New England Language Center Hosts Foreign Delegation

ROCHESTER—

On March 22, the New England Language Center hosted a potluck dinner to welcome a delegation representing the Kyrgyz Republic. The group consisted of five Parliamentarians and two interpreters from Kyrgyzstan visiting New Hampshire for four days to explore the issues of government and conflict resolution.

The delegation included representatives of five major political parties in Kyrgyzstan. According to the delegates, 99 political parties participated in the recent presidential election, held in November of 2011. There are 120 members in the parliament, including 26 women. While there are areas of major conflict among the political parties, the members of the delegation said that they have been enjoying their tour to the U.S. and have come to know, understand and appreciate one another on a human level, politics aside. They were also very interested in American educational system and culture. After dinner, one delegate suggested that everyone form a circle on the floor to facilitate conversation to allow everyone to participate and exchange opinions.

Prior to their stop in New Hampshire, the group visited Washington D.C., and will continue to California and Florida.

The delegation is in the U.S. on a special program sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Washington and World Affairs Council of New Hampshire.

The event was also attended by a number of friends of the New England Language Center who offered their own insights into politics of Kyrgyzstan and international issues. This was another great opportunity to meet international visitors, learn more about their culture and their country and to create a lasting bond with them.

The New England Language Center offers highly interactive conversational classes in 16 foreign languages for individuals and small groups. Scheduling is very flexible to accommodate individual needs. Remote Internet learning is also available through Skype. The New England Language Center also offers annual focused cultural tours to Russia and the Ukraine. For more information about the New England Language Center and its international programs, contact Marina Forbes at 603-332-2255 or by e-mail at info@anylanguage.org.

Local Green Businesses Partner for Beach Clean Up

HAMPTON—

With literally tons of litter being left behind on New Hampshire’s beaches, there is a real need for local volunteers to help cleanup after the over one million people who visit popular Seacoast destinations like Hampton Beach each year.

That’s why two local eco-minded entrepreneurs, Johnmark O’Brien of the York Harbor-based Green Maids and Nathan Johnson of Visions Kitchens and Design in Hampton, plan to celebrate Earth Day a bit early this year by organizing a beach cleanup at Hampton Beach on Sunday, April 15. They invite local residents and visitors alike to come out and volunteer from 10 to 11:30am.

“I take my dog for walks on these beaches and am always picking up trash as we go,” says O’Brien. “It just seemed like a good idea to do more to help keep our beaches free of pollution.”

“Plus, keeping our beaches clean helps to keep our oceans clean, and we all know how important our oceans are,” adds Johnson.

The duo is reaching out to local green groups like the Green Alliance and Blue Ocean Society, both headquartered in Portsmouth, to help make the beach cleanup a success.

Last September, over a thousand volunteers turned out to pick up more than 8,000 pounds of trash as part of the annual New Hampshire Coastal Cleanup organized by the Blue Ocean Society. The tally included a mind boggling 28,109 cigarette butts and filters. Recognizing that success, Johnson and O’Brien plan to donate $1 to the Blue Ocean Society for each person who shows up to volunteer at their beach cleanup on April 15th, up to $500.

“Clean beaches play a big role in our local economy. I read one study that found visitors to Hampton Beach spent around $175 million in a single year,” says Sarah Brown, Director of the Green Alliance. “We're inviting all our members to join our friends at Green Maids and Visions Kitchens as they cleanup this iconic beach."

O’Brien has plenty of experience with cleaning. Started in 2009, his company Green Maids provides residential and commercial cleaning services with a sustainable twist.

“Many of today's traditional household cleaning products release harmful chemicals into the environment,” O’Brien explains. “These chemicals often find their way into our air, water and soil when we wash them down our drains. They can deplete the ozone layer and be damaging to plants, animals and humans.”

“We only use products that are all-natural, biodegradable, non-toxic, earth friendly and safe for the environment,” he says. “These products are derived from things that you'd find naturally, such as plants, corn and coconut and also contain essential lemon oils.”

Since launching Visions Kitchens & Design in 2010, Johnson and his business partner Ernest Proper have been working to green customers’ kitchens by using eco-friendly building materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood and recycled countertops. They specialize in design techniques that can help customers achieve LEED certification.

“We offer clean and safe water based finishes on our cabinets,” Johnson notes. “We also use cabinet and counter companies who recycle 100 percent of the water they use.”

Friends for several years now, Johnson and O’Brien are both Business Partners in the Green Alliance, and first met at one of the organization’s networking events for local entrepreneurs. While they come from different industries, both share an interest in doing a business in a way that is eco-friendly.

“We both find importance in keeping the Earth clean and making sure the products we use limit our impact on the environment,” according to Johnson.

“Nathan and I have been trying to think of creative ways to give back to the community and environment for some time now,” says O’Brien. “We’re both excited to make some new friends as we clean up Hampton Beach on April 15.”

This article provided to the Granite State Sentinel by David Anderson.

Local Girl Donates to Haiti Relief

PORTSMOUTH—

Lilly Whelan will be about half the size of almost every guest who listens to her speak at the Caribbean Nights Dance Party Saturday, April 7, in Portsmouth. And although Lilly is generally more comfortable on a climbing structure at her South Berwick elementary school than behind a microphone at the VFW Hall, the fourth grade girl has something she wants to talk about.

“It would be a great idea, if you have everything that you need and you are going to get something extra, to instead send some money, like give it to a cause rather than spending it on an extra toy that you really don’t need,” explained Whelan, who happens to speak from experience.

Whelan, who was asked to be one of the guest speakers at the third annual Caribbean Nights Dance Party, decided to forego a Christmas present in December in favor of sending money to help children at a school in northern Haiti, one of the world’s poorest countries and one still crippled by an earthquake in 2010.

“My mom wanted me to sleep on it so I would be sure, but I really didn’t need to,” said Whelan. “I already have everything I need, like water, food and shelter, but the children in Haiti don’t. So giving up one Christmas present made a big difference for them but didn’t make any difference for me.”

Proceeds from the dance where Whelan will speak benefits the Eben Ezer School in Milot, Haiti. The school has grown over the last five years from 35 children to 200 children and has added clean water, electricity, a library and a kitchen, thanks to support from southern Maine and New Hampshire.

A man who is at least five times her age will follow Whelan at the microphone. Brian Lenzi of Barrington, a former National Guard commander, will speak for a few minutes about plans to lead a local group to Haiti, to build an inn or guesthouse at the Eben Ezer School.

The Caribbean Dance features the Latin rhythms of Combo Sabroso of Boston. The dance, which draws about 200 people, includes free food and lots of photos to let those who attend celebrate the culture and people they are helping.

Dancing begins at 8pm, and will be preceded by a slide show at 7pm about the Eben Ezer School and Seacoast efforts there.

Combo Sabroso, which plays a variety of Latin music, including traditional Afro-Cuban music, agreed to do the first dance in 2010, which took place just after the earthquake killed hundreds of thousands of people and left a million people homeless near Port Au Prince.

The band was formed in 1998 when keyboard player Matt Jenson, then living in Portsmouth, assembled the best Latino musicians he could find in Boston. The band’s main influences are the ensembles of Latin piano icon Eddie Palmieri and the grand percussionist, Tito Puente.

Jenson said the band follows in the tradition of venerated maestros, but layers its own jazz solos over energetic dance rhythms. They play anything from Cha Cha to Danzon, from Bolero to Salsa, from Latin jazz to Plena.

Although Whelan was invited to the dance to speak of her own generosity, the nine-year-old acknowledged something that most people learn at a much older age.

“It felt really good to know that they were going to get the money and they were going to use, it” she said, adding, “It was like a gift to me to have that feeling that I did something good for Haiti.”

The Caribbean Nights Dance Party is Saturday, April 7, at the VFW on Deer Street in Portsmouth. Tickets are on sale at Black Bean in Rollinsford, Ceres Bakery in Portsmouth, River Run in Portsmouth, Nature’s Way in South Berwick, Full Circle Community Thrift Store in Eliot and Fair Tide Thrift Store in Kittery. Checks, made out to Life and Hope Haiti, can also be sent to P.O. Box 185, Kittery Point, Maine. Tickets cost $20 donation. More information is available from newslifeandhope@yahoo.com.

Photo Caption: Lilly Whalen, age nine, holds a check for $50 that she chose to give to children in Haiti rather than get one of her major Christmas gifts. (Courtesy Photo)

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Endures Through Recession

By Larry Favinger

Staff Columnist

KITTERY—

While the economy of Southern Maine and Southeastern New Hampshire had its ups and downs during 2011, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard continued to be a huge, steady financial contributor to the local areas.

According to the Economic Impact Study released recently by the Seacoast Shipyard Association, the shipyard increased its employment, its civilian payroll, its military payroll, the purchases of more goods and services, and contracts in 2011.

The total of those activities is over $560 million.

Civilian employment at the Kittery yard has risen from 5,168 in 2010 to 5,187 last year with a corresponding increase in payroll. In 2011, workers earned $408,395,305 compared to $395, 166, 516 the year before.

Those figures break down to show $234,047,564 to 2,948 workers from Maine, $150,79,790 to 1,946 New Hampshire workers, $10,378,138 to 131 Massachusetts residents and $13,176,793 to workers from other states.

A breakdown of the number of employees in area towns and cities and the total payroll for them can be found in accompanying information boxes.

The number of civilian employees has risen each year since 1998 when there were 3,648 on the employment rolls.

The military payroll to the Navy and Coast Guard shows an increase over 2010 with $40,498,582 last year compared to $39,939,431 the previous year.

The shipyard purchased nearly $50 million in goods and services and over $63 million in contracted facility services, much of it from Maine and New Hampshire.

The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the oldest of the Navy’s four remaining shipyards, is considered “the most efficient yard in the Navy”, according to Navy Capt. William McDonough, a retired shipyard commander, now a spokesman for the Seacoast Shipyard Association.

The Association is concerned about the possibility of the formation of another BRAC down the road to consider another round of facility closures across the military landscape.

McDonough said the economic study underlines that a closure of the shipyard would be “a devastating thing to the local economy, as well as the overall states of Maine and New Hampshire.”

McDonough noted the shipyard has “a good workload for the foreseeable future,” another positive situation. Following World War II the Navy had 11 shipyards but that number has since been reduced to four.

More good news for the shipyard is the recent awarding of two contracts totaling over $65 million for modernization work at the yard.

U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) welcomed the announcement.

“The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is an economic engine that drives the economy of southern Maine and New Hampshire," Sen. Collins a member of both the Senate Armed Services Committee and Defense Appropriations Subcommittee said. “I am pleased that the Navy recognizes the critical need for these investments at the shipyard. This will help improve the safety and efficiency of the terrific workforce that keeps our Nation's nuclear submarines ready for sea every day."

Sen. Shaheen and Sen. Ayotte are also members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“We have strongly advocated for the Navy to address critical infrastructure and modernization needs at the shipyard, and we’re pleased that this important work is now moving forward,” said the Senators in a joint statement. “The projects announced this month will make a significant dent in the facility modernization backlog and help improve safety and efficiency at Portsmouth, whose workers set the standard for maintaining our nation’s nuclear submarine fleet.

“We are pleased that the Navy has continued to recognize and correct the critical need for investments at Portsmouth.”

Dover Offers New “Transparent” Government Resource

DOVER—

The City of Dover unveiled a new resource that provides one-stop access to the City's significant open government tools and information. The new web page, “Transparent Dover,” was launched to coincide with Sunshine Week.

Each year, Sunshine Week promotes the importance of open government and freedom of information. A variety of agencies and organizations participate, including local government, news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in the public's right to know. This year, Sunshine Week spanned March 11-16, coinciding with James Madison's birthday on March 16.

The City of Dover is an advocate for the public's right to know, and values transparency in all aspects of local government.

City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr., said the City strives to make information readily available to the public on a daily basis. The City's website, www.dover.nh.gov, updated daily, is a repository for thousands of documents, records and public information, including financial information, City reports, budget details, and meeting records. Few communities in the State of New Hampshire or across the nation make as much information available to the public as a matter of course.

"The City of Dover is committed to open government and transparency," Joyal said. "We will continue to promote openness and public participation in local government, recognizing that transparency is the foundation of public trust."

The new web page allows residents and the public to navigate to many of the most requested and essential City documents and records, as well as information about all aspects of local government. The page, which collects links to public resources into one easy-to-navigate location, is a way for the public to quickly find links to the significant information already available on the City's website. Transparent Dover will be updated regularly to reflect additional resources.

Transparent Dover also allows the public to compare the City's commitment to open government against the "Transparency Checklist" created by the nonprofit organization Sunshine Review. The City of Dover meets or exceeds all of the items on that checklist.

According to the Sunshine Review, "residents and taxpayers need to be able to gauge whether local government is effective, competent, frugal with tax revenue, and in compliance with laws relating to public records and open meetings." The Sunshine Review benchmark is the availability of key information online.

For more information, contact City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr., at 603-516-6023.

Seeds of Faith Hosts “Fashions By the Sea”

RYE—

Seeds of Faith will host a Fashion Show and Silent Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, March 24, from 1-3pm, at the beautiful Wentworth Country Club in Rye. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the New Beginnings Transitional Housing Training Program (NBTTP). Tickets are $40, and there are a limited number of seats available.

Through the experience of the last ten years, Seeds of Faith volunteers having witnessed mothers without food for their children, families living in cars, fathers degraded and the greatest tragedy of all, children who fall prey to the cycle of generational homelessness. Therefore, the goal for Seeds of Faith in 2012 is a 365-day "New Beginnings Transitional Training Program" (NBTTP) for homeless families and single woman—a local effort to help break the cycle of generational homelessness.

Their newest project, New Beginnings Thrift Boutique, is located on 82 High Street in Somersworth. Operated and supported by over 20 wonderful volunteers, the boutique offers an array of new and gently used clothes, furniture, jewelry, antiques, children’s clothes and much more, all donated by the community. This allotment allows 100 percent of its profit to go toward critical funding for their NBTTP.

If you would like to partner with them by participating in the Fashions by the Sea, here are just a few items to look forward to: Burberry, Dana Buchman, Bisou Bisou, Gap and Facial rejuvenation services—an $800 dollar value—donated by Dr. Timothy M. Osborn MD, DDS, as well as a Dental Whitening—a $700 dollar value—donated by John Chiou DMD, MMSC, and much more.

Because of the limited seating, get your tickets today. Call 207-475-2155, or directly from their website, www.seedsoffaithministries.org, by clicking the "donate here" icon.

“If one could look into the eyes of these hungry children, see the pain on a mother’s face and feel the brokenness of a father’s heart, one would profoundly realize and understand the absolute necessity in breaking the cycle of generational homelessness,” explains Seeds of Faith member Theresa Tozier.

Portsmouth Brewery Makes Donation to Center for Wildlife

PORTSMOUTH—

A recent presentation was held at the Portsmouth Brewery. Susan M. Hansen, Ed.D., accepted a check for $5,000 on behalf of the Center for Wildlife. This donation comes from ticket sales for the Kate the Great Lottery.

Approximately 15,000 scratch tickets were sold for a lottery of 2,000 bottles of Kate the Great—Russian Imperial Stout named “Best Beer in America” by BeerAdvocate magazine. Only winning scratch ticket holders were able to purchase the 11.2-ounce "Steini" bottles.

Other donation recipients were The Great Works Regional Land Trust, Sexual Assault Support Services, and the Southeast Land Trust.

Children’s Museum of NH Hosts Art Beyond Vision Gallery Show

DOVER—

It’s a common mistake to think of art as mere visual representation and a venue open only to those who can see. Inviting people to touch works of art can broaden the experience of both the sighted and the non-sighted.

In a unique collaboration between the NH Association for the Blind and the NH Art Association, the Children’s Museum of NH’s Gallery 6 is hosting an exhibit titled “Art Beyond Vision” through May 28. This curated collection of textural paintings, fiber arts and sculpture welcomes visitors to open their minds to a fresh new way of experiencing the beauty of art. Tactile works created by more than a dozen New Hampshire artists offer opportunities for gallery visitors to explore each piece using different senses. Unlike most art exhibits, this one welcomes guests to take a hands-on approach as they tour the gallery.

Marty Quinn's MoveMusic technology is also featured during Art Beyond Vision as part of the popular Build It, Fly It exhibit. Museum visitors will be able to hear the paths of objects as music as they fall in flight. Using visual-to-image sonification technology developed by Quinn's Design Rhythmics Sonification Research Lab, visual surveillance software tracks the moving objects as they are selecting pixels in a selected image. Those pixels are turned into music using MoveMusic's innovative algorithms. In addition to hearing the objects fall through various and selectable artistic images, qualities of the moving objects, such as size, speed, angularity and change of direction add to the musical mix, providing additional information that visually challenged guests can utilize to perceive the flights of the falling objects, and experiment to hear how the music varies with different objects and their unique flights.

"We are thrilled to have this one-of-a-kind gallery show in the Museum,” said Justine Roberts, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of NH. “It is amazing what you can accomplish with the right partners, and in this case, we had an ideal team with the New Hampshire Association for the Blind and the New Hampshire Art Association.”

“This show captures so much of what Gallery 6 is about,” Roberts continued. “It is multi-sensory, which is an ideal way for children to learn, and gives our visitors a successful experience with art. This show also fuses science with art by exploring vision. And we have come up with some really exciting art projects that will be available in our Studio, allowing visitors to do their own creative explorations."

George Theriault, President and CEO of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind, stated, “We hope that many, many people of all ages will come to the museum for this fascinating exhibition—it will challenge visitors to ‘see’ and perceive art in very new and different ways! And, we hope that this experience will promote better understanding and appreciation of all of the senses and how people whose sensory input is reduced or impaired can and do fully appreciate art and lead independent and fulfilling lives. The New Hampshire Association for the Blind is delighted to join in this very special partnership opportunity.”

An opening reception for the featured artists and invited guests will be held on the evening of March 14. The museum has also planned a special day of tactile experiences for young visitors on Tuesday, April 17, from 10:30am–2:30pm.

For more information about the Art Beyond Vision exhibit, please visit www.childrens-museum.org, or email NHAB@sightcenter.org or NHAA@nhartassociation.org.

Rockingham Renovation Enters Next Phase

NEWMARKET—

The design plans for the mandated fire sprinkler at the Rockingham Ballroom have been drawn and redrawn and have finally been approved for installation. After reviewing the original plans, the group’s structural engineer reported that structural changes in the ceiling of the ballroom were required to hold the sprinkler itself. The design of the sprinkler system was then redrawn to comply with that recommendation. The next phase of the project is the reinforcement of the support beams to hold the sprinkler itself. According to the Friends of the Rockingham Ballroom, the group plans to start construction in March, but must raise the funds needed to complete it.

Robert Cummings, a Registered Professional Fire Protection Engineer, is managing the sprinkler project. According to Patti Blanchette, President of the Friends of the Rockingham Ballroom, “We hired a skilled project manager because we want our donors to know that this project is being managed professionally, and that their money is being spent wisely. We appreciate the community support that we have received, and we want to be sure that this project is being done right.”

The Friends group has set aside the funds for the actual sprinkler, but now must first raise the funds for renovations to the 77-year-old ballroom to hold the sprinkler, and then for the excavation to connect the sprinkler to the town water line. According to Blanchette, the group has two more hurdles before the sprinkler can be installed: first the renovation, and then the excavation. “We are at a critical point. We’re ready to start construction and need to raise the funds for that now. We need donations, and our next two fundraisers will be devoted to the renovations. We’ll then turn to the excavation.” Blanchette stressed that no upgrades were being made to the ballroom, and that all of the non-profit group’s separate funds are being used solely for the sprinkler requirements. The next fundraiser planned for the sprinkler fund is the return of the Beatles Tribute Band, All Together Now, on Friday, March 30, followed by a big band dance and performance by Mixed Nutz on Saturday, April 7. Tickets for the All Together Now event are $12 in advance and $15 on the date of the event, and are available at the ballroom or online at FOTRB.ORG or by calling 603-431-7224.

“Cheers to Children” Showcases Local Food, Wine, Music and Arts

DOVER—

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is celebrating Dover’s vibrant arts and cultural community with a new fundraising event featuring wine, food, music and more. Cheers to Children will take place at the Museum on Friday, March 23 from 6-9pm. The event will showcase signature dishes of local restaurants, handpicked fine wines, live music and a vibrant art gallery show. The winning ticket in the Museum's 2012 MINI Cooper Car Raffle will also be pulled at this event.

“There is so much creative capital here in Dover,” said Justine Roberts, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of NH. “Not only are there emerging technology companies and growing businesses of all types, but there are also great restaurants, galleries, studios and shops. Encouraging creativity is a core part of our mission, so we wanted Cheers to Children to have a distinctly local flavor that shows off some of the best things happening around us.”

At Cheers to Children, guests will be able to try specialty dishes prepared by chefs from the White Apron, Terra Cotta Pasta, The Farm, Kelley’s Row, Calef's, University of New Hampshire Catering and more. Dover Wine Company has hand-selected wines that will be poured by NH-based distributors Vinlandia, The Imported Grape, Southern Wine and Spirits, RP Imports, Crush Distributors, Horizon Beverages and Candia Vineyards. There will also be live music and everyone will get to enjoy the museum's new exhibit in Gallery 6, “Art Beyond Vision.”

All proceeds from Cheers to Children benefit the Museum's award-winning programs. Nearly 50 percent of the Museum's 93,000-plus annual visitors are admitted at reduced or no cost through programs like Story Explorers and the Exploring Our Way Autism Partnership Program. The Children’s Museum of NH is committed to providing critical resources for children, schools and families throughout New Hampshire.

To purchase Cheers to Children tickets, please visit www.childrens-museum.org or call the Children's Museum during weekday business hours at 603-742-2002. Reservations can also be made at the Museum’s front desk.

Photo Caption: On Friday, March 23, the Children's Museum of NH will host Cheers to Children, a fundraising event featuring the best of local food wines, music and art. (Courtesy Photo)

Broadway Actress Leads Local Teens in Performance

PORTSMOUTH—

Arts In Reach (AIR) an innovative performance and visual arts organization for teenage women, presented AIR Divas at the MIC at Garrison Players, Rollinsford, on Friday, March 2. Nineteen AIR teens spent their spring vacation learning songs and choreography, which they performed in a final showcase after less than a week of planning and practice.

The AIR Divas at the MIC program, which hosted young women, ages 13-18 from Rockingham and Strafford Counties, was directed by Tony Award-winning Broadway star, Susan Lamontagne. Lamontagne has toured the US and Europe with numerous productions and has worked with the teens at AIR for five years running. “We were thrilled to have Susan return once again to run this exciting program. Her experience and enthusiasm are second to none, the girls always love their time with her,” says AIR Program Director, Shannon Marshall.

Family and friends who attended the showcase enjoyed music that celebrated women, part of AIR’s year-long theme, “The Mosaic Woman.” With only four days of practice due to the Thursday, March 1, snow storm, teens covered tunes that ranged from Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman” to “I’m A Woman” from the musical “Smokey Joe’s Café.”

“It was amazing to see the confidence and hear the voices that teens developed in less than a week,” said AIR Executive Director, Virginia Skevington. “Girls hit their notes and choreography and had a great time doing it in front of family, friends and AIR supporters.”

For more information about upcoming program enrollment, or to volunteer with AIR, please call Virginia Skevington of Arts In Reach (AIR) at 603-433-4278 or visit www.artsinreach.org.

Photo Caption: AIR teens pose for a group shot with show director and AIR Divas at the MIC teacher, Susan Lamontagne, former Broadway performer. (Photo courtesy of Sean Smith)

Rep. Frank Guinta To Host First “Empower, Educated, Engage Women’s Conference”

MANCHESTER—

Representative Frank Guinta (R, NH-01) is hosting a special conference designed to assist local women in finding jobs and furthering their careers. The inaugural “Empower, Educate, Engage Women’s Conference” will be held on Friday morning, March 16. The event is free and open to the public, and is part of Rep. Guinta’s ongoing “Getting Granite Staters Back to Work” jobs initiative. It will be held from 8:30am to 12:30pm in the New Hampshire Institute of Politics Auditorium, 100 Saint Anselm Drive in Manchester.

Participants can register by contacting Ashley Pratte at ashley.pratte@mail.house.gov or by phone, at 603-641-9536.

Several successful area business and professional women will share their insights and experiences during two panel discussions. The conference will conclude with a presentation on career success and coaching by Catherine Taylor of Heels and a Briefcase.

“It can be hard to find a good job in this economy,” Guinta explained. “Getting Granite Staters Back to Work means helping to get all of our citizens back to work. This conference will help New Hampshire women strengthen their skills as they network and advance their careers. When women succeed, all of New Hampshire succeeds. Just as its name suggests, I’m hoping participants will leave this conference feeling empowered, educated and engaged to take their personal goals to the next level.”

St. Thomas Students Named Finalists in National Merit® Scholarship Program

DOVER—

St. Thomas Aquinas (STA) High School is pleased to announce that the National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named seniors James Klingensmith and Matthew Radford National Merit Scholarship Finalists.

Started in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships, honoring students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The test serves as an initial screen of more than 1.5 million entrants each year. Of these entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT scores qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Klingensmith and Radford will now compete for one of the 8,400 Merit Scholarships to be awarded this spring from a group of more than 15,000 scholarship finalists. This finalist group represents less than 1 percent of the nation’s pool of high school seniors.

“We are very proud of James and Matthew’s accomplishments in moving forward as candidates for a National Merit Scholarship. Each is most deserving of this consideration; they are two of St. Thomas’ finest students,” said Principal Kevin Collins.

Radford is from Brentwood, and was also recently named as a US Presidential Scholarship candidate. He is a three-season runner and a member of the STA Music Ministry program. In college, he plans to study math, physics and music. Among others, Radford has applied to Olin College, Boston College, Dartmouth, Harvard, Bowdoin, Wesleyan and Gordon College.

Klingensmith is from Nottingham, and is a member of the STA D-V State Champion Football Team and the Math Team. James is interested in studying chemical engineering and is awaiting decisions from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

PHOTO CAPTION: National Merit Scholarship Finalists Matthew Radford and James Klingensmith shown with St. Thomas Aquinas Principal Kevin Collins. (Courtesy Photo)

The Harlem Wizards Celebrate 50 years of Worldwide Wizardry

SOMERSWORTH—

At a Wizards game, fans see amazing basketball talent combined with hilarious comedy. The athleticism, tricks, fancy teamwork and ball-handling wizardry, plus wild dunks not seen in the NBA, combine to engage and wow the most avid of basketball fans. The Wizards look to push the envelope on fun, combining pre-planned comedic acts with a spontaneous humor that fans of all ages will find laugh-out-loud funny. The halftime show features hundreds of kids on the court, and the post-game interaction is the cherry on top as the Wizards stay until every autograph is signed.

Often, people who have not taken in a Wizards show compare the Wizards with the Globetrotters. Todd Davis, Wizards President said, “While the Globetrotters are quite well known and many consider them synonymous with show basketball, they do not deliver the kind of connection, feeling, fun, community and excitement that the Wizards do. I have been around show basketball my whole life, my dad started the Wizards when I was four years old and the Wizard experience is unique in the world…many fans have told us the Wizards show is beyond comparison.” Davis harkened back to the old Avis tag line, “we do try harder, but even more importantly…you will laugh harder at a Wizards show.”

Started in 1962 by New York Sports promoter Howie Davis—he envisioned a show and organization that would put a different spin on show basketball. Fifty years later, the Wizards are an institution, creating awe-inspiring fundraiser events for schools and non-profits in 315 communities and cities in America this season alone. Over $1 million will be raised, while smiles and enthusiasm for the Wizards matches against local teachers, coaches and community leaders will abound.

Since 1962, the Wizards have been making history with the happiness, fun, goodwill and excitement they bring. On Wednesday, March 7, they’ll be bringing that signature comedic flare to Somersworth High School. Featuring local Somersworth teachers and community leaders, this Wizards’ game is bound to be one to remember. Tickets are available for purchase at the SAU #56 Office on West High Street in Somersworth. For more information, contact Somersworth Youth Safe Haven—the recipients of the event proceeds—at 603-692-3976.

Lori Harnois Confirmed To Continue as Director of NH Travel & Tourism Development

CONCORD—

Lori Harnois, of Epsom, was confirmed on February 22 to continue in the position of Director of the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development for another four-year term. The Executive Council voted 5-0 to approve Harnois.

Harnois was named to the position last year to replace Alice DeSouza, who had retired. “Lori has spent almost fifteen years in the tourism industry, including ten as the International and Domestic Marketing Manager of the Division of Travel and Tourism Development,” said George Bald, Commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development. “I am proud of the work she and her staff have done over the last year to help advance tourism in New Hampshire. I look forward to what she will bring to the division and the industry over the next four years,” he added.

Harnois is a 1998 graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Science, Tourism Planning and Development. She has taught tourism courses at Plymouth State University and the New Hampshire Technical Institute as an adjunct professor and was recently appointed to the board of Stay, Work, Play.