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Downtown Brattleboro Lights Flashing on Friday?

by BrandieStarr | Questions & Answers

When leaving work around 2 on Friday, I–for some crazy reason–decided to drive through town. Traffic was very heavy, including pedestrian traffic. To my surprise, the lights were flashing , resulting in driving chaos, and making it practically suicidal for pedestrians, I ended up belligerently holding up traffic behind me to allow a lady to cross the street who had been waiting for quite a while in the hot sun.

Who makes the decision on those lights? I am going to have to dissagree with the decision on Friday, unless it was unavoidable. I was very relieved to reach Gougers Market, as I saw many close calls involving turning cars, stressed pedestrians, and generally busy traffic.

July 3rd was SeVWA’s Second 2013 River Sampling Day

by sevwa.wqmp | Nature

Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance’s (SeVWA’s) water quality monitoring program was begun about 10 years ago. At that time, in 2003, the organization was known as West River Watershed Alliance (WRWA). Our 2013 stream monitoring program began on Wednesday, June 19th and this past Wednesday was SeVWA’s second 2013 river sampling day.

Things went well for most volunteer monitors on Wednesday morning – though rivers and streams were running murky, high and fast. Volunteers typically sample between 6 – 7:30 AM on scheduled monitoring days. Because of the amount of rain that had fallen in the region the previous 24-48 hours, the water level and flow was too deep and fast for three sites to be sampled along the Williams River, but generally the sampling, drop-off/pick-up/delivery schedule for getting samples to the lab for testing went smoothly.

Golden Eagles Near Vernon?

by tomaidh | Nature

Yesterday I was driving North on 142 in a wooded section of Vernon, when a very large brown bird flew across the highway. A split second later, 2 such birds recrossed the highway

They were NOT turkeys, vultures, hawks or ospreys.

I’m thinking golden eagles, but it appears they are extremely rare in Vermont.

Happy Fourth of July

by MRaymond | Living

Happy independence day.  Stay healthy drink lots of water and come out to enjoy the Fourth of July’s parade and events here in Brattleboro.  Bring an umbrella a nice way to stay in the shade….

“Everyone Does It.”

by SK-B | Questions & Answers

The classical remark which gets parents to explain right and wrong to their child.

But how often do adults make this remark in board rooms and business meetings? Have you ever been in a situation where “everyone does it” was the justification for questionable conduct, and if so how did you respond?

SK-B

CRVBL Weekend Roundup

by CRVBL | Recreation & Sports

BRATTLEBORO PICKS UP FIRST WIN OF YEAR OVER NEWPORT

By Kevin McElhinney, CRVBL

The Brattleboro River Rats moved into the win column for the first time this season with a 7-2 victory over the Newport Polar Bears in recent Connecticut River Valley Baseball League action.

River Rats pitcher Todd Bell threw a complete game for the win, allowing just one earned run on six hits while striking out eight. At the plate, Bell drove in two runs. Other stars on offense included shortstop Michael Chevalier and third baseman Brian Benjamin, who each had three hits. Left fielder Caleb Record went two for four with an RBI, first baseman John Waitekus and right fielder Thomas Mauger each drove in a run while catcher Sunny Lucas scored two runs and second baseman Abe Klein scored twice and stole a base.

Volunteer Needed for Brattleboro Housing Authority, Ledgewood Heights

by BHA | Activism

Ledgewood Heights FREE summer meals program is looking for someone to serve meals twice a day, 5 days a week. This is a great opportunity for community service & includes the following duties: tracking meals in &
out, serving meals (all meals are delivered ready to go with minimal volunteer preparation needed), and clean up. Yes, that’s IT! Breakfast is served from 9-9:30am and lunch is from 12-1pm.

EBT – Double Matching Coupons Are In At The Bratteboro Farmers Market

by Not Signed In | Food

Attention EBT customers! The Brattleboro Farmers’ Market will be matching EBT dollars spent at market (up to $10 per person, per visit) with the Harvest Health Coupons, available starting in July.

The Brattleboro Farmers Market operates the Wednesday Market, downtown by the Co-op on the Whetstone Pathway, 10-2, and the Saturday Market on Rte 9 in West Brattleboro (past the covered bridge).

Come to market, swipe your EBT card at the manager’s booth, and receive wooden tokens that can buy any EBT eligible foods, like fresh produce, fresh breads, eggs and meats, maple syrup, etc. While supplies last, double your EBT money and receive the matching Harvest Health coupons.

Looking for Magic the Gathering Players in Brattleboro

by BritSkye | Recreation & Sports

I’m posting on behalf of James, a 13-year-old I tutor part time.  He really loves playing Magic the Gathering and is really good at it.  He’s looking for more kids to play Magic with, roughly ages 11 to 15, and/or a local Magic group to join.  (That is, in Brattleboro – we know about the Greenfield one).

Please message me, or tell me how to get in touch with you, if you know of any Magic groups or 11-15 year old Magic enthuiasts who would be interesting in meeting me and James downtown somewhere (gazebo on the common?  Tea Lounge?) to play Magic.  (I don’t play, btw. :)) 

And spread the word!

Thanks!!!

Flotilla 2013 Coming 2013

by csimmons | Activism

Join Flotilla 2013! Saturday, August 10th, 11am (rain date: Sunday August 11th, 11am). Prospect Street Boat Launch in Hindsdale, NH

The Entergy Corporation continues to pollute the Connecticut River by dumping hundreds of millions of gallons of heated water every day from the Vermont Yankee nuclear facility. This “thermal pollution” destroys aquatic life. Because of high water temperature and low river volume, Entergy was forced to use its cooling towers to cool its reactor last summer. In fact, Entergy has the ability to use those towers continually. Instead, Entergy chooses to pollute our river. This is not acceptable.

Sick Rose Bush

by SK-B | Questions & Answers

I have been growing Knockout roses with good success. The are hybrids, developed for hardiness so that even a bumbling gardener like me can’t harm them.

Last year someone gave me a fancy rose bush — I think it is called a Tiffany. It produced beautiful roses, but only about 2 of them. This year, the leaves are turning yellow, and the plant looks sick.

Growing Tomatoes

by JoanneN | Home & Garden

I have been growing tomatoes every year with more and more fruit each time although much if it comes very late in the season. This year my plants are kind of spindly looking.  I use a special fertilizer ever year made with epsom salts, powdered milk, baking soda, and compost I plan in the hole with my tomatoes. 

How is everyone else doing this year with their gardening, and do you have any tips for the tomatoes?

Flood Watch in Effect for Windham County

by cgrotke | Nature

There’s a flood watch in effect for Windham County for most of the day, and a showing every day now through Independence Day next Thursday. A very wet week.

The Windham County Sheriff’s Department posted this photo of the Whetstone this morning:

Reductions in Emergency Housing Program – Brattleboro Support Agencies Plan Tent & Sleeping Bag Drive

by Not Signed In | Activism

BRATTLEBORO – Brattleboro’s Continuum of Care group is conducting a Tent and Sleeping Bag Drive in response to anticipated increases in people experiencing homelessness. July 1st marks another round of budget cuts by the Vermont Legislature, reducing services for General Assistance emergency temporary housing statewide. The last-resort program, which provides limited emergency motel vouchers for elderly and disabled homeless individuals and homeless families with young children, continues to experience cuts. This year, it means many families and individuals who currently qualify will be ineligible for services starting July 1st, and those who do qualify will see the length of their motel stay drastically reduced.

Double Matching “Harvest Health” Coupons for EBT Customers at the Brattleboro Farmers Market – July

by Not Signed In | Food

Attention EBT customers! The Brattleboro Farmers’ Market will be matching EBT dollars spent at market (up to $10 per person, per visit) with the Harvest Health Coupons, available starting in July.

The Brattleboro Farmers Market operates the Wednesday Market, downtown by the Co-op on the Whetstone Pathway, 10-2, and the Saturday Market, 9-2, on Rte 9 in West Brattleboro (past the covered bridge). Come to market, swipe your EBT card at the manager’s booth, and receive wooden tokens that can buy any EBT eligible foods, like fresh produce, fresh breads, eggs and meats, maple syrup, etc. While supplies last, double your EBT money and receive the matching Harvest Health coupons.

CRVBL Weekend Roundup

by CRVBL | Recreation & Sports

CLAREMONT BEATS BRATTLEBORO IN CRVBL ACTION

By Kevin McElhinney, CRVBL

The defending Connecticut River Valley Baseball League champion Claremont Cardinals held off a surprisingly strong effort by the winless Brattleboro River Rats and came out with a 6 to 3 victory in recent CRVBL action.

The game at Claremont’s Barnes Park featured strong pitching by Claremont’s Mike Wells and Brattleboro’s Todd Bell, both of whom pitched complete games. Cardinal third baseman Justin Pierce singled, doubled, scored a run and drove in two more, while John Waitekus of the River Rats went three for three with a pair of RBI.

Fresh Today at Wednesday Market in Brattleboro

by Not Signed In | Food

Come on down RIGHT NOW to the Wednesday Farmers Market, 10-2, by the Coop. What’s fresh: Spring Garlic! Strawberries! Sugarsnap Peas! Salad Mix! Rhubarb! Cabbage! Greenhouse cukes and peppers! Beautiful flowers!
Anon’s Thai and Loaves and Stitches bakery– have you tried a gluten-free Vermont “poptart” yet?
Farm to Family coupons are being distributed on-site at the market today.
EBT and debit welcome! 802-254-8885

Strawberry Day at the Brattleboro Farmers’ Market

by Not Signed In | Food

The Brattleboro Farmers’ Market hosts a free educational strawberry event this Saturday, June 29th. From 9:30 to 11, sample different varieties of fresh berries and vote for your favorite! Learn about how strawberries are grown, and check out our scavenger hunt for kids!

The Farmers’ Market is open from 9am to 2pm outdoors on Rte 9, in West Brattleboro. EBT and debit are welcome. There’s something for everyone at the market– shoppers find the freshest food from local farms, globe-spanning cuisine, and gorgeous crafts. Strawberry season is here!

This week, Mary Lea, Andrea Larson, and Marko Packard will be playing Swedish music on violin and guitar from 11-1.

Brattleboro’s Colonels Softball team D. 1 State Champs

by MRaymond | Recreation & Sports

Congratulations to Brattleboro’s own Division 1 State Champions softball team. I was just reading the Brattleboro Reformer’s sports section. I am quite proud to learn the Colonel’s Softball team are now Vermont’s division one softball champions.

Also answered the fleeting question I had on Friday; “What was all the sirens about?”. Again, congratulations to the team and all the supporters of the team.

Three cheers.