Grab a passport and try to Win The Window
If you’re looking to add a little excitement to your holiday shopping experience this year, might we suggest taking part in Intown Concord’s Win The Window. The task is simple: Pick up a passport at any of the participating businesses (a list can be found at intownconcord.org/events/discover/window) and then wander around downtown. The goal is to get 20 stamps from the participating business north of Pleasant Street and another five...
Get ready to light up those Christmas trees
At this time of year, the switch to the next holiday is always quick.So while you may be reading this prior to Thanksgiving, once the calendar turns to Friday, it’s on to Christmas.And nothing quite says Christmas like a good, old-fashioned tree lighting.It’s a time honored tradition in many towns and cities across New Hampshire and beyond, and you can count Concord, Bow and Penacook in that group. Over the next week, each community...
Book of the Week: ‘Beautiful Music for Ugly Children’
Beautiful Music for Ugly ChildrenKirsten Cronn-Mills2012, 271 pagesYoung Adult Fiction Gabe Williams has been obsessed with music for as long as he can remember. Mentored by his music-loving neighbor, Gabe DJs a one-hour midnight show (called Beautiful Music for Ugly Children) every Friday at a community radio station. Gabe’s skills on air even inspire a fan base calling themselves the Ugly Children Brigade, who complete odd, harmless...
This Week in Concord History
Nov. 22, 1987: Jack Germond, syndicated columnist, visiting the Monitor on the day after a convention at St. Anselm’s College during which the Democratic presidential candidates all spoke, is asked about Rep. Richard Gephardt. He praises Gephardt’s speech and adds: “There may be a human being in there somewhere.” Nov. 22, 2000: For the first time in recent memory, the tax rate in Penacook will be higher than in the rest of...
Bulletin Board
Audition for sketch comedy troupe Laughta in New Hampsha, Concord’s new and exciting school of comedy, is looking to cast 12 or more funny people to be a part of its first sketch comedy troupe that will perform in the production of The Love Project on Feb. 17, at New England College Concord, 62 N. Main St. Auditions will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 30, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at ConcordTV, located in Concord High School, 170 Warren St....
Do something for others this holiday season
It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is right around the corner.And while a lot of you will be getting your Christmas tree, decorating the house and shopping for those on your gift list, there are others out there who don’t have the means to do those things. Some even struggle to put food on the table, let alone enjoy the luxuries that many of us take for granted.That’s why each year, and this will be year No. 9, the Insider...
Help end child abuse with New Hampshire Children’s Trust
Children are an important investment. Before we know it, the people we call kids today will be the ones running the world, making decisions that greatly impact our lives, rather than the other way around.That’s why it’s important to protect that investment, and the folks at New Hampshire Children’s Trust know all about that.The organization works to prevent child abuse and neglect by promoting healthy family activities and lifestyles...
Lose the stress and find a little holiday joy
It’s that time of year again . . . the holidays. “The most wonderful time of the year,” as those nostalgic songs promise: the halls decked, chestnuts roasting, sleighbells ringing, all eyes twinkling with cheer. A time of family togetherness, peace, harmony and joy. But for many of us, just reading these words can cause a flood of stress, a sense of exhaustion and even despair. We feel compelled to do too much, eat and drink too much,...
It’s time to get in that Fez-tive spirit again
Although it may not feel like it, thanks to that little warm spell we just had, the holiday season is upon us. When you think holidays, you think of turkey, family, pie, egg nog, presents – and the Feztival of Trees. The Bektash Shriners are at it again with their 16th annual fundraiser known as the Feztival of Trees, a reference to the group’s penchant for wearing fezes.For about a week – Nov. 19-27 this year – the center (189...
Community Bridges aims to support, guide
Not everybody is dealt the same hand at birth. For those who have developmental differences or delays, daily life can be a real struggle. Community Bridges realizes this, and that’s why it works to provide therapy (both physical and occupational) and educational guidance to families and individuals who need it. It’s a federally mandated program across the country, but it’s not fully federally funded – meaning the government requires...
NHTI’s Stage Lynx to perform ‘Brighton Beach Memoirs’
This weekend, NHTI’s Sweeney Auditorium stage will transform into the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn, N.Y., circa September 1937. Its the final years of the Great Depression and Eugene Morris Jerome, a Polish-Jewish American teenager, is coming of age. He’s going through puberty, sexual awakening and a search for identity in Brighton Beach Memoirs, the latest production by NHTI’s Stage Lynx drama club. Brighton Beach Memoirs is a...
Melissa Miller has a new exhibit at McGowan Fine Art
Melissa Anne Miller is kind of a big deal in the Concord art world.Her work, which shows off some of the best scenery in Concord, and hangs in local businesses, City Hall and the City Auditorium. It’s a fan favorite when McGowan Fine Art puts on a show – which it just so happens that Miller’s “Clearing” opened this week.As you’re reading this, Miller’s paintings are already on the McGowan walls. But the official opening reception is...
Johanson’s work really pops off the wall at you
The work of Linda Cole Johanson is on display at the Kimball Jenkins mansion through the end of the year. The exhibit features Johanson’s new work, comprising landscapes and seascapes created with oil on canvas. Take a walk around the first floor of the mansion and check out all the colors popping off the wall. There’s lots more to see.
Greater Concord Photography Club sure takes some nice pics
The Greater Concord Photography Club is holding its 3rd annual exhibition and sale in the Kimball-Jenkins Estate carriage house through Dec. 2. For more info or to purchase a photo, contact Brett Walker at concordphotoclub@gmail.com or 496-5420.
Players set to perform ‘Once On This Island’
Now that the sideshow that was the election is over, we can all settle back into our regular lives. Gone (for the next three to four years, anyway) are the endless, cartoonish attack ads and mailers that flood our consciousness.Now we have room in our brains to take in a musical play, and wouldn’t you know it, but the Community Players of Concord have one coming up at the Concord City Auditorium.This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the...
Get your letters to Santa ready to send out
As most kids – and parents – know, it’s never too early to get going on that Christmas list. Just because it’s not even Thanksgiving yet doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be perfecting that list so nothing goes wrong on the Big Day. One of the biggest questions kids ask is: How can I get my letter to Santa? After all, sending mail to the North Pole can be a logistical nightmare, especially if you’re 4 years old. Luckily, Concord Parks and...
Here’s a look at all the winners at this year’s SNOB film fest
It was a crazy weekend of films, music and beer, as the Somewhat North Of Boston Film Festival/New England Indie Fest rolled through town. Four days of films, from feature length to shorts about New Hampshire, filled Red River screens, and on Sunday, the winners were chosen. And since we devoted an issue to giving you all the details of what was going on, we figured the least we could do was provide a list of winners. Drum roll please...
Here’s why these guys want to be Mr. Concord
Now we couldn’t let a Mr. Concord Pageant take place and not try to see why all eight contestants wanted to be named the first-ever Mr. Concord. We asked everyone to give us answers to three easy questions to go along with head shots so you could get to know who will be competing this Friday. Unfortunately, we did this a little late in the week and didn’t hear back from a few of them. But here’s what we got, and if you want to know...
Three can’t-miss book events
As you probably know by now, we’re pretty big fans of books. We like to promote reading because, well, if you don’t read that means you can’t read the Insider, and that’s no way to go through life. Since we love books so much – and know that you do, too – we decided to compile a little package of bookish events going on in the near future. If you’re a real bookworm, you won’t want to miss these opportunities to meet and interact with...
Did you know Franklin Pierce would be 212?
Since our last-minute write-in campaign for president didn’t quite catch on as we had hoped, New Hampshire is still home to just one person to occupy the Oval Office – Franklin Pierce.Pierce was the 14th president, serving from 1853-57, and because of that, he’s kind of big deal around here.Now we understand that none of you were alive when Pierce was, unless you’re somewhere in the neighborhood of 147 years old and if that’s the case...
Food Snob: Taking the new WOW Fried Chicken for a spin
If there’s one thing downtown Concord has always sorely lacked, it’s a fried chicken place. Sure, there’s a KFC down the street, but that’s not the same. There’s nothing better than a bucket of crispy fried chicken to carry down Main Street, and now you can finally do that thanks to WOW Fried Chicken & Subs.This place opened on Depot Street about three weeks ago, and we had to give it a try. The menu is part traditional, part...
Around Town: We never know what we’ll find
It’s true that we never really know what we might find when we head out for an assignment. That’s why we always bring our cameras with us – wouldn’t want to miss the chance to document something bizarre, like the scene above. In case you can’t tell, that’s a men’s bathing suit lying on the ramp next to the Merrimack River at Everett Arena. We’re fascinated by the story that must be behind this. So a guy decides to do some...
Book of the Week: ‘Scarlet’
ScarletA.C. Gaughen2012, 292 pagesYoung adult fictionScarlet is a retelling of the legend of Robin Hood, with a secret. It’s the account of how John Little, Robin Hood and Will Scarlet live, breathe and love in the fight to save the people from the greedy Sheriff of Nottingham – by stealing from the rich to give the money to the poor so they aren’t taxed out of their homes.The main character has a unique voice that adds to the flavor...
Bulletin Board
Community supper suspended for now Community suppers at Grace Episcopal Church in East Concord, have been canceled until further notice. There will not be a supper on the third Friday (this Friday) of November. We appreciate your loyal patronage and support during the past six years. The church’s “Take a Tote” food program will continue at Mill Brook School. Barbara Ashworth Tellabration is back for 19th year On Saturday, NHTI...
This Week in Concord History
Nov. 15, 1978: The Monitor reports that Concord is about to hire Jim Smith away from Berlin as city manager. “He’s a good solid choice,” says Councilor Rod Tenney. Smith will come to Concord after the first of the year and remain in the job for more than 13 years. Nov. 15, 2001: After a request by Ward 3 City Councilor Andy Tarbell, a recount confirms that Kipp Cooper has won the seat, 263-260. The original count was 262-260....
Taste SNOB with a special burger and burrito
Checking out all kinds of indie films, beers and bands can really work up an appetite. Thankfully, Barley House and Dos Amigos have thought of that and created some special offerings just for SNOB.A special occasion such as this festival calls for a special meal, which is why each eatery decided to come up with something good that you can have during the week of the festival – and only during the week of the festival (there’s nothing...
You can’t have a festival without good beer
If you’re a craft brew fan – and who isn’t these days? – there’s nothing you should be doing this Thursday other than attending the craft beer event at Red River Theatres.As part of the whole indie-themed festival, this event is all about tasty brews (speaking of which, check out the next page). On Thursday night from 5 to 7, Red River will turn into a big tasting room where you can try beers from all of the participating breweries:...
Here’s the scoop on the film side of things
Get ready for a weekend of nothing but watching movies because the Somewhat North of Boston Film Festival is back for another year.As you can see from the schedule below, the four-day extravaganza at Red River Theatres is a film lovers paradise.From feature length productions featuring some well-known actors, actresses and directors, to shorts made right here in New Hampshire, there’s something that everyone will enjoy.Thursday, Nov....
Take in the tunes of SNOB
This year’s festival is about more than just movies – it’s a celebration of all things indie. And anyone who’s anyone knows you can’t have an indie fest without indie music.That’s why Rob Azevedo will be hosting a special Granite State of Mind at NEC Concord on Wednesday night. This show, which offers audience members the chance to ask questions of local musicians during their sets, will feature at least four performers instead of the...
