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Beck's Art Express hosts art classes for kids. Courtesy photo.
Students harness the will of the warrior at Lee's Martial Arts Center. Courtesy photo.
Kids learn about balance at the Seacoast Gymnastics Center. Courtesy photo.
A happy soccer player at NH Sportsplex. Courtesy photo.
Your guide to after-school fun for the kids
• Beck's Arts Express (491 Amherst St., Unit 25, Nashua, 566-1393, artsexpressnh.com) offers a variety of classes starting on Sept. 15. Budding Artists is for ages 3 to 5 with a caregiver. The class meets Sundays from 9:15 to 10 a.m. for eight weeks. The cost is $96. Drop-in Art for Mini Masters is for artists ages 2 to 5. The class meets Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and costs $12 per class. Paint It, Sculpt It, Love It is for artists ages 4 to 6. The class meets Tuesdays from 9:15 to 10 a.m. for eight weeks. The cost is $96. Sunday Funday hosts classes for kids ages 5 to 7, from 10 to 11 a.m., and ages 8 to 12, from 11 to 12:15 a.m. The class is eight weeks long and costs $136. Check the website for more options as well as for special pizza and paint night events and one-time workshops for faux stained glass, anime characters, collagraph prints and much more.
• Currier Art Center (150 Ash St., Manchester, 518-4902, currier.org) hosts a variety of classes in five-week sessions or full sessions that are nine weeks long, all starting on Sept. 22. Classes are available Monday through Saturday, including drawing, painting, clay sculpting, photography and much more. There are available classes for kids ages 3 and up. The final student exhibition will be on Saturday, Dec. 6, from noon to 4 p.m.
• E.W. Poore Frame Shop & Art Gallery (775 Canal St., Manchester, 622-3802, ewpoore.com) offers drawing and painting classes for children ages 8 to 14 in six-week sessions on Thursdays starting Sept. 11, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., or Saturdays starting Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. Classes on oil painting as well as drawing, watercolor and acrylics will be hosted Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. in 12-week sessions starting on Sept. 16. Beginning and intermediate drawing classes for high school students and up will run Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon in a 12-week session starting Sept. 20.
• Kimball-Jenkins School of Art (266 N. Main St., Concord, 225-3932, kimballjenkins.com) offers a series of classes called "Art for Kids" for ages 8 through 12, according to the website. Classes include "Introduction to Drawing" on Mondays starting Sept. 15, from 4 to 5 p.m., which costs $175 for members, $195 for non-members with materials provided; and a "Fun with Clay" class on Wednesdays starting on Sept. 17, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., which costs $200 for members, $220 for non-members. Teen classes will be offered for ages 12 through 17, including "Comics, Cartooning & Illustration" on Tuesdays starting Sept. 16, from 4 to 6 p.m., which costs $200 for members, $220 for non-members, and "Beyond The Vessel" wheel-throwing on Thursdays starting on Sept. 18, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., which costs $200 for members, $240 for non-members.
• League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Nashua Retail Gallery (98 Main St., Nashua, 595-8233, nhcrafts.org/nashua) offers an array of classes intended for teens starting at ages 12 and up. A Wet-Felting class on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.. The cost is $45 with materials included. Introduction to Zentangle on Saturday, Sept. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $30 with materials included. The Alcohol Ink Tiles class is on Saturday, Sept. 20, and Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $40 with materials included. The Beadwork class is on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The class costs $60 with materials included and is recommended for teens ages 15 and up. A Pin and Pendant Passion class is offered on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $40 including materials. A Kumihimo Necklace class will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $80 with materials included and the class is recommended for teens ages 15 and up. The "Nuno Felt a Scarf" class on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. costs $90. The "lion's head" needle-felting class on Sunday, Nov. 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. costs $90 with materials included and is recommended for teens ages 15 and up. The "Santa!" needle-felting class is on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $90 with materials included and the class is recommended for teens ages 15 and up. The Renaissance Zentangle class is on Sunday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The class costs $30 with materials included. Visit the gallery's website for year-round and advanced-level classes.
• New Hampshire Institute of Art has two campuses: the Manchester campus (148 Concord St., Manchester, 836-2515, nhia.edu) and the Sharon Arts Center campus (457 Route 123, Sharon, 924-7256, sharonarts.org). There will be a range of weekly classes including painting, drawing, ceramics, photography, creative writing and more. There will be various five-day "Meet the Master" workshops, and the Manchester campus will also be hosting a series of high school intensive workshops in clay, including wheelworking, handbuilding and glazing.
• The Refrigerator Door (7 Chestnut Drive, Bedford, 781-8944, refrigeratordoor.org) is an art studio that offers classes for kids and adults. After-school art classes are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for ages 4 through 7, and 4:45 to 5:44 p.m. for ages 8 through 12. Also available are two "Mommy and me" style classes, including Family Fridays from 10 to 11 a.m., and Paint with ME! on Sundays, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
• Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester, 232-5597, 550arts.com) offers four-week-long classes dealing with different art media. The Clay for Kids class takes place on Mondays or Wednesdays, from 4 to 5:15 p.m. The class costs $75 and is for kids ages 6 to 9. There is also a teen pottery class that runs on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The class is $95 and is for kids ages 10 to 16. Learn book-making and paper arts on Fridays, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The class is $95 and is for kids ages 10 to 16. Family clay workshops are available on Saturdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The workshop is $30 and is for parents and kids ages 3 and up.
• Susan Clement's Art Studio (46 Townhouse Road, Suncook, 661-9306, susanclementsartstudio.com) offers four-week sessions in painting and sculpting for beginner and intermediate artists. The cost is $150 with all supplies included. Saturdays will also see a beginners oil/acrylic painting class from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and an intermediate oil painting/drawing class from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. There is a limit of four students per class.
• Wild Salamander Creative Arts Center (30 Ash St., Hollis, 465-9453, wildsalamander.com) hosts two six-week fall sessions, one from Tuesday, Sept. 16, through Friday, Oct. 24, and one from Tuesday, Oct. 28, through Friday, Dec. 12. There will be no Monday classes for either session. Art and studio courses will be available for all age groups above 18 months old, including drawing, acrylic painting, water color, zentangle and more.
• Alicia's School of Dance (58 New Hampshire 129 #201, Loudon, 783-4783, asofdance.net) offers classes in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical and hip hop. Classes cost $50 per month for one class per week. Each additional class costs $5 extra per month. New students pay a $20 registration fee and returning students pay $10. Classes are available for children, teenagers and adults, and siblings and parents can dance for an extra $10 per month.
• Allegro Dance Company (100 Factory St., Nashua, 886-7989, allegrodancenh.com) has classes for dancers age 2½ and older. Children's classes include ballet, tap, jazz, combination classes, hip-hop, musical theater and more. There are classes available for dancers of all skill levels. Call for prices and schedules.
• Ameri-kids Baton Twirling Studio (501 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-8844; 351 Chester Road, Auburn, broadwayboundpac.com, ameri-kids@comcast.net) offers baton classes for all skill levels from beginners to competitive twirlers.
• Bedford Dance Center (172 Route 101, Bedford, 472-5141, bedforddancecenter.com) offers classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, hip-hop and tap. Classes are recommend for dancers ages 3 and up. Pricing varies depending on the length of the class.
• Bedford Youth Performing Company (155 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3894, bypc.org) offers classes in jazz, ballet, hip-hop, theater jazz, tap, Zumba, lyrical and acro jazz. Classes are available for ages 3 and older.
• Broadway Bound Performing Arts Center (501 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-8844, broadwayboundpac.com) offers classes from ages 2 to adult. Programs include tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical, musical theater and tumbling. Boys-only classes are also available as well as classes for special-needs students. The arts center also offers private voice, piano and drum lessons.
• Capital City Dance Center (128-J Hall St., Concord, 228-1012, capitalcitydancecenter.com) starts its fall program on Monday, Sept. 8. Classes will be offered Monday through Thursday, and Saturdays. Dancers as young as 3 may attend a class, and there are several classes for teens, including tap, ballet and jazz.
• The Carlene Nazarian Dance Center (26 Keewaydin Drive, Suite J, Salem, 898-9220, cndancecenter.com) will host auditions for its competitive hip-hop team for dancers ages 14 and older on Monday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m. The season opens on Saturday, Sept. 6, and includes classes in hip-hop, modern, lyrical, pointe, ballet and acro. Classes are also available for preschool and kindergarten students.
• CKC Dance Academy (198 Londonderry Turnpike, Hooksett, 622-4252, ckcdance.com) offers diverse dance classes such as creative movement for ages 3 to 4; pre-dance for ages 4 to 5, jazz for ages 5 and up; musical theater for ages 7 and up; pre-ballet for ages 5 to 7; hip-hop for ages 5 and up, tap for ages 5 and up, acro/tumble tots from ages 3 and up; as well as pointe, lyrical and modern, in which dancers should be approved by the instructors. There will be an open house event on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Classes are available Monday through Thursday, and on Saturdays, and run from September to June.
• Concord Dance Academy offers four one-hour classes per week for $120 per month. The school offers classes in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, contemporary and karate for students of all levels. The fall program runs Monday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, May 30, and is open for dancers ages 2 and up.
• Concord Parks and Recreation (at the Green Street Community Center Dance Studio, 39 Green St., Concord, 225-8690, concordparksandrec.com) offers ballet and tap for ages 2 through 5 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Class times vary by age group. Classes run Wednesdays, Sept. 17 through Oct. 22, and Saturdays, Sept. 20 through Nov. 1 (no class on Oct. 11). The cost is $40 for residents, $50 for non-residents.
• Creative Dance Workshop of Bow (617 Route 3A, Unit 1&2, Bow, 225-7711, nhdances.com) offers classes for kids in preschool and up. Classes and instruction are available for ballet, pre-pointe, pointe, salsa, ballroom, hip-hop, African/hip-hop, lyrical, tap, Scottish highland and more. Most one-hour classes cost $50 per month.
• Dance Academy of Windham (288 N. Broadway, Salem, 893-9998, danceacademyofwindham.com) offers classes for dancers ages 18 months and up. Its fall program begins Tuesday, Sept. 2, and includes ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, lyrical, Irish step, ballroom, barre and cardio funk. Dancers can choose competitive dance or recreational classes. The academy also offers a special inclusive class for dancers with special needs. Classes are available Monday through Saturday.
• The Dance Company (141 Route 101A, Amherst, 864-8374) offers classes for ages 10 months and older. Programs are available Monday through Saturday and include jazz, tap, ballet, gymnastics, lyrical, Mommy and Me, hip-hop, acro and tumble.
• Dance Concepts (122 Bridge St., #3B, Pelham, 635-8131, danceconceptsnh.com) start their fall classes on Monday, Sept. 8. Celebrate their 24th season with classes like jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, Mom & Me, and more.
• Dance Connection Fitness & Performing Arts (8 Rockingham Road, Windham, 893-4919, danceconnectionnh.com) offers classes in jazz, tap, ballet, gymnastics, hip-hop and cheer dance.
• Dance Inspirations (248 Sheep Davis Road, Concord, 856-8545, danceinspirations.com) offers classes for ages 18 months and older. Classes include tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop. Also available are special combination classes, creative movement and competition teams for the more serious dancer. Classes are available Monday through Thursday.
• Dance Progressions (109 Hillside Ave., Derry, 432-2129, danceprogressions.com) offers classes for ages 2½ and older and welcomes dancers of all skill levels. Programs include ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop and Zumba.
• Dance Studio of Manchester (377 S. Willow St., Manchester, 669-1929, dancestudiomanchester.com) will be hosting open houses on Thursday, Aug. 21, and Friday, Aug. 22, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., and 4:30 to 6 p.m., and on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Classes include mom-and-tot play, pre-dance for ages 3 and 4, ballet, pointe, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, jazz and contemporary.
• Dancesteps Etc. (24 Buck St., Epsom, 736-9019, dancesteps-com) offers fall classes starting Monday, Sept. 8. Classes such as jazz, tap, ballet/pointe, lyrical, and hip-hop are available for dancers ages 8 through 10, along with a version of these classes for teens. Combo classes, which combine disciplines of jazz, tap and ballet, will be offered for ages 3, 4 through 5, and 6 through 7. Mommy and Me classes are available for mothers and babies.
• Dimensions in Dance (84 Myrtle St., Manchester, 668-4196, dimensionsindance.com) offers a variety of classes including ballet, theater dance, pointe, tap, acro-jazz, jazz, modern, lyrical, hip-hop, cheer acro and more. Classes are offered for age 2 through adult. Tuition starts at $36 per month and goes up in increments to $220 for unlimited classes per month.
• Gate City Ballet & Dance Center (125 Northeastern, Blvd., Nashua, 882-0011, gatecityballet.com) offers classes of all skill level in creative movement, ballet, pointe, jazz, hip-hop, modern. Classes are available Mondays through Saturdays and are open to dancers ages 2 and up. Tuition rates range from $60 per month for one hour of instruction per week to $265 per month for six hours of instruction per week. For $300 per month, students can take unlimited classes.
• Happy Feet Dance School (25 Indian Rock Road, Windham, 434-4437, happyfeetdanceschool.biz) offers the Tippy Toe Program for ages 2 through 6, the Happy Feet Program for ages 6 through 18 and the Fancy Feet Program for ages 6 through 18. Classes are split into Tiny Tots for 2-year-olds, Creative Dance I for 3-year-olds, Creative Dance II for 4-year-olds, Kind Kids for 5-year-olds, mini division for ages 6 through 8, intermediate division for ages 8 through 10, junior division for ages 10 through 12, and senior division for ages 12 and older. Classes include jazz, ballet, tap, hip-hop and contemporary.
• Kathy Blake Dance Studios (3 Northern Blvd., Amherst, 673-3978, kathyblakedancestudios.com) offers classes for children ages 1 and up. Fall classes include acro dance, ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, modern, Irish step, and theater dance. Dance competition classes and teams will be available for the more serious dancer.
• Londonderry Dance Academy (21 Buttrick Road, Londonderry, 432-0032, londonderry.com) offers classes seven days a week for dancers 20 months old and up. Classes include ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, tap, hip-hop, body conditioning and vocal ensemble. There will be an open house on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m., and Tues., Aug 26, from 4 to 7 p.m.
• McKenna Dance Center (254 Sheep Davis Road, Unit 4, Concord, 706-0589) offers dance classes for ages 2 and older. Classes include ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, tumbling, cheerleading, contemporary, Zumba, barsculpt and musical theater. Combination, boys' classes and other workshops are also available. Sessions start Sept. 15, and the center has an open house Saturday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Melissa Hoffman Dance Center (210 Robinson Road, Hudson, 886-7909, mhdancecenter.com) will be hosting open house nights on Tuesday, Aug. 26, and Thursday, Sept. 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. Classes are held Monday through Saturday and include Parent & Tot, pre-school dance, Kindercombo, hip-hop, ballet dance, pointe, jazz, modern, tap dance and tumble. Programs are available for ages 2 and older.
• Miss Kelsey's Dance Studio (2626 Brown Ave., Manchester, 606-2820, mkdance.com) offers tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, musical theater, hip-hop, creative movement and acro/tumbling. Classes are available for age 1½ and up. There are also competition and performance teams for more serious dancers. Fall classes start Monday, Sept. 8.
• New England School of Dance (679 Mast Road, Manchester, 935-7326, newenglandschoolofdance.com) starts their fall session on Monday, Sept. 8. Dancers can choose from a variety of classes including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, pointe and musical. Ages 3 through 19 are welcome to dance. Open houses will be hosted Thursday, Aug. 21, and Friday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Monday, Aug. 25, and Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• New Hampshire Academie of Dance (1 Action Blvd., Londonderry, 432-4041, nhadance.com) will host an open house on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Thursday, Sept. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. Classes are available Monday through Saturday and include jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical, tap, hip-hop, acro, Broadway, modern, Kindercombo, Tiny Dancers and Boppin' Babies.
• NH School of Ballet (183 Londonderry Tpke., Hooksett, 668-5330, nhschoolofballet.com) is hosting classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical and tumbling starting Monday, Sept. 8. Competition team auditions will be held at the end of September, and opportunities will be available to perform in the Nutcracker and the holiday show in December. Classes are held six days a week. Classes cost $10 per hour.
• Northern Ballet Theatre Dance Centre (36 Arlington St., Nashua, 889-8408, nbtdc.com) will be hosting their annual open house on Friday, Aug. 29, from 3 to 6 p.m. and Sat., Aug. 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. Classes include ballet, tap & jazz, barre, pointe, modern, pre-ballet, musical theatre and more. Classes are offered Monday through Saturday.
• N-Step Dance Center (1134 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 641-6787, nstepdance.com) opens its classes on Monday, Sept. 8. For young dancers, the dance center will offer a Tiny Tots program for ages 18 months to 3 years old, and a pre-dance course for ages 3 to 5½. Other classes for ages 4 and up include tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tumbling, and a stretch, condition, turns & leaps program. Other classes available are lyrical for ages 6 and up, "Poppin' & Lockin" for ages 8 and up, Breakdancing for ages 8 and up, contemporary for ages 10 and up, and pointe for ages 12 and up.
• Paper Moon Dance Center (3 Northern Blvd., Amherst, 943-1106, papermoondance.com) offers beginner ballroom, Latin and swing classes on Sundays at 3 p.m., Thursdays at 6:45 p.m., and the second and fourth Saturday of every month at 7:15 p.m. The cost is $15 per person per class, or $50 per person for a month of unlimited classes. Students will learn cha cha, rumba, swing, bolero, salsa, samba, hustle, waltz, tango and foxtrot. Classes are held at Kathy Blake Dance Studios.
• Petit Papillon School of Ballet (39 Green St., Concord, 746-2990, petitpapillon.org) offers ballet for children and teens of all levels, modern dance for children ages 9 and up, and zumba classes for teens and adults. There will also be a creative movement class for children ages 4 and 5. All classes begin the week of Sept. 15. Tuition is $12 per student if they are taking one class per week. The tuition is on a sliding scale for those taking more than one a week.
• Salem Dance Network (160 Main St., Salem, 893-1082, salemdancenetwork.com) hosts classes seven days a week, including Stretch & Strength, Tap & Jazz, Hip Hop, Combination Classes, Creative Movement, and Tiny Tot Division.
• Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater (19 Harvey Road, Bedford, 625-9272, snhdt.org) offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern/contemporary, pre-dance and boys' ballet. All classes are being offered September through June. There are classes for dancers ages 2 and up.
• Step Above Most Dance Studio (1261 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 666-0388, stepabovemost.com) starts its fall program on Tuesday, Sept. 2. The studio offers classes in ballet, jazz and tap, and hosts classes Monday through Saturday.
• Turning Pointe Center of Dance (371 Pembroke St., Suncook, 485-8710, turningpointecenterofdance.com) opens its 32nd season on Sept. 8. Classes are for ages 3 and up and include ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, tap and creative dance offered Mondays through Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. There will be opportunities to perform in the Nutcracker ballet in December. Performance Team practice is Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. Classes cost $45 a month. Recreational programs will be offered separate from classes for the more serious dancer.
• Yoga Sanctuary (25 Indian Rock Road, Windham, 231-9443, yogasanctuary.com) offers a Yoga for Teens program that focuses on basic yoga postures, flexibility, focus and strength and creating a relaxing, stress-free environment.
• A2 Gym & Cheer (31 Pulpit Rock Road, Pelham, 635-4222, a2gc.com) begins its fall session on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Programs include preschool gymnastics, recreational gymnastics and cheerleading, tumbling, competitive cheerleading and competitive gymnastics teams. Classes are available from ages 1 to 18 years old. Private sessions are also available, along with a brand new batting cage.
• Flipz Gymnastics (14 Chenell Drive, Concord, 224-3223, filpzgymnastics.com) starts its fall classes on Wednesday, Sept. 3. The school offers tumbling, recreational gymnastics and competition teams. Classes range in length from 45 minutes to one hour and 45 minutes. Costs range from $45 per month to $135 per month. Classes are offered for walking age and up.
• Granite State Gymnastics (35 Londonderry Tpke., Hooksett, 935-9832, and 71 River Road, Bow, 228-8424, granitestategymnastics.org) offers a variety of classes like tumbling, tricking, acro dance, and trampoline for boys and girls of all skill levels. Tot classes are available for kids ages 3 to 5.
• Gym-Ken Gymnastics (184 Rockingham Road, Windham, 434-9060) offers preschool classes, grade-school classes, parkour classes and cheer-tumbling classes. Fall classes will begin in September.
• Gymnastics Village (13 Caldwell Drive, Amherst, 889-8092, gymnasticsvillage.com) offers several classes including Gym Tots for ages 18 to 36 months. The class is 40 minutes and it costs $17 per class, $68 for four weeks. GymKids 4 focuses on gymnasts who are 4 years old. The class is one hour and costs $18.50 per class, $74 for four weeks. Mini Gym Girls and Boys is for ages 6 to 7 years old. The class iis one hour and costs $18.50 per class, $74 for four weeks. GymKids 3 is for gymnasts who are 3 years old. The class is 45 minutes long and costs $18.50 per class, $74 for four weeks. KinderGym is for
gymnasts ages 5 and 6. The class is one hour and the cost is $18.50 per class, $74 for four weeks. Villager Girls & Boys is for ages 8 and up. The class is 1½ hours long and the cost is $27.75 per class, $111 for four weeks. Tumbling for ages 8 and up. The class one hour and costs $18.50 per class, $74 for four weeks. Boys Ninja Challenge for ages 6 to 12. The class is one hour and costs $18.50 per class, $74 for four weeks.
• Nashua School of Gymnastics (30 Pond St., Nashua, 880-4927, nsgonline.info) offers Parent/Toddler Classes for ages 18 months to 3 years, preschool classes for ages 3 through 6, recreational classes for ages 5 and older. Classes just for boys will be offered and welcomes any male gymnasts ages 6 through 10. The fall session starts Tuesday, Sept. 2.
• New England Gymnastics Training Center (5 Tracy Lane, Hudson, 880-8482, negtc.com) offers class and teams on Mondays 3:30 to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3 to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon; and Fridays there will be teams-only sessions from 3 to 8 p.m. Class registration costs $45 and tuition is $130 per person every eight weeks. Open gym is offered for preschool age and younger from September through June on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to noon. The cost is $5 per person and is on a walk-in basis. Private lessons for gym and cheer are $40 per hour, $20 per half-hour.
• Seacoast Gymnastics Center (10 N. Main St., Rochester, 332-9821, seacoastgymnastics.com) offers classes for walking age and older. Classes include parent/tot, preschool classes, beginner classes, intermediate classes, competition teams for ages 6 and older, and classes just for boys. Ninja challenge classes are also open for boys and girls ages 6 through 18. The center offers rolling admission.
• Spectrum Gymnastics (26 Buttrick Road, Londonderry, 434-8388, spectrumgymnast.com) offers gymnastics classes for ages walking to 18 years. There is a preschool schedule that includes Kinder-Kiddies for ages 5 and 6, with classes available Tuesday through Saturday; Jumping Jacks for ages 4½ to 5½ years, with classes available Tuesday through Saturday; Tumble-Tots for ages 3½ to 4½, with classes available Tuesday through Saturday; Little Munchkins for ages walking through 3½ with a parent, with classes available Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Also available are classes for grade-school age boys and girls, and there will be an open gym on Fridays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Classes are $66 per month, $86 per month for 1½ hour classes and a $45 yearly registration fee per family.
• Tumble Town Gymnastics (444 E. Industrial Park Drive, #10, Manchester, 641-9591, tumbletownnh.com) offers pee wee gymnastics for girls ages 3 through 6, school-age gymnastics for ages 6 through 14, and tween and teen gymnastics for ages 10 through 17. Classes begin on Tuesday, Sept. 2, and through Saturday, June 27.
• Voter's School of Dance and Gymnastics (13 Delaware Drive, Salem, 893-5190, votersdance.com) opens their fall season on Tuesday, Sept. 9. Classes include Mommy & me, preschool dance; kindergarten dance; a class combining of ballet and tap for grade 1; and jazz, tap and ballet, lyric, and hip-hop for age groups starting from grade 2 all the way up to high school. Email info@votersdance.com for class recommendations.
• Apple Tree Farm (49 Wheeler Road, Hollis, 465-9592, appletreefarm.org) offers lessons Tuesday through Saturday for all ages. Classes in English balance seat instruction are available for beginner riders. Advanced students will focus on eventing, which includes dressage, stadium jumping and cross-country.
• Boulder Brook Stables (596 Calef Hwy., Lee, 659-9907, boulderbrookstables.com) offers lessons in a variety of horseback riding disciplines and horse-related topics. One-hour group lessons are available for $45 per lesson per rider, one-hour private lessons are $55 per lesson, and half-hour lessons are $35 a lesson and are intended for children ages 5 and under. Discounts are available if four lessons are pre-paid for.
• Chase Farms (146 Federal Hill Road, Hollis, 203-8313, chasefarmsnh.com) offers riding lessons six days a week. Saddle up during the saddleseat group, which costs $40 for participants; semi-private lessons cost $45; and private lessons cost $50. All programs are intended for riders ages 4 and older. The lessons include 15 minutes for tacking and grooming instruction, 30 minutes of riding, and an additional 15 minutes for general horsemanship advice. Lesson packages are also available for serious riders.
• Gelinas Farm (471 4th Range Road, Pembroke, 225-7024, gelinasfarm.com) offers a variety of horseback riding lessons that run daily starting at $50, special half-day school vacation camps involving campers with horses and the farm starting at $200, and interactive free farm tours that will introduce participants to the large community of horses and cattle on the farm.
• Hillside Equestrian Farm (24 Pasture Road, Auburn, 587-0191, hillsideequestrianfarm.com) offers private and semi-private lessons for ages 3 and older with a focus on the Sally Swift method of center riding. Lessons will include instruction in horse care, grooming, tacking and untacking. Thirty-minute private lessons are available for $40.
• Hollis Ranch (192 Wheeler Road, Hollis, 465-2672, hollisranch.com) offers one-on-one lessons geared for both English and Western disciplines. Participants can order horsemanship packages in either 5- or 10-package sessions, with each session lasting about one to two hours.
• Lucky 7 Stables (154 Litchfield Road, Londonderry, 432-3076, lucky7stables.com) offers classes by appointment seven days a week. Classes are taught in either one-hour or half-hour sessions and are available for riders 3 and older. Early lessons will teach students how to ride, and future lessons will incorporate horse care, cleaning, grooming and tacking. Half-hour lessons cost $30 per rider, and a package of four lessons costs $100. One-hour lessons cost $45 per rider, and a package of four lessons costs $160. Guided trail rides are available all week by appointment.
• Mack Hill Riding Academy (3 Mack Hill Road, Amherst, 801-0958, mackhill.net) offers horseback riding lessons in Western and hunt seat for all ages and levels seven days a week. Private and group lessons are available during the after-school hours for grades 1 through 12.
• Rock Hill Stable (104 Pelham Road, Hudson, 321-5682, rockhillstable.com) offers classes for beginner riders through advanced and teaches hunt seat, saddleseat and Western. Students will learn how to brush and tack horses and will learn horse safety. A half-hour lesson costs $35 and a full hour costs $50. Sibling discounts are available. All students begin with private lessons but can advance to group lessons.
• Sport Nature Riding and Recreation Center (Pine Hill Road, Hollis, 236-2132, sportnatureriding.com) offers hunter/jumper lessons in the ring. Group and private lessons are available for children and teens of all ages, with half and full lease options for riders wishing to ride longer. There will be a Pony Lovers package available for children ages 4 to 9.
• Walnut Hollow Farm (40 Walnut Hill Road, Amherst, 673-6406) offers lessons Monday through Sunday for kids ages 5 and up. Regular private lessons start at $50, four lessons cost $180 and 10 lessons cost $400. Barn management clinics are also available Monday through Friday, with guest appearances from a blacksmith, an equine masseuse and more.
• Windswept Farm (63 Old Schoolhouse Road, Canterbury, 783-4151, windsweptfarmnh.com) offers English horseback riding lessons for ages 6 and up, with group and private lessons available Monday through Friday. Riders of all skill levels are welcome to take a lesson.
• Abaku Karate Academy (336 Nashua St., Milford, 673-7687, abakukarateacademy.biz) offers youth classes for ages 5 to 14 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 5:15 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon. Adult programs will also be available for teens ages 14 and older on Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Family classes will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and special classes and private lessons can be scheduled by appointment.
• Al Lima's School Studio of Self Defense (216 Central St., Hudson, 595-9098, alssd.com) offers classes for children and adults in Kenpo karate, weapons, self-defense and conditioning.
• American Kenpo Academy (150 Nashua Road, Londonderry, 425-0085, americankenpoacademy.com) offers a Lil Dragons program for ages 3 to 6, a Kenpo kids' class for ages 7 to 12, and teens' classes for ages 13 and up. The school teaches Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate self-defense.
• Anctil's Martial Arts & Fitness Super Center (300 Main St., Nashua, 595-4402, robanctilsmartialarts.com) offers programs for ages 3 and older including Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts.
• ATA Martial Arts offers classes at ATA Martial Arts of Southern NH (292 Route 101, Bedford, 472-4022, martialartsnewhampshire.com), ATA Martial Arts of Derry (7 A. St., Derry, 320-7084, martialartsnewhampshire.com), ATA Martial Arts of Amherst, 141 Route 101A, Amherst, 881-5435, atabbanh.com) and Epping ATA Martial Arts (17 Prospect St., Epping, 674-6599). Classes are available for children ages 3 and up.
• Averill's Martial Arts Academy (3 N. Main St., Concord, 223-0300, averillsmartialarts.com) offers classes in boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, and mixed programs for kids. Youth boxing is offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.; Kids MMA is offered from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Other classes are available Monday through Thursday, and on Saturdays.
• Bedford Martial Arts Academy (334 Route 101, Bedford, 626-9696, bedfordmartialartsacademy.com) offers classes in the afternoons and evenings Monday through Thursday and on Saturdays. The Mini-Masters is for kids ages 3 to 6. The juniors program is for kids ages 6 to 12, and the Teens program is for kids ages 13 to 17. The academy also offers a free trial class for all those interested.
• Body Works Martial Arts (85 Manchester St., Concord, 225-5620, bodyworksnh.com) offers Ninja Turtle classes for kids ages 4 to 6, Dragon Warrior classes for kids ages 7 to 11, Juniors classes for kids ages 12 to 16, and Adult classes for kids ages 17 and up. Traditional karate programs are available as well as an extensive weapons program.
• Capital City Tae Kwon Do (75 Fisherville Road, Concord, 227-0555, capitalcitytkd.com) starts sessions off with a 30-minute activities time where students will play kickball, soccer, capture the flag and other outdoor activities. The monthly taekwondo classes run from 4:45 to 7:30 p.m. There are beginner and advanced classes available for children under 13 as well as an adults class for teens ages 13 and up.
• Central Tae Kwon Do Academy (222 Central St., Hudson, 882-5617, central-tkd.com) offers Tae Kwon Do instruction for a Tiny Tots classes for ages 3 to 5, children's class for ages 6 to 12 and adult class for ages 12 and older.
• Chaos Martial Arts (89 Fort Eddy Road, Concord, 369-4764, chaosnh.com) offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for ages 6 to 10 on Saturdays, from 9 to 9:45 a.m.
• Checkmate Martial Arts (250 Commercial St., Manchester, 666-5836, checkmateselfdefense.com) offers youth martial arts programs in Jujitsu, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and Muay Thai. Classes are available Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m.; Tuesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m.; Fridays from 6 to 7 a.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8:30 to 10 a.m., 9 to 10 a.m., and 10 to 11:30 a.m.
• Chung's Taekwondo Academy (115 Northeastern Blvd., Nashua, 883-2577, chungs-tkd.com) offers classes for ages 4 and older. Classes are offered Monday through Saturday.
• Concord Parks and Recreation (at the Heights Community Center, 14 Canterbury Road, Concord, 225-8690, concordparksandrec.com) offers Tae Kwon Do for ages 5 to 10 on Saturdays from Sept. 6 through Oct. 18 (no class on Oct. 11), from 10 to 11 a.m. The cost is $60 for residents, $70 for non-residents.
• Eric Menard's Complete Martial Arts Academy (295 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua, 888-0010, cma-martialarts.com) offers martial arts for ages 4 to 12 and martial arts for teenagers. Other programs include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Shaolin Kenpo Karate.
• Family Martial Arts of Pelham (122 Bridge St., No. 6, Pelham, 635-8323, familymartialartsofpelham.com) offers a Little Ninjas program for preschool-age students and a children's curriculum for ages 7 to 13 and 13 and older.
• Golden Crane Traditional Martial Arts (46 Lowell Road, No. 6, Windham, 437-2020, golden-crane.com) offers youth programs for ages 6 through 12 that include classes in karate and traditional weapons training, and adult programs for ages 12 to 18 that includes classes in karate, laido and Kobudo. There will also be introductory classes free to all interested students.
• Granite State Karate American Kenpo (273 Derry Road, Litchfield, 598-5400, gsakenpo.com) offers a Little Ninjas program for ages 3½ to 6 that focuses on improving motor skills and listening skills. The school also offers a Kenpo Kids program and classes for teens.
• Kaizen Academy (17 Freetown Road, No. 6, Raymond, 895-1545, raymondkarate.com) is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a variety of classes held Monday through Thursday and Saturdays. Students will learn traditional Okinawan karate, traditional weapons training and Aikido. Programs for "Grasshoppers" (ages 3½ through 5) are held Tuesdays and Thursdays. Programs for "Kaizen Komodos" (ages 5 to 6½) are held Tuesdays and Thursdays. Juniors (ages 6½ through 12) and teens will be offered classes every day.
• Kenpo Academy of Self-Defense (40 Manchester Road, Derry, 437-9900, kenpo-academy.com) offers classes for ages 3½ and older. The Lil Dragons program is for students in preschool up to 5 years old. A junior program is offered to ages 6 through 9, a junior adult program is available for ages 10 through 16 and the adult program is offered for ages 17 and older.
• Independent Karate School (138 Lake St., Nashua, 882-6917, 282 DW Highway, Merrimack, 881-4987, independentkarateschools.com) offers classes for kids and adults in kenpo and jiu-jitsu. Each class consists of a warm-up period, practice with basic moves, group instruction and, depending on the class, sessions will conclude with activities like sparring or board-breaking.
• Karate International of Windham (60 Rockingham Road, Windham, 898-5367, windhamkarate.com) offers a karate program for ages 7 through 12 that is separated by ability level into leopards, tigers and dragons. A juniors program is offered to students between the ages of 13 and 16. The next open house will be Saturday, Sept. 20.
• Kian Taekwondo (6 S. Broadway, Salem, 894-5425, kiantkd.com) offers instruction in martial arts for ages 3 and older. Kids start in the Little Tigers program for ages 3 through 6 before progressing to the Junior program for ages 7 through 12. A teen program is available for ages 13 to 17. Kian Taekwondo offers a sparring program for students who have mastered the basics of the junior program.
• Koryukan Martial Arts (15 Londonderry Road, No. 8, Londonderry, 552-0589, koryukan.us) hosts a weekly Koryu Kubs Program for ages 4 through 7, a Koryu Kids program for ages 8 through 11 and a KAPAP Self-Defense for teens ages 12 through 17. Also available are classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Karate. A back-to-school special offers two months of bi-weekly classes for $99.
• Lee's Martial Arts Center (245 Maple St., Manchester, 623-1022, leesnh.com) offers preschool classes for ages 4 through 5, children & junior classes for ages 5 through 11, young adult classes for ages 12 through 16, and adult classes for ages 16 and up. The school also offers special programs for children & junior black belts, as well as an after-school pick-up program.
• Manchester Karate Studio (24 Bridge St., Manchester, 625-5835, manchesterkarate.com) offers classes for ages 3½ to 6, 6 to 12, and 12 and older. A free trial program is available for kids to experience the studio, meet instructors and try martial arts. In addition to karate, the studio offers classes in mixed martial arts, kickboxing, gracie jiu-jitsu, fitness and self-defense.
• The Martial Arts Zone (31 Auburn St., Manchester, 845-6199) offers programs for kids ages 5 to 11. Both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Karate for Concentration classes run on Mondays and Wednesdays starting at 4 p.m., or Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting at 5 p.m.
• MLK Self Defense Academy (323 S. Willow St., Manchester, 625-4655, mlksda.com) offers a Kickin' Kids program for beginner (white, yellow and orange belts), intermediate (blue, green and purple belts) and advanced (gold, red, brown and black belts) levels. The Little Ninjas program focuses on eight concepts: focus, teamwork, control, fitness, balance, discipline, memory and coordination. The Little Dragons program uses the same eight topics, but is tailored toward preschools. Classes are offered Monday through Thursday.
• Mont Vernon Karate Studio (1 S. Main St., Mont Vernon, 672-3570, mvkarate.com) welcomes beginner karate kids ages 6 and up starting Monday Sept. 8. Classes run from Monday through Thursday, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Classes for teens and adults are offered on Tuesdays at 7:45 p.m., and Thursdays at 7 p.m. Judo classes will also be available for teens and adults on Mondays and Wednesdays, starting at 7 and 7:15 p.m.
• Morning Star Martial Arts (307 Elm St., Milford, 654-7701, morningstarma.com) offers six six-week session classes for Tiger Kids (ages 4 to 7) on Tuesdays, from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. for $40, and Juniors (ages 7 through 13) on Tuesdays, from 6 to 6:45 p.m., for $80. There are also ongoing karate classes for teens and up on Wednesdays during the day, as well as a teen and adult self-defense class.
• The National Karate Institute (401 Main St., Suite 204, Salem, 205-1157, nkmartialarts.com) offers classes for 3- to 5-year-olds that meets once a week, as well as classes for juniors and teens that meet twice a week. Classes are available Monday through Saturday. Each session, which lasts 10 weeks, will cost $99; $100 has been discounted off for the 20th anniversary of the institute.
• Neil Stone's Karate Academy (108 Route 13, Brookline, 672-8933, neilstoneskarate.com) offers classes from Monday to Saturday for students of all ranks. There are classes for ages 4-6, 7-8, 9-12 and teens. The academy also offers a back-to-school special where students can earn five free weeks of karate and a school tips seminar if they register by Saturday, Aug. 30, and start training on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
• Penacook School of Martial Arts (15 Village St., Suite 6, Penacook, 753-4159, penacookkarate.com) hosts several programs starting Monday, Sept. 1. Classes are offered Monday through Friday and include Junior Samurai classes for beginners, Junior Warriors for the advanced, kids' jujitsu, a weapons class and a teens and adults class in the late evening. Private lessons and family classes are available on Saturdays.
• Prevail Martial Arts & Fitness (3 Howe Drive, Unit 1, Amherst, 249-6639, prevailmartialarts.com) kicks off its fall season on Tuesday, Sept. 2, with the start of its kids' martial movement class for ages 4 through 7. Twelve-week programs start Monday, Sept. 8, and includes a Junior's Intro to Martial Leadership class for ages 8 through 12, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:45 to 6 p.m.; a teens' martial arts program for ages 13 through 16 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m.; and a young adults' martial arts program for ages 16 through 18, Mondays through Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Young adults must participate at least twice a week on those available days. Special programs and seminars will be available throughout the fall.
• Salem Self Defense Center (254 N. Broadway, Suite 104, Salem, 890-3412, salemkravmaga.com) offers a kids' self-defense and fitness program for ages 6 through 12. Students will focus on physical conditioning, and will utilize equipment such as agility ladders, physioballs, heavy bags, punch pads, kick shields and sparring gear. The classes run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. Membership to the center costs $109 per month and includes a uniform and belt.
• Shawn Pacheco's Professional Martial Arts Academy (370 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, shawnpacheco.com) offers a Lil Champions program for ages 3 to 6 that introduces martial arts and valuable life skills. The academy also offers kickboxing, family kickboxing, karate and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
• Sidekick Taekwondo (10 Nashua Road, Londonderry, 434-4300, info@sidekicktaekwondo.com) offers a Tiger program for ages 6 to 12, which introduces kicking, punching, blocking, forms, board breaking and controlled sparring. The classes also incorporate self-awareness and respect, according to the website.
• Strikeback Dynamic Defense Systems (454 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 262-9299, strikebackdds.com) offers youth classes for ages 6 to 12 for beginner and advanced students. Teen classes are available for ages 13 to 17. The studio also offers a sparring class.
• Taoist Arts Center (472 Amherst St., Unit 15, Nashua, 943-5806, aohma.com) offers Tiger and Dragon programs for ages 4 and 5, children's programs for ages 6 through 9, and juniors programs for ages 9 through 12. The center provides instruction in martial arts with a focus on improving self-esteem, confidence, strength, flexibility, balance, nutrition and more.
• Team Link Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (553 Mast Road, Unit 14, Goffstown, 782-8915, linkbjj.com) offers kids' jiu-jitsu classes that concentrate on discipline, focus and self-confidence.
• Terry Dow's Academy of Martial Arts (200 Elm St., Manchester, 591-6546, terrydowsacademy.com) offers a variety of classes including Tiny Tots for ages 3 to 5, on Tuesdays at 4:45 p.m.; Kids Martial Arts for ages 6 through 10 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:15 p.m.; and Teen Martial Arts for ages 11 through 15 on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m. Junior Kung Fu programs are also available for ages 6 through 12 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5 p.m.
• Tim Barchard's Professional Martial Academy (15 E. Broadway, Derry, 434-7995, promaacademy.com) offers Kids Karate for boys and girls ages 4 through 12, with a focus on building strength, flexibility and stamina while improving self-discipline and confidence. Other programs include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts.
• Tokyo Joe's Studios of Self Defense (143 W. Pearl St., Nashua, 889-4165, tokyojoes.net) offer age-appropriate classes that will teach students how to defend themselves in difficult situations. Programs include Little Panthers for ages 3 and 4, on Monday and Wednesday from 5:05 to 5:35 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 to 10:30 a.m.; Dragons Classes for ages 5 through 6, on Monday and Wednesday from 5:50 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45 to 4:25 p.m., and Saturday from 9 to 9:40 a.m.; Teen Classes for ages 13 through 17, on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:20 p.m., and Saturday from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.; and Junior Classes, the days and times of which are available by calling in to the studio.
• World Class Martial Arts (2 Palmer Drive, No. 8, Londonderry, 845-6115, londonderrymartialarts.com) offers a Kids Karate program that focuses on self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Amy Conley Music will be hosting classes at Music Together of Milford (102 Elm St., Milford, 249-9560, amyconleymusic.com), and at Temple Beth Abraham (4 Raymond St., Nashua, 249-9560, amyconleymusic.com). Conley offers 10-week class sessions for babies and children from birth to age 6 throughout the school year starting Monday, Sept. 8. Tuition costs $190 per child, $60 for each additional child. Classes are held at Temple Beth Abraham on Mondays and Tuesdays, and at Music Together on Thursdays, with hour-long sessions starting at 9:15 a.m. Family Jams are also held at Music Together on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.
• Concord Community Music School (23 Wall St., Concord, 228-1196, ccmusicschool.org) offers early childhood programs for babies as young as 5 months to 8 years old. Classes introduce musical concepts, movement and singing. Introduction to instrument classes are also available and classes include a Suzuki violin program for students as young as 4, ukulele for ages 6 to 8 and recorder for ages 5 to 8. The school also offers teen classes and individual instruction.
• Leddy Center School for the Performing Arts (38 Ladds Lane, Epping, 679-2781, leddycenter.org) will open its fall programs on Monday, Sept. 8. Classes include Mini-Musical Theater, Beginner Musical Theater and Advanced Musical Theater, as well as private lessons in guitar, voice, piano, brass and woodwind instruments. Guitar lessons occur Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, as well as Monday and Thursday throughout the day. Voice and piano lessons will occur on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after 3 p.m. Beginner and advanced musical theater for ages 9 through 14 will occur on Wednesdays from 3:40 to 4:40 p.m. Mini-Musical Theater for ages 5 and 6 will occur Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:20 p.m. Beginner Musical Theater for ages 7 and 8 will occur on Thursdays from 4:25 to 5:20 p.m.
• The Lidman Music Studio (419 Amherst St., Nashua, 882-5456, lindmanmusic.com) has classes in violin, viola and piano. Lessons are available for all ages and students will participate in a recital. Rates vary by the length of the weekly lesson.
• Londonderry Piano (20 N. Broadway, Salem, 800-820-8845, londonderrypiano.com) offers lessons in piano, guitar, drums, bass and voice. Lessons are available for ages 3 and older. Classes are available at a monthly rate of $99 for a half hour per week, $139 for 45 minutes per week and $198 for one hour per week.
• Manchester Community Music School (2291 Elm St., Manchester, 644-4548, mcmusicschool.org) starts its fall term on Monday, Sept. 8. Private and public classes are available for kids ages 18 months and up. Programs include Music for Little Ones for ages 18 months through age 3; Beginning Maestros for ages 3 through 5, and 4 through 6; beginner string ensemble for ages 6 through 11; Plucked String Orchestra for teens and older; String Preparatory Ensemble for elementary school-aged children; Concert Band for intermediate players in grades 5 through 8, and more.
• Manchester Music Mill (329 Elm St., Manchester, 623-8022, manchestermusicmill.com) offers private lessons for instruments such as guitar, bass, piano, drums, voice, all woodwinds, trombone, trumpet, banjo, ukulele, mandolin and strings. Lessons last about a half hour and start at $22. There are also possibilities of group lessons if there are enough interested beginners. Clinics will be hosted for learning music theory and improvisation.
• Mavro Music School (15 Olde Towne Road, Auburn, 483-5779, mavromusicstudio@gmail.com) offers instruction on piano, guitar, drums and bass. Lessons are available for ages 7 and older, but younger students will be considered. Lessons are taught at one half hour per week and cost $20 per lesson. An introductory 15-minute lesson is offered free of charge.
• Nashua Community Music School (5 Pine St. Ext., Nashua, 881-7030, nashuacms.org) offers private and duo music lessons, group lessons and performance ensembles beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Classes include Group Voice for ages 12 and younger, as well as Trash Talk (a percussion ensemble for teens and adults that use recycled objects as instruments), Jazz Combo, piano, voice, guitar, bass, flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin, viola, cello, trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba and percussion.
• New Hampshire School of Scottish Arts (offers classes in Manchester and Concord) provides teachers for Highland dancing for ages 4 through 6, 7 through 9, and 10 and older; Beginner pipers for ages 7 and older; violin for ages 4 and up, and drums. For those who like to jam, NH Pipes and Drums practices at St. Benedict's Academy in Manchester every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The school offers introductory tryout periods, which offer students the chance to take the first few lessons before signing up for the whole semester.
• Ted Herbert Music School (922 Elm St., No. 201, Manchester, 669-9191, tedherbert.com) gives private half-hour sessions on all woodwind and brass instruments, orchestra instruments, guitar, banjo, bass, ukulele, percussion and drums, voice and piano.
• TLP Music School (1 Bryce Drive, Merrimack, 424-4116, tlpmusicschool.com) offers half-hour private and full-hour sessions for piano/keyboard, voice, electric/acoustic guitar, bass, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin/fiddle, and songwriting/composition for children and adults on all levels in a variety of music genres such as classical, musical theater, jazz/blues and pop/rock. Lessons are available Monday through Friday from 3 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• West Brothers Music offers lessons at its locations in Nashua, Manchester, Londonderry and Tewksbury, Mass. Piano lessons are available in Nashua and Manchester; guitar lessons are available in Nashua, Tewksbury and Londonderry; bass lessons are available in Tewksbury and Nashua; drum lessons are available in Manchester and Londonderry; voice lessons are available in Nashua and Manchester; and bagpipe lessons are available in Nashua. Weekly half-hour lessons cost $95 per month, one-hour lessons cost $165 per month, and individual one-hour lessons cost $35 per lesson.
• Amoskeag Fishways (4 Fletcher St., Manchester, 626-3474, amoskeagfishways.org) offers family programs throughout the school year with a focus on the nature surrounding the Merrimack River. Family Fun Nights will begin in October and will deal with a variety of topics in stories by campfire and hikes. The Bug Ball will be taking place on Saturday, Sept. 6, while the owl expert and naturalist Marcia Wilson will present her Eyes on Owls program on Saturday, Nov. 1. All programs require pre-registration with payment.
• Beaver Brook Association (117 Ridge Road, Hollis, 465-7787, beaverbrook.org) offers environmental programs throughout the year for kids and adults. Programs include hiking, animal tracking, snowshoeing, wildflower walks and classes for parents and preschoolers. Costs vary by program.
• Daniel Webster Council Boy Scouts of America (571 Holt Ave., Manchester, 625-6431, nhscouting.org) is the center of information for Boy Scouts in New Hampshire.
• Educational Farm at Joppa Hill (174 Joppa Hill Road, Bedford, 472-4724, theeducationalfarm.org) offers one-hour farm tours that introduce agricultural concepts. Each tour will include a time for children to interact with the farm's animals. Tours can be customized to meet the needs of the group. Tours cost $5 per person and can be reserved by calling ahead.
• Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains (1 Commerce Drive, Bedford, 888-474-9686, girlscoutsgwm.org) offers programs for Daisies (kindergarten and first grade), Brownies (grades 2 and 3), Juniors (grades 4 and 5), Cadettes (grades 6 through 8), Seniors (grades 9 and 10) and Ambassadors (grades 11 and 12). In addition to outdoor and nature activities, the Girl Scouts offer art programs, sports programs, cooking programs and more.
• New Hampshire Audubon Centers (Massabesic Audubon Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, 668-2045, McLane Audubon Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, 224-9909, nhaudubon.org) offer various outdoor and nature programs throughout the year. Programs include discovery walks, wildlife surveys, live animal programs and preschool programs.
• Amherst Recreation Department (4 Cross Road, Amherst, 673-6248, amherstrec.org) offers archery on Fridays starting Sept. 19 for grades 5 through 8 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., and for grades 1 through 4, from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.; girls' basketball on Saturdays starting Sept. 27 for grades 5 through 8, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.; cross-country on Mondays and Wednesdays starting Sept. 8 for ages 7 through 18, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.; soccer leagues for all ages starting Sept. 2; and Tot Soccer on Wednesday afternoons, Thursday mornings or Thursday afternoons, starting Sept. 17 for players ages 3 and 4.
• Amherst Soccer Club (info@amherstsoccerclub.com, amherstsoccerclub.com) offers a tots program for ages 3 to 5. The five-week sessions start on Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. The cost is $50. The club also offers an early development U10 program and Upper Development programs for ages 10 through 19.
• Bedford Basketball League (488-1530, info@bedfordbl.com) offers boys' and girls' winter leagues. There are leagues for all grade school-aged children, with recreational leagues offered for grades 1 through 8, travel leagues for grades 3 through 8 and biddy basketball for grades 9 through 12.
• Concord Recreation Department (14 Canterbury Road, Concord, 225-8690, concordparksandrec.com) offers fall programs in basketball, soccer, archery, martial arts, tennis and field hockey.
• Concord Sports Center (2 Whitney Road, No. 1, Concord, 224-1655, concordsportscenter.com) will begin its ninth season in September. There will be three baseball leagues: 12U, Middle School and High School. Players will receive one game shirt and game hat, one batting cage punch card and discounted private lessons. The cost is $275 per player. Players can also try out for the 2015 Concord Cannons, a travel baseball team. Tryouts cost $30 per player. The 9U, 10U, 11U and 12U tryouts will be held on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The 13U, 14U, 15U and 16-18U tryouts will be held on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Conway Arena (5 Stadium Drive, Nashua, 595-2400, conwayarena.com) offers "Learn to Skate" sessions for ages 3 and up. Participants can join a 40-minute group instruction that meets once a week, with slots offered throughout the week. The cost is $109 per eight-week session and rental skates are included. Those who already know how to skate can sign up for the "Learn to Play Hockey" session for ages 5 through 9. The session meets twice a week and requires participants to bring their full set of equipment. The cost is $349 per 13-week session.
• Derry Soccer Club (derrysoccerclub.org) offers a Hawks in-town recreational league with U6, U8, U10, U12, U15 and U18 leagues available. The Derry Eagles program is a competitive travel team that competes within the Granite State Youth Soccer League. Fall teams are offered for boys and girls U8 through U18.
• FieldHouse Sports (12 Tallwood Drive, Bow, 226-4646, fieldhousesports.com) offers five-week Little and Mini Strikers soccer clinics (ages 3 to 6) that start Saturday, Sept. 13, and run continuously through the school year on Saturday mornings. Soccer skills clinics for ages 6 and older are six-week sessions that run continuously throughout the school year on Monday afternoons. Indoor soccer leagues for ages 4 and up start up again the week of Oct. 25.
• Granite State Figure Skating Club (311 W. River Road, Hooksett, 485-1100, tri-townicearena.com) offers "Learn to Skate" on Mondays, from Sept. 8 through Oct. 27, at 5:40 p.m. and 6:20 p.m., and Wednesdays, from Sept. 10 through Oct. 29, at 5:30 p.m. All classes are 30 minutes long and a helmet is required for ages 6 and under. Classes cost $104 per eight-week session. Several other skate programs are offered all year 'round.
• Hampshire Hills (50 Emerson Road, Milford, 673-7123, hampshirehills.com) offers a variety of student programs starting the week of Sept. 15. Programs include Fun Sports for ages 5 through 12, Dodgeball for ages 5 through 12, Gym & Swim for ages 3 through 5, Arts & Crafts for ages 5 through 12, Dance for ages 3 through 5 and 6 through 15, Soccer for all ages, Yoga Kids for ages 5 through 12, Combat Kids for ages 5 through 12, and Games Games Games! for ages 4 through 6.
• The Icenter (60 Lowell Road, Salem, 893-4448, the-icenter.com) offers a Learn to Play hockey program that teaches ice hockey fundamentals. Other programs include Basic Skills, Saturday lessons, Wednesday Tot lessons, and freestyle figure skating on Saturdays.
• Manchester East Soccer League (626-7833, itsakick@mesl.org) offers fall soccer leagues for U6 through U19. The cost is $60 per player with a family max of $125.
• Manchester Regional Youth Hockey Association (mryha.org) offers a learn-to-skate program for children born in 2006 through 2009. The program serves as an intro to ice skating using non-competitive games. Sessions run Friday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 21, and Friday, Jan. 2, through Sunday, March 22. The cost is $175 per session or $325 for two sessions. Learn to Play Hockey is for the same age group and runs on the same dates. The sessions introduce kids who are familiar with ice skating to basic hockey skills. The association also offers Manchester Flames teams in mite, squirt, peewee, bantam and midget divisions. There is a U16 Lady Flames team and there are high school development teams.
• Milford Community Athletic Association (mcaa.us) runs youth leagues for baseball, basketball, soccer and softball. Baseball, softball and soccer are offered in the fall.
• NH Sportsplex (68 Technology Drive, Bedford, 641-1313, nhsportsplex.com) offers its fall session from Monday, Sept. 1, through Friday, Oct. 31. Child development Youth Sport Programs are available for kids ages 18 months to 7 years and includes programs in field hockey, lacrosse, baseball and soccer. Youth leagues for ages 6 through 17 feature field hockey, arena full-pad football, NFL flag football, lacrosse, fast-pitch softball and baseball. Contact info@nhsportsplex.com for 18+ leagues.
• Seacoast Fencing Club (271 Wilson St., Manchester, and 261 N. Main St., Rochester, 428-7040, seacoastfencingclub.org) offers children's training for ages 7 through 12, youth training for ages 11 through 15, and junior and adult training for ages 13 and older. The training lasts three months and costs is $245, $260 and $275, respectively. Group fencing classes are also available for beginning intermediate levels. Classes meet once a week for nine weeks and costs $210 including all necessary fencing equipment.
• Southern NH Fins Swim Team (at the Boys & Girls Club of Nashua, 47 Grand Ave., Nashua, and UMass-Lowell, 1 University Ave., Lowell, Mass., snhfins.org) offers programs for children of all ages and abilities. The winter team runs from September through March. Practices are held at the Boys & Girls Club of Nashua on weekdays before school and on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Practices are also offered two nights a week at UMass-Lowell.
• SportsZone (7 A St., Derry, 537-9663, nhsportszone.com) will host the tip-off of its season on Monday, Sept. 8. For players interested in joining the Seacoast Spartans, tryouts will be held on Sunday, Aug. 24, and Friday, Sept. 5. The first set of tryouts will open for both boys and girls in grades 2 through 6 from 11 a.m. to noon, for grades 7 through 8 from noon to 1 p.m., and for high school age kids from 1 to 2 p.m. The second set of tryouts will open for boys and girls in grades 2 through 6 from 6 to 6:45 p.m., for grades 7 through 8 from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., and high school age kids from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m. The tryout fee is $10 for returning players, $20 for new players.
• Amato Center for the Arts (56 Mont Vernon Road, Milford, 672-1002, amatocenter.org) hosts the Riverbend Youth Company which performs all-youth theatrical productions. Students learn performance and production skills while creating and producing 3 main stage productions.
• Bedford Youth Performing Company (155 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3894, bypc.org) offers performance classes including Performance/Acting I for ages 4 to 6 on Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m., Performance II for ages 7 and 8 on Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m., Performance II for ages 9 and 10 on Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m., Performance IV for ages 12 and older on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and Performance V for ages 12 and older on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. These classes cost $66.50, except Performance V, which costs $79.80. Students can audition for the BYPC Apprentice Company (ages 10 to 19) and the BYPC Company (ages 14 to 19). The apprentice company meets on Mondays from 5 to 7 p.m. and the company meets on Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuition for both programs is $99.50. Acting classes include Fairy Tale Theatre (ages 4 to 6, Fridays from 1 to 2 p.m.), Acting II (ages 6 to 8, Mondays from 5 to 6 p.m), Acting III (ages 9 to 12, Tuesdays from 5 to 6 p.m.) Acting IV (ages 13 to 19, Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m.), and filmmaking (ages 11 to 19, Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m.). A program called Children's Theater: Road to Literacy will also be offered for ages 5 and 6 Mondays from 9 to 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• The Garrison Players (650 Portland Ave., Rollinsford, 516-4919, garrisonplayers.org) hosts a youth education theater company for boys and girls ages 18 and younger. Young actors and actresses can try out for Legally Blonde, Jr. on Tuesday, Aug. 26, and Thursday, Aug. 28, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. each day.
• The Majestic Academy of Dramatic Arts (922 Elm St., Suite 315, Manchester, 669-7469) offers private lessons, for ages 5 through 19, in acting piano, voice and audition preparation. Auditions will also be held, for youth ages 7 through 18, for the production of Honk! Jr. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 6 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m.
• New Hampshire Theatre Project (959 Islington St., #3, Portsmouth, 431-6644, nhtheatreproject.org) is a theater group that offers workshops and theatre camps for all ages. Young actors can also tryout for the Youth Repertory Company on Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m., and Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the West End Studio Theatre. Auditonees ages 10 to 17 wil be auditioning for December Scene Study, Galileo, and Rhinoceros. Visit the website for more information and to book audition times.
• Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, 688-5588, palacetheatre.org) offers the Palace Youth Theatre and Palace Teen Co. for ages 8 to 18. Productions are held throughout the year, including at least three performances for ages 13 through 18. Auditions are held a month before each production. Auditions for the next show Aladdin Jr. will be held on Saturday, Aug. 23 and 30, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., or noon.
• Peacock Players (14 Court St., Nashua, 886-7000, peacockplayers.org) offers a variety of classes and workshops for all ages, including Kinder Theatre for ages 5 to 7 and Youth Theatre for ages 7 to 10 and 9 to 12. There will be mainstage auditions for Disney's Peter Pan and The Addams Family for ages 6 through 18 on Wednesday, Sept. 3, and Thursday, Sept. 4, between 6 and 9 p.m. Auditions for A Midsummer Night's Dream will be open for ages 14 through 18 on Tuesday, Nov. 18, and Wednesday, Nov. 19, between 6 and 9 p.m.
• Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth, 433-4793, seacoastrep.org) offers classes such as Babe's on Stage for students ages 4 through 6 and The Acting Bug for ages 7 through 12. Teen Stage Ensemble is available for actors and singers ages 13 through 18, which concentrates on both acting and musical theatre performance. There are also workshop productions in which young actors must audition to be a part of. This year, the Rep is offering Rumplestiltskin, 3 Billy Goats Gruff, Rollie Robin and Rudolfoletto.
OTHER AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
• Boys & Girls Club of Manchester (555 Union St., Manchester, 625-5031, mbgcnh.org) offers arts, character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills and sports and recreation programs at its Union Street clubhouse. The Kids program meets Monday through Friday from 2 to 8 p.m., for grades 1 through 3. Grades 4 through 8 meet at the same time at the clubhouse, and grades 7 through 12 meet at the Union Street Teen Center. Children and teens can also sign up for the transportation program for an extra fee. There will be a before-school program for ages Kindergarten
through 5 that starts at 6:30 a.m. and includes transportation to elementary schools.
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua (47 Grand Ave., Nashua, 883-0253, bgnc.com) offers programs for ages 5 to 18. Programs are broken down into the categories of academic success and arts, healthy lifestyles and good character and citizenship. The Grand Avenue Clubhouse offers after-school programs for ages 8 through 12, and the Stahl Teen Center (at the same address as the clubhouse) offers programs for ages 13 to 18. The Kids Club at the clubhouse has programs for ages 5 to 9. Program members have access to art and dance studios, game rooms, indoor gym and outdoor playground.
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem (3 Geremonty Drive, Salem, 898-7709, salembgc.org) offers after-school programs in arts, sports, education health and life skills and character and leadership. Before- and after-school care is available to students of all ages. The Teen Center for grades 6 through 12 offers after-school programming as well.
• Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley (56 Mont Vernon Road, Milford, 672-1002, svbgc.org) offers before- and after-school programs for students of all ages. Jacques Elementary After School program costs $12 per day or $45 per week and runs from 2:45 to 6 p.m. Kids Club for grades 1 through 5 includes academic support, physical fitness programs, arts, theater, rock climbing and computers. The cost is $8 or $90 per month and the program operates from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Teen Club for ages 6 and older features sports, video games, pool tournaments, homework help and hanging out with friends. The cost is $5 per day or $55 per month and the program operates from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. There are also enrichment programs for art, sports, cooking, music and more.
• Concord Boys & Girls Club (15 Shawmut St., Concord, 224-1061, concordkids.org) offers after-school programs for ages 6 through high school, with programs available in Concord, Suncook, Hopkinton and Warner. Activities include leadership, community service, health, life skills, arts, sports and technology. The club features after-school programs available from 2:30 to 6 p.m.
• Concord Family YMCA (15 N. State St., Concord, 228-9622, concordymca.org) starts off its sessions on Tuesday, Sept. 2, and continuously runs seven-week sessions throughout the fall semester. Programs are open Monday through Friday and offer students opportunities for homework help, sports, arts activities, water fun and outdoor playground time. The YMCA offers before- and after-school programs as well as family programs.
• The Culinary Playground (16 Manning St., Suite 105, Derry, 339-1664, kristen@culinary-playground.com) will offer a Farmer's Market Fresh Cooking Class for ages 8 and older on Wednesdays, from Sept. 3 through Sept. 24, from 5 to 6:45 p.m. The cost is $42 per class or $160 for a four-week series. Also available will be a Sweet Saturdays Cook Class for ages 6 through 10. Classes will be held once a month on Saturday from September through December. The class is $40 per class or $150 for the four-week series. offers cooking classes for ages 3 to teen. Classes are split up into different groups for ages 3 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 12.
• Girls Inc. (39 Green St., Concord, 223-0087, girlsincnewhampshire.org) offers a girls-only after-school program open to students ages 6 and up. In addition to after-school care, girls are invited to spend their vacation weeks participating in activities such as science experiments, outdoor games, arts & crafts, team-building days and more.
• Hopkinton Parks & Recreation (330 Main St., Hopkinton, 746-2915, recreation@hokinton-nh.gov) will host a variety of programs including archery lessons, British soccer camp, CPR/AED classes, and clubs for knitting, tai chi, scrapbooking and much more. Programs are open to all ages.
• RoboTech Center (31 Taggart Drive, Nashua, 888-6102, robotechcenter.com) offers technology-based programs including an introduction to computer science and programming on Thursdays from Sept. 4 through Oct. 23, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; Indie iPhone/Android App/Game Developer for high school age kids on Wednesdays Sept. 10 through Oct., from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; LEGO robots for grades kindergarten through 8 on Saturdays, Aug. 23 through Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon.
• YMCA of Greater Manchester (30 Mechanic St., Manchester, 623-3558, yogm.org) offers childcare for preschool through school-age children in Goffstown, Manchester, Londonderry and Rochester. Programs include before- and after-school child care, full-day state-licensed preschool care, vacation camps, early-release and snow days, and teen leadership. The Y also offers after-school programs in gymnastics, tennis, aquatics, sports and games, dance, adventure and archery. Programs vary by location.
• YMCA of Greater Nashua (24 Stadium Drive, Nashua, 882-2011, and 6 Henry Clay Drive, Merrimack, 881-7778, nmymca.org) will offer fall programs including swim lessons for all ages, dance classes and sports classes, as well as health and wellness, arts and other special interest programs.


Since its creation, Photoshop has made a household name for itself as the world's premier graphics editing program. Renowned for its incredible 2D capabilities, it's capable of producing some of the world's most impressive design and illustration projects, and has little in the way of competition.
Although 3D can often seem like a difficult and challenging subject to tackle, the 3D capabilities within Photoshop CC have been designed to work in tandem with the rest of the application. "Any reasonably experienced Photoshop users should be able to quickly learn how to work with and design in 3D using Photoshop CC," says Curtis.
Read more in issue 116 of Advanced Photoshop, available 28 November 2013.


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Steelers 2015 Early Offseason Draft Needs – Safety
No matter how good your team may be doing, there will always be a vocal cross-section of the fan base that, at any given point during the season, is already looking at who their favorite team should be drafting the following spring.
The Pittsburgh Steelers fan base is certainly no exception, and, though they finally went 11-5 and won their division, even the most diehard fan could not deny that the organization has some holes to fill.
While the offense improved, and is on an upward trajectory, there are still tweaks to be made, and successors to be found. The defense has struggled, and is switching coordinators, which may call for a slightly different type of player.
So we'll take a look at the Steelers roster position by position in the early offseason to determine how each group stacks up in terms of draft need. The next position to go under the microscope will be the safeties.
Troy Polamalu: Once among the best players in the game, now quite a shadow of his former self. Polamalu is no longer the difference-maker he once was, even if he is still solid in run support. His coverage skills have diminished, and the smart money seems to be on him either retiring or being released.
Mike Mitchell: A free agent 'splash' that wasn't much more than a ripple in his first season as a starter for the Steelers. How much a groin injury factored into that, who knows, but he underperformed in his first season. Still, he's virtually a lock as an opening day starter, and should, hopefully, have a better season in 2015.
Will Allen: He's a guy you have to like, because, even if he doesn't have all the talent in the world, he knows what he's doing, and he makes the plays that need to be made. Versatile and experienced, there's a reason he keeps sticking around.
Shamarko Thomas: Is it Shark's time to shine in 2015, his third season in the league? He's already cut his teeth on special teams, but he could be thrown into the fire replacing Polamalu. Thomas trained under him last year, but hamstring injuries prevented him from getting an opportunity to take the field. This is a huge offseason for him and for the Steelers.
Robert Golden: Entering his fourth season, one wonders if Golden could ever be more than a good special teams player. He's gotten some snaps on defense here and there as a deep safety, but he'll always be a depth chart victim, most likely, even if he has the talent.
Ross Ventrone: He was a revelation on special teams, and should stick in that capacity, barring a numbers game casualty situation. I was encouraged by his defensive play during the preseason, but he may be too small to ever be a contributor of any significance in that capacity.
Jordan Dangerfield: A hard-hitting safety who has decent size and showed flashes during the offseason, even if he trailed late. He eventually found himself on the practice squad, and now has another shot as a futures signing.
Draft Strategy: The Steelers added three more safeties as futures, such as Isaiah Lewis, who could be interesting, but realistically, there isn't a round in the draft in which safety is off the board for the Steelers. Even among the top four players listed above, none of them are completely a sure thing. If there's an opportunity to draft a playmaker in the secondary, it may be too hard to pass on that. Otherwise, a safety later in the draft is certainly well in play, especially with Allen and Golden hitting free agency, the latter restricted.
Related Items:Isaiah Lewis, Jordan Dangerfield, Mike Mitchell, Robert Golden, Ross Ventrone, Shamarko Thomas, Troy Polamalu, Will Allen
Minkah Fitzpatrick Says He Models Game After Troy Polamalu: 'See Myself In A Similar Light'
James Harrison Compares Current Steelers Defense To Dick LeBeau's
Mike Tomlin Loves Seeing Ex-Steeler Mike Mitchell Flourish In Coaching Career

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Arbitration is an increasingly common alternative to traditional resolution of business disputes in state and federal courts. Most sophisticated businesses have used or experienced contracts with Arbitration clauses at some point in the past. In numerous industries, such as Construction, Network Marketing, IP, and Financial/Brokerage relationships, arbitration clauses have become prevalent. Arbitration is also frequently being used as a method of dispute resolution in employment relationships.
So how should businesses of all sizes view Arbitration? This post helps provide a practical understanding of what Arbitration actually is – and some Pros vs. Cons to consider.
Arbitration is a form of legal dispute resolution in which two parties agree (by contract) not to take their dispute to court, but instead resolve the dispute by hiring an arbitrator to hear both sides and render a decision.
Notably absent from the above graphic are arbitration length and cost. Both time efficiency and cost are commonly thought to favor Arbitration proceedings, but that is not necessarily the case. Some studies, such as the one discussed in this Corporate Counsel post, have shown that both the length of Arbitration proceedings, and cost of the proceedings, can frequently be greater than that of traditional litigation. If these two factors are controlling for you and have persuaded you or your business to agree to Arbitration in the past, it may be time to reconsider.
As a business attorney having experienced both traditional litigation and Arbitration, I don't have a particular preference and generally work to identify what are the most important considerations for the particular client. More times than not, it comes down to the privacy of arbitration versus its lack of a real appeal process. There are also different types of Arbitration itself, with several common third-party Arbitration providers, which I will leave for another discussion.
Legal disputes going through the Arbitration process is growing. Whether your business is already in contracts with Arbitration clauses, or is starting to use or see them in the course of its business, hopefully this post has helped bring a better understanding of the rival dispute resolution processes.


Choosing the right roofing firm is like selecting the best house or car. If the flawed firm is chosen, difficulties and issues can arise. Quality and reliability are the 2 main factors to look for. Additionally it is vital to find a contractor that knows the world and how the local weather and atmosphere treats roofing.
Word of mouth has been and will possible at all times be one of the simplest ways to seek out the best roofing firms within the area. Be sure to ask concerning the high quality of labor, the associated fee, how long it took to complete and another data associates and neighbors can provide.
The web is filled with info on Atlanta Roofing companies. Use it to first identify just a few that appear promising. Subsequent, check out their websites to see exactly which providers they offer (not all companies will likely be able to do the work wanted), check out buyer opinions and testimonials and check out photos of past work. Subsequent, take the names of those firms to a search engine to get more opinions and information. Be sure that to read more than a dozen reviews because only a handful is not going to inform the entire story. Additionally needless to say one or two bad opinions are inevitable because some clients just cannot be satisfied. Lastly, plug within the firms on the Higher Business Bureau web site to make it possible for the businesses have a great rating.
Ask round at exhaustingware and residential shops for information on firms that the employees are acquainted with. Local corporations often store locally, so these types of stores should have some information on the perfect and worst roofing companies in the area.
Make sure you gather data on a minimum of three corporations earlier than getting quotes and proposals so that each one three can be compared. As soon as compared, choose the one that most closely fits the needs of the house and customer.


text:
Tube Preamp Reviews
Conrad-Johnson ACT2 line preamplifier Wes Phillips, November 2007
Wes Phillips wrote about the ACT2 Series 2 in November 2007, Vol.30 No.11:
When I reviewed Conrad-Johnson's $7500 CT5 preamplifier in the July 2006 Stereophile, after having reviewed their $13,500 ACT2 in March 2005, I was struck by how very close to C-J's flagship the less expensive line stage sounded. In fact, they were so close to sonically indistinguishable that I found it difficult to imagine why an audiophile might choose the more expensive option.
"Actually, we wondered that, too," said Lew Johnson when the review was published. "So we took what we learned building the CT5 and applied it to the ACT2. Frankly, we were stunned by the ACT2 Series 2."
The CT5 replaced the cascaded power-supply regulators of the ACT2 with a single stage of regulation with twice the storage capacitance. "Well, it was the same amount of capacitance and filtration as both stages together," said Johnson. "This better rejected the noise on the AC line. The audio circuits are drawing on a single, larger reservoir, which, we think, makes the power supply more stable—less responsive to the demands of the circuit. Splitting the power supply didn't reduce AC noise, but it did reduce the capacity of the reservoir."
C-J incorporated the single-stage regulation into the ACT2 Series 2 and also replaced polystyrene capacitors in a few crucial areas—the tube bias circuits and the AC input bypass—with Teflon capacitors. "They are hideously expensive," Johnson said, "but quality polystyrene caps are simply unavailable these days. The only choices left are lower-quality polystyrene, polypropylene, and Teflon. Since we're about sound quality, we decided that if that meant we had to sell products that cost more in order to sound better, we would have to do that. We just weren't willing to downgrade the products to keep the prices in 'line' with an arbitrary price point."
The ACT2 Series 2 also includes an internal mechanical shield to further reduce the residual noise, making it significantly quieter, according to Johnson.
The ACT2 Series 2 lists for $16,500, which, Johnson says, reflects the costlier parts and "the passing of a few years since the introduction of the ACT2." Original ACT2s can be upgraded to Series 2 status, but "that's an expensive process because we have to essentially take the preamp apart and build a new one. Labor costs and parts costs conspire to make this costly: It's $5500, and a bargain at that."
ACT2 Scene 2
When I reviewed the ACT2 in March 2005, I carped about how long it took the preamplifier's Teflon caps to "play in." The preamp's sound was hard and uninvolving for a few hundred hours, but then blossomed remarkably. But despite having even more (and higher-capacity) Teflon caps, the Series 2 spent less than half the time playing in.
When I asked Lew Johnson if he'd played-in the Series 2 at the factory, he chuckled. "Actually, we spent a lot of time playing your original ACT2 before shipping it to you. This one we just shipped off the line."
So why did the Series 2 hit its peak faster?
"Truthfully, I don't understand why capacitor wear-in works at all, and it would sure make life easier if things we can't explain didn't happen."
Couldn't have put it better myself.
I had to return the ACT2 to get a Series 2, so I couldn't directly compare the new, improved version with the original. However, I employed every foot-dragging, passive-aggressive trick in the book to keep the original ACT2 in my system for an obscenely long time, connecting it to the widest range of gear I could parade through my listening room, so that it would be safe to call the original "my reference" preamp—even if the "my" is stretching things a tad.
In other words, I know what the ACT2 sounds like. The ACT2 Series 2 sounded exactly like the original—more or less. More dynamic and detailed, but less of anything that didn't sound like live music.
What am I talking about? I've already said that the original ACT2 and CT5 were revelatory in their transparency. How much better could the ACT2 Series 2 be? Enough to matter, apparently.
David Russell's Renaissance Favorites for Guitar (CD, Telarc CD-80659) had discernibly more snap and decay than I'd heard before. Russell's guitar seemed more solidly between my speakers, and the recording's acoustic was more detailed—down to the physical boundaries of the venue, not simply its space.
I'm not saying those were my immediate conclusions—that's more analytical than how I operate. What I did was eventually notice how much I was grinning every time I listened to music, even recordings I'd heard dozens, if not hundreds of times. Then I asked myself why.
Why? I was hearing more.
And less, of course. Listening to Leonard Bernstein's in-concert recording of Mahler's Symphony 2 with the New York Philharmonic (CD, Deutsche Grammophon 433 395-2)—a warhorse I drag out frequently, not simply because it's a performance for the ages, but also because I was there and it was the last time I experienced the music making of one of my heroes—I was pinned to my listening chair by the NYP's dynamic shifts.
As I say, I've listened to this disc a lot—and I've always suspected that Lenny gleefully decided that, if audiences found that his later Mahler performances too rapturously mined the dynamic extremes, then he was going to really give them something to talk about during that week's run at Avery Fisher Hall. Even so, the ACT2 Series 2 made that performance a whole new ballgame. Spend much time in Fisher and you'll hear its signature sound of acoustic overload whenever an orchestra (usually the NYP) decides to turn it up to 11—and that was one evening I definitely heard that effect in that hall. The ACT2 Series 2 put it in my listening room.
Oh boy, I hear you thinking, a $16,500 preamp lets me hear the sound of a hall complaining? Well, it's on the disc—don't you think you should hear it? The Series 2 also let me hear a lot of performers with whom I am very familiar sound as I had never heard them before—on recordings, at least.
So why do I say that, with the ACT2 Series 2, I was hearing less if I was really hearing more? The only way I can account for that is if the preamplifier actually was quieter, and allowed me to discern levels of detail that had previously been obscured, if even the slightest bit, by the ACT2.
Exeunt the Stage
If I sound thoroughly besotted by the Conrad-Johnson ACT2 Series 2, well, I am. Is it the best preamplifier I've ever heard? That's hard to say, primarily because both the Krell Evolution 202, which I reviewed in December 2006, and the Ayre K-1xe, ditto June 2007, rank among the most neutral, well-engineered preamps I have ever experienced. At that level, minor differences—perhaps even ergonomics—will determine which you want to live with.
All I know is that I simply do not tire of musical explorations with C-J's ACT2 Series 2. At $16,500, I cannot remotely afford it, but I lust after it, and would gladly forsake all others for it.—Wes Phillips
NEXT: WP's 2007 Associated Equipment »
Conrad-Johnson
2733 Merrilee Drive
www.conradjohnson.com
Follow-Up, December 2005
Wes Phillips, November 2007
WP's 2007 Associated Equipment
Conrad-Johnson PV-5 preamplifier
Two August 2021 FollowUp Reviews
Zesto Leto Ultra II line preamplifier
Audio Research Reference 6SE line preamplifier
Audio Research LS5 preamplifier & BL2 input controller
PrimaLuna EVO 400 preamplifier
Rogue Audio RP-7 line preamplifier
Audible Illusions Modulus preamplifier
Counterpoint SA-7 preamplifier
Rogue Audio RH-5 preamplifier-headphone amplifier
TARA Labs Space & Time Passage preamplifier
PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium line preamplifier
PS Audio BHK Signature preamplifier
Audio Research Reference 6 line preamplifier
Rogue Audio RP-1 preamplifier


... you can avoid expensive stand-alone solutions in the planning phase already.
Baking is one of the most traditional professions in the history of mankind. Customer wishes and changes in structure require that bakery products still taste as if they were hand-made. Innovations and new technologies allow you to improve processes.
Many bakers and manufacturers of cooling technology already make use of automated facilities. Many cooling technology manufacturers offer special control methods, making later changes difficult as there are no open interfaces available.
KAKO however, has developed an automatization concept, tailored to each customer's needs and based on standard components. The core is the PLC-control is programmed by us. Weather light-barriers, temperature controllers or door contacts – any component can be integrated.
The complete cooling process can be thus automated, controlled, monitored and even remote maintananced – expensive service can be avoided, industrial accidents reduced to a minimum and the bakery facility can save energy and staff costs, using the equipment to a maximum of its capacity.


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Royal Pas Reform launches Kyrgyzstan's largest hatchery
By: Laurence Williams
AgroKush, the largest poultry production company in the Kyrgyzstan Republic, has chosen single-stage integrated hatchery systems from Royal Pas Reform for its all-new broiler hatchery in Sary-Kamysh village in the Issyk Kul region.
The integrated new facility includes a hatchery and poultry houses, together with a new feed plant, and a slaughterhouse with a capacity of 3,000 poultry per hour. Initial meat production capacity will be 8,500 tons of live weight per year, rising to 20,000 tons per year when the second phase expansion is implemented.
The poultry farm is fitted throughout with modern European equipment and built in accordance with HACCP and ISO 22000 standards. When fully operational, it will create 200 jobs and have capacity to meet 30% of the domestic market's poultry meat demand. It will also reduce the volume of poultry meat needed to be imported – increasing the country's level of food security.
Askat Abdarakhmanov, general director of AgroKush says: "We were looking for an integrated approach to the development of our new hatchery and we favored working with a single-source industry supplier. Royal Pas Reform company met these requirements – as they not only developed the project and supervised installation of the equipment, they remained onsite with us to provide support and training. This approach helped us to achieve exemplary hatch results recently, and we are looking forward to building on this cooperation to scale-up our production in the future."
Wim Schaafsma, the general director of Pas Reform Russia, is impressed with thecommercial and modern approach of AgroKush's team. He says: "It's a pleasure to work with such a forward-thinking company, and it gives us further proof that our integrated approach delivers the right strategy for our customers. We wish AgroKush every success in their ambitious plans for future growth."
Pas Reform
Laurence Williams


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Making the invisible more visible: With rheumatoid arthritis, the full story can be difficult to see
HEALTH AND WELLNESS 03.30.2022
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects thousands of Canadians, but it's often an invisible condition — someone close to you could have it and you wouldn't necessarily know. What do people who have RA experience? What do they wish others could see? Read on and find out.
A disease that can be invisible
RA is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that causes one's body to mistakenly attack the lining of the joints,A resulting in pain, stiffness and swelling.B The symptoms of the disease differ in each person's case, and can start in the joints — in the hands, wrists and knees, for example — but RA can also affect tissues in other parts of the body, including the nerves, eyes, lungs and heart.C
RA affects women two or three times as often as men. Around one in 100 Canadian adults has it — so there's a good chance you know one of the approximately 300,000 Canadians who do.1
Even if there is someone in your life with RA, could their disease be invisible? Quite possibly. While the swelling due to RA can result in bone erosion and joint deformity in some patients,2 symptoms can be invisible in others.3 And some people who have the disease hide it from family and friends, because others are not empathetic, or the person with RA doesn't want to be perceived as a complainer.4
Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to see
The symptoms can vary quite a bit from person to person, ranging from mild joint pain and swelling5 as well as fatigue, fever and loss of appetite6; 5 per cent of people with RA experience extensive pain and disability.7
What do these symptoms have in common? They can be difficult for others to see.
Living with RA means dealing with variable symptoms — some days are worse than others, and a patient may not know what tomorrow will bring.D People living with RA sometimes report feeling as if the disease had taken control of their bodies.8 The disease can lower quality of life and pose challenges when it comes to employment.9
In other words, the future can be hard to see clearly if you have RA.
Seeing through the misconceptions
The word "arthritis" might conjure up images of advanced age, but RA can affect people at all stages of life. While RA is more likely to affect people as they get older, it most often begins between the ages of 30 and 50, and plenty of people who have it are under 30.10,11,12
Another possible misconception: RA is debilitating, and people who have it are forced to be physically inactive. It used to be that high-intensity exercise was not recommended for RA patients, but now there's evidence that it can be beneficial (with guidance from one's doctor).13 Some people with RA can potentially enjoy all kinds of physical endeavours — like climbing mountains, competing in triathlons and taking part in long-distance races.14,15,16
Not only is physical activity possible with RA, it's recommended. People with RA are at an increased risk of mortality related to cardiovascular events, which makes an active lifestyle especially important.17
Another misconception to dispel: In the past, some doctors didn't always believe that comprehensive care plans could change long-term outcomes for RA patients.18 It's different now. While there is no cure for RA, appropriate care can help.19,20,21
That's why if you or someone close to you has RA, it's important to remember that it is possible to see a clear path forward with the disease.
A Arthritis Society (Canada) (What is rheumatoid arthritis?)
B Arthritis Society (Canada) (What is rheumatoid arthritis?)
C Arthritis Society (Canada) (What is rheumatoid arthritis?)
1 Arthritis Society (Canada) (What is rheumatoid arthritis?)
2 Mayo Clinic (Overview)
3 BMC Rheumatology (Section: Results > 'Rheumatoid arthritis is invisible', p. 16)
4 BMC Rheumatology (Section: Results > 'Rheumatoid arthritis is invisible', p. 17 — Also, please read 'Methods' section starting on p. 4, which explains that first-person statements in the results are ethnographic abstractions intended to represent the reelings of multiple study subjects)
5 BMC Rheumatology (Section: Background, p. 3)
6 Mayo Clinic (Section: 'Symptoms')
D BMC Rheumatology (Section: Results > 'Rheumatoid arthritis is in control of my body,' p. 10)
8 BMC Rheumatology (Section: Results > 'Rheumatoid arthritis is in control of my body,' p. 10)
9 Centers for Disease Control (Section: What are the complications of RA?)
10 Centers for Disease Control (What are the risk factors for RA?)
11 American College of Rheumatology (Section: What is rheumatoid arthritis)
12 ResearchGate (See table 1)
13 Arthritis Foundation - High-intensity Exercise (Paragraph 1)
14 Arthritis Foundation - Climbing Mountains (Paragraph 1)
15 Asbury Park Press (Headline)
16 Arthritis Foundation - Defying Gravity (Page 1)
17 Journal of Physical Activty and Health Journal of Physical Activity and Health 9.7 (2012): 1036-1048. (Section: Introduction)
18 Cleveland Clinic (Section: What are the goals of treating rheumatoid arthritis?)
19 Arthritis Society (What is rheumatoid arthritis?)
20 BMC Rheumatology (Section: Background)