Category: News

This Week 24/11/21

Thursday, Nov. 21

Jazz and R&B fusion artist RaJon Marshal of Black Pumas will take the stage at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30.75.

Friday, Nov. 22

The Artimus Pyle Band honors the music of Ronnie Van Zant Lynyrd Skynyrd at Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St. in Derry, tupelomusichall.com, tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $25.

Friday, Nov. 22

Keys Piano Bar & Grill (1087 Elm St., Manchester, 836-7796, keysmanch.com) will present its Dueling Piano Show tonight and tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 23, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Talented pianists will go head-to-head, taking your song requests and turning them into an epic musical showdown. From classic hits to modern favorites, they’ll keep the tunes rolling and the crowd singing along all night long. Tickets are $10 through the Keys website.

Saturday, Nov. 23

There will be a Very Merry Gift Festival today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Doubletree Expo Center (700 Elm St., Manchester, 625-1000). Browse a variety of vendor booths and support local small businesses while doing all your holiday shopping. Enjoy vendor demonstrations, kids’ activities, a visit from Santa, a special kid-only shopping area, festive sounds of the season live from the expo stage, a 21+ holiday spirits aisle and more. Adult tickets are $6, tickets for seniors are $5, and children under 14 attend free. Visit simpletix.com for tickets.

Saturday, Nov. 23

Find produce, baked goods, cheese and more eats for your Thanksgiving week meals at the Downtown Concord Winter Farmers Market, 9 Eagle Square in Concord, from 9 a.m. to noon. Doug Farrell is slated to perform. See dcwfm.squarespace.com.

Saturday, Nov. 23

We’re in the thick of craft fair season. Today, check out the Craft Fair at White Rock Senior Living (6 Bow Center Road in Bow) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to bownh.gov. Find more craft fairs listed in the Arts section on page 18. Know of an upcoming fair? Let us know at [email protected].

Tuesday, Nov. 26

Celebrate Taco Tuesday tonight at the Flying Monkey in Plymouth were admission is free, first come first served, to a screening of Guardians of the Galaxy (PG-13, 2014) at 7 p.m. and a menu of taco specials. See flyingmonkeynh.com.

Save the Date! March 6

Tickets are on sale for the Granite State Game Summit at Doubletree by Hilton Nashua (2 Somerset Pkwy., Nashua, 886-1200, hilton.com/en/hotels/ashssdt-doubletree-nashua) Thursday, March 6, through Sunday, March 9. Granite Game Summit focuses on social, open board gaming, with the goal of bringing people new and old to the hobby. More than 800 tabletop games will be available, and attendees are encouraged to bring games from their own collections. Tickets cost $80 (plus fees) for four-day general admission, $35 (plus fees) for four-day youth badges.

Save the Date! March 6
Tickets are on sale for the Granite State Game Summit at Doubletree by Hilton Nashua (2 Somerset Pkwy., Nashua, 886-1200, hilton.com/en/hotels/ashssdt-doubletree-nashua) Thursday, March 6, through Sunday, March 9. Granite Game Summit focuses on social, open board gaming, with the goal of bringing people new and old to the hobby. More than 800 tabletop games will be available, and attendees are encouraged to bring games from their own collections. Tickets cost $80 (plus fees) for four-day general admission, $35 (plus fees) for four-day youth badges.

Featured photo: Very Merry Gift Festival.

Quality of Life 24/11/21

Sad news for local music fans

The sudden passing of Brooks Young on Nov. 8 shocked the local music-loving community. The level of commitment he brought to his music was inspirational, and his success was a combination of talent and tenacity. The guitar-slinging bandleader wasn’t content to simply meet his heroes, playing with icons like B.B. King, Robert Cray and Jimmie Vaughan, and touring with George Thorogood & the Destroyers multiple times. Once he performed in front of 20,000 fans with Sammy Hagar, Jason Bonham and Van Halen’s Michael Anthony. Young, however, brought the same intensity when he played for a handful of fans at Concord Craft Brewery. He’ll be missed.

QOL score: -5, but really incalculable

Comment: Young leaves two daughters and a son, and a GoFundMe (gofund.me/b05711e5) has been established for them. A memorial concert organized by Young’s family and his musician friends is in the planning stages, as is an annual blues festival that will happen on the anniversary of his death.

Manchester gets a puppy

As reported in a Nov.14 article by Manchester Ink Link (manchester.inklink.news), the Manchester Fire Department has brought a new member of its support team back from hurricane rescue work in North Carolina. “The firefighters also brought home a dog named Bo,” the story read, “a shortened new name from its original moniker of Boone, one of the cities in North Carolina where Manchester’s firefighters operated.” Members of the Manchester Fire Department were deployed to western North Carolina as part of an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) response to damage from Hurricane Helene earlier this fall. As reported in a Nov.14 online story by WMUR, “Months-old puppy Boone was adopted from the Meat Camp Fire Department, where they lived with local families during the second half of their time in North Carolina.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: On its Facebook page, the Meat Camp, N.C., Fire Department posted, “We’ve been happy to provide a place for our friends from City of Manchester, NH Fire Department to clean up and lay their heads at night after working tirelessly serving the hurting folks of our county and surrounding counties. We’re glad to have them and thankful for their efforts to help us in this recovery. They’re a great team and bring valuable knowledge and assets to our efforts.”

Hannaford Supermarket is back online

In a Nov. 17 online story, WMUR reported that the Hannaford Supermarket chain is back online, following complications relating to cybersecurity issues. “It had been down since earlier this month and customers could not access online order services or the app,” the story read. According to a Nov. 12 article in the Boston Globe, the same issue “reportedly affected the ability of some stores to accept payments via gift cards or debit cards.”

QOL score: -1 for the missed coupon opportunities

Comment: According to a message on hannaford.com: “Hannaford.com and our app are online! Hannaford To Go pickup and delivery orders may be placed as slots become available. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your continued understanding.”

QOL score last week: 79

Net change: -5

QOL this week: 74

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

Let us know at [email protected].

Maye day has new meaning

The Big Story – Education of Drake Maye: They lost another tight one where he again was driving in the final two minutes. But it was undone by an interception after miscommunication between Maye and DeMario Douglas to end it at 27-22. But overall it was a solid effort with career highs all around for the rookie QB as he went 30-40 for 283 yards and a pair of TDs, along with two turnovers. Plus they stayed in contention for a Top 5 draft pick while giving an encouraging effort. Win-win.

Sports 101: Nikola Jokic is trying to become the sixth player to win four or more MVP Awards. Name the five who’ve done it.

News Item – Sox Hot for Soto: Who’s buying that they are? Or that the “JuanSoto Was Impressed With Red Sox Presentation” idea is anything more than a Scott Boras-planted story to ratchet up leverage on the big-spending Yankees, Mets and Dodgers? Likely just the latest Red Sox PR ploy to get fans and the media off their back.

News Item – Alumni News: Not going well for Mac Jones in Jax. In two losses filling in for Trevor Lawrence, including Sunday’s 52-6 pasting by Detroit, he’s gone 31 of 51 for 249 yards with three interceptions and no TD passes as the Jags scored just 13 points.

News Item – Dimwit Analytics Mavens at it Again: No argument on Chris Sale being named NL Comeback Player of the Year, as his spectacular season followed years of injury travails. But exactly where did Garrett Crochet come back from to be the AL winner? He was a relief pitcher who never threw more than 56 innings in his career before going 6-12 this year. Which means he got it on analytics numbers because, I forget, wins by a pitcher don’t matter. What’s more important for those guys are WHIP, BIP and DIP.

The Numbers:

4 – woeful number of the 15 teams in the NBA’s Eastern Conference that had a win-loss record over .500 as the new week began.

9.3 – best-in-the-NFL yards-per-rush average by Patriots rookie Drake Maye.

16.2 – points scored per game averaged so far by Celtic sixth man Payton Pritchard

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Down – NBA In-Season Tournament: I know the announcers are forced to talk it up like it’s the greatest thing ever, but who actually gives a flip about the NBA Cup? It’s a European thing that will never make any impact here. You know why? ’cause it’s stupid.

Clutch Play of the Week and Season – Josh Allen: His 26-yard TD scamper on fourth down with less than 3 minutes left in the game not only prevented another Patrick Mahomes miracle finish by icing Buffalo’s 30-21 win; it ended KC’s quest for an undefeated season as well.

Dumbest Thing of the Week: That 65 million people watched 58-year-old Mike Tyson step into the ring for the first time in two decades against someone no one ever heard of. Who won? The better question is, who cares?

RIP – Gerry Faust: Those of a certain age remember he was the coach of powerhouse Moeller High in Cincinnati shockingly hired by Notre Dame to take over their storied football program in 1981. He passed away last week at 89. He was on ND’s radar because he went a remarkable 174-17-2 in 17 seasons at Moeller. The story was different at ND, however, where his tortured five-year run ended after going 30-26-1.

Random Thoughts

Soto’s really good but not worth Ohtani money.

Anyone else noticeIme Udoka has Houston off to a 9-4 start?

Sports 101 Answer: The five who have been MVP four times are Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James.

Final Thought – Garrett Crochet: Yes the 209 strikeouts in 146 innings this summer were impressive. But as the robot used to say on the 1960s TV Show Lost in Space, WARNING! WARNING!, over rumors of Boston’s interest in trading for the White Sox lefty. First, there are durability concerns where he already missed the 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery. Then those 146 were by far the most innings he’s ever thrown, with next high being 56 in 2021. He also didn’t go more than four innings in any of his 14 starts after July 1. So he’s not exactly an inning-eating horse. Then there were rumors he wanted a multi-year extension to OK any deal at the trade deadline. Which means he was OK staying on the worst team in history over going to a contender unless he got paid. That’s a big mark against for me. All of which pushes him way down my priority list behind the best free agent pitchers. They’d be much better off adding someone to their exciting young core, like 23-year-old Japanese import Roki Sasaki, rather than subtracting some from that core to get a guy with red flags like Crochet.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

News & Notes 24/11/21

Carrot concerns

Grimmway Farms issued a recall of select organic whole carrots and baby carrots that may have been contaminated with E. coli, according to a notice on its website, grimmway.com. The recall, initiated Nov. 16, includes carrots that are no longer on store shelves but may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers, the website said. The items from the Bakersfield, California, based company were sold nationwide; whole carrots were for sale Aug. 14 through Oct. 23 and the baby carrots had best-if-used-by dates ranging from Sept. 11 through Nov. 12. Photos of the packaging of the affected items are on the Grimmway website and include Bunny-Luv, 365 Organic, Good & Gather, Nature’s Promise and Trader Joe’s, among others. See the website for product specifics, such as package sizes.

Snow rider

According to a press release, free in-person snowmobile safety education classes are now being scheduled in the Granite State. To operate a snowmobile or off-highway recreational vehicle (OHRV) in New Hampshire any person age 12 or older must either have a valid motor vehicle driver’s license or have successfully completed an approved OHRV/Snowmobile Safety Education class.

Classes are taught by instructors and staff trained by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and those interested in attending should register by visiting wildlife.nh.gov/highway-recreational-vehicles-ohrv-and-snowmobiles/ohrv-and-snowmobile-safety-education, according to the press release. OHRV/Snowmobile Safety Education classes can also be taken online, and with recent changes to the state laws all online classes will include a combination of practical OHRV and snowmobile safety and the rules that apply to all trail riders. The cost for the virtual class is $34.95, according to the same release. To register for an online safety class, visit offroad-ed.com/newhampshire.

Even after course completion, all riders under age 14 must be accompanied by a licensed adult over the age of 18 when operating a snowmobile or OHRV, including on property belonging to their parents, grandparents or guardians, according to the release. Operators of all ages are invited to join one of the more than 100 snowmobile and 26 OHRV clubs in New Hampshire, according to the release. For more information visit nhsa.com and for OHRV club information visit nhohva.org. Almost 37,000 wheeled vehicles and snowmobiles have been registered for the 2024-2025 season, according to the release. For information on registering a snowmobile, visit wildlife.nh.gov/highway-recreational-vehicles-ohrv-and-snowmobiles/registering-your-ohrv-or-snowmobile.

Education Freedom Accounts

According to a press release, more than 5,300 students throughout New Hampshire are now enrolled in Education Freedom Accounts during its fourth year of implementation,

The number of Education Freedom Accounts increased from 4,663 during the 2023-2024 academic year to 5,321 at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, which represents an increase of about 14 percent, or 658 students, according to the same release.

In a statement, Frank Edelblut, education commissioner, said “it is clear that there is a growing demand for more schooling options in the Granite State. The Education Freedom Account program is offering lower-income families assistance to choose whichever school or learning environment best meets the needs of their child. New Hampshire continues to deliver high quality educational pathways to families and the Education Freedom Account program for a fraction of the cost to taxpayers of a traditional education.”

Education Freedom Accounts allow eligible New Hampshire students to direct state-funded per-pupil education grants toward select educational programming of their choice for a variety of learning experiences, and there are currently 5,321 children enrolled in the EFA program that is offering grants totaling nearly $27.7 million this school year, or an average of $5,204 per student, according to the release. Families earning up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible to participate in the program, and a family of four with an annual income limit of $109,200 may participate, according to the release.

More details are highlighted in the New Hampshire Department of Education’s 2024-2025 EFA Financial and Demographic Fact Sheets and more info can be found on education.nh.gov

Bank drive

According to a press release, the Merrimack County Savings Bank will be holding its annual Mitten Tree Drive until the end of December, collecting cold-weather essentials. New items of clothing, handmade or store-bought, such as mittens, gloves, hats and scarves, can be dropped off at any of the Merrimack’s nine locations, according to the press release.

In a statement, Linda Lorden, President of the Merrimack, said “The Mitten Tree is all about giving back to our neighbors in need. Every donation helps provide warmth and supports local food pantries.” The Merrimack will donate $2 for every item collected and will send donations to the following organizations: Friendly Kitchen (Concord), Twin Rivers Food Pantry (Franklin), Bow Food Pantry, Hopkinton Food Pantry, Hooksett Food Pantry, Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, The Upper Room Food Pantry (Derry), White Birch Center (Henniker). Visit themerrimack.com/locations.

The Loon Center (Lee’s Mills Road, Moultonborough) on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. will host a presentation by Dana and Bob Fox, “Hornbills — A Unique Old-World Family of Birds.” Hornbills first evolved in Africa over 60 million years ago. The presentation will include photos by Tim Layman.

Henniker Handmade & Homegrown will celebrate Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30, with a pop-up event at the Henniker Community Center, 57 Main St., from 2 to 5 p.m. In addition to locally crafted items, the event will feature live music from Beechwood and the food truck Taco Beyondo.

The Grace Food Pantry Yuletide Treasures Fair takes place Saturday, Nov. 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mercy Hill Church (750 Pine St., Manchester). Admission is free. There will be live music, crafters, a bake sale, a 50/50 cash raffle and a Fleamarket Bazaar section. Free coffee, hot cocoa or hot cider will be available. Shoppers are asked to please bring a canned or boxed item for the pantry.

This Week 24/11/14

Thursday, Nov. 14

Country Music Hall of Famer, five-time Grammy-winner and AMA Lifetime Achievement honoree Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives will perform at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $50.

Friday, Nov. 15

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) tonight at 7 p.m.; tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. and 3 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 17, at noon. This reimagined show is a fast-paced, action-packed production with modernized acts on a scale never seen before, creating real connections between audiences and performers. Tickets start at $19.

Friday, Nov. 15

United Way Care-E-Oke returns to the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800- 657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) tonight at 7 p.m. Sing on stage, or donate to support a participant. All proceeds from the event help United Way make grants to local organizations. This is a general admission event. Adult tickets are $27, and youth tickets (14 and under) are $10.

Saturday, Nov. 16

There will be a free New England contra dance with David Millstone & Quindaro at the Citywide Community Center in Concord (14 Canterbury Road, 225-8690, concordnh.gov/1364/Community-Center) from 7 to 10 p.m. Beginners, singles and families are welcome. Visit concordnhcontra.wordpress.com.

Sunday, Nov. 17

The Aaron Tolson Institute of Dance presents Tapped In!at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, anselm.edu) at 4 p.m. This show features the dancers from Speaking In Taps, a training ground for young dancers. It will be a performance of thrilling rhythm, precision and talent. Tickets are $25 each through the Dana Center’s website.

Sunday, Nov. 17

It is Legends Day at the New England Racing Museum (New Hampshire Motor Speedway, 922 Route 106, Loudon, 783-0183, nemsmuseum.com). Headlining will be seven road racers who had major success across the New England region. Sam Posey, Skip Barber, Janet Guthrie, Rob Dyson, Chris Dyson, Jocko Maggiacomo Sr. and Jocko Maggiacomo Jr. will be honored. The event will include an honoree panel discussion, permanent banner unveiling and a buffet lunch. Tickets are $80.

Sunday, Nov. 17

Symphony New Hampshire will present the first in a three-part series of “Illuminated Ensembles” today at 4 p.m. American Standards will be presented at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) and feature Symphony New Hampshire’s Jazz Ensemble. Tickets are $37.

Save the Date! Friday, Nov. 22 –
The Majestic Theatre (880 Page St., Manchester, 669-7469, majestictheatre.net) will open its 2024-2025 season with the comedy Murder’s in the Heiron Friday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m., with additional showings Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m. The audience decides who did the crime; the play’s unique ending uses secret ballots gathered at intermission. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for 65+ and 17 and under.

Featured photo: Murder’s in the Heir.

Quality of Life 24/11/14

Good news for coyotes, bad news for outdoor pets

The University of New Hampshire announced in a Nov. 6 press release that, despite human and predator pressures, coyote populations are thriving. “Surprisingly, the study’s findings suggest that human hunting practices may actually contribute to increasing the number of coyotes,” the press release read. It quoted Remington Moll, Assistant Professor of Natural Resources and the Environment and lead author of the study. “Intensive coyote removal can obviously reduce populations in the short term, but removal can also result in younger coyote populations with higher reproduction and immigration rates,” Moll said.

QOL score: +1 for the coyotes, -1 for your cat

Comment: At wildlife.nh.gov, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department warns, “In suburban areas, coyotes have been known to kill house cats. Keeping your pets and pet food inside at night helps reduce the likelihood that a family pet will become prey. Coyotes are often blamed for events for which domestic dogs, automobiles or other wildlife are responsible. As for your safety, coyotes pose little risk to people.”

Hard times for soft cheese

Savencia Cheese USA has announced a voluntary recall for some of its soft-ripened cheese because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration email and a notice at savenciacheeseusa.com. See pictures of the items, which include Aldi Emporium Selection Brie and Market Basket Brie, and a list of the UPC and best-by dates of the affected items on Savencia’s website.

QOL score: -1

Comment: “Through routine testing, it was identified that processing equipment at the site may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. While finished product testing has not identified contaminated product, we have initiated a voluntary recall to retrieve the potentially affected product,” the website said.

NH is bicycle-friendly

New Hampshire is the ninth best state for cyclists. A Nov. 7 press release read, “The legal team at Philadelphia-based personal injury law firm KaplunMarx analyzed various metrics, including the air quality, cyclist deaths per capita, bike routes per square mile, local government actions supporting cycling, federal funding for cycling projects, and bicycle laws to determine the most cycling-friendly states in the U.S.” The study found that New Hampshire has a higher-than-average density of bike paths (62.8 miles per 1,000 square miles), good air quality, and a low cyclist fatality rate (3.3 per million residents).

QOL score: +1

Comment: The study rated New Hampshire’s overall score as 62.4 points out of 100. The top-rated state was Minnesota, with a score of 84. The lowest scoring state was Alabama, with 39.

Last week’s QOL score: 79

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 79

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

Let us know at [email protected].

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