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New Meal Team Coordinator for Groundworks’ Seasonal Overflow Shelter  

by Not Signed In | Food

BRATTLEBORO- This week’s weather safety advisory is in full effect across the region. “Extreme weather poses imminent danger to our community. In these conditions, it’s imperative that people can access at least one hot, nutritious meal after fighting through days like this” said Rhianna Kendrick, Groundworks Drop In Center Director and Seasonal Overflow Shelter Coordinator.

The Seasonal Overflow Shelter (SOS), coordinated by Groundworks Collaborative and located in downtown Brattleboro at the First Baptist Church (190 Main Street) is in its ninth year of operation; open each night from 5pm – 7am.  A hot meal is served nightly at 5:30pm with the support of a variety of generous meal team volunteers.  Community volunteers provide nightly meals, as well as the staffing for overnight shifts.

Brattleboro Area Hospice Spring Volunteer Training To Take Place in Westminster, Vermont

by Not Signed In | Health

With the goal of increasing the pool of volunteers available in the Greater Falls area, Brattleboro Area Hospice will offer its Spring Volunteer Training at the Westminster Institute on Route 5 in Westminster beginning on March 16 and ending on May 25. Sessions will be held from 3 – 6 PM on Wednesdays. Application deadline is March 4, 2016.

Throughout Windham County hospice volunteers aid neighbors and their families who are living with life-threatening illnesses. Help may range from errands to gardening to emotional and physical support. Our volunteers report the work is challenging and very rewarding. Training topics include hospice philosophy, nuts and bolts of volunteering, ethical issues, personal attitudes toward death and dying, and grief issues among others. Presenters include professionals from the community as well as Hospice staff and volunteers.

Harris Hill Ski Jumping Competition Set For February 20 and 21

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — The nation’s best young ski jumpers are set to fly at New England’s only Olympic-size venue Feb. 20 and 21 during the annual Harris Hill tournament in Brattleboro, Vt.

The nearly century-old competition will feature two dozen athletes from the United States, Austria and Slovenia leaping off a 90-meter hill that’s one of just six of its size in the country.

Since its start in 1922, the annual event attracts several thousand spectators who watch jumpers shoot at speeds of 60 mph before soaring more than 300 feet in the air.

Namie, Fukushima Japan 5 Years Later

by Safe and Green Campaign | Activism

One month from today, March 11, will mark 5 years since the Fukushima nuclear disasters began in Japan. The town of Namie, Japan is the same distance from the nuclear reactors in Fukushima as Brattleboro is from Vermont Yankee. 500 Namie citizens died in the tsunami, and Namie was evacuated. Five years later, it is still off-limits to its 15,000 residents. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report May 2015, Namie residents received the highests doses of radiation from the Fukushima meltdowns: 10 to 50 miliseverts. The Telegraph posted photos of Namie yesterday:

The Safe and Green Campaign will hold a vigil in downtown Brattleboro on Saturday, March 12th. We will honor the 150,000 evacuees of the Fukushima meltdowns, and to educate ourselves on the continuing public health, environmental and political effects of this horrific accident.

Brattleboro Area Hospice to offer Seven Week Grief Support Group

by Not Signed In | Health

Brattleboro, VT. Brattleboro Area Hospice will offer a Seven Week Bereavement Support Group for adults begins on February 10th and will meet each Wednesday from 5:00-6:30 pm, ending March 23rd. The group is free of charge and open to anyone in the community grieving the death loss of a loved one, no matter when or where the loss occurred.

Bereavement Support Groups offer a safe, mutually supportive environment for sharing experiences through discussion, readings, simple activities, and suggestions for moving through grief. This group will meet at the hospice office at 191 Canal St. in Brattleboro. No prior connection with hospice is necessary in order to participate. The group size is limited to 8 people. Please call Connie Baxter, group facilitator at (802) 257-0775 x104 for a pre-group appointment if you’re interested in joining.

A Weird Winter

by cgrotke | Nature

This has been a weird winter. We saw a few snow flakes in October, a bit of snow around the end of December and early January, then almost nothing. Relatives down south are still digging out, though, from their big snow storm.

The temperatures have been relatively mild. As I type it is about 40 degrees out. What little snow was there is turning to water and evaporating.

Japanese or Asian Language Groups Around Brattleboro?

by BusyMom | Questions & Answers

Are there any groups in this area who get together to talk in Japanese?  I know there’s a Spanish group, so it occurred to me there might be an Asian group of some sort.  On behalf of a college-age relative who is extremely into Japanese (incuding anime, manga, foods), so I’m looking for possible social outlets.

Dear BFC

by Will Stomp | Food

My Dear Bratt Foo Coo,

Thank you, ever so much, for the fresh, local, organic tortillas.  I walked into the store this evening and was truly delighted.  Dinner transported me back to a tortilla shop in a little village in Central México, an elderly woman in the background making them by hand.  A good tortilla has a taste like a drink of fresh water from a gurgling spring. 

And thank you, by the way, also goes out to the Supreme Court of México for continuing to ban genetically engineered corn from being grown in their country.  Not that this has anything to do with my dinner, just giving credit where credit is due here.

Qigong for Healing and Living Fully – Focus

by Not Signed In | Health

You are your best healer! Come learn how each and everyone of us is born with the innate gift to heal ourselves. In this half-day intensive, you will experience simple and profound ways to awaken your body’s innate healing ability while deepening your capacity to relax and enjoy your life more completely.

Qigong is an ancient form of meditative movement that is over 5,000 years old. In China, qigong is one of the secrets to living a long and healthy life. The simple movements and breathing practices help relax the physical body, calm the mind and raise the spirit. It is an excellent form of preventative healthcare, and also used in treating major illnesses and minor ailments.

From Paris to Vermont: Building a Movement for a Just Transition

by ESchwartz | Activism

On Jan. 28 at 7 p.m., Shela Linton, who traveled to the UN COP21 climate talks, will report on her experience in Paris with climate activists from around the world, followed by discussion about the road ahead. This event will take place at the Root Social Justice Center, 28 Williams St., Brattleboro, and is sponsored by the Vermont Workers’ Center. 

Details: In December, Vermont Workers’ Center reps Shela Linton and Senowa Mize-Fox traveled to the United Nations’ COP21 climate talks, joining a delegation of over 100 grassroots leaders from the US and Canada.

Crafting for the Homeless – Help Make a Difference!

by BAJC Shir HeHarim | Activism

Crafting for the Homeless is in its second year of meeting on the first Sunday of the month from 1-3:00 pm at Brattleboro Area Jewish Community, Congregation Shir Heharim. 

 Some people come to learn to knit or crochet, others arrive with projects already underway.  Some are members of BAJC; some are not.  All are welcome! So far, we have donated 14 scarves, 20 hats, mittens, and 16 fleece blankets to Groundworks Collaborative, and we also are making knitted or crocheted squares to be stitched into afghans that we will sell to generate funds to purchase supplies. We also have completed one rug to sell.

Peanuts in Sesame Noodles May No Longer Be Organic

by Dfk-b | Food

Several years ago, after a few reminders, I was happy that the coop finally switched to using organic peanut butter in the sesame noodle sauce available in bulk and in take-out sesame noodles. Although I rarely purchase this myself, I was concerned because this sauce is popular with children, and peanuts are one of the most heavily sprayed crops. Today, while spooning tahini into a jar, I couldn’t help but notice the ingredient list on the nearby bucket of peanut sauce, and the lack of the word “organic” preceding the peanuts. If you care about this, please let the folks at the coop know.

Harris Hill Ski Jumping Competition Set For February 20 and 21

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports

SAVE THE DATE: HARRIS HILL SKI JUMPING COMPETITION SET FOR FEB. 20 AND 21

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — The nation’s best young ski jumpers are set to fly off New England’s only Olympic-size hill Feb. 20 and 21 at the annual Harris Hill Ski Jump in Brattleboro, Vt.

The nearly century-old competition will feature athletes from the United States, Canada and Europe who will compete on a 90-meter hill that’s one of just six of its size in the country.

Since its start in 1922, the annual event attracts several thousand spectators who watch watch jumpers soar up to 300 feet at speeds up to 60 mph.

Dosa Kitchen Is Back at the Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market

by Dosa Kitchen | Food

After a two-month eating tour of South India, Dosa Kitchen is back at the Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market.

We’ll be there this and every Saturday 10-2 through the end of March.

We will be sharing some of our newest recipes from our trip—this week it will be Black Chickpea Curry, a coconut-based curry from the state of Kerala, and Masala Free-Range Chicken, featuring Nash’s family’s signature spice blend.

YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program to be offered at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital

by BMH | Health

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program helps adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes reduce their risk for developing the disease by taking steps that will improve their overall health and well-being.

The (CDC)-led evidence-based program is delivered over a 12-month period in a supportive small group classroom setting. Sixteen weekly one-hour sessions are followed by eight monthly sessions. Facilitated by trained lifestyle coaches Terri Kneipp and Nancy Schaefer, the class is scheduled to begin January 21, 2016 and will be held at the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital from 3:00 – 4:00 PM.