CCM Listening Project

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The Concord Conservatory of Music (CCM) is excited to introduce the new CCM Listening Project—a community-wide opportunity for people to expand their musical horizons and grow their listening skills.

Each month, CCM will provide a new and thrilling playlist that can be found on both Spotify and YouTube. In addition to sharing a monthly playlist of diverse and exciting songs, the CCM website will also have background information on each piece, and questions to think about while you’re listening.

Think book club, but for listening to music! We’d greatly appreciate it if you would share the information below with your community members! Thank you!

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Concord Conservatory of Music Presents the Listening Project—it’s a community-wide opportunity for people to expand their musical horizons and grow their listening skills. Think book club, but for listening to music! Each month, CCM will provide a thrilling playlist that can be found on both Spotify and YouTube, which can be accessed from ConcordConservatory.org. CCM’s website will also have background information on each piece and questions to think about while you’re listening. Get introduced to new music and genres and become an active listener. January’s Listening Project playlist is already on the CCM website. Sign-up at https://concordconservatory.org/newsletter/ to receive monthly alerts.

 

CMS Building Commitee hosts “Virtual Coffees” before January 20th Town Meeting

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The last three virtual “Coffees” highlighting the design and plans for the proposed new middle school building will be held:

Wednesday, January 12 at 11:00am;

Thursday, January 13 at 7:00pm;

and Wednesday, January 19 at 1:00pm.

Come learn about the project before voting January 20 at the Special Town Meeting.

Wednesday, January 12 – 11:00 AM

Link
Meeting ID: 913 4188 4727
Passcode: 313351
Find your local number: https://concordps.zoom.us/u/abqiDEuXex

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Thursday, January 13 – 7:00 PM

Link
Meeting ID: 978 8621 6289
Passcode: 548756
Find your local number: https://concordps.zoom.us/u/aJan8IKpB

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Wednesday, January 19 – 1:00 PM
Link

Meeting ID: 975 2495 9103
Passcode: 422564
Find your local number: https://concordps.zoom.us/u/adi7uk5xNd

A limited number of parking spaces will be available for voters who wish to participate in the Meeting from their cars. 

To participate from your car:

  • Arrive early to secure a spot (voter check-in begins at 6:00 pm)
  • Park in the area designated for car participation (Officials will direct you; anyone parked outside of the designated will not be able to participate from their car.)
  • Come inside the Cafeteria (masks required) to check in and collect your voting slip and handouts
  • Listen to the proceedings broadcast live on WIQH 88.3 FM on your car radio or watch on your own device at minuteman.media/government
  • Speak (if you wish) from the outdoor microphone
  • Vote from your car by holding your paper voting slip outside your window for tellers to count

See here for full details on the Special Town Meeting, happening Thursday, January 20, 7:00 PM at the Concord-Carlisle High School, along with a video of the December 16 Public Hearing on the proposed building project:
https://concordma.gov/2935/Special-Town-Meeting

Community COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

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COVID Vaccine Clinic

Join us for a community COVID-19 vaccine clinic for ages 5 and up on Thursday, January 6 from 4-9 p.m. at the Concord-Carlisle High School.

Register here for an appointment: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/purpleshield?calendar=c20a6c06-e5fa-4240-a952-9e74f871f6ee

 

Open Table’s 12 Days of Giving: Family to Family

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Family-to-Family 2021

We are delighted announce the return of our Family-to-Family Holiday program. And we want to invite you to join Open Table this year in creating a gift kit for either a family or a senior or both! Once again, there will be a list of suggested items and reminders sent out for each of the first 12 days of December.

Gift bags will be collected in Maynard and Concord during the weekend of December 17 and 18 and given to our clients with their final food distribution of 2021. Please pack your 12 days of giving in either a sturdy paper grocery bag or a reusable grocery bag.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make the holidays more meaningful not only for the families who rely on Open Table, but for your family, too.

You can sign up to make a kit at opentable.org/family-to-family, or contact Carolyn at ccoffin@opentable.org.

Register

2 wonderful ways to support a family in need

 

Open Table: Immediate Need for Donations & Volunteers for Afghan Evacuees

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Open Table is looking for immediate donations – here is what is needed for Afghan families:

DONATIONS MAY BE LEFT IN BINS at 40 BEHARRELL STREET pantry in WEST CONCORD at any time.

apple cider vinegar

10 lb bag of basmati rice (medium or short grained only)

baking power

baking soda

packets of dry yeast

10 lb bags of unbleached all purpose flour

loose leaf green tea

loose leaf black tea

raw almonds

raw pistachios (in the shells)

honey

jams

beans: dry red beans, dry garbanzo beans (2 lb bags dry)

box of golden raisins – not small but 8 oz or larger

spices:  hot pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, turmeric, coriander, cumin, cardamom, cardamom pods, poppy seeds

nigella seeds, black sesame seeds and white sesame seeds

4 pound bag of sugar

dishwashing soap

 

 

DONATIONS MAY BE LEFT IN BINS at 40 BEHARRELL STREET in WEST CONCORD at any time.

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We are looking for a volunteer to shop on Tuesday mornings to get the fresh food – will require driving to Needham  – Restaurant Depot and possibly the Indian market in Acton.  We will be supporting this effort for (2) months until all Afghan families are placed.  After the families will be connected to local food relief organizations and also to SNAP.  Open Table is also supporting many local families that have been settled here.

If you can help, please reach out to volunteer@opentable.org

Thank you!

 

 

 

Holiday Happenings at the Concord Museum!

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 A CELEBRATION OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

Concord Museum’s 26th Annual Family Trees

Join the Concord Museum to celebrate the 26th Annual Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature opening to the public on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 through Sunday, January 2, 2022.  Admire 32 fancifully decorated holiday trees and wreaths inspired by acclaimed works of children’s literature.

“Family Trees was started at the Concord Museum 26 years ago to give a creative twist to Concord’s esteemed literary history and to share one of life’s greatest pleasures- reading to a child. Since then, we have brought over 800 children’s book titles to life using trees and wreaths of all shapes and sizes as the canvas,” explained Carol Haines, Manager of Exhibitions and Design at the Concord Museum. “Such an endeavor is made possible by the talented and dedicated volunteers who organize the event and design and decorate the trees, and by our many generous sponsors, including Barefoot Books. “

This year’s Honorary Chair of Family Trees is award-winning author and illustrator Grace Lin. whose work has been named by a Caldecott Honor and a Newbery Honor among others. Grace Lin explained, “Family Trees is such a joyous celebration of the holidays, and books. It’s so much fun to see your book come to life on a tree.” Past Honorary Chairs of Family Trees have included Tomie dePaola, Gregory Maguire, Peter Reynolds, Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi Stemple, Cokie Roberts, Jerry Pinkney, D.B. Johnson, Melissa Sweet, Pamela Zagarenski and Nicole Tadgell.

 

Admission: During this benefit event, Concord Museum admission is $18 adults, $15 seniors & students; $8 Youth (6-17); Children $5 (3 to 5); Children (2 and under) free. Members Free. The Museum is open  Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00am to 4:00pm. (Also open Monday, December 27; Closed November 25,December 24 and December 25). Walk-ins welcome. Go to www.concordmuseum.org for more information and this year’s Family Tree’s Booklist. For questions 978-369-9763 x222

 

Family Trees is organized by the Concord Museum’s Guild of Volunteers as a benefit for the Museum’s education initiatives.

A special thank you to our lead sponsor Barefoot Books and to our media sponsor Boston Parents.

 

Family Trees Programs

Page to Stage Puppet Show

Saturday, December 4 | 11:00 – 11:45 am

Free with Museum admission

Colorful and beloved characters from stories around the world come alive on the puppet stage. Some stories are interactive, some hilarious, all have positive messages!

 

Constellation Craft

Sunday, December 5 |10:00 – 12:00 pm

Free with Museum admission

During Family Trees, families can drop in to read Ada and the Galaxies and imagine the universe we live in. Design your own constellation of stars while exploring the galaxy.

 

An Afternoon with Authors & Illustrators

Sunday, December 5 | 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Free with Museum Admission

Meet some of the accomplished authors and illustrators who books are featured in Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature. Explore the decorated forest of trees throughout the Museum and visit with authors and illustrators as they sign your books. In partnership with the Concord Bookshop.

 

Reach for the Stars Stargazing Event

Sunday, December 5 | 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Free with Museum Admission

Explore the galaxies without having to leave Earth! Join Jim Zebrowski of the Aldrich Astronomical Society for a demonstration of how telescopes help us see far, far away, all in honor of the new picture book, Ada and the Galaxies.

11th Annual Holiday House Tour- Inside Out!
Saturday, December 11, 2021

Join the Guild of Volunteers for the 11th Annual Holiday House Tour on Saturday, December 11!  We are thrilled to return this year’s event to an in-person format, with the exciting twist of featuring a variety of beautifully decorated outdoor spaces sure to delight and inspire.  Hidden and often overlooked spaces, like patios, porches, doorways, barns, and gazebos, will take center stage for this showcase of outdoor winter wonderlands.  Concord’s holiday charm will be on full display in these unique settings, with the magic of twinkling lights and richness of abundant greens enhanced by the seasonal atmosphere.  Gather your friends and bundle up to enjoy this one-of-a-kind holiday tour!

Tickets: $30 Museum Members/$35 General Public

Inclement weather date: Sunday, December 12

Please note: Attendees will not have access to home interiors.  The event will take place entirely outdoors.

For more information and tickets click here.

Drop-In Flower Design

Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Free with Museum Admission

Families can design their own flowers while reading Have You Ever See a Flower? And Welcome Flower Child: The Magic of Your Birth Flower. Learn about the different types of flowers and the symbolism behind them.

 

Holiday Members Night

Tuesday, December 14 | 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Free and Exclusive to Concord Museum Members

Celebrate the winter season with an evening of viewing Family Trees and enjoying festive treats. Stop by pop-up shops throughout the Museum to find unique gifts and take advantage of discounted holiday shopping. This event is open to all members of the Concord Museum.

 

 

 

Middle School Building News & Important Dates

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Greetings from the Middle School Building Committee,

Here’s an email jam packed with event information as we quickly approach our January 20th special Town Meeting.  We would love to share it all with your members because if anyone is looking to join Middle School Building Committee members for coffee and conversation about the proposed schematic design for a new Concord Middle School building, we have what seems like a million opportunities over the next few weeks, and we wouldn’t want your members to miss out.

The Building Committee is hosting a series of coffees, where Building Committee representatives will address the proposed building design, educational strategy, community use features, sustainability, and timelines. These coffees are more casual, with opportunity to engage and ask questions.

Here’s what’s coming up.  Get out your calendars!

Wednesday, November 10 at 9:15 am at Willard 
Join us at the Willard School for this event coordinated with the Willard PTG.  Come for the talk about the middle school, stay to see how the schools have been mitigating COVID: by bringing everything from classrooms to lunch outdoors in tents!.  Our coffee will be in Willard’s tent, so dress warmly.

Wednesday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom for Pre-School Night
Join us virtually on Zoom! Anyone is welcome, but we’re lucky enough to have Concord Children’s Center director and CMSBC co-chair, Pat Nelson, to lead our conversation about the middle school with parents of children attending our many area preschools.  This event was coordinated with the Integrated Preschool.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://concordps.zoom.us/j/94009511339?pwd=SElCWVM1YktRclJoMEo4ODVWUUlXUT09 

Meeting ID: 940 0951 1339
Passcode: 682196

Friday, November 12 at 1 p.m. at Ripley, Conference Room 4
This is an open discussion, sponsored by the CMSBC and open to all.

Tuesday, November 16 at 12 p.m. at Ripley, Conference Room 4
This is an open discussion, sponsored by the CMSBC and open to all.

Thursday, November 18 at 7 p.m. at Sanborn
Come join us in the Sanborn Library. This is an open discussion, sponsored by the CMSBC and open to all.  Come see the site itself.  It could be your last chance to see and experience Sanborn if the new building passes at Town Meeting on January 20th and the subsequent election on February 3rd. Remember that because this is an indoor event, a face mask is required.

Friday, November 19th at 9 a.m. at Thoreau’s ‘Wedding Tent’
Join us at the Thoreau School in what has become affectionately named the Wedding Tent.  Dress code is not black tie, it’s more like hats and mittens. But the tent is heated so if you don’t like the cold, this one’s for you.

Wednesday, December 1st at 7 p.m. on Zoom for Community Forum 7
A full forum, open to all, and sponsored by the CMSBC.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://concordps.zoom.us/j/97545700844?pwd=T3FPS3FtWFlOWTk4c05UZ0htYkVKdz09
Meeting ID: 975 4570 0844
Passcode: 141014

Friday, December 3rd at 9:30 a.m. on Zoom
Join us at the League of Women Voters First Friday Series.  As always, we’re thrilled to join the League for what is always a lively and informed discussion.  Zoom link forthcoming closer to the event itself. Stay tuned!

Wednesday, December 8th at 7 p.m. for our Sustainability Panel Discussion 
We’re excited to launch a new format: panel discussions with experts and specialists! The first in this series will be a panel discussion on Sustainability as it relates to the proposed Middle School Building.  Zoom link forthcoming closer to the event itself. Stay tuned!

*Finally, as we did with Listening Sessions last winter and spring, Building Committee members are also happy to join any of you at one of your existing meetings.  If you would be interested in this, please email Heather Bout at hbout.sc@gmail.com.

We appreciate so very much your engagement and attention to this extremely important town project.

– CMSBC Communications Committee

Umbrella Presents “The Old Man and The Old Moon”

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Epic Sea-Faring Musical Continues Umbrella Stage Season
Spectacular Stagecraft, Musical Storytelling, Makes for a Rousing Adventure

 

Adventure lovers of all ages are invited to set sail on a high-energy, family friendly epic that combines live, narrative folk music, puppetry, and theatrical effects for a unique, fantastical theater experience as The Umbrella Stage Company continues its 2021/2022 season with the The Old Man and The Old Moon, Nov. 12 – Dec. 5!

 

The Old Man has kept his post as the sole caretaker of the moon for as long as he (or his wife, the Old Woman) can remember. When she is drawn away by a mysterious melody sparking memories of their shared past, the Old Man must decide between duty (and routine) and love (and adventure). Luckily for audiences everywhere, he chooses the latter, and what follows is an imaginative sea-faring epic, encompassing apocalyptic storms, civil wars, leviathans of the
deep, and cantankerous ghosts, as well as the fiercest obstacle of all: change. Hailed by The New York Times as “a story of time and tides and quests, the sort of fable on which mythologies and religions are founded,” The Old Man and The Old Moon is a fantastical tale with rollicking folk music by the innovative PigPen Theatre Co., and “asks us to appreciate the finer arts of wild storytelling, while speaking to the childish mind in all of us.”

“We are thrilled to bring The Old Man and The Old Moon to The Umbrella this season,” said Producing Artistic Director Brian Boruta. “As we planned our return to the stage, I wanted to find stories that were uniquely theatrical. The beautiful, yet simple stagecraft and the way the story is told harkens back to the very beginnings of theater itself – how do we create something out of nothing? Audiences of all ages will be left feeling that this story was meant to be seen in
a theater, and experienced live and in person.”

 

Directed by the award-winning Julia Deter, it stars Jonathan von Mering*, Gregory Boover*, Emily Serdahl*, Jennie McGuinness, Jay McCarthy, Kayla Shimizu, Lily Steven, Griffin Ostrowski and Erica Risti, each of whom also play instruments, and features dazzling sets, lighting, and stagecraft to tell an unforgettable story of love and devotion.

 

ABOUT THE SEASON
The Old Man and The Old Moon will be presented at The Umbrella Arts Center’s MainstageTheater144, 40 Stow Street, Concord, with limited seating capacity to allow for optimal social distancing. Facemasks are mandatory, and proof of full vaccination or negative Covid test is required for attendance.

The 2021-2022 season lineup also includes: an updated, relevant new presentation of the satirical The Colored Museum; an original world premiere play commission created by Hortense Gerardo; and the joyous musical comedy Head Over Heels, from the visionaries behind Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Avenue Q, fueled by music from the Go-Gos.

Buy tickets today!

$10 off tix to The Old Man and The Old Moon Nov 12-14 shows booked online – Use Code MOON10

Chase Bjork Foundation & Brain Health Bootcamp

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About the Chase Bjork Foundation and Brain Health Bootcamp

The Chase Bjork Foundation (a 501(c)3 nonprofit) was established by the Bjork family in February 2020 to honor Chase Bjork, who lost his life to suicide at age 18. Losing Chase ignited a passion to meaningfully address the lack of education and awareness of mental illness resources available to adolescents, their families and the communities in which they live. In September 2021, CBF launched the Brain Health Bootcamp (BHB), a free, online program for students, parents and communities to learn about mental health: what it is, how to talk about it, and how to get help for it. The program is available online at  brainhealthbootcamp.org and can be customized in partnership with school districts that wish to integrate it into their curricula. BHB is being piloted at Concord-Carlisle High School and Waldorf School of Massachusetts Bay.

If you are a parent, student, teacher, or school staff that would like to get involved with promoting mental health education and resources, or bringing the BHB to your school, please reach out to use at team@chasebjork.org. We would love to hear from you!

In Chase’s Memory

Chase Bjork was a beautiful boy who ultimately died from his mental illness. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to overcome the power of his hidden disease. In his memory, the Bjork family and Concord community established the Chase Bjork Foundation to educate families on mental illness and get more adolescents the treatment they need and deserve, pre-crisis.

Read more.

Wacky Wednesday: Visit the Concord Cheese Shop!

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Did you know about their Cheese & Charcuterie Club?

Every month changes with new selections of cheese charcuterie. Available for pick up second Wednesday of every month. Subscriptions available for 3-months, 6-months, and 12-months.

House Made Quiches

If you haven’t tried our house made quiches, well…you need to. Come in and say hello to Meg, our self proclaimed quiche queen. Fresh made every Tuesday and Thursday. Always a meat and vegetarian option. We also take orders. And yes, we can make gluten free quiches too.

House-Made Meals

From our lunch and dinner specials, to our custom sandwiches and platters, we’re ready to serve you delicious feasts for 1-100 people.

 

Every Day Lunch and Catering

…served con mucho gusto. Due to seasonal availability, we reserve the right to make product substitutions. The utmost care will be taken to ensure that any substitutions made are for products of equal or greater value and quality. We would appreciate orders of 12 or more to be called or faxed in anytime by 5:30 pm on the previous day.

Stay Informed

To stay up to date with happenings at The Cheese Shop of Concord, please join our email list!