Portsmouth Criterium Returns to the Streets of Market Square

PORTSMOUTH—

The 7th Annual Smuttynose Brewing Co. Portsmouth Criterium will return to the streets of historic downtown Portsmouth this Sunday, September 18.
Visitors will be able to pick up a race schedule at the Chamber of Commerce Kiosk located in front of Breaking New Grounds on race day; but here is the schedule of events:
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Lifestyle Expo on Market and Pleasant Streets filled with vendors including National Passport Center, Papa Wheelies Bicycle Shop, Portsmouth Kayak Adventures, Rye Airfield, Whole Body Chiropractic, Access Sports Medicine & Orthopedics, American Lung Association, BreastCancerStories.org, Bondi Band, ChildVoice International, Gus’ Bike Shop, Jem Events, and Loco Sports.
11:00 a.m. Children’s bicycle races for ages 4-6 with training wheels will kick off the kids races followed by the 4-6 without training wheels, then the 7-9 year olds will do one full lap of the 1km race course and finally the 10-12 year olds will do two whole laps!
12:00 p.m. The Men’s Category 4 amateur race will kick off the amateur and professional races and will race for 45 minutes. Lot of local riders from the Seacoast in this field of riders - look for red and white NorEast jerseys!
1:00 p.m. The Men’s Category 3 amateur race will run for 45 minutes, will be faster than the Men’s Cat 4 but not as power driven as the Men’s Pro/1/2.
2:00 p.m. Our 2nd annual Community Challenge will hit the course with 10 teams of 4 riders. This is a citizen race and we are very excited! All proceeds will go to The Krempels Center (www.krempelscenter.org).
2:45 p.m. The Women’s Pro/1/2/3 race will excite the crowds!
3:45 p.m. The grand finale of the day will be our Men’s Pro/1/2 race where the riders will hit speeds of up to 40 mph!
For more details please visit the Portsmouth Criterium website at www.portsmouthcrit.com or call Catherine Keenan at 603-617-2418.
Photo caption: The 7th Annual Smuttynose Brewing Co. Portsmouth Criterium returns to the streets of downtown Portsmouth on Sunday, Sept. 18. (Photo by Andrew Canniff)

BioBlitz! An Extreme Nature Scavenger Hunt in Odiorne Point State Park

RYE—

The Seacoast Science Center will hold its 9th annual BioBlitz! on Saturday, September 24. BioBlitz! is a dawn-to-dusk species scavenger hunt, where you can explore Odiorne Point State Park alongside scientists, field naturalists and backyard enthusiasts to record data on as many different species in Odiorne Point State Park as possible in one day.
Bring your boots, binoculars and butterfly nets; families are welcome. BioBlitz! is a great way to excite children about science and a rare opportunity to meet many passionate biologists working together.
Meet at the Seacoast Science Center to join a team. The exploration schedule is as follows: 6 a.m. Birding, 8 a.m. Insects, 9 a.m. Freshwater Pond, 10 a.m. Mammals, 11 a.m. Plants, 1 p.m. Salt Marsh, 2 p.m. Seaweed, 3 p.m. Tide Pooling, 4 p.m. Species Overview.
Additional guided field programs and special activities take place throughout the day and will be announced during the event.
The Center’s Gregg Interactive Learning Studio will serve as homebase. There, you will see samples of species collected by naturalists and learn about the identification process. You can see amazing images of the plants, animals and activities from past years on the big-screens, observe insects through microscopes, see samples of seaweeds and fungi, and research on your own on our touch-screen computers.
At noon, renowned nature photographer Jerry Monkman will discuss his work on the international initiative, Meet Your Neighbors, and his images that were taken in Odiorne, which are currently on display in the Center’s Learning Studio Gallery. Jerry and his wife Marcy have published several adventure and eco-photography books including “Wild Acadia.”
Seacoast Science Center members have the opportunity to participate in a special members-only program with author and evolutionary biologist Dr. Michael Canfield at 1:30 p.m. After a brief presentation on the historical context of field notes, participants will head outdoors with Michael to create their own field notes. Become a member today to participate.
BioBlitz! is much more than just a one-day endeavor. The data collected is used to assess biodiversity in the park. Join us to help break the record of more than 1,830 species recorded at Odiorne since 2003. With insight gained through BioBlitz!, participants will understand how they can create habitats that help increase biodiversity at home.
Thanks to generous support from Normandeau Associates, ReVision Energy and Seatrade International, admission is free to those who register before September 20. You can find details and register online at www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/events. Please call 603-436-8043 for more information.
Photo caption: The Seacoast Science Center will hold its 9th annual BioBlitz! on Saturday, September 24 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Courtesy photo)

Farmer’s Market Welcomed as Regular Event

HAMPTON FALLS—
The Hampton Falls Board of Selectmen recently officially welcomed the Hampton Falls Farmer’s Market to the town as a regular community event. The market, held on the Common Mondays from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., offers a wide range of locally produced products.
Chairman of the Board Richard McDermott commended market founder Sue Veilleux for her efforts in founding and managing the market. He said that the Board of Selectman “welcomed the addition of a place for residents to meet, to share the beauty of the common and enjoy the area’s agricultural and creative bounty.” He cited this effort as a true example of promoting both community spirit and the area’s agricultural tradition.
Besides Sue’s Jesta Farm, the market offers vegetables and fruit from Applecrest in Hampton Falls and Long Hill Orchard in W. Newbury, MA, Buzz Bomb World spices and gluten free bakery in Hampton, and maple ice cream and candy from Sugarmomma’s in Northwood. We also offer honey wines from the Moonlight Meadery in Salem and cut flowers from Late Bloomer Gardens in South Hampton. Other vendors offer products ranging from herbal teas and syrups to Belgian waffles.
The vendor list is constantly growing and we welcome applications from area producers, especially in the category of organic produce. We can be contacted at Hamptonfallsfarmersmarket@comcast.net.