butts on the beach More than 11,000 pounds of garbage were collected from New Hampshire’s 18 miles of coastline in 2006, and Marine Debris research results recently released by the University of New Hampshire revealed that between April 2005 and September 2006, more than 52,000 cigarette butts were found at Hampton Beach alone. Since 2006, UNH has been working in conjunction with the Blue Ocean Society and New Hampshire Sea Grant to identify and target sources of beach pollution in the state. Using data collected by Blue Ocean in its Adopt-a-Beach program, UNH researchers examined pollution trends on 14 local beaches.

‘Equus’ at The Players’ Ring Having grown up with horses, I learned early on not to trust those unpredictable beasts. While they are impressive and majestic creatures, they embody an earthy power that is both enchanting and terrifying. In fact, horses have always scared the shit out of me. And this is the mindset I took with me to see “Equus,” the new play at The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth. Peter Schaffer’s story is set in a children’s mental health ward in England. The lead psychiatrist, Martin Dysart (Chris Walters), has been given a new case. It seems a teenage boy named Alan Strang (Dylan Schwartz-Wallach) stabbed out the eyes of several horses under his care. The boy is at first reluctant to share the reasons behind his disturbing act, but the truth eventually comes out. Produced by Todd Hunter and directed by Joi Smith, the set for “Equus” is simple but effective. The use of unfinished wood creates a rustic, countrified setting. Scattered around the stage are hand tools, a few pieces of antique furniture and the doctor’s desk, which is simply a painted black box. The only things that interrupt the aged, grainy set are five metallic horse heads, designed and sculpted by Ron Ames and Dane Leeman. These masks fit over the heads of the actors, creating a sharp contrast with their modern, industrial construction. Like a skeleton, the masks appear empty of anima, their eyes hollow.

remodeled Currier shows NH artists Out of an almost two-year remodeling project emerges a little gem of a museum—the new Currier Museum of Art. The improved museum in Manchester has some bright facets to show off. It has expanded its footprint by more than a third, adding 33,000 feet of gallery space and ancillaries. The renovations now enable the museum to host larger, nationally prominent shows, such as “Andy Warhol: Pop Politics,” which is coming in late September. The introduction of five new galleries also means Currier will be able to exhibit 50 percent more of its collection. The current exhibit, “Celebrating New Hampshire Artists,” contains just about every medium: painting, glass, sculpture, tableware, crafts, ceramics, fine art furniture, wood engraving, prints, silver gelatin and giclée photography. The work of New Hampshire artists will rotate through a gallery dedicated to this concept for the next six months. A large part of the Currier mission has been to collect and display the work of New Hampshire artists, so this is a wonderful opportunity to view comprehensive collections that have long been mothballed. Currier is being generous with admission deals, allowing kids under 18 to enter for free and offering free entry for everyone on Saturday mornings.