NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA--Lifestyle

Lookout:

Sat, 10 May 2008 03:39:00 EDT

Pair of mysteries unfolding at Jabberwocky
Boston writer Margot Livesey offers clues about her latest detective story of the heart, "The House on Fortune Street," when she visits Jabberwocky Bookshop in The Tannery in Newburyport tonight.

People helping people

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:01:00 EDT

Volunteer opportunities in the greater Newburyport area. Listing compiled by the First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport, 978-465-0602.
Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center (formerly Women's Crisis Center), 2 Harris St., Newburyport, 978-465-0999 (office) or 978-388-1888 (24-hour crisis hot line). A community partner for 25 years. Serves victims of domestic and family violence in the communities of Amesbury, Salisbury, Newburyport, Georgetown, Groveland, Newbury, West Newbury, Rowley and Merrimac. Volunteers are needed for the annual Walk Against Violence. Other volunteer opportunities include answering the hot line, legal advocacy, child advocacy, Rapid Response team, outreach, special events, fundraising and administrative assistance. Training provided.

Hope for Hunter: Signs and words come together for 2-year-old boy with genetic abnormality

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:15:00 EDT

Tiny, 2-year-old Hunter Knowles is a precious toddler — blond curls and big, blue eyes with a sweet, friendly disposition and dimpled smile. Anyone meeting the Seabrook boy would be hard-pressed to find anything wrong.

In memory of her father Local teen makes ALS research, awareness her mission

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:10:00 EDT

She's already raised $100,000 for research into Lou Gehrig's disease. And she isn't even out of high school yet.
Caitlin Shelburne started her fundraising drive when she was 13, shortly after her father, Richard, died of the disease, medically known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Now the 17-year-old, who recently moved from Newburyport to Byfield with her mother, brother and sister, is getting recognition for her dedication to the cause.

Sharing a special bond — not parasites — with your pets

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:08:00 EDT

In our society, most pets live in their owners' homes. They share furniture — and sometimes even beds and eating utensils — with their owners. They play with the children and may lick their hands and faces.

Health Beat: May 9

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:06:00 EDT

Whale watch for Endangered Species Day
Celebrate Endangered Species Day with a whale watch aboard the M/V Prince of Whales out of Newburyport on Sunday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In recognition of the importance of the Gulf of Maine to a number of endangered species, the Portsmouth, N.H.-based nonprofit organization Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation is hosting the event.

Detox program is just the start; after-care often needed, too

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:03:00 EDT

Dear Dr. Levy: My son is 24 years old, addicted to heroin and has been detoxed many, many times. I sometimes think that he will never stop using, a thought that bothers me so much. Do you have any ideas about what he can do to stop? Going in and out of detoxes just doesn't seem to be working. Thanks.

Lookout:

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:03:00 EDT

Producing 'The Producers': North Shore Music Theatre does it all in-house

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:15:00 EDT

Invariably, following a North Shore Music Theatre production, someone will approach Scott Volesky, the Beverly theater's technical director, and ask him where the musical will play next. Volesky stock answer is something like this: "Nowhere; you can only see it here."

A Seussical 'Rites of Spring' for Theater in the Open

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:05:00 EDT

Theater in the Open springs forth from its winter doldrums this weekend to perform its annual "Rites of Spring" on the fields of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport.
The 14th annual event celebrates the arrival of spring with a giant outdoor celebration for the community. It also kicks off the new season for the company that's the theater-in-residence at Maudslay.

Arts Calendar: May 8

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:01:00 EDT

ART AND GALLERIES
ATRIA MERRIMACK PLACE. Watercolor scenes by Laraine Zady, including scenes of Africa and New England as well as florals, through May 30. 85 Storey Ave., Newburyport.

Tim's Tips: Steering clear of deer ticks and Lyme disease

Wed, 07 May 2008 02:36:00 EDT

Over the last few weeks, more and more people have been stopping in the store to ask about controlling ticks. The biggest concern with ticks involves Lyme disease. As many of you know, Lyme disease, which is caused by the bite of a deer tick, can be debilitating. An increase in the number of deer in our area has meant more cases of the disease.

Stack up the sweetness for mom with Lemon-Lovers' Ricotta Pancakes

Wed, 07 May 2008 02:18:00 EDT

For a fresh start to mom's special day Sunday, skip the traditionally heavy brunch fare and opt for a lighter flapjack.
Unlike many pancakes and waffles that can have a stick of melted butter hidden in the batter, plus more for the griddle, Lemon-Lovers' Ricotta Pancakes are a scrumptious alternative.

Every parent's nightmare: A child's relapse into rugby

Wed, 07 May 2008 02:17:00 EDT

My daughter called home from college a few weeks ago and confessed that she had fallen back in with the wrong crowd. The girls she was hanging with were not only tough and prone to sudden acts of violence, a bunch of them were hookers. Before you get the wrong idea, let me clarify: My daughter was once again playing rugby (a sport in which a key position involves "hooking" the ball).

FLORAL TIP

Wed, 07 May 2008 02:06:00 EDT

A penny and some sugar
It's up to you to get those flowers to mom on Sunday. Then, it's up to her to make them last. The key is a clean vase, cool water and stems that are cut before adding to the vase. Tulips, however, require some extra attention. Cut tulips don't react well to heat; keep them out of direct sunlight. And if you don't have a nutritional packet to add to the water, toss in 1 teaspoon of sugar, which adds nutrition, and a penny, which provides minerals, to the bottom of the vase.

Colbert, will.i.am among special Webby award recipients

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:22:00 EDT

NEW YORK — Stephen Colbert's use of the Internet to connect with fans earned the Comedy Central host special recognition as recipients of the annual Webby awards for Web sites and online achievements were announced Tuesday.

Pucker up: For 'comfort food in a glass,' nothing beats the taste of fresh-squeezed lemonade

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:20:00 EDT

Lemonade season is upon us. And when it comes to this quintessential warm-weather drink, there is a lemonade recipe to suit every taste, from simply squeezed blends of lemon, water and sugar to upscale concoctions infused with fruit and herbs.

The Lookout

Sat, 03 May 2008 03:21:00 EDT

Lighthouse trio welcomes local cellist
Byfield cellist and singer-songwriter Kristen Miller will be featured when the Lighthouse Trio returns to Hobo's Cafe at 5 Broadway at Salisbury Beach on Wednesday, May 7.

Revealing nature's secrets Former Port artist uncovers mysteries in the everyday world

Fri, 02 May 2008 03:40:00 EDT

Lane Williamson understands trees, marshes and dunes. The former resident of Newburyport and Ring's Island in Salisbury has spent most of her life examining them.
"I always say, the better you know trees, the better you understand trees, the better you are able to paint any tree down the line," said Williamson, who now lives in Maine. "I learned a great amount about the marsh and wetlands from living in Newburyport, and I've learned about the dunes and the unspectacular parts of the beach from the Plum Island Reserve."

A musical return to French roots in Amesbury

Fri, 02 May 2008 03:35:00 EDT

Franco-American singer/songwriter Josée Vachon documents her Quebec roots in song when she performs a free family concert Saturday night, May 3, at Amesbury Middle School Auditorium, 220 Main St., Amesbury.

Arts Calendar: May 1

Fri, 02 May 2008 03:30:00 EDT

ART AND GALLERIES
THE ARTISTS' PLAYGROUND. Annual student art show featuring work by students ages 6 to 80 Saturday, May 3, 6 to 8 p.m., Newburyport City Hall, 60 Pleasant St., Newburyport. Free. 978-462-5366.

New treatment offers hope for cystic fibrosis patients

Fri, 02 May 2008 03:24:00 EDT

Few children with cystic fibrosis in the 1950s lived to attend elementary school, let alone their senior prom.
Scientists didn't discover that the root cause of the disease is a defective gene until 1989. Since that discovery, the median survival age has jumped from just shy of 22 years old in 1983 to 37 years old in 2006.

People helping people

Fri, 02 May 2008 03:23:00 EDT

Volunteer opportunities in the greater Newburyport area. Listing compiled by the First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport, 978-465-0602.
Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, 63 Elm St. (Route 110), Salisbury, 978-462-0760, www.mrfrs.org. Volunteers needed to help out at its no-kill shelter, provide foster homes for kittens, and feed homeless cats.

Health Beat

Fri, 02 May 2008 03:16:00 EDT

Keep Moving Walk steps off in Newburyport
This spring's Keep Moving Regional Walk takes place Friday, May 9, at Maudslay State Park, Curzon Mill Road, Newburyport.
The Keep Moving Program is a network of more than 150 walking clubs across Massachusetts dedicated to promoting physical activity and socialization for people over 50. It is run through the state Department of Public Health.

Making the most out of a visit to the pediatrician

Fri, 02 May 2008 02:44:00 EDT

A parent recently shared that just thinking about her child's upcoming pediatric visit gave her an anxiety attack. What used to be a pleasant experience with the child had become a struggle, marked by crying and tantrums. The chaos of each check-up left her feeling embarrassed and distressed. She questioned why so many well-child visits were necessary and, if they can't be avoided, what parents can do to prepare children for doctors' appointments.