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Candide Revisited

by Lise | Books, Culture

While I was reading Candide, the controversial 18th century fable by master satirist and troublemaker Voltaire, I mentioned to some fellow readers that I thought it was very funny.  I was met with a chorus of boos and hisses:  “Awful book.  Miserable book.  Thoroughly depressing.”  This made me wonder if we were talking about the same book, until I realized that they had both read it while still in their teens, when the bitterness of Voltaire’s satire must have proved overwhelming to their youthful optimism.  

It should be noted that the full title of the book is Candide, or Optimism, although admittedly there is very little in the story of our hero Candide and his teacher Dr. Pangloss to inspire one to an optimistic view of the human race.  Technically, it’s a satire on the views of the German thinker Liebniz, whose philosophy on the existence of evil is summed up in the famous saying that we live in “the best of all possible worlds.”  Voltaire disagrees.  But you don’t need to know the works of Liebniz to get Voltaire’s indictment of society which in Candide is corrupt from top to bottom.

BCTV Schedules – Week of January 10, 2022

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1075 schedule for the week of 1/10/22

Monday, January 10, 2022

5:00 am Vote for Vermont – Being Latino in Vermont 10/14/21
6:00 am Vote for Vermont – 12/2/21
7:00 am Brattleboro Literary Festival – Peter Filkins and Jennifer Militello – New England Poets
8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast

The MADD Chatter Show

by sosqht | Media

Radio Show Sundays 3pm-5pm The MADD Chatter Show

1Hour Music followed by 1 hour Talk Radio

Share your stories of healing, spirituality or personal growth for inspiration and motivation!

New Year – New Skills! January Classes at HatchSpace

by HatchSpace | Creative

Join a woodworking class at HatchSpace for a great start on 2022. Many classes are suitable for beginners as well as experienced woodworkers.  Learn new skills from experienced instructors in a safety-focused environment.

Financial aid may be available, contact info@hatchspace.com for details.

BCTV Schedules – Week of January 3, 2022

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1085 schedule for the week of 1/3/21

Monday, January 3, 2022

6:30 am Landmark College Graduation – Fall 2021 Landmark College Commencement
8:00 am The David Pakman Show – The David Pakman Show – Weekly Broadcast
9:00 am Energy Week with George Harvey – Energy Week #449 – 12/16/2021
10:00 am West River Education District – WRED Bd Mtg 12/20/21

BCTV Schedules – Week of December 27, 2021

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1075 schedule for the week of 12/27/21

Monday, December 27, 2021

6:00 am Veterans Events – Wreaths Across America Comes to Brattleboro 12/13/21
7:34 am The News Project – Visiting a 98 Year Old Veteran
7:45 am BUHS-TV – BUHS-TV News 12/21/21
8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast
9:00 am BCTV Open Studio – Project Feed the Thousands 2021

COVID Christmas

by cgrotke | Entertainment

I thought we could retire this one last year, but now it’s a becoming a regular holiday special. Here it is again, the COVID Christmas Anti-Viral Holiday Special…  stay safe everyone!

BCTV Schedules – Week of December 20, 2021

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1075 schedule for the week of 12/20/21

Monday, December 20, 2021

5:00 am North Branch Nature Center – Drawing on Birds – Comics, Science, and Sharing Nature
6:10 am Northgate TV – Guided Meditation – A Grateful Heart 12/1/21
6:25 am Stories by Tego – Catania, Sicily – Scenes from the Feast of St. Agatha
6:30 am Vermont Youth Orchestra – A Fantastique Return 2021
7:52 am BUHS-TV – BUHS-TV News 12/14/21
8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast

WSESD Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Education

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m. – David Schoales, Board Chair

II. CONSENT AGENDA

• CLERK’S REPORT – Approval of Minutes – December 14, 2021

• FINANCES

Mara Williams on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Entertainment

Join Mara Williams as she tells stories about her adventures as Curator for the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, featuring Red Grooms, Wolf Kahn, Jim Dine and the many local luminaries who helped put BMAC on the map.

BCTV Schedules – Week of December 13, 2021

by BCTVProg | Media

Monday, December 13, 2021

5:25 am Windham Elementary School Board – Windham Elementary School Bd Mtg 11/16/21
8:00 am The David Pakman Show – The David Pakman Show – Weekly Broadcast
9:00 am Energy Week with George Harvey – Energy Week #446 – 11/24/2021
10:00 am VT Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel – VT NDCAP – 12/6/21 Mtg
1:00 pm Newfane Selectboard – Newfane SB Mtg 12/6/21

WSESD Board Public Statement

by Not Signed In | Education

We, the members of the WSESD School Board (the Board), are grateful for the opportunity to serve our community and, like you, are horrified by the revelations shared in Ms. Haskins-Rogers’ August 2021 article in the Commons and other information reported to us since then.

Our strong personal reactions made all of us open to taking many of the steps that were suggested by members of the community. In particular, we have been impacted by the open letter signed by 167 people which has called for, among other things, an open investigation and an assessment of the district’s present-day climate and functioning.

Since this letter, we have heard your concerns about the speed with which we have proceeded; frustrations we have also felt personally. But as quickly as we might wish to bring accountability and healing to what many of you have described as an institutional betrayal, we feel bound by our roles as elected officials to proceed with due diligence—a stepwise process, but one inspired by empathy for all those affected. We remain committed to a prudent process that:

Vermont on PBS NewsHour

by cgrotke | Media

Vermont was featured on the national news last night. The PBS Newshour did a segment on Vermont and the pandemic. Our rising numbers contrast with our early successes and this makes for interesting news.

They said that Vermont’s numbers were up because 1) everyone got their shot early on so we’ve had a long time for the effects to weaken, and 2) variants are more contagious now.

People ending up in hospitals are mostly unvaccinated. People who are vaccinated are getting milder cases, but are transmitting it to those who are not vaccinated yet.  Booster shots aren’t as popular as the first round of vaccinations, either.

Julian McBrowne on”Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Entertainment

Next Stage Arts, Yellow Barn, Vermont Jazz Center – Julian McBrowne, Audio Engineer extaordinaire brings great sound and harmony wherever he goes – from our local venues to world tours and even a Caribbean island. Take a listen!