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SeVWA’s 2016 E. coli Monitoring of Local River Sites Continued July 20th

by sevwa.wqmp | Nature

The Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA) had the third day of our monitoring program for the summer of 2016 on Wednesday, July 20th. Volunteers collected samples from 30 sites on eight rivers and streams and will continue to do so every other week through the end of August. This year, we have sites on the West River, Rock River, North Branch Ball Mountain Brook, Williams River (including South Branch and Middle Branch), Saxtons River, Sacketts Brook, and Whetstone Brook.

River users, whether they be swimming, boating, paddling, tubing, fishing, or even just hiking by, can help improve water quality by taking care of the rivers and their shores. The best way is to practice Leave No Trace principles ( for more info), especially disposing of waste, including pet waste, properly. This can keep whatever would have been left behind on the shoreline from washing into the river the next time it rains as well as keeping it aesthetically pleasing.

Why We Need Vacations

by Lise | Travel

For many years, I regarded a vacation as a necessity.  Like the two day weekend, I considered it vital to my health and well-being.  Then I stopped being able to afford the time or money to take a vacation, and next thing you know, a decade and a half had gone by.  Guess what? I lived.  But my body has taken a beating, because the continual ongoing activities of my job — typing, mousing, clicking — are gradually rendering my right arm useless.

Volunteers Needed for Upcoming Caribbean Food Festival!

by TheWilliamsAgency | Food

Greetings! We invite you to volunteer at Vermont JerkFest (www.vermontjerkfest.com).

We seek committed, enthusiastic and responsible people who would love to join in and contribute, meet new folks, and have a lot of fun! Volunteers get a cool t-shirt, a food voucher to redeem with one of our vendors, and a great time. Seeking volunteers for Friday set-up (10a-4pm); and Saturday – Zero Waste Champions, Set-up Crew, Parking Guides, Kids & Culture Zone, Registration, Vendor Coordination, Break-down, and Runners.

To volunteer, complete the Vermont JerkFest volunteer application here: http://bit.ly/VTJerkFestVolunteer

For more information or questions, contact us at info@vtjerkfest.com 

Behind the Break

by spinoza | Nature

It wasn’t until I was on a paddle-board at sea, standing-up and looking down at a series of waves, that I could truly see how their power gathers and disperses. While I’ve previously felt the curl’s whiplash on my surfboard and viscerally knew if I was in the right position to catch a ride, it took being both immersed and watching the pattern come and go from above to grok the groove that is wavelength’s expression.

Paddling with only your arms lying on your belly, trying to get up to speed, the wave will inevitably overtake you. Knowing exactly when by feel alone is a hard earned skill. From the line-up, you get an incomplete picture. It’s coming, it’s coming, then it’s past. An iconic example of ‘seize the moment’ if ever there was one. Fundamentally speaking, to surf a wave, you must put yourself in its unrelenting path. A sitting duck.

Speak Now – Vermont Health Plan Premiums Are Headed Up (Again)

by Lise | Health

As you probably already know, healthcare isn’t cheap in Vermont.  In recent years, our state’s healthcare has been among the costliest in the nation, mostly due to low population and little competition in the so-called marketplace.  This year, the state’s two health insurers — MVP and Blue Cross — have again sought rate increases, averaging over 8%.  If you’re already struggling to afford healthcare and haven’t seen an increase in your income in a while, such hefty increases in insurance premiums are going to take a toll.

SeVWA’s 2016 E. coli Monitoring of Local River Sites Continued July 7th

by sevwa.wqmp | Nature

The Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA) had its second day of its monitoring program for the summer of 2016 on Wednesday, July 7th. Volunteers will be collected samples from 30 sites on eight rivers and streams and will continue to do so every other week through the end of August. This year, we have sites on the West River, Rock River, North Branch Ball Mountain Brook, Williams River (including South Branch and Middle Branch), Saxtons River, Sacketts Brook, and Whetstone Brook.

Brattleboro Area Hospice to offer “2nd Thursdays in the Memorial Garden” on July 14th

by Not Signed In | Living

Brattleboro, VT. A brief community memorial service will take place on Thursday July 14th from 5:30-6:00 at the Hospice Memorial Garden located at Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro. The short program will consist of readings of inspirational poems and brief reflections on grief and loss, an opportunity to decorate a memorial stone to place in the garden or take home, and some quiet time to enjoy the beauty of the garden. Everyone is invited to this free event.

This new offering from Brattleboro Area Hospice is called “2nd Thursdays in the Memorial Garden”, and it will be repeated on August 11th and September 8th. The facilitator is Connie Baxter, BAH Bereavement Care Coordinator.

Brattleboro Senior Meals Breakfast Menu

by KathrynT | Food

JULY BREAKFAST MENUS

July 1st – Whole Wheat Pancakes, Syrup, Sausage,  Fruit, Yogurt, Juice, Coffee.

July 5th – Green Eggs & Ham, Home Fries, Fruit, Yogurt, Juice, Coffee

July 7th   – Cheese Omelets w/Tomato, Onions & Peppers, Home Fries, Fruit, Juice, Yogurt Parfait , Coffee

75th New Brook Horse Show to be held Saturday, 2 July 2016

by Not Signed In | Pets

(Brookline, Vermont) — Southern Vermont’s oldest horse show will be held Saturday, July 2 at West River Stables At Meadowbrook Farm, 102 Hill Road. The first class starts at 9 a.m., rain or shine. Admission is free to this family-friendly event and spectators are encouraged to root for their favorites from ringside. Refreshments will be served by the New Brook Fire Department Auxiliary and all show profits will benefit the New Brook volunteer fire department which serves Newfane and Brookline.

While We Still Have One

by Vidda | Activism

Let’s say Trump is elected and his first meeting with Kim Jong-un goes terribly wrong. The belligerence on both sides reach unprecedented levels. The kid, feeling threatened, decides to lob an ICBM over the polar icecap towards Manhattan, but misses. Instead, it accidentally explodes over downtown Brattleboro during the school year just after lunch recess. In March 2013, the boastful “Supreme Leader” threatened the United States with a preemptive nuclear attack. He is known to have tested a 10 kiloton nuclear weapon to “reliably defend the sovereignty and the dignity of the nation.”

If you’re a student anywhere within the full five-mile radius of a 10 kiloton air burst, you probably won’t be needing your school books anymore.

Jewish School in Brattleboro Welcomes New Students

by BAJC Shir HeHarim | Spiritual

It’s not too late to register children in the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community Hebrew School. Congregation Shir Heharim (Song of the Mountains), the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community, offers a once-a-week religious school for youngsters from the age six up to thirteen or older.  The school offers a vibrant child-centered program that teaches Hebrew language studies as well as songs, stories, prayers, holiday observances, customs and traditions, history, current events, and all things Jewish.  Students can begin school at the age of six.  Anyone who is planning to become a bar- or bat-mitzvah must be enrolled for a minimum of two years.

SeVWA’s 2016 E. coli Monitoring of Local River Sites Began June 22nd

by sevwa.wqmp | Nature

The Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA) began its monitoring program for the summer of 2016 on Wednesday, June 22nd. Volunteers will be collecting samples from 30 sites on eight rivers and streams every other week through the end of August. This year, we have sites on the West River, Rock River, North Branch Ball Mountain Brook, Williams River (including South Branch and Middle Branch), Saxtons River, Sacketts Brook, and Whetstone Brook.

          Escherichia coli, more commonly known as E. coli, is a bacterium that is found in the guts of all warm blooded animals, including humans. Most E. coli will not make a person sick, but sometimes they can become pathogenic which means they can cause illness. Additionally, the presence of E. coli in waters acts as an indicator for the presence of other, more difficult to test for pathogens. We publish our results to the public in order to help everyone make informed decisions about recreating in Vermont’s waters.

Wondering About Westgate

by RCastine | Questions & Answers

Does anybody know how much the rent is for an apartment at Westgate? I am thinking about moving back to Brattleboro and am trying desperately to find affordable housing, if any exists there besides maybe the Co-op building.