Gloria Najecki wants to illustrate the true essence of your beloved pet
If Concord artist Gloria Najecki is going to paint that special dog in your life, you better be prepared to open up. Najecki is a talker and expects the same chattiness out of her clients. Because it isn’t merely about transferring a photograph on to a canvas for her. It’s about finding what’s most memorable about your four-legged friend and capturing that moment. “I’ll say ‘what’s the story behind this moment?,’ ” said Najecki. “I’m...
Love your neighbor – Tue, 21 Jan 2014
Here’s some proof that being neighborly isn’t entirely a lost art. These kind residents on Sewalls Falls Road took it upon themselves to warn fellow motorists of potential hazards in the roadway. It was either that or some enterprising squirrels, but that seems somehow less likely. Either way, thanks, kind sirs!
Where the Insider Goes – Tue, 21 Jan 2014
This photo and note came to us from Sylvia Miskoe: “You can’t get there from here, but Sylvia Miskoe and Brenda Sens managed to get to Havana, Cuba, earlier in November. Here we are in front of a 400-year-old wall in the old section of the city.” Don’t worry, wall, you don’t look a day over 385. Also, sweet hats, ladies!
The Tot Spot – where education and fun come together as one
So there’s this kid named Colton. At the Tot Spot, he is known as The Mayor, and there’s a good reason for that. But we’ll get back to him. First we’re going to set the scene. When you walk into the West Street facility, home to the recently opened toddler program specializing in children ages 12 to 36 months, little winter jackets, snow pants and boots line the entrance way. Each child has his or her own basket filled with gloves,...
Adventure Shopping
Since Ocean State Job Lots’ slogan is ‘Adventure Shopping,’ we headed down to find the most adventurous items in the store. It’s like a safari you take right here in Concord!
This Week In Concord History
Jan. 21, 1857: A choral concert celebrates the opening of the new city hall and county building on the site of the current Merrimack County Courthouse.Jan. 21, 1990: The new Concord Monitor building is dedicated off Sewalls Falls Road. In April, the staff will move into the building. The paper and predecessors to which it can trace its roots have been published in downtown Concord since 1808.Jan. 21, 1766: At Concord’s first legal...
Classic Concord Photo – Tue, 21 Jan 2014
This is the serenely-named Asylum Pond on the State Hospital grounds on Pleasant Street, courtesy of reader Earl Burroughs. Based on that kind of creative naming criteria, we can only assume other items featured in this photo include redish shedlike building and super tall skinny smokestacky thing.
We have two words for you: Mac and cheese bake-off
Granite State Dairy Promotion put on the annual New Hampshire’s Own Macaroni & Cheese Bake-Off at the Grappone Center on Saturday. Did we eat some? You betcha! Also, we took pictures.
City briefly
Each week, City Manager Tom Aspell runs a hose into his office, floods the floor, turns off the heat and leaves the windows open overnight. The building’s mice emerge in the wee hours and perform an ice skating show, leaving behind a network of blade marks that spell out the city memo.Thanking the academyHere’s an arresting itemThe Concord Police Department will be hosting a Citizen’s Police Academy starting April 2, Aspell writes. We...
MacAndCheese-CI-012114
Granite State Dairy Promotion put on the annual New Hampshire’s Own Macaroni & Cheese Bake-Off at the Grappone Center on Saturday. Did we eat some? You betcha! Also, we took pictures.
Time to find local wellness honorees who remind you of a good steak
Can people all agree that, among the many things we each want in this life, good health is at the top of the list? If you answered “yes,” take a moment to consider your neighborhood, your community, or your workplace. If you could change just one thing to make your world healthier, what would it be? Now take that question one step further: to successfully make that one change, what would it require of you, and of your neighbors or...
Instagram photo of the week – Tue, 21 Jan 2014
This is the steamiest picture in the Insider this week! Featuring, you know, actual steam. It comes to us from Instagram user @photoxbalm and appears to be a cool scene from White Park. But we can’t totally tell.
You can check out a free show and give back to the community, too
Antonio Banderas and Delonte West have done plenty to bring guitar cases fame for holding things other than musical instruments (if you aren’t familiar with Delonte’s situation, we highly recommend you Google it), and now Concord’s own Blake Patria and Darrell Cook are getting in on the action. Their weapon of choice, though, is charity. The pair masterminded the Busking For A Cause movement that is aiding Concord causes one melodious...
Watch out for this League exhibit, it might just spark a fire
“Hot Stuff: Feel the Heat!” a new exhibit at the League of N.H. Craftsmen’s retail gallery at 49 S. Main St., is designed to spark inspiration and light up the senses. Thirty-seven juried members of the League created pieces for the show. The multi media showcase is a blend of many styles and mediums and is on display through March 21.
“Back to the Moon for Good” now showing
“Back to the Moon for Good,” a new planetarium show on the future of lunar exploration, opened at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center on Saturday. Narrated by award-winning actor Tim Allen, “Back to the Moon for Good” highlights humanity’s exploration of our nearest neighbor and provides an insider’s look at the teams vying to win the $30 million Google Lunar XPRIZE, the largest incentivized prize in history. To win the Google...
Jessica Davis owns 14 dogs, so she can certainly take care of yours
Name: Jessica Davis.Owner, Pawsitive Kinection Grooming in Penacook (856-1163, pawsitivekinection.com.)How long have you been a dog trainer/groomer? How did you get started in the field? I’ve been a trainer for 12+ years and a groomer for three years. I was fortunate enough to apprentice under a master groomer. I started training because I had a very difficult dog that was very close to being put down for his behavior. Through...
HotStuff-CI-012114
“Hot Stuff: Feel the Heat!” a new exhibit at the League of N.H. Craftsmen’s retail gallery at 49 S. Main St., is designed to spark inspiration and light up the senses. Thirty-seven juried members of the League created pieces for the show. The multi media showcase is a blend of many styles and mediums and is on display through March 21.
Scholarships available to NOFA-NH Conference
Beginning farmer scholarships are now available to the 2014 NOFA-NH Winter Conference on Feb. 1-2 at Rundlett Middle School. Beginning farmers are those who have been actively farming for fewer than 10 years. The NOFA-NH Winter Conference is an opportunity for NH farmers of all stripes, and with various levels of experience, to come together and learn from one another, and from other farmers and experts from around New England. This...
Catholics to host Mardi Gras Gala Feb. 1
New Hampshire Catholic Charities (NHCC) will host their 9th Annual Mardi Gras Gala on Feb. 1 at the Grappone Center in Concord. All proceeds collected from the gala will benefit NHCC’s emergency services and other vital programs. These funds support families and inpiduals by responding with assistance that helps move their lives towards self-sufficiency. With more than 400 anticipated guests, the gala celebrates New Orleans culture...
Janelle Sprague tells you what makes her tail wag and camera click
How old are you? 26 Where do you live? ConcordWhere do you work? I have my own photography business, Janelle Sprague Photography (visit Facebook.com/Janelle Sprague Photography). I also work part time at the Courtyard by Marriott/Grappone Conference Center as the sales and marketing assistant in the sales office. Where did you go to school? Plymouth State University, for my bachelor’s in business management.What do you like to do for...
Program aims at making fresh fruits and veggies available to all
Don’t you hate when all you have is your card to pay for things? Especially when what you want most in the world at that moment is only a dollar or two. The worst is when it comes at a farmers’ market, because even when they do take cards, it ends up costing the farmers. Well, there’s good news coming out of the Winter Farmers’ Market at Cole Gardens. And it’s not just for credit and debit card users. It’s also for those who rely on...
CRVNA seeking hospice volunteers for training
Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association is seeking volunteers to offer companionship and support to hospice patients in local nursing care facilities and in homes. The next training session is being held on Wednesdays, March 12 to May 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The application deadline is Feb. 6. Hospice volunteers support care by providing companionship to hospice patients, reading to hospice patients, running errands for hospice...
N.H. Audubon needs help with winter bird survey
Stock up those bird feeders and dig out your binoculars for New Hampshire Audubon’s Backyard Winter Bird Survey. This annual statewide survey will take place on Feb. 8-9. Biologists need assistance from citizens all over the Granite State to get a clear picture of what’s really happening with our winter birds. Anyone can participate in the Backyard Winter Bird Survey by counting the birds in their own backyard on the survey weekend...
Missed Connections: Purchasing office supplies and hot dogs
We at the Insider like to scour Craigslist’s Missed Connections to see if anyone in Concord wants to start a Black Ice tonsil hockey tournament is finding true love online. Here, presented unedited as always, are some of the best recent entries.I still love you Babe – w4m – 35 (Concord)Good luck, you opened it. Tonight at midnight your true love will realize they miss you. Something good will happen to you between 1:00 pm...
Chambers to offer lunch forum on N.H. roads
The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce invites members and the public to an informational lunch forum, “The Roads to New Hampshire’s Future: What’s on the Horizon?” featuring NHDOT Commissioner Christopher Clement. The event will be held Jan. 30 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grappone Conference Center. The lunch forum is sponsored by Nobis Engineering, Inc. and Sanel Auto Parts Company. Cost to attend is $25 for Chamber members...
Pop Open a Good Book program at library
Kids, keep your winter days “popping” by joining the Concord Public Library’s Winter Reading Program – Pop Open a Good Book. For every 10 days that you read for at least 20 minutes, you can earn a prize and a chance to win the grand prize. The program is ongoing and runs until March 1. Pop on up to the Children’s Room and pick up a reading log.
Wings of Knowledge series continues Jan. 28
On Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Library Living Room, NHTI’s Wings of Knowledge lecture series presents “Mindfulness and the Inner World of Teaching and Learning” with Dr. Leigh Burrows. Burrows has an interest in the contemplative dimensions of education at all levels. Her background in Western forms of meditation and her experience as a Waldorf/Steiner teacher provide a foundation for embedding this dimension in curriculum and pedagogy...
Concord Public Library Book of the week
The Maid’s VersionDaniel Woodrell2013, 164 pagesFictionSelf-described “country noir” writer Daniel Woodrell’s (The Outlaw Album, Winter’s Bone, etc.) latest book is culled from historical events. Twelve-year-old Alek Dunahew spends the summer of 1965 with his grandmother, Alma. One night during a storm, she shares a long-kept story with him: “. . . she cunningly chose that raging moment to begin telling me her personal account of the...
