Conference attendees hardly recognized the Common Man's Alex Ray when he took part in a panel of “legends” at the Governor's Conference on Tourism at the Radisson last weekend. That's because he's sporting a new look — a shaved head.

Ray recently buzzed his locks at an event for the St. Baldrick's organization, which raises money to fund research in hopes of curing childhood cancer.

We're not sure whether Ray is going to keep his new “do” or let his hair grow back, but we do know that he's taken his commitment to giving back and supporting charities to a new level.

New face at Intown

We were happy to learn that Sara Anderson has landed at Intown Manchester as the organization's assistant marketing director and is in line to take over Samantha DePrima's position as director of marketing when DePrima leaves for Kansas in June.

Although we're sorry to see DePrima go, we know Anderson will do a bang-up job. We've worked with her during her time at Clear Channel Communications and later when she was the director of development for the New Hampshire Food Bank. We look forward to the fun-loving and creative vibe she'll bring to downtown.

Bakery overload?

We're starting to wonder whether a downtown area as small as Manchester's can get saturated with dessert shops. Two new such shops, Finesse and Baked Downtown Café & Bakery, will join several similar establishments in the downtown area, including Lala's Hungarian Pastry and Restaurant, Queen City Cupcakes, Lee's Cake and Pastry, and Sweet Retreat Bakery.

Fortunately, each one seems to have its own niche within the dessert category. It appears that Finesse will be a fancy French pastry shop located at 968 Elm St. Neither the shop's website, www.finessepastries.com, nor its Facebook page mention a firm opening date, but they do promise lots of treats that look and sound delicious.

Baked Downtown Café & Bakery, opening within the next couple of weeks at the corner of Elm and Concord streets, seems to be targeting a different clientele. The folks over at South Willow Street's Joker's Bar and Bistro (the sister establishment of Baked) tell us Baked will be a fun place with a bar and other menu items in addition to delicious baked goods.

But what really sets Baked apart is its tagline, “Why run on coffee when you can go get baked?” We wonder what they'll put in those brownies.

NH365.ORG event of the week

Take a walk on the wild side at a Cat Show at All Dogs Gym on Sheffield Road this weekend. We like to think the pooches at the inn were looking for a little excitement and posted the event on NH365.org. But the event is legitimately sponsored by The International Cat Association and runs from Friday through Sunday.

The show will feature the association's newest recognized breed, “The Savannah,” which has a spotted, leopard-like coat. In addition to other cats not usually seen at cat shows, there is also a household pet competition. The event will draw cat competitors from all over the country.

Tickets, which are available at the door, are $5 for adults and $4 for senior citizens and students. Children under 13 and active military are admitted free.

Learn more about this event and others at www.NH365.ORG.

If you have an interesting item for Scene in Manchester, email it to scene@unionleader.com.