Weekend Concert Series – Kid Creole and the Coconuts 1985 Paris

by cgrotke | Entertainment

This weekend we head to Paris in 1985 for the latin, big band funk of Kid Creole and the Coconuts.

The Kid is August Darnell, leader of this rogue group of musical pirates. With Cab Calloway styling, he leads the castaways through the evening’s performance, frequently resulting in interplay with the Coconuts.

The Coconuts are his background singers and dancers. They tease him and mock him because they know him. They know he’s broke, a scammer, and has a women in every port.

Sanders Welcomes Pope Francis Statement on Poverty

by Not Signed In | Politics

WASHINGTON, May 16 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today applauded Pope Francis for condemning a “cult of money” in the world that he said was oppressing the poor.

In a major speech at the Vatican on Thursday, Francis said the global financial system has worsened poverty while benefiting the wealthy few. “While the income of the minority is increasing exponentially, that of the majority of the majority is crumbling,” Francis said.

Ask-a-Cop: Following Too Closely

by BrattPoliceDept | Police & Fire

“I often drive to and from Brattleboro on Rt 30, and often see extreme examples of tailgating. I usually set my cruise control close to the speed limit. This often results in a backup of cars behind me, and sometimes the car behind me doesn’t honor safe stopping distances.

Do they still teach about stopping distances in Driver Ed? Is there a specific law against driving too close?

What’s your advice in a tailgating situation? On a road like Rt 30, it’s not practical or safe to pull over and let all the other drivers speed by.”

Cabinet at Barnaby’s Music Hall – Brattleboro, VT – 5/18/13

by Not Signed In | Music

When it comes to the music of Cabinet, the essential bywords are soul, simplicity, and serious musicianship. In concert, the combination of these qualities invariably yields an experience that is so celebratory and moving that the very word Cabinet takes on a new, vivid meaning for anyone in the audience.

An inclusive and engaging energy is the uniting through-line as Cabinet weaves bluegrass, country and folk influences to powerful effect. Tight dynamics punctuate gorgeous, soaring harmonies as down-to-earth rhythm and lyrics give way to dreamy jams that are the musical equivalent of the back road scenic route.

Tree Committee Looks at Skatepark

by rootrunner | Op/Ed

Referring to front page article in today’s Reformer 5/15/13 “Clements also said that the plans are only on paper at this time and machinery or changes in drainage could have a further impact on the trees. These two trees will be trashed. I don’t see any other way around it, ” said Clements. The Reformer article neglected to mention one of the trees to be removed as a consequence and unlikely to survive the construction of the proposed skatepark project is the majestic Norway Spruce many have come to identify with Crowell Lot as one of the original estate trees that has up to now survived at least two major hurricanes, Irene most recently, and has often been the center of this contoversy and a primary example of what’s at stake for those wanting to defend the right to preserve the park as a green area and natural tree lined setting void of excess concrete. 

Fishtank Ensemble at Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery Saturday, May 18

by Not Signed In | Music

Twilight Music presents California-based, world music quartet Fishtank Ensemble at Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery on Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 pm. The dynamic, virtuosic and fiery band plays a high-energy mix of Romanian, Gypsy jazz, flamenco, Balkan, Turkish, Greek and tango influenced music.

Fishtank Ensemble includes two explosive violins, the world’s best slap bass player, musical saw, flamenco and gypsy jazz guitar, trombone, opera, jazz and gypsy vocals, accordion and one little banjolele. Formed in 2005 and playing everywhere from the hippest LA clubs to festivals, cultural centers, museums, parades and even on the street, the band tackles everything from French hot jazz to wild Serbian and Transylvanian gypsy anthems, flamenco and oddball originals.

Sanders: As Deficit Declines Don’t Forget Working Families

by Not Signed In | Politics

WASHINGTON, May 15 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today issued the following statement on a Congressional Budget Office report that the federal deficit is expected to total $642 billion in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30:

“It is very good news for our country that we are making progress on deficit reduction. President Obama inherited a $1.4 trillion deficit when President Bush left office more than four years ago. This year, the deficit is on track to be cut by more than half from what it was in January of 2009.”

A Community Celebration at West River Park

by betsg | Recreation & Sports

On Saturday May 18th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM the Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Board and the West River Park Committee will be hosting the Grand Opening Celebration for West River Park on Route 30 West, 1.3 miles past the entrance to The Brattleboro Retreat.

Please join the community for food and fun during this exciting opening day. Raffle tickets for a chance to win eight tickets to the Red Sox are currently being sold with the drawing at the park on the 18th. Any donations to the park will be gratefully accepted!

Green Mountain Camp – Remembering & Reconnecting Reunion

by betsg | Family

On Saturday May 18th from 5 to 9 PM, Green Mountain Camp will be celebrating 96 years of memories at their reunion for friends and alumnae! Whether you are 9 or 90, there will be pictures, songs and stories to remind you of your magical time at Green Mountain Camp.

Come see what has changed at the camp and what has stayed the same. It’s a time to reconnect with old friends and make new ones as you enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner, s’mores, and singing around the campfire. During the evening there will be guest appearances by past GMC directors. Tickets are $10 for the evening to benefit the scholarship fund.

Brattleboro Board and Committee Vacancies

by Not Signed In | Town News

Terms of many Brattleboro committees and boards expire on June 30 of each year. The Town is looking for volunteers to serve on the following committees and boards:

Agricultural Advisory Board – 6 vacancies, 3-year term
Arts Committee – 4 vacancies, 3-year term
BASIC (Brattleboro Area Skatepark is Coming) – 2 vacancies
Brattleboro Housing Authority Representative – 1 vacancy, 5-year term
CPCC (Citizen Police Communications Committee) – 3 vacancies, 2-year term
Conservation Commission – 1 vacancy, 4-year term
Development Review Board – 2 vacancies, 3-year term
Development Review Board Alternate – 3 vacancies, 1-year term
Energy Committee – 2 vacancies for 3-year terms; 2 vacancies for 2-year terms
Energy Coordinator – 1 vacancy, 1-year term

Vermont Humanities Council Seeks Nominations for Eleventh Annual Victor R. Swenson Humanities Educator Award

by Not Signed In | Education

Seeking Excellent Teacher for Annual Award with $1,000 Prize

Montpelier, Vt. — Do you know a Vermont teacher who has inspired you and who deserves statewide recognition? Since 2003, the Vermont Humanities Council has honored such teachers with the Victor R. Swenson Humanities Educator Award, which recognizes a Vermont educator in grades 6 through 12 who exemplifies excellence in the teaching of the humanities. VHC seeks nominations for the 2013 award. Nominating letters are due July 1.
 

But What Can I Do?

by Lise | Op/Ed

“But what can I do?”  It’s a question that comes up a lot in conversation and one I’ve grappled with in recent months as  I’ve tried to figure out a response to it.  When nothing we do seems to make any difference, why should we even care what’s going on let alone try to do something about it?  Or to put it another way, what is an ordinary person to do in the face of the kind of unsettling news that has become routine in the last ten years?    

Slow and Steady

by KAlden | Politics

Minnesota has just passed a law legalizing gay marriage! We now have 12 states plus the District of Columbia -that are embracing marriage equality for all of it’s citizens. It has taken a long time to get this much momentum but now it feels like a wave of hopefulness that can not be stopped. Slow and steady progress. Nevada may be next!

Vermont About to Decriminalize Small Amounts of Marijuana

by cgrotke | State News

The Vermont House passed today, accepting changes made by the Vermont Senate and sending the bill to the governor’s office to be signed into law. If signed, it will go into effect July 1, 2013.

Governor Peter Shumlin said “I applaud the Legislature’s action to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Vermonters support sensible drug policies. This legislation allows our courts and law enforcement to focus their limited resources more effectively to fight highly addictive opiates such as heroin and prescription drugs that are tearing apart families and communities.” 

Vermont Business Celebrates “Older Americans’ Month”

by BGentry | Education

A Tempo Senior Move Slates Activities for May: “Older Americans’ Month”

Originally decreed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 as Senior Citizens’ Month, and now known as Older Americans’ Month, May is a good time to think about services offered in New England by A Tempo Senior Move. Offering advice and services related to the changes often experienced by retirees and seniors as they get older, A Tempo Senior Move is participating in a number of events scheduled for the month throughout the region, including a recent clinical workshop at the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis presented by Christina Healy, RN, MA, and Dr. Marjorie Kettell. Healy is a geri-psych clinician and psychoanalyst on staff of A Tempo Senior Move.