Friday, November 4, 2011

Fireworks displayed during last Friday's UNH Homecoming Weekend kickof at Boulder Field. Courtesy Loren Selig

The Town received $9,257.57 from FEMA this week representing 75% reimbursement of costs incurred during August's Hurricane Irene storm event ... just in time for the Halloween Nor'easter. ...

VETERAN’S DAY HOLIDAY

All Town offices will be closed in observance of Veteran's Day on Friday, November 11, 2011. There will be NO CHANGE TO THE REFUSE AND RECYCLING SCHEDULE. All items should be out on their regular day by 7:00 AM.

WAS YOUR BUSINESS AFFECTED BY THE RECENT POWER OUTAGE? 

If your business was affected by the recent power outage, tell your story.  Contact Jason Cannon, 603-862-2203, jason.cannon@unh.edu at the UNH Small Business Development Center. He is currently working with the Governor's Office and the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development on how to help local businesses recover from the storm.

GENERATOR SAFETY – DURHAM’S CLOSE CALL REVISITED

Since the Town issued an alert regarding generator safety during the power outage, I have been made aware that a correction is warranted for the close call scenario that was described in which potentially fatal Carbon Monoxide levels were detected within a Durham home and in the children’s bedrooms there.  The correction is frankly altogether more sobering for those of us, myself included, who utilize portable generators during power outages.

The generator described was NOT operated inside the garage (although we also have come across dangerous inside garage generators in use).  When the Fire Department arrived at the home, the generator was located at the end of a suitable cord, approximately 20' away from the garage, and with the exhaust pointed away from the house.  During some point in operation, the garage door had been left open.

It is true that there was a gap in time between when the CO alarms sounded inside the residence and the Fire Department’s being notified of the incident. However, rather than being negligent, the father described fell victim to his rational efforts to mitigate the situation.

By shutting down the generator, power to the alarm was disconnected and if the battery backup was not operational, it would have stopped sounding.  (After speaking with the mother involved, I went home to check our own home’s CO detectors to ensure they had battery backup.  Have you checked your home’s CO detectors to ensure they have battery backup during a power loss?)

Having shut down the generator and opened the windows, the silenced alarm could easily have been mistaken for an indication of safety, rather than as a failure to indicate a hazard. 

This of course does not change the fact that there were very dangerous levels of CO inside the residence, but it does shed some light on the actions of the homeowners, which were quite rational and understandable.

The outright safest thing to do would have been to call the Fire Department immediately and evacuate the house, and that is of course what the Fire Department recommends, however, I must personally admit that the father's initial actions mirror the initial steps I may well have taken in my own home given a similar situation.  

Thankfully, as noted, a call was eventually made to the Fire Department, and the Fire Department was able mitigate the hazard and verify that the occupants had not yet suffered critical effects of CO.

THANK YOU TO UNH FOR OPENING THE HAMEL RECREATION CENTER UP TO DURHAM RESIDENTS
A thank you is extended to the University of New Hampshire for graciously opening the Hamel Rec. Center up to Durham residents as a “warming center.”  200+ residents took advantage of showers and heat over the course of this week. 
 

THANK YOU TO TWO LOCAL BUSINESSES: WILDCAT FITNESS AND HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
The Holiday Inn Express and Wildcat Fitness opened their doors to residents this week providing refreshments and hot showers, respectively, to those without power.  Their support for the community is appreciated.

The Durham MarketPlace another other MIll Plaza establishments were hit

hard by the storm.  Courtesy Todd Selig

MILL PLAZA BUSINESSES HIT HARD BY THE STORM
This week, residents in Durham were not the only ones who suffered as a result of the Halloween Nor’easter.  The Durham MarketPlace, the Bagelry, La Paz, Mino’s, Mei Wei, and the other businesses in the plaza lost considerable supplies and provisions due to the loss of refrigeration. 

The MarketPlace, for example, lost tens of thousands of dollars worth of food.  It is possible for large chain grocery stores to come back from such an impact, but owner-operated stores such as the Durham MarketPlace and the other businesses listed are severely impacted.

The next time you need provisions, think about shopping/eating local to support these and other local businesses. 

PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNS DISASTER DECLARATION FOR NH HALLOWEEN NOR’EASTER
President Obama signed an Emergency Declaration for NH. FEMA-3344-EM was received November 1, 2011 for incident period October 29-30, 2011. The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.

This assistance is for all 10 counties in the State of New Hampshire.

TEST OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH, 2:00 pm (ET)

On Wednesday, November 9th, at 2:00 PM (ET), there will be the first ever test of the National Emergency Alert System.  The test is schedule to last approximately 3 minutes.  Similar to the way local emergency alert system tests are conducted, the nationwide test will simultaneously involve television stations (including digital television, cable, satellite audio and television services) and broadcast radio stations across the U.S. and several U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, America Samoa). The test may look and sound like regular, local EAS tests that most people are already familiar with, but there will be some differences in what viewers will see and hear. The audio message will repeat “This is a test.” The video message scroll may not indicate “This is a test.”

There is no need to be alarmed.  Again, this is merely to test the ability of the system to deliver a nationwide emergency alert should the need arise due to impending storms, natural disasters, etc.

Courtesy Todd Selig

GRANGE STRUCTURE TO BE MOVED NEXT WEEK
Work progresses on the historic Grange structure located along Main Street across from the U.S. Post Office.  Owner Peter Murphy has advised that on Monday and Tuesday of next week, the building will be prepared to be moved forward on the lot to the sidewalk.  The actual move is anticipated at this time to be undertaken between Wednesday (Nov. 9) and Friday (Nov 11).  It actually takes a few days to fully move the building as the progress occurs quite slowly. 

DURHAM’S TOWN TAX RATE TO INCREASE BY 4 CENTS
There was an article in this week’s Foster’s Daily Democrat regarding the proposed FY 2012 budget.  It can be accessed at

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111102/GJNEWS_01/711029957/-1/FOSNEWS.

Copies of the proposed Durham FY 2012 Budget and 2012-2021 CIP Plans are

available for public viewing at the Durham Town Office and at the Durham

Public Library.

ADMINISTRATOR'S PROPOSED FY 2012 BUDGET FOR DURHAM

This year’s budget cycle has resulted in a proposed 2012 General Fund budget totaling $11,257,284.00, an increase of $258,612 or (2.35%) compared to FY 2011.  Of the $258,612 increase, a total of $150,950 represents an appropriation from the Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) account to specifically support smart growth central core redevelopment should a major redevelopment project require public partnership in order to come to fruition in areas such as transitioning one-way to two-way traffic, off site underground utility infrastructure improvements, or economic development consultative, engineering, or staffing services. This leaves a total increase of $107,622 coming from General Fund tax dollars representing a .97% change over FY 2011 budgeted levels.
 
Due to a reduction in state revenues, as well as other adjustments in projected interest earnings, motor vehicle registrations, recycling revenues, and Parking Fund proceeds; non-property tax revenues are expected to remain relatively flat in FY 2012.  Revenue projections do continue to include the infusion of an annual $218,545 payment from UNH to Durham which began in 2009 to compensate the community for the University’s financial impact upon the Town in areas such as roadways, traffic, and policing services.  Taking into account flat revenues, a projected $15 million infusion into the tax base associated with the Capstone project as of April 1, 2012, increasing Overlay from $125,000 to $300,000 due to a number of outstanding 2008, 2009, and 2010 property tax abatement appeals pending with the Board of Tax and Land Appeals/Superior Court, no use of fund balance, and recommended expenditures, this proposal is projected to increase the 2012 local municipal portion of the tax rate by four cents (or .55%) to $7.61 from the estimated 2011 level of $7.57. 

For comparative purposes, the twelve-month September 2010 to September 2011 Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) numbers are:  U.S. City Index – 3.9%, Northeast Urban Index – 4.0%, and Boston-Brocton-Nashua – 3.7%. 

To view the full 7 page transmittal letter providing an overview of the FY 2012 Administrator's proposed budget, click HERE.  Mr. Selig will formally present the proposed BY 2012 budget to the Council on November 7th.  A public Hearing is scheduled for November 14th to obtain feedback from the community. 

A map illustrating the location of 293 downtown Durham availalbe parking spaces.

Courtesy James Lawson

PARKING AVAILABILITY IN DOWNTOWN DURHAM
Residents and downtown business owners often comment about a perceived lack of parking within the downtown core, particularly during peak time periods such as mid-day.  Some may be surprised to learn that there are a total of 293 parking spaces in an around downtown Durham to service the business district.  An additional 280+ privately owned spaces are available exclusively for the Mill Plaza, and at other establishments such as the People's Bank on Main Street have numerous designated parking spaces.  Even at peak time periods, there usually are numerous parking spaces available in our Pettee Brook Parking Lot or at the metered spaces in front of Huddleston Hall. 

Following up on the work of the B. Dennis Report, the Durham Commercial Core Strategic Plan, it has become clear that the primary challenge at this time is not necessarily the quantity of available parking given the existing business mix, but rather better utilization of that parking.  The B. Dennis team recommends that this be accomplished through a tiered pricing system applied throughout the entire downtown core.  Longer term, structured parking will be needed to support the type of growth residents and business owners envision for the downtown core.

At the present time, premium spaces along Main Street are free and long-range spaces (Pettee Brook Lot) are the most expensive, creating a scenario where business patrons circle the downtown loop multiple times seeking free parking while numerous metered spaces farther away remain empty and unutilized.  It also creates a scenario where business employees compete for free spaces along Main Street and in the Store 24/Tedeschi Lot eliminating availability for potential customers.

To remedy this scenario, the Town is seriously considering moving toward a tiered pricing system where Main Street premium spaces become metered with pricing decreasing as one moves farther away from Main Street.  Such a system has been shown nationally to promote substantially better usage of the complete array of parking options within a downtown core. 

Phase I of this program will include the installation of parking meter kiosks along Pettee Brook Lane where the Town added 21 new spaces to support the downtown business district last summer.  Kiosk meters have been ordered and will be installed within the December/January timeframe.  

Once the placement/operation of these kiosks along Pettee Brook Lane is fine tuned, we plan to expand the program into other metered lots and eventually along Main Street and at the Tedeschi/Store 24 Lot.

UNH WIND TUNNEL - A CONVERSATION BETWEEN ENGINEERING PROFESSOR JOE KLEWICKI AND ADMINISTRATOR SELIG

On Thursday morning of last week, October 27, 2011, Town Council Chair Diana Carroll, Town Councilor Julian Smith, and Administrator Todd Selig had a productive meeting with UNH Vice Provost (and Durham resident) Jan Nisbet, former Dean of Engineering and now Professor (and Durham resident) Joe Klewicki, and Associate Vice President for Facilities and Energy Paul Chamberlin, regarding the new UNH Flow Physics Facility (AKA, the UNH Wind Tunnel).   Of particular interest was the fact that, according to UNH, operating the facility at full power such as what occurred over the Columbus Day Weekend will be quite atypical.  Typically the facility will operate within the lower spectrum of power operation which, according to UNH, is barely discernible beyond campus.  UNH is willing and interested in pursuing funding for a baffling device to further attenuate sound while in operation.  To view a conversation between Administrator Todd Selig and UNH Professor Joe Klewicki from the Department of Mechanical Engineering in which Town concerns are discussed in some detail, click HERE.

OYSTER RIVER SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH UNDERWAY – ALL STAKEHOLDERS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE
The Oyster River Cooperative School Board has engaged the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) to assist it the search process for a new Superintendent of Schools.
 
An integral part of the process involves parent, student, staff, and community participation in focus groups. The groups are designed to obtain participant input about the attributes, experience, and knowledge that the new superintendent should possess. The groups also provide an opportunity for participants to identify immediate tasks that the new superintendent should address.
 
The following focus group sessions will be held at the Oyster River High School Multipurpose Room:

• Tuesday, November 8th, 4:00 - 5:30 PM:  Community Leaders (businesses, Town/state government, UNH administration, and clergy).
• Thursday, November 10th, 6:30 - 8:00 PM:  Parents (including both current and future students).

NESDEC will conduct the focus group sessions.  There is no limit to the number of participants and no need to register for the session of your choice. Childcare will be available for the Nov. 10th, 6:30 PM parents’ session.

 
The School Board and NESDEC hope that all stakeholders will be able to participate.
 

PIPE UP!  HELP SHAPE THE LOOK OF DOWNTOWN DURHAM

On October 27th, the Planning Board and Historic District Commission presented an opportunity for residents to participate in a "building design preference" survey. If you missed that meeting, don't despair: you can still weigh in. For a short time, the survey will be available online. The survey consists of 65 different comparisons of photographs. You must complete all 65 questions to be counted (it goes really quickly), and only one entry per computer will be accepted. Submit before November 7 and stay tuned for the results. To begin the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/visual_survey.

To put the survey in context, check out consultant Roger Hawk's introduction to the design meeting via "DCAT on Demand" at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/. (Choose "Durham Building Design Meeting 10/27/11.)

MASTER PLAN UPDATE - SOME USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROCESS AND HOW IT DIFFERS FROM 2000

The Town of Durham is updating the 2000 Master Plan and will be holding a series of meetings over the next several months to refresh several chapters of the document. 

Unlike the 2000 Master Plan process, this effort is not intended to completely re-write the entire Master Plan.  We have begun with the premise that much of what was envisioned as part of the 2000 process is still quite relevant for Durham today.  The goal in 2011/2012 is to review six specific chapters and to update them based upon our experience over the last ten years, as well as our collective updated aspirations for the future.

A comprehensive community visioning forum was held in early 2011 to begin the process of collecting public input followed by a Master Plan survey this summer to inform the Master Plan Advisory Committee.

The following chapters will be updated as part of the process: Commercial Core, Environmental and Cultural Resources, Economic Development (Tax Stabilization), and Land Use.  In addition, a new Energy Chapter will be added to the Master Plan.  The Town is still  looking for volunteers to be on the Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC). 

This Master Plan Advisory Committee will help lead the Master Plan update, review updated chapters, and work with the consultant/staff to help keep consistency within and amongst the updated chapters, work to keep updates on track, work to keep the public informed and involved, and will report to the Planning Board. 

The MPAC will most certainly keep the Citizen Forum Report and Citizen Survey results front and center while reviewing the various chapters.  For more information please contact Jim Campbell, Director of Planning & Community Development at jcampbell@ci.durham.nh.us or call him at 868-8064.  

PLANNING BOARD

The Planning Board will be going on a site walk of the Beech Hill Road area on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 8 AM.  The Board received a request to rezone the area from the Rural (R) District to the Office Research Light Industry (ORLI) District.  They will be meeting at the east entrance to Beech Hill Road off Madbury Road.  From there, they will be walking along Beech Hill Road.  While this is a posted meeting of the Board and the public is welcome to attend, it is not a public hearing.  It is a chance for the Board to see the area, ask questions, and discuss any issues they have.  No decisions on the rezoning request will be made at this meeting. 

The Board will be meeting on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 7 PM at Town Hall to discuss the following:  Appointing a representative to the Economic Development Committee; hold a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Durham Zoning Map to remove two parcels (Tax Map 2, Lots 6-0 and 7-1) from the Professional Office (PO) District and incorporate them into the Residence A (RA) District; hold a continued public hearing on an application for site plan review submitted by MJS Engineering on behalf of Great Bay Kennel to replace the existing canine daycare building with a new building that includes an indoor/outdoor play area, office, and a one-bedroom apartment on the second floor; hold an acceptance and possibly act on an application for a boundary line adjustment between Geoff Sawyer (Great Bay Kennel) and Great Bay Animal Hospital LLC; and hold a discussion on a petition received by the Town of Durham requesting an amendment to Article XII, Section 175-53, Table of Uses, of the Durham Zoning Ordinance to make Eldercare Facilities a non-permitted use in the Residence A (RA) district.

PUBLIC WORKS FALL LEAF AND BRUSH CLEANUP BEGINS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH

Fall Cleanup will begin on Monday, November 7th at 7am.  Leaves should be placed in paper leaf bags (remember, plastic bags are not recyclable).  Paper bags can be purchased at several local stores such as Town and Campus and The Durham Marketplace as well as Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.  Loose leaves will not be accepted but may be brought to the Transfer Station & Recycling Center on Durham Point Road on Tuesday or Saturday with your residential permit. 

Brush should be placed in one direction, bundled and tied with string (no wire please).  Brush and limbs must be no greater than 5 feet in length and 5 inches in diameter.  No stumps will be accepted.  The amount of brush and limbs is limited to one truckload per household.  All items must be out by 7am that Monday to guarantee collection. 

If you cannot have your items out on time or have more than one truck load, you may bring them up to the Transfer Station and Recycling Center with your regular permit on Tuesdays or Saturdays between 7:30am and 3pm.  to view the Fall Newsletter, click HERE.

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS FOR DEBRIS CLEANUP

Due to the Halloween nor’easter, Public Works has decided to offer additional accommodations for residents who are cleaning up fallen limbs and yard debris from the storm. 

The Packers Falls gravel pit will be open to Town residents this Saturday and next, November 5th & 12th, as well as during the week of 11/7- 11/11, between 7:30 and 3pm.  Participants must show proof of residency when coming into the pit. 

If a landscaper is hauling debris on your behalf, make sure they have information for you including your phone number.  Brush and limbs must be no greater than 5 feet in length and 5 inches in diameter.  No stumps will be accepted. 

We encourage the use of the Packers Falls pit during this time since we will have much more room for debris however, residents may also bring debris up to the Transfer Station with their regular permit on Tuesday or Saturday from 7:30-3:00.   With Fall Cleanup occurring next week as well, folks may also stack debris on their curbside to be picked up as long as it can be out on time.     

Safety enhancements along Route 4 at Morgan Way conclude this week.

Courtesy DPW

MORGAN WAY

The traffic improvement project at Morgan Way and Route 4 is winding down and close to completion with the final paving occurring yesterday.  This safety enhancement project included the widening of Route 4 and the addition of an eastbound left hand turning lane into Morgan Way.  Public Works would like to thank the residents of Morgan Way and the folks who have traveled in this corridor in the past month for their patience and cooperation.  We feel the safety improvements will far outweigh the traffic inconveniences experienced in the last couple weeks.

DEPOT ROAD BROWNFIELDS GRANT UPDATE

This week the Town received $185,000 from the EPA which represents a large portion of reimbursement for the Depot Road parking lot culvert rehabilitation.  The culvert was re-lined this fall and a new header wall was built.  The work was done as part of the second EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant project at the remediated Depot Road site. 

Durham's Churchill ice skating rink - Courtesy DPW

CHURCHILL RINK IS OPEN!

The Churchill Rink at Jackson’s Landing is open and ready for skaters!  Season passes available at rink.  2011-2012 Schedule listed below: 

Public Skating:
     M,W,F-  2:00pm- 3:20pm   T, TH- 9:00am- 10:20am & 2:00pm- 4:20pm
     SAT- 2:00pm- 3:50pm  SUN- 2:00pm- 3:50pm
Adults $5.00, Ages 6-16 $3.00

DURHAM CONSERVATION COMMISSION SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR FOREST WORK DAY - NOVEMBER 6TH
The Durham Conservation Commission is looking for community volunteers, UNH students, and others to help restore native plants on Sunday, November 6 from 10am-1pm. The project will take place at Doe Farm, a town-owned property located on the south side of Bennett Road, along the Lamprey River in Durham (Map).
 
Volunteers are needed to help pull glossy buckthorn, a non-native invasive shrub that has taken over the understory of the forest at Doe Farm.  Over thirty-five volunteers began the work last spring, and this fall’s work will continue efforts to restore the forest.
 
The work will be physical, but not difficult, and participants will learn how to identify several common invasive plants.  Come prepared to work outside, including long pants and long sleeves, boots, and work gloves.  As with most outdoor work, this is some risk of poison ivy and ticks. 
 
Teams or groups are particularly welcome to participate, as many hands make light work!   If you or your team can help, please contact Ann Welsh at 868-2996 or Email at annwelsh@mac.com.  Thank you for helping restore native plants in Durham!
 

NHDES AND GREAT BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE PRESENTATION ON CHANGES TO COMPREHENSIVE SHORELAND PROTECTION ACT

A presentation regarding the changes to the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act will be held Friday, Nov 18, 2011 from 9:30-11:00 AM OR Tuesday, Dec 6, 2011 from 6:00-7:30 PM. Both presentation options will take place at the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center, Depot Road, Greenland, NH. This presentation will provide an overview of these changes and will also include information on the permitting process and the minimum standards relative to impervious surface limitations and maintaining levels of vegetation along the shore.

For more information, click HERE.

RIGHT TO KNOW LAW PRESENTATION REPLAY SCHEDULE ON DCAT

For those who missed the Right to Know Law presentation, held on Monday evening, October 31st, it is scheduled to rebroadcast on DCAT next Wednesday, November 9th at 5:00 PM. This session can also be viewed on Video on Demand by going to the Town web site at http://ci.durham.nh.us/ and clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/. The file is located in the folder "Miscellaneous Town Meetings".

PUBLIC MEETINGS: SCHEDULE AND VIDEO ON DEMAND

The following public meetings are scheduled for the coming week  All meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held in the Council chambers at the Durham Town Hall unless otherwise indicated below. To view the agenda for the meetings listed below, please click HERE.

All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.

VIDEO ON DEMAND: Meetings can also be viewed via Video on Demand. Interested viewers can access the streaming site from the Town’s website at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/ by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.

Town Council - Monday, November 7, 2011. To view the entire Council packet of information, click HERE.

Zoning Board of Adjustment - Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Durham Energy Committee - Tuesday, November 8, 2011 (Durham PD Community Room, 7:00 PM)

Planning Board - Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Conservation Commission - Thursday, November 10, 2011

Oyster River School Board meeting schedule, please click HERE. 

Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule, please click HERE.

DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE.

Durham Parks and Recreation Department "Learn to Run" Participants

Courtesy P&R Department

DURHAM PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Our "Learn to Run" group participated in the UNH Homecoming 5K and all completed the race successfully. The group began instructional runs in September and were proud to be able to take on the 5K by the end of October, thanks to their "Coach" Sheila Harding. The Learn to Run program will resume in the spring and will be happy to take on new members.

NEW PROGRAMS:

FREE Parents & Preschoolers Exercise Class for Infants to 5 year olds along with a parent. Class begins soon and will be held on Thursdays 9am – 10am at the Durham Parks & Recreation Building.

Prenatal Yoga begins in November. Connect with other moms-to-be and a great relief from common physical discomfort. Class will be held on Tuesdays 5pm at Durham Parks & Recreation Building. Cost is $40 for 8 weeks.

Coyote Club Instilling a sense of wonder, responsibility, and stewardship for the natural world through exploration. This Environmental program is for children in grades 1st through 5th Activities are held at Wagon Hill Farm. Begins Mon. Nov. 28th, 3:45-4:45pm. Cost is $60 for 6 weeks. To register contact Sandy Devins at recreation@ci.durham.nh.us.

Kid’s Yoga has a new session beginning  for ages 9 – 12. Class meets Wed. 4:30 – 5:30pm at the Durham Parks & Recreation Building. Cost is $40 for 8 weeks.

Please check out our Fall/Winter class schedule which provides recreation for the whole community. To view the schedule, click HERE.

A new snowshoeing group will be formed in December. Look for more details on our website or on our facebook page, "Durham Rec".

For more information on any of these events, please contact P&R Director Sandy Devins at 603-817-4074, sdevins@ci.durham.nh.us  Also check out our Facebook account on “Durham Rec”.

FRIENDS OF THE DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNUAL FALL BOOK SALE
The Friends of the Durham Public Library Fall Book Sale is underway and is open to everyone Friday, November 4th from 10am to 5 pm and on Saturday, November 5th from 10am to 2pm. Book prices are $2.00 for hardbacks, $1.00 for paperback, and $0.50 for children books. DVDs, CDs, and books-on-tape are $1.00. VHS tapes are $0.50. All proceeds from the Friends Fall Book Sale support Durham Public Library programs.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

New Library Campaign
The New Library Campaign goal is to raise $900,000 in additional donations as the private share of the public-private partnership with the Town for a new facility. To date, more than $714,322 of the $900,000 has been raised!  But we still need your help to reach our goal.

We are making all of our campaign information available on our website http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org/durham/.  Help make the long-awaited new library a reality. Your donation will make a difference!

________________________________

Storytime - Thu., Nov 10th, 10:30 AM. This week: Books/Alphabet. Enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, feltboard, and a craft.

The Busy Beaver: A Two-Part Program, Tue., Nov 15th, 6:30 PM at the library; Sat., Nov 19th tours, 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Come learn more about the industrious beaver, the second-largest rodent in the world, with Town Council Member Julian Smith.  Julian will discuss these fascinating semi-aquatic mammals at the library, and then he will lead tours of the beaver ponds on his property on Saturday the 19th, rain or shine. This program is open to all ages.
Bookeaters, Middle School Book Group, Wed., Nov 16th, 2:45-4:00 p.m.:  Join this Middle School Book Group.  This month’s book is “The Innocent’s Story” by Nicky Singer.  Ruth Wharton-McDonald is the facilitator.  Pizza is served.
Pajama Storytime, Tue., Nov. 29th, 6:30 p.m.:  This month:  Teddy Bear/Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the library. Bring your Teddy bear or stuffed animal to sleepover at the library.   We will read stories about bears and stuffed animals, make a craft and put our stuffed animals to sleep at the library.  Stuffed animals can be picked up the next morning in the Children’s Room at the library.  Snacks provided by ORPP.

Raccoon Readers (2nd-4th grade Book Club), Tue., Dec 6th, 6:00-7:00 PM. Since we could not meet because of the power outage, we will continue The Sherlock Files series. This month’s book is your Mystery choice.  Read either “The Sherlock Files (#2): The Beast of Blackslope", The Sherlock Files (#3): The Case that Time Forgot" by Tracy Barrett  or a Mystery book of your choosing. Books are available at the library.

Young Adult Writing/Blog Group, Tue., Dec 6th, 7:00-7:45 p.m. Like to write? Join us for this Young Adult writing/blogging group that will meet once a month.

RESCHEDULED-Special Pre-school Storytime with McGregor EMS and their ambulance, Tue., Nov 8th, 10:30 AM. EMS volunteers will share safety tips, read stories, and allow the children to explore their ambulance. 

Getting to Know the Internet for the Technically Literate, Tue., Nov 8th, 700 PM. Would you like to know more about the Internet and how to use it? David Sietz will answer all your questions and more at this informational program.

Calling all Library Volunteers!  We would like to celebrate all you do for us. Come to a Volunteer Appreciation Celebration on Thu., Nov. 10th from 5:00-6:00 PM.

Personal computer questions? Come ask Kyle on Wednesdays at 2:00 PM.

Please, no book donations this month.  We will not be accepting book donations this month due to the Friends Fall Book Sale. 

Join our Lego Club, Thu., Nov 10th, 3:45-4:45 p.m. for 1st-5th graders.  Like to build Legos?  Come to the Lego club in the Children’s Room to start constructing.

Registration for Tales for Tails has begun. Have a young reader who could use some non-judgmental encouragement for reading aloud? A Delta Therapy dog is waiting for your child. Sign up at the library.

Join the Patch Program, our reading incentive program for children aged 2-12 years. Children earn patches for minutes read or being read to as well as a Durham Library book bag. If new to the program, stop by and register.  Thanks to the Friends of the Durham Public Library for their continued support of this program.  We have new patches!

Check out our website http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org/ for more info.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Oyster River Youth Association - Register Today for ORYA Programs! Click HERE for more information. To register, go to http://www.oryarec.org/  and click on "registration", then "winter". For additional information, contact Mike, 603-868-5150, mike@oryarec.org.

UNH Department of Theatre & Dance presents: Chekhov's "Three Sisters", Nov 2-6, 2011, UNH Johnson Theatre, $10.50-$12.50. Tickets available at http://unhmub.com/ticket/. Questions, please call 603-862-2290.

Community CPR, Saturday, Nov 5, 2011, 9:00 AM - noon, St. George's Church, Durham. All are welcome to sign up for this certification class.To register please go to http://www.mcgregorems.org/institute/cpr-local.html#2011. Cost: $20. For more information, contact Amy Cunningham, 603-969-8656 or St. George's, 603-868-2785. This certification is designed for the general public and is not adequate for EMS or healthcare professionals.

Harvest of the Heart Fundraiser for Waysmeet, Saturday, Nov 5, 2011, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durham, Waysmeet-United Campus Ministry. For more information, click HERE.
5th Annual Tie Dye Festival, Wednesday, Nov 9, 2011, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, Granite State Room, UNH MUB. Run by students in the Recreation Management and Policy program at UNH. FREE to the public. Participants need to bring their own article of clothing to dye. Sponsored by Durham Business Association, Durham Landlords Association, and My Varsity Place Apartments.

The McQuade Organ Concert, Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011, 7:30 PM, Community Church of Durham, featuring organist Isabelle Demers from Montreal, Canada. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Bryn Burns, 603-743-1813, brynb07@comcast.net.

Mast Way School 4th Annual Holiday Shopping Bazaar, Saturday, Nov 19, 2011, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Mast Way School, Lee. Do you own a small home business, are a demonstrator for a Direct Sales Company, or a crafter looking for a way to sell your wares? Contact Dianne, 603-659-2057, amberpuppy@aol.com, for more information regarding this event.

Lee Holiday Festival, Saturday, Nov 19, 2011, 7:30 AM, Lee Safety Complex on George Bennett Road. Will include a ride with Santa in a horsedrawn wagon, homemade goodies, unique crafts, and other items. For more information, contact Marian, 603-659-3996 or Barbara, 603-659-6428. See   http://www.leechurch.org/ for more details.

Durham Church's Annual Christmas Fair, Saturday, Dec 3, 2011, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. The tradition of the Christmas Fair at The Community Church of Durham, The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, St. Thomas More and St. George Episcopal Church is a long one. For years, our Fair traditions have taken root and grown.

3rd Annual Caution: Gingerbread House Construction Event, Saturday, Dec 10, 2011, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, UNH MUB at the food court. Come join other families and enter your gingerbread house in the contest to win fun prizes. All money raised goes to On Belay a non-profit providing unique adventure based programs for young people who have or have had a family member with cancer. For more information, click HERE.

ECHO Community Thrift Shop - Durham Community Church, 17 Main Street, Durham. The economical and environmentally friendly way to shop. Hours: Wednesday 10 am-5 pm, Thursday 10 am-7 pm, Friday 10 am-5 pm, Saturday 10 am-2 pm. Offering clothing, accessories, small household items, and vintage. Gladly accepting donations of clean and gently used items during hours of operation. For more information contact: 603-868-1230 or office@durhamcommunitychurch.org. The Thrift Shop entrance is at the back of the Church in the lower parking lot.

Have a good weekend, and...don't forget to fall backward this weekend! Daylight Savings Time officially ends at 2:00 AM on Sunday morning, November 6th.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham, New Hampshire

T:  603-868-5571    F:  603-868-5572

tselig@ci.durham.nh.us    http://www.ci.durham.nh.us

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