Manchester

Manchester Chamber of Commerce To Focus On Veteran's Park

Ella Nilsen — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:14:43 +0000

In response to increased crime in Manchester’s Veteran’s Park, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce is launching a new initiative to improve its condition.

Manchester Alderman Patrick Long says that in the past few years, Veteran’s Park has garnered a reputation for more theft, public drinking, and fights.

“I’ve gotten complaints from the elders that live around here that tell me they’re afraid to walk through the park, never mind sit and enjoy it.”

Could You Create Your Own Game In 36 Hours?

Brady Carlson — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:44:46 +0000

Create your own game in a day and a half. That's the challenge awaiting participants in this weekend's New Hampshire Game Jam in Manchester.

Glenn Given and Michael Taylor are organizing the Jam; they sit down with All Things Considered host Brady Carlson to discuss how it works, the gaming scene in the region and what you can learn from trying to create your own games.

Sign Language Puts Some N.H. College Grads On Path To Job Security

Amanda Loder — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:30:00 +0000

Nine UNH-Manchester students are graduating this year with degrees in American Sign Language Interpretation. The college hosts one of just 13 accredited programs in the country. And given the high demand for interpreters, these newly-minted grads will likely find secure employment.

But they probably won’t be jumping in right after graduation.

Cabs Return To Service In Manchester

Jonathan Lynch — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:24:21 +0000

Several of the taxis taken off the road earlier this week in Manchester are returning to service.

Five of the 18 taxis grounded earlier this week have returned to service in the Queen City after undergoing repairs and inspections.

Problems with the vehicles ranged from broken tie rods and cracked windshields to rear brake failure and severe body rot.

How To Make Furniture Sexy (And Other Lessons From An Artist)

Emily Corwin — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:00:00 +0000

The New Hampshire Furniture Masters are featuring the work of three female furniture makers through April 9, in Concord. This story features one of the artists, at her workshop in Manchester.

New Hampshire Catholics Celebrate New Pope

Jonathan Lynch — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:06:21 +0000

Catholics held a special mass in Manchester Wednesday night to celebrate the selection of the new pope.

Parishioners gathered on short notice at St. Joseph’s Cathedral Wednesday night to commemorate the anointing of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis I.

Bishop Peter Labasci was on hand to lead the mass. He asked those in attendance to welcome the new pope and to pray for his success in leading the church.

Businesswoman May Gruber Remembered As Innovative, Compassionate

Brady Carlson — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:51:51 +0000

One of Manchester, New Hampshire’s most celebrated business owners has died. May Gruber owned Pandora sweaters for decades; it was one of the area’s biggest operations.

Several years ago May Gruber was the subject of a documentary, called “Sweater Queen.” All Things Considered host Brady Carlson talked with the film’s producer, Nancy Beach, in 2012. She started by telling the story of how Gruber and her family first came to New Hampshire.

Manchester Digs Out After Storm

Jonathan Lynch — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:25:06 +0000

Snow was still falling late Sunday afternoon, but most of Manchester's main roads were clear. The Queen City wasn't hit as hard as some forecasts predicted, allowing city workers to keep pace with the snow.

Downtown, most restaurants and businesses were open. Bobcats and sidewalk plows darted up and down Elm street, clearing paths for the few people who were out walking.

Manchester Mayor Unveils Budget Proposal

Jonathan Lynch — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 05:57:41 +0000

Mayor Gatsas unveiled his budget for fiscal year 2014, which raises taxes and allots more funding to schools.

Gatsas' budget pushes for the maximum amount of new revenue allowed under the city's tax cap. That's just more than a two-percent increase.

The bulk of new revenue would go towards bolstering the city's school system, which has experienced layoffs and overcrowding in recent years.

Gatsas was optimistic that the budget could be hammered out before the city's June deadline, but acknowledged it would be a difficult process:

School Safety Essential But Never Simple

Brady Carlson — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:43:09 +0000

In the wake of the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, it’s only natural for New Hampshire residents to ask if our schools are safe.

State and local officials say they have made the right moves over the years to keep students and staff safe – but they say school safety is not a simple task.

The Art and Science of Chocolate

Virginia Prescott — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:05:10 +0000

Richard Tango-Lowy is a physicist turned chocolatier who melds a zen-like appreciation for the process with exacting standards for experimentation. Virginia Prescott visited Dancing Lion Chocolate in Manchester, New Hampshire to learn the art of making (and tasting) chocolate.

Hydro Quebec Crews Arrive In Manchester

Jonathan Lynch — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 21:43:21 +0000

A fleet of monstrous blue trucks arrived in Manchester late Wednesday afternoon.

PSNH president Gary Long and Northeast Utilities CEO Tom May were on hand to greet the Hydro Quebec crews.

To see reinforcements come around the corner with these blue trucks is very rewarding

75 two-man crews are slated to be in New Hampshire by Thursday morning, with some crews driving as long as 12 hours to help restore power.

Daniel Dumais is Director of Distribution at Hydro Quebec and was here for the ice storm in 2008.

Businesses Stay Open Despite Storm

Jonathan Lynch — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 01:52:18 +0000

Businesses in Manchester faced the question of whether or not to close up shop as Sandy continued to pummel the Granite State.

School Advocacy Group Holds Rally In Manchester

Jonathan Lynch — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 01:05:03 +0000

Concerned parents, teachers, and children held a rally in Manchester Saturday to protest the state of the Manchester school district. At least 200 people showed up to the rally at Veterans Memorial Park.

The event was organized by Citizens for Manchester Schools, a group formed in response to a budget shortfall that prompted the school district to lay off close to 150 teachers.

One of the group’s chief concerns is the burgeoning average class size in Manchester, with some classes reaching over 40 students.

First Case of West Nile Virus Reported in State

Todd Bookman — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:55:53 +0000

Health officials announced today that a Manchester resident has been infected with West Nile Virus.

It’s the first confirmed infection since September, 2010 in New Hampshire.

West Nile Virus first appeared in the state in 2000. Since then, four other humans have contracted the mosquito-borne virus.

National data from the CDC shows that the number of confirmed cases has risen dramatically in recent weeks.

There have also been 41 deaths; more than half in the state of Texas, where over 500 cases have been reported.