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.

The economy has been in the toilet these days, which is probably why you’ve come poking around here. I am certainly not here to judge.

If your own small business is struggling or you just want to make sure it stays afloat, be sure to mark your calendar for Monday, June 29. U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen will be hosting a small business fair at Southern New Hampshire University, from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Small Gym Athletic Complex off North River Road in Manchester.

The day’s focus is the various lending options available to small businesses, including new provisions that have been enacted to specifically help small businesses in this difficult financial climate.

Participants include the U.S. Small Business Administration, the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, the Small Business Development Center, members of the New Hampshire Bankers Association, the USDA Rural Development, the Women’s Business Center and more.

If you’re struggling to start or maintain a small business in the Granite State, you probably don’t want to miss it.

The event is free, but make sure you register here.