Modern Wood Heat: An Economic Engine for Windham County

by Not Signed In | Economics

Windham County is poised to lead a modern wood heat revolution in Vermont—and there are several reasons we should be leading the charge.

Modern wood heat—I’ll explain just what that is in a minute—will deliver economic, ecological and community benefits to our county. It will create jobs in forest-based businesses and foster energy independence, both of which Vermonters value.

Modern wood heating systems use high-efficiency boilers to heat whole buildings ranging in size from a modest one-story home to apartment buildings to large commercial buildings. Instead of oil, these systems feed on wood pellets or wood chips that are delivered in bulk and stored on-site. When you push up the thermometer, the heat kicks in just as it would with fossil fuel, but you have the satisfaction of knowing that you are heating with a renewable local fuel and that your heating budget is supporting our economy.

Valgar Street Fire Deemed Suspicious

by BrattFireDept | Police & Fire

For Immediate Release – November 11, 2015

The investigation into the fire that caused extensive damage to four apartments at 16 – 38 Valgar St. has been determined to be suspicious in nature. In a joint effort, Investigators from the Brattleboro Fire Department, Brattleboro Police Department and the VT State Police have been working continuously since the morning of the fire to determine an origin and cause, and conducting interviews to gather information.

At this time the investigation is ongoing and the agencies are asking for anyone who may have seen anything unusual before the time of the fire or may have any information about the fire to call the Brattleboro Police Department at 802-257-7946 or the Brattleboro Police Tips Hotline at 802-251-8188. There is also up to a $5000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction by calling 1-800-32-ARSON (1-800-322-7766).

Shoppell’s House Plans

by BusyMom | History

1887:

S.H. Sherman’s new house on High street is making rapid advancement, and when completed will be one of the finest residences in town. The plan is Shoppell’s No. 300. It will be the first building in town to be warmed by the Gurney hot water system.

https://www.mitchellspublications.com/rep/arch/shoppell/toc/

Reviews mention that these books of Victorian-era house plans are quite popular among restorers.

Distinguishing Between Fact, Opinion, Belief, and Prejudice

by ChrisPratt | Op/Ed

From Colarado State University’s Writing Center

A fact is verifiable. We can determine whether it is true by researching the evidence. This may involve numbers, dates, testimony, etc. (Ex.: “World War II ended in 1945.”) The truth of the fact is beyond argument if one can assume that measuring devices or records or memories are correct. Facts provide crucial support for the assertion of an argument. However, facts by themselves are worthless unless we put them in context, draw conclusions, and, thus, give them meaning.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Notes – Land Use Regs Stall, FY17 Budget Preview

by cgrotke | Town News

One of the more spirited and specific discussions of the proposed Land Use Regulations occurred Tuesday evening, the result being a board unable to approve the regulations until further consideration.  Remaining issues include clarity of wording regarding signs and whether a new district boundary should be in the middle of the road or not.

The board also received an overview of the proposed budget for next year, where they learned that the starting point for discussions is a budget that increases 4.7%, which translates to an increase to property owners of $43.21 for each $100,000 of property value.  This, of course, before adding in any costs for funding Police and Fire facilities, if approved.

It’s early in the process and there are areas ripe for discussion before final rates are set, but there isn’t much proverbial wiggle room.

Qigong for Healing and Living Fully – Healing Sounds

by Not Signed In | Health

You are your best healer! Come learn how each and everyone of us is born with the innate gift to heal ourselves. In this half-day intensive, you will experience simple and profound ways to awaken your body’s innate healing ability while deepening your capacity to relax and enjoy your life more completely.

Qigong is an ancient form of meditative movement that is over 5,000 years old. In China, qigong is one of the secrets to living a long and healthy life. The simple movements and breathing practices help relax the physical body, calm the mind and raise the spirit. It is an excellent form of preventative healthcare, and also used in treating major illnesses and minor ailments.

Antje Duvekot and The Stockwell Brothers at The Windham Ballroom on Saturday, November 14

by Not Signed In | Music

Next Stage Arts Project, in collaboration with Twilight Music, Popolo and WOOL91.5, presents contemporary folk singer/songwriter Antje Duvekot and newgrass quartet The Stockwell Brothers at The Windham Ballroom in Bellows Falls, VT on Saturday, November 14 at 8:00 pm.

Antje Duvekot is a German-born, American-raised singer/songwriter whose songs have been critically praised for their hard-won wisdom, dark-eyed realism and street-smart romanticism. Her bicultural upbringing and relative newness to English have helped shape her unique way with a song, giving her a startlingly original poetic palette. They are the keys to the powerful, even revolutionary, empathy that informs everything she writes. She has won some of the top songwriting awards including the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, the Kerrville Folk Festival Best New Folk Award and the Boston Music Award for Outstanding Folk Act.

Untimely Death on Old Ferry Road is Suspicious

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

State Police Updates and Press Release:

“UPDATE #2:

The Brattleboro Police Department and the Vermont State Police continue to investigate the untimely death of Sultan Rashed. Investigation has revealed that this death is not a suicide and in fact a death with suspicious circumstances. Investigation suggests this is not a random act and does not suggest any threats to the public in general. An autopsy is scheduled for today at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and will focus on the cause and manner of death. 
 
Anyone who had contact with Sultan Rashed from 11/8/15 – 11/9/15 is asked to contact the Vermont State Police or the Brattleboro Police Department.

Brooks Memorial Library Director Selected – Starr LaTronica

by Brooks Memorial Library | Town News

We at BML are very excited and proud to have Starr LaTronica as our new Library Director beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016. LaTronica was recruited through an extensive search process by a committee that included the Brattleboro Town Manager and representatives of the public, the library Board of Trustees, and the staff. She will succeed the retiring current Library Director, Jerry Carbone.

LaTronica, youth services/outreach manager, Four County Library System, Binghamton, N.Y., is the president of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). LaTronica received her MLS in 1980 from University of California, Berkeley, and has been an ALSC member for more than 27 years.

On Exhibit! at Brooks Memorial Library in November

by Brooks Memorial Library | Arts

On Exhibit! at Brooks Memorial Library in November.

Mezzanine Walls above MAIN FLOOR: Brattleboro Camera Club, “Getting from A to B,” photographs illustrating how we move from one place to another in our daily lives.

SECOND FLOOR-CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATORS CASE: Seasonal exhibit by Brattleboro illustrator John Steven Gurney, Over the River and Through the Woods and The Night Before Christmas.

MEZZANINE-LOCAL HISTORY ROOM WINDOWS: left Abenaki artifacts collected locally; right Glass and ceramic vases from the Loud Collection.

Get Help Writing Your College Essay at Brooks Memorial Library

by Brooks Memorial Library | Education

Get Help Writing Your College Essay on Saturday, November 14, 1 pm at Brooks Memorial Library. Julia Taylor, teacher at the Compass School, will help lead attendees through the Common Application, brainstorm essay ideas, look at example essays, and help you begin your own essay.

Please bring a laptop, smartphone, chrome book or alternative typing device if you have one! The Library has a few laptops or iPads to loan, but if you have your own that would be better for you.

Dummerston Cares Luncheon and Program for Seniors

by Dummerston Community Center | Health

Join us for the Dummerston Cares Luncheon and Program for Seniors on Monday, Nov.16th, 11 am -12:30 pm at the Dummerston Community Center, 150 West St. in the West Dummerston Village.

Free light lunch at 11 am, program at 11:30 am. Priscilla Svec, Dummerston resident and Physical Therapist, will speak on exercises for Seniors that can be done at home during the winter months, keeping us healthy. Janice Duke will talk about the current Bone Builders program held in the Dummerston Congregational Church, twice a week, Monday and Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30.

BSL Requires My Mobile Device Number Or Else

by Not Signed In | Questions & Answers

Today my online banking site told me I had just three chances to give them my mobile device or I would be cut off from electronic access to my funds. What the HECK?? Is this happening to other people at other banks?

I will pull my money out if they insist. This is the message I get:
“You are required to provide your mobile device phone number below. If you do not complete this requirement within the maximum number of opportunities allowed by your financial institution (3), your log in will be blocked. If you are prompted for text authentication, your screen will display a button to send a passcode to your device and an entry field into which the code must be typed. Once authentication has been completed, the transaction will process.”

Honor All Veterans? Contrast Words of Mandela, Ramsey Clark, M.L.King, Mark Twain, Jesus

by jay janson | Op/Ed

DESCRIPTION;

Veterans Day? Mandela,”US committed unspeakable atrocities” Clark,”US foreign policy greatest crime” King,”Time has come when silence is betrayal. They languish under our bombs, children homeless without clothes run in packs beg our soldiers for food, sell their sisters, mothers” Twain,”Easier to fool people than convince them they’ve been fooled” Gen.Butler,”War is a Racket!”Jesus,”As you did to my brothers, you did to Me” 

Very Old Vinyl Records

by Andie | Questions & Answers

I have 3 boxes of very old (1920’s 78’s and forward) vinyl records that are in unknown condition, though likely not the greatest.  Before I throw them out, I thought I would make one final inquiry, to the great minds of ibrattleboro, as to whether or not there might be some possible use for them.  I have been assured by several pretty reliable sources that they are not aware of any people or places that would want them.  It seems just wrong to me that there is not a use for them, either through some creative recycling purpose or as records, but it appears that is the probably case.  Please, if anyone has any possible ideas, let me know here. Thanks so much!!

Does Your Loved One Have a Diagnosis of Dementia?

by SeniorSolutions | Health

As a caregiver, are you finding it difficult to meet your own needs while caring for your loved one?

Senior Solutions (Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont) has respite funding available through the Dementia Respite Grant. This grant, funded by the State of Vermont, supports paid respite opportunities for primary, unpaid caregivers in Windsor and Windham counties.  The elder’s income eligibility limit is $2,917.00 per month for an individual or $3,932.00 per month for a couple.

For more information please call the Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119 and ask to speak to our Grant Manager.

Vermont Jazz Center Presents Samba-Jazz in “A Tribute to Jobim”

by Not Signed In | Music

On Saturday, November 14th at 8:00 PM, the Vermont Jazz Center presents “A Tribute to Jobim,” a performance by three leading artists from Brazil, all of whom had direct connections with Antônio Carlos Jobim who is widely regarded as “one of the most important songwriters of the 20th century.” The VJC presents pianist/musical director, Grammy Award-winning Hélio Alves, Grammy Award-winning vocalist Maucha Adnet (who for 10 years sang with maestro Jobim) and Grammy Award-winning drummer, Duduka Da Fonseca. They will be supported by first-call bassist David Finck in an evening of beautiful Bossa Novas and exhilarating sambas.

To this day, Antônio Carlos Jobim’s compositions continue to serve as a musical bridge between Brazil and the United States. He is best known for penning How Insensitive and Wave but, by just scratching the surface of his tremendous compositional output, we discover other gems such as A Felicidade, Triste, Agua de Beber, Chega de Saudade, Aguas de Março just to name a few. The composer first became known through his association with the Brazilian intellectual, poet, bon vivant and diplomat Vinicius Moraes who hired the then little-known pianist to write music for his play/movie “Black Orpheus.”