Scotland's North Sea Gas in Concert at Jaffrey's Park Theatre May 13

Scottish band's U.S. tour includes a stop in Jaffrey, New Hampshire

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (May 9, 2023) One of Scotland's best-known traditional folk bands, North Sea Gas, is on their 2023 U.S. tour, and they stop at Jaffrey's Park Theatre performing arts center this Saturday, May 13, at 7:30 pm for a single concert performance.

Over thirty-nine years and stronger than ever, North Sea Gas is one of Scotland's most popular folk bands with great vocals and tremendous three-part harmonies. North Sea Gas are Dave Gilfillan, Grant Simpson, and Ronnie MacDonald.

Guitars, Mandolin, Fiddle, Bouzouki, Harmonica, Whistles, Bodhrans, Banjo, and good humor are all part of the entertainment. They have received Gold and Silver Disc awards from the Scottish Music Industry Association and regularly have sold-out shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and around the world!

They have released 22 albums, with "Hearth & Homeland" being the most recent, and are constantly adding new material to their shows. One of their previous albums, "The Fire and the Passion of Scotland, was "Album of the Year" at Celtic Radio in the U.S., winning first place in the "Jigs and Reels" category as well for the set of tunes on the album. All of their previous albums continue to be very popular with fans all over the world, evidenced by the Scottish Music Industry Association gold and silver awards for: "Dark Island," "Lochanside," "Glencoe Massacre," "Edinburgh Toon," "Rosslyn," "Tak A Dram Afore Ye Go," and "The Fire and the Passion of Scotland."

Their show and albums consist of traditional, contemporary, and self-penned material put together, in a style all their own, along with their humor and story-telling. This proves popular during their regular tours of Scotland, America, Canada, Germany, Austria, Estonia, Turkey, and many other destinations both in and outside of their home in Scotland. Every year there are appearances on TV and Radio on both sides of the Atlantic, including "Late Night Saturday," "Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour," and "Song of the Mountains" shown on select PBS TV stations in the U.S.

All tickets are $25. They can be purchased in advance at theparktheatre.org or the box office. You can also call (603) 532-8888.

The Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire, just 90 minutes from Boston. There is a bar lounge, and the facility is fully accessible.

Coming Up at Nova Arts

Friday, May 12 we will see the return of two favorites. Headlining is Vapors of Morphine featuring Dana Colley, Morphine's original saxophonist. Vapors continues the work of the low rock trailblazers, performing their songs as well as new originals. They always provide a palpable energy, blending in that 90s nostalgia in a way that Colley's baritone can, with an indie rock vibe. Jake McKelvie and the Countertops are opening, and from the bassist's flowing mane, to Jake's strong songwriting, there are a lot of ways to fall in love with this band.

For all shows, tickets are available at novaarts.org/events or at Brewbakers / Terra Nova Coffee.

Nova Arts is supported by and under the fiscal sponsorship of Arts Alive, and is supported by the Putnam Foundation and the Osier Fund. Events take place at 48 Emerald St, within Brewbakers Cafe & Terra Nova Coffee. novaarts.org

Senator Comerford to Host Eleven Office Hours in the District and Virtually in Spring and Early Summer 2023

Office Hours to be held in person across the district and virtually

Senator Jo Comerford, District Director Elena Cohen, and Constituent Services Director Rachel Klein will be hosting office hours throughout the district and via Zoom, beginning in late April through June 2023.

Senator Comerford and her team seek to be as accessible as possible to constituents living in the 25 cities and towns of the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district.

All in-person locations are wheelchair accessible and no advanced sign-up needed. All zoom office hours require advanced sign-up to receive the Zoom link.

More information can be found here: https://senatorjocomerford.org/spring-2023-office-hours/

May

Friday, May 19 - In-person with Senator Comerford and Elena - walk-ins welcome
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Hatfield Memorial Town Hall, 59 Main Street, Hatfield
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Athol Public Library, Conference Room, 568 Main Street, Athol

June

Friday, June 2 - In-person with Senator Comerford and Elena - walk-ins welcome
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Beals Memorial Library, Trustees Room, 50 Pleasant Street, Winchendon
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Petersham Memorial Library, 23 Common Street, Petersham

Tuesday, June 13 - Remote via Zoom with Rachel and Elena
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Connecticut River Conservancy Announces Executive Director Search

Greenfield, MA, 5/5/2023. Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the Connecticut River watershed in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut since 1952, formally announces their search for the next Executive Director.

The Board of Trustees, in collaboration with CRC staff and executive search firm Eos Transition Partners have undergone a thorough process of evaluation and strategic refocusing to determine the qualities and qualifications that will guide the search for the next great leader of the organization. The successful candidate will be a dynamic, forward-thinking, and inclusive leader with a track record of leading and managing nonprofit organizations, strong relationship-building skills, and experience supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as a part of organizational culture. Details and application instructions are available here: eostransitions.com/wordpress1/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CRC-Position-Profile.final_.pdf (PDF). Questions can be directed to Catherine Bradshaw at cbradshaw@eostransitions.com.

CRC has a robust 70-year history of environmental conservation and restoration. The organization was first formed as the Connecticut River Watershed Council in 1952 by a group of concerned citizens, rebranded to the Connecticut River Conservancy in 2017, and has been a strong voice for the Connecticut River since the beginning. Programs include healthy habitat restoration through tree planting and dam removal, advocacy to prevent pollution, invasive species removal, water quality monitoring, river recreation access, community science to support migratory fish, river cleanups including the annual Source to Sea Cleanup for the past 26 years, and more.

Since the departure of previous Executive Director, Andy Fisk, who took up the role of Bureau Chief of Natural Resources at the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection after 10 years with CRC, the organization has been led by interim Executive Director and Director of Restoration Programs, Ron Rhodes who has served CRC for 12 years as a Restoration Manager and River Steward. The new Executive Director will be welcomed by an enthusiastic Board, knowledgeable staff, and dozens of highly engaged regional stakeholders.

CRC's search is being conducted in an inclusive manner, drawing on the perspectives of both board and staff members. Outreach is both broad and targeted and is aimed at developing a diverse pool of qualified candidates.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply at eostransitions.com/wordpress1/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CRC-Position-Profile.final_.pdf (PDF).

CRC is an equal opportunity employer. We highly encourage members of communities excluded from the environmental field to apply, and we value the insights, knowledge, and perspective that a diverse staff bring to our organization and work.

About:
The Connecticut River Conservancy is a strong voice for the Connecticut River watershed, from source to sea. We collaborate with partners across four states to protect and advocate for your rivers and educate and engage communities. We bring people together to prevent pollution, improve habitat, and promote enjoyment of your river and its tributary streams. Healthy rivers support healthy economies. Our organizational values are centered around: Inclusion, Collaboration, Resilience, and Stewardship. Visit ctriver.org for more information.

Chamber Hosting Office Hours with State Economic Development Officials

(North Central, MA) May 12, 2023 - In a partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD), MassDevelopment, and Mass Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC), the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will be hosting state economic development officials for one-on-one appointments with local developers, manufacturers and business owners. The meetings are an opportunity to discuss any specific matters related to their business or the expansion of their business, as well as to review state resources available to support business growth and expansion.

Kevin Kuros, Central Massachusetts Director for MOBD; Rob Anderson, Vice President of MassDevelopment; and Chuck Merrill, Senior Loan Officer for MGCC will be available at the Chamber office by appointment on Wednesday, June 7 between 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The appointments are in thirty minute increments and are first come, first serve. The meetings are free and confidential, available on a non-discriminatory basis, and are handicapped accessible.

MOBD helps businesses relocating to Massachusetts and businesses wishing to expand their current operations here. MOBD is responsible for managing the state's Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) which provides tax credits for qualifying business expansion projects. In addition, they provide information on other state economic development programs, including the state's R&D tax credit, the Mass Life Science Center tax incentives, the Workforce Training Fund grant program, the STEP grant offered through the Mass Office of International Trade and Investment and other state resources.

MassDevelopment, the state's development finance agency and land bank, works with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2022, MassDevelopment financed or managed 356 projects generating investment of more than $1.69 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 11,080 jobs and build or preserve 1,778 housing units.

MGCC was established to help small businesses create and preserve jobs by providing access to working capital, loan guarantees, and targeted technical assistance that solves specific financial and operational problems. MGCC works with traditional financial institutions to turn "un-bankable" businesses bankable, Community Development Centers and non-profits to provide financing for job-producing projects, and directly with businesses to find the growth capital they require. MGCC seeks to assist small businesses in Gateway Cities as well as woman-owned, Veteran-owned, or minority-owned businesses.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Sandie Cataldo, Senior Economic Development Manager at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at (978) 353-7600 ext. 232 or via email at scataldo@northcentralmass.com.