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How To Cram For The Messiah Sing, Dec. 5

by DanAxtell | Music

It’s a Wonderful Messiah Sing
Anyone who has ever sung Händel’s Messiah should come enjoy Brattleboro’s annual Messiah Sing on the first Saturday of December. You should probably cram first. I do. This post is our Saturday morning cram guide.

‘s Messiah Sing is Brattleboro at its best. It’s when everyone from our diverse music community is drawn to one place. The soloists are not boring. They’re either up-and-and coming locals or let-me-show-you-how-this-is-done professionals. For the choruses, you’ll always be near a strong singer. Brattleboro is lousy with them. You can just hum along if you’re unsure and then sing loud for the Hallelujah Raucus. If the singing stops during that dramatic rest just before the final Hallelujah, it’s wonderful and glorious. Someone ususally goofs, but there’s always next year when we’re sure to get it right. You just gotta let go on the Hallelujah Chorus. That’s the thing and ’tis the season. As the page turn will tell you, I Know That My Redeemer Liveth!

Weekend Creativity Series: The Way Things Go

by cgrotke | Creative

This week we’ll take a look at a film called Der Lauf Der Dinge, or The Way Things Go. It was an art installation/project done a while ago in a warehouse, filmed in just a couple of takes, that creates a large Rube Goldberg-style contraption out of ordinary sorts of things such as tires, trash bags, ladders, and fire.

At times it goes fast and has excitement built in, while at other times the drama comes from patiently waiting for something we know is about to happen to indeed occur.

Putney School Students Host Oxfam Hunger Banquet Benefit

by Not Signed In | Education

Where Will You Sit?

At this interactive event, the place where you sit, and the meal that you eat, are determined by the luck of the draw—just as in real life some of us are born into relative prosperity and others into poverty.

Students at The Putney School and volunteers at the Putney Foodshelf have organized an Oxfam Hunger Banquet that will take place at the Putney Central School on Westminster West Rd. in Putney on Friday, December 11 at 6 p.m. Mary Starkey, program support coordinator for Oxfam America in Boston, will be the keynote speaker and master of ceremonies.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda & Notes – December 8, 2015

by cgrotke | Town News

Say goodbye to the Vermont Yankee emergency warning sirens. The Brattleboro Selectboard plans to endorse the idea of removing them at their next regular special meeting.

They will also recap their latest impressions and feelings about the Police Fire Facilities meetings, will review departmental FY17 budgets for the Library, Assessors, Town Clerk, Finance, Fire and Planning departments, and will again discuss postponing their Windham Solid Waste Management District Budget vote. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during Public Participation.

Watch on BCTV and read all about it here after the meeting.

Brattleboro Committee Meetings and Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Energy Committee will meet on Monday, December 7, 2015 at 5:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

The Brattleboro Arts Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 4:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 7:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

Thank You, Time Trade!

by Brattleboro Time Trade | Family

Dear Brattleboro Time Trade,

I am writing to thank you for the BTT scholarship which provided myself and my family access to BTT Membership. I am a single mother of four young children and would not be able to join BTT and benefit from its work coordinating time exchange within our community without this scholarship. I look forward to finding the help I need within the BTT community and the extensive services it’s members offer while being able to offer my time without the burden of financial exchange. Thank you for providing this opportunity to myself and the many area families in need.

Sincerely,

Busy Mother of Four

West Brattleboro Association Holiday Party Is December 14th

by WBA | Town News

On Monday, December 14, at 6:00 pm, the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) will host its annual Holiday Party at The New England House, 254 Marlboro Road. This is a time for people and businesses in West Brattleboro to get together socially and to celebrate the Association’s numerous accomplishments in this past year. The evening will feature a cash bar with hors d’oeuvres prepared by the restaurant. The WBA suggests a voluntary donation of $5 toward the food, although no one will be turned away.

 In addition to this being a time to enjoy each other at this festive season, there will be a couple of short presentations.  The Association’s board president Michael Bosworth will give a brief “state of the Association” report after which the group will present the West Brattleboro Community Leader of the Year to a deserving person or entity. Come to our party to help us celebrate this worthy recipient! Previous winners have been Bill and Judy Daley of the Vermont Country Deli,  Ahmad and Kat Rashed of Rashed’s Garden Center, the staff and board of the Brattleboro Housing Authority, and Todd Darrah of the Chelsea Royal Diner, each for their many contributions to our community.

Brattleboro Committee Vacancies

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro is looking for citizens to serve on the following committees and boards:

Agricultural Advisory Board
ADA Advisory Committee
Arts Committee
Citizens Police Communications Committee (CPCC)
Conservation Commission
Development Review Board Alternate

Testament of Santa Claus, 1881

by cgrotke | History

Ever wonder where Santa buys his watches, clocks, jewelry and plated wares? In Brattleboro, of course, at the store owned by U. W. Frink at 10 Main Street, opposite the Brooks House. You’ll recognize it by the gilt letters on the door.

This clever ad appeared in December of 1881 in the Vermont Phoenix. Instead of simply listing items for sale, it comes in the form of a testimonial from Santa Claus himself who explains that Mr. Frink is reliable and offers free engraving.

Mr. Claus, we are informed, will make Mr. Frink’s his headquarters for the holidays.

The Compassionate Friends World Wide Candle Lighting

by bevermont | Spiritual

Join in Remembering Children: The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting

The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting unites family and friends around the globe in lighting candles for one hour to honor the memories of the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren who left too soon. As candles are lit at 7:00 p.m. local time, hundreds of thousands of persons commemorate and honor the memory of all children gone too soon.

45th Community Messiah Sing: A Benefit for the Homeless

by fomag | Music

Friends of Music at Guilford invites singers and music lovers in the Tri-State region to start their holiday season at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, with the 45th annual Community Messiah Sing, a benefit for the homeless. Centre Congregational Church, at 193 Main Street in Brattleboro, has been home for the Sing since 1982 and for a few prior seasons as well.

Terry Larsen, a resident of Southampton, Mass., returns for a ninth season to lead the Sing. He brings over twenty-five years of experience as a music teacher, choral singer, soloist, and conductor to his role at the helm. William McKim, who has played the organ at this event for twenty-seven past seasons, and officially “retired” twice from doing so, agreed to step in on short notice when UVM’s David Neiweem, who played for the Sing in 2014, broke a collarbone in late October.

Sanders Announces $1.1 Billion For Vermont in Transportation Bill

by Not Signed In | Politics

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced today that a five-year, $305 billion transportation bill agreement reached Tuesday by House and Senate negotiators will deliver nearly $1.1 billion to Vermont to improve the state’s roadways.

“While this legislation does not have everything I would have hoped for, I am pleased it includes more than $1 billion for Vermont’s roads and bridges in the coming years,” Sanders said.

As a member of the committee with primary jurisdiction over federal road and bridge programs, Sanders successfully fought for a funding formula that helps Vermont. The final agreement includes a 5 percent increase in funding for Vermont in the first year and a total increase of 15 percent over five years.

Selectboard Meeting Notes: Single Stream Savings Dry Up, Precision Stabilization Offered

by cgrotke | Town News

Major changes to Brattleboro’s trash and recycling were discussed, but decisions were delayed in order to gather more information from the public and solid waste district. And the prospect of savings from a switch to single stream recycling proved elusive.

BDCC and GS Precision received a decade of tax breaks along with loans and some property adjustments as a reward for staying in town, keeping and creating many good-paying jobs, and and supplying grandlist enhancing facilities.

Grants, an emergency compressor, committee vacancies, and more were also up for discussion.

The Stockwell Brothers at Mole Hill Theatre on Friday, December 4

by Not Signed In | Music

Mole Hill Theatre presents contemporary bluegrass and folk music quartet The Stockwell Brothers on Friday, December 4 at 7:30 pm.

Bruce, Barry, Alan and Kelly Stockwell’s music spans traditional and progressive styles, but their trademark acoustic sound features new singer/songwriter material recast with banjo, alternative rhythms and three-part harmonies. They cover straight ahead bluegrass songs, finger picked acoustic guitar ballads, full tilt breakdowns and traditional mandolin tunes mixed in with more unusual fare – Americana melodies riding world beat grooves and Celtic, jazzy, even neo-classical instrumentals.

Jobs, Justice & Climate Rally

by Safe and Green Campaign | Activism

20 times, world leaders have met to discuss climate change. This week in Paris, they are meeting again.

No matter what happens in Paris, we know what we need: real climate solutions that create local jobs and strengthen community power and resiliency. It’s up to us to lead the way — and we’re starting right here in New England with a massive rally on December 12, the day after the Paris talks end!

What: Jobs, Justice and Climate: Rally to Defend New England’s Future
When: Saturday, Dec 12, 1-3 pm
Where: Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common, Boston

Oh, YAY, Dec. 1 Today!

by Andie | Creative

When I awoke today I remembered a certain calendar and ibrattleboro.  Thank goodness the advent calendar is up and running.  Thanks, Chris for doing it each year.  What a nice treat/gift for us.

Act 46 Study Committee Agenda and Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

ACT 46 STUDY COMMITTEE

Representing the Brattleboro Town School District, Dummerston Town School District, Guilford Town School District, Putney Town School District, and the Vernon Town School District
http://www.wssu.k12.vt.us

NOTICE OF MEETING

The Act 46 Study Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at the Guilford Central School.

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:30 p.m. – Alice Laughlin, Committee Chair

II. REVIEW, PRIORITIZE AND ESTABLISH DESIRED OUTCOMES FOR MEETING BY CHAIRPERSON