A User's Guide to the NH State Budget
By Jeff Mucciarone jmucciarone@hippopress.com

The state’s budget is in trouble.

Even after Gov. John Lynch made more than $150 million worth of budget cuts in the past few months, the Fiscal Year 2009 budget, the year we’re in now, is facing a $90 million deficit. For next year’s budget, officials say the state could be facing a deficit of more than $500 million.

PEOPLE: Running on ice
Concord is training ground for Antarctica
By Jeff Mucciarone jmucciarone@hippopress.com

David Bryan, a 45-year old Concord resident and CFO of the New Hampshire Federal Credit Union, is training to run a marathon in Antarctica, dubbed “The Last Marathon,” as part of his quest to run marathons on all seven continents. He’ll join about 150 runners on the icy continent in March. He has also run a marathon in Greece and some in the U.S. Bryan is raising money for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire.

THEATER: Divorce and death
Dark Side launches with Naked Pictures
By Heidi Masek hmasek@hippopress.com

Life’s not always great, but humor can be used to heal, Christine Frydenborg said.

LONGSHOTS: Nation’s angst ends as V-Tek says what the heck and rejoins flock
by Dave Long

Well, the Jason Varitek saga finally ended on Friday. And it seems the majority were glad it came to a peaceful ending with the captain coming back into the fold. But in the days leading up to the final act, the opposition party was gaining momentum and I suspect would have typically lashed out hard if he had foolishly elected to pass on the Red Sox’ $5 million offer where each side has a mutual option that could keep him a member of the Red Sox for a second year.

FOOD: Dinner with your sweetheart
Valentine’s Day weekend menu specials abound
By Linda A. Thompson-Odum food@hippopress.com

Make those Valentine’s Day reservations now.

Since the holiday falls on a Saturday (already a busy day for most restaurants), an early reservation will be a must. Luckily, some places are offering special meals all weekend long. Look for more special holiday meals and menus in next week’s Weekly Dish (and send those updated Valentine’s Day menu plans to food@hippopress.com). Here are a few places that offer special menus for Feb. 14 (in many cases, the regular dinner menu will also be available).

TECH: It’s the Internet … on TV
Would you like to know more?
By John “jaQ” Andrews  jandrews@hippopress.com

Television and the Web have always had a somewhat antagonistic relationship. Recordings of shows end up on YouTube; commercial ad revenue slumps when people stop watching cable and get all their news online.