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Congratulations, you’re fired!
How to go from laid off to entrepreneur
By Jeff Mucciarone jmucciarone@hippopress.com

The economy is putting plenty of people out of work nationally and in New Hampshire. The latest numbers say state unemployment is more than 5 percent, compared with the national rate a month ago of 8.1 percent. There’s no telling when the economy will pick itself up again.

PEOPLE: Funny man
Hampstead collegian competes for laughs

Hampstead’s Christopher Clemente, 20, is trying his hand at stand-up comedy. The alum of Pinkerton Academy in Derry is now a sophomore at Boston University and is a member of BU’s comedy team, which is competing in Rooftop Comedy’s 2nd Annual National College Comedy Competition. Clemente is studying film and television at BU.

THEATER: Scotland-bound
Manch high school students stage the Scottish play before heading to Scotland
By Heidi Masek hmasek@hippopress.com

Manchester West High School senior Jess Tolz, 17, will leave the United States for the first time in August when she and 15 classmates travel to the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival in Scotland as part of the American High School Theatre Festival.

LONGSHOTS: Red Sox Nation springs back to life
by Dave Long

Opening day arrived this week after sneaking up in a way I can not remember ever happening before. Maybe it was the intrusion of the uninspiring World Baseball Classic. With Manny gone and no one like Wade Boggs around to will himself invisible, maybe it was the lack of controversy. Or maybe it was the economic meltdown that had many in Red Sox Nation under the desk in the fetal position for the last nine months. But it was something.

WINE: Brave new wines
Dreamy drinks outside the mainstream
By Tim Protzman food@hippopress.com

It’s been a long time since I felt this way. I was considering couple’s counseling, but then this little ray of sunshine parted the scudding grey clouds and let great rays of sun in.

FOOD: After candy, brunch and dinner
Local restaurants offer a cooking-free way to celebrate Easter
By Linda A. Thompson-Odum food@hippopress.com

Though the kids might be looking forward to chocolate bunnies and marshmallowy Peeps, Easter is also a great day for real food — specifically brunch and dinner.