Seacoast Local

PRESS RELEASES

September 10, 2012

Seacoast Local Seeks Local Investors and Businesses for Community Capital Initiative

Portsmouth, NH- On Tuesday, Sept. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Alpha Loft in downtown Portsmouth, NH, Seacoast Local invites potential investors and entrepreneurs to an event that will introduce the advantages of and access to local community capital. “Building Community Capital” kicks off a three-part series on how community capital approach to savings, deposits and lending can overcome the deficiencies of the current finance system, help create a Seacoast economy that is local, green and fair, and sustain our vibrant community.

The first two-hour seminar will feature presentations by current leaders in the community capital system, including Steve Scott, vice president of Provident Bank; Joel Moyer, Member and Secretary of Sprout Lenders and former fellow at Investors' Circle and RSF Social Finance; and Bob Marino, chair of Seacoast Local’s Community Capital program and its newly formed Seacoast Local Investment Network. Rian Bedard of EcoMovement will also speak from his successful community capital relationship with local investors. The event is geared toward business owners, potential investors and curious members of the public, who will find topics of interest along with meaningful discussion with all participants.

The second event, on Oct. 5 at 9:30 a.m., will be a keynote speech by Michael Shuman to kick off the New England Local Business Forum gathering at Portsmouth Public Library. Shuman, a nationally known expert on local economies and author of “Local Dollars, Local Sense,” will share a vision for what a New England economy re-shaped by community capital could look like. The third event, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Collaborative Office Group (COG) in Dover, NH, will be an intensive, interactive workshop on how to prepare locally owned, independent businesses for local investment, including business plans, financials and leadership.

The first two events are free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. The final workshop in the series is $20 for Seacoast Local members and $25 for non-members. For registration and additional information on all three Seacoast Local Community Capital events, visit seacoastlocal.org.

Seacoast Local is a business-led, grassroots non-profit that encourages people to “think local first” when it comes to their money and their time. By directing more money locally, we increase our region’s economic, community and environmental strength. For more information on Community Capital or other programs, or to sign up to receive the Seacoast Local newsletter, visit seacoastlocal.org or call 603-766-1775.

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April 30, 2012

Seacoast Local Announces Field & Spoon
Elegant evenings hosted on Seacoast farms to benefit ReRootEd

SEACOAST, N.H.—ReRootEd, Seacoast Local's food program, will host five elegant dinners, titled Field & Spoon, on area farms to raise funds for future food initiatives. Local and celebrity chefs are paired to develop and prepare a menu with food direct from the field.

ReRootEd's work within the local food system is focused on fostering, developing, and enhancing the relationship between locally owned and independent businesses and the origin of their food. The relationships built between chefs, farmers, and guests during the course of the dinners will play a significant role in building a stronger, more resilient food system.

The three-course, family-style dinner will begin with cocktail hour, farm tour and passed hors d’oeuvres. Menus will consist of local products from the hosting farms as well as other farms within the region. Dishes are seasonal and the products featured will depend on growing conditions and availability. In early summer, expect asparagus, strawberries, rhubarb, greens and eggs in abundance. Into July and August, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, carrots among other produce will make their way onto the plate. Farm-raised meats and fish from Seacoast waters will featured. Enjoy a glass of paired local beer, wine or another beverage. Coffee will be offered to close the night.

Tour the farm, mingle and share the experience with friends old and new. Toast to New England’s deep agricultural roots and the chefs who are willing to dig deeper, to find or refine the connection. Dinners will be held rain or shine—although the scene will be tented, white linen, candle lit with farm decor; heels are not recommended. Come as you will.

Several participating chefs are members of Chef’s Collaborative, and farms and guests are encouraged to support this national chef network, to continue to foster closer connections between farms, restaurants and communities.

Tickets are $110, all inclusive. Proceeds from the event will support ReRootEd projects including co-chairing the annual NH Fish and Lobster Festival, convening the Local Food Network, and conducting food system assessment projects.

For tickets and more information, visit: seacoastlocal.org or call 603-766-1775

June 3—Tuckaway Farm Lee, N.H.
Chef: Mark Segal, The One Hundred Club, Portsmouth, N.H.;
Guest chefs: Lydia Shire Boston, M.A.; Alex Pineda, Waterhouse restaurant, Peterborough N.H.

July 29—Osprey Cove Organic Farm, Madbury, N.H.
Chef: Ken Young, Young’s Restaurant, Durham, N.H.,

August 5—Coppal House Farm, Lee, N.H.
Chef: Christopher Lund, Christopher’s Third Street Grill, Dover, N.H.

August 12—New Roots Farm, Newmarket, N.H.
Guest Chef: Jake Smith, Black Birch, Kittery, M.E.

August 25—Hurd Farm, Hampton, N.H.
Chef: Ben Hasty, When Pigs Fly, Kittery, M.E.
Guest Chef: Amy Winans, University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H.

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Chef's Collaborative, founded in 1993, is a national chef network that’s changing the sustainable food landscape using the power of connections, education, and responsible buying decisions. It is their vision that sustainable practices will become second nature for every chef in the United States. For more information, visit www.chefscollaborative.org.

Seacoast Local Announces Our Tap Local First Fundraising and Networking Event
Blue Mermaid Island Grill and Throwback Brewery host featuring local beer and paired appetizer tastings

As the spring weather heads our way, Seacoast Local is excited to announce its next exciting event. Tap Local First is a networking event designed to raise funds for this growing nonprofit organization. Tap Local First will take place at The Blue Mermaid Island Grill in Portsmouth, NH on Tuesday April 17th from 5:30-7:30 PM.

Tickets are already on sale and the event is expected to sell out. Tickets are available now for $25 at seacoastlocal.org. Entry includes four paired tasting of a local beer and appetizer from 5:30-6:30 PM.

You'll be able to meet the brewer, Annette, at at least one of the tasting stations. Herbed Goat Cheese and Potato Croquettes and a Lime Jalapeno Cream Dipping Sauce will be paired with Oma's Tribute Black Lager. Golden and Red Beets on Rice and Pea Cakes topped with Local Honey Roasted Pecans served with the Hog Happy Hefeweizen. Jamaican Jerk Chicken Satays with Sun-Splash Salsa coupled Hopstuck Red IPA. And last but not least Pan Seared Duck Breast with a Serrano Chili Jam paired with the Campfire Smoked Porter.

Blue Mermaid Island Grill is a Caribbean-inspired restaurant and full service food and beverage caterer located in downtown, Portsmouth, NH. http://www.bluemermaid.com

Throwback is a small, inspired brewery dedicated to crafting delicious, farm-fresh beers from local ingredients. The goal at Throwback is to acquire most of our ingredients (such as hops, wheat, barley, fruit, and spices) from local farmers. http://www.throwbackbrewery.com

This event is part of the the Seacoast Local Board of Directors annual fundraising program. The event will help raise capital to for our Think Local First program staff and board development. A portion of these proceeds will also benefit the New England Local Business Forum. The NELBF is a resource for local business organizations in New England. For more information visit http://www.nelbf.org

Tickets can be purchased online on the Somerville Local First Website:
https://seacoastlocal.org/tap-local-first.cfm

Seacoast Local is a business-led, grassroots non-profit that encourages people to “think local first” when it comes to their money and their time. By rooting more money locally, we increase our region’s economic, community and environmental strength. For more information, visit seacoastlocal.org or call 603-766-1775.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2012

Media contact: Dave Boynton at 603-766-1775 or [email protected]

The Seacoast Local Food Network Launches with a Spring Fling!

Newmarket, N.H.–The opportunity to become involved in the creation of a localized food system is right around the corner. On Monday, April 2, the community is invited to join the Local Food Network for their “Spring Fling” launch party at the Stone Church in Newmarket, N.H. The event runs from 5:30 until 8 p.m., with a unique and seasonal local food and beverage menu created for the event by the staff at The Stone Church.

The Local Food Network represents a variety of well-known Seacoast non-profit organizations working to build our local food system. The group has been meeting quarterly for several years to share information, network and build connections among non-profits and volunteers. This event provides an opportunity for the public to get plugged in. It will also mark the launch of the group’s new web site, www.localfoodnetwork.org, which serves as a single portal to connect Seacoast residents with their local food system online.

At Spring Fling, The Stone Church will be offering half-price local beers on tap, a drink special with a New Hampshire vodka distillery, and a unique seasonal local food menu priced mostly under $10. Leaders of the Local Food Network will share short presentations on their projects and ways in which community members can get involved. It will be an opportunity not only to see what is currently being done, but also to get involved and help build quantity, quality and affordability of local food available in our community. After the presentations there will be time to socialize and network to become better connected.

The tasty menu options will be served tapas style, including: Beer Braised Kielbasa from Burnt Swamp Farm in Epping, N.H., Vegan BBQ Pit Beans from Baers Best Beans in South Berwick, Maine, Cheddar Frites with Raspberry Gastrique from Brookfard Farm in Canterbury, N.H., Buttermilk Biscuits with Sausage Gravy from Brookford Farm and Burnt Swamp Farm, Fingerling Potato Gratin with Salad Greens from Heron Pond Farm in South Hampton, N.H., and Chipotle Fudge Ice Cream made in-house with fresh cream and eggs.

“Here in the beautiful Seacoast region of New Hampshire, we have the passion and potential to create a sustainable and localized food system. Luckily there are opportunities across the food spectrum with both businesses, organizations, and individuals that are willing to team up to make our mutual goals happen,” says Jessica Skinner of Seacoast Local, who is serving as coordinator of the event. “Communication and cohesiveness is a must when developing a system in which our community can efficiently provide itself with food that is good for our bodies, our land, and our economy. A movement such as this one cannot be done by a few; it is something that needs the helping hands of many.”

Presenters at The Stone Church will include Jess Skinner of ReRootEd, the local food program of Seacoast Local; Sara Zoe Patterson of Seacoast Eat Local; Kate Mitchell of Slow Food Seacoast; Stacey Purslow of New Hampshire Farm to School; Rian Bedard of EcoMovement; Dyanna Smith of the Seacoast Growers Association; Julie LaBranche of the Rockingham Planning Commission; Evan Mallett of the Seacoast Chefs Collaborative; Carolyn Eastman of Granite State Fish; and Christine Magruder of the Kittery Land Trust.

Each participating non-profit will continue to serve its unique mission, but joining together creates a framework to more effectively achieve a common purpose of local, clean, fair, healthy local food for all on the Seacoast.

For more information on the Local Food Network, visit www.localfoodnetwork.org . For more information on Spring Fling, contact Jessica Skinner at or 603-766-1775.

The Local Food Network and the Spring Fling event are convened by Seacoast Local, a non-profit devoted to educating the Seacoast about the community benefits of directing more of our money locally, in order to increase our region’s economic, community and environmental strength. Seacoast Local’s role is to be the forum where locally owned, independent businesses come together to lead this transformation, within their own business and in partnership with our community. Learn about all of Seacoast Local’s current and emerging programs, check out our calendar of events, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and seacoastlocal.org.

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Seacoast Local (H)EAT Campaign blazes over $10,000 mark

Less than halfway through the campaign, local businesses and community members continue to raise funds for food and fuel assistance

PORTSMOUTH, NH- The Seacoast Local (H)EAT Campaign and its local business members and local community members have raised more than $10,000 for community food and fuel assistance, so far. More events are planned to encourage community fun and participation in January and February.

(H)EAT (pronounced Heat-Eat) runs between Thanksgiving and March 1, with the aim of raising enough donations to fund 10,000 meals and 10,000 gallons of home heating fuel for those in the Seacoast area in need of assistance this winter. In doing so, it highlights the important role that local independent businesses play in providing charitable support in our community year-round.

Many local businesses are working toward (H)EAT’s goal. With creative promotions and events, members as diverse as G. Wilikers!, Symmetry Yoga, Life Is Good, Solari, Ceres Street Wine Merchants, Runner’s Alley, Somnia, Flower Kiosk, Prelude, Tugboat Alley, Buddhi Boutique, Paradiza, Ceres Bakery, Gus & Ruby Letterpress, Philbrick’s Fresh Market, Portsmouth Candle Company, RiverRun Bookstore, Treehouse Toys, Veris Wealth Partners and The Wire have been a huge support to the campaign by hosting collection canisters and food drives, generating publicity and donating funds. Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra collected donations and made an appeal from The Music Hall stage for H(EAT) at their popular holiday concert on December 21.

Piscataqua Savings Bank was the first major donor, contributing $1,250 to this year's Seacoast Local (H)EAT campaign with a special request that their funds be allocated to the fuel assistance program. With the heating season upon us, the bank recognizes the need to support those struggling to heat their homes. As “Portsmouth's local bank,” Piscataqua Savings is a long-time and avid supporter of Seacoast Local and its mission to showcase the important role that local independent businesses play in providing charitable support in our community year-round. This year, Piscataqua Savings Bank will celebrate its 135th anniversary as a cornerstone in the Portsmouth community, and Seacoast Local thanks them for their dedication to help maintain a robust local economy.

Seacoast community members have also played a significant part in raising funds for the (H)EAT Campaign. The Press Room hosted the (H)EAT kick-off event on December 2. Using the PayPal button on the web site, individual donors contributed more than $800 in December.

Upcoming events include a performance from Skyler and the Band of Thieves at The Music Hall Loft on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. Skyler is generously donating all proceeds from the show to (H)EAT! A Winter’s Tale returns to wow audiences with community storytelling for a good cause at The Red Door on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. And the community is looking forward to the annual Yoga Mala on Sunday, Feb. 12 at Rivermill at Dover Landing, produced by Yoga on the Hill, which brings together 13 area yoga teachers and more than 125 yoga students for a three-hour class of 108 Sun Salutations, meditation, and joyful activism to support (H)EAT. The event is open to the public and all are welcome to participate. On the same day ChildLite Yoga will be hosting a Kids Yoga Mala.

To stay up to date on upcoming (H)EAT events or to find out more information on how to help with donations or community events, go to www.heat-eat.org or contact Dave at [email protected].

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Erin Ehlers
Yoga on the Hill
(207) 332-8799
[email protected]
www.yogaonthehillkittery.com, www.tinyurl.com/yogamala

Seacoast Yoga Community Gathers to Raise Money for (H)EAT

Dover, NH, February 12, 2012 – Yoga teachers and students from the Seacoast area will be joining together for a three hour yoga class called the Yoga Mala. The fourth annual Yoga Mala will be held at The Rivermill at Dover Landing (www.rivermillnh.com) on February 12, 2012, from 9am to noon. All proceeds from the class fees and pledges will be donated to (H)EAT, a part of Seacoast Local, whose aim is to raise money for food and fuel assistance for area families.

Event coordinator Erin Ehlers states, “The Yoga Mala is an incredibly uplifting experience. All shapes, sizes, ages and styles of yoga students attend. A three hour class can be challenging, but we encourage our students to do what they can, and to remember that our reason for gathering is to make sure Seacoast families can eat and stay warm this winter.”

The class consists of meditation, 108 Sun Salutations, and chanting as taught by 19 area yoga teachers. Sara Curry, a participating teacher from Bikram Yoga Portsmouth, says, “It’s amazing to gather this many talented yoga teachers for one class. The energy is incredible.”

Last year, the event raised nearly $9,000 for (H)EAT. “This year, I expect we can exceed that goal, because we are reaching out further and involving more teachers and yoga studios. We’ve created a website and are using facebook,” said Ehlers. “This is the Seacoast’s largest yoga event.”

This year’s Yoga Mala even offers a class for kids. ChildLight Yoga in Dover will be holding two kids’ classes (8:45 to 10:15 and 10:30 to noon) to run during the event. ChildLight Yoga director Lisa Flynn says, “We’re looking forward to having kids participate. This way, parents can do a portion of the Yoga Mala while their kids are a few blocks away doing a fun class of kids’ yoga and activities.” Please contact Lisa Flynn at for more information.

The event is supported by area sponsors, such as The Rivermill at Dover Landing, who donated the space to the event. New England Printing and Copying donated the printing of the posters.

Interested yoga students can register through their studio, or by contacting Erin Ehlers at [email protected]. The registration fee is $25 dollars, and students are encouraged to collect pledges for their efforts in the class.

Participating studios include: 3 Bridges Yoga, Awakening Grace Yoga, Bikram Yoga Portsmouth, Buddhi Boutique, ChildLight Yoga, Cider Hill Yoga, Empower Yoga Center, Green Lotus Yoga Studio, Mindful Yoga and Massage Studio, Moebius Yoga at the Prana Studio, My Om Whole Fitness, Portsmouth Center for Yoga and the Arts, Portsmouth Yoga Shala, Prasada Yoga Center, Rasamaya Movement Center, Sacred Movement Yoga, Symmetry Yoga, Tracy Jordan, Yoga 4 Classrooms, Yoga East, Yoga on the Hill, and Yoga on York.

For additional information, contact Erin Ehlers at . More information can be found at www.tinyurl.com/yogamala.

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Seacoast Local Joins with 140+ Local Business Networks to Promote Shift Your Shopping

NORTH AMERICAN COLLABORATION URGES EVERYONE TO CHOOSE LOCAL AND INDEPENDENT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

November 15, 2011 – This holiday season, Seacoast Local has joined Shift Your Shopping, a collaboration of almost 150 like-minded local business networks to urge everyone to choose local and independent for their holiday shopping this year. Locally, the event kicks off on Friday, Nov. 25, with a celebration of “Plaid Friday,” the colorful local alternative to Blac