Bandwagon Summer Series Presents: Slavic Soul Party! Live in Concert

by hahrenholz | Music

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series is thrilled to announce the return of Slavic Soul Party! to the Bandwagon stage, on Friday, August 9th, at The Putney Inn Field, 57 Putney Landing Rd, Putney, VT. This event promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Balkan brass, jazz, and funk, set against the picturesque backdrop of a Vermont summer evening.

Slavic Soul Party! has carved out a unique niche in the music world with their fiery Balkan brass sound, irresistible beats, and virtuoso jazz chops. Hailing from New York City, the nine-piece ensemble brings together influences from across the globe, blending them into a high-energy musical experience that is both infectious and soul-stirring.

The band’s Tuesday night residency in Brooklyn, spanning over two decades, has garnered international acclaim and a reputation for delivering an electrifying live show. Their latest album, “SSP! Plays Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite,” has been praised for its innovative reinterpretation of Duke Ellington’s iconic work, combining East European, Romani, and American sounds into a seamless fusion.

Western Avenue Sidewalk Project

by Not Signed In | Town News

Beginning Monday, July 15, 2024, DMI Excavation, a contractor hired by the Town, will be replacing the southern section of sidewalk on Western Avenue between Edward Heights and Greenleaf Street.  This project is expected to take several weeks. 

Crews will be working Monday through Friday between 6:30am and 6:30pm daily. There will be no on-street parking during this project and motorists should expect heavy delays in the area and seek alternate routes. Bicyclist and pedestrian traffic should use caution within the work zone and also seek alternate routes. Temporary walking paths will be established where necessary.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Rising Parking Costs and Property Taxes

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard july 9 2024

A hot July evening, and the Brattleboro Selectboard approved new property tax rates. , The Town’s Finance Director told the board 75% of the increase is because of education. Dick Degray called it an unsustainable increase.

The new parking ordinance had a first reading. The costs to business owners and employees on Main Street was a concern to some and an outright horror to others.

The board made a list of things to discuss with legislators, adjusted rules for political signs, and discussed parking enforcement at the Vermont Country Deli.

Lyle Howe on”Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Media

It’s more than the creaky floors that give Brown & Roberts it’s character – Lyle Howe talks about our iconic Hardware Store and the interesting life that brought him there.

Long in the Tooth

by AnneODyne | Politics

On a personal level, a disturbing part of Biden’s calculus, and this stalemate, is recalling how my mother became increasingly stubborn and delusional as she progressed into her dementia through her eighties.  She would often make outlandish proclamations, boasts of grandeur, and throw tantrums, which I came to understand were common effects of her condition.

Joe Biden’s stance, digging in and rebuffing the skeptics has that intransigence, but also brings other unsettling questions. His claim to be ‘the only one who can…’(manage NATO, grow the Economy…) is not only Trump-like, but dismissive of the talent now relegated to the bullpen in his own party.

Brattleboro Early-Absentee Ballots Available for August 2024 State Primary

by Not Signed In | Politics

Early and absentee ballots for the State Primary Election, to be held August 13 are now available by request. Absentee ballots for this election must be requested.

Anyone wishing to vote early and in-person may now do so at the Brattleboro Town Clerk’s Office. This option is available through August 12 at 5 p.m.

Anyone wishing to vote absentee may apply for an absentee ballot until 5 p.m. on Monday, August 12, although we recommend doing so as soon as possible to account for mail delivery time. All voted ballots must be received by the Clerk before the polls close on Election Day, August 13 by 7 p.m., to be counted.

Free Care If…

by RDavis | Health

When I first heard about a Vermont bill that became law on July 1, 2024 I thought the state had entered into a new era of health care affordability. The news report outlined some of the circumstances under which people could receive free hospital care. When I read the bill it turned out there is mostly nothing new, but it’s worth talking about it because some people need to know about hospital policies regarding free care.

Because all of Vermont’s hospitals are non-profit they have some degree of requirement to provide free care to needy individuals. That used to apply to hospitals that took money under the Hill-Burton Act but I think those days have passed and free care is still part of a hospital’s budget.

IDF Killed 64 Children While Freeing 4 Hostages  An Exchange Instead Would Have Brought Happiness 

by jay janson | Op/Ed

Ever since October 7, 2023, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, CNN, PBS, along with BBC, DW, NHK other Western entertainment/news conglomerates and wire services like AP, UPI, Reuters and Israeli media have sought to keep their viewers, readers and listeners attention on the hostages and away from any explanation, reason or justification of Palestinians seeking to exchange the hostages for some of the thousands of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting – July 9, 2024 – Agenda and Notes

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard has some spelling-challenged items to take care of at their next meeting. They plan to approve the 2025 “Fical” Year property tax rate and hear about a new proposed “pollical” sign policy.

The board will also discuss changes to the parking ordinance,  things they’d like to have the State of Vermont help with (transportation funding, the Grand List, community development, municipal revenue, and public safety and public health,) and their own goals for the year – community safety, child safety zones, and enhanced state revenue sharing. 

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Charter Review Commission will meet on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, Suite 212) and over Zoom.

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 4:15 in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room (230 Main Street, Suite 211).

There Is No Candidate for U.S. Senator on the Progressive Party Ballot – How About Writing Me In?

by CrisEricson2016 | Politics

Hi! I see on the Progressive Party primary election ballot, for which some people may already be receiving mail-in ballots, there is no candidate listed for United States Senator.

So, I made a video on youtube to explain why I think I am the best person for you to write-in. I appreciate it, just jot down my name on a slip of paper and remember to write me in, O.K.?

Brattleboro and VT COVID-19 Regional Dashboard Summary – July 2024

by cgrotke | Health

Here’s the July 2024 dashboard summary. We continue semi-regular COVID-19 dashboard numbers from the Vermont Department of Health, and MA and NH counties that surround Brattleboro, as long as they continue providing them. Scroll down the new comments for the latest.

VT, NH and MA do weekly updates, near the end of the week, so we update on Fridays usually. All three have changed their dashboards since the start, so it is now tough to easily compare how things have changed. Variant updates are every two weeks.

Glen David Andrews Returns to the Bandwagon Stage for a High-Energy Performance

by hahrenholz | Music

Acclaimed New Orleans vocalist and trombonist Glen David Andrews is set to ignite Cooper Field with his dynamic band on Saturday, August 3rd, 6:00 pm. Known for his commanding voice and powerful trombone skills, Andrews promises an unforgettable evening of roots music that blends smoothness with grit, delivering an emotional and resonant musical experience.

A native son of New Orleans, Andrews hails from a distinguished musical lineage and learned the brass band traditions firsthand from iconic figures like Tuba Fats. Co-presented with the Vermont Jazz Center and sponsored in part by Bordertown Farm, this performance marks a celebration of cultural heritage and musical excellence.

Brattleboro Utility Work on Greenhill Parkway

by Not Signed In | Town News

Beginning on Monday, July 8, the Utilities Division will be replacing the sewer main on Greenhill Parkway and Strawberry Lane.  Crews will be working between the hours of 6:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  Residents will be able to access their driveways but on street parking will be limited during this project.  The work is expected to take approximately six weeks to complete.  

Don’t Celebrate July 4th Birth of a U.S.A. Founded by Owners of African Slaves – Wait! Be Patient!

by jay janson | Op/Ed

Every year, Americans are supposed to celebrate July 4th as the founding of a U.S.A. both free and enslaved. The fourth of July is a federal holiday. 

On July 4, 1776, the population of the United States, then the Thirteen Colonies, was estimated to be about 2.5 million people. This population included both free individuals and enslaved people.

Out of this population, approximately 500,000 individuals were enslaved African Americans. The remaining population, roughly 2 million people, consisted of free individuals, which included various groups such as European settlers, Indigenous peoples, and a smaller number of free African Americans.

WSESD Board Meeting Minutes – June 25, 2024

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary
● Ruby McAdoo was approved as a member of the Putney Leadership Council.
● Frank Rucker spoke about the tax rate implication following the release of the Yield.
● The Board discussed ideas for preparing themselves for budget development and utilizing tools available by exploring documents from the IBRC, VSBA and the Vernon Board.
● July 9th will be the only Board Meeting scheduled for the month, recognizing there could be other meetings called (i.e. Executive Sessions)
● Looking ahead to next year related to the Panorama Survey, a committee was formed to work alongside Brin Tucker to review and consider questions included in the survey for 24- 25.
● The Board voted to rescind policy LSP2.
● The Board voted to rescind policy LSP12.