Speed Limit Reduction on VT Route 30 Associated with I-91 Bridge Reconstruction

by Not Signed In | State News

MONTPELIER, Vt.—September 16, 2013–The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) is temporarily reducing the speed limit on VT Route 30 from 50 mph to 40 mph for a one-mile stretch of road that extends approximately one-half mile north and one-half mile south of the location where Interstate 91 crosses over VT Route 30.

The speed limit reduction is associated with the Interstate 91 bridge replacement project, and will go in to effect to ensure the safety of construction personnel and the traveling public. The reduction will be in effect from September 23, 2013 to approximately August 2016.

Vermont Jazz Center Presents Steve Wilson/Louis Nash Duo with Bassist Nat Reeves

by Not Signed In | Music

Steve Wilson and Lewis Nash to present a Musical Dialogue at the Vermont Jazz Center on September 21st, 2013 at 8:00 PM

The Vermont Jazz Center will kick off its 2013-2014 season on Saturday, September 21 at 8:00 PM with a performance by two of the most highly esteemed musicians in jazz. Along with their myriad other projects, saxophonist Steve Wilson and drummer, Lewis Nash have been performing together as a duo since 2001. At the VJC they will be joined by bassist, Nat Reeves.

Sanders Statement on the Federal Reserve

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., Sept. 15 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today issued the following statement after Lawrence Summers withdrew from consideration to succeed Ben Bernanke as Federal Reserve chairman:

“I applaud Larry Summers for withdrawing his name from consideration. The truth is that it was unlikely he would have been confirmed by the Senate. What the American people want now is a Fed chairman prepared to stand up to the greed, recklessness and illegal behavior on Wall Street, not a Wall Street insider whose deregulation efforts helped pave the way for a horrendous financial crisis and the worst economic downturn in the country since the Great Depression. The Fed now must help develop policies which create millions of decent-paying jobs and rebuild the middle class.”

Sanders Says Senate Must Not Give in on House-Planned Cuts for Seniors, Children

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., Sept. 15 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said today that the Senate must call the bluff of House Republicans demanding deeper cuts in Head Start, Meals on Wheels and other programs for working families.

A proposal set for a House vote this week includes the deeper spending cuts in a continuing resolution to keep the government from shutting down after the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. The proposal would lock in across-the-board cuts known as sequestration but carve out an exception for the Pentagon, which would get a $20-billion boost.

Building a Better Brattleboro Annual Meeting Warning

by Not Signed In | Business

Building a Better Brattleboro will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at
5:30 p.m. at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden. The BaBB Board of Directors is seeking public input into the organization’s Fiscal Year 2015 work plan and budget. The public is encouraged to attend.

Kate O’Connor
Building a Better Brattleboro Board of Directors
(802) 490-2073
www.babb@sover.net

Kurn Hattin’s Bianconi Makes List of Top 25 Semifinalists for Grammy Music Educator Award

by Not Signed In | Education

Lisa Bianconi, Music Director at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children, has been chosen as one of 25 semifinalists from across the U.S. for the first-ever Music Educator Award presented by the Grammy Foundation® and the Recording Academy®. The 25 semifinalists, music teachers from 24 cities across 15 states were officially announced on September 11. In total, more than 30,000 initial nominations were submitted from all 50 states. Bianconi is the only nominee from New England to make it to the semifinals.

Open Music Collective Added Class Times and Enrollment News

by Not Signed In | Education

Added Class times and Enrollment news!

Monday Jazz Vocal Class almost full – 1 slot left! Still Will consider a Tuesday evening class if there is enough interest

Added Ensemble Classes for Saturday – at 11:45am – Bop Ensemble! Compositions to be chosen from the Sonny Rollins, Clifford Brown, Charlie Parker and Similar Book!

Added Ensemble Class – Saturday 1:30pm – Beyond Ensemble – Limited Space – Piano, Drums and other considered

Sign up for these and other classes:

Wednesday Jazz Ensemble – 5 pm – drums, piano and other instruments still needed

Thursday Vocal Technique – 5 pm – Sign up now! With Ken and Julie Olsson – Group Vocal Lesson

Guitar Ensemble – email for details!

Stand Up For A Child! at Windham County Family Court

by Not Signed In | Activism

Right now, there are children involved in the Windham County Family Court who need your help. They don’t need your money – just your time and attention. In some cases, these children have been abused, neglected or caught in the middle of a custody dispute – but they all have the same need: to have a judge-appointed advocate who will look out for their best interest. To be a Guardian ad Litem, you needn’t have any specialized experience – just a willingness to volunteer your free time, strong interpersonal and communication skills, a passion for helping vulnerable children and the ability to think critically, be assertive, work with others effectively, and use sound judgment. Training is provided, and the personal reward is immeasurable.

Brattleboro Storm Statement 2

by Not Signed In | Town News

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect for the Brattleboro area until 7:00pm. Rain is expected to continue throughout the overnight hours. Rainfall is expected to be heavy at times. We ask that you continue to monitor the National Weather Service for the latest weather information.

Damage from this afternoon’s storms has been identified at:

Elm Street, Between Canal and Flat – This section of Elm Street will remain closed until further notice. A significant washout occurred near to the corner of Canal and Elm, which may take several days to complete the repair.

Minor scarring and washouts have occurred on Bridge Street, Maple Street near Canal, and on Canal Street near Maple.

Town of Brattleboro Storm Alert

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro area continues to be in line for a series of very strong thunderstorms, and we continue to be under a severe thunderstorm watch from the National Weather Service. Several areas of minor to moderate damage have occurred across town. Elm Street between Flat and Canal is closed, with a significant washout near the intersection of Canal Street. A section of Guilford Street near Frog Hill Road is covered with water due to plugged culverts. A small wash out has occurred near Bridge Street, the area is blocked off with barrels and the road is not closed at this time.

We ask that you pay close attention to the weather and monitor WTSA and the National Weather Service for future statements. Please report any significant damages to Brattleboro Central Dispatch at 257-7946.

Plight of the West River Beaver Community

by Not Signed In | Op/Ed

For well over a decade now I’ve enjoyed regular strolls along the West River Trail just past the Marina. The trail is written up in the Audubon Society due to the wide variety of wild birds. In the spring, and early Summer the path is often crossed by turtles off to lay their eggs, until recently a very common sight. Unfortunately I only saw two turtles this year, and both had been run over by the utility trucks working on the I-91 bridge. Over the last few years (probably for a number of reasons) there seems to be a lot less animal , and insect life. Hurricane Irene ,while not entirely, certainly had a hand in the lower numbers of wild life.

Weatherization Skillshop in Brattleboro Sept. 21

by Not Signed In | Home & Garden

Learn to Weatherize. Are you a do-it-yourselfer? Would you like to reduce your energy costs by making significant energy improvements? And be eligible for up to $2,600 from Efficiency Vermont?

Each Skillshop will cover:

Air-Sealing. This is the key to increasing comfort and reducing fuel use—though potentially dangerous if not accompanied by proper ventilation. We’ll show you how to manage air flow in a building and how to tighten things up safely.

Insulation. There are ways to waste money on the wrong insulation and application. We will show you how to choose and install insulation correctly for your building, whether it is an historic Victorian house or a modern mobile home.

Leahy Against Missile Interceptor Site in Vermont

by Not Signed In | Politics

September 12, 2013

“I’ve always felt that the multiple billions spent on missile defense are a monumental waste of money, on technologically challenged systems, and I am emphatically against putting one of these sites in Vermont.”

# # # # #

[Text of letter to Senator Leahy, below:]

Brattleboro Union High School Board Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Education

BRATTLEBORO UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD

53 Green Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
www.wssu.k12.vt.us

NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The BAMS Committee will meet at 7:45 a.m. on Monday, September 16 in the BAMS Conference Room.

The BUHS Teacher Curriculum Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 16 in the Cusick Conference Room.

The BUHS #6 Finance Committee will meet at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in the WSESU Central Office Conference Room, 53 Green Street.

Farm to Family Coupons Still Available for WIC Families!

by Not Signed In | Food

Use your Farm to Family coupons at the Farmers’ Market!:

Farm to Family coupons for WIC families may still be available at your local Department of Health office. If you have not yet received coupons or have multiple eligible people in your household, you may still be able to get coupons. The Farm to Family coupon program helps you buy locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables at 62 participating farmers markets around the state.

Coupons are distributed through September 30th, 2013 and can be redeemed until October 31st, 2013. Please visit www.healthvermont.gov or call 1-800-649-4357 to find out if there are still coupons available at your district office and if you are eligible.

For more information about the Brattleboro Farmers’ Market, please call 802-254-8885.

Extras Needed for Filming This Week

by Not Signed In | Culture

Film extras are needed for this coming week including Sunday, September 8th and all week from 9 AM to 5 PM.

“Chasing Rainbows” is a locally made film that will have an international cast and will be submitted to film festival in the U.S. and Europe. Writer-Director Robert Fritz’s film are winning awards at festivals. Be a part of his next project.

No previous acting experience is necessary. Ages 18-108 welcome.
Lunch provided.
Jazz music all day Sunday