Annual spring tree and shrub fundraiser ongoing
The Merrimack County Conservation District is currently accepting orders for its annual spring tree and shrub fundraiser.
This year, we are offering a mixture of old favorites as well as exciting new varieties of trees, shrubs, fruit trees, small fruits, plant packages, composting items, bulbs and N.H.-grown plants. Whether you are looking for a new variety for a sunny or shady spot in your yard, thinking about adding a new color to your current perennial grouping or interested in adding vegetation to benefit wildlife, the Merrimack County Conservation District has what you need for a wonderful summer landscape.
Orders will be taken through March 11. People will be able to pick up their orders at Carter Hill Orchard in Concord on Friday, April 29, from 4 to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to noon. You may download an order form, color guide and tree and shrub description guide on our website at merrimackccd.org or call the office at 223-6023 to have one mailed to you.
Stacy Luke
Learn about bird-friendly buildings at Audubon
Come learn about N.H. Audubon’s work to promote the American Bird Conservancy’s “Bird-Friendly Buildings” guidelines here in the Granite State.
The discussion will be held Thursday, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
For more info, email rsmith@nhaudubon.org.
Ruth Smith
ConcordTV adds Concord native Jim Webber to staff
Concord Community TV is pleased to welcome Jim Webber to its staff in the position of part-time marketing and administrative assistant. Formerly with the Capitol Center for the Arts, Webber is originally from Concord, graduating from Concord High and attending Emerson College in Boston and UNH. He currently resides in Manchester, after living in Los Angeles writing plays and working for the Hollywood Bowl and Los Angeles Opera.
A recent winner of the N.H. Theatre Award for scenic design for the community theatre production of Time Stands Still in Derry, Webber is an active play director and set designer for the Community Players of Concord, in addition to directing plays for NHTI and Manchester’s Majestic Theatre. Working with executive director Doris Ballard and the staff at Concord TV, he will focus on marketing special fundraising events and assisting with operations of this active community resource.
Doris Ballard
Audition for ‘Hansel & Gretel’ at Piccola Opera
Piccola Opera will hold open auditions for the Humperdinck opera, Hansel & Gretel on March 5 from 9 to 11 a.m. at their Concord studio, 8 N. Main St.
The auditions are for young singers, ages 10 to 16, and all roles are open. Roles include: Hansel, Gretel, Mother, Father, Witch, Forest Animals/Gingerbread Cookies and Dancing Angels. Singers are asked to prepare a song for the audition. An accompanist will be provided.
The Youth Opera workshop production of Hansel and Gretel will practice each Saturday morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Piccola Opera studio, beginning March 19. The fully staged production will be performed in early June. In addition to practicing the roles in Hansel & Gretel, students will also learn the basics of healthy vocal production, stage movement/dance and musical fundamentals.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for younger students to experience opera in a fun and interacting way. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s opera supporters, and this Youth Opera workshop fulfills Piccola Opera’s mission to educate, entertain and enlighten the public,” says Carlos Martinez, Music Director.
For more information on Hansel & Gretel, visit piccolaopera.net.
Jane Cormier
Matter of Balance to be held at White Rock in Bow
Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association is offering an eight-week falls prevention program “A Matter of Balance” that helps adults view falls and the fear of falling as controllable, change the environment to reduce fall risk factors and exercise to increase strength and balance. The program takes place on Mondays beginning March 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. at White Rock Senior Living Community, 6 Bow Center Road in Bow.
There is no fee to attend this program and space is limited. To register, call 224-4093 or 1-800-924-8620, ext. 5815 or visit crvna.org.
Andrew Morse
Annual mandolin concert at music school Saturday
The 14th Annual March Mandolin Festival Concerts will be held March 4 and 5, at two great venues for live acoustic music.
On Friday, the festival opens with a 7 p.m. show at the Stone Church in Newmarket, while Saturday’s concert will be held at the Concord Community Music School in Concord.
Tickets are still available for both concerts. Come on out to hear an incredible evening of world-class picking and singing, celebrating the range and expressive qualities of the mandolin.
Saturday’s concert features Mike Compton, Robin Bullock, Baron Collins-Hill, Glen Loper and David Surette, with special guest Susie Burke. This event will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall St.
For more information and general admission tickets, visit ccmusicschool.org or call 228-1196.
Liz Faiella
Heroin panel discussion this Tuesday at NHTI
What is the heroin epidemic sweeping the nation? How does it affect you? Come find out and ask questions of our panelists, the Laconia Deputy Fire Chief, a Laconia police officer, the Director of Phoenix House and a recovering heroin addict.
NHTI presents “The Many Faces of Heroin” on Tuesday Feb. 23, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Sweeney Hall Auditorium. The public is invited to attend and admission is free. This presentation is jointly sponsored by NHTI Campus Safety, the NHTI Student Leadership Team and the NHTI Student Senate.
Doug Schwarz
Concord Pilates to offer Buff Bones workout
The award-winning, medically-endorsed Buff Bones workout for bone and joint health is now available at Concord Pilates, 2½ Beacon St.
The exercise system uses varied and specific bone-strengthening and balance techniques for a safe option for people with osteoporosis and arthritis.
Buff Bones was created by renowned bone health and exercise expert Rebekah Rotstein, who was just 28 when diagnosed with osteoporosis, a condition of excessive low bone mass and fragility. She found that people with osteoporosis and osteopenia (its precursor) were often uncertain of what type of exercise to do and concerned about safety.
“The Buff Bones system is based on a research-supported design and combines Pilates, strength training, functional movement and therapeutic exercise,” says Rotstein. “It also uses techniques to align the joints, enhance posture and balance and prepare the body for optimal loading of the bones, which is how they strengthen. I recommend the Buff Bones system for anyone who has osteoporosis or wants to prevent it.”
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, exercise is one of the most essential strategies for building and maintaining strong bones and preventing falls and fractures: “Targeted exercise is especially important in that it helps to build muscle strength, improve balance and posture, and maintain bone mass.”
The Buff Bones workout has gained popularity as well for toning the body and enhancing flexibility. The movements are beneficial for people who’ve suffered from general injuries and are also useful for enhancing the skill set of athletes and dancers.
Katya Brennan at Concord Pilates is certified to teach the Buff Bones workout after going through a comprehensive training course. You can sign up for a free personal consultation at concordpilates.com or call the studio at 856-7328.
Kelley Small
Wholesale workshop at Audubon March 3
Merrimack County Conservation District will host a Wholesale Success Workshop on March 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the N.H. Audubon in Concord. Registration is required.
The program cost is $20 and will include lunch as well has a wholesale success manual. Training will cover identifying target customers, differentiating your farm in the market, working with buyers, good business practices, market demands effect on packing/sorting produce and cost-effective and scale appropriate post-harvest handling systems.
For more information, visit the Conservation District website at merrimackccd.org.
Rebecca Yohe
Free swimming lessons for Concord residents
The Concord Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce, for a second year, a generous sponsorship from the Concord Housing + Redevelopment Authority that will allow Concord and Penacook children to take part in free swim lessons this summer.
Learning to swim is an integral part of a child’s safety and development. Swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning, build whole body strength and swimming is a skill that lasts a lifetime. Exposing a child to swimming at a young age will provide them with a recreational activity that they can continue to enjoy throughout the rest of their lives.
“It is with great excitement that we once again accept this very generous sponsorship from the Concord Housing + Redevelopment Authority,” said Laura Bryant, Parks and Recreation supervisor. “Last summer, 664 children registered for swim lessons. It has always been our desire that we reach all members of the Concord and Penacook community and, with this sponsorship, we are hopeful that we will be able to broaden our reach even further this summer.”
John Hoyt, the executive director of Concord Housing + Redevelopment Authority, added “Providing the children of the Concord/Penacook community the opportunity to participate in swim lessons,regardless of their monetary position, is a fundamental piece in providing them with a solid skill that will not only help save lives but also provide them a lifetime of fun!”
With this sponsorship, each Concord/Penacook child will be able to receive a two week session of swim lessons (eight classes) for free. Pre-registration is required for all swim lessons and registration will begin on Tuesday, May 10. The Concord Parks and Recreation Department offers swim lessons at five of its seven neighborhood pools. The city’s seven outdoor pools will open for the season on Saturday, June 18.
Suzanne Stevens
