understand.

Pedestrian bridge

The City of Manchester has unveiled updated designs for the Granite Street Pedestrian Bridge, which is part of the RAISE Manchester transportation infrastructure project, “Connecting Communities.” According to a press release, the new design incorporates feedback from residents, businesses and community groups to enhance safety and usability for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. The bridge, near the Commercial Street and Granite Street intersection, will provide a safe alternative for Fisher Cats fans and commuters crossing Granite Street. The widened bridge and ramps now meet ADA accessibility standards, and cyclists can choose between using the bridge or street-level travel lanes. The project also aims to improve signal operation, reduce emissions and pay homage to Manchester’s history by resembling the former Notre Dame Bridge.

Lawsuit settlement

Attorney General John M. Formella has announced in a press release a nationwide settlement of $102.5 million with Indivior Inc., the maker of Suboxone, in which 42 states participated. New Hampshire will receive approximately $896,400 as part of the settlement. The complaint alleged that Indivior used illegal tactics to maintain its monopoly over Suboxone, making it more expensive and difficult to treat opioid addiction. “Indivior’s illegal actions truly put profits ahead of people, and with this settlement we are holding them accountable and obtaining significant relief for our citizens,” Formella said in the release. The agreement, subject to court approval, requires Indivior to pay the states and comply with injunctive terms to prevent similar conduct in the future.

Help for kids

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $499,277 to Lamprey Health Care to support its Southern NH Area Health Education Center program, according to a press release from New Hampshire’s congressional delegation. The funding will be used to expand access to trauma-informed care and interventions for children and caregivers who have been exposed to adverse childhood experiences. The delegation, including U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, as well as Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, emphasized the importance of such programs in addressing the substance use disorder epidemic in New Hampshire and supporting affected families.

Detentions abroad

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has been appointed as an honorary co-chair on a bipartisan commission aimed at addressing the increase in hostage taking and wrongful detention worldwide. According to a press release, the commission comprises various experts, including former hostages and their families, law enforcement officials, diplomats, academics and journalists. Formed in collaboration with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), it will focus on studying effective strategies to respond to different types of hostage-taking actors, proposing new U.S. government policies to deter such actions and developing tools and authorities to aid U.S. officials and hostage families. Additionally, a bipartisan legislation co-led by Shaheen establishing a national day recognizing U.S. hostages and their families was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate. Shaheen is also a leader on the Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act of 2023, which aims to provide assistance to families of wrongfully detained Americans and improve mental health support for detainees and their families.

Anagnost Investments held a ribbon-cutting Tuesday, June 6, for the opening of its new Bow Lane Property, behind Bedford High School at 3 Bow Lane in Bedford. The property comprises three buildings totaling 93 units, with 47 units dedicated to workforce housing, aligning with the community’s affordable housing initiatives. Speakers in attendance, included Dick Anagnost, developer at Anagnost Investments, Inc.; U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan; State Sen. Denise Ricciardi, and Rob Dapice from the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority.

The Candia Town Wide Yard Sale will be held Saturday, June 10, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Find maps to registered sales on Friday, June 9, outside the front door of Candia Town Hall (74 High St.) and Smyth Library (55 High St. in Candia) or via the Candia Community Women’s Club’s website, candiawomansgroup.org.

From now until Aug. 20, all Jordan’s Furniture store locations, including the one in Nashua, will collect donations of new and gently used clothing for children up to 12 years old to support its Cradles to Crayons’ Ready for Learning initiative, which provides back-to-school supplies and clothing to children experiencing homelessness or living in low-income households. Donations will be distributed through a network of partner hospitals, shelters, schools and community centers. Visit jordans.com to learn more.

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