Monday Essentials: Will Memorial Bridge Open This Week?

1. MEMORIAL BRIDGE TO OPEN SOON? According to New Hampshire Department of Transportation officials, the Memorial Bridge could open to motor vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic anytime between now and Aug. 8 when a bridge opening ceremony will be held. Be sure to stay with Portsmouth Patch to find out exactly when the new bridge opens.

2. AYOTTE TO ATTEND NHGOP FUNDRAISER. U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, is scheduled to attend a New Hampshire Republican State Committee fundraiser in Washington, D.C., with several other Republican Senate leaders on Monday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to the New Hampshire Republican State Committee's web site.

3. DON'T MISS THE HEAD AND THE HEART: The Prescott Park Arts Festival's River House Restaurant Concert Series will present a special concert this Wednesday night when The Head and The Heart from Seattle, Wash., make their PPAF debut.

4. TALLS SHIPS TO RETURN. The U.S. Coast Guard vessel Eagle will return to the city this weekend for the Piscataqua Maritime Festival's annual Sail Portsmouth event. According to Sail Portsmouth, the Eagle will sail into Portsmouth Harbor on Friday morning as part of the Tall Ships parade and be docked at the New Hampshire State Pier where it will be open for public tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

5. ISLES OF SHOALS TOUTED. The Washington Post's Travel section highlight the Isles of Shoals as a top tourism destination in its July 25 edition. Here is the article.