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Quality of Life 23/06/15

More local birds on your screen

The Loon Preservation Committee in Moultonborough is currently livestreaming a 24/7 Loon Cam on YouTube, which has shown a pair of loons nesting in the Lakes Region. According to a press release, the pair’s first egg was laid on June 11, with a second egg expected to arrive in the days to follow. The eggs are projected to hatch between July 7 and July 9. Viewers can witness the birds’ entire incubation process and the hatching of their chicks in real time over the next 28 days via the livestream. Additionally, the cam provides an online chat feature for viewers to engage with fellow bird enthusiasts and LPC biologists, allowing them to share observations and socialize. To access the Loon Cam, visit loon.org/looncam.

QOL score: +1

Comment:Bill Gassman, a volunteer at the Loon Preservation Committee and the operator of the Loon Cam, noted that many viewers have expressed feeling a sense of connection with the loons after watching them over the 28-day incubation period. “In the nine years that the cam has been running, we have shown four different pairs of loons … and each pair’s behaviors and routines are unique, and … the loons seem to have their own personalities and quirks,” Gassman said in the release. “Part of the fun of watching the Loon Cam is coming to know these loons and seeing how the pair interact with each other and their chicks.”

Hazy skies from wildfires

Wildfire smoke from Canada has caused hazy skies and potential health risks for New Hampshire residents, according to NHPR. The article, published June 9, reported nearly 430 active wildfires across Canada, fueled by a long drought and atmospheric circulation patterns, with nearly 11 million acres burned so far this year, an area almost double the size of the state of New Hampshire. Analysis by the state’s Department of Environmental Services revealed good particle pollution levels, but experts warn that the situation remains unpredictable. The smoke, carried by wind currents, can trigger respiratory symptoms, exacerbate lung conditions and increase susceptibility to respiratory illnesses such as Covid-19 and influenza, particularly among vulnerable populations, including those with asthma, pregnant individuals, children and older adults.

QOL score: -2

Comment: During air quality alerts, experts advise that it’s best to stay indoors and to keep indoor air clean.

Art for charity

Dr. Marc Bard, an artist recently retired from a career in medicine, has partnered with Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) to revive the “Paintings for a Purpose” art show to support local charitable organizations. After water damage occurred at the show’s original venue, the Meredith Frame Shop, MVSB offered to host the show in its lobby space at its main office in Meredith. A special preview night will be held on Thursday, June 29, from 4 to 7 p.m., with the artwork, created by Dr. Bard, on display June 30 through Aug. 1. All proceeds from the art sales will benefit the Meredith Food Pantry, and MSVB has committed to matching up to $5,000 in support of the fundraiser.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Dr. Bard’s artwork includes watercolor paintings inspired by his passion for the Lakes Region, with a focus on the Squam Lake and Winnipesaukee communities. Visit benjylevine07.wixsite.com/paintingforapurpose to see samples of his paintings.

QOL score: 77

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 77

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

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

LIV and let live

The Big Story: The Red Sox free fall? Nope. Denver maybe winning the NBA Finals? Nope. Las Vegas about to capture the Stanley Cup? Nope.

It was the beyond belief hypocrisy of the PGA merging with LIV Golf after a year spent (correctly) castigating the lack of morality of players abandoning the tour to take the giant money offered by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund-backed tour.

It was a move with major sports financial and geopolitical implications that sent a shock wave of discontent through its players and left almost everyone else in sports stunned.

Sports 101: Name the winningest left-handed pitcher in Red Sox history.

News Item – Cassidy On The Brink: Anyone know the last time a manager or coach was fired at the end of one season by one team and then led his new team to the league championship the next year? Not me, but it’s on the cusp of happening for ex-Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy in Las Vegas, where his new club is up 3-1 over Florida as I write this.

And since it was the Bruins who fired Cassidy, what happens in Vegas will definitely not stay in Vegas this time if Cassidy pulls it off.

News Item – Sox Drop Into Last Place: Despite taking two of three from the Yankees over the weekend, the Red Sox were 14 games behind the division-leading Rays to start the week. It comes after losing six of their last 10 games to fall to an even .500 after 66 games.

Their biggest problem? It’s obvious: They’re in the AL East. If they were in the AL Central, 33-33 would have them tied for first place.

But they’re not. So an uphill struggle to get back in the race lies ahead.

Thumbs Up – Masataka Yoshida: Love hearing the Red Sox Japanese import saying he has no interest in being named Rookie of the Year. He correctly says after playing several years in Japan’s Nippon League he doesn’t believe he is a rookie.

The Numbers:

.209 –batting average after a 2-for-3 night vs. the Yankees on Friday to finally get Sox rookie Triston Casas over the Mendoza Line nine weeks into the season.

7 & 6 –wins and losses in the 13 games the Miami Heat have trailed by 12 points or more during the NBA playoffs. All other playoff teams were a combined 6 and 59 facing the same deficit.

Random Thoughts:

If the Patriots need cap space to make a deal with free agent wideout DeAndre Hopkins they should cut Trent Brown. Despite being terrible last year he’s looking like a possible camp holdout. So cut him instead and use the $11 million saved to sign Hopkins. Then if needed use draft picks to find another left tackle.

Is there any doubt now Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are a better 1-2 duo than Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown?

The best the Suns could come up with to coach the final few prime years Kevin Durant has left is three-times-fried Frank Vogel? How is he an upgrade on the guy he replaced?

A Little History – June 15, 1964: In the ’60s the latest a baseball team could make an in-season trade was June 15. And for short- and long-term consequences, arguably the greatest deadline ever was made on this day in 1964, when the Cardinals traded 18-game winner Ernie Broglio for disappointing Cubs youngster Lou Brock.

It sparked the struggling Cards to roar from behind to win the pennant on the final day and then knock off the Yanks in the World Series.

Beyond that, Brock played a prominent role in getting St. Louis back to the Series in ’67 and ’68, while going on to personally rack up more than 3,000 career hits and become the all-time leader in stolen bases.

Meanwhile Broglio won just seven more games and was out of baseball after 1966.

Sports 101 Answer: Two-time 20-game winner Mel Parnell won 125 games between 1947 and 1956 to be the Sox’ winningest lefty hurler. Jon Lester is second with 110.

Final Thought: I’ve been watching sports for a long time and have never seen anything as bad as the PGA’s surrender to LIV Golf.

First, they sold out all the players loyal to the tour who passed on the giant money the defecting players took. To make the disloyal winners and the loyal guys the losers.

Second, the PGA is aiding the Saudis’ PR effort to obscure through sports its abhorrent civil rights abuses and what the CIA says was the murder and dismemberment by the kingdom of critic/journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

But worst was that PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan cast aspersions on the morality of players for taking Saudi cash, then a year later all is forgotten after the PGA got theirs.

It makes booing for the first time in golf seem like the right thing to do.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

Getting ahead

On leaving high school with an associate degree

Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies, a chartered public high school located at Manchester Community College, recently celebrated its inaugural graduating class of nine students, who obtained both their high school diplomas and associate degrees simultaneously. One of these graduates, Caleb Smith of Manchester, shared his experiences at Spark and discussed the promising career opportunities that await him and his peers.

Tell us about your journey toward choosing Spark Academy and what led you to pursue this alternative high school experience.

When I was in eighth grade … I saw an ad for Spark Academy at a Fisher Cats game. The ad mentioned new opportunities for students, so I attended an info night with my mother. We both loved what we saw. I was immediately interested when they said they could graduate students with an associate’s degree right out of high school.

What was the curriculum like?

Basically, instead of taking traditional high school classes, we took college classes as dual enrollment — for both college and high school credits. … During the first two years, we were strictly at Spark Academy and took college classes that the Spark teachers were trained to teach, like basic CAD, robotic design and electrical fundamentals. In the third year, we gained full access to the college and could choose our own classes. Some professors knew we were high school students, and some didn’t. … This also allowed for accelerated learning based on [each student’s] capabilities. For example, I took Calculus I for my math credit, while some of my classmates went up to Calculus IV or Differential Equations. … Some of the classes were challenging, but as long as I dedicated enough time to them, they were manageable.

What degrees and certificates did you graduate with?

I earned an associate’s degree in advanced manufacturing. I also got a certificate in mechatronics. Not many people know what that is; it’s an electronic and mechanical system that’s used to automate an entire process. It’s very important in today’s industry and manufacturing world, and a lot of companies value that degree or certificate. Over the summer, I’m also going to be finishing up my certificate in robotics, which covers operating, programming and building robots to automate tasks.

What career opportunities has this path opened for you right out of high school?

It opens up opportunities in the field of manufacturing. … As part of the Spark program, we took a class called Systems One, which acted as our senior project. We could choose between doing a comprehensive project or securing an internship. I got an internship at Summit Packaging Systems, and that has provided valuable job pathways and networking opportunities. I’m working there now in inspection but will soon move to the machine shop. I learned to use CNC machines, problem-solving skills and various technologies relevant to my current work while I was at Spark. There are all kinds of [workplaces] around here that are looking for these kinds of skills. Some of my classmates with the same degree are working as mechanical engineers at DEKA or operating machinery at General Electric.

Are you content with your high school experience, even though you may have missed out on certain traditional elements?

It’s true that with such a small class and a class that was predominantly male, we couldn’t really have a prom or dances and stuff. But one of the extracurriculars they offered was the chance to compete in VEX Robotics on a robotics team, and this year we made it to the World Championship and got to go to Dallas for that, and that was really cool. … Honestly, I’m extremely happy to be in the position I’m in right now. It’s been great being one of the first graduates of the founding class.

What guidance or advice would you offer to future classes or students who are considering attending Spark Academy?

If you’re on the edge and not sure if you want to go or not, definitely take the leap. Worse comes to worst, you don’t like it, and you can back out and go to a different school. And, if you don’t like the Advanced Manufacturing pathway after the second year, you can choose a different path for yourself that will still be giving you early access to college [curriculum and credits]

Featured photo: Caleb Smith. Courtesy photo.

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.

Very Berry — 06/08/23

View entire selection throughout the years here

Very Berry — 06/08/23

berry season The time is (almost) ripe for berries! This week’s cover story dives into the berry harvest season at local farms, starting with strawberries in June, followed by raspberries, blueberries and blackberries later in the summer. Find out how a late season frost in mid-May might have affected the crops, and learn all about where you can go pick your own berries and even attend a berry-centric festival.

Also on the cover Celebrate Juneteenth with the Black Heritage Trail of NH (page 14) and Pride Month with a local festival or parade (page 18). Michael Witthaus talks to comedian Dan Crohn ahead of two area performances this weekend (page 34). Find more shows in the Comedy This Week (page 34) and find live music at area bars and restaurants in the Music This Week (page 35).

Different priorities

The Union Leader recently reported that Manchester is spending $2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act funds on a ...

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 ...

Finding Gold

teenage girl with long hair, standing in room and holding up award certificate, small smile

Upcycling project earns a Girl Scout Gold Award Anya Merriman-Mix of Amherst, a Girl Scout and high school senior at ...

Honoring those who served

The Big Story – Baseball Took a Hit on D-Day: In the last week we have remembered with reverence and ...

Quality of Life 23/06/08

students dressed in graduation gowns standing in group with teacher

Working ahead Nine New Hampshire high school students this month received both their high school diploma and an associate degree ...

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 ...

Very berry

back of truck with cartons of strawberries, in field, 2 men picking strawberries

Anticipating the strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and more that will add sweetness to your summer By Mya Blanchard and Matt Ingersoll ...

Elevating their experiences

4 headshots of young black people who will be speaking about their experiences

Black Heritage Trail presents discussion panel with immigrants and refugees The Currier Museum of Art is promoting a different type ...

The Art Roundup 23/06/08

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities • The sun rises on summer music series: Henniker’s Summer Concert ...

Queen of the garden

tomato plant in garden, within circular tomato stand, dead leaves, but medium sized tomatoes

All hail the tomato! For me tomatoes are the best-tasting and most important vegetable I grow. I eat them raw ...

Granite State Pride

person standing on stage with Nashua Pride banner behind and colored balloons making rainbow across stage

Celebrate Pride Month with local festivals, parades and more By Maya Puma [email protected] June is Pride Month and Manchester, Concord, ...

Treasure Hunt 23/06/08

pair of old spectables made of wire attached to round glass pieces

Dear Donna, What’s your thought on old glasses? We found three pairs in my parents’ estate. Any value to them, ...

Kiddie Pool 23/06/08

Family fun for the weekend Fun in the sun • Help the Educational Farm at Joppa Hill (174 Joppa Hill ...

The Weekly Dish 23/06/08

News from the local food scene • Weddings and wines: Join Bookery Manchester (844 Elm St.) in welcoming LaBelle Winery ...

West Side roasts

William & Sons Coffee Co. now open in Manchester While living in Brazil with his wife, Patty, Jonathan Hutchins became ...

Get your Greek fix

woman at long table with cooking ingredients, demonstrating to people sitting in rows in front of table

Yiayia’s Greek Night Out to return after long hiatus It was late 2018 when Concord’s Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ...

In the kitchen with Sherri Malouf and Shelby Malouf-Pieterse

2 women standing in front of food truck painted with cartoon female pig wearing dress and holding up bacon

Sherri Malouf and her daughter, Shelby Malouf-Pieterse, are the owners of Piggy Sue’s Steakin’ Bacon (steakinbacon.com, find them on Facebook), ...

Cucumber fizz

tall cocktail glass with mint leaves and ice

On a good day, a cucumber is 96 percent water. That hydrocentic (a word I just made up and am ...

Album Reviews 23/06/08

Cache, Cache (self-released) Minneapolis, Minnesota, is from where this five-piece band originates; their aim, if I’m translating their one-sheet correctly, ...

Soul Boom, by Rainn Wilson