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A Lifeline for Difficult Times: The Taking Solace Series January’s topic: Climate and Ecological Grief: An Exploration

by CenterforSolace | Questions & Answers

In the midst of multiple challenges happening in our world, living with the growing effects of climate change can be overwhelming. Feelings such as grief, sadness, fear, guilt, despair, and helplessness can be held in community as we witness the ongoing destruction of our planetary home.

Join us on January 7th at 6pm as we slow down and create a place where we can share our feelings about what we are witnessing. This is not a venue for problem solving, it’s a place to express and share our feelings about how the earth is rapidly changing.

Leda’s Kitchen Menu This Week . . . and Preview of Christmas Day Menu

by LedaS | Food

Hello Food Lovers,

I wanted to give you a heads-up that I’ll be presenting a Sichuan menu for Christmas Day. The offerings will include Kung Pao Chicken, Mapo Tofu (vegan), and Red Braised Beef. You can start placing your orders on December 16 at 7 PM. Please email me at ledaskitchen@gmail.com if you’re interested in viewing the complete menu. Now, onto the menu for the upcoming week!

CHICKEN VINDALOO (GF/DF)
Free-range chicken cooked in an abundance of garlic, vinegar, and balance of chili (it’s not actually that spicy!*)
$26 for 24oz container (2-3 servings)

Afghan and Indian Meals Delivered in Brattleboro Second and Fourth Mondays

by Nanci Leitch | Food

One way to support an Afghan refugee is to subscribe twice a month (second and fourth Monday) to her great Afghan and Indian cooking which is delivered to your home, if you are a Brattleboro resident. Other folks can pick up their meal (a meat and vegetable entree plus bread or rice) at the end of their workday from a downtown location.

Leyluma’s Gourmet Dinners cost $30 for one serving or $50 for two and is made from the freshest ingredients. The menu switched back and forth between Afghan and Indian entrees. She can also make a holiday meal or catered a company lunch. Orders must be placed by end of day Friday by emailing nanci.leitch@gmail.com or texting 802-258-8348.

Disrespecting Nurses

by RDavis | Activism

This country has faced a critical nursing shortage for years. The situation was made worse as a result of the COVID pandemic when health care workers were burned out and left professions that already needed to increase their numbers. Now, the Trump administration has created a new threat to the nursing profession by changing its definition of a professional degree to exclude nursing.

This a gut punch to the 5.86 million nurses in this country. Of that number, 920,000 are LPNs and 5 million are RNs. These are significant numbers, and I hope that all nurses are reminded of the disrespect that this Republican administration is showing to nurses when it comes time to vote.

November 2025 Precipitation Report

by local | Nature

November was an overall dry month but seemed wet at times.  There was measurable precipitation on 13 of the first 17 days but only in small amounts.  Less days of moisture the second half of November. The monthly total is 2.36 inches compared to the normal of 3.53″. More than an inch below the average.  Year to date with just one month to go my total is 43.42″, just a few hundreds above the NOAA normal of 43.24″.

Prepare For A Difficult Flu Season

by RDavis | Health

Every year strains of influenza spread around the world. In the United States we look to the southern hemisphere and the U.K. to get an indication of what might head our way.

Drug manufacturers develop vaccines based on their best information, which is partly guesswork, and hope they come close to identifying the strain of flu we will face.

The 2025-26 U.S. flu season may be bad this year because the vaccines that were created are not a good match for the strain of flu that we will experience. According to a recent report on NPR, “And now, parts of the Northern Hemisphere, such as the United Kingdom, are being hit hard. That often foreshadows what’s in store for the U.S.

A Deadly Turn

by RDavis | Activism

The day that the government shutdown of 2025 ended was the day that any hope for preserving the quality of life of millions of Americans ended. On the surface, the shutdown was presumably about extending subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. But there was a lot more at stake.

The Republicans had already had success in shredding the Medicaid program by making sure that millions of people will not be able to access the program. Those changes have not played out yet. When they do, there will be a new epidemic of untreated disease that will have consequences throughout the entire health care industry.

Northern Lights Last Night

by local | Nature

Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights were out bright last night. Photo from the new bridge over the river on a cold windy night with clouds blowing thru.  Flare on the lens from the strong town lights .

Leda’s Kitchen Chef-Prepared Meals, Menu for November 13

by LedaS | Food

At Leda’s Kitchen, I draw on my adventures as a private chef, cookbook author, and co-owner of Dosa Kitchen Food Truck to offer weekly-ish gluten-free heat-and-eat meals designed to awaken your senses and fit seamlessly into your schedule. My menus feature curries, stews, nourishing soups and stews inspired by diverse food traditions. I cook with high-quality ingredients including free-range meats and focus on local and organic sourcing. You decide when to eat, as all dishes are designed to reheat beautifully, maintaining or even increasing their original deliciousness.

Health Insurance and Our Hospital

by local | Health

I am a retired 68 year old with Medicare and BCBS plan G supplemental insurance.  Was on Medicare.gov yesterday checking out the supplemental plan and my Plan D prices. Ended up calling BCBS for the correct price and of course it came in the mail today.  Relatively good news, the plan only goes up about $22 per month which is better than expected.  $257 compared to this years $235 a month.

While on Medicare.gov looked at my profile and saw that I have paid less than half of the required deductible everyone who turned 65 after 2020 is required to pay.  Believe what has been paid is from an eye exam earlier this year.  I have been to a primary care provider twice and have had blood drawn twice.  Have not received a single bill from BMH this year and the first visit was in early June.  With the hospital running out of money wondering if many are not being billed.  My insurance combination is quite good, paying most costs, but I think the deductible should have been billed.   What is your experience?