‘Let’s be Kind:’ In the Wake of Tragedy, a Message to Concord Town Meeting

Concord resident Tina Labadini, who has ties to the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown, Conn., addressed annual Town Meeting, which opened night Monday -- one week after the Boston Marathon bombing.

As a proper noun, Concord is a town. But lowercase the "c" and you've got something synonymous with harmony. So it seems fitting then, in light of recent tragedies, that a resident would stand in front of annual Town Meeting and encourage the nearly 1,000 Concordians assembled as the town's legislative body and say: "Let's be kind." Town Meeting opened Monday, one week removed from the Boston Marathon bombings that set off a week many feel was Massachusetts' most trying in recent memory. As part of the opening ceremonies resident Tina Labadini, who has ties to the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown, Conn., took the podium, saying as hearts go out to the victims there is a way for Town Meeting to honor them with its actions as well as …

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Before Town Meeting, a Student's Perspective on the Bottled Water Debate

A CCHS student pours out his feelings on Concord's bottled water ban.

You Ask, Patch Answers

What You Need to Know About Concord's Annual Town Meeting

The warrant, where to park, how to check in and other relevant information.

Concord's annual Town Meeting opens at 7 p.m. next Monday, April 22, at Concord-Carlisle High School. For the uninitiated, Town Meeting is the municipality's major legislative body, making decisions about budgets, bylaws, land use and, in these parts, bottled water bans. The warrant essentially breaks down the meeting's business -- in both legalese and layman's terms. Need a refresher on the warrant? Click on the PDF posted to your right.  Other meeting protocols and information are posted below, courtesy of the town website. PARKING: Town Meeting attendees should enter the high school parking lot via the Walden Street entrance only. On-site parking is limited. Carpooling is encouraged. Parking for people with disabilities is available at …

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PHOTOS: Concord's Patriots' Day Parade Marches Across North Bridge

The annual Patriots' Day Parade in Concord capped off a morning of patriotic festivities across Concord and Lexington.

  Patch was camped out at North Bridge to take in the annual Patriots' Day Parade following a reenactment between British Regulars and Colonial Militia. Several companies of minutemen marched in the parade, including those from Concord, Lexington and Bedford.  State Sen. Mike Barrett, along with Concord town officials, also marched Monday morning.  Be sure to stick with Concord Patch for a full recap of the Patriots' Day festivities in Lexington and Concord. 

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PHOTOS: Patriots Take Tower Park ... Again

Before a robust audience along Mass Ave in Lexington, the minutemen battled back the British Regulars to claim the field at Tower Park Saturday afternoon as part of the Patriots' Day festivities along the Battle Road.

Like so many times before, the calls of "Huzzah" fell flat as the Redcoats retreated to the east. The minutemen companies had swarmed Tower Park, pushing back the British Regulars to claim the field here in Lexington. As re-enactments go, this one looked pretty real: Fake gunfire led to fake fatalities. That's fitting, though, since the Battle of Tower Park itself is fake -- unlike the other Patriots' Day weekend festivities along the Battle Road, the Saturday afternoon show isn't based on a real battle. The historical fiction is plenty popular, however. A crowd of maybe a dozen deep lined the sidewalk along Mass Ave, looking over the park as minutemen battled back the Redcoats to advance past foes lying prone in the field and through the …

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Concord Seeking Opinions On Open Space, Recreation

Here’s how to weigh in with your thoughts on the Concord open space and recreational needs.

Concord is in the process of updating the town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. And, to help focus those decisions, officials are seeking input from residents. One avenue through which Concordians can opine is through an Open Space and Recreation Plan Survey available through the end of the month on the town website.  According to the town site: Your responses will help focus town decisions regarding open space and recreational needs for Concord over the next seven years. Your input in imperative to assist the town in developing a plan that realizes your needs. The survey, which is hosted through Survey Monkey, seeks opinions about conservation and recreation land use as it is now and as folks feel it should be in the future. Survey …

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West Concord 7-Eleven 'Renovated' by Christmas Eve Drunk Driver

No one hurt, one incarcerated as shopper attempts to enter store still in his vehicle.

For all of you who enjoy your Slurpee or the Big Gulp, Big Bite hot dog combo, you will still be able get your morning pick-me-ups after the -Eleven adjacent to the West Concord MBTA commuter rail station despite an incident where the establishment "just got renovated by a drunk guy" early on Christmas Eve, according to police reports. Send us your smart or cell phone photos of the damage. According to numerous regional police accounts, the "Car Vs Building" incident occurred just after 1 a.m. when a young woman "plowed" his car "through the front doors" of the store located at 1224 Main St. in a popular strip mall.  The Christmas spirit was looking over everyone as no one in the store or the alleged drunk driver – reported in police …

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We Want You ... To Blog on Concord Patch

Concord is choc full of interesting individuals and opinions, so why not share them on Patch?

Concord Patch is still in search of local bloggers, and we think you’d be perfect. (Yes, you!) Think of it like writing a letter to the editor, as often as you want, and on any topic. Or like a conversation among friends and neighbors. Or as a way to share your expertise on whatever you’re skilled at. Everyone’s got something to say, and we’d love for you to say it on Concord Patch. Are you a recent CCHS graduate embarking on your next adventure? Here on Patch, you can share your experiences with friends and family back home. Do you teach yoga, know how to stretch a buck, play an instrument, dabble in photography, write poetry, make a mean chicken carbonara (or have the ability to pair it with the perfect wine), coach Little League, walk …

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