Concord Sustainability Topics on YouTube
It is as close to the truth as possible that the internet has much more than you want and need -- you only have to look for it. Take for example the hundreds of videos about Concord on YouTube. Try it yourself if you are brave and have a fair amount of time to spend, though much of it is educational and enjoyable.
Scanning the offerings that might fit in with this edition's theme of "Concord and Sustainability," our intrepid editorial staff came up with a vast number of delights for your viewing pleasure. Of course, by no means does the below represent a full description of what is available either in Concord or online. Nonetheless, divided loosely by categories that reflect aspects of sustainability, below are some YouTube highlights (and a few low-lights, too).
A Vibrant Local Culture
Contra 1 Part 1 - Concord Scout House 2007-12-20 -- First post-break contra at the NEFFA Contra Dance at the Concord Scout House. Calling by Linda Leslie; music by Brendan Taaffe (fiddle, guitar), Colin Lindsay, David Cantieni (saxophone, flute, bombard and whistle). Recorded with permission of the artists. The Scout House is known far and wide as a premiere locale for Contra Dance.
Blessing of the Hounds -- On September 29, 2007 the Old North Bridge Hounds hunt club held the blessing of the hounds assisted by the Ancient Echo's drum group in Concord MA
Spencer Brook Music Festival -- Youth orchestra performance Concord, MA 2007.
Rubber Duck Race -- Annual Rubber Duck Race in Concord, MA, a fundraising event.
Environmental Concerns
Walden:The Game -- Video trailer for a proposed game about Henry David Thoreau's time at Walden Pond.
"Walden" - Faux Movie Trailer -- This Hollywood adaptation of the masterpiece "Walden" includes the missing chapter of how he took action against those who interrupted his isolation. This is what happens when the peaceful man who was trying to comment on nature and its animals is pushed over the edge. A funny and tacky video.
Rick Beinecke on the Concord River -- Concord resident and river guide Rick Beinecke talks about Niki Tsongas's River Day.
US Senator Niki Tsongas Canoeing on the Concord River (On River Day) -- Niki Tsongas canoes up the Concord River while her guide talks about the River's historic locations.
Naturalist Peter Alden on Invasive Species Along the Rivers -- Concordian naturalist and author Peter Alden joined Niki Tsongas to talk about the plants and wildlife along the Sudbury River.
Musketaquid Earth Day Musketaquid Earth Day, May 3, 2008, Concord, MA.
Polar Bear Plunge at Walden Pond -- Walden Pond hosts Lexington's Global Warming Education Network on Dec. 8, 2007 for one of many polar bear plunges across the country in celebration of International Climate Action Day.
Rep. Cory Atkins on Our Rivers -- Representative Cory Atkins, who canoed with Niki Tsongas during her River Day, discusses the importance of Rivers to the Fifth District. Our favorite quote: "Great places are defined by their water ways" -- amen!
Concord Train Station -- Boston commuter train line station in Concord, MA. Rumor has it that HDT used this to get to his campsite (kidding). Perhaps what a fly sees?
Boston to Concord Train View -- View from train door in late September as it passes by Walden Pond.
Blue Heron on the Sudbury River -- Beautiful, tranquil river scenery.
Concord, MA Scout House Raccoon -- Filmed outside Concord (MA) Scout House, 5/1/07.
Wetlands in Concord Scenery -- We don't know where this is taken. Behind the Milldam? That National Park? No idea -- but this is typical of much of the beautiful and vital wetlands that are found all over Concord.
A Natural Life -- Not quite sure what this is, actually. The makers say that Henry D. Thoreau doesn't have anything on them. Come share their new home in Walden Woods, Concord, MA. Embrace nature. "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined"
Walden Pond Sunrise from Thoreau's Cove -- One beautiful morning in October 2007. This is what Henry David Thoreau saw at dawn in October of 1845 & 1846, if he was watching from his cabin.
Mallard Duck on the Sudbury Rivermallard http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxalJOemr_w
Local Hummingbird (Ruby Throated) in Action: here and here.
Walden Pond Scenery -- peaceful scenery on a beautiful Spring day.
Sudbury River Turtles
Fall Foliage, Concord, 2007 -- with scenes from Lexington, too.
Local Economy and Village Life
The Zero Blaster -- The inventor of the Zero Blaster shows different tricks and games that can be used with the Zero Blaster. Zero Blaster HQ is in West Concord.
Concord MA Milldam Photo Tour by BellHop.com -- Preserving our local villages as functioning places of local, independent economy are key to stainability moving into the future. Here's some views of a variety of places in Concord, including the Milldam/Main St. area.
Zero Blaster Puppy Play -- Adorable video of a puppy eating the fog rings from a Zero Blaster fog ring gun. Don't worry: these are completely non-toxic vapor rings.
Social Commentary
Japanese Tour of Thoreau's Hometown -- Love and respect for HD Thoreau is a world-wide phenomenon. This video shows our lovely town, and some of our well-loved Town employees.
A Prayer for PeaceA simple, heartfelt prayer calling for peace in the world and within ourselves. This was written and performed by Tom Smith live at the Emerson Umbrella Center for the Arts in Concord, MA, December 3, 2007.
Crazy Tuesday -- Funny social commentary on the current state of public education. 2 teachers from Concord, MA rap about the trials of their profession with musical assistance from Big Daddy Ames. This gets our editor's award for best video of the bunch!
Art Credits: Page designed by Windfall. Backgrounds by Donna Cunningham. Other images courtesy of Clipart.com.
