News – Page 54

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 [email protected].

In the market?

A real estate attorney discusses homebuying

Matthew W. Neuman, Esq., real estate attorney of Bedford-based Absolute Title, discusses crucial home buying steps, the impact of fluctuating interest rates and his innovative approach to the closing process.

What are the crucial steps a New Hampshire homebuyer should follow before diving into the market?

It’s vital any buyer thinking of … using mortgage financing first reach out to a mortgage lender to verify their mortgage eligibility. With rates higher than the historic lows from a couple of years ago, it’s vital they identify their budget and focus on a realistic purchase price point. … Once you establish that price, they need to seek out a Realtor who will help guide them to only properties in their price range.

How are fluctuating interest rates impacting the average New Hampshire homebuyer?

Interest rates have fluctuated from all-time lows a couple years ago to where they are currently, hovering around 8 percent. These current rates are being characterized as very high when in reality they’re almost exactly equal to the historic average rate since 1971 of 7.75 percent, but as rates increase the consumer’s buying power decreases and prices them out of houses they may have been able to afford two years ago. Unfortunately most consumers are holding onto the memory of the historic rates. … It will be another 12 to 24 months before we see much relief in the area of interest rates, so people need to reset their expectations.

What are some common corners buyers are cutting in the current market, and what potential pitfalls should they be wary of?

If a buyer waives their right to perform a home inspection prior to closing, they run the risk of missing significant structural and mechanical defects in the property that could be addressed and negotiated with the seller. Buying “as is” is just that, and any issues go right along with it and more than likely will have no recourse against the seller. Buyers who waive their rights of due diligence for easements, restriction, covenants, etc., will miss the opportunity to verify there are no restrictions on the property that could potentially impair their intended use of the property, such as ‘no livestock’ for people looking to have chickens.

You’ve been credited with creating proprietary software to aid in the closing process. Can you explain how this technology helps the average buyer?

Historically, buyers were limited to one of two ways to bring their funds to closing: either a wire transfer sent from their bank, or bringing a bank certified check to closing. Both of those options are inconvenient, often costly and highly susceptible to fraud. In 2018 we released AbsolutePay, our proprietary and patented payment platform that allows buyers, sellers, Realtors and lenders to transfer the funds required for a closing from their account to ours easily, safely, securely and for free. They can initiate it in a few minutes from their desktop, laptop, tablet or phone.

How does fraud intersect with real estate, and what are some simple steps buyers can take to protect themselves?

Fraud has become quite rampant in the real estate world. The reliance on email as the preferred form of communication has opened the door for fraudsters to interject themselves into a conversation between the parties of a transaction and then steer the parties to make a fatal mistake, such as providing fraudulent wire instructions, which can then result in the loss of these funds. Wire instructions should never be provided through ‘unsecure’ email and should always be verified over the phone. Picking up the phone and having conversations will help to minimize the risk of fraud. Another fraud situation that has recently grown in popularity is the sale of ‘vacant’ land by someone purporting to be the owner but in reality is a fraudster. They will reach out to a Realtor, usually through email, explaining they live out of state or are on vacation and would like to list their property for sale but they don’t want their neighbors to know they’re selling so they instruct the Realtor to not place a ‘for sale’ sign at the property. Once the property goes under agreement, all correspondence with the seller occurs through email, and if not caught in time, the transaction is completed, resulting in funds being wired to the fraudsters. These situations can be avoided by choosing to work with experienced Realtors and title professionals.

Featured photo: Matthew W. Neuman. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 23/11/09

Report on aging

The New Hampshire State Commission on Aging (NHCOA) has released its 2022-2023 Annual Report, offering key insights into policy and legislative efforts that aim to enhance the quality of life for New Hampshire’s aging population, according to a press release. Formed in 2019, the 26-member Commission, comprising state legislators, agency representatives and gubernatorial appointees, advises on aging-related policy and planning. The report, reflecting New Hampshire’s status as the second-oldest state in the U.S., focuses on systemic thinking and innovation to support an aging population. “People are living longer, healthier lives and our report provides key insights on numerous policy and legislative efforts over the past year, as well as future recommendations that we believe can continue to improve and enhance the quality of life for all who live in the Granite State,” Susan Ruka, NHCOA Chair, said in the release. The public is invited to review the report online at nhcoa.nh.gov or request a printed copy via email to [email protected]. The Commission’s meetings, including the next one, on Nov. 20 at the New Hampshire Hospital Association in Concord, are open to the public, with remote participation options available.

Historic spots

The New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources recently announced the addition of four notable properties to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, each reflecting important aspects of community life, according to a press release. The Haynes Library in Alexandria Village, dating back to 1894, stands out with its brick exterior and North Carolina pine woodwork. The North Road Schoolhouse / District No. 4 School, a one-room schoolhouse built in 1853-54 in Danbury, now functions as a museum. The Henniker Community Center, originally built in 1834 by the First Baptist Society and known as “the Brick Church,” showcases Gothic Revival features and has been owned by the town since 2002. Lastly, Old New London Village, established in 1962, is an open-air museum that recreates a rural New Hampshire village from the mid-19th century. These additions highlight New Hampshire’s commitment to preserving its historic structures, each telling a unique story of the state’s past. Nominations for the State Register require thorough historical documentation, but listing does not restrict property owners.

Voting news

On Nov. 3, the Hillsborough South Superior Court in Concord granted a motion by the State to dismiss a lawsuit challenging a new voting law, SB 418. According to a press release, the case, 603 Forward, et al. v. David M. Scanlan, et al., was brought by several individual and organizational plaintiffs. SB 418 mandates that voters registering for the first time in New Hampshire on Election Day without adequate proof of identity must vote by “affidavit ballot.” The plaintiffs claimed this law violated various provisions of the New Hampshire Constitution. However, the court ruled that the individual plaintiffs, already registered voters in New Hampshire, lacked standing as they are not subject to the affidavit ballot requirements of SB 418 and did not have taxpayer standing. Additionally, the court determined that the organizational plaintiffs did not have standing based on the “diversion of resources” theory. This dismissal order is not final and may be reconsidered or appealed to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

Kangaroos?

New Hampshire is considering a bill that would legalize the private ownership and farming of kangaroos, along with other animals like small tailed monkeys, raccoons, foxes, otters and skunks, according to a press release from the Free State Food Network. Proposed by State Rep. Tom Mannion, this initiative, complemented by Representative Michael Granger’s bill for kangaroo farming, aims to offer new opportunities for local food production and sustainable farming practices. Advocates of the bill argue that kangaroo farming requires significantly less water than cattle farming, making it more suitable for small-scale farms and less impactful on the environment. By adding kangaroos to the list of farmable animals, which already includes red deer, bison and elk, New Hampshire could boost its agricultural diversity, create new job opportunities and move closer to food independence, according to the release.

The Flying Yankee

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is currently inviting proposals for the acquisition, relocation and recommended preservation of the historic Flying Yankee train, presently situated in Lincoln. Interested parties have until 3 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2024, to submit their proposals. Detailed information, including location maps, inventory forms and draft historic covenants, can be accessed online at dot.nh.gov/projects-plans-and-programs/programs/cultural-resources, under the heading “The Flying Yankee Information and Documentation.” Additionally, there will be an opportunity to inspect the Flying Yankee on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon in Lincoln, and its trucks and components from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Twin Mountain on the same day. These inspections will be supervised by NHDOT staff.

Beverly Cotton from Weare was honored with the prestigious Andrus Award for Community Service by AARP New Hampshire at a celebratory luncheon at the Derryfield Country Club in Manchester. According to a press release, this award recognizes individuals over 50 who have made significant contributions to their community, embodying AARP’s vision and mission. Cotton, a dedicated volunteer, has been actively involved with AARP since 2018, contributing in various capacities including advocacy, election support and as a member of the Speakers Bureau.

The Millyard Museum in Manchester is opening an exhibition titled “Posted! A Collection of Posters from Manchester’s Past” on Nov. 16, according to a press release. Showcasing a range of historical posters, the exhibition reveals Manchester’s history through various forms of visual communication, from health notices to movie ads. Inspired by Jeff Cuddy’s rediscovered circus posters, the exhibit is free to the public and runs until March 1, 2024.

Jenna Dinndorf, a 17-year-old from Bedford, has been awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award for her project, Grieving Through Art, in collaboration with the Manchester grief assistance group, Friends of Aine. Addressing the issue of child grief, Dinndorf’s initiative uses art for expression and healing, involving the creation and exhibition of artwork by grieving children and the distribution of Coping Cards with art and grief-coping strategies to schools across New Hampshire.

This Week 23/11/02

Big Events November 2, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Nov. 2

It’s the final weekend to catch the musical Kinky Boots at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588). The show plays tonight at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 4, at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $28 to $49.

Thursday, Nov. 2

At tonight’s Art After Work at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org, 669-6144) the live entertainment is Trivia Live! With Bill Seney. Art After Work runs from 5 to 8 p.m., when admission is donation-based.

Friday, Nov. 3

Discover the art of presidential impersonation at Playing POTUS, a multi-media show with Peter Funt (who has a book of the same name) featuring clips, interviews and more tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive in Manchester; tickets.anselm.edu). Tickets cost $45.

Friday, Nov. 3

The curtain rises tonight at 8 p.m. on the first of Bedford Off Broadway’s presentations of The Curious Savage, the story of an elderly widow who plans to give away her multimillion-dollar inheritance to people pursuing “foolish dreams” over the objections of her stepchildren, according to bedfordoffbroadway.com. The show runs through Sunday, Nov. 12, with shows at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets cost $15 general admission, $12 for children, students and seniors.

Saturday, Nov. 4

From Little Richard and Buddy Holly to the stars of MTV, explore Neil Burg’s 50 Years of Rock and Roll tonight at 7 p.m. at the Stockbridge Theatre (44 N. Main St. in Derry; stockbridgetheatre.showare.com). Tickets cost $30 to $35.

Save the Date! Friday, Nov. 10
Symphony NH will perform Wynton Marsalis’ “A Fiddler’s Tale” with guest artist Danny Rivera as narrator at three venues next week starting on Friday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Stockbridge Theatre (Pinkerton Academy, 5 Pinkerton St. in Derry; stockbridgetheatre.com). The performance will move to the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m., catch the performance at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord). The piece is a modern interpretation of Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale” that integrates blues, jazz, tangos, rags, waltzes and classical music to narrate a contemporary story about love, greed and Faustian deals, according to Symphony NH. See symphonynh.org for ticket information.

Featured photo: Kinky Boots. Photo by AnnMarie Lidman Photography.

Quality of Life 23/11/02

Volunteer spirit

Seventy volunteers and nonprofits were honored at Volunteer NH’s 20th Spirit of NH Awards in Concord for their exceptional community service, according to a press release. Hosted by WMUR’s Sean McDonald and Erin Fehlau and streamed by ConcordTV, the ceremony recognized individuals and groups in various categories. Notable awardees included Sophia Day from Girl Scouts, Dana Hedrick from the Animal Rescue League, and the Concord Hospital End of Life Volunteer Program. Special mentions included Justin Vanasse, who received the Spirit of NH Award for resource work at Southern New Hampshire University, Doug Moorhead with a Lifetime Achievement Award for 30 years of service to Special Olympics, and Kari Karwedsky, the People’s Choice Award recipient for her work with FIRST Robotics. Volunteer NH, based in Concord, champions community-building through volunteerism in New Hampshire.

QOL score: +1

Comment: “Volunteers are the backbone of our communities,” said Gretchen Stallings, Executive Director of Volunteer NH, in the release.

Future teachers

Bedford Academy is joining forces with Southern New Hampshire University to offer its students an enhanced educational experience and pave the way for future educators, according to a press release. Aspiring teachers from SNHU will join Bedford Academy’s classrooms, acquiring hands-on experience. This partnership give teacher candidates a chance to develop their skills in a real-world setting.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Bedford Academy, a private STEAM-inspired elementary school.

Safe walking

In observance of October’s Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month, a study by Bumper highlighted the rise in pedestrian fatalities across the U.S. However, New Hampshire stands out, reporting the lowest death rate of the 50 states with 0.58 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 population in 2021, making it the safest state for pedestrians in the country. Additionally, the Granite State has seen a reduction in fatalities over recent years, from 10 in 2019 to 8 in 2021, marking a 39.58 percent decline.

QOL score: 0 (because while NH is in a good position comparatively, any pedestrian death or injury is too much)

Comment: Experts emphasized a few key precautions to prevent pedestrian accidents: pedestrians should use crosswalks, don reflective gear at night, and avoid distractions like texting. Drivers, especially those in SUVs, should yield to walkers, obey speed limits, and avoid alcohol and device distractions.

Clock o’clock

Sunday, Nov. 5, marks the end of daylight saving time. We all officially “fall back” at 2 a.m.

QOL score: –2

Comments: Because “yay” for the extra hour of sleep on Sunday but “boo” for having to remember how to access the clocks on your non-smart appliances, for the general approaching-winter post-work-day darkness and for changing clocks twice a year at all.

QOL score: 91
Net change: 0
QOL this week: 91

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

C’s start strong

The Big Story – Celtics Get Started: The NBA season kicked off last week with great expectations for the local five. After an off-season of major changes, the new-look Celtics are among the favorites to win it all.

First they’d have to get by Milwaukee, who had a major renovation by acquiring Damian Lillard and saying goodbye to Jrue Holiday (which will hurt more than they think) in a trade with Portland. To which the Celtics said thanks very much when Holiday was flipped to them a few days later.

Then comes defending champ Denver and reconfigured Kevin Durant-led Phoenix out west.

It started well with newbie Kristaps Porzingis pulling their bacon out of the fire with a big fourth quarter in the opening-day win over New York at MSG. Two nights later new starter Derrick White was the man with 28 vs. Miami at home.

All of which suggests an interesting season lies ahead.

Sports 101: Who’s the all-time leading scorer in NBA Finals?

News Item – Strength: They arguably now have the best six-player group in the league. And while I loved (most) of what Marcus Smart did, it was clear at the end of last year White was not only the consistently better player but also the better on ball defender. And while his toughness was invaluable, it was time for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to become the top leadership dogs.

News Item – Concerns – The Bench: These also were revealed in Game 1, when the bench gave them nothing (four points) in 33 minutes. And while Payton Pritchard could be ready for a bigger role, better consistency is paramount and answers for everywhere else are not obvious. So in some ways the season rides on whether Pritchard and Sam Hauser can exceed low expectations and someone (anyone) can emerge as a reliable big off the bench.

News Item – The New Guys: Besides the obvious (needed size up front), by going for33 vs. the Knicks with a strong inside defensive/shot blocking presence and surprisingly tough rebounding, Porzingis demonstrated in Game 1 what he can do — if he remains healthy.

The real surprise was seeing Holiday play a 6’9” bull like Julius Randle all night as he shot 4 for 22 in scoring just 14 points. That was impressive toughness.

The Numbers:

0, 4, 7, 8, 9 – Am I the only one who noticed Celtics starters Tatum, Holiday, Brown, Porzingis and White all have single digits on their jerseys? That’s a first in team history?

Random Thoughts:

I know he’s two years away from free agency, but the Celtics may rue the day they didn’t get White signed to an extensionby last week’s deadline.

I do love seeing Jalen Brunson, who thinks he’s smarter than everyone else Dallas owner Mark Cuban let walk to NY, ranked 32nd ahead of Kyrie Irving’s 34 in ESPN’s Top 100 Players. All while making $10 million less per than Cuban pays the overrated, team-killing Kyrie.

Continuing on with those ESPN’s Top 100 rankings. The guy who had Grant Williams, who wasn’t even in the Celtics’ regular rotation from March on, rated over the not-ranked Horford and Brogdon must be on some really strong recreational medication.

Porzingis at 62, Klay Thompson at 41, Holiday at 23 and Brown at 19 seem lower-ranked than they should. I’ve got JB cracking the Top 15.

Sports 101 Answer: L.A. Laker Jerry West is the NBA Finals top scorer with 1,679 points, followed by LeBron James (1,562) and Kareem Abdul Jabbar (1,317).

Final Thoughts – The Blockbuster Deals: I loved the Porzingis-Smart trade immediately. But not so much with the Portland deal. And it isn’t because by giving up Rob Williams, Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and two first picks they overpaid for a 33-year-old point guard. It’s that they did so at the expense of their depth because it gives them zero insurance against a big injury to the not durable Porzingis and in the second game of the 12 back-to-back games Horford will not play in. But even more so after finding the long-term replacement for the 38-year-old Horford, it put them right back in the same position of needing to find his replacement with less trade material and more salary cap obstacles than before.

Brad Stevens hasn’t missed on one deal yet, so he gets the benefit of the doubt. But the feeling that gnaws at me is he’s taking a big long- and short-term risk to go for it right now over maybe having both without the second trade.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

Category: News