Privatizing Medicare A New Threat Beyond Medicare Advantage

by RDavis | Health

Seniors are being bombarded with advertising for Medicare Advantage plans because the open enrollment period for Medicare is from October 15 to December 7. Insurance companies make piles of money if people switch from traditional Medicare to an Advantage plan.

The Advantage plans were created to move Medicare into the private marketplace and provide a financial windfall for the insurance companies.

They are good plans if you never get sick because the initial premiums are low and you get a few extra benefits not available in traditional Medicare.

But if you try to use the insurance in an Advantage plan you are subject to network restrictions and out of pocket expenses. It is not uncommon for a plan to have you pay $6000 out of pocket if you need care.

Build a Gift Box

by HatchSpace | Creative

Come to HatchSpace’s new woodworking shop, get some tablesaw practice and leave with an elegant little box! In this workshop we will use the tablesaw to cut dados, rabbets, and some raised panels, and the router table for a little bit of detailing. You’ll learn how to accurately fit small pieces together, and work with some lovely local hardwoods to make a simple box for keepsakes, tea, tiny spice jars, or even recipe cards! Whether you’re brand new to the woodshop, or have experience and want some practice on the tablesaw, this workshop will guide you safely through some simple techniques for working with small parts accurately.    No woodworking experience required.

Brattleboro Firefighter’s Benefit Bingo at the Brattleboro VFW Nov. 6th

by LisaL | Entertainment

The Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road will be hosting a bingo for the Brattleboro Firefighter’s Benefit Association Saturday Nov. 6th. Doors open at 11 am and the first game starts at 1 pm.

No outside food or drinks allowed, but they will be available for purchase inside, along with homemade goodies.

Pre buy packets are $35 at the door if you pre-register, or $40 for not registering. Register by simply calling the VFW at 802-257-0438 and giving the names of all players in your party now.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – October 19, 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will be approving a range of new contracts for police officers, firefighters, and other unionized employees at their next regular meeting. 

Union Station will be handed over to the BMAC, the board will hear a sustainability update, they’ll review their goals, Selectboard meetings will be moved to Central Fire Station, and more. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participations.

Shopping Day at Swap Shop

by rbrem | Home & Garden

Another SHOPPING ONLY DAY at Swap Shop at WSWMD on Old Ferry Road, Brattleboro on Saturday, October 16, 8:30 am to noon. ALL ITEMS ARE FREE. Many new donated items were added last Saturday.  Photos of some available items are posted on Facebook’s Brattleboro, Vermont group page.  Many Christmas decorations!

SCHEDULE & HOURS:
Shopping Days- 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month
Donation Days- 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month

Yoshi Manale Selected as Brattleboro Town Manager

by Not Signed In | Town News

Brattleboro, VT—The Brattleboro Selectboard has chosen Octavian Y. (Yoshi) Manale as the
new Town Manager. Mr. Manale will assume his new responsibilities on January 1, 2022, after
working on transition matters with the retiring Town Manager, Peter Elwell.

“On behalf of the Brattleboro Selectboard, I congratulate Yoshi Manale on being selected as our new Town Manager” said Elizabeth McLoughlin, Selectboard Chair. “We considered many well qualified candidates during our nationwide search. The Selectboard conducted this process with care and diligence, and we are very pleased with the result. We are confident that Yoshi Manale has an enthusiasm for good governance and for Brattleboro that will lead us to a future that we can all embrace. We look forward to working with Yoshi for the benefit of the people of Brattleboro.”

Upcoming Woodworking Classes at HatchSpace

by HatchSpace | Creative

Classes for beginners and experienced woodworkers. Financial aid may be available – contact info@hatchspace.org for information.

More details, more classes and registration at https://www.hatchspace.org/ClassCalendar

Refresher for Woodworkers: Build a Cutting Board, with Doug Finkel

Town of Brattleboro Halloween Event

by Not Signed In | Entertainment

The Town of Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department in collaboration with the Brooks Memorial Library is excited to announce we will be hosting a drive-thru and walk-thru Trick-or-Treating at the Municipal Center Parking Lot. This event will be held on Sunday October 31ST between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. We ask all ghouls and goblins to enter the Municipal Center Parking Lot from the Grove Street entrance. We will have designated walking lanes and driving lanes for participants to follow. Vehicle trunks will be decorated, and volunteers and staff will be handing out goodies while supplies last.

Bullock Street Closure

by Not Signed In | Town News

On Wednesday, October 13, Utilities Crews will be working to repair a sink hole on Bullock ST.  The work will begin at 7:00 am and will continue through approximately noon.  

Motorists should plan to use alternate routes during this time period.

If you have questions or concerns please contact the Department of Public Works at (802) 254-4255.   

BCTV Schedules – Week of October 11, 2021

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1085 schedule for the week of 10/11/21

Monday, October 11, 2021

4:30 am Vermont State House – Pension Benefits, Design, and Funding Task Force Pt3 8/25/21
5:00 am Windham Central Supervisory Union – WCSU Bd and Exec. Comm. Mtg 9/29/21
7:30 am Vernon Selectboard – Vernon SB Mtg 10/5/21
8:00 am The David Pakman Show – The David Pakman Show – Weekly Broadcast
9:00 am Energy Week with George Harvey – Energy Week #439 – 10/7/2021

Carving with Computers?

by HatchSpace | Creative

Yes! This hands-on workshop is designed high school students and adults to learn the basics of design for the X-Carve, a computer numerical controlled machine (CNC) for carving on wood, plastic and other materials.  No woodworking experience required.  Learn more at Digital Design for the X-Carve with Gail Fletcher, at HatchSpace, Saturday, October 16, 9 am – noon; $60

Climate Not Christmas, Sharing Not Shopping – Scientists Say Get Real

by Kurt Daims | Activism

Recent research shows children around the world are highly anxious and depressed — not just about the climate, but about their parents and governments doing nothing about it. Isn’t it weird to talk about it and see it looking so calm and harmless in a screen or paper? If you really think about it, you can get very very upset in a few moments. As a serious active work it will make you anxious and depressed. And now we know, when we do nothing, children feel betrayed. Belief in the science of climate change is not enough… Scientists have been demanding radical, drastic, unprecedented action.

The crisis is unthinkable. But doing nothing is NOT an option. We must act.

The Simple Gift of Open Mic

by RDavis | Arts

We live in a world that pushes for bigger and better where other people try to determine what is best for us. In our little corner of the world in southern Vermont most of us know better and we determine our own standards on our own terms. That is especially true in the town of Brattleboro.

Music provides a good example of what I am talking about. Our area is blessed with an abundance of gifted musicians. Some have risen to the level of star status, but most are happy to live life on their own terms in a place that they feel welcomes them.

Foreseen! A Celebrities Led Movement To Halt USA Nuclear War Preparations

by jay janson | Op/Ed

USA Congress plans to spend a $1.5 trillion on improved nuclear weapons! [1]

“If We Don’t End War, War Will End US,” [2]

Twenty years after the end of the Cold War there are at least 23,000 nuclear warheads still in existence, with a combined blast capacity equivalent to 150,000 Hiroshima bombs. The U.S. and Russia together have over 22,000, and France, the UK, China, India, Pakistan and Israel around 1,000 between them.