I’ve been a bit fascinated by the shtick behind Edible Arrangements, which creates fruit baskets in artful arrangements. I like the idea of sending flowers, but the fact that you can snack on these does make it a bit more practical than a pretty bunch of flowers that will just wither and die. But I’ve always been just a wee bit skeptical of the value.

If you’re like me, you have a chance to check out the goods at your local shop on Sunday, March 14, during operating hours. Get a free sample of the franchise’s dipped fruit and decide for yourself.

There are shops in Concord, Londonderry, Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem. I don’t think I’ve missed any NH shops, but you can check for yourself on the Edible Arrangements site.

Let me know what you think.

I almost never wear makeup. I’m a bit on the low-maintenance side. But when I do feel like gussying up, I do like to use the magic of mascara. Why not? Especially when you can get a free tube, like this free Deluxe Sample of Too Faced Lash Injection Pinpoint mascara from any Sephora in a JC Penney. In New Hampshire, that means you’ll be trucking it over to Nashua or Salem. Sorry! You can’t use it online.

If you were looking for a different way to lash out, consider taking tomorrow’s women’s-only seminar on self-defense at the Langer Mill in Manchester (third floor, 55 South Commercial Street). The cost is $10 in advance or $20 at the door for this 90-minute seminar by Savvy Workshop.

Despite what the calendar is insisting, the warm weather over the last few days has me fairly convinced that spring is already in full swing. One of my absolute favorite signs of the new season is the return of restaurant weeks.

The Seacoast is up first with what is officially being called Restaurant Week Portsmouth, even though not all the participating restaurants are in the Port City. From March 26-April, you can find special three-course prix frixe menus. Lunch is $16.95 per person and dinner is $29.95 per person. If you have your heart set on a particular meal at a particular locale, reservations are highly recommended.

A growing list of participating restaurants, with links to their menus, is available on the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce site. Some of the hottest new restaurants join familiar favorites, so it’s a truly great opportunity to dig in and try them out.

Not to be outdone, Manchester brings back Eats Week from April 11-15. Unfortunately, I can’t find anything more on the InTown Manchester site, but last year there were some fabulous offerings at Richard’s Bistro, Cotton, the Commercial Street Fishery and Z — just to name a few.

You may have to loosen your belt after they’re both over, but that’s a sacrifice I think is worth making.

Have I missed any others? Are you North Country or Upper Valley folks planning a Restaurant Week.

After some amazing former co-workers of mine at my old paper were either laid off this week or are now ramping up their job search as a result of said layoffs, I’ve decided to devote another post to business. Entertainment stuff will resume soon enough.

Network for Work is a volunteer organization that supports professional networking and career development through networking forums — online and off. The group has scheduled a free seminar at the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, titled “From Employee to Entrepreneur.”

The session will basically help participants determine if they should try to start their own business and then give them the resources they need to do so successfully, including discussing format options, selecting business options and financing.

Maybe you’ve been considering breaking out on your own but you don’t know where to start. Or maybe your job circumstances, like so many people in this current economy, have suddenly changed. This could be an opportunity to go after your dream of being your own boss.

Sound good? Did I mention it’s free? Sound better?

I thought so. Check out the details here.

I saw Up in the Air last night and it was a pretty solid reminder of the uncertainty of both the current economy and life in general.

It’s difficult to find anyone who has been entirely insulated from the recession, and many excellent writers I know are trying their hand at freelancing to get by. But it can be difficult to get a freelance career off the ground from your own home — too many distractions.

That’s why I think it is incredibly awesome of Float Left Labs in Manchester to open Archimedes Space, which gives freelancers and small companies a space to work, connect and mentor students of Float Left Labs.

Freelancers can use the space for free until Jan. 14, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Membership after that is quite reasonable, but it’s a good opportunity to check out the space and see how well you can work in it.

The Seacoast of New Hampshire is a fun place to be in the winter, partly because of the variety of events that nudge you out into the cold.

If you want to get the blood pumping and extend a little bit of the goodwill of the holiday season, check out the Cocheco Valley Community Skate Days at the Whittemore Center in Durham.

Today and tomorrow, the skates happen from 6-8 p.m. On New Year’s Eve, you can skate from 5-7 p.m. Bringing along pet food for the Cocheco Valley Humane Society gets you a discount to the already reasonable rate. Bring three or more items for $2 off the family rate of $10, or $1 off the adult rate ($5) and the children younger than 12 rate ($3) with a pet food donation each.

The Cocheco Valley Humane Society seeks donations of canned and dry adult cat food; canned and dry adult dog food; hay for small animals (no straw); rabbit hay racks; small litter boxes for rabbits; cat and small animal toys; and non-clumping clay cat litter.

I can’t imagine the holidays (or any other day, for that matter) without my little fuzzy friend. I’ve had my rescued cat for eight years now. I know so many people who talk about getting a pet but they always come up with some excuse not to.

Well, no excuses. The Salem Animal Rescue League has a great deal on kittens and cats through Jan. 6. While the pricing is in effect, you can bring home a new furry companion for a reduced rate.

Check out the details here.

Southern New Hampshire University this weekend hosts the NorthBEAST Regional competitive poetry event. Nationally registered slam venues from New England and beyond are invited to compete for bragging rights, poetic glory and a spot at the 2010 National Poetry Slam.

The events take place at Robert Frost Hall on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University on North River Road in Manchester.

Beginning at 6 p.m. tonight, poetry teams from all over the northeastern U.S. deliver storytelling, theater, stand-up comedy and cold, hard poetry to wheedle points from judges selected from the audience. I judged the NH slam finals a few years ago, and let me tell you, it’s an AWESOME job, but ridiculously hard with such talent.

On Saturday, Dec. 5, daytime workshops and open mics give attendees a hand at trying performance poetry. On Saturday night, the top eight scoring poets of each team from Friday, plus two wildcard poets from the Lizard Lounge and Lowell poetry slams, battle for the NorthBEAST 2009 individual title!

Tickets to both nights’ events will be available at the door for $5 per night (with a two-night pass available on Friday night for $8).

This event is co-sponsored by Southern New Hampshire University and The NH Writer’s Project.

I know this blog is supposed to be about New Hampshire, but it’s also for people in New Hampshire, and some of us can get to Massachusetts lickity-split.

Soooooo, I just had to tell you about the Tyngsboro Elizabeth Grady Salon’s special tomorrow. The staff will be doing manicures and makeup at Smokey Bones on Daniel Webster Highway from 8-10 p.m. For just $12.49, you get a martini and a manicure or makeup application. You also get free appetizers and a chance to win some pretty nifty raffle prizes.

How awesome is that? It’s less than $20, and it’s not that far over the state line. Smokey Bones is practically in New Hampshire. It’s not like you need to pack a wagon train or ford a river.

I’m bummed that I’ve already got plans tomorrow, but you should totally go. And tell Liz, the owner, that I sent you.

Are you sick of turkey yet?

Me too.

That’s why I’m looking forward to welcoming December today with lunch at the Commercial Street Fishery in Manchester.

It’s tucked away a bit in an old mill building near Merchantsauto.com Stadium, and serves up lunch from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. Take a look at some of the scrumptious, out-of-the-sea offerings on their lunch menu here.

Want to join me? Today CSF is offering a buy one, get one free lunch deal — an even better reason to leave the dregs of your leftover stuffing in the refrigerator and enjoy a fresh fish meal.