The CoJo Corner

Weird news in Concord

Posted on June 24, 2009 by Cheryl Lecesse
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Well, unfortunately, not this Concord.

But check out this story about a backpack-nabbing Johnny Depp lookalike…

Travel writer talks Thoreau

Posted on June 22, 2009 by Cheryl Lecesse
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It’s no secret that summer is a time for travel, or that Concord is a destination for many from around the country.

I was kind of curious what travel writers would pick up on about Concord.

Here’s a story I found from the West Coast, where (surprisingly or not?) there was no mention of West Concord.

Conman to Serve Time in Concord

Posted on June 19, 2009 by Lindsay Underwood
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Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, better known as Clark Rockefeller, will be serving time at the Massachusetts Correctional Institute in Concord after being convicted of kidnapping and assault last Friday, June 12.

Go to ABC News to read the full story.

Buy natural, help a farm

Posted on June 19, 2009 by Cheryl Lecesse
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debrasfivepercentday2005 Here’s a chance to buy good, natural stuff and help a local farm at the same time.

On Saturday, June 20, Debra’s Natural Gourmet in West Concord will donate 5 percent of the store’s proceeds that day to Gaining Ground.

“We’re thankful to have Debra’s as a longstanding supporter and partner,” Gaining Ground representatives wrote in an e-mail announcing the initiative.

Homer Simpson navigates

Posted on June 18, 2009 by pball
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Sick of getting directions from a limey lady who reminds you of Moneypenny?

Well, TomTom is giving users another option, so long as they’re willing to dish out a little Do’oh.

According to a WBZ report, TomTom has reached a deal allowing the Concord-based company users to download Homer Simpson’s voice on portable navigation devices. TomTom representatives told the Journal Homer’s voice is available for a one-time fee of $12.95, and he joins an array of character and celebrity voices available, which includes Mr. T, John Cleese and Kim Cattrall.

“Your car is an extension of your personality, and at TomTom we strive to give greater personality to your navigating experience,” said Karen Drake, corporate communication manager for TomTom. “With Homer Simpson’s voice helping them to navigate their trip, TomTom users will not only travel safely and with less stress, but will also be amused along the way. … All of our voice offerings have been very well received, and we anticipate Homer Simpson will be one of our most popular choices.”

Holiday hours at Post Office

Posted on June 18, 2009 by Cheryl Lecesse
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The town’s Post Offices in West Concord and Concord Center will close at noon on Friday, July 3. Both will be closed Saturday, July 4.

Thoreau a poet: Did he even know it?

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Cheryl Lecesse
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A new book about Walden approaches the popular subject from a new angle: Haiku.

Author Ian Marshall, professor of English and environmental studies at Penn State Altoona, came out with his newest book, “Walden by Haiku,” last month.

The book breaks down Thoreau’s “Walden” into almost 300 haiku, as he compares the similarities between Thoreau’s writing and the ancient Japanese art.

Writes Marshall in his introduction:

Reading Walden by haiku highlights the profound physicality of Thoreau’s prose, and reveals a Walden Pond that is something more than a metaphoric surface where self is reflected.

The trigger for Marshall was the connection he saw between Thoreau’s “Walden” and the haiku of Matsuo Basho, whose most famous writing was also inspired by a pond.

Concordian wins the Cup

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Cheryl Lecesse
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Not sure how many Massachusetts people watched Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals (I’m still sore about the Bruins’ loss), but Concord native Hal Gill was among the winning Penguins team Friday night.

Here’s video of him after the big win.

Turtles have opinions, too

Posted on June 12, 2009 by Cheryl Lecesse
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Anonymous letters to the editor aren’t uncommon. Sometimes it’s a resident who wants to write about a touchy subject, or who is extra-critical about town government.

Sometimes, there’s a signature at the end of the letter, but it’s not the author’s (Henry David Thoreau may be an awesome guy, but I doubt he can write from the grave).

This time, it’s a turtle.

“I.B. Slow” sent me a letter about his “appearance” in the June 11 edition, in the police log:

I am writing in regard to the item that appeared in the June 11th Police Log. I want to clarify the incident that took place at 12:01 at A Place to Grow on Friday June 5th. The truth of what happened that day is indeed, I was on my way to my favorite meadow when I decided to take a short cut in front of the day school. While in transit I was accosted by an adult human who proceeded to scream and yell at me to shoo. This harassment was clearly not called for since I was moving as fast as I could to cross the entrance and yelling ’shoo’ was not going to make me move faster!

I want to remind the readers that not all inhabitants of Concord are equipped to deal with the fast pace of modern life and that they need to make allowances for physical limitations of all creatures great and small.

I.B. Slow

Do you like our front page?

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Cheryl Lecesse
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Those of you who regularly read the Journal’s print edition may have noticed a few changes over the past couple of months. One is the rail we are running on a weekly basis on the cover.

The rail — or one-column row that runs down the length of the left-hand side — lets our readers know what else is in the paper on that particular week. We’ve tried to get creative with how we’re telling you about what’s on deeper inside pages, like using numbers and quotes.

What do you think? Is it a good idea or a waste of space?

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