Each week, City Manager Tom Aspell hops on a giant cat, rides that down to the monorail stations, takes that to downtown, dodges zombies and rollerbladers and finally makes it to his office at City Hall. Once he gets there, he takes a moment to thank his lucky stars that we were around to redesign Main Street. Then, he dashes off another brilliant city memo and sends it over to us via penny-farthing messenger.
but winter is cold …
Concord is the best!
Concord has been named a “Top 10 Best Winter Vacation Destination” by livability.com, a national website that highlights more than 500 of America’s best places to live and visit, Aspell writes. The list highlights those communities that embrace their cool climates and offer residents and visitors a wealth of outdoor recreation, arts and culture, and dining and entertainment options. Cool climates? If this is cool, I don’t want to see cold.
To narrow down the list, editors started by identifying those cities with an average temperature below freezing and an average snowfall of more than 25 inches. Next, they looked for cities that offer an ample number of outdoor recreation options – cities near ski slopes or frozen lakes, or with large open areas perfect for snowshoeing or snowmobiling. Open space? Check.
Finally, editors factored in the number and type of indoor activities offered, such as shopping, dining, concerts and theater. Concord was chosen because, in addition to a cooler climate, the city offers all the amenities tourists look for – affordability; good, local restaurants; Tom Aspell; a thriving arts scene; sweet and hilarious weekly newspapers with names that rhyme with “Foncord Linsider;” nightlife; shopping and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities. To people who say there’s nothing to do in Concord, please write the previous sentence on your blackboard 100 times.
Other cities making the list were: Anchorage, Ala.; Spokane, Wash.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Reno, Nev.; Traverse City, Mich.; Waukesha, Wis.; Missoula, Mo.; Bangor, Maine; and Casper, Wyo.
we like bikes
And locking them up, too
Two bicycle racks, donated by the Central New Hampshire Bicycle Coalition, have been installed (with assistance from the parking pision) in the Capital Commons Parking Garage, near the Storrs Street entrance, Aspell writes. Who says there’s no parking downtown?
The installation is the first part of a three-part program sponsored by CNHBC to provide bike parking that is protected from the ever changing New Hampshire weather. Two more racks will be installed in each of the remaining parking garages – Durgin Block and Firehouse Block – after current renovations are complete.
hooooooooooooooonk!
Tips to avoid that sound
As winter approaches, the city reminds citizens of the following actions that can be taken to help keep the roads safe for drivers and pedestrians alike, Aspell writes.
∎ Plan to stay off the roads during storms whenever possible. Fewer cars on the roads will reduce the potential for accidents and assist our highway crews in doing their work. Besides, who doesn’t like a snow day?
∎ If you must travel, be sure to prepare your car for winter driving with snow tires, good windshield wipers, a nice sweater with a snowflake on it, a solid pep talk and lights.
∎ Be sure to clear your car of snow before getting on the road. The preferred method is a snow brush, and not driving really fast out of your driveway. Remember, it’s the state law.
∎ Pay attention to flashing yellow lights on plow trucks or tractors plowing sidewalks, as this is an indication of work happening at a safe speed. No word on what color the light turns when work is happening at unsafe speeds. Please give the trucks and tractors room to perform their job for your safety and theirs.
∎ Obey any parking bans and try to park off the streets and sidewalks whenever possible. In fact, it’s best to park off the sidewalk in all situations, we find. (Visit concordnh.gov for more information about winter parking bans.)
∎ Do not push snow from driveways across roads or onto sidewalks, as this creates a hazard for drivers and pedestrians. Make the snowman in your yard, not the middle of Loudon Road.
Let’s all do our part and work together for a safe winter season. Is it spring yet?
