Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Derry NH Rail Trail Map
This is an interactive map - Zoom in & out - Click on trail sections and icons for more info.

Map also shows future trail sections in Londonderry and Salem that are not yet complete. Also shown are Manchester and Goffstown trails. Derry Rail Trail is part of the proposed Salem to Concord Bikeway Project that w. Go to www.derryrailtrail.org for more info.


View Derry Rail Trail Map in a larger map

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Mass. hiker falls into Tuckerman Ravine crevasse; rescuers get no response (update 2)


Alex, Norman, Brad and Seth April 10, 2011
PINKHAM NOTCH - A Massachusetts man fell into a deep crevasse on Sunday on the northern flanks of Tuckerman Ravine, and after his hiking party heard no response from him, rescue workers who were lowered 50 feet into the crevasse were unable to reach him.

Norman Priebatsch of Boston was hiking with three others on Sunday on Mount Washington. While above treeline. Priebatsch fell, sliding over a rock band and falling into the deep crevasses around 3:30 p.m.

This is a wonderful photo of Norman
doing what he loved.
How tragic that he died doing this.
 My prayers to the family.
The search for Priebatsch was suspended at 11 p.m. Sunday evening, after a snow ranger from the U.S. Forest Service was lowered about 50 feet into the crevasse and had no contact with him. At that point, visibility was restricted to about 80 feet, and the crevasse was filled with ice, running water, and undermined snow.

Authorities say the recovery effort will be resumed when a safe entry situation exists.

Source: unionleader.com




Priebatsch was an executive at Ambergen in the early 2000s, working at the Waltham biotech as CEO and chief operations officer while it incubated at Boston University's Photonics Center. He left to pursue a career as a serial startup founder, which has included at least two companies. Priebatsch's LinkedIn profile lists him as co-founder of Adeptrix Corp., a genomics mass-spectrometry startup, and Tinnix Inc., a medical smart phone app developer focused on tinnitus.

Located in the White Mountains National Forest, 6,288-foot Mount Washington is known for unpredictable weather.

Update: A White Mountains National Forest Snow Ranger Jeff Lane on Tuesday confirmed an earlier report that responders are now presuming Norman Priebatsch dead, and have shifted their operation to a recovery mode.

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UPDATE 04/03/2012 (16:50)
Hub entrepreneur Norman Priebatsch — who fell into a deep snow crevasse atop New Hampshire’s Tuckerman Ravine on Sunday — is presumed dead, authorities said this afternoon.

“We’re looking at it as a recovery effort,” said White Mountain National Forest snow ranger Jeff Lane.

Priebatsch’s 23-year-old son Seth, the Hub tech wunderkind who runs Cambridge startup Scvngr, witnessed his father’s tragic fall, authorities said.

The search for Norman Priebatsch, 67, of Back Bay was suspended late Sunday “due to unsafe snow conditions” and “has not resumed,” said Tiffany Benna, public affairs officer for the White Mountains National Forest. Benna said the elder Priebatsch was with his son and two others at the time.

Snow rangers continue to monitor the conditions in the Tuckerman Ravine basin where Priebatsch went missing.

Lane said he was lowered about 50 feet into the crevasse and he could see about 30 feet below, where a stream cut under the snow.

Lane said Priebatsch must have fallen into the stream, otherwise he would have been visible at the bottom of the crevasse.

The conditions are trending about a month ahead of schedule.

“Things are melting and there’s running water coming down and undermining the snow,” Benna said. “Ice is coming off in big chunks. It’s in an avalanche kind of field site.”

The elder Priebatsch is a seasoned skier who frequented the White Mountains with loved ones, said his childhood friend, Peter Suzman of Newton, who grew up with Priebatsch in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“He is a very energetic man, both in work and play,” Suzman said.

Priebatsch’s son, Seth, is the CEO of Cambridge startup Scvngr, a multimillion-dollar gaming company that is in the midst of moving to new offices in Boston. Scvngr plans to hold a paintball game for charity at its Cambridge headquarters later this week before the company moves out and the building is redeveloped.

Reached this morning, Seth Priebatsch declined to comment.

Norman Priebatsch attended Harvard Business School and is the founder of audio technology company Tinnix as well as Adeptrix Corp., which has a novel method of decoding DNA, according to his LinkedIn profile.

On Sunday, the day the Priebatsch family traversed the mountain, the daily avalanche warning from the U.S. Forest Service was listed as “low.”

In a blog posting for the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, Lane noted the ever-present risks associated with the whims of the weather: “... there may be lingering pockets of unstable snow from the past week’s snowfalls. ... With the frozen surfaces comes the potential for very dangerous sliding falls.”

Obituary Link: http://ow.ly/a4J7p

Latest story update April 10, 2012http://thoughts-drp.blogspot.com/2012/04/officials-explore-tuckerman-crevasse.html

For the latest updates on Mt. Washington State Park CLICK HERE


Monday, April 2, 2012

Forest service gets $4 million for Irene repairs to trails and roads

CAMPTON — The U.S. Forest Service has received more than $4 million in disaster relief funding to repair trails and roads on the White Mountain National Forest that were damaged by Tropical Storm Irene last August, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) announced recently.

“Hurricane Irene had a devastating impact on many areas in the state and these funds will ensure that repair work can be completed,” Shaheen said. “These roads and trails need to be repaired so residents and tourists can safely access the great resources offered by the White Mountain National Forest.”
Forest service supervisor Tom Wagner hailed the awarding of the funding.

“We welcome the news that funds have been made available to assist with the storm recovery efforts in the White Mountain National Forest,” said Wagner. “These funds will enable us to continue the work on damaged roads, bridges and trails from the August 2011 storm. We ask for the public’s understanding and patience as we restore public access over the next two to three years.”

Following Tropical Storm Irene, Shaheen joined Senate colleagues to support including $1.9 billion in disaster relief funding in the Federal Highway Administration’s 2012 budget.

Shaheen also encouraged federal officials to act quickly on the state’s application for federal disaster relief. She sent a letter to officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency in support of Gov. John Lynch’s request to the agency for a Preliminary Damage Assessment.

Such an assessment is the first step in making New Hampshire projects eligible for financial assistance in cleanup and rebuilding after the storm. This emergency declaration was crucial to getting the funding, according to Shaheen.

The $4,046,814 comes through the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads program, which helps agencies deal with the high cost of repairing federally-owned roads damaged by natural disasters. The money will be used to repair trails and roads including the Lincoln Woods Trail, Rocky Gorge Trail and Sabbaday Falls Trails as well the Kancamagus Highway, Mad River Road, Rocky Branch Road and Pinkham B Road.

SOURCE: http://www.conwaydailysun.com

Let’s G.O.! Get Outdoors New Hampshire in April:

Activities Planned Statewide

CONCORD, N.H. – Like blooming flowers and black flies, one of the sure signs of spring in New Hampshire is the sight of kids enjoying the outdoors.

Several New Hampshire organizations are helping kids discover nature during the month of April through a nationwide initiative called Let’s G.O.! (Get Outside!). The campaign urges a wide array of organizations to hold events that engage children, youth and families to discover the natural world.

The campaign is organized at the national level by the national Children and Nature Network and its sponsors, and here in the Granite State by the N.H. Children in Nature Coalition. Events are occurring from coast to coast in many different settings, from parks, schools and national wildlife refuges to city neighborhoods.

In New Hampshire, kids will have a chance to discover farm animals in Keene, prepare food bank gardens in Auburn, map play spaces in Nashua and star-gaze in Waterville Valley, among other activities.

“It’s inspiring to see New Hampshire organizations not only give children the opportunity to do what they love doing naturally – enjoy the outdoors – and also to see that this is part of a national awareness campaign,” said Marilyn Wyzga, coordinator of N.H. Children in Nature Coalition. “Kids thrive when their connection to nature becomes part of the routine, whether by participating in events like these or just by going outside to play.”

Wyzga and the N.H. Children in Nature Coalition point out that there’s still time for more organizations to hold events as part of Let’s G.O.! And those can be as diverse as a conservation commission or land trust holding a roadside cleanup or hike in protected lands; a health service organization holding a bird walk; or a family service organization holding a picnic.

“There are many easy ways that New Hampshire groups can participate in whatever format feels right for them,” Wyzga said. “And we can provide suggestions for events.”

To have your event be part of Let’s G.O.!, or to find an event in your area, visit www.childrenandnature.org/letsgo.

New Hampshire Let’s G.O.! Events as of April 1, 2012.

Nashua - April 1-21:
Kaboom!, a project with service learners to map Nashua’s outdoor play space.

Hopkinton - April 3, 10 – 11 a.m.:
Nature Nuts - Nature Nuts is a family nature club that meets on the first Tuesday of every month in the Hopkinton/Concord area. juliana.popper@gmail.com

Auburn - April 14, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.:
Earth Day Festival and Service Learning Showcase, Massabesic Audubon Center, Auburn
Live animal programs, recycled crafts, guided nature walks, food, vendor booths and lots of fun.
The Student Conservation Association will showcase service learning projects of Manchester students and prepare community gardens for the N.H. Food Bank.

Keene - April 16 to 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.:
Farm Field Days, Stonewall Farm, Keene
Activities throughout the week including: hiking, cooking, games, sheep shearing, llama walks, and wetland exploration.

Concord - April 21, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Discover WILD NH Day, N.H.. Fish and Game Department, Concord
Exhibits by dozens of New Hampshire environmental, conservation and outdoor organizations. Live animals, big fish and trained falcons. Participate in archery, casting, and crafts projects for the kids.

Waterville Valley - April 21, 8 -10 p.m.
Dark Sky Stargazing, Curious George Cottage, Waterville Valley
Observe the night sky! Join the Margret and H.A. Rey Center during the new moon for stargazing at the H.A. Rey Observatory. Telescopes set up by volunteer and knowledgeable stargazers.

Newmarket - April 22, 1-3p.m.
Vernal Pool Exploration, Lubberland Creek Preserve, Newmarket
Frogs and salamanders are just a couple of the creatures that make their spring home in vernal pools. Join Gail Coffey for an afternoon of netting and exploring the pools on the preserve. This is a great outing for kids!

To find more events or add your own event to the Let’s G.O. schedule, visit http://www.childrenandnature.org/letsgo.

The New Hampshire Children in Nature Coalition is dedicated to fostering experiences in nature that improve physical and emotional health, increase understanding of the natural world, and promote stronger connections to community and landscape. The Coalition got its start in 2007, when people from health, education, community planning and environmental sectors came together at a series of events to launch a New Hampshire initiative to reconnect children with nature and encourage children and families to get outside and active in the natural world. Find out more about the Coalition at http://www.NHChildrenInNature.org.

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Lots of Deals At the National Parks April 21 to 29

By EMILY GLAZER

Rising gas prices may be making you leery of a road trip this spring. But you can take advantage of free or discounted entry to national parks and historic sites the week of April 21 to 29.

There are 397 national sites, including 58 national parks, such as the Grand Canyon, Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains; historic sites like Independence Hall in Philadelphia; monuments, and seashores.
And there are national parks and sites near urban areas. For instance, Saguaro National Park sits in the middle of Tucson, Ariz. St. Louis has the Gateway Arch site, where a tram ride costs $10 per adult. There's free admission to California's Muir Woods National Monument and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, usually $7 and $5 per adult, respectively.

To find a national park near you, go to the website of the National Park Service.

Some parks also are offering special hikes or ranger's and children's programs. Go to nps.gov/npweek for more information. Some concessions, gift shops and restaurants will offer discounts as well, says National Park Service spokeswoman Kathy Kupper.

Entrance fees typically range from $3 per person per day to $25 per car for one week. (Some smaller sites already are free.) Children 16 and under and disabled individuals (as well as those accompanying them) always get in free. U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 62 or older can buy a $10 lifetime Senior Pass, good for all national parks and sites.

Write to Emily Glazer at emily.glazer@wsj.com


Saturday, March 31, 2012

What a great Idea! "Cash Mobs"

A hit of kindness
Cash mobs target businesses to help out in difficult times
By Kathleen Pierce
Globe Correspondent / March 31, 2012

MALDEN - It was a mob hit in a cannoli shop. But cash not crooks descended on The Cannoli Guy Café here Friday at the city’s first “cash mob.’’

The café opened at 7 a.m., and by midafternoon, owner Clark Heighton could not turn out the treats fast enough. “A fantastic, fantastic day,’’ said Heighton, who rang in as many sales - 400 cannoli - in eight hours as he does in an entire week. “I’m trying to figure out a way to thank the city.’’

Customers found out about the event, organized by the city of Malden, days earlier on Facebook and Twitter, and they came out to support the six-month-old cafe. That’s the spirit of the so-called cash mob that combines the buy-local movement with the power of a flash mob: getting strangers together on short notice to make a statement. In this case, the goal is to infuse small businesses at a prescribed time with cash, credit, and community.

There have been several cash mobs in the region from Boston to Newburyport. And while it’s hard to know how many have been held globally, more than 200 organizers have surfaced since last fall, according to Andrew Samtoy, a Cleveland lawyer who popularized the concept.

A thrift store in Cambridge in February was the site of one of the region’s first cash mobs. They have been met with varying degrees of success - some involving one store, others a row of merchants - but momentum is starting to build with more being planned in Lowell and Malden.

“We are always thinking about new ways to invigorate the city. This is the most feasible and we can pull it off with limited resources,’’ said Ron Cochran, director of online services and communication technology for the City of Malden.

A cash mob works like this: City officials, civic groups, or individuals use social media, blogs, and e-mail to spread the word about the event. As @Lowellcashmob tweeted this week, “Infusing revenue into Lowell businesses, you never know where the cash mob will strike!’’

Merchants do not run them, but are selected for a “hit.’’ Participants are encouraged to spend $10 to $20. There often aren’t any discounts or incentives - it’s less about nabbing a Black Friday bargain and more about sharing the wealth.

Malden resident Cheryl Cadigan heard about her town’s cash mob on Facebook and stopped by The Cannoli Guy Café on her way to work Friday. “I had never heard about this place,’’ she said. Even though Cadigan doesn’t eat cannoli, she dropped $30 on a dozen. “The economy is not good. I want to do my part.’’

Last weekend, stores in Brookline along a stretch of Beacon Street hampered by construction were selected for the city’s first cash mob. Around 30 to 50 customers visited a bakery, tavern, and hardware store, among other spots, for a few hours. To capitalize on increased foot traffic, Aaron Mehta, owner of The Wine Press, held a tasting and said sales increased 10 to 15 percent compared with a normal Saturday.  Continued...

“Our goal was to have a single person show up,’’ said Samtoy. “We couldn’t have predicted it would get this far.’’

Friday, March 30, 2012

COASTAL ANGLERS: NEW N.H. MARINE RULE CHANGES IN EFFECT FOR 2012

DURHAM, N.H. -- Coastal anglers should be aware of several new rule changes for 2012 that are now in effect regarding the taking of different species in some New Hampshire coastal rivers and other coastal/estuarine waters. These changes, recently implemented by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, include the following:

* Recent declines in the spawning runs of river herring in the Oyster River have prompted Fish and Game to close this river to the taking of river herring by any method from the head-of-tide dam at Mill Pond in Durham to the mouth of the river at Wagon hill Farm and Durham Point. A map that corresponds to the extent of this closed area can be found on page 24 of the 2012 NH Saltwater Fishing Digest in the shellfish section. The coordinates for the Oyster River shellfish closure and the river herring closure are identical and are identified in red.

* The Gulf of Maine Cod Spawning Protection Area is located south of the Isle of Shoals and was implemented in 2011 to protect large aggregations of spawning cod during the spring. The area is closed to the use of recreational and commercial gear capable of catching cod between April 1 and June 30. A map of the Cod Spawning Protection Area can be found on page 9 of the 2012 NH Saltwater Fishing Digest put out by Fish and Game and on the web at http://www.fishnh.com/pubs/fishing.html. New rules allow fishing within the state waters portion of the Gulf of Maine Cod Spawning Protection Area with hook and line and an artificial weight or single lure weighing one ounce or less. The rule provides anglers with the opportunity to fish for pelagic species such as mackerel while still prohibiting the use of gear that could catch spawning cod. Any vessels transiting through this area must have all hooks and bait removed from fishing rods, commercial vessels must have all gear
stowed, and any groundfish on board the vessel that were caught outside this area must be gutted.

* The taking of sea-run salmon is now prohibited in coastal/estuarine waters. Any salmon caught must be released immediately.

* The area 50 feet above and 200 feet below the fish ladder at the Wiswall Dam on the Lamprey River in Durham, N.H., is closed to all fishing between April 1 and July 31. The lower closure equates to roughly the end of the granite wall on river left, and a USGS pin on river right. Signs will be posted.
Please note that because these rules went into effect after the 2012 NH Saltwater Fishing Digest went to print, they are not included in the publication. The Digest is a good resource for information on other marine fishing rules. Download it at http://www.fishnh.com/pubs/fishing.html or pick up a copy at any Fish and Game Department office or licensing agent.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's marine, fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. The Department's Marine Fisheries Division is located in Durham, N.H. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/marine.

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