The last Concord Arts Market Pet Day was the site of a special event - the election of the canine mayor of Concord. The event, which raised several hundred bones for local animal shelters, saw almost 20 dogs enter in a quest for canine supremacy. In the end, basset hound Victoria and Great Dane Nelson received the same number of votes, and a tie was declared. Now, Concord not only has its first canine mayor, but…

In the lexicon of the roller derby world, "spank alley" is the term used to describe the penalty box. Or, as Melody Broider likes to say, where you have to go if you're a bad girl.In downtown Concord, it's where you go for all your derby equipment needs.Broider opened Spank Alley Skate & Board Shop on Oct. 1 at 8 N. Main St., providing local derby, skateboard and longboard enthusiasts a unique…

Gourmet chefs, kindly avert your eyes. There's a convincing argument being made that presentation has little to do with gourmet eating.And it's coming from our four-legged friends.Sure, they eat all their meals out of a round, metal bowl. But those bowls can contain dining selections about as glamorous as the ones we put on our fancy china plates, with plenty of health benefits…

Each year, the Junior Service League awards thousands of dollars in grants to local non-profits that focus on women and children in crisis. What better way to raise the money for those women and children than getting all dolled up a fun fashion show - emphasis on the "doll"!The JSL's American Girl Fashion show is its primary fundraiser for the year. Dozens of little girls get to dress up like their…

Did you know that November is National Invent Your Personal History Month? No? That's because I invented it as part of my personal history last November. It's become one of the signature achievements in my fantastic fictional existence. That, and the fact that I beat Usain Bolt in the 100 meter dash. Twice. In space.I'm doing the full life story rewrite for one reason: retirement planning. Rather than save and invest, my adviser thinks I should write a best-selling personal memoir and live off the royalties. (She's a bit unorthodox, though she did graduate top of her class from…

By PAUL BASHAMFor the InsiderIn their book, "In the Company of Crows and Ravens," John Marzluff and Tony Angell note that some words have their origin in the sounds of nature. For example, they mention that most of the names given to crows in different languages on five continents all include the "k" or "c" consonant which vocalizes the cawing cry of crows. We can hear the power of the…