Patti and Dave Fielding own Embassy Laundromat in Manchester. A few weeks ago, American Idol officials contacted the Fieldings to see if their wash, dry and fold service could accommodate the traveling show’s laundry, about 20 loads at 20 pounds apiece. The two agreed, and the nights when the American Idol traveling show was in town performing at the Verizon Wireless Arena, Patti and Dave worked after hours to clean the stars’ towels and clothing. It wasn’t their first brush with celebrity’s dirty laundry. The Globetrotters, traveling musicians and the skating girls of Disney on Ice have all washed their personal items at the laundromat.

Community theater is going strong in southern New Hampshire this fall. Here are previews of three plays currently showing in the area — one suspenseful, one musical, one historical.

For years, many people in Manchester’s South Side who love a cold beer, great conversation, good food and a warm welcome have gone to Salona Restaurant, 128 Maple St. The atmosphere is non fussy and totally friendly, especially when Merle is there.

As bored as I was on Sunday with no Patriots game, I’ve got to admit it was a pretty interesting day all over the country that left us with no shortage of things to talk about, including:

When confronted with a spastic computer, the first thought to enter many people’s minds is, “It’s a virus!”

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