New Bereaved Parents Support Group

A new 8 week Bereaved Parents Support Group for parents mourning the death of their teenage or young adult child will be held at Brattleboro Area Hospice. The group will meet Tuesdays, beginning August 19, from 4:30-6:00 pm. Cheryl Richards will be the facilitator. Please call Cheryl at (802) 257-0775, X108 by August 12 to register for the group.

The death of a child is one of life’s most devastating losses. Sharing and connecting with other grieving parents can be a powerful component in the healing process.


Leahy Introduces Historic Bill To Ban NSA’s Dragnet Collection Of Americans’ Electronic Communications

WASHINGTON (TUESDAY, July 29, 2014) — Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Tuesday introduced legislation that would restore Americans’ privacy rights by ending the government’s dragnet collection of phone records and requiring greater oversight, transparency, and accountability with respect to domestic surveillance authorities.

The updated version of the USA FREEDOM Act released today builds on legislation passed in the House in May, as well as the original legislation Leahy introduced with Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) last October. The legislation bans bulk collection under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act and other surveillance authorities, requires the government to narrow the scope of a search to a clearly defined “specific selection term,” adds needed transparency and reporting requirements, and provides key reforms to the FISA Court. In an editorial on Monday, the New York Times wrote “the bill represents a breakthrough in the struggle against the growth of government surveillance power.”


Vermont Launches Windham County Economic Development Program

Applications Due September 23, 2014 

MONTPELIER, Vt. – The Windham County Economic Development Program is up and running and looking for applications with creative ideas that will help Windham County grow jobs and bolster the region’s economy. 

On July 28, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and the application for the first round ($2 million) of the funding made available by an agreement between the State of Vermont and Entergy. 


Twilight on the Tavern Lawn Presents Planet Zydeco on Sunday, July 27

Twilight Music continues its 12th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, rock, jazz, zydeco, Celtic, swing, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, July 27 with an evening of high energy accordion/guitar driven dance music of Louisiana by Planet Zydeco. The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 24. All concerts begin at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at Next Stage at 15 Kimball Hill in case of rain. The series is sponsored by the Town of Putney, Soundview Paper Company, Next Stage Arts Project, 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.


Use of GPS Attached to Dashboard or Windshield

I just bought a GPS unit. Since I recently learned that ornaments hanging from the windshield mirror are illegal, as they obstruct the driver’s vision, I am wondering if there are any restrictions to the use of a GPS monitor and how it is mounted. I need to be able to read it, but I don’t need a ticket.

Thanks.


Western Avenue Paving Info

July 25, 2014

PUBLIC NOTICE

Paving work on a section of Western Avenue is tentatively scheduled for the third week of August. A contract with The Lane Construction Corp was approved by the Selectboard last Tuesday. The State has agreed to reimburse the Town for work on this class 1 road up to $150,000.

The area we are working on begins near Brattle Street, west to Edward Heights. Only the traveled portion of Western Avenue from white fog line to white fog line is being resurfaced. First a milling machine will remove ¾ inch of existing asphalt along each fog line, tapering to 0 at six feet in. Then this area is resurfaced at an average depth of ¾ inch, raising the center line depth and matching flush at the fog lines.


Sanders Tells Letter Carriers USPS ‘Not Going Broke’

PHILADELPHIA, July 25 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today addressed the annual convention of the National Association of Letter Carriers and drew standing ovations for opposing cuts in sevices and jobs at the U.S. Postal Service at a time of rising revenue.

Sanders is the chief sponsor of legislation to modernize the U.S. Postal Service, save Saturday mail and prevent other unnecessary cuts in services provided by one of the most popular and important institutions in America.


Sanders Details VA Proposal

WASHINGTON, July 24 – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today detailed compromise legislation that he offered to House negotiators that would reform the VA and give it the tools to provide quality, timely health care to veterans.

The proposal () would address the need for short-term, emergency access to care while strengthening VA’s capacity to address veterans’ needs in the long term. It also includes a provision to allow for the removal of incompetent officials at the VA.


Salon Jacque Summer Vacation August 3rd-11th

SALON JACQUE will be closed August 3-11 for our annual week of summer vacation. We encourage our clients to book their appointments as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you after our week of vacation all refreshed and ready to go. To book your appointment with Jacqueline, Krystie, Re, Madison or Brianna please call 802-258-4411


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of July 27

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.

Route 30

The speed limit on Route 30 near the work zone has been reduced to 40 mph. This reduction will remain in effect through the Spring of 2016. Project-related truck activity on Route 30 will continue. Route 30 will be reduced to a single lane intermittently both day and night, with flaggers regulating traffic within the work zone.


Green Street Closures – Updated

A portion of Green Street will be closed on Monday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 23, 2014 for the demolition of a building located at 72 Green Street that was destroyed by fire last winter. The closure is as follows:

• Green Street from the intersections of Church Street to Bullock Street will be closed Monday, July 21 – Wednesday, July 23 from 6:30am – 4:30pm. No through traffic will be allowed.

• Traffic from High Street onto Bullock Street will be permitted to turn right onto Green Street. No left-hand turns will be allowed.

• The sidewalk on the north side of Green Street will remain open for pedestrian use.


The Stray Birds and Mike & Ruthy at Next Stage on Thursday, July 24

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present Pennsylvania-based, acoustic folk trio The Stray Birds and the indie roots music husband/wife team of Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar (formerly of the acoustic stringband The Mammals) at Next Stage on Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 pm.

Drawing upon the richness of American folk music traditions, the signature power of The Stray Birds sound lies in outstanding songwriting spun with a stirring subtlety and grace. The Stray Birds were born of a compelling collaboration between two unique writers and vocalists – the pure, luxurious voice of Maya de Vitry and Oliver Craven’s richness of tone and depth of delivery. Grounding their sound is the unshakeable groove of bassist Charles Muench.


Vermont Senators Honor Gov. Phil Hoff

WASHINGTON, July 17 – In joint remarks before the U.S. Senate today, Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) honored former Vermont Gov. Phil Hoff, who just turned 90 years old.

Hoff served three terms as governor. First elected in 1962, he was the first Democrat to hold the state’s highest office in more than a century.

“We rise today to celebrate Philip Hoff, the 73rd governor of the state of Vermont, for his extraordinary contributions to the state of Vermont, and to our nation,” Leahy and Sanders said in a joint statement submitted for the Congressional Record.