U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta wagers a Taste of New Hampshire vs. a Bite of the Big Apple in Super Bowl bet

Rep. Frank Guinta makes friendly Super Bowl wager with New York colleague

(Washington – January 31, 2012)    Call it “A Taste of New Hampshire vs. A Bite of the Big Apple,” and who winds up eating depends on the result of Sunday’s Super Bowl.  U.S. Representative Frank Guinta (R, NH-01) has a friendly wager riding on the outcome with fellow House freshman Rep. Nan Hayworth (R, NY-19).

Hayworth is putting up a menu of cold cuts, baked ziti and New York cheesecake in support of the New York Giants.

Guinta is backing his hopes for a New England Patriots victory with a feast for 12 people called “A Taste of New Hampshire.”  It includes:

• ·         Lobster from Brown’s Lobster Pound in Seabrook, NH;
• ·         New Hampshire maple syrup from Smith Farm Stand in Gilford, NH;
• ·         Poutine from Chez Vachon in Manchester

(Poutine is a French Canadian specialty consisting of french fries topped with curd cheese covered with spicy chicken gravy.)

“This meal represents a slice of New Hampshire cuisine,” Guinta said.  “Just as the Patriots represent the best in football, the Taste of New Hampshire represents goodies that Granite Staters have enjoyed for years.  I’m proud to showcase the best of our state’s foods with my bet.  But I’m sure that when the Patriots whittle the Giants down to size Sunday evening, the lobster, syrup and poutine won’t be going anywhere.  And speaking as someone with a fondness for ziti, I’ll be rooting doubly hard for the Patriots to win!”

Two weeks ago, Guinta’s office scored a delicious meal in another Capitol Hill wager when the Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens to win the AFC Championship.  Rep. Andy Harris, (R, MD-1) personally delivered one dozen Maryland crab cakes to Guinta’s office after the Ravens lost 23-20.

Super Bowl Party at Tuscan Kitchen in Salem, New Hampshire

Watch the Game in Artisan Italian Style at Tuscan Kitchen

WHAT:                 Watch the New England Patriots take on the New York Giants during the Super Bowl XLVI on February 5th, 2012, at Tuscan Kitchen, the award-winning Artisan Italian restaurant located in Salem, New Hampshire. Enjoy the game on one of the many state-of-the-art Plasma TV’s as you take in an extravagant buffet fit for any NFL player including an assortment of handmade assorted wood fired pizzas, Tuscan burger sliders and Salsiccia subs prepared by Executive Chef Jim Rogers.

While cheering for your favorite team, enjoy selections of draft beer and extensive wine offerings, or sip on the Super Bowl signature drink “Patriots Passion Martini.” Top off your feast with the Super Bowl Cake prepared especially by the Tuscan Kitchen Pastry Chefs!

How Much:                      Cost is $30 per person (excluding alcohol, tax and gratuity). Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 603-952-4875.

WHERE:             Tuscan Kitchen│67 Main Street, Salem, NH 03079│603-952-4875

WHEN:           Sunday, February 5th, 2012 from 5:00PM to 11:00PM

Super Bowl Sunday

$30 per person

Buffet

Salumi E Formaggi, Assaggi

Tuscan Kitchen signature tasting of imported Italian meats, Artisan cheeses

WoodGrilled Vegetables with Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Aged Balsamic

Tuscan White Bean & Grilled Sausage Soup

Assorted Wood Fired Pizzas

Semolina and Reggiano Crusted Chicken Tenders

Polpettoni Sliders

Tuscan Burger Sliders

Salsiccia Subs

Ciabatta Bread

with Salami, Proscuitto, Fresh Mozzarella, & Roasted Red Peppers

Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Sirloin

Country Pork Ribs with Local Honey Pancetta Baked Beans

Wood Grilled Swordfish with Wood Grilled Vegetables

Spit Roasted Garlic and Lemon Chicken

Molasses Mustard Glazed Roasted Pork Loin

Orecchiette Pasta Salad

Tuscan Kitchen Caesar Salad

Andrews Famous Oversized Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Super Bowl Cake from our Pastry Chef’s!

###

About Tuscan Kitchen:

Tuscan Kitchen is an upscale restaurant offering handcrafted regional Italian cuisine located in Salem, New Hampshire. Owner/Entrepreneur Joe Faro and Executive Chef/ Partner Jim Rogers, opened Tuscan Kitchen with one simple vision: recreating a true Italian experience. Everything from the imported Italian limestone on the building’s 17,000 square foot exterior, to the fireplaces, wood-fired oven, custom-made Italian imported pasta-making equipment, ingredients and menu reflects various regions of Italy. With 525 seats, an expansive yet intimate dining room, three private dining rooms, two outdoorpatios, a wine bar and regular live entertainment, Tuscan Kitchen is the perfect place for enjoying a bottle of wine or cocktails, dining on all occasions, special chef and wine tastings, and holding special events and private parties alike. Tuscan Kitchen is located at 67 Main Street, Salem, NH, 03079. Hours of operation are as follows: Lunch: Monday- Saturday, 11:30AM to 3PM, Sunday, 12PM to 4PM and Dinner:  Monday- Saturday:  5PM to 10PM and Sunday 12PM to 9PM. For more information please call 603-952-4875 or visit www.tuscan-kitchen.com.

US Rep Bass Seeks Answers on Potential Super Bowl Blackout for NH Viewers

WASHINGTON – In a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today, Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) expressed his serious concerns about a potential blackout of Boston broadcast station WHDH-TV, which is set to air the Super Bowl.  Tens of thousands of New Hampshire DIRECTV customers in the state’s six southern counties could be affected by this potential blackout if a resolution is not reached by February 5th.

Bass, a member of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology with jurisdiction over the FCC, said:

“With the Super Bowl occurring in less than two weeks, it’s unfortunate that a breakdown of talks governed by outdated FCC rules could be responsible for tens of thousands of Granite Staters missing an opportunity to watch the Patriots beat the Giants.  The FCC dropped the ball on updating its rules.  I hope the FCC will clarify or update its rules immediately so Patriots fans are not forced to switch carriers or be left out in the dark on Super Bowl Sunday.”

Bass previously sent a letter to the FCC last October raising concerns about the Commission’s outdated retransmission consent rules, which govern negotiations between carriers and broadcasters and could result in significant inconvenience and cost to customers if not updated.  Since the public comment period on the Commission’s retransmission consent rulemaking closed in June, the FCC has stalled for nearly seven months on crafting updated policies to avoid situations like this.

The text of Bass’ letter to the Chairman of the FCC follows:

January 25, 2012

Dear Chairman Genachowski:

Thank you for your letter addressing my concerns with the Commission’s current retransmission consent regime and the reality of significant competitive changes in the video programming marketplace.  While I was pleased to read that the Commission intended to move expeditiously in its proceeding on the matter, I am sincerely disappointed that the Commission failed to complete its review in time to inform recent carriage talks.  As a result of the Commission’s inaction on a proceeding whose public comment period closed almost seven months ago, the ability of tens of thousands of New Hampshire residents to watch the New England Patriots compete in this year’s NFL Super Bowl has been jeopardized.

Beginning on January 14, 2012, the DIRECTV subscribers of six counties in New Hampshire (Belknap, Strafford, Rockingham, Merrimack, Hillsborough, and Cheshire) experienced a blackout of WHDH-TV (Channel 7).  As you know, Boston-based WHDH-TV, an affiliate of NBC, will broadcast this year’s Super Bowl.  However, because WHDH-TV’s owner, Sunbeam Television Corporation, is currently at a retransmission consent impasse with DIRECTV over retransmission consent fees, the current blackout threatens the ability of DIRECTV subscribers to watch the Super Bowl. 

While I remain hopeful that current negotiations will lead to a timely agreement, had the Commission updated and clarified its rules, New Hampshire Patriots fans probably would not be unfairly caught in the middle of this dispute.  This unfortunate situation is precisely the concern I raised in my letter of October 21, 2011, when I stated that “as a result of [ ] video marketplace changes, increasingly frequent negotiation breakdowns and rising retransmission consent fees result in both significant inconvenience and cost to consumers.” 

I urge the Commission to finally complete its proceeding, and to do what is within its existing statutory authority to move the ball forward in the current dispute.  New Hampshire residents deserve better than to be caught in the middle.

Sincerely,

Charles F. Bass                                              

Member of Congress

http://bass.house.gov