Windham Regional Commission Releases Forest Stewardship Report

Do you know what threats, both global and local, face our forests and our forest economy? Are you concerned that climate change and invasive species could change the composition of our forests as we know them? Is Windham County really the “Timber Capital of Vermont?”

The Windham Regional Commission’s recently-released report, “Landscape Based Forest Stewardship,” provides insight into topics such as these, including what strategies exist to preserve the region’s forestlands. The report, available at www.windhamregional.org/forestry, is the result of several years of work by WRC, with support from a project steering committee made up of area natural resource and forestry professionals.


Morningside Shelter and Brattleboro Area Drop-In Center Host 
3rd Annual Camp for a Common Cause

BRATTLEBORO – On Friday, May 29 the Brattleboro Area Drop-In Center and Morningside Shelter will host the third annual Camp for a Common Cause on the Brattleboro Common. The collaborative fund- and awareness-raising event has been a great success for the last two years, raising nearly $10,000 in 2013 and nearly $9,000 in 2014. All funds raised are evenly split between the two organizations, both of which work to alleviate homelessness in the greater Brattleboro area.

“We couldn’t believe the success of last year’s campout!” said Lucie Fortier, Executive Director of the Brattleboro Area Drop-In Center; “people kept coming out in the rain to join us for the barbecue and live concert. Everyone had a great time despite the weather, which only made the campout all the more poignant.”


Brattleboro Winter Parking Ban Lifted

The Brattleboro Parking Department would like to announce the lifting of the winter parking ban. Starting 04/14/15, at midnight, overnight parking will be allowed on all streets EXCEPT in the downtown area. The following streets are never available for overnight parking:

Main Street
High Street
Elliot Street (from School St to Main St)
Flat Street
Canal Street (from the Plaza to #63)


A Carbon Pollution Tax – Is It Right For Vermont?

Vermonters know global warming is happening now, and they are concerned about the impacts of climate change on future generations. Extreme weather events like Irene – which exacted a huge price on people’s lives and their pocketbooks – portend the kind of devastation we can expect from a warming world. Solutions that match the magnitude of the problem – and can turn this challenge into opportunity – are needed now.

There is a growing, diverse coalition – Energy Independent Vermont – working to do just that by calling for putting a price on carbon pollution. A fair, strong, carefully crafted tax on carbon pollution can accomplish three important goals:


Looking For a New Primary Care Physician in Brattleboro

I moved to Brattleboro in 2010 am am required by my health insurance to have a PCP (primary care physician). The first physician I found to be my PCP retired. The second just told me she is closing her practice. So for the 3rd time in 4 years I am looking for a PCP.

I have a challenging health condition that cannot go untreated. I am looking for suggestions for an MD or NP. I prefer a woman, and I will not go to Brattleboro Primary Care. Any ideas?


The Marina Restaurant’s Annual Plunge for Charity Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Brattleboro, VT—On Sunday, May 3, starting at 3 p.m., people will be jumping from a boat into the chilly water of the West River to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters, doing their part for The Marina Restaurant‘s Plunge for Charity.

The inspiration for The Marina Plunge, now celebrating its 10th Anniversary, came in 2003 when several Marina employees jumped into the river to celebrate a birthday. The following year they decided to make it an annual event for charity.

That year, a handful of individuals were thrilled to raise $1,500 for The Gathering Place, an adult day care center. Since then, the event has seen steady growth, according to founder and organizer Deirdre “Dee” Baker of Brattleboro.


Quality Used Books Sale in Guilford on April 25

The Guilford Community Church, UCC will hold its annual Book Sale on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Excellent current and collectible books will be offered, including a selection of children’s and young adult books. “Vermont.calm” T-shirts will also be available for purchase.

The sale helps support the many local and global missions of the church. From Route 5, just beyond the Guilford Country Store, turn left onto Bee Barn Road then right to 38 Church Drive.

For further information contact Pat Haine (802) 257-0626.


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of April 12

I-91

On Tuesday, April 21, there will be a formal inspection of the I-91 Bridge. Daylight is needed for the inspection, so the bridge will be closed from approximately 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. At the same time, the PCL team will repair potholes that developed over the winter. I-91 will be closed between Exits 2 and 3 both northbound and southbound. Traffic will be detoured onto VT Route 5.

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.


Volunteer Fair for Nonprofit Board Service

Get on Board Windham County will be hosting its first-ever Meet Your Match event, a community volunteer fair specifically geared towards matching potential board members with nonprofits.

Windham County nonprofits are invited to sign up to have a table at the event. The cost is $35, and registration for nonprofits will close on April 27. Nonprofits should register at http://bit.ly/Board-Match.

Many local nonprofits are seeking to expand and diversify their boards. This event will afford them the opportunity to pitch volunteer service on their board to dedicated and skilled community members. In attendance will be the 2015 cohort of Get on Board Windham County Board Fellows, a group of young professionals who have completed a 20-hour board training course.


Room For One More Team at Summer Soccer at SIT

There is still room for a team to join summer soccer in Brattleboro this year, sponsored by the Putney Soccer Club and held on Wednesday evenings at SIT. Eleven teams are not in place and there is room for one more. The season starts on May 13 and runs to the end of August.

If you are interested in entering a team in the league and serving as captain, please email Edwin de Bruijn at labdeb@sover.net or call 802 254 6965.

Also, if you are an individual player looking to join a team, we may be able to help you find one. You can email us at putneysoccerclub@gmail.com. When you do, please tell us a little about yourself, age, skill level, and so on. Thanks.


Sharon Myers Presents: The Wedding Gown Project

Sharon Myers is known as a caterer in Brattleboro. She is also an artist who is about to receive her MFA in Fine Arts from Heartwood College of Art in Biddeford, Maine. She works with fabric, mixed media and sculpture. She has drawn on her multiple talents to create a moving installation called “The Wedding Gown Project.” For those who are beyond first (or second or…) marriages there is much in this exhibit that will resonate. Everyone will be drawn in by both the artistry and the execution.

The “Wedding Gown Project” is up for only two days, Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 at the seventh entrance in the C. F. Church Building at 80 Flat Street. Hours on Saturday are 3:00 – 7:00 PM and on Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.


Putney School Charitable Work Day

On May 9th, 2015, Putney School students will be hired out into the community to work for a charitable cause. We want you to help!

People from the greater Putney-Brattleboro community can hire students to do yard or housework for $8 an hour, for up to five hours, on Saturday, May 9th. The proceeds from our labor will then go to the Morningside Shelter .

The Morningside Shelter is a local organization dedicated to providing a safe space and ongoing support to families and individuals facing challenges of maintaining stable housing down in Brattleboro. As the only year-round homeless shelter in southeastern Vermont, the Morningside Shelter’s services are in high demand.


Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem at Next Stage on Friday, April 10

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present Americana/roots quartet Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem at Next Stage on Friday, April 10 at 7:30 pm. This album release concert celebrates the brand new CD “Violets Are Blue,” a collection of sugar-free love songs infused with the band’s signature lush vocals, supple grooves, and most of all, joyous and generous spirit.

Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem bring fiddle, guitar, bass and junk percussion to bear on 100 years of American music, from Appalachian ballads to Brue Springsteen covers, songs by contemporary writers, and their own incisive originals. Their sound is “tight, with stylish, unexpected choices” (Acoustic Guitar), a mix of New Orleans grooves, old-time gospel harmonies, bluesy swing fiddle, and fiery electric and acoustic guitars.


One-Man Circus in-a-Suitcase, Circus Minimus

Sandglass Theater closes the Winter Sunshine series with Circus Minimus, The One-Man Circus in-a-Suitcase by Kevin O’Keefe

PUTNEY VT- On April 11th at 1 and 3pm Kevin O’Keefe will bring his joyous, playful and raucous good time of a show to the Sandglass stage. Circus Minimus, One-Man Circus in-a-Suitcase gives everyone an opportunity to participate in an enthralling, whimsical celebration of the imagination. From Kevin O’Keefe’s suitcase an entire circus emerges: tent, band, lights, the boisterous ringmaster Steve Fitzpatrick, the officious Mervin Merkle, the incredible Bumbilini Family, the Magician to the Stars Clyde Zerbini, and Keefer–an innocent trying to runaway and join the circus. However, the most important performers emerge from the audience. Each performance becomes a dialogue between the characters and the audience–a light-hearted collaboration.