HippoPress -- The Hippo -- Guide to Manchester and Nashua NH

Jim Naugler may not flip a bottle like Tom Cruise in Cocktail, but Nashua seems to enjoy him. And you’d better like him because god only knows what dirt he has on you.

Naugler has been tending bar at Skols since April, but started slinging booze in these parts nigh on 15 years ago. He learned to tend bar at the Boston School of Bartending off Main Street and has worked at such places as the Moonshadow Café in Massachusetts.

Naugler stopped bartending for a while to start his own computer software training company in Nashua. He recently sold his company, which trained people for Hewlett Packard, to make time use his culinary-arts degree.

Naugler said a good bartender is someone who can keep up with the pace of the bar, mix a mean drink and lend an ear to whoever is talking. Naugler makes a point to offer a personal greeting to everyone who walks through the door. How else will Skol be a place where everybody knows your name? Naugler said attitude is key — if you don’t have a good attitude, people will find a bartender who does.

When asked what dirt he has on the good people of Nashua, Naugler wouldn’t say a word. He did, however, allow that being a good listener makes him privy to conversations about life experiences, relationships and divorce.

Naugler will be putting his culinary arts degree to work in the near future, because he just purchased Skol. He’s keeping the same menu but adding a few items and changing the bar’s name. Naugler is renaming Skol with his grandmother’s maiden name, Del Vaudo’s.

Best Local Politician

Mayor Bernie Streeter

Amidst recent scandal and public criticism, Mayor Bernie Streeter still came out on top as Nashua’s favorite politician.

Streeter, who also served 30 years as dean of the New Hampshire Executive Council, was elected mayor of Nashua in 1999 — beating then-incumbent Donald Davidson.

Living in the Nashua spotlight, Streeter is recognized for the good, the bad and his driving record. Streeter claims responsibility for taking 22 city parks that were once toxic-waste dumping sites and turning them into beautiful recreational areas. He also claims to have saved the city $100 million on sewer contracts made by another administration and continued with the largest high school project in the state. According to Streeter, even though the high school project was not his decision, it was a good plan to see through.

Though he has been criticized, Streeter credits himself with bringing admirable people into city government. As part of his mayoral responsibility, Streeter appoints division heads to help run the city smoothly. He is proud to be working with such capable people as Division of Public Works Director Rick Seymour and Kathy Hersh, director of Community Development.

Streeter, who served on active duty with the U.S. Army in 1957 and 1958 and with the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1958 to 1963, considered running for governor back in the ’80s and again in 1995. But he decided he couldn’t afford the luxury of living without a salary for a year during his campaign.

Serving as mayor has been the most exciting aspect of his political life, Streeter said. And the most exciting part of his job is not even in City Hall. Streeter enjoys getting out and talking to store owners and visiting elementary schools.

Streeter says this is his last year as Nashua’s mayor. He’s not sure what he’s going to do afterward and hasn’t eliminated the possibility of heading back up to Concord to participate in state politics.

Best Pick-Up Place

Margaritas, 1 Nashua Drive

It’s probably no coincidence that Margaritas was voted Best Cocktails and Best Pick-Up Place by our readers; the two seem to go hand-in-hand.

At Margaritas you can count on a young, social crowd each and every night of the week. With two really large lounge areas, on two floors, Margaritas can accommodate crowds of barflies with plenty of room left for people eating dinner. The bottom-floor lounge area is non-smoking and upstairs you can light up.

College students and loads of others in their 20s, 30s and 40s love to hang around this vibrant and distinctly hipster lounge scene.

What really turns the vote in their favor is the tight-knit crew of servers and bartenders.

They go above and beyond the call of duty and know the regulars by name.

Monthly “Full Moon Madness” nights add games and prizes to the social interaction. According to a reliable source, these events help patrons make “fools of themselves” with hula-hoops, frozen T-shirt contests, raffles and trivia. The games make social interaction just that much easier.

Cool hangout plus killer margaritas equals love.

Best Local Musicians

Project Mess

When Project Mess rocks, they rock hard — that what the ’80s hair bands were all about.

Project Mess has been rocking out southern New Hampshire since the early ’90s, covering songs from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Project Mess consists of David Dillavou on bass, Chris Messier on drums, Phil Plante on guitar and Greg Thomas on lead guitar and vocals. The band takes its name from Messier’s nickname, Mess. He thought up the band name years ago, even though he’d had bands under other names before.

Bassist David Dillavou describes the band’s sound as alternative modern rock — a cross between Godsmack and Rage Against the Machine. Dillavou said the band really gets the crowd on its feet and its heads a-banging. According to fans, Project Mess has such a variety of influences that it can fit comfortably into any venue — Dillavou recalled a 70-year-old woman who was shakin’ her groove thing to a Rage Against the Machine tune. Slow down, Esther, you may jar something loose.

Dillavou said a Mess show really depends on the crowd. A mellow crowd will get some slower songs but if the crowd looks angry and ready to rock, the band cranks it up.

Dillavou claims their fans range from Kinko’s employees and real estate agents to biker dudes. Project Mess likes to work the crowd between sets — they’ll even let you come up on stage and jam with them if you know what you’re doing.

“We love it,” Dillavou said. “Let them jam.”

You can catch Project Mess at such venues as the Polish Club on High Street, Nick’s Sportsbar on West Hollis Street, Cattleman’s in Railroad Square, Haluwa’s in the Nashua Mall and in Manchester at the Hogs Trough Saloon and Milly’s Tavern.

Best Hair Salon/Barbershop

Xanadu Hair Salon, 139 D.W. Highway, 897-0676

Upscale but relaxed — that’s Xanadu, the hair salon, not the 1980s rock musical. Patrons describe the atmosphere as “like a living room.” Unlike a lot of salons that have a loud and frenetic atmosphere, Xanadu is an oasis from the hustle and bustle of D.W. Highway.

Reasonable prices and a loyal staff make this salon a hit with patrons. Xanadu has cut and waxed for eight years in the Gate City. In an industry where stylists come and go, the staff here stays.

Long, short, bangs or bob, they offer a wide range of cuts from trendy to traditional. Colors and foils are their specialty, so if you have anything in mind, don’t be afraid to ask.

The stylists here stay current with the latest trends. They are always looking at and learning the latest cuts and colors by attending hair shows. Though Xanadu is wildly popular with their loyal following, and therefore often booked, the staff keeps some slots open for walk-ins. That’s good news for those of you looking for a new look on a whim.

In addition to salon services they offer waxing (in all the usual places) and have a massage therapist on hand to ease away life’s little knots.

Conveniently located next to La Carreta, the Reader’s Choice favorite Mexican/Latin American restaurant, Xanadu can make you fabulous and then you can walk next door and taste the fabulous.

Best Live DJ

DJ Brian

Martha’s Exchange

DJ Brian is a party animal. Well, at least he helps other people party. He can read a crowd, respond to them and keep them dancing. He’s the reason Martha’s was named Best Dance Club in Nashua. Give him a raise. Or at least buy him some new CDs.

Best Art Gallery

Eclectic Gallery

140 Main St.,

Closed

It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Unfortunately, Eclectic Gallery closed its doors last year because of financial trouble. But from the top-notch artists, both national and local, to the swanky, swinging art premieres with wine and jazz, Eclectic Gallery was class all the way. Eclectic will be missed.

Best Asian Food

Lilac Blossom

385 E. Dunstable Rd., 888-9588

630 Amherst St.,

886-8420

Lilac Blossom is a readers’ favorite because of its elegant décor and outstanding food. Knowledgeable servers dish out a variety of tantalizing entrees, including unique house specials. Try the Seafood Delight: a tasty, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink special that has people waiting in line for a table on most nights.

Best Bar for Live Music

Skol Restaurant

112 West Pearl St.

598-8007

Because not everyone likes hearing DJs drop the beat to Jay-Z or having their eardrums blown out by those tired local rock bands, Skol Restaurant offers live jazz almost every night. With regulars like Joey Vellucci, Evan Goodrow and Rick Costa, their slow and bluesy jazz makes Skol the perfect place to have an elegant evening.

Best Beer Selection

Martha’s Exchange

185 Main St..

883-8781

Who wouldn’t want to drown their sorrows in one of Martha’s Exchange’s New England Patriots Championship Ales or one of their imported Belgian beers? I believe, sir, it would be an honor. With a brewmeister on hand, Martha’s brews their own brewskis and usually has six new beers going at any one time.

Best Break-up Spot

The Pheasant Lane Mall

310 D.W. Highway,

888-2331

Who doesn’t want to break up in front of thousands of people then try on some sweaters at The Gap? I think people were going for public place here, but I’m tired of consoling that girl sitting alone in the food court with crying eyes. While public spectacles are always funny, like two people trying to argue quietly at a table, breaking up is hard to do. A very close second-place pick, and the worst spot ever: the car.

Best Burger

Martha’s Exchange

185 Main St.

883-8781

Vegans beware! Martha’s Exchange’s burger is filled with seven ounces of high-quality hand-cut delicious and innocent meat senselessly slaughtered and served on a bulkie roll. Martha’s allows you to get your burger as rare as you want it, which you won’t find in many restaurants, and has a selection of six or seven different savory and cruel burgers — like the spicy one with Gorgonzola cheese. Oh, the humanity.

Best Breakfast

Jackie’s Diner

168 Main St.,

889-4957

The steady stream of regulars at the counter and at the tables will attest to the fact that prices are reasonable and everything is fresh and homemade at Jackie’s. A variety of muffins and a pancake special augment the usual breakfast fare each week. And it wouldn’t be breakfast without good coffee. They serve Green Mountain and it’s always fresh.

A close runner-up was the City Room Cafe at 107 W. Pearl St., 882-5016.

Best Coffee Shop/Cafe

Patisserie Bleu

215 Main St.

886-0007

Coffee is just an excuse to go to Patisserie Bleu. Though they have a great selection of the usual suspects including: lattes, cappuccino, espresso and herbal teas, it’s the pastries that keep ‘em coming back. A nice strong cup of Joe just wouldn’t be the same without a chocolate croissant.

Close runner-up: Dunkin’ Donuts.

Best Cheap Eats

Wendy’s

44 E Hollis St.,

594-0463

What is it about the large Frosty that makes itimpossible to finish? If we’re talking about consistency and low prices, Dave Thomas (RIP) and his daughter Wendy have it. From the number 6 (spicy chicken fillet combo) to the classic double bacon cheeseburger, Wendy’s always delivers. Plus they’re open late and they have a 99-cent menu: a burger, some chili and a baked potato will run you $3. Go all out and impress your date, cheapskate.

Best Cocktails

Margaritas

1 Nashua Drive

883-0996

Margaritas is serious about their margaritas. With more than 10 flavors of margaritas and 15 types of tequila, they’re all about flavor. The Heavens to Margatroid Margarita, a favorite, has a splash of seven different liquors and is rumored to taste like a Nerd candy or a sweet tart.

Best Community Event

The Holiday Stroll

The Holiday Stroll is Nashua’s biggest event of the year and offers something for every age group and taste. This annual event takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Dozens of venues host entertainers of every ilk and Santa arrives on an antique fire engine to usher in the holiday season.

Best Dance Club

Martha’s Exchange

185 Main St.,

883-8781

DJ Brian is in his fourth year mixing music from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s each Friday night at Martha’s. Saturday night draws a slightly younger crowd and the sounds are a bit more hip-hop. This popular nightspot draws a lot of regular faces and DJ Brian takes their requests.

Best Date Place

Michael Timothy’s Urban Bistro

212 Main St.,

595-9334

Whatever your style of date, Michael Timothy’s has the solution. For that intimate, romantic date, they have the low-lit dining room with secluded corners, fine food and a great wine list. For that we-just-met date, there’s the wine and jazz bar. Great bartenders keep the conversation going through those dead spots.

Best Desserts

Patisserie Bleu

215 Main St.,

886-0007

The best pastry shop in town, scratch that, in all of New Hampshire, Patisserie Bleu is constantly coming up with new mouthwatering pastries. It’s hard to say “no” when you’re staring into the little glass case and a piece of Chocolate Insanity Cake winks at you and says, “Eat me you fool, I’m delicious.”

Best Diner

Jackie’s Diner

168 Main St.,

889-4957

They may only be open until 2 p.m., but they’re well worth a visit. Where else are you going to get breakfast at 1 p.m.? While there’s not much seating area inside, there is room around the counter where any of Jackie’s sweet waitresses are happy to talk about your day. And, might I add, their onion rings are delicious. That’s not opinion, that’s fact.

Best Florist

Fortin-Gage

86 West Pearl St.,

882-3371

Fortin-Gage has been cutting stems and arranging bouquets for the last 30 years. Locally owned and operated, Fortin-Gage treats each customer with as much attention as possible. They also have a 24-hour customer service order line, you know, in case you need to order long-stem roses at four in the morning.

Close runner-up: Collins Flowers, 9 Main St. 882-2723.

Best French Fries

McDonald’s Restaurant

Reliable, consistent and greasy (in a good way). You know them; you love them. They make you want a Coke. Can be eaten plain or drowned in ketchup. These classics are crispy and uniformly-cut — good, cheap and plentiful.

Very close runner-up: Jackie’s Diner, 168 Main St., 889-4957 (Did we mention the onion rings?)

Best Gym

Best Fitness

55 North Eastern Blvd., 889-6186

You can’t beat a gym that offers top-notch cardiovascular, elliptical and Nautilus machines for $20 a month. There are workout rooms separated by gender, if you’d like, as well as a boxing room, basketball courts and group workout rooms. Plus programs like yoga, Pilates and kick-boxing are all part of the deal.

Close runner-up: Gold’s Gym, 76 Derry St, 880-4646.

Best Ice Cream

Hayward’s Ice Cream Stand

7 D.W. Highway,

888-4663

Three generations of Haywards have brought this classic ice cream stand to life each year — for 65 years. Fifty flavors of high-quality ice cream run the gamut from plain-but-popular vanilla to exotic concoctions such as cake batter, s’mores and frozen pudding.

Best Italian Restaurant

Villa Banca

194 Main St.,

598-0500

You picked it for their Italian, but you love their American fare just as much. Consistency keeps you coming back. People rave about the calamari and the mussels, but no matter what they order, they are rarely disappointed with their varied menu and great flavors. Try the Saltimbocca.

Close runner-up: Ya Mamma’s, 75 D.W. Highway, Merrimack, 578-9201.

Best Laundromat

Palmer’s Cleaners

300 Main St.,

889-7922

For the last 33 years, Palmer’s has been starching your shirts and spinning your underwear in a rinse cycle. With friendly faces and reliable service, Palmer’s is focusing on serving the customer. And they’ve been helping the helpless, young college-aged men, sort, soften and bleach their clothes. They also have laundry cards so you don’t have to fish fallen quarters out from under the machines.

Best Local Radio

Station

WHOB 106.3 FM

11 Kimball Drive, Suite 114, Hooksett

The best of ’80s. ’90s and today, WHOB 106.3 has Jim and Sarah in the morning, retro ‘80s-ologist Joanne Doody in the afternoon, Brian Battles to take you home and, according to program director Doody, Sully is the coolest at 7 p.m. to midnight. They also have really hot promotions like free trips to Cancun.

Best Local Sports Team

Nashua Pride

67 Amherst St,

883-2255

Nothing beats catching a Pride game on a warm summer night at historic Holman Stadium. Now in their eighth season, the Pride will take the field on Friday, May 2 against the Bridgeport Bluefish at Holman Stadium. They may not be the Red Sox, but their games are always action-packed. Plus they have PrimeTime, the giant moose mascot who either makes the children laugh or scares the heck out of them.

Best Make-Out Spot

The Nashua Airport

The Nashua airport has maintained its make-out destination-spot status for decades. Not that we know this from personal experience or anything. And for those of you who aren’t “watching the planes take off,” you’re sucking face in the privacy of your own homes (close runner-up). For that, we thank you.

Best Mexican/Latin American Restaurant

La Carreta Mexican Restaurant

139 D.W. Highway,

891-0055

La Carreta is an authentic family-run Mexican restaurant that has been winning over Nashua diners for seven years. Seven different flavored salsas are just the tip of the burrito. They make nearly every item by hand, right down to the sauces and the tortilla chips.

Best Neighborhood Market

Jeannotte’s Market

2 Courtland St.,

882-0161

Jeannotte’s is a north-end favorite and Nashua icon since the 1950s. It is really a mini supermarket masquerading as a corner store. Step back in time and experience friendly service, reasonable prices and an on-site butcher who hand-cuts meat for customers he knows by name.

Best New Eatery

Jasmine Palace

116 W. Pearl St.,

882-9168

Tucked away down West Pearl Street, Jasmine Palace is like a little piece of New York in Nashua. This elegant Asian fusion restaurant is the new kid on the block, but with their modern décor and delectable menu, Jasmine Palace should be around for the long haul.

Best Park

Greeley Park

Whether you’re walking your dog or playing a pick-up soccer game, Greeley Park’s lush 80 acres should be plenty of room. Complete with a playground, a bandshell, three softball fields, horseshoes and a picnic area, Greeley Park is one of Nashua’s finest. The park is home to many Summerfest activities as well as the Nashua Public Library’s Friday Night Flicks during the summer.

Best Pizza

Espresso NY Style Pizza

85 Main St.,

889-9826

New York-style pizza, which translates into light, tasty, hand-tossed and cooked on the stone. Espresso makes each and every ingredient on the premises, with love. What you taste in every slice is quality pizza that has been made in the same location on Main Street since 1958.

Close runner-up: Bob’s Pizza, 115 E. Hollis St., 881-9822

Best Place to Jog /Walk

Mine Falls Park

For those in-shape people who didn’t break their New Year’s resolution the day after, Mine Falls Park has about six trails which range from a half mile to two and a half miles and all different skill levels. The park also features 325 acres with forest, open wetlands, boat launches, fishing and biking.

Best Place to Go After Midnight

Bed

It’s sad but true. The only thing to do after midnight in Nashua is hang out in a bar for an hour, follow the drunks from the bar to Denny’s or go to sleep. Given the choices, well, hitting the hay doesn’t sound so bad. Say it with me, Nashua: movie theater and coffee house. Young creative economy indeed.

Best Place to Play Pool

Boston Billiard Club of Nashua

55 Northeastern Blvd., 595-2121

Boston Billiard Club offers the right atmosphere to get your game on, whether you enjoy a friendly game over a beer or you own a pearl-inlay cue stick and they call you “Fats.” They have 32 pool tables and free lessons on Monday nights. That’s why so many of you called it “the best.”

Best Place to Take Visiting Relatives

Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour

221 D.W. Highway, Merrimack, 889-6631

This self-guided walking tour (wheelchair accessible) takes you on the beer-making journey that includes the brew house, cool cellars and high-speed packaging lines. Learn the time-honored brewing process of the world’s best-selling beer and meet a big horse. Once a month, one of the Clydesdales poses for pictures.

Best Pub

Nashua Garden

121 Main St.,

886-7363

Nashua Garden offers a little something for every taste. There’s always a game to watch on the pub’s six TVs. Choose from more than 30 bottled beers: both domestic and imported. During playoffs the bar is packed and loud, but on most nights it’s a casual, well-behaved crowd.

Best Restroom

Villa Banca

194 Main St.,

598-0500

Don’t laugh, it’s important! You know where you will and will not do your business. People have their own private bathroom schedules and policies — who am I to argue? But Villa Banca has some of the nicest loos around. They’re very large, always clean and very spacious. Where comfort is king, Villa Banca’s bathrooms are very inviting.

Best Restaurant (Overall)

Michael Timothy’s Urban Bistro

212 Main St.,

595-9334

Since it’s the best date place and has the best wine list in the city, it makes sense that you would have voted Michael Timothy’s best restaurant overall. It is a vibrant bistro with great food and an ever-changing menu. A chef-owned restaurant with a lot of pride.

Best Ribs

Texas Roadhouse Restaurant

580 Amherst St.,

595-7293

Ribs that are 72 hours in the making result in melt-in-your-mouth, fall-off-the-bone goodness. Tender pork ribs topped with a light, sweet barbecue sauce with a bit of a tang. They come in four different sizes — try them all. Killer ribs, hand-cut steaks and ice-cold beer. Life is good.

Best Sandwich

Nashua Garden

121 Main St.,

886-7363

If you live in Nashua, there’s no way you can escape without inhaling one of Nashua Garden’s subs. They use Boar’s Head meat and their bread is delivered fresh daily from Cambridge, Mass. Their most popular sub is “The Big Poppy” named after Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz. Is there something about oven-roasted turkey, pepperoni and Muenster cheese toasted on a braided roll that screams “great baseball player?”

Best Seafood Restaurant

Surf

207 Main St.,

595-9293

This ain’t no clam shack. A fishmonger in Boston calls Surf each day and tells them what’s fresh, and that’s what goes on the menu that night. Quality in preparation and creativity makes this not-your-average fish place. Chef Michael has a passion for fish. Taste it.

Best Sports Bar

Boston Billiard Club of Nashua

55 Northeastern Blvd., 595-2121

With 31 TVs, you can see the game from anywhere in the club. And the sports aren’t just spectator events. A large game room let’s you play basketball, air hockey, baseball, video games or darts. You can only look at boobs for so long. Sorry Hooters, you’re only a close runner up (4 Spit Brook Road, 888-7746)

Best Subs

Danellys Pizza & Subs

87 Allds St.,

882-6820

Forty years in business and still going strong, Danelly’s Pizza and Subs is known for its consistency. Care to disagree? They serve more than 600 subs a day — just imagine how much meat that is. This three-generation family business offers soups, salads, pizza, calzones and 50 different subs — most notably, the steak bomb.

Close runner up: Sky Market, 383 E Dunstable Road, 888-7400

Best Theater Company

Peacock Players

14 Court St.,

886-7000

Season after season, this troupe of talented young actors continues to entertain Nashua at the Court Street Theater. Known for their professional performances, the Peacock Players have a right to be proud as, well, a peacock for being named the best. Don’t miss their next performance, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, starting Friday, March 18.

Best TV-13 Show

142 Main Street

Host: Caroline Choate

TV-13’s flagship show, 142 Main Street, celebrates local accomplishments, confronts important issues and adds a local flair to your channel surfing. Host Carolyn Choate prides herself on being fair but provocative, without political bias and fully devoted to community activism. Reporting for 142 Main Street, Choate says, is serving the highest honor.

Best Vegetarian Menu

Ecos Cafe

704 Milford Rd., Suite 6, Merrimack, 881-9635

Vegetarian doesn’t have to mean boring and bland and fast doesn’t have to mean unhealthy. Owners Chuck and Sandra Musson not only believe this, they ably demonstrate it with their ever-changing specials and varied menu of vegetarian and non-veg breakfast and lunch foods. A healthy alternative to the standard take-out meal.

Best Wine List

Michael Timothy’s Urban Bistro (59)

212 Main St.,

595-9334

This winning wine list features 250 wines from all over the world, including 50 by the glass. It is updated every six to eight weeks and includes a selection of dessert wines, champagnes, ports and two different kinds of grappa. The Wine Spectator awarded them an award for excellence.

The Scoop on Summer

Your guide to three months of big fun

By Amy Diaz

Summer is three months of Sundays.

Sure, most of those are actually workdays and likely to be spent indoors. But the lush green outdoors provide not just a cherry on top but a big scoop of refreshing goodness for nearly every day of this wonderfully decadent time of year. And while that week at the beach, hike through the mountains or trip to the lake may be the highlight of your summer 2005, Nashua offers lots of things to do and see that can fill your day with the unique joys of the season anytime. So grab a spoon and dive in to summer.

Festivals

Summer turns every park and city street into a possible concert or party venue.

New England is full of regional festivals that bring in the fans from the jazz festival in Newport, R.I., to the renaissance fair in Brattleboro, VT. Lucky for us in the Nashua area, we have plenty of festivals in our neighborhood to keep us partying all summer long.

• Third Annual Rock N Ribfest, Merrimack: The Rotary Club of Nashua West will hold its third annual Ribfest Friday, June 10 through Sunday, June 12 at Anheuser Busch, 221 DW Highway, Merrimack. Tickets are $5 per person; children under 5 are admitted free. The event features music, activities for kids, assorted street performers and, of course, all the ribs you could ever want. Ribbers compete to see who is the biggest, baddest BBQ king. For more information, go to www.rotaryribfest.org.

• Fifth Annual Talarico Downtown Jazz & Blues Fest, Manchester: More than a dozen musicians show up to play at stages on Hanover Street in Manchester’s downtown for this two-day event, which will run Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11. Tickets are $10 per day. The event also features local artists and food vendors. For more information, go to www.palacetheatre.org.

• High Hopes 19th Annual Balloon Festival, Milford: Raising money for High Hopes (which grants wishes for kids suffering from chronic or life-threatening diseases), this events is three days of kid-friendly events (such as bungee jumping, a climbing wall and face-painting) plus dawn-to-dusk hot air balloon rides. The Festival runs Friday, June 24 to Sunday, June 26 at Chappell’s Grandview Farms, the intersection of Route 101 and 13 in Milford. For information, go to www.milfordnh.com/highhopes/festival.htm.

• Nashua Garden Tour 2005, Nashua: Garden nuts and flower fans get a peek at some of the city’s nicest gardens on Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event begins with breakfast and a lecture and includes shopping at the vendor fair. For more, go to www.nashuagardenclub.org.

• Annual Lowell Folk Fest, Lowell: It’s one of the biggest music festivals in the area — three days, July 29 through 31, of musical performances, activities for kids and community groups offering a variety of ethnic foods. Best yet? This event is free. For more information, go to www.lowellfolkfest.org.

• 48th New Hampshire Antiques Dealers Association Show, Manchester: It’s three days of wall-to-wall antiques at the Center of New Hampshire, 700 Elm St., Manchester. Tickets are $10 and offer access on all three days — Thursday, Aug. 11 through Saturday, Aug. 13. For more information, go to www.nhada.org.

• 52 Annual Greeley Park Arts Show, Nashua: The city’s biggest arts event will run Aug. 20 and 21 this year. More than 100 area artists show off their works at an event that brings out some of the most talented painters sculptors, photographers and more. For more information, go to www.greeleyparkartshow.com.

• 8th Annual Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival, Lowell: Based on Southeast Asian traditions, this festival runs Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21 and includes parades, boat tours and a post-festival film series. The event also includes crafts and foods from Southeast Asia. For more information, go to www.lowellwaterfestival.org.

Theater

Many local theater companies don’t take the summer off, they just move outdoors.

What will be entertaining you in the great outdoors this season?

• Grease (New Thalian Players, Manchester): That’s right, “Summer Nights” performed live! The New Thalians will present their play for free in Veterans Park, Manchester, July 8 and 9 and July 15 and 16. For more information, go to www.newtalianplayers.org.

• The Drawer Boy (A Yellow Taxi Production, Nashua): It’s 1972 and a city slicker actor goes to live on a farm to study for an upcoming part. What starts out as a fish out of water turns deeper as the actor learns about the pasts of the old farmers with whom he lives. The play runs July 9 and 10, 16 and 17 at Greeley Park in Nashua. For more information, go to www.yellowtaxiproductions.com.

• Henry IV (Nashua Theatre Guild, Nashua): The boy prince must become a king and you can see it for free in Greeley Park, Nashua, July 23 and 24 and July 30 and 31 at 2 p.m. For more information, go to www.nashuatheatreguild.com.

• Taming of the Shrew (New England Shakespeare Festival, Lowell): For $10 per ticket, this play gives you the Elizabethan costumed tale of a difficult girl and her very insistent husband at Boarding House Park, 40 French St., Lowell on August 4, 7:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.lowellsummermusic.com.

Eats

Sure, you ate your fill at the Taste of Downtown Nashua and you plan to make room in your stomach for the Ribfest, but where else is on the menu this summer?

• Farmers’ Markets: Nashua kicks off its gathering of fresh produce vendors on Tuesday, July 5 from 3 to 6 p.m. at St. Louis de Gonzague Church, 48 West Hollis St. The market runs through October. Can’t make it to Nashua’s? Try Amherst Farmers’ Market, Village Common, Amherst, June through October, Thursdays 3 to 6:30 p.m.; Bedford Farmers’ Market, Riley Field near the corner of Country and Nashua roads, Bedford, mid-June through October, Tuesdays 3 to 6 p.m.; Derry Main Street Farmers’ Market, Broadway, Derry, spring through fall, Tuesdays 4 to 7 p.m.; Lowell Farmers Market, City Hall Plaza, Arland Drive, Lowell, MA, July through October, Fridays 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Manchester Downtown Farmers Market, Concord Street between Pine and Chestnut streets, June 23 through October, Thursdays 3 to 6 p.m.; Milford Farmers’ Markets, Bank of New Hampshire, South Street, Route 13 S, late June through Early October, Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon; New Boston Farmers’ Market, Route 13 Hillsboro Country 4H Fairgrounds, New Boston, late June through October, Mondays 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• Cooking classes: Learn how to make a host of new dishes. Impressive Chef (8 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, 891-3520, www.impressivechef.com), The Creative Feast (5 Broad St., Hollis, 465-6929, www.thecreativefeast.com) and Patisserie Bleu (215 Main St., Nashua, 881-3480, www.patisseriebleu.com) all offer one-night classes to teach you about new cuisines and cooking techniques. Go to their websites for more information.

• Wine Society: The Les Chevaliers Du Grana Vin, as it’s properly known, features a variety of tasting classes and events for wine, beer and cheese. For more information, go to the stores (440 Middlesex Road, Tynsborough, MA, 978-649-8993/650 Amherst St., Nashua, 883-4114) or website, www.winecellarnh.com.

• Latino Festival, Manchester: Enjoy some of the very best empanadas, tamales, tacos and other delicious dishes at this day-long festival in Veterans Park, Elm Street in Manchester (exit 5 off I-293) on August 20.

Sports

Peanuts, Cracker Jack — yeah, we all saw Field of Dreams.

While the Red Sox may hold the center place in many a fan’s heart, there are closer, less expensive ways to catch a few innings.

• Nashua Pride, Nashua: Don’t want to fight the crowds to Fenway? Go to Holman Stadium and enjoy your hot dog and cheering on your hometown team in your very own neighborhood. See the schedule below or www.nashuapride.com for ticket and game information.

• Lowell Spinners, Lowell: Not the Red Sox but this minor-league affiliate can be a closer, cheaper way to join in all the world-champion fun. The season begins on June 27 at the Edward A. LeLacheur Park, 450 Aiken St., Lowell, 978-459-2255. Tickets start at $4.50. For more information, visit them online at www.lowellspinners.com.

• New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Manchester: Or you can head north for your minor-league needs. Playing at the brand-new stadium on Commercial Street, Manchester (exit 5 off I-293; 641-2005), the Fisher Cats (a farm team for the Toronto Blue Jays) offer regular home games and tickets starting at $4. For more information, check out their webstie at www.nhfishercats.com.

Kids

Summer shouldn’t mean hours in front of the television.

The city offers a variety of activities for academically or athletically inclined kids as well as events that appeal to the whole family.

• SummerFun, Nashua: The city’s Parks and Recreation Department hosts a summer-long schedule of events that include music, carnivals, theater productions and movies. SummerFun kicks off on Saturday, June 4 from noon to 3 p.m. in Greeley Park with clowns, performances and face painting. Favorites include the Fairytale Festival in Greeley Park on Saturday, July 16 from noon to 4 p.m. and fireworks on July 4 at Holman Stadium. For a complete list of the summer fun events, go to the Parks and Recreation Department, 100 Concord St., Nashua, or go to www.gonashua.com.

• YMCA of Nashua, Nashua: Nashua offers sports day camps for kids in first through sixth grade in June, July and August. The Y also offers volleyball camps for girls in 7th through 10th grades. The YMCA also has sports classes on site. Registration is going on now. For more information, go to www.nmymca.org.

• Nashua Public Library, Nashua: In addition to year-round story times, the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St., Nashua, 589-4600, also offers a summer reading program as well as other activities aimed at young readers. Some require preregistration. For the latest classes and more information, go to www.nashua.lib.nh.us.

• Peacock Players, Nashua: The Peacock Players offer two sessions of acting camps, with classes for budding performers ages 7 through 18. The camps run July 11 through 29 and August 1 through 19. Each session ends with a production performed in Greeley Park. The camps are $450 for each three-week session with discounts for siblings. For more information, go to www.peacockplayers.org.

• Yellow Taxi Productions, Nashua: Along with the Parks and Recreation department, Yellow Taxi is offering two theater camps. The class on July 11 through 15 will focus on comedy and improv, the class on August 1-12 will explore the Scottish play. The weeklong class costs $85 for Nashua residents; the two-week class is $150 for Nashua residents. Prices are slightly higher for non-residents. For more information, go to www.yellowtaxiproductions.com or to register call Parks and Rec at 589-3370.

• Nashua Pride, Nashua: The Pride offer your future Johnny Damon a chance to learn from the pros. Camps are available for kids 6 to 9 years old and 10 to13 years old. Camps run in late July and early to mid August and are $125 per kid per week. For information, go to www.nashuapride.com.

• Beaver Brook Association, Hollis: Have a budding scientist or naturalist on your hands? Check out the summer programs at Beaver Brook, 117 Ridge Road, Hollis, 465-7787. Classes are available for preschool and elementary school children and feature experiments, activities, hikes, crafts and presentations focusing on the natural world. For more information, go to www.beaverbrook.org.

• Amoskeag Fishways, Manchester: Amoskeag offers events most Friday nights that allow families to get up close to animals and plants and learn more about the nature in their own back yards. In addition, the Fishways, 6 Fletcher St., Manchester, 626-3474, features weekend programs. All require registration. What doesn’t require registration or any of your hard-earned cash? The 7th Annual Lamprey Appreciation Day, this Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Among other activities designed to inspire kid glee, lamprey fans get to hold a three-foot-long version of the sea lamprey, which , for the uninitiated, is a kind of eel. For more information, go to www.amoskeagfishways.org.

Music

Music, like most other entertainment, moves outdoors for the summer.

Many of your favorite bars and clubs will open their decks and patios and sidewalk-front seating areas, which means that music will be spilling from all directions on places like Main Street in Nashua and you can soak up the sun while enjoying your favorite umbrella-wearing drink.

Several area cities also help to foster outdoor performances in the warmer months. As part of Nashua’s SummerFun lineup, any given night in Greeley Park (usually at 7 p.m.) is likely to feature some sort of live music for free. Acts scheduled include:

• Dylan Luers Jazz Quartet, Thurs., June 9.

• Windham Swing Bank, Sat., June 18.

• Shannachie Irish Music, Wed., June 22.

• Judy Pancoast Children’s Concert, Wed., June 29.

• Spartan Drum & Bugle Corps, Sat., July 2

• Amoskeag Strummers banjo, Fri., July 8

• Bach Lunch Series, Wed., noon, July 13

• Bedford Big Band, Fri., August 26

Lowell also features a summer music series, which is $5 in advance, $10 at the door (children 12 and under free), at Boarding House Park, 20 French St., Lowell.

Acts scheduled for the series include Melissa Ferrick (July 1), Buckwheat Zydeco (July 16) and Little Feat (Sept. 1). For information, go to www.lowellsummermusic.com.

In Manchester, the civic organization Intown Manchester presents free performances daily at noon at either City Hall Place or Hampshire Plaza (both on Elm St. in Manchester, exit 5 off I-293, turn north on Elm St.). Scheduled performers include Amoskeag Strummers (June 13), Kevin Scanlon (June 15), Brian Morse (June 27) and Pezz Junkie (July 11). Intown also will present five free concerts Thursday nights in July and the first Thursday in August. Shows begin at 7 p.m. in Veterans Park. Performers include folk singer Laurel Braun (July 21) and Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers (July 7). For more information, go to www.intownmanchester.com.

—Amy Diaz