The mysterious "J"

When Merchants Auto bought the naming rights to what is now known as Merchantsauto.com Stadium, the company got its website’s name plastered all over the city's minor league ballpark — including a primo spot that can’t help but be noticed by every vehicle traveling on I-293. The beauty of a naming rights deal also ensured their website, and thus the company itself, would be mentioned in every radio, television and print media mention of a Fisher Cats game, concert or any other event that happens to occur there.

Until last night, I didn’t think Merchants would be able to come up with a better advertising tactic. I might be wrong.

In yesterday’s mail I received two letters. The first was addressed to “William Stewart” and mailed to my old Elm Street address and was subsequently forwarded by the Post Office. The second was addressed to “Will Stewart” and was mailed to my current address. Neither contained a return address. As such items usually contain unsolicited credit card offers, I would normally shred the envelopes and their contents without bothering to open them. This time, however, something was different.

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Churros are great, but where's the sweet tea?

Come late summer, I’m not sure what I look forward to most: the empanadas and tamales at the Latino Festival or the spanakopeta and baklava at Glendi.

As one who likes to eat, I do enjoy Manchester’s festival season. This year’s gorging began this past weekend with the ever popular Latino Festival, as well as Greekfest 2008 at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church and Mahrajan, a Middle Eastern festival put on by Our Lady of the Cedars Melkite Catholic Church.

The culinary fun continues with the African Caribbean Celebration on August 23 and something called People Fest on September 6. Glendi, the mother of all Manchester festivals, wraps up Festival Season 2008 the weekend of September 12.

While the food at these festivals is what attracts most people, the best thing about festivals is that they provide the larger community a window into the cultures of the ethnic communities that host the events. The end result is greater understanding and tolerance. That and higher cholesterol levels.

But there is one community that has yet to establish its own festival here in Manchester. It is a community whose homeland is misunderstood and its inhabitants routinely mocked. I speak, of course, of the American South.

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No place to park (my bike) in Manchester, NH

Traffic signs. Trees. Wrought iron railings. Chain link fences. Telephone poles. Even a storm drain.

I think I've secured my bicycle to just about everything in and around the center city of Manchester; everything, that is, except a bike rack.

I bought my Raleigh Detour 4.0 in May with the idea of riding it to work and around town whenever possible. I've already put close to 200 miles on it. And as gas prices increase, I'm sure I won't be the only one pedaling whenever possible. Indeed, the folks over at the Bike Barn, where I purchased my bike, told me I'm far from the only one who's bought a bike in recent months to combat higher gas prices.

And I certainly believe it.The number of bicyclists on Manchester roads seems to have increased considerably as of late. Whether folks are riding high-end mountain and commuter bikes or Wal-Mart specials, we all face a similar problem: no legitimate place to park.

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How the other half worships in Manchester, NH

Manchester has its share of big, beautiful churches. Of these, my favorite is probably Ste. Marie's, the largest church on the West Side. St. Joseph Cathedral, on the east side, is also impressive, as is First Congregational Church on the corner of Hanover and Union streets.

But the churches I find most interesting in the city are those whose congregations are not made up of the the most prosperous individuals in the area. These churches are invariably located in the poorer sections of town and are, more often than not, to be found occupying store fronts or older, traditional church buildings of whom they are not the original occupants. Their grounds, if they have them, are far from lush. You probably won't find any stained glass, vaulted ceilings or ornate decorations either. And you certainly won't see any fancy cars parked out front.

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