Sip & Shop: Love is in the Air in West Concord!

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Join West Concord’s Sip & Shop

February 9th, 4-7pm!

Show a little love by wearing something RED, there may be a surprise at each individual business! Red balloons will be outside each of the participating businesses.

Participating businesses are all women owned!

 

       

Read about these local shops & shopkeepers…

Belle on Heels a French inspired boutique owned by Melissa Evans has been in business for 5 years in West Concord located at 23 Commonwealth Ave. Her inspiration came from her frequent travels to France and her love for provincial style. Melissa works with French companies and carries gourmet foods and body products from the countryside. She also has a wide variety of original art as well as antiques, home decor and gifts. She chose this location due to its vibrant, warm community. The Village has always been one of her favorites to shop and stroll.

 

Concord Firefly has an extensive selection of gifts and accessories… be sure to stop in, you’ll find a wonderful array of gifts and something special for yourself. Fabulous scarves, socks, jewelry, clothing, handbags, novelty, hats, mittens, bags and more! Kids will love the candy room in the back!

    

 

Joy Street    Life + Home is a distinctive gift boutique located in the Cultural District of West Concord, Massachusetts. It’s a welcoming shopping destination to find the perfect present, decor for your own home and a special little pick me up.

Opened in Spring 2017, Joy Street Life + Home was born out of passion to bring designers and customers together in a warm and friendly space. The boutique features products from more than 250 companies including women-owned businesses, New England-based businesses, and Fair Trade lines. Each and every product is carefully selected for the store to spark those moments of joy when you find that perfectly special something. With locally themed and handmade goods as well as standout essentials, we have exactly what you didn’t even know you were hoping to find!

 

Vintages Adventures in Wine has been selling world-class wines in West Concord for 23 years and counting. We specialize in classic wines from Piedmont Italy, fine Burgundies and Champagne from France, as well as a carefully curated collection of other established wine regions around the world. We also offer a unique selection of spirits and craft beer. We enjoy being a part of the dynamic West Concord neighborhood because it truly has something for everyone and are excited to see it continue to thrive!

 

A New Leaf specializes in “Redesigned & Consigned Home Furnishings”. Owner Meg Gaudet freshens up old classics and offers array of charming home furnishings, home decor and gifts.

 

J’Aim  is your local go-to for home decor, tabletop, textiles, apothecary, local art, hand crafted goods & jewelry. Owner & curator, Jaimee Healy’s shop offers unique and beautiful gifts and pieces for your home or wardrobe.

 

Reflections  is the best consignment Store Concord MA and Award-winning regional favorite – 27 years and still going!

We have a personal approach to in person consignment shopping and we also have an extensive online shop! Our consignors bring nothing but the best from modern casual and boho items to upscale designers.  We carry styles to match every taste, and LOVE the artisan and one of a kind. Some favorite brands Include: J Jill, Eileen Fisher, J. McLaughlin, Habitat, Ralph Lauren and more!  Secondhand fashion never looked so good!

Add the perfect accessory to complete your outfit – purses, totes and travel bags at serious discounts;  Unique statement handbags, Jewelry in Sterling silver or Gold from Brand names and Artisan makers, Estate Jewelry;  Shoes and boots for every day or occasions.  Why pay full price?  Reflections offers the best value!

Whether you’re shopping, consigning or both – you’ll feel the difference at Reflections!

  

 

Doe + Fawn offers a selection of toys, books and clothing with a deep connection to the natural world. Designed for young children and their caretakers, our thoughtful and engaging collection of goods is curated from the creative minds of artists, makers and producers with a love of nature, play and design.

Owner Amy Noordzij shares her background and inspiration for opening Doe + Fawn….

“There have been many life experiences that inspired my desire to open a children’s shop in West Concord. One of the more recent sparks for me was when I listened to a podcast called 1,800 Days. This podcast  is about the first 1,800 days of every child’s life- the time from birth to kindergarten- the most intense period of development in their lives. While the podcast goes deeper into the early childhood education system in the US, it got me thinking about what if I could open a store that embraced this time period through play and reading while also having a connection to the natural world.

I have M.ED and I was a Kindergarten teacher and worked in Environmental Education for a number of years prior to starting a family. I have served on the Board of Gaining Ground and Concord Education Fund. Most recently, I taught plant based cooking classes for The Healing Garden, Emerson Auxiliary, a local elementary school and was a private chef, with an emphasis on food and healing. This particular passion can be found in the “Farmer’s Market “section of the shop!  My hope for the shop is to connect my experiences in education while staying true to the mission, offer a welcoming space and build deeper community relationships. “

Loveday offers a thoughtfully curated collection of women’s apparel, sourced primarily from independent designer brands across Europe and the UK.

The lifestyle store includes a collection of contemporary fine jewelry, creative lifestyle goods and an apothecary. Owner Kirsten Ball, a resident of Carlisle and a jewelry designer, travels to Europe on a fairly regular basis to visit family and keep her pulse on the latest in European fashion. She brings boutique brands back with her to Concord Massachusetts!

  

 

Concord Art and Antiques owners Bobbi Benson and Joy Moore, antique dealers for over 30 yrs, opened this past August and could not be happier in our new space at 129 Commonwealth.  We have room to curate our extensive collection of fine art, estate jewelry, botanicals, and quality antiques and collectibles. Open Wednesday thru Sunday 11-5.

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Clay Art & Concept owner, Michal Adar-Orgad, is a ceramic artist that always wanted to open a working studio combined with a shop where she can create and display her work. This little dream of hers came to life October 2022 in  amazing West Concord.

Michal says “The ‘rawness’ and the variety of stores and artists around, seemed  like the right place for me. The community and the business owners are so nice, welcoming and support one another. It looks like we are all sharing the same idea of shopping and eating local at unique, one of a kind shops. I love simple, basic designs – contemporary styles that are colorful, dynamic and sophisticated.

My pieces are handmade and feel natural and organic to the touch. I was hoping to create a space that will feel like everybody’s home, a place to come, visit and shop as needed.”.

   

 

 

LOVE LOCAL

SHOP LOCAL

Lets support our local small businesses!

 

Spotlight on Ceramics Artist in Residence, Katie Bosley Sabin

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The Umbrella is pleased to welcome our new Ceramics Artist in Residence, Katie Bosley Sabin! Katie is a talented ceramicist who earned her MFA in Ceramics from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and has previously been a resident at the Archie Bray in Helena, MT, Mudflat Studios in Boston, MA, and Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis, MN.

Sabin specializes in crafting porcelain vessels that combine dynamic forms and dimensional surfaces to create a captivating presence. In her residency, she plans to test mid-range clay and glaze recipes and transition to a lower firing temperature to allow more freedom in the range of objects she can make. Join us for Katie’s artist talk on February 3 at 4pm to learn more about her background and her career as an artist and educator.

Go to Katie Bosley Sabin’s profile to learn more about her work and Ceramics Artist residency!

Unite with Light – January 29th

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Please join us to gather as a community and Unite with Light on Sunday, January 29th. Children raising funds for Children’s charities.

Purchase luminaries at www.unitewithlight.org

Pick up materials at one of 8 spots around town –  listed here

Light your luminaries on Sunday night!

All proceeds go to www.brainhealthbootcamp.org, an organization started in honor of Chase Bjork.

This year you pick the donation amount and pick up whatever number of luminaries you would like! See details below.

In remembrance of Chase Bjork and in support of children’s mental health.

Since 2017 Unite with Light has gathered the community to light candles in an act of togetherness and in support of children’s charities.  For the past two years we have done so in remembrance of Chase Bjork a friend, son, brother who died from suicide on January 30, 2020.

As with all things, the event is changing and evolving as the times and our lives change. We are simplifying the event while prioritizing the opportunity for people to light a candle and take a moment to reflect on the gift of Chase’s life, our own peace and how we can positively impact the brain health of others, particularly children.

In the past each luminary kit was $20 and contained 10 luminaries.

 

This year participants can donate any amount they would like at Unitewithlight.org or paypal (QR code below) and then pick up luminaries at any one of the 8 luminary pick up bins.  Participants choose the amount to donate and the number of luminaries you would like.  It’s the honor system – no kits, just take what you want / need.

On the night of January 29th, we may see homes with one candle on the steps or 20 along the walkway.  Both will be beautiful and allow us time to reflect, pray and progress.

Supplies are limited; we encourage participants to pick up early.

 

Donate here

So Much Happening This Winter at The Concord Conservatory of Music!

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Exploring music’s role in developing children’s executive function

When you hear the first few beats of a favorite song, how do you respond? Do you start to tap out a beat, hum along, or feel particular emotions? It only takes those first moments to remind us of the power of music, and this power extends to all individuals, regardless of disability status. Many peer-reviewed scholarly articles explore and explain the varied benefits of musical education for children with developmental and intellectual disabilities, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research on the subject has been taking placefor over 25 years, and countless children have benefited from music classes. Read on to learn the ways your child can benefit from a developmental music class!

Improves communication skills

Music has been shown to effectively enhance verbal and nonverbal communication in children with developmental delays. Research fromMcGill University and Université de Montreal has found increased connectivity between auditory and motor regions of the brain, which are believed to be related to the significant improvements in children’s communication skills and family quality life reported by their parents. Music can even be used to support children’s literacy.

Provides a multi-sensory learning experience

While you may think of music as something comprised simply of sound, musical experiences are multisensory and thus provide a ripe opportunity to support children’s development. Through music-centered learning, children are encouraged to touch, hear, see, vocalize, and move, all of which aid in well-rounded development. The use of props, visual aids, and physical movement in addition to song keeps students engaged and excited!

Improves attention

The patterns in music canhelp children remain attentive, especially since many respond better to auditory cues rather than visual ones. There are different types of attention; these include sustained, selective, and alternating. Sustained attention the ability to continuously focus on something, selective attention is the ability to focus on something when other things are occurring in the room, and alternating attention is the ability to switch between tasks with different mental demands. Many children with ASD struggle with transitions and step-by-step routines, but integrating music has been shown to smooth transitions both physically and emotionally.

Looking for a fun and productive way to support your child with a developmental disability? Look no further than the Concord Conservatory of Music’s new Tones of Fun on Wednesdays, 4:30 – 5:15 for ages 3 – 6 and 5:15 – 6:00 pm for ages 7 – 9.The Concord Conservatory of Music is committed to providing equal access to music classes for all children.

Learn more and sign up!

978-369-0010

ConcordConservatory.org

1317 Main St, Concord, MA 01742

 

 

New Year is great time to register for classes/courses/workshops/teams!

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Concord Art

Concord-Carlisle Adult Community Education

Concord-Carlisle Youth Baseball / Softball

Concord Youth Lacrosse

 

Concord-Carlisle Youth Soccer

CCYSoccer

Concord Conservatory of Music

Concord Public Library

Concord Recreation

Concord Youth Theater

Umbrella Arts

 

 

2023 CMS Building Project Event Information

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A New Year, Another Special Town Meeting

 Happy New Year from the Concord Middle School Building Committee!  As you know, Special Town Meeting on January 19th is fast approaching, and Concordians will be called upon to vote whether to approve allocating additional budget dollars towards the project’s budget.  A vote like this is important, and requires Concordians to be informed.  What’s contributing to the increased budget? Has the finance committee endorsed the article?  What happens if the article doesn’t pass? Please join us at a Public Forum or Informational Coffee to understand all the factors at play!  

 The full schedule remaining is as follows:  

 

Thursday, Jan 5, 7:00pm: Informational Coffee on Zoom, with co-chair Pat Nelson

and CMSBC member Steve Stasheski.  

           Meeting ID:962 7329 9483 with Passcode:

141129

Monday,

Jan 9, 2023 7 p.m. Public Forum on Zoom, with Superintendent Laurie Hunter,

co-chairs Dawn Guarriello and Pat Nelson, and CMSBC member Steve Stasheski

           Meeting ID: 975 6857 8967 and Passcode: 948723

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2023 at 10:15 a.m. in person at Fowler Library, with

co-chair Pat Nelson and CMSBC member Alexa Anderson  

Tuesday,

Jan 17, 2023 at 12 p.m. on Zoom with

CMSBC members Alexa Anderson and Steve Stasheski

            Meeting ID: 968 9317 4463 and Passcode: 977904

See you at the Coffees, and certainly at Special Town Meeting on January 19th!

 

– The CMSBC