The Art Roundup 22/01/27

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Witches and wizards: The Majestic Academy of Dramatic Arts presents the Young Performers’ Edition of The Wizard of Oz at the Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway, Derry), with showtimes on Friday, Jan. 28, and Saturday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m. Based on the book by L. Frank Baum and the 1939 film adaptation, the musical features classic songs like “If I Only Had a Brain,” “We’re Off to See the Wizard” and “Over the Rainbow.” Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for seniors age 65 and up and $10 for students age 17 and under. Call 669-7469 or visit majestictheatre.net.

The Epping Community Theater Youth Theater presents a junior production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe at the Epping Playhouse (28 Ladds Lane, Epping), with showtimes on Friday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 29, at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10, cash only, at the door. Visit eppingtheater.org or call 608-9487.

• Hannah’s story: Glass Dove Productions presents Irene Kelleher’s Mary & Me at the Hatbox Theater(Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord) from Jan. 28 through Feb. 13, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. The one-woman play, performed by Emily Karel and directed by Peter Josephson, follows a pregnant 15-year-old girl named Hannah and her search for understanding while growing up in 1986 Ireland. “Mary & Me is a very personal story, and, as a performer, it’s a very deeply personal experience to perform this play,” Karel told the Hippo earlier this month. “I’m excited to share Hannah’s story with the audience and have them get to know Hannah and, hopefully, get to love Hannah.” Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com or call 715-2315.

• Natural elements: The New Hampshire Art Association has an exhibition, “Impressions: Nature,” featuring the work of Allenstown artist Daniela Edstrom, on view now through Feb. 17 at the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (49 S. Main St., Concord). Edstrom’s art explores the abstract qualities of light, form and color found in the New England landscape. “Sunlight and its play of light and shadow is perceived as halos of vibrating strokes and bold minimalist shapes,” the artist said in a press release. “Elements such as leaves, trees — the organic aspects of the woodland environment — are seen in emphatic primary colors and highlighted by gestural marks of rich complementary hues.” Gallery hours at the Chamber are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All works are for sale. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• Poetry and music: Local writer and poet Rob Azevedowill be at the Bookery (844 Elm St., Manchester) on Thursday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m. to read from and discuss his new book of poems, Don’t Order the Calamari. Musicians Becca Myari and Todd Hearon will accompany Azevedo with live music. The event is free to attend. See “Author Event & Music with Rob Azevedo, Becca Myari, and Todd Hearon” on Eventbrite.

Natural squares

See the work of Hollis artist Ellen Fisher in “Translating Nature Into Fabric,” at the Nashua Public Library (2 Court St., Nashua) now through Feb. 26. It includes 15 art quilts featuring nature-based designs, such as trees and streams, inspired by Fisher’s career as a landscape designer and conservationist. “I am not as interested in making other people’s designs but very interested in figuring out my own, and I do this with great respect for the traditional quilting world,” Fisher told the Hippo earlier this month. “I have a real root system in traditional quilting that I have just interpreted in my own way.” Most quilts are for sale. Viewing hours are Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit nashualibrary.org or call 589-4600.

ART

Exhibits

• “ARTFUL ESCAPES” Exhibition features works by multiple artists in a variety of media, including 2D and 3D, oil, acrylic, glass and ceramic. Art 3 Gallery (44 W. Brook St., Manchester). On view now through Jan. 31. Current gallery hours are Monday through Friday, from 1 to 4:30 p.m., with evening and weekend appointments available by request. A virtual gallery is also available on the gallery’s website. Call 668-6650 or visit art3gallery.com.

• “TOMIE DEPAOLA AT THE CURRIER” Exhibition celebrates the illustrator’s life and legacy through a collection of his original drawings. On view now through Feb. 13. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children under age 13 and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• “TRANSLATING NATURE INTO FABRIC” Exhibition features nature-inspired artistic quilts by Ellen Fisher. Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St., Nashua. On view now through Feb. 26, during library hours. Visit nashualibrary.org.

• “AS PRECIOUS AS GOLD: CARPETS FROM THE ISLAMIC WORLD” Exhibit features 32 carpets dating from the 15th century to the 19th century. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On view now through Feb. 27. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children under age 13 and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• “VEHICULAR NARRATIVES” Exhibit features New Hampshire Art Association artist William Turner, whose narrative realism oil paintings have depicted distressed vehicles and machinery, vintage toys and stories from Greek and Roman mythology and folklore told through imagery of automobiles. All works are for sale. The Art Center (Washington Mill, 1 Washington St., Suite 1177, in Dover). On view now through Feb. 28. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with private appointments available by request. The exhibition can also be accessed via an online gallery. Call 978-6702 or visit nhartassociation.org or theartcenterdover.com.

• “SETTING THE STANDARD” Exhibit features new work from League jurors in all media areas. League of New Hampshire Craftsmen headquarters, 49 S. Main St., #100, Concord. Now through March 31. Regular exhibition hours are Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 4 p.m. Visit nhcrafts.org.

• “FOR THE LOVE OF IMPRESSION” Exhibit features prints created using traditional techniques and materials, combined with contemporary aesthetics, new materials, and technology. Two Villages Art Society (46 Main St., Contoocook). Feb. 11 through March 5. Visit twovillagesart.org.

• “ARGHAVAN KHOSRAVI” Artist’s surrealist paintings explore themes of exile, freedom and empowerment; center female protagonists; and allude to human rights issues, particularly those affecting women and immigrants. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On view April 14 through Sept. 5. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children under age 13 and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• “ECHOES: ABSTRACT PAINTING TO MODERN QUILTING” Exhibit features abstract paintings inspired by the bold colors, asymmetry, improvisational layout, alternate grid work and negative space in composition of modern quilting. Two Villages Art Society (46 Main St., Contoocook). April 22 through May 14. Visit twovillagesart.org.

“NATURE AT NIGHT: PAINTINGS BY OWEN KRZYZANIAK GEARY” Two Villages Art Society (46 Main St., Contoocook). May 27 through June 18. Visit twovillagesart.org.

Workshops and classes

• OIL PAINTING WORKSHOP Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Sat., Jan. 29, 1 to 4 p.m. The cost is $40. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com.

• PASTEL PAINTING WORKSHOP Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Sat., Feb. 26, 1 to 4 p.m. The cost is $40. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com.

• WINTER ART CLASSES Art classes for teens and adults, including Pottery, Stained Glass, Intermediate Watercolor and Clay Hand Building. Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester). Five-week sessions. Classes met for two hours a week. Call 232-5597 or visit 550arts.com for the full schedule and cost details.

• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org.

THEATER

Shows

• THE FULL MONTY presented by the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Jan. 28 through Feb. 20, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon. Tickets cost $25 to $46. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

• THE LION KING JR. The Riverbend Youth Company presents. Amato Center for the Performing Arts (56 Mont Vernon St., Milford). Fri., Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 5, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sun., Feb. 6, at 2:30 p.m. Visit amatocenter.org/riverbend-youth-company.

• I LOVE YOU BECAUSE presented by Jonesing for Theatre, in collaboration with Dive in Productions. The Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth). Feb. 4 through Feb. 20, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $28 for adults and $25 for seniors age 65 and up and students. Visit playersring.org or call 436-8123.

• THE 39 STEPS presented by the Windham Actors Guild. Searles School and Chapel (3 Chapel Road, Windham). Fri, Feb. 18, and Sat., Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m., and Sun., Feb. 20, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $16 for adults and $12 for seniors, students and military. Call 247-8634 or visit windhamactorsguild.com.

• LIFESPAN OF A FACT Produced by Lend Me a Theater. The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). Feb. 18 through March 6. Showtimes are on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com.

• DEADLY Cue Zero Theatre Co. presents an original movement-based theater piece by Crystal Rose Welch. Granite State Arts Academy (19 Keewaydin Drive, No. 4, Salem). Fri., March 4, through Sun., March 6. Visit cztheatre.com.

Classical

• “WINTER VOYAGES” The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra performs. Seifert Performing Arts Center, 44 Geremonty Drive, Salem. Sat., Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m., and Sun., Feb. 20, 2 p.m. Visit nhphil.org.

This Week 22/01/27

Big Events January 27, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, Jan. 27

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire will present a screening of the documentary Simba: King of the Beasts (1928) tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Wilton Town Hall Theatre (40 Main St. in Wilton; wiltontownhalltheatre.com). Admission costs $10 per person and supports the museum, according to a press release. The silent film will be accompanied by live music by Jeff Rapsis. The film is part of a presentation — “Martin and Osa Johnson: Adventure’s First Couple,” which will also include a lecture, the release said.

Friday, Jan. 28

Also opening tonight: Mary & Me, a one-woman show about a girl in 1980s Ireland, at the Hatbox Theatre (270 Loudon Road in Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315). Tonight’s show is at 7:30 p.m. The show will run Fridays (7:30 p.m.), Saturdays (7:30 p.m.) and Sundays (2 p.m.) through Sunday, Feb. 13. Tickets cost $22 for adults. Angie also spoke with Emily Karelitz, the show’s star, in last week’s issue; find that conversation on page 11.

Friday, Jan. 28

Heat up winter with The Full Monty, the musical based on the 1997 film, which begins a four-week run at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) tonight with a show at 7:30 p.m. The show runs Fridays through Sundays, with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and noon on Sundays, as well as Thursday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $39 and $46 (plus fees, for adults). Angie Sykeny talked to Carl Rajotte, the director of the show, in last week’s (Jan. 20) issue of the Hippo; find that conversation on page 10.

Saturday, Jan. 29

Catch the Metropolitan Opera’s HD Live broadcast of Rigolettotoday at 12:55 p.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets cost $26 for adults (plus fees) and doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 29

Attend a virtual event with Isabel Allende to promote her new book Violeta via Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St. in Concord; 224-0562, gibsonsbookstore.com). The Zoom event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $28 plus a $3.33 for a bundle that includes a copy of the book (for pickup at Gibson’s; for an additional cost, you can have the book shipped to you).

Wednesday, Feb. 2

Inject a little art into your midday. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; 669-6144, currier.org) has restarted its Wednesday “Art Conversations from Home” sessions at 1 p.m. via Zoom. Each week a different work is discussed during the 30-minute program (which is geared toward adults). Admission is free but register online in advance. This week the focus will be Franz Lenk’s “The Old Weir (Altes Wehr).”

Save the date! Friday, Feb. 11

Is the music of Bruce Springsteen your love language? Check out “Bruce in the USA,” a tribute to the music of the Boss, on Friday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive in Manchester; 641-7000, anselm.edu/dana-events).

Featured photo. The Full Monty. Photo courtesy of the Palace Theatre.

Quality of Life 22/01/27

Record-breaking tourism

Summer 2021 in New Hampshire saw 4.4 million visitors, who spent more than $2.1 billion, which broke the previous record in Summer 2019 with a 21-percent increase in visitors and a 5-percent increase in spending for the season. According to a press release from the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development, fiscal year 2021 as a whole had a record number of visitors at 12.8 million, with spending over $5.5 billion, equaling $322.6 million in state tax revenue. “Our tourism team here at BEA kept a marketing presence in key states throughout the pandemic, so while other states retreated, we were poised to come out of the gate fast … and that worked,” Taylor Caswell, commissioner of New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, said in the release.

Score: +1

Comment: The total fiscal year 2021 returns on investment generated $197 in visitor spending for each $1 invested in marketing efforts, and $12.08 in tax revenue for each $1 invested, according to the release.

Souped-up recycling

Manchester has made another step in its commitment to invest in environment-friendly practices, recently becoming the second city in the nation to use ocean-bound recycled plastic in their recycling carts. According to a press release, the OceanCore carts are 100-percent recyclable and will replace broken or new carts for residents across the city. Ten percent of their post-consumer recycled materials are made up of recycled plastics found in and near waterbodies.

Score: +1

Comment: Other environmentally-friendly steps that the city has taken include the recent sale of $46.5 million in green bonds to help finance its program to remove combined sewer overflows into the Merrimack River for cleaner water; the construction of a solar array on the former landfill; and the addition of energy-efficient buses to the Manchester Transit Authority fleet, according to the release.

More personal finance classes, please

A recent study of personal finance curriculum and graduation requirements of all 79 public high schools in New Hampshire showed that many schools still do not require students to pass a class in personal finance to graduate. According to a press release, the study done by NH Jump$tart Coalition — an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that helps prepare youth for successful financial decision-making — was completed in late 2021 and found that 68 percent of New Hampshire public high schools clearly offer a personal finance course as an elective, in addition to meeting the state requirement for economics; 13 percent clearly require a standalone course in personal finance for graduation; and 6 percent require economics only.

Score: -1

Comment: There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but we’re getting there: According to the release, in 2013, only three public high schools met the state minimum requirement in economics and required students to pass a half-credit class in personal finance to graduate, while in 2021, 10 schools met those criteria (locally, those schools are Bedford, Belmont, Bow and Pelham high schools).

Lighting up the community

Granite VNA and Central NH VNA & Hospice raised more than $65,000 during its annual Lights, Life and Memories campaign to support hospice care. According to a press release, the community added to the more than 1,800 names in the online Honor Roll, and more than 600 names were inscribed on porcelain doves to remember loved ones who have died. And in December, 150 businesses throughout the Concord area were illuminated by Lights, Life and Memories purple candles to honor the lives of those who have passed.

Score: +1

Comment: The Community Memorial Service, with music, readings, reflection and remembrance, can be seen at granitevna.org/lights.

QOL score: 54

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 56

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

Celtics solutions

As the frustration throughout the local basketball community mounts, what ever are we to make of your Boston Celtics?

Many feel with two so called “All-Stars” they’re an under-achieving lot. But I’m not so sure they are. I’m more in the Bill Parcells camp that says you are what your record says you are. Which is a 24-24 team that plays with no passion and will be in a dogfight for the Eastern Conference play-in games for a second straight year.

While talk radio is definitely on their case, other media types are not. ABC broadcaster Doris Burke fawns over their “young stars” like she’s their den mother and likable play-by-play partner Mike Breen does the same. Earth to you two, Jaylen Brown is in Year 6 and for Jayson Tatum it’s 5, so they have no excuse to not have figured it out by now. Then there’s Boston Globe basketball writer Gary Washburn, who goes from writing “they don’t know how to win” columns one day, to, after a close win (that usually involved blowing or erasing a double-digit lead/deficit), an endless series of “they’ve turned the corner” pieces. The most ridiculous was calling a win over the 17-30 Pacers 10 days ago “the most important of the season.” That’s right; he said a horribly played (by both teams) lucky win over 13th-place Indiana was the most important win of the year! Which was followed by losses at home to Charlotte and a horrendous one-point loss to 19-26 Portland Friday night, who was playing the fifth of a six-game East Coast swing with their best player Damian Lillard a DNP, as the C’s somehow went the final 7 minutes and 15 seconds without scoring a field goal.

Meanwhile the Mr. Rogers of the NBA, GM Brad Stevens, fiddles while Rome burns by saving a few bucks to get under the luxury tax line by trading for two injured guys who are done for the season.

So the bottom line is the Celtics are a complete mess. And while I don’t take joy in saying this, it’s happening because they are being led by a first-year coach who’s over his head, a GM who was the franchise’s worst hire since Rick Pitino 20 years ago and owners who seem clueless now that they don’t have Danny Ainge around to give them their media talking points.

Then over in the cheap seats, everyone from Tony Maz to Charles Barkley is looking for remedies: dump Marcus Smart, get something for Dennis Schroder, move Al Horford and the big one, break up Tatum and Brown, etc. And with the trade deadline dead ahead the shouting has intensified with people making ridiculous knee-jerk suggestions that won’t do anything productive in the long run.

That’s because you can’t solve a problem until you identify what it is, and few have.

Here are my thoughts on the chatter.

Most Urgent Need: Bob Cousy just said it, Robert Parish just said it, Paul Pierce too and I’ve been saying it since they kept blowing big leads to Miami in the bubble during the 2020 playoffs.

They need a real point guard. There aren’t a lot of Rondo-like pg’s out there, but they need to find one. because they desperately need order in the half court that gets everyone involved.

Get Another All-Star: As I constantly hear this one I ask, how? After squandering a 10-deep bench and seven first-round picks over three years they don’t have the capital to swing a trade for a really good third guy. All made more infuriating by Ainge giving that final first-rounder, Desmond Bane, to Memphis for nothing, where he’s now averaging 18 points per as a starter for the surprising 32-16 Grizzlies.

Break Up Brown and Tatum: It’s hard to consider this when both have had 50-point nights this year. But building a basketball team is like making a cake, where all the ingredients need to be blended together in the bowl before it becomes a delicious cake. And the reality is Brown plays with blinders on like he’s in the gym by himself and doesn’t have a true basketball instinct in his body, while Tatum is not and never will be the leader they badly need.

So my gut says yes, break them up, but not before getting that point guard. Because we really won’t know if they do fit as the foundation for winning until they have a setup that gives each the ball where they can do something with it, over their usual freelancing that inhibits flow and rarely gets others involved or encourages movement without the ball.

How Do They Get Better? Assuming it’s a break-up, they should do what Bruins GM Harry Sinden did almost 50 years ago when he traded his best and most popular player, Phil Esposito, in a five-player swap with the Rangers that got the B’s the next three best players. Which really came down to trading one A+ level star to fill two big holes with A- level players.

For the C’s that would be a pg and a second scorer. A perfect one would have been Tatum to Cleveland for second overall pick, 7-footer Evan Mobley and pg Darius Garland to give them a reset with bigger, and faster emerging players while improving their depth. However, that ship has sailed with the Cavs now a rising team. But they need something like that.

At the end of the day a shake-up is needed. Which should include the coach (I vote Kevin Garnett). If they can find the right point guard now, do it. But the worst thing they can do is make a move to satisfy the yackers.

In the meantime, compete for the play-in round. But do it by giving PT to Grant Williams, Romeo Langford and Payton Pritchard to improve their trade value for the larger renovation this summer. Or, to see if they can become consistent contributors going forward.

Strengthening minds

UNH opens Children’s Behavioral Health Resource Center

The University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability is developing a new Children’s Behavioral Health Resource Center, funded by the New Hampshire Executive Council, set to open this spring. UNH research associate professor JoAnne Malloy, who co-directs the center with UNH Institute on Disability director Kelly Nye-Lengerman, discussed the center’s mission and operations.

What is the Children’s Behavioral Health Research Center?

Our center will form around a lot of work we’ve already been doing with the state. … In 2019 the state legislature and the governor signed Senate Bill 14, which established funding for a Children’s Mental Health System of Care, which is a national model. It’s necessary because families who have a child with a mental health issue often find that the services are fragmented; they could have a mental health counselor and a school counselor and a DCYF worker. It’s really hard for parents, because they’re already dealing with a very stressful situation, and then they have all these services coming at them. The System of Care is designed to help families … find the services and support they need. …This center is part of that bigger work. Our job will be to help identify practices that have good research evidence … and are shown to be effective.

How did you get involved?

I started working here at the university in the mid ’90s. I’ve always specialized in working with adolescents with emotional and behavioral challenges. … I started working with the state to build a System of Care … and develop a model to help that population [of youth] … and to help the people working in the field get good quality training and education and to give them the support they need.

What needs will the center address?

A lot of children and young people have been going to the emergency room in a mental health crisis. It’s been really exacerbated by the pandemic, with children not being able to go to school consistently and not being able to see their friends and trying to learn online. … The problems we’ll be addressing are for those children and youth who are really stressed and have a mental health concern. Perhaps they’re acting out in the community or attempting self-harm or suicide. Perhaps they’re going out into the community and breaking laws. They’re not going to school. They may have emotional disorders such as severe anxiety or depression. It’s a wide variety of issues [affecting] children and youth that we’re looking at.

What will some of the center’s main day-to-day operations be?

We have 10 community mental health centers across the state, so we’ll be training providers … and some of their staff in how to work with children who have significant trauma backgrounds and use cognitive behavioral therapy, which is an evidence-based practice. … We also do consultations. Once somebody goes to the training, they often need guidance … so we’ll be observing them in treatment sessions and providing them feedback to make sure that what they’re doing is good practice. … We also bring [mental health care] partners together and gather information about what they need. Some of our staff will be doing interviews and focus groups [to find out] where we need to fill in the gaps.

Is there anything else like this in the state?

There are currently no other centers in New Hampshire that focus on children’s mental health and evidence-based practices … but there are smaller groups, and this [center] is bringing everybody together. … There are centers like this in other states, and I’ve been looking at those and [their] models.

What are the center’s goals, short-term and long-term?

Short-term, we want to do three trainings by the end of June to train and provide consultation to 80 people. … Long-term — the contract [for the center] is for three years and potentially renewable — I’d like to see the center become a permanent fixture in the state, and something that changes with the needs of people in the field. Most of all, I want it to make an impact, because at the end of the day, if we’re not actually helping children and families, we might as well all pack up and go home.

Featured photo: JoAnne Malloy. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 22/01/27

Covid-19 update As of Jan 14 As of Jan 24
Total cases statewide 235,898 265,140
Total current infections statewide 21,291 15,641
Total deaths statewide 2,079 2,145
New cases 12,299 (Jan. 11 to Jan. 14) 29,242 (Jan. 15 to Jan. 24)
Current infections: Hillsborough County 7,055 4,843
Current infections: Merrimack County 2,234 1,842
Current infections: Rockingham County 4,372 2,885
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Covid-19 news

During the state’s weekly public health update on Jan. 19, state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan reported that, on average, there were 3,100 new infections of Covid-19 per day over the previous week, up from an average of 2,500 the week before. Just a day earlier, on Jan. 18, the number of overall cases of the virus in New Hampshire since the start of the pandemic officially surpassed a quarter of a million. According to Gov. Chris Sununu, the omicron variant is now by far the dominant Covid strain in the state, accounting for a high majority of new daily cases. “On the positive side, omicron … appears to have much less severe symptoms and it’s likely that there are many people out there who are asymptomatic or don’t even know that they have Covid,” Sununu said during the press conference. “[We want] to urge people … to really watch for symptoms. Be sure you’re taking them very seriously. … The booster is so critical and really makes all the difference in the world in terms of the severity of symptoms.”

New fixed vaccination sites with walk-in access opened in Stratham and Concord last week, with more on the way in Keene, Salem, Manchester and Nashua. “We’re trying to make sure we have good geographic access,” Sununu said. “In addition, we expect a teens fixed vaccination site to be online before the end of the month.” Go to covid19.nh.gov for the most up-to-date details.

Cancer concerns

Residents of Merrimack, Litchfield, Bedford and Londonderry are invited to attend a virtual public information meeting via Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 27, at 6:30 p.m., which will provide updates and answer questions on the status of cancer in the community. According to a press release from the state Department of Health and Human Services, the meeting’s agenda will include background on the protocol for responding to community concerns about cancer, the history of the response in Merrimack, the most recent data analysis and a discussion of the next steps in the investigation, before moving on to a question and answer session. Contact the DHHS Cancer program at 271-4959 or visit dhhs.nh.gov for more details.

New political poll

A recent Saint Anselm College poll found that 74 percent of New Hampshire registered voters believe the country is on the wrong track, versus only 16 percent who believe it is headed in the right direction. According to a press release, the college’s survey center at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics collected data from cell phone users on Jan. 11 and Jan. 12, each of whom were randomly drawn from a sample of registered voters. The poll also found that 62 percent of voters approve of the job Gov. Chris Sununu has done managing the Covid-19 pandemic, while only 40 percent approve of the job President Joe Biden has done. Full results can be viewed at anselm.edu/new-hampshire-institute-politics.

Energy and abortion bills

Last week, lawmakers addressed a couple of noteworthy bills in the House. According to a report from WMUR, the House voted unanimously to approve a bill to restore the state’s energy efficiency program, which proponents say would help homeowners save money, reduce costs for utilities, lower energy needs in the state and provide jobs to contractors, who would be needed to assess homes and help homeowners find more efficient energy options. The Public Utilities Commission gutted the program last year, according to the report, and energy efficiency contractors warned that a short-term effect will be hundreds of layoffs and difficulties for homeowners wanting to make energy- and money-saving improvements. An amended version of the bill has now cleared a Senate committee with full bipartisan support, the report said, and the hope is that the governor will have the bill on his desk by the end of February.

Another bill working its way through the House would amend the restrictive abortion laws put in place last year; the new bill would allow for exceptions to the 24-week abortion ban in cases of rape, incest or fatal fetal abnormality, according to WMUR. House Republicans overhauled the bill, replacing it with an amendment that would say ultrasounds are not mandatory before an abortion unless the fetus is within range of 24 weeks gestation, the report said

PFAS FAQ

The New Hampshire Insurance Department recently released a Frequently Asked Questions document with information on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) testing, according to a press release. PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals used to manufacture household and commercial products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. For decades, they’ve been used in many consumer products, like nonstick cookware, stain-resistant furniture and carpets, microwave popcorn bags and other food packaging. According to the release, PFAS has impacted several areas of New Hampshire, including groundwater contamination at Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, and water and soil contamination and air emissions from local industrial facilities. Some studies of PFAS exposure in humans suggest that it may cause various adverse health effects. “The need for Granite Staters to access testing for PFAS chemicals is incredibly important,” state Deputy Insurance Commissioner D.J. Bettencourt said in a statement. “[We are] pleased to make this informational document available to help citizens better understand the role that their insurance coverage plays in testing.” The Frequently Asked Questions document can be viewed online in full at nh.gov/insurance, by clicking on “health insurance” under the “for consumers” tab.

Essay contest

New Hampshire Leadership PAC is sponsoring its second annual First in the Nation essay contest, available for all high school seniors in the state to enter. According to a press release, essays between 500 and 800 words must be submitted by April 8 — participants are asked to best articulate the benefits of New Hampshire conducting the first-in-the-nation presidential primary. Students can either mail their essays to Essay, PO Box 6052, Amherst, NH 03031 or email them in PDF format to NHCommitteeman@protonmail.com. Winners will be announced May 6. Cash scholarship prizes for the top three essay entries will be awarded during a presentation to be held in Concord on May 18. “The next generation of young leaders will be inheriting the first in the nation tradition, hopefully, and we want to inspire them to not only vote but to also be actively engaged in the process,” Republican National Committeeman Chris Ager said in a statement. For more details, visit chrisager.com/essay-contest.

The New Hampshire Food Bank in Concord was the recipient of $122,000 that was raised at the recent Distiller’s Showcase put on by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission. According to a press release, the eighth annual showcase, which is the signature event of Distiller’s Week, was the most successful one yet.

The Manchester VA Medical Center opened its new $14.5 million, 16,000-square-foot Urgent Care Center last week. According to a press release, the new center offers veterans increased safety and infection prevention, in part by relocating urgent care services to allow direct access from the outside and adding an exam room designed for women veterans, and a psychiatric holding room.

Students from Milford High School were named “We the People: The Citizen and Constitution” state champions earlier this month. According to a press release from the New Hampshire Bar Association, students from Hollis-Brookline and John Stark Regional high schools also participated in the final round of the annual event, which gives students the chance to show their knowledge of Constitutional Law principles through simulated congressional hearings where they “testify” before judges acting as members of Congress.

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!