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Spotlight: Save Our Bridges Events

The Memorial Bridge's lifespan could be as short as two years, and the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge is in need of major rehabilitation. Without repairs, the bridges could be closed to traffic indefinitely. Now is the time to speak out about their value to our communties.
 
These two bridges are critical to sustaining economic growth and quality of life in the towns of Portsmouth, Eliot and Kittery, encouraging local commerce as well as pedestrian and bicycle transportation. As such, they help facilitate Seacoast Local's mission of promoting dynamic and sustainable community on the Seacoast, which is why we're a leading partner in an ad hoc citizen coalition committed to keeping the bridges open.
 
Four ways to learn more and get involved:

1.  Meet with Seacoast Local at Beach Pea Bakery, Friday, April 17, 8:30am for coffee, petitions and information

2. Vsit www.portsmouthbridges.com to learn about the economic stimulus plan to fund repairs. You can also sign up for email updates.

3. Save Our Bridges petition to print and post: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.e8ab0196-e9b5-4e6a-aa81-29b32c628457 

4.  Join us at the rally on April 28 at noon!

Bridges can connect and build communities, or they can bypass them, creating isolation and decline. We need to send a message to Augusta, Concord and Washington, D.C. about the important role of our bridges in building a dynamic and sustainable Seacoast.

Previously:

Nov. 24, Monday: We'll talk about the strength and opportunity to be found in developing our local economy at North Hampton Public Library, 237A Atlantic Ave., at 7pm. 

Nov. 22, Saturday: Join us to shop the first of six winter farmers' markets—Seacoast Eat Local is working hard to facilitate direct access for area residents to our farmers and food producers through many avenues. Whether you choose a winter CSA, buying in bulk, or plan to visit every winter farmers' market, you can be assured of delicious, healthy, sustainable food all year long. You'll be able to buy everything from meats, cheeses, maple syrup and honey to carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, turnips, winter squashes, kale, collards and even fresh salad greens!The first market takes place 9am-2pm at McIntosh Culinary Academy in Dover. See you there!

Nov. 20, Thursday: Fashion Up! was organized three years ago as a vehicle for the "Buy Local" campaign, to support historic Portsmouth's vibrant, pedestrian-friendly retail district. Three years later, as we struggle through difficult economic times, these shops need your support more than ever. Mark your calendars for the third annual Fashion Up! runway show, sponsored by Portsmouth's Downtown Business Association's Community Commerce Connection. Refresh your outlook and your wardrobe at 6 p.m. at the Portsmouth Gas Light's third-floor nightclub. Local boutiques will come together for a  night to showcase an array of trendy men's and women's styles, smart accessories and fancy footwear. Make it a night with complimentary wine tasting and appetizers, all followed by dancing. Tickets are $25, available at portsmouthgaslight.com, and proceeds from the event will help support Seacoast Local's "Think Local First" campaign.

Nov. 16: Restaurant Week Portsmouth--This signficant new effort by 18 area restaurants drew more than 3,000 diners and 15,000 page views www.restaurantweekportsmouth.com! In working together for a stronger community, Restaurant Week is creating exactly the type of event we formed Seacoast Local to encourage. Check out menus at www.restaurantweekportsmouth.com.

Nov. 14, Friday: Come to the 100-Mile Thanksgiving Potluck! From 6 to 9:30pm, Slow Food Seacoast will serve up locally raised roasted turkeys from Kellie Brook Farm in Greenland and Lasting Legacy Farm in Barrington. In this "learn by eating" event, participants are invited to bring potluck dishes featuring at least one ingredient grown or raised within 100 miles of home. Dishes should be large enough to serve 10 portions. Suggested donation is $5,  and the event takes place at The Pearl, 45 Pearl St., Portsmouth. If you are planning to come and know what you are going to bring - or if you need a suggestion - email Rachel at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . She's keeping a list of what is on the menu so far to make sure that we don't miss out on any of those traditional favorites!

Oct. 31, Friday: (H)EAT campaign volunteers proudly joined more than a thousand zombies, ghouls, witches and fairies marching in one of Portsmouth's greatest traditions, the Portsmouth Halloween Parade. 

Oct. 30, Thursday: Seacoast Local hosts the first meeting of the New England Local Business Forum, convened by local-first business alliances from all five states working together on building a strong, healthy New England economy.

Oct. 22, Wednesday: Save the evening for a special event supporting local businesses in South Berwick. Stacy Mitchell, senior researcher with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and author of "Big-Box Swindle," a book tracing the dramatic growth of big-box retailers, will give a talk at 7 p.m. at South Berwick Town Hall. Mitchell, who was a guest of Seacoast Local a year ago in Portsmouth, will look at how local policies (as well as state and federal) can help our towns attract and keep the kinds of businesses we really want. Mitchell argues that a growing number of communities are bucking the big-box trend and rebuilding their local businesses. In her talk, she will outline several innovative planning policies, small business initiatives, and other strategies communities can use to strengthen independent business and create a more prosperous and sustainable future. Seacoast Local is co-sponsoring this SmartGrowth South Berwick event as part of the "Making the Connection" series.

Oct. 15, Wednesday:Join us at the monthly meeting of Portsmouth's Downtown Business Association to talk about promoting the importance of thinking local first during this holiday shopping season. The group meets at Portsmouth Gas Light Co., 64 Market St., at 8:30 a.m.

Oct. 4, Saturday: Prescott Park Arts Festival Chili Cook-Off—sample some of the best chili the Seacoast has to offer on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 11:30am until it's all gone. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for those 12 and under. Rain date, if needed, is Sunday, Oct. 5.

Oct. 2, Thursday: Did somebody say "sustainable workforce housing"? Built by an employee-owned company? If John Abrams' South Mountain Company could do it on Martha's Vineyard, it can be done anywhere. Join us to hear more from the author of "Companies We Keep" at RiverRun Bookstore, 7pm. Part of Seacoast Local's Making the Connection speaker series.

Sept. 20, Saturday: Our local harvest continues to ripen at the Portsmouth Farmers' Market. Stop by and say hi at our booth on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 8am-1pm

Sept. 18, Thursday: Seacoast Buy Local member Poco's Bow Street Cantina martini bar, 2 Ceres Street, hosts Portsmouth Green Drinks every third Thursday of the month. Seacoast Local will be the featured speaker this month, 6-9pm. Meet up with other green-thinking folks for a free-form social.

Sept. 9, Tuesday: Our Seacoast Buy Local business network meeting at SecondRun Bookstore, all welcome, 6pm

Sept. 6, Saturday: Get your groove on--join us for an afternoon of hot music at the Seacoast Jazz and Blues Festival, at the Mill Pond Center for the Arts in Durham, starts at 1pm. Tickets are $30, available online at www.cuzinrichard.com or in person at RiverRun Bookstore.

Sept. 5, Friday: Our Making the Connection speaker series with renowned author Alan Weisman, who asks us to imaginatively reconsider our impact on the planet in "The World Without Us," South Church, 7:30pm, followed by a reception and book signing. This is great opportunity to join in a dialog with one of the most respected journalists of our times.

Aug. 19, Tuesday: Seacoast Buy Local Harbor Cruise for network members, you betcha! 6-9pm.

Aug. 5, Tuesday: Our Seacoast Buy Local business network meeting at Discover Portsmouth Center (former library), all welcome, 6:30pm

July 20, Sunday: Our Making the Connection speaker series with Bill McKibben, South Church, 4pm, followed by a reception hosted by Slow Food Seacoast

July 19, Saturday: 42nd annual Bow Street Fair, a juried crafts event in downtown Portsmouth to benefit Seacoast Repertory Theatre, 10am-5pm

July 13, Sunday: Down on the Farm Picnic Potluck at Tuckaway Farm, Lee, noon-3pm, $3 suggested donation

July 12, Saturday: Portsmouth Farmers' Market, City Hall parking lot, 8am-1pm

June 7, Saturday: Our Seacoast Local Festival--games, friends and fun!--in Market Square, 1-4pm   

June 5-7, Thursday through Saturday: national BALLE conference, in Boston this year!!

May 20, Tuesday: Gathering of Local First network representatives from throughout Northern New England, Warner

May 10, Saturday: Portsmouth Farmers' Market Grand Opening with local farmers, artisans, musicians and more, City Hall, 8am-1pm

May 8, Thursday: Making the Connection speaker series with John Carroll at RiverRun Bookstore, 7pm.