cgrotke

Weekend Creativity Series – Water Fountains

by cgrotke | Creative

One of my favorite urban design features is a water fountain. Just about anything that sprays water or features interesting pools catches my eye and ear.

One of my favorite things to do when living in DC, for example, was to visit all the water effects along the mall on a hot day. There’s a first ladies’ grotto by the capital that is very cool and refreshing, the Canadian embassy and East Wing of the art museum feature fountains, there are reflecting pools, fountains at the Navy exhibit, and a pond at Freedom Plaza, to name but a few.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Successful Union Negotiations and General Goodness For Solstice

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard approved of contracts for most of the town’s union and non-union employees, with a range of raises, salary adjustments, and benefits packaged at minimal additional cost to taxpayers over the next three years. The negotiating process went smoothly, with cooperation on all sides, pleasing those involved.

Brattleboro’s 4th of July parade permit was approved, finances are looking good, tax bills will be delayed, Bradley House got lots of money, paving will be done under budget, grants were accepted, the town is suing over a breached contract, citizens were appointed to committees, a property will be demolished, Brattleboro businesses will face fines, and more.

Pre-Convention Politics

by cgrotke | Politics

The latest twist in the presidential campaign season comes primarily on the GOP side, with regular, traditional GOP members freaking out about Trump as their nominee. So much so that delegates to the Republican convention are being given a nod and wink to, if they want, maybe, perhaps, just change their support come convention time. (But not you Democrats! Stay in line!)

Others are reporting push polls testing Paul Ryan and Kasich against Clinton. President Ryan?

Clinton, meanwhile, has called for those under FBI investigation to not be allowed to purchase handguns. This comes while she is under investigation by the FBI.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – June 21, 2016

by cgrotke | Town News

Raises and benefits for town employees will be among the various items the Brattleboro Selectboard plans to discuss at their next regular Tuesday meeting at the Municipal Center.

Attend in person or watch on BCTV, and you’ll learn more about grants, paving, finances, parade permits, Business Property Tax Fines, and more! You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Weekend Creativity Series: Topiary

by cgrotke | Creative

I’m a sucker for good topiary. It’s unreal and unusual, unnatural and often results in something quite amazing and lovely.

My first memories of topiary are, of course, the gardens at Walt Disney World. Disney has long employed master gardeners and encourages creative topiary work that shows off their characters and other fanciful creatures. There was a sea serpent made of multiple shrubs, for example, that seemed to be swimming near the entry to the Magic Kingdom. EPCOT, by the way, hosts an annual garden festival.

(Another not-as-fond memory is the topiary in the remake of The Shining.)

Elliot Street Bridge Closed For Repair

by cgrotke | Town Plan

I’m a bit surprised that no one has mentioned that the Elliot Street bridge construction is now underway. Work started a few days ago.

If you are used to using the bridge near the end of Elliot, where it meets up with Williams, Birge, etc. as a crosstown cut-through, you will need to change your travel plans for a short while.

If you are a fan of Public Works, take this chance to go see the project.

The Final Primary – D.C.

by cgrotke | Politics

Just a little shout-out to my ol’ stomping ground of D.C. As a former resident of Washington, let me say that Sanders staying in until D.C. has voted is appreciated. It won’t change anything, but residents of D.C. are accustomed to being overlooked and ignored with all things political, which is very strange for such a political city.

The fact that he’s made statehood for D.C. his final campaign issue before the convention is also appreciated. The district has license plates that point out the irony of taxation without representation. Politicians are opposed because it will give Democrats extra seats on Congress, but this former resident says it shouldn’t be about balancing politicians. It should be about about giving everyone in the county representation in Congress.

Weekend Creativity Series – Fun With Phone Cameras

by cgrotke | Creative

You can take more interesting photos with something as simple as your smartphone. It is a matter of creativity. And necessity. There are too many boring photos being taken.

Here are a few quick tips and tricks to get you thinking in new ways about the camera you’ve got with you almost all the time. These come via COOPH.com.

Selectboard Meeting Notes: Something Borrowed

by cgrotke | Town News

It took the Brattleboro Selectboard less time to approve of a $7.8 million bond application than it did to learn about the Southern Vermont Dance Festival. Both were equally approved and proclaimed at Tuesday’s meeting.

Gibson Aiken gym windows will be replaced, paving projects have been funded, Brattleboro aims to buy property along the Whetstone to help with flood prevention and water quality, the cemetery committee and ordinance are evolving, and the annual dog warrant has been issued.

The Other Candidate Is No Good

by cgrotke | Politics

The Democratic primary has been decided, according to the AP. Speaking with anonymous superdelegates, party insiders, and donors, they’ve calculated and announced that Clinton has already won.

It’s a strange move to go out of one’s way to declare a candidate the winner on the day before a major primary. Superdelegates don’t vote until the convention, and the DNC had reminded the media, but the AP has called it anyway.

Clinton and Trump are the official choices in the coming election. Both are the best each party will offer.

This will not be an election about a positive vision for the future. This will be about why the other is no good.

A Normal Downtown Brattleboro

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

Just a quick observation that this is the first year in many years that we have a “normal” downtown Brattleboro. No burned out buildings are sitting or being repaired, no road paving projects are scheduled, and no sidewalks are being torn up. 

Anything can happen, and things can change, but it is nice to have a bit of time to enjoy downtown Brattleboro rather than just fix and clean it year after year.

Weekend Creativity Series – Cowbells (and Plastic Tubs)

by cgrotke | Creative

“More cowbell!” you may be thinking. But how are they made? Let’s look at the creative use of metal to make a musical instrument.

I got to work with metal a little bit in school shop class. We were given rods and had to make screwdrivers by heating and pounding the metal. It wasn’t hard to get the shape right, but to get the metal to the proper hardness was a bit of a challenge. I think we also spot-welded some small metal boxes.

This cowbell-making project wouldn’t scare me to attempt, but it would require quite a few specialized tools that are not in my toolbox.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – June 7, 2016

by cgrotke | Town News

Brattleboro will be applying for federal funds to purchase land along the Whetstone as part of ongoing flood mitigation plans for the town. It’s on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the Selectboard at the Municipal Center.

The board will also sign off on applying for a Bond to pay for for police and fire projects, accept $200,000 from the state for I-91 detour impact paving, issue the annual dog warrants for canines without licenses, and more. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Lost Beagle in Brattleboro

by cgrotke | Pets

I was just at Avenue Grocery on Western Ave and learned that there is a missing beagle somewhere in Brattleboro.

The dog was in Harmony Lot with its owner, got spooked and ran away. I was told that it is a shelter dog, named Gypsy, and could be anywhere from downtown to I-91.

If you see a confused, scared beagle out there, get in touch with Avenue Grovery and they can put you in touch with the owner.

Harris Hill Death

by cgrotke | Police & Fire

From the Brattleboro Police:

“Lt. Carrier

On May 29, 2016 at 09:12 hours, members of the Brattleboro Police Department and Emergency Services responded to the Harris Hill Ski-Jump for a report of a possible deceased male.

Upon arrival it was determined the male was in fact deceased.

Weekend Creativity Series – Tree Houses

by cgrotke | Creative

For a kid in the summer, nothing quite compares to having one’s own tree house to escape to to for privacy. It was the perfect place meet with friends. Parents knew where you were, but you were away from them and could see them coming. Just think of all the deep discussions that have been held by those admitted to treetop forts.

Tree houses aren’t just for kids to play in, of course. All around the world grown-ups build tree houses to work, play, and live in.

Two Maps – Commuters and Overdoses

by cgrotke | Sci-Tech

Couple of Interesting maps for map and big data lovers:

First up is a visualization of how people commute. Go to and set the state and county to Vermont and Windham. You’ll see dots start flying around on the map. You can zoom in, slow things down or speed them up, and adjust the perimeter you are using.

What you’ll see is an animated graphic of showing people going to work and returning home. You’ll also see that the stories of Brattleboro being the hub for Windham County are true, with a rather dramatic shift of people in neighboring towns coming in to Brattleboro to work.

When you are done, go look at a big metropolitan area, such as NY, Boston, or DC.