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Tobacco Cessation Workshop at BMH Starts September 7

by BMH | Health

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is offering a Tobacco Cessation Workshop starting on September 7, 2016.

The Tobacco Cessation Workshop is a FREE quit smoking program that meets for an hour each week in a caring and encouraging group format. Each week you will be given concrete strategies to use on working toward your goal of tobacco-free living. Together, the group will develop an understanding of the dynamics of tobacco addiction and the ability to choose alternative behaviors to tobacco use. The role of nutrition and healthy habits is covered as well as goal-setting and follow-through.

InnerWell Integrative Counseling Services Welcomes Body-Mind Psychotherapist from Boulder

by innerwell | Health

InnerWell is delighted to welcome Heather Kuhn, MA, RSMT, R-DMT, to join InnerWell Integrative Counseling Services in Brattleboro. A warm and skillful body-mind psychotherapist, Heather holds a Master of Arts in Somatic Counseling Psychology from Naropa University. She is relocating here from Boulder, Colorado, and begins seeing clients at InnerWell this month. Specialties include anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions and relationship issues. With the addition of Heather, InnerWell is again welcoming new clients for adult individual psychotherapy and counseling.

Community Shabbat Dinner at BAJC!

by BAJC Shir HeHarim | Spiritual

Join Brattleboro Area Jewish Community Friday evening, August 26th, for a community Shabbat.  Starting at 5 pm we’ll have some time to enjoy our beautiful land in late

summer with a Shabbat walk. At 6 pm we’ll gather for an end-of-summer dinner, with blessings, candle lighting, and songs. Donations are requested in advance for the dinner that will be provided, but no one will be turned away. Please let Cantor Kate know you (and how many others) are coming.

Dog Lexi In Search of Foster Care

by ttabach | Pets

We are seeking a temporary (two months or more) foster home for our dog Lexi and offering a stipend of $180 per month toward expenses. Lexi is a sweet, super smart, affectionate, and playful mix of Springer Spaniel, beagle, and harehound. She loves attention, to go on hikes, to play fetch with toys, and to cuddle at night. She’s a terrific companion dog who benefits from lots of love and attention. Ideally, she would love to have a fenced in yard as well.

SeVWA’s 2016 E. coli Monitoring of Local River Sites Continued August 3rd

by sevwa.wqmp | Nature

The Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA) had the fourth day of our monitoring program for the summer of 2016 on Wednesday, August 3rd. 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.

Vermont GMO Labeling Law Mooted as President Signs DARK Act Into Law

by Lise | Food

People generally decry Congress for the glacial rate at which it addresses the pressing issues of our time, but if so, we should be proud at the haste with which they acted to counter Vermont’s GMO-labeling law.  Vermont’s law only went into effect on July 1, requiring all purveyers of food products to disclose on their label if they contain genetically modified ingredients.  A mere 30 days later, a federal replacement was signed, sealed, and delivered:  Obama signed into law the so-called DARK Act, passed by both houses of Congress just this month, that supercedes and negates Vermont’s law, and according to critics, significantly waters down GMO labeling nationwide.  

Orchard Hill Pizza Night Benefits

by Brattleboro Time Trade | Food

Orchard Hill Breadworks is the region’s premier organic, wood-fired bakery.  As part of their social mission Orchard Hill hosts benefit make-your-own pizza events for non-profit organizations on Tuesday evenings during the summer at their outdoor bakery, often with live music and games. On August 23rd all proceeds will benefit Brattleboro Time Trade and music will be provided by the Jazz Kids. Admission is free. A pizza crust with sauce, and cheese will be available for purchase for $8 (or $10 for gluten-free crusts). 

 

This Bald Eagle Almost Put Me In The Drink

by reginaldwam3 | Recreation & Sports

I was kayaking just off the western shore of the Connecticut River, about half way between the Hinsdale bridge and the West River confluence, when I glanced up and saw this dude looking down at me. More than a little startled, I nearly fell in the drink.

He just sat there, maybe 15 feet up, sitting on the limb. He noticed, then quickly dismissed me as an object of interest. I, havening never before seen a Bald Eagle in the wild, was genuinly shocked. In the video you hear me mention the shakey video (I later used some software to stablize the image), which was a direct result of me being startled and excited to see this fellow.

Where’s The Rain? Moderate Drought in Southern Vermont

by cgrotke | Nature

I’ve been wondering where the rain is, and did a bit of research.

According to the United States Drought Monitor, Brattleboro and Windham County are officially considered to be in Moderate Drought, with about 85% of Vermont being categorized as Abnormally Dry.

The trend started in late June and has remained steady through July. The last time we were this dry in Vermont was June of 2015.

Brattleboro Senior Meals Breakfast Menu

by KathrynT | Food

AUGUST BREAKFAST MENUS

August 2nd – Bavarian Waffles w/Strawberries & Whipped Cream, Ham, Yogurt Parfait, Juice, Coffee.

August 5th – Eggs Benedict w/Ham on an English Muffin, Home Fries, Fruit, Yogurt, Juice, Coffee

August 9th  – Stuffed Egg w/Sausage Gravy, Scone, Potato Pancake, Fruit, Juice, Yogurt Parfait , Coffee

Missing Cat – Birdie

by cgrotke | Pets

Keep an eye out for an old, black cat in the Cedar Street, Forest Square, Chestnut Hill area.

Birdie wandered off a few days ago and hasn’t been seen since. She’s quite old, very quiet, and polite, and likes to sleep under bushes or in a warm sunny spot. Last seen in the Water Lane area.

If you have a garage, shed, or cellar door that you opened for a while this week, consider opening it back up and taking a look. She may have wandered in.

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.