Portsmouth offers free training seminar, Waypoint SleepOut: Community news update
Portsmouth offers free training seminar on firestop use and more
PORTSMOUTH — The city Inspection Department is hosting a free training session on Thursday, Feb. 22. The topic is “Hilti Firestop 104: Quality Control Review of Firestop Installations.” The session takes place in City Hall Council Chambers and via Zoom from 9 a.m. to noon (check-in starts at 8 a.m.). Contractors, developers, code officials, residents, and members of the New Hampshire Seacoast Code Officials Association (NHSCOA) are invited to attend. Topics to be discussed include firestop foundations, firestop applications when penetrating combustible and non-combustible materials, insulation, and special inspection requirements.
While the training is free, registration is required at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w70zdKYUQcuvuD0pv1tCSQ%23/registration.
The training is presented in partnership with NHSCOA. Participants are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The program presenters are Sean Hurley, fire protection specialist and Manoj Nair, field engineer/tchnical consultant. Tim Metivier, NHSCOA president/city building inspector and city chief inspector Shanti Wolph arranged the training.
Valentine hearts on "Tree of Love"
PORTSMOUTH — The city "left the lights on" the holiday tree in Market Square and on Valentine’s Day Mayor Deaglan McEachern and preschoolers from Treehouse School helped transform it into the "Tree of Love."
From toddlers to seniors, the Portsmouth Recreation Department welcomed everyone who wanted to participate to make or color a heart. More than 500 were submitted and placed on the tree.
COAST bus receives $25,000 grant
DOVER — Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation, more commonly known as COAST, was recently awarded a $25,000 grant from the Cogswell Benevolent Trust. The grant funds will help support the final design and construction of the nonprofit organization's new administration, operations, and maintenance facility in Dover.
For more than 40 years, COAST has been connecting people and communities in the Greater Seacoast region. In the last 15 years in particular, COAST has experienced its most significant growth. In order to better meet its current operational needs, be responsive to future demand and reduce its environmental impact, COAST plans to build a new facility on its current property in Dover. The project will be funded through a combination of federal, state (including NH CDFA tax credits), local, and private sources. The recent award from the Cogswell Benevolent Trust brings the total funds raised to 82% of the $17.3M projected cost.
The City of Dover recently issued a site plan approval and conditional use permit for the project following a review by the Planning Board. At 17,500 square feet, the new operations, maintenance, and administration building is 6,000 square feet larger than COAST’s existing and leased space combined.
Forest Society Education Center at Creek Farm opens improved visitor facilities
PORTSMOUTH — The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests announced the opening of new restroom facilities at their popular conservation property, Creek Farm in Portsmouth.
The new facility, located adjacent to the Forest Society’s Education Center, has two ADA-compliant restrooms with a seasonal water bottle fill station, a changing table, and a covered waiting area. The family-friendly restrooms are available for public use daily and during evening programs.
Two walls of the new structure feature pine siding sourced from trees that were felled on Little Harbor Road and milled onsite by AJ Dupre of the Urban Forestry Center, part of the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Land. A new bench, built by volunteers, is constructed of the same wood, also milled onsite.
This project was made possible through contributions from the French Foundation, the Rotary Club of Portsmouth, Altus Engineering, Newburyport Bank Charitable Foundation, Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation, Messina’s Flooring & Carpet, Monadnock Security Systems Inc., and many individual donors.
Creek Farm offers outdoor space, a rocky beach, trails, and hand-carry boat access to Sagamore Creek. Information: forestsociety.org/creek-farm.
Raising awareness for youth homelessness March 29 at Waypoint's SleepOut
MANCHESTER – Waypoint is shining a spotlight throughout New Hampshire on young people experiencing homelessness at the 10th Anniversary SleepOut event. On March 29, hundreds of people from across the state will spend a night out in the cold to expand the collective consciousness about homelessness and to raise funds to address critical needs for young people facing a myriad of challenges associated with homelessness. An initiative of Waypoint, the 24-hour experiential fundraiser supports major resources Waypoint runs to serve these youth, including the state's only low barrier young adult emergency shelter in Manchester and drop-in centers in Concord and Rochester.
Sleepers can participate individually or in teams with friends and co-workers. They sign up online and use pledge forms to gain support for their night out in the cold. In 2023, more than 2,100 pledges were received for the sleepers. All revenue raised will support youth homelessness, which is a rapidly growing concern across the Granite State. In New Hampshire, it is estimated that 15,000 youth experience some form of homelessness each year. And at least 70 percent of these people will not have the option to return to a safe and stable home.
In-person SleepOuts will take place in Manchester, Concord, and Rochester and individuals can virtually sleep out at other locations of their choice. Companies are encouraged to participate as well by sponsoring the event and organizing or supporting a team of sleepers. PROCON, for example, has always organized a team of sleepers on location and virtually and is a sponsor of the event.
There are four ways to help support SleepOut:
Volunteer to be a “sleeper” and solicit pledges for spending the night outside at a set location with others, individually or with friends and colleagues.
Coordinate a team of sleepers from an organization for a collective effort to support this cause.
Encourage a business to become a corporate sponsor.
Donate online to support SleepOut directly or an individual sleeper.
Visit WaypointNH.org for information.
Seacoast Science Center offers family learning adventure
RYE — Seacoast Science Center is offering a custom-designed learning adventure for families with children, April 20-27. This eco-trip to Sarasota includes science programs and outdoor adventures with Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, with plenty of time factored in to enjoy the sun and fun of Florida.
Mote Marine Laboratory is the ideal place to explore the amazing coastal habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. The Mote Aquarium displays unique and exciting ocean animals that thrive in Florida’s diverse marine ecosystems, and is home to the Dolphin & Whale Hospital and Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center. Your hands-on multi-day education programs will focus on Awareness, Appreciation, and Action. Each day of your Mote adventure is themed to enhance your knowledge of a special marine science topic.
Information: seacoastsciencecenter.org. A deposit is due by March 1.
St. John’s United Methodist Church presents check to Dover Children’s Home
DOVER — The Rev. Jeff Hunt and director of music Stephen MacKenzie, of St. John’s United Methodist Church at 29 Cataract Ave. recently presented a check to Melissa Larocque, director of operations for Dover Children’s Home.
On Dec. 3, 2023, the St. John’s music ministry presented its annual Christmas concert, this year titled A Holy Night. The concert was publicized to benefit DCH, and during a break in the music, DCH executive director Renee Touhey-Childress spoke about the organization’s long history serving children in need in Dover and beyond. While there was no admission to the concert, a free-will offering was received which totaled more than $1,000. St. John’s has had a covenant relationship with DCH for many years and were thrilled with the audience response.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth offers free training seminar, Waypoint SleepOut: Community news update
