Connections - March 2013

ConnectionsMarch 2013 - Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce - portsmouthchamber.org

Message from The BoardPage 2

eCoast Tech CrawlPage 3

After Hours Wrap-up! Page 3

Calendar of EventsPage 4

Restaurant WeekPage 5

Tourism NewsPage 6

New MembersPage7

Government AffairsPage 8

Movers & ShakersPage 9

Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce

Visit us at 500 Market StreetPortsmouth, NH

A Message From The Board of Directors

Chamber Members,The Board of Directors of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce felt deflated at the recent decision of the City Council to table the proposed new city parking garage for now. Most city property is owned privately and private citizens will continue to develop their property as zoning allows. Continued development will put additional pressure on parking inventory.Right now our local commercial property owners are responsible for a significant portion of the city’s tax revenue; if their businesses suffer due to lack of parking, which results in lack of business, that burden will be transferred to city residents. In other words, the issue of parking can actually affect your tax bill.Did you know the following?(1) Last year the High Hanover Garage was full over 100 times. This creates an instant parking shortage. Since the closure of the Port Walk surface lot (minus 205 spaces) this closure rate has increased. With continued development at Portwalk, Maplewood Ave, and around the city, the city estimate of a current deficit of 300 spaces will likely increase.(2) Sales for retail businesses are greatly affected every time the garage is full.

Connections electronic newsletter is published monthly by the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce and reaches 2,000+ business people throughout NE.

500 Market StreetPO Box 239

603-610-5510f 603-436-5118

[email protected] the

OfficersShari Donnermeyer, ChairBen Wheeler, Vice ChairAnne Brown, TreasurerTim Hepburn, Past ChairStaffDoug BatesPresidentValerie RochonTourism ManagerKatie SweetMarketing CoordinatorBriggs BuzzellMembership Manager Karen KervickAdministrative CoordinatorSamantha EngelAccountingJoan ChawziukHarbor Trail CoordinatorBea Ann KendallVisitor AssistantNewsletterEditor/Writer/ProductionKatie Sweet

2. March 2013 ~ Connections

Howard Altschiller, Anne Brown, Kim Buxton, Rich Chagnon, Shari Donnermeyer, Lisa Gainty, Mark Galvin, Joe Graham, Tim Hep-burn, Dan Innis, Doug Macdonald, Steve Marchand, Jay McSharry, Ken Murphy, Bancroft Potter, Assi-ah Russell, Grant Sanborn, Betsy Scott, Matthew Stachowske, Ben Wheeler, Larry Yerdon, Bill Young

Directors

(3) The bond for a new parking garage will be paid from parking revenue no matter where that parking garage is located. (4) The downtown is an economic engine for the City of Portsmouth. Downtown Portsmouth needs to remain vibrant. The current parking problems are having a negative effect on retail sales and restaurants. The continued lack of available parking is a disincentive for office users to locate downtown.(5) We’ve been told the McIntyre Federal building would be ours for $1 since 2003. There is still no foreseeable date for the transfer to occur. We are reluctant to base a solution to today’s problem on a distant and uncertain development.We need a new parking garage now. It’s good for business and it’s good for the city’s residents. It maintains a lively downtown, with profitable businesses that can pay the necessary taxes so our residential tax rate does not continue to climb. As the Chamber we are sensitive to the difficulties that construction would cause to some local businesses and we stand ready and eager to address those concerns.We beseech the City Council to revisit this issue as soon as possible.Sincerely,

The Board of Directors of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce


Crawl through Portsmouth with eCoast!

Good things come in threes at the upcoming eCoast Tech Crawl - a dynamic pub crawl through downtown Portsmouth for seacoast technology professionals and enthusiasts. This collaboration-oriented event, which takes place on March 14, 2013 from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m., features three components, three relevant technology topics, and three different venues.

The inaugural eCoast Tech Crawl is built around the software release life cycle: Alpha, Beta, and Release. The Crawl kicks off in “Alpha” appropriately enough at Congress Street’s Alpha Loft, a coworking space for tech/creative/startup professionals. In Alpha, crawl-goers will check out one of the seacoast’s successful coworking models and hear about the state of the local technology scene from Josh Cyr, founder of Alpha Loft and freelance software developer.

The Crawl’s second stage, “Beta”, takes place at The Thirsty Moose and features three twenty-minute topic-driven talks on trending technologies, including the transformation to designing in the browser and database technologies to efficiently manage big data. The Crawl culminates in the final stage, “Release”, at the Press Room where eCoast will release a special announcement and crawl-goers can enjoy post-event camaraderie.

Food and refreshments are included along the Crawl. In addition, there will also be attendee giveaways and prizes.

Space is limited and interested attendees are urged to sign up quickly. Event tickets are $20. Register at http://ecoasttechcrawl.eventbrite.com/. Enter the code “efriend” for $5 off! FMI, contact Mark Miller at 603.294.4978. About eCoastThe eCoast is a group comprised of high-tech businesses and professionals united in the common goals of promoting and protecting the high quality of life in the Seacoast. The eCoast plays an important role in the regional economy and is a thriving, pulsing network of technology-related businesses. Established informally in January 1999 by volunteers from the local technology business community and formally branded in May 1999, the eCoast Technology Roundtable is a special committee of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce. eCoast brought to life TechWorld in 2000 and again in 2010. The group has also evolved to include a unique partnership between the Chamber and the City of Portsmouth. For more information, please visit www.ecoast.org.

Ribbon Cutting& Business After Hours

SIS BankIslington St. Portsmouth


CalendarNew Member Orientation

Wed., March 139:30a-10:30a

The Chamber 500 Market St., Portsmouth

Join us for a step by step session on how to get the most out of your membership. Meet the

Chamber staff and learn ways to utilize them as marketing

partners. RSVP to [email protected]

eBrew

Mid-Day Meet

Friday, April 5 11:30a-12:30p

This networking event is a great opportunity to meet other

professionals in a smaller setting. Held on the first

Friday of every month and open to members and non

members with a business card. FMI: The Chamber at 610-5514

Friday, June 14 Breakfast Hill

Have you registered your foursome for the Chamber’s

Golf Tournament? Want to be a sponsor? Do both of those here:

www.birdeasepro.com/chambergolf

Cafe Nostimo72 Mirona Rd., Portsmouth

Who’s eBrewin’?March 7th - 5pm-7pmThe Press Room

- Employees & Guests of all tech businesses- Free Admission- Free Food

Get your tech networking on!

Business After HoursThursday, March 28 - 5pm-7pm

Interventional Spine Medicine270 Lafayette Rd. Rye, NH

Crawl through Portsmouth with eCoast!


Chamber of Commerce 30th Annual Golf Tournament

Friday, June 14, 2013Breakfast Hill Golf Club, Greenland

birdeasepro.com/chambergolf to play and fore sponsorship opportunities!

Participating Restaurants

401TavernAgave Mexican BistroAnneke JansBG’s Boat HouseBlack TrumpetBlue Mermaid Island GrillBonta RestaurantBrazoCafe MediterraneoCafe NostimoCarriage HouseCavaCommon ManDemeters SteakhouseDinnerhornThe DistrictFourGreat American GrilleGreen MonkeyGrill 28Harbor’s EdgeJumpin’ Jay’s Fish CafeLibrary RestaurantMartingale WharfMomboMoxyOar HouseOrchard Street Chop ShopPimentosPortsmouth BreweryPortsmouth Gas LightRadiciRiRaRistorante MassimoRiver HouseRobert’s Maine GrillRudi’s PortsmouthStage Neck InnStreet eat/drink 360Surf RestaurantSurf Sushi BarThree Chimneys InnTulsi Indian RestaurantWellington Room

Paid for in part by

FLAVOR 2013

RESTAURANT WEEK PORTSMOUTH, NH & THE SEACOAST

Present this coupon to your server during Restaurant Week and be entered into a drawing for a $100 dining gift certificate!

Name

Phone

Email

Zip Code

RestaurantWeekPortsmouth.com

Join us for a very special culinary event

April 4-13, 2013THREE COURSE MENUS $16.95 & $29.95

Major Sponsors

Mic

hael

Lab

rie

FLAVOR 2013

RestaurantWeekPortsmouth.com

RegisteR on-line Pledge on-linekomenvtnh.org

Whether you run, walk, volunteer or sponsor, discover with every step your power to change the world. Join the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® and the movement that started it all. Together, we promise to end breast cancer forever.

satuRday, May 11, 2013Strawbery banke MuSeuM, PortSMouth, nh

5k Run/Walk • kids Fun Run

Po box 2496, Manchester Center, Vt 888-550-Cure

®NEW HAMPSHIRE

Be a part of the Komen new Hampshire Race for the Cure®! Call 888-550-CuRe to learn how to become a sponsor.

winning isn’t everything.Living is.

Forget Nemo, Orko, Plato and Q. Those winter storms- so named by the Weather Channel- are behind us. March 1st has arrived. In ten days on March 10th, we change our clocks to “spring forward” an hour. In twenty days March 20th will be the actual First Day of Spring. And it’s only thirty five days until the start of Spring 2013’s Restaurant Week Portsmouth and the Seacoast! By the time you are reading this, the countdown will be even less…..

Restaurant Week Portsmouth and the Seacoast begins Thursday, April 4th and runs thru Saturday, April 13th at forty eight participating restaurants.

The restaurants will kick off the event on Wednesday April 3rd with an invitation only event at Agave Mexican Bistro. (A little known secret is that the restaurant who hosts the Launch Party will start their RW menu a day early. Agave will start on April 3rd!)

Be sure to check out the menus as they are posted at www.restaurantweekportsmouth.com

RESTAURANT WEEK PORTSMOUTH& THE SEACOAST


Tourism NewsThe first-ever Susan G Koman 5K in NH held in 2012 was an amazing success, raising over $100,000, 75% of which stays in the VT-NH Affiliate to

be returned to our communities in the form of grants. The Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure returns to Portsmouth on Saturday, May 11, 2013!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: More than one hundred fifty volunteers are needed to work on race day. Please visit komenvtnh.com to sign up to give a few hours of your time. Remember that 75% of funds RAISED LOCALLY, STAY LOCALLY and 25% go directly to research to end breast cancer.

APRIL 22 & 23 at the Courtyard by Marriott & Grappone Conference Center in Concord.The 37th annual conference is an opportunity to network with your peers, learn what’s new at the NH Department of Tourism & Travel Development, and attend hot-topic educational seminars with top caliber speakers on issues from navigating the media to marketing internationally to social media strategies for time-challenged staff. The NH Travel Council

IMPORTANT DATES

April 3 – Launch Party & Cocktail Challenge for Restaurant Week: Agave - 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. April 4 – 13 - Restaurant Week Portsmouth & the Seacoast. Forty-eight restaurants and only ten days! So much value, so little time. Make your reservations now!May 10th, Friday – Hit the Decks! Specials, parties, sunshine (TBC) and lots of fun as we celebrate the official opening of the summer season. May 31st, Friday – Launch of the summer Shop Portsmouth Friday Nights season, with music, specials in participating shops, and a party in the downtown! 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.The 2013 - 2014 Harbor Guide: The Official Guide to Portsmouth & the Seacoast is on sale now! Do not miss your chance to be in the definitive guide to Portsmouth and the Seacoast. Deadlines are tight (Early Bird Rates end March 8th!!) so please respond immediately when your sales rep from either Big Brown Books or the Chamber contacts you.

Bundled discounts apply when you purchase an ad in the Harbor Guide AND the Official Map of Portsmouth & the Seacoast AND listings on the NEW! tourism-dedicated website that will launch before the summer season. Pam Bowles is the Chamber’s sales rep and will be in contact to discuss how YOU can save money. Watch your emails for the media kits with all the details.

RegisteR on-line Pledge on-linekomenvtnh.org

Whether you run, walk, volunteer or sponsor, discover with every step your power to change the world. Join the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® and the movement that started it all. Together, we promise to end breast cancer forever.

satuRday, May 11, 2013Strawbery banke MuSeuM, PortSMouth, nh

5k Run/Walk • kids Fun Run

Po box 2496, Manchester Center, Vt 888-550-Cure

®NEW HAMPSHIRE

Be a part of the Komen new Hampshire Race for the Cure®! Call 888-550-CuRe to learn how to become a sponsor.

winning isn’t everything.Living is.

Industry Awards will be presented during the luncheon on Tuesday, and that evening you will be able to meet and network with your new legislators at a reception at the Historical Society. Visit www.nhtravelcouncil.com for details and to register. See you there!

Can’t make the Conference but want to have a presence? Consider donating a silent auction item, or providing goodies for the 300 welcome bags. Visit the NHTC website for more info.

The deadline to submit nominations for the NEW HAMPSHIRE TRAVEL COUNCIL AWARDS is Friday, March 22, 2013. Since 1981, the New Hampshire Travel Council has recognized and acknowledged those individuals and businesses in the travel and tourism industry who have shown dedication and excellence. The NHTC invites you to nominate your co-worker or business. To learn more and to submit a nomination, please visit the Travel Council website, email Maryanne Adams ([email protected]) or call her at 603-230-4000, x 4100.

The Chamber Welcomes New MembersAdapt DesignArchitects/Custom Design117 Burkitt StreetPortsmouth,NH 03801Contact: Paul Fowler603.205.2155paul@adaptdesignonline.comwww.adaptdesignonline.com

AT&TBusiness Services/Telecommunications/Wirelesss1981 Woodbury AvePortsmouth, NH 03801Contact: Jay [email protected]

David Balshaw, Licensed Loan Officer Merrimack Mortgage CoBanking/Financial Services145 Elm Street, Suite 601Manchester, NH 03010Contact: David Balshaw603.393.6076dbalshaw@merrimackmortgage.comwww.merrimackmortgage.com/lo/dbalshaw

Great Oak Title Services, LLCLegal Services/Real Estate & Housing99 Bow Street, Suite 300EPortsmouth, NH 03801Contact: Elizabeth [email protected]

Libby O’Brien Kingsley & ChampionLegal Services155 Fleet StreetPortsmouth, NH 03801Contact: Brian [email protected]

Newburyport Daily NewsDigital/Magazine/Newspaper23 Liberty Street P.O. Box 191Newburyport, MA 01950-2750Contact: Kristen Gillespie978.462.666.3270www.newburyportnews.com

PARMA Recordings, LLCEntertainment/Recreational/Festivals&Fairs223 Lafayette RoadNorth Hampton, NH 03862Contact: Bob [email protected]

Regal Limousine Service/Blue Star TaxiEvent Planning&Services/Transporation&Services34 Lafayette RoadNorth Hampton, NH 03862Contact: Bill [email protected]

Technology Search Partners, Inc.Business Communication Services/Consultants/Staffing155 Fleet Street Portsmouth, NH 03801Contact: Eric [email protected]

VacationOwnership.com LLCLodging/Real Estate&Housing/Resale/Travel100 Domain Drive Suite 105Exeter, NH 03833Contact: Sarah Connor603.994.7521info@vacationowndership.comwww.vacationownership.com

Waltham Services, LLCBusiness Services & Supplies, Health & Human Services15 Pleasant Street Suite 103Scarborough, ME 04074Contact: Jen LeBarge Seabrooke207.885.0857Jseabrook@walthamservices.comwww.walthamservices.com


Interested in what the Chamber can offer you or how to make the most of your

membership? Join us for our next

New Member Orientationat the Chamber (500 Market St.)Wed., March 13 - 9:30a-10:30a


Government Affairs

The topic of Gambling in NH was discussed and debated at last Friday’s Government Affairs forum.

Jim Rubens, chairman of the Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling, called a casino “an economic black hole for the state.”

Democratic state Sen. Lou D’Allesandro of Manchester, chief author of legislation to allow casino gambling, described his bill as an “economic recovery, jobs creation package.”

The pair offered their pro and con views to about 70 people at a forum sponsored by the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee and Seacoast Media Group, which hosted the event. For the full article visit: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20130302-NEWS-303020317?cid=sitesearchArticle courtesy of: Seacoast Media Group

(L-R) Jim Rubens and Sen. Lou D’Allesandro led the discussion and took opposite sides on the topic at last Friday’s Government Affairs event.

The current state tax on gas in the Granite State is 18 cents a gallon - a tax that hasn’t moved since 1991.For the full article visit: www.examiner.com/article/the-nh-dot-commissioner-s-case-for-a-higher-gas-tax

When N.H. Department of Transportation Commissioner Chris Clement spoke to the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday morning, he said, “I’m not advocating raising fees or taxes, I’m just presenting the data.”But the data itself -- about poor roads and

red list bridges -- made a strong case for a hike in the state’s gas tax.In order for a gas tax to happen, there has to be some political will to do it among lawmakers in the New Hampshire House and Senate. And there has to be some political will by Gov. Maggie Hassan, and the will of the people to -- possibly -- pay more at the pump in order to strengthen the infrastructure that takes them to and from their jobs and errands each day.The roads and bridges carry Granite State manufactured goods to market elsewhere and bring the goods here to be consumed. They serve as a conduit to the tourists, which, this February vacation alone, was expected to bring $115 million to local businesses.

Chris Clement and Board Member Steve Marchand

Bank of America Breakfast Series April 16, 2013 7:30am-9:00am

The Sheraton Harborsidewith Governor Maggie Hassan

Register here: http://boabreakfastapril.eventbrite.com


Movers & ShakersAllianz Life Financial Services

Brad French set up a digital picture frame to remind his father Albert, a resident at the Mark Wentworth Home, of their family histo-ry. The story of Brad’s project and its affect on Al’s recall of family history reached Tom Paulbeck, Regional Vice President of Allianz Life Financial Services. Allianz donated ten digital frames to the Home.

New Generation DonationNew Generation has received a donation of $1,000 from Apple Painting and Restoration, LLC. Mark Syracusa, Owner of Apple Paint-ing and Restoration, LLC, picks a different charity each year to contribute to. This year he contributed a portion of each completed project in 2012 to New Generation homeless shelter in Greenland NH. New Generation provides shelter, food, and support to home-less pregnant and newly parenting women and their babies. FMI www.newgennh.org www.applepaintingrestoration.com.

Blue Mermaid Brings CountryBlue Mermaid island grill adds Honky-Tonk Tuesday to its cadre of nightly entertain-ment. Every Tuesday evening classic country songs by Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, and many others will be performed by The Seldom Playrights in the Mermaid lounge beginning at 7:30. FMI www.bluemermaid.com

Blue Ocean Society & Dos AmigosBlue Ocean Society for Marine Conserva-tion is hosting a community night with Dos Amigos Burritos Wednesday, April 17 all day. A member of the Blue Ocean Society staff will be there with information about the organization and ways to get involved from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will go towards continuing their marine conservation efforts. FMI www.blueoceansociety.org

Calypso CommunicationsCalypso Communications, an integrated, full-service public relations, marketing, and creative design firm, recently promoted Sarah Grazier to senior public relations manager. At Calypso, Sarah helps direct PR, media, and blog strategies for some of the agency’s largest clients active in utility, private equity, renewable energy, retail, and manufacturing sectors. FMI http://www.calypsocom.com.

Families First Receives GrantFamilies First Health and Support Center received a $20,000 grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Fund-ing came from the Barbara K. & Cyrus B. Sweet III Fund, the Dorothy and Paul Hobbs Seacoast Advised Fund, and the Joseph G. and Jean E. Sawtelle Fund. The grant will support general operations at Families First, including health care and programs. 603-422-8208 www.FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org.

Music HallOn Sunday March 10, 2013 at 7pm, The Music Hall presents The Fighting James-ons in the Historic Theater. Gear up for St. Patrick’s Day with this aggressive, ener-getic modern-day approach to Celtic rock. Following the performance, members of The Music Hall are invited to come to the Loft and meet the crew and members of The Fighting Jamesons. FMI and tickets (603)-436-2400, or www.themusichall.org

Federal Savings & Zebra CrossingFederal Savings Bank recently present-ed a $2500 check to Zebra Crossings. Zebra Crossing’s mission is to enrich the lives of children who have or are at risk of developing a chronic health condition by coordinating enrichment activities that help participants build their confidence, develop friendships, and increase their sense of inde-pendence. The donation is in honor of FSB Board member Richard Houghton, who retired from the Bank’s board in 2012. FMI www.fsbdover.com or www.zebra-crossings.org

Tough MudderGunstock Mountain Resort announces it will host Tough Mudder on June 1-2, 2013. Tough Mudder is a 10- to 12-mile obstacle course challenge designed by British Special Forces to test all-around strength, stamina, camara-derie, and mental grit. Participants may don traditional running attire, but costumes and mullets are encouraged, with best-of awards being given out for both. Tough Mudder is a proud supporter of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). FMI visit toughmudder.com

Jumper ClassicNew England’s most prestigious international equestrian show jumping event, The Jump-er Classic®, Presented by Audi of America, returns to its roots this summer. This five-day show will be held once again at Maplecroft Farm in Ipswich, Massachusetts from July 10-14, 2013. FMI visit www.jumperclassic.com Email [email protected] or call 978.283.7708

Riverwoods RetirementJustine Vogel, President and CEO of River-Woods Retirement Community in Exeter, has been named one of the state’s Outstanding Women in Business by NH Business Review (NHBR). The award celebrates women who have risen to the heights of their chosen in-dustry and who give back to the communities in which they work. FMI www.riverwoodsrc.org or call 1-800-688-9663.

Lindt SpecialsLindt is offering specials for February and March valid through 3/31/2013 3 for $12: Lindt Gold Bunny 100g Figures & 5-Packs, 2 for $14: Lindt Gold Bunny 200g Figures and 2 for $40 or 3 for $55: Spring Lindor Truffle 75 Piece Bags. These specials includes Lindor Seasonal, Caramel, Milk, White, Dark, Extra Dark, Peanut Butter, Stracciatella, and Classic & Ultimate Mix. FMI visit your local Lindt Chocolate shop.

Music Hall- Kitchen TourThe Music Hall presents its popular Annual Kitchen Tour. In its 22nd year, this benefit for The Music Hall will feature kitchens and dining spaces in the neigh-borhoods surrounding Portsmouth, New Hampshire’s North and South Mill Ponds. The 2013 Kitchen Tour will be held Satur-day, May 4th from 10am to 3pm. Tickets are on sale now 603.436.2400 at www.themusichall.org

Prescott Park Arts FestivalPrescott Park Arts Festival has sold all $250,000 of a two-year allocation of New Hampshire CDFA tax credits for the Park’s pavilion building in less than five months of active fundraising. This goal could not have been completed without the gener-ous support of Bauer and Jalbert Leasing. The gifts will go towards future upgrades in Prescott Park that will create a higher quality Festival and park experience for visitors and performers alike. Prescott Park Arts Festival is grateful to all other donors that helped them achieve their success.

Have something for Movers & Shakers or want to advertise in Connections? Contact Katie Sweet [email protected]

Connections - March 2013

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