Hiroya Tsukamoto, Innovative Guitarist

by Mark Piepkorn | Music

Innovative guitarist and composer Hiroya Tsukamoto will bring his fusion of folk, jazz, and world music to Stage 33 Live in Bellows Falls on December 22 in a special matinee performance for a well-timed break from the holiday rush.

Eclectic and immersive, Tsukamoto takes audiences on an earthy, organic odyssey. In addition to original compositions, his repertoire travels the world of traditional music. While his instrumental abilities are breathtaking, he also connects to audiences with his engaging personality.

The Shirley Squires Nativity Museum Is Now Open

by RDavis | Town News

If you are overwhelmed by the crass commercialism that has overtaken the holiday season a trip to see Shirley Squires’ 1500 nativity sets in her Guilford home might be just what you need. She has been collecting nativity sets since 1993 and as the collection grew, in 1997 she decided to share it with anyone with an interest in visiting.

As the years have passed Squires has given up most of her living spaces to the Christmas displays. The only traditionally functional areas of her home are the kitchen and a small area in the living room where she has a day bed. She spends time every year preparing for visitors and her family and friends help her during the busy visitor season. Most years between 250 and 300 people come to see the nativities display.

Go Brattleboro Shopping at The Brattleboro Shop

by cgrotke | Business

Need some Brattleboro-centric gifts for someone you know, or for yourself? The Brattleboro Shop has you covered.

You’ll find all sorts of T-Shirts, mugs, posters, postcards, watches, flasks, bottle openers, circus stuff, and other items that we’ve loaded up with historic Brattleboro logos and lettering.

Completely original items that you won’t find in stores. You can shop easily online from where you are right now, so no parking hassles, either.

VFW $6.50 Lunch Specials Open to the Public 12-9 to 12-13

by Not Signed In | Food

The Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road is open to the public for lunch. Lunch is served Mon-Fri from 11:30 – 1:30. Specials listed below are only $6.50 a plate. Hand made burger, fries, sweet potato fries, wings, onion rings, soups and sandwiches are also available. Take outs available by calling 257-0438

Mon – hot dogs, chili, macaroni salad & coleslaw

Holly Days at the Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market

by Sherry | Living

Visit the Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market this Saturday during Holly Days. Spend $10 at the market and enter our Holly Days Raffle to win 1 of 4 Market Gift Certificates for $50.

Always all local – farm produce, meats, syrup, fresh baked goods, cheeses, fruits, cider, pickles, preserves, handmade jewelry, pottery, soaps and more. Accepting credit, debit and EBT. Crop Cash turns $10 EBT into $20 every week. Lunch cafe’ and live music.

Vermont Jazz Center Presents: Annual Big Band Scholarship Fundraiser, Celebrating Nat King Cole

by vtjazz | Music

The Vermont Jazz Center’s Big Band will present its Annual Scholarship Gala on Saturday, December 7th at 8:00 PM. This year’s celebration will honor Nat King Cole’s 100th birthday-anniversary. The VJC Big Band, under the leadership of musical director Rob Freeberg, is a community orchestra made up of professional musicians who come together once a year to raise money for the VJC’s Scholarship Fund. This event is the primary funding source that helps aid scholarship students attending VJC’s educational programs. In 2019 the VJC offered $30,000 in scholarships to help students attend ensembles, private lessons and their annual summer jazz workshop.

This year’s gala will feature the arrangements of songs made famous by Nat “King” Cole, who was recognized as “one of the most influential entertainers of the 20th century” by National Public Radio. The Grammy Hall of Famer was a superstar of his time: he recorded over 150 Billboard singles and sold over 50 millions records. Cole knew he was destined for a life of music – he dropped out of high school at the age of 15 to tour as pianist in his brother Eddie’s trio and he never looked back.

Our Human Obligation

by RDavis | Activism

Every so often we need to be reminded that the power brokers of the world are capable of
horrendous atrocities. The road to those atrocities is paved with unrestrained egotism, racism, misogyny, xenophobia and a disregard for the value of human life. World leaders become intoxicated with their power and as it goes unchecked they begin to believe that they can justify anything they do. Modern day examples are not hard to find.

As the U.S. impeachment process plays out it is important to realize that the current president has headed down a road that has led to the justification of the marginalization and torture of people not to his liking. This is the same road that was traveled by Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini and many others.

Next Stage Arts Project Hires New Executive Director

by ChrisLenois | Arts

Next Stage Arts Project announced it has hired Keith Marks to be the next Executive Director following a nationwide search. He will assume leadership of the Putney, Vermont-based nonprofit presenting arts organization in January of 2020.

Marks will be moving from Jacksonville, Florida, where he founded Avant, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching community through the power of diverse arts experiences. His efforts earned him the 2019 Arts Innovator Award from the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.

Brattleboro Fire Department – Be Careful With Home Oxygen

by BrattFireDept | Police & Fire

On Tuesday, December 3 at 8:45am the Brattleboro Fire Department and Rescue Inc responded to a West Brattleboro address for a subject that was burned. Upon arrival it was learned that the 55 year old patient was burned while vaping while he was on home oxygen. A flash fire occurred around the face area of the subject and he received burns to his mouth and nose area. He was transported to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital by Rescue Inc for further evaluation and treatment.

New Year’s Eve Party at Brattleboro VFW Dec. 31st

by Not Signed In | Entertainment

New Year’s Eve tickets on sale now for Dec. 31st at the Brattleboro VFW. Doors open at 5 pm, meal at 6 pm, and The Visitors Band starts at 7:30pm. $20 a ticket gets you a choice of prime rib or garlic roasted pork, salad, baked potato, veg. and roll. Snacks at 10 pm, and party favors will also be handed out. A champagne toast at midnight for those of age. Come into the VFW and choose your table now. $10 per person for the dance only. Public is welcome

Brattleboro Snow and Ice Removal Tonight

by Not Signed In | Uncategorized

The Town of Brattleboro would like to remind everyone that the snow emergency ban is in effect.

Snow and ice will be removed from the streets in the downtown area this evening. This will include Canal Street and parts of Western Ave.

Parked vehicles in the downtown district must be removed by 11:00pm or they will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – The Intent of Representative Town Meeting, and Budgets

by cgrotke | Town News
brattleboro selectboard dec 3 2019

The Brattleboro Selectboard had an extended discussion of the appropriateness of giving the new sustainability coordinator $10,000 for community programs and outreach. Was this what Representative Town Meeting intended? Will the line item grow out of control?

Brattleboro is joining with other Vermont municipalities and VLCT to request some time, some authority, and some money when and if commercial cannabis operations are legalized. It is expected in the coming legislative session. The board continued discussions of FY21 and signed on for some training.

Brattleboro Downtown Snow Removal

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro would like to remind everyone that the snow emergency ban is in effect.

Snow and ice will be removed from the streets and parking lots in the downtown area this evening.

Parked vehicles in the downtown district must be removed by 11:00 pm from the streets and vehicles parked in the parking lots must be removed by 1:00 am or they will be towed at the owner’s expense.

John Stowell & Draa Hobbs, Jazz Guitar

by Mark Piepkorn | Music

The Bellows Falls community radio station, WOOL-FM, welcomes back guitar duo John Stowell & Draa Hobbs for a return engagement of world-class jazz at Stage 33 Live. There will also be a musician’s master class on improvisation preceding.

John Stowell, based on the West Coast, is influenced as much by pianists and horn players as by guitar players, and his original take on harmony, chords, and improvisation sets him apart. He tours, records, and teaches internationally, and has been a contributing columnist for Downbeat, Guitar Player, Soundcheck (Germany), Guitar Club (Italy), and other influential publications.