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A little Election Day practice

Making the year ahead in this most unusual coming sports year even more unusual is it’s coming as the presidential election and the Black Lives Matter protest appear to be on a collision course. That took a major step forward last week when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and USA Soccer broke ranks from their previous stance to back their players’ right to protest. The president immediately and stridently assailed those new stances as unpatriotic and said he won’t be watching. Thus with detractors and proponents on each side it’ll be happening every Sunday and with the election growing closer and closer it will likely be a hot campaign topic all through every following week. That means sports may have a greater direct impact on how people vote for president than it ever has before.

So, to get ready, I’m going to practice my voting technique today by voting on the following items that have been in the news of late.

News Items: Automated Balls and Strikes Good for Baseball?

One of baseball’s coming debates is when the not too far off technology is perfected, should baseball have balls and strikes called by technological automation? When replay first arrived I wasn’t a big fan because I thought it might take the human element out of the game. But with the growing regularity of brutal officiating errors happening all through sports that feeling is gone. Now the concern is just about getting an answer more quickly. I particularly like the idea of a computer calling balls and strikes because it will standardize what a ball and strike is according to what the rulebook says it is over the discretion of each ump on a given night. I vote yes on automated strike zones.

News Item: Do Baseball Players Deserve Leeway On Money Talks?

While I have been critical of baseball for its tone deaf fight over money, I will say comparisons to the other leagues is not quite fair. NBA and NHL players were paid through the end of March and missed just one paycheck. For NFL players it’s looking like they’ll play the entire schedule with some fans in the stands, so they won’t miss any checks and the financial hit won’t be as severe for their owners. Baseball players meanwhile haven’t been paid since last year and with no fans at their park and half the seasonal TV revenue gone they’re facing a vast reduction in pay. Plus with 100 years of documented history in the memory bank, their lack of trust in their owners is well-founded. Since it’s not apples and apples compared with the other sports the vote is to give them a little leeway in this battle. Though my advice is keep clueless nitwits like Blake Snell away from the mike.

News Item: Will Young Patriots Receivers Be Better Without Brady?

One of the stories of actual interest in the relentless Tom Brady or Jarrett Stidham news cycle is will the production of the Patriots’ maligned young receivers improve with a less demanding QB in Tom Brady’s place? It’s food for thought, though it’s more complicated than just that. For one thing, the offense will be dumbed down for Stidham, which will make decision-making on the fly less complex for them as well. That complexity probably contributed to Brady’s much discussed “trust issues” with newcomers. Though I’ve thought that it was more simply being set in his ways and pickiness the last few years when his “I know all the answers to the test mentality was a bit of a double-edged sword. It led to complete command of the offense, but his lack of patience for those who didn’t have that led him away from the young guys in ways he hadn’t earlier in his career when he jelled immediately with Deion Branch, David Givens, Gronk and Aaron Hernandez. So, while they won’t be as good as they were with vintage Brady, I’m a yes that they’ll get more from N’Keal Harry and company with a player closer to their learning curve under center.

News Item: Does Mike Bolsinger Have a Case?

You’ve got to love this one. Former Blue Jays reliever Mike Bolsinger filed suit in February against the Houston Astros for damages to his career. The claim is their sign stealing was behind him being lit up for four runs and four hits in 1/3 of an inning in 2017, which immediately got him sent to the minors for good. So here’s the question for a judge and jury to ponder: Did that one game alone get a guy with 1-7 record over two years when the ERA’s were 6.31 (2017) and 6.61 (2016) demoted to the minors? Sorry, those are journeyman numbers and the kind that get guys sent to the minors all the time. Vote to throw the bogus claim out of court.

News Item: Jeter a Lock for Yanks’ Mt. Rushmore

Saw this one on Facebook when a kid I grew up with posted a picture of Derek Jeter looking up at the Yankees’ Mt. Rushmore like Ruth, Gehrig and DiMaggio were waiting for him to join them as the fourth member. Hey, I like Jeter as much as the next guy and think his adulation in NYC is similar to the Tom Brady GOAT stuff around here. But, sorry, the gushing NYC media making him out to be a cross between Joan of Arc and Charles Lindbergh is way over the top. Even the Brady comparison doesn’t work since TB is (or may be) the greatest at his position while Jeter is not the greatest at his. Though teammate Mariano Rivera was and that’s why he’s higher in my Rushmore voting than Jeter. So with him just ninth on my all-time Yankees list behind Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, the Mick, Yogi, Rivera, Whitey Ford, Bill Dickey and Jeter with either Andy Pettitte or Red Ruffing rounding out the Top 10, it’s a no vote for Jeter.

Justice for all

Thompson organizes Black Lives Matter Nashua

As the racial justice organizer for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, Jordan Thompson has done a variety of advocacy work, been involved with political campaigns and supported the efforts of other individuals and groups fighting for racial justice throughout the state. The nationwide invigoration and growth of the Black Lives Matter movement following the May 25 killing of George Floyd prompted Thompson to organize Black Lives Matter Nashua. He discussed the group’s mission and the need for more racial justice work in New Hampshire.

Why did you pursue a career in racial justice work?

It’s always been very personal for me. … My family has been deeply involved in politics. … Growing up in the foster care system showed me there’s a real need for the centering of social services. There’s a need to address a lot of disparities in our health care system. Child welfare reform is a major issue that we need to address. After I aged out of the foster care system at 18, I started working with a nonprofit called the National Foster Youth Institute in Washington, D.C. … We wanted to tackle federal legislation to address [child welfare] issues, but also challenged folks to go back to their home states and be the change they wanted to see at a local and state level. Immediately after I came back from Washington, D.C., I decided that I wanted to run for office. I ran twice in New Hampshire, first for moderator, then for the state House, unfortunately losing both times. I lost my primary for the state House by 30 votes; it was a very close race. I had decided that public service is what I wanted to do. I wanted to amplify the efforts and voices of young people of color in New Hampshire.

How did Black Lives Matter Nashua begin?

Of course, I was very saddened by the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. I had worked with Black Lives Matter Manchester, which is a really incredible group … and I felt inspired by that. I knew there were groups in Nashua that wanted to be more engaged in this work. … We formed … in response to the growing need to address racial justice in New Hampshire, specifically in the southern tier. We organized a vigil and protest … and had a really good attendance of over 1,200 people.

What is [its] ongoing mission?

We’ll be continuing … to rethink the role of law enforcement in our communities, to address a list of demands that we intend to present to our congressional delegation in our state and local leadership, and to provide a space for black and brown people to survive and thrive in their communities. We [plan to meet] with members of law enforcement so they can hear from youth that are impacted by these issues; having town halls with our local, state and federal delegations; and trying to lay out clear demands for policy reforms, then holding elected officials accountable to those demands once they’ve been agreed to. … We’re also working with the Greater Nashua NAACP [National Association for the Advancement of Colored People] and Black Lives Matter Manchester … [and] supporting protests and vigils that have popped up in the area and surrounding towns like Merrimack and Londonderry.

How did Black Lives Matter Nashua’s first vigil and protest go?

It went really well. We had a few agitators at the very beginning, but other than that, it was very peaceful. We had an incredible program of speakers [who delivered] inspiring messages. … I’m grateful that we continue to set the standard here in New Hampshire that our protests and demonstrations are peaceful and provide an opportunity for lasting change.

What measures are you taking to ensure safety at these gatherings?

We’re continuing to coordinate with local law enforcement to make them aware of the presence of agitators before they have the opportunity to agitate, and we’re trying to follow a lot of the guidelines that have been set in relation to the pandemic, making sure that folks wear masks and that people are adhering to social distancing.

What are some of the biggest issues affecting people of color in New Hampshire right now?

We suffer from the same issues that black communities face nationwide. There is a lack of access to opportunities, housing [and] quality and accessible education. … Representation is another big one. We do not have representation in local , and because we have such a small demographic of black and brown people in New Hampshire, we really need an entity that is going to be effective in getting our voices heard. … Thankfully, Nashua’s law enforcement has a good working relationship with our members.

How can people get involved?

Attend a protest. Call your representatives with a clear set of demands, and then hold them accountable. … We’re constantly posting content on social media to engage people … who want to call their senators, state representatives and Governor Sununu. We have graphics with very specific action items to give people a script and dialogue to follow. … These are going to be difficult conversations. … Learn how to listen. Realize that you may be coming into this very ignorant, and that’s OK. There’s no such thing as a perfect ally. There’s no such thing as someone who knows every single thing that there is to know about these issues. We’re all learning together. — Angie Sykeny

News & Notes 20/6/18

Governor’s updates

Covid-19 update	As of June 8	As of June 15
Total cases statewide	5,079	5,345
Total current infections statewide	1,401	984
Total deaths statewide	286	320
New cases	449 (June 1 – June 8)	321 (June 9 – June 15)

Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

In the past week, Gov. Chris Sununu made multiple announcements in the state’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

On June 9, Sununu issued Emergency Order No. 50, which temporarily gives compensation for travel expenses for members of the General Court in New Hampshire.

In a June 11 press conference, Sununu announced the June 15 expiration of his stay-at-home order. The order had been issued back on March 26 in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the Granite State. The stay-at-home order has now transitioned into a “Safer at Home” advisory, which removes the social gathering limitation of 10 people or less, as well as the classification of “essential” versus “nonessential” businesses.

Several phased reopening guidelines for more business sectors in New Hampshire were also announced during the press conference, as part of Sununu’s “Stay at Home 2.0” plan. As of June 15, traditional gyms were able to reopen at 50 percent capacity to normal activities, such as aerobics, yoga, dance and martial arts.

Amateur sports, also on June 15, were able to move into Phase 2 of reopening, which includes the reopening of indoor athletic facilities for low physical contact sports, as well as expanding group training sessions.

Bowling alleys, small racetracks, tourist trains and organized motorcycle rides were all able to reopen on June 15, as part of the revamped guidance on outdoor attractions. Regarding New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, Sununu said his office is still working with officials there on creating a viable plan for reopening with capacity guidance.

Charitable gambling facilities, museums, libraries and funeral homes also received new reopening guidance that began on June 15.

Beginning June 29, indoor movie theaters, performing arts centers and amusement parks will be permitted to reopen, all with capacity limitations. As of June 15, flexed guidance documents for those sectors are still being finalized.

On June 11, Sununu issued Emergency Order No. 51, terminating Emergency Orders No. 4 and No. 24, which had temporarily prohibited landlords in the state from issuing eviction or foreclosure notices to their tenants. Both Emergency Orders No. 4 and No. 24 will terminate on July 1. Per Emergency Order No. 51, the minimum notice period for eviction notices has been extended from seven to 30 days, for those based on nonpayment of rent from March 17 through June 11.

On June 15, Sununu issued Emergency Order No. 52, an order regarding public health guidance for business operations and advising Granite Staters they are safer at home. Emergency Order No. 52 also includes Exhibits A and B, which provide universal guidelines for all employees and employers and industry-specific guidelines for businesses and organizations, respectively. The order will remain in effect until at least Aug. 1.

Details of all of Sununu’s announcements and orders can be found at governor.nh.gov.

Gubernatorial election

On June 12, Gov. Chris Sununu announced on Twitter that he has officially filed for re-election for a third term as governor. He’ll be running against the winner of the Democratic gubernatorial primary, held on Sept. 8, which so far features two candidates. Executive councilor Andru Volinsky also filed on June 12, as did State Senate majority leader Dan Feltes, according to press releases from their respective campaigns. The 2020 state gubernatorial election will take place on Nov. 3.

State House candidates

More than 400 Democratic candidates have filed for more than 380 seats in the New Hampshire House, according to a June 12 press release. The candidates included 114 first-time filers, 202 women and 45 educators, the release said. On the Republican side, 385 candidates have filed, according to the state’s Committee to Elect House Republicans.

College plans

At least three New Hampshire colleges and universities have announced their plans for the upcoming fall semester.

Saint Anselm College in Manchester will resume on-campus classes on Aug. 19, following the approval of its Board of Trustees, according to a June 9 press release. In a letter sent to students and faculty, College President Dr. Joseph Favazza detailed a school calendar that would include beginning classes in mid-August and ending the semester on campus prior to Thanksgiving, on Nov. 20. Final exams for the Fall 2020 semester will take place remotely. The academic calendar also includes an expanded break between the fall and spring semesters.

Rivier University in Nashua will also welcome its students back to the campus for face-to-face instruction in the fall. “While we confidently anticipate our campus reopening, the university is taking a number of steps to ensure students, faculty and staff will use best practices to create an environment that supports the health and wellbeing of our entire community,” Rivier President Sr. Paula Marie Buley, IHM, wrote in a June 9 letter to students.

Southern New Hampshire University, meanwhile, will be extending remote learning for campus students through the fall, according to a June 10 press release. The university is also reducing undergraduate campus tuition to its online rates for all students.

Manchester budget

On June 9, the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen adopted the FY2021 budget by a vote of 8-7, according to a press release. In addition, finance director William Sanders released the final FY2020 general fund expenditure and revenue forecast, which predicts an operating surplus of $1.6 million. The approved budget allocates $159 million to the city and $183 to the school district, as well as funding for all existing collective bargaining contracts and salary agreements on both the city and school district sides.

Craigslist scams

State officials are warning potential renters of property scams via Craigslist, according to a press release. The scam involves an apartment or house that is offered for rent on the popular listings website, which will often contain details and photos in an attempt to convince consumers that it’s a legitimate offer. When the scam artist, posing as a landlord, is contacted, the consumer is asked to pay a reservation fee upfront through a bank transfer or electronic money transfer service such as Cash App or PayPal. If the consumer asks to visit the property before making the payment, the “landlord” creates an excuse. “Consumers should not transfer or wire money to people they do not know,” Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald said in a statement. “Most legitimate landlords will accept a personal check or money order.” If you or someone you know may have fallen victim to this scam, you can file a complaint at doj.nh.gov or call the state’s Consumer Hotline at 271-3641.

Curbside spirits

More of the state’s Liquor & Wine Outlet stores are now offering curbside pickup, following a successful pilot program by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, according to a press release. As of June 11, curbside and in-store pickup orders can be placed at Stores No. 81 (619 Sand Road, Pembroke), No. 33 (1100 Bicentennial Drive, Manchester), No. 74 (16 Michel’s Way, Londonderry), as well as at Store No. 73 on Interstate 95 South in Hampton and Store No. 67 on Interstate 93 South in Hooksett. Place your order at least one day in advance by visiting pickup.liquorandwineoutlets.com and selecting a 15-minute time slot between noon and 5 p.m. Orders must be a minimum of two bottles. No same-day pickup is available, but you can place orders for up to two weeks in advance.

The New Hampshire State Forest Nursery in Boscawen announced that its spring seedling sales were up 15 percent this year over last year, which was also a record year. A total of 517 orders were placed, for $193,039, and 2/3 of the orders came from New Hampshire residents, according to a press release. If you want to receive the 2021 seedling catalog, visit nhnursery.com.

Liberty House in Manchester has launched a special fundraising campaign called “Mission Renovate & Restore: Combating Veteran Homelessness, which will help raise money to increase residential capacity and expand services, according to a press release. An anonymous donor contributed $250,000, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar between now and July 30. Visit libertyhousenh.org/restore.

The fireworks that were scheduled to start July 1 at Hampton Beach might be put on hold thanks to piping plovers, a protected species that has nested on the beach, right where fireworks crews would normally set up, according to a press release. Check the official Hampton Beach Facebook page for updates.

My racist self

I am a racist. It took me 35 years to first say the words and the last two examining the complexity of its meaning. I say it now not because it’s easy but because it serves as a critical reminder of the internal work needed to play a role in dismantling white dominance.

See, even above, I swapped out “white supremacy” for “white dominance” because the latter is less threatening, and it doesn’t immediately cause people to shut down. In doing so, I made the choice to center white emotions over the reality of what the black community feels. I’m complicit.

For all the learning and reflection I’ve engaged in, I still ask myself, “What good is knowledge if I do not apply it?” I know The Hippo calls this section “Granite Views,” yet all of us writers for it are white. What message is that sending about whose viewpoints matter or what voices should be raised up in our state? Yet have I ever used my position to challenge it? I’m complicit.

Positioning myself as the heroic white person — as not one of “those people” — separates me from the very identity that I need to be most connected to. As a queer, white woman, I have taken my pass to not be as oppressed, coupled with still feeling oppressed, as my excuse why I don’t intervene more. I’m complicit.

There are many aspects to the system of anti-black racism that remain outside of my lens. However, there is no excuse to remain uneducated about the dynamics and history of racism in America. We have books, films, TEDTalks, articles and social media accounts to follow where countless experiences are shared. But what good is awareness if I’m not willing to take inventory of my own culture and identity, see how it shapes these experiences, and take action to address it? I’m complicit.

What we see on the news is often how we define racism in this country but it runs so much deeper than that. Being complicit is one of the most prevalent ways white people participate in this system and the impact is palpable. Fortunately, it’s fully within one’s own control to acknowledge and address it.

If you want to get involved, please educate yourself, be willing to truly listen without getting defensive, and find ways to support the solutions being shared by the black community. White allyship is needed but it requires significant self-reflection and realizing the work should not be motivated by simply wanting to be “not racist.”

“It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.”— James Baldwin

Return of the Farmers Markets

Where to shop in the fresh air for this season’s fresh fruits, veggies and more

Most summer markets are open for the season, but they don’t look the same as in years past, with social distancing guidelines in place and no live music or vendor demonstrations. Still, there’s plenty of fresh produce and other local products to be had — find out where you can get them, and what the summer farmers market scene looks like this year.

Also on the cover, how to prepare for a (safe) gathering in your garden, p. 12. Our beer columnist can’t resist an IPA, p.22. And our Music This Week live music listings are back, p. 29.

A little Election Day practice

Making the year ahead in this most unusual coming sports year even more unusual is it’s coming as the presidential ...

Album Reviews 20/6/18

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Book Review 20/6/18

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Film Reviews by Amy 6/18/2020

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Find your farmers markets

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IPA is still king

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Justice for all

Thompson organizes Black Lives Matter Nashua As the racial justice organizer for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, ...

Kiddie Pool 20/06/18

Camp for free Camp CHaD, a program from Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, is registering campers now for the virtual camp ...

My racist self

I am a racist. It took me 35 years to first say the words and the last two examining the ...

News & Notes 20/6/18

Governor’s updates Covid-19 updateAs of June 8As of June 15Total cases statewide5,0795,345Total current infections statewide1,401984Total deaths statewide286320New cases449 (June 1 ...

On board

Manchester tabletop game developers working on third game Bobby Fowler and Brenda Noiseux, best friends and founders of the Manchester-based ...

Pardon my garden

How to prepare for a garden party In these times, garden parties are few and far between. But if you ...

Quality of Life 20/6/18

Free face masks for Manchester The Queen City Rotary Club will be handing out free reusable face masks as part ...

Signs of Life 20/06/18

All quotes are from Gentleman’s Agreement, by Laura Z. Hobson, born June 19, 1900. Gemini (May 21 – June 20) ...

The Music Roundup 20/06/18

• Get some ’cue: Enjoy outdoor dining with music from Austin McCarthy in an oasis whose opening marks the semi-official ...

Treasure Hunt

Dear Donna, I have a couple of hangers I’m looking to find out more about. They say ‘The Belmar Mfg ...

Weekly Dish 20/06/18

• Glendi canceled: For the first time in four decades, Glendi, a popular three-day festival celebrating Greek culture through food, ...

Back on stage

Country singer Nicole Knox Murphy playing out again

After 10 weeks of playing weekly sets from her home in Candia for Facebook fans, on May 29 Nicole Murphy was elated to finally be back at Auburn Pitts Bar & Grill, the place where she returned to being a country singer after raising a family for 15 years. Guitar in hand and a backing track machine at her side, strumming and singing beneath an outdoor tent, Murphy gave her first performance in front of a live audience since Covid-19 shut down the local music scene in mid-March.

The multiple New Hampshire Country Music Awards winner called the experience “awesome” in a recent phone interview.

“All my regulars came out that weren’t too nervous,” Murphy said, noting that fans gleaned from her Friday night livestreams added a few new faces to the crowd. “It was just a fantastic night; the weather was perfect, and everybody did what they were supposed to do.”

With that return done, Murphy’s calendar is filling up again, even at a few places that are trying live music for the first time. She’s booked a Thursday residency for the rest of June at an events center in Windham that isn’t booking weddings and private parties.

“They’ve decided because of the coronavirus to do a bar and restaurant,” she said. “They have everything set out on their back patio.”

She’s also set to play at a country club in her hometown.

The pandemic hit Murphy’s bottom line hard — to the tune of $6,500 in lost gigs — but the virtual tip jar she set up for online shows helped more than a bit.

“That’s my grocery money,” she said.

When WMUR interviewed her and fellow performer Chad Lamarsh for a story on the state of live music, there was an immediate bump in Facebook Live love.

“The night after, I got like double and triple the money for my tips,” she said. “That was really nice.”

Murphy has at least one more online show on her calendar. Taste of New Hampshire is an annual event that will be virtual for this, its 15th year. A fundraiser for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Concord and Central New Hampshire, it features a silent auction and live music over five days.

“I’ll record myself for 30 minutes [and] send it to them,” she said. “Then they’ll play it between June 15 and June 19.”

Everything else will be happening at places where she was busy before Covid-19, including Granite Tapas in Hooksett, Main Street Grill in Pittsfield and The Bar in Hudson. Both excitement and trepidation mark her return to live performing.

“I’m looking to be cautious,” she said, concerned that the virus will resurge. “I’m nervous; I’m thinking I’ll book up my calendar again, and then all of a sudden they’ll say, ‘Oh no, we’re back in lockdown and nobody can go out.’”

She spent a lot of her time in quarantine working on new songs, and polishing up a couple. “I’m So Done” was released at the end of May. “The 802,” an ode to her Vermont roots (she was a working musician and a beauty show contestant in her teenage years), will hopefully hit streaming sites in a few weeks.

Developing new material was more relaxing for Murphy than in the past.

“The last couple of projects. … I haven’t had the quietness that I needed to focus on music writing,” she said. “This whole lockdown shut my weekends down, so I just started going up to my music room with a pad of paper and working.”

The extra time at home with her husband was both encouraging and productive.

“Just me and him, doing things that we’ve been wanting to do that we’ve put off because we’ve all been so busy,” she said. “Now that I had all these weekends free, we could work on projects.”

She’s happy it was temporary, however.

“It’s been good that way, but … I really miss singing.”

Nicole Knox Murphy. Photo by Tyke Frost.

Nicole Knox Murphy
Where: Castleton Banquet & Conference Center, 58 Enterprise Dr., Windham
When: Thursday, June 11, June 18 and June 25, 5:30 p.m.
More: facebook.com/nicole.knoxmurphy
Also:
Saturday, June 13, 7 p.m., The Bar, 2B Burnham Road, Hudson
Sunday, June 14, 4 p.m., Cheers, 17 Depot St., Concord
Saturday, June 20, 5:30 p.m., Candia Woods Golf Links, 313 South Road, Candia

A little Election Day practice

Justice for all

News & Notes 20/6/18

My racist self

Return of the Farmers Markets

Back on stage

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