Brattleboro Savings & Loan Throws Switch on New Solar Array

Energy Source makes BS&L the first completely solar-powered bank in Vermont

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. – Situated next to a classic red-clapboard barn on land farmed since the early 1800s, a new piece of Vermont history is taking shape: an award-winning community solar array poised to provide energy to both Brattleboro businesses and residents.

Contributing companies Soveren Solar, the Vermont Agricultural Business Education Center (VABEC), and Brattleboro Savings & Loan will ‘throw the switch’ on a 150kW, 64-rack array on Tuesday, June 23 at 5 p.m., which represents one of five Vermont Community Solar projects in the state. Gov. Peter Shumlin is scheduled to speak.


In Search of a Home for Miss Daisy

We are in search of a loving home for a wonderful older female dog, who we took in a couple of months ago, but has let us know that she would prefer to not live out her golden years with two rambunctious babes in diapers. She is great with people, cats, dogs, kids, walks on or off leash, great in the car, and stays home alone during the day too.

She is sweet, and while she did express her need for some space from the tots, I know for a fact she is good with kids because she came from home where she was the beloved companion of a girl from toddler to teen. Anyone who has any ideas, please let me know! ♥

This post was created with love.

Brandie Starr


Celebrate Solar Tours Saturday

Sunny Skies Forecasted for First Annual Statewide Celebrate Solar Tours Saturday

Sunny skies are forecasted for the weekend of the Summer Solstice when more than forty locations throughout Vermont will open their doors for Celebrate Solar Tours. Like the open sugarhouse weekend in the spring and open art studio weekend in the fall, the summertime tours will give Vermonters and visitors the opportunity to get an up-close view of solar systems to learn about the technology, solar economics, and the benefits of solar to our communities. Many locations will offer refreshments, music or other entertainment like community walking tours, miniature golf and on-site yoga.


Sen. Sanders’ Statement on Charleston Church Shootings

WASHINGTON, June 18 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement today on the killing of nine people by a white man at a black church in Charleston, South Carolina:

“The Charleston church killings are a tragic reminder of the ugly stain of racism that still taints our nation. This senseless violence fills me with outrage, disgust and a deep, deep sadness. The hateful killing of nine people praying inside a church is a horrific reminder that, while we have made significant progress in advancing civil rights in this country, we are far from eradicating racism. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and their congregation.”

Contact: Michael Briggs: (202) 224-5141


The Barefoot Movement at Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery on Saturday, June 20

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present Nashville-based, Telluride Bluegrass Festival award-winning, bluegrass and Americana quartet The Barefoot Movement at Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery on Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 pm.

Heartfelt, energetic and down home, The Barefoot Movement is “one of the most promising bands on the bluegrass scene” (CMT Edge). Their down to earth music ranges from poignant ballads to rip-roaring barn-burners, and takes audiences back to a simpler place and time, inviting listeners to sit back, relax, take their shoes off and stay a while.


Brattleboro Hospice Hosts 7th Death Café to kick off The Wake Up to Dying Project

On Wednesday evening, June 24, 2015, from 7 – 8:30 PM, Brattleboro Area Hospice in partnership with the Wake Up to Dying Project will host a Death Café at The Works Bakery Café, 118 Main St. in downtown Brattleboro. This free event is part of an international movement begun in Europe (www.deathcafe.com ), and is dedicated to taking death out of the closet in order to discuss it publicly.

This event will represent Death Café #7 for southern Vermont. Previous events that have taken place throughout Windham County have been met with tremendous praise. People have reported them as comfortable, supporting a full range of emotions – from tears to raucous laughter, easier than anticipated, energy charged, inspirational and fun.


Downtown Brattleboro Farmers’ Market Opens Tuesday, June 16

The downtown Brattleboro Farmers’ Market opens this Tuesday, June 16 from 10 to 2 and will run each Tuesday through the end of October. Walk down to the Whetstone Pathway across from the Brattleboro Co-op and enjoy fresh veggies, dairy and cut flowers straight from your local farms. You’ll also find lunch foods, including Anon’s Thai Cuisine. EBT and debit cards are welcome. Find us on Facebook for updates and vendor news.


Qigong for Healing and Living Fully – Momentum

You are your best healer! Come learn how each and everyone of us is born with the innate gift to heal ourselves. In this half-day intensive, you will experience simple and profound ways to awaken your body’s innate healing ability while deepening your capacity to relax and enjoy your life more completely. Participants will leave with a renewed and empowered sense of health and well-being. All are welcome; no experience required.


Kelly Albrecht To Speak at Brattleboro Area Tech on June 18

Brattleboro Area Tech, a technology networking organization, will spend some time getting to know the Pioneer Valley at its next meeting on Thursday, June 18 at 5:30 pm. The meeting will be held in the Atrium of the Brooks House on Main Street, Brattleboro.

The featured guest will be Northampton’s Kelly Albrecht, founder of a number of IT businesses there, including the Left-click IT consulting firm and Last Call Media, a web development agency. He is also director of the NERD Summit, held each September in the Pioneer Valley.

Mr Albrecht will share his experience organizing technology groups in Massachusetts. His short presentation will be followed by much time for networking.


Ask-a-Baha’i

After the first Ask-a-Baha’i post, a reader asked what the Baha’i Faith is and what are some of its teachings.

The Baha’i Faith is the youngest of the major world faiths. Like other faiths, it has a Prophet-Founder who claims to have a revelation from God. Our Prophet-Founder, Baha’u’llah, received His call to prophethood in 1853, in a Tehran dungeon called “The Black Pit”. He announced it in 1863, in Baghdad, where He had been exiled, right before He was exiled again.

His Forerunner, whom we call the Bab, which means “gate”, had been martyred in 1850, shot by a firing squad of 750 rifles. The Bab taught that He was the Herald of “He Whom God shall make manifest”, the Promised One of all religions. We believe that the One He foretold was Baha’u’llah.


Twilight on the Tavern Lawn presents The Stockwell Brothers Sunday, June 14

Twilight Music continues its 13th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, rock, jazz, zydeco, Celtic, swing, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, June 14 with contemporary bluegrass and folk music trio The Stockwell Brothers. The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 23. All concerts begin at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at The Putney Community Center at 10 Christian Square in case of rain. The series is sponsored by the Town of Putney, Soundview Paper Company, The Putney Food Co-op, The Stockwell Brothers and many other Putney businesses and organizations. The concerts are free to the public (donations are accepted) and food will be available.


June 16 Forum to Promote New No- or Low-Interest Financing for Energy Improvement Projects

Two great low or no-interest financing options are now available to help Vermonters make energy improvements in their homes: PACE financing and the Heat Saver Loan.

A public informational forum on these energy financing options will be held on Tuesday, June 16 at 5:30 pm at the Marlboro College Graduate School, 28 Vernon Street in downtown Brattleboro. Pizza and beverages will be provided. Space is limited – to register, contact Paul Cameron at 251-8135 or pcameron@brattleboro.org.


Public Invited to ‘Trail Talk’ To Be Held for I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Project

The PCL+FIGG Team will conduct the next on-site “trail talk” for the Public on Saturday, June 13, 2015. There has been a lot of progress at the I-91 Brattleboro Bridge project site, which will be shared with attendees. The talks will originate at the West River Trail near the marina. The trail talk will be led by Caleb Linn, Project Manager for PCL (lead contractor) and William Johnson, Senior Quality Engineer for FIGG (bridge designer).

Interested participants should meet the PCL+FIGG Team at the West River Trail trailhead on Saturday, June 13, 2015, at 8 a.m. and the talk will begin at 8:15 a.m. Participants will walk the trail to the I-91 bridge site, so please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.


Statement of Congressman Peter Welch In Response to Governor Peter Shumlin’s Announcement That He Will Not Seek Reelection

WASHINGTON—Congressman Peter Welch (VT-AL) released the following statement in response to Governor Peter Shumlin’s announcement that he will not seek a fourth term as governor:

“Governor Shumlin has been compiling an extraordinary record of service as Vermont’s 81st governor.

“He led us through the devastation of Tropical Storm Irene, mobilizing Vermonters across the state to help one another and to rebuild Vermont to be stronger than before the storm. He was a resolute advocate for marriage equality. And, thanks to his bold leadership, the Vermont General Assembly became the first state legislature in the country to make marriage equality the law of the state.


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of June 7

The Strolling of the Heifers Weekend

We coordinated w/ the organizers, and hope that bridge construction did not affect the festival. We hope everyone had a wonderful time!

I-91

Northbound I-91 traffic has been relocated onto the southbound bridge. Traffic will remain reduced to one lane in each direction on I-91 until completion of the new bridge. The new bridge will be 104’ wide and is designed to carry all four lanes of traffic –two northbound and two southbound.