The Final Solution to the Palestinian Problem

by Namaya | Op/Ed

The Palestinian problem has been an enormous thorn in the relations between Israel and the greater world. This has prevented a capable Western styled government from bringing the full fruits of its democracy to the Middle East. With the constant niggling and debate of rights, it is time for Israel to assert its full historic right to the full and final occupation of Greater Israel from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River to Lebanon and south to Sinai. We can stop the illusion and fantasy of a Palestinian state in the West Bank. Historically, this land was Israel, with stretches of time occupied by every power in the region. Though we had a period of Diaspora and left the area for two thousand years does it matter whether it was two days or two thousand years? Of course not.

Cuba Sí, ZunZuneo No!

by tomaidh | Opinion

I have always been led to believe that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was a humanitarian agency, providing assistance to people around the world to improve their lives, not to overthrow their government (AKA “Regime Change”). Silly me!

According to the Associated Press, Yahoo News and other sources, an intelligence program, known as “ZunZuneo,” was created through a cleverly crafted network of unsuspecting executives and an offshore Cayman Islands bank account, all funded through the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID.

Newfane Yoga Opening Monday, April 7!

by Not Signed In | West River Valley

Newfane Yoga is opening Monday, April 7. Join us for our first vinyasa flow class @ 6pm. Your first class is only $5. We’re located right next to the Newfane Cafe & Creamery.

Please visit www.newfaneyoga.com for the full class schedule. We’re excited to bring yoga to Newfane and Windham County.

New Sessions: Adult Daytime Music Programs

by Pam Lierle | Music

SINGING STRONG

A singing program for Seniors

Brattleboro Music Center choral director Susan Dedell leads “ Singing Strong,” a new chorus specifically designed for seniors. Singing has been making big headlines in the health field for the last decade, as multiple studies conclude that singing in a group is one of the most effective ways to stay healthy, alert, and happy throughout the course of a life time. Among its many benefits,  singing boosts the immune system, improves heart health, lowers blood pressure, and reduces stress. Best of all, it makes you happier! Susan will lead everyone in songs chosen from a variety of musical styles, mostly from the great song repertoire of the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. Absolutely no prior singing experience or music reading skills necessary! 

Weekend Concert Series: Doobie Brothers

by cgrotke | Entertainment

Grab your suntan lotion – we’re going to Santa Barbara, California.

The year is 1982 and yacht rock has peaked. Yacht rock is a sort of relaxed beach music, seemingly created for being on a yacht in warm waters, surrounded by tropical drinks, bathing suits, and cocaine. Think Toto, Kenny Loggins, Gerry Rafferty, and those smooth-sounding rock bands from that time and place.

The Doobie Brothers, once a country rock sort of band, had completely transformed itself into a yacht rock leader with Michael McDonald at the helm, to the point of super-popularity and extinction.

Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee Meeting

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, April 11, 2014 at 10:00am at the Marlboro College Graduate Center in the VCIL conference room.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

Informational Meeting for Brattleboro Special Referendum

by Not Signed In | Town News

Brattleboro Town Selectboard will hold an informational meeting on Wednesday, April 9 at Oak Grove School beginning at 6:30 PM. The public is invited to review the Town budget and ask questions prior to the referendum vote.

The referendum will be held on April 17 and will be by Australian ballot. All registered voters in the Town are eligible to vote.

Union Hill Safety Improvements Public Meeting

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

Residents and Business Owners:

The Town, working along with a private consultant, is engaging in a project study for safety improvements on Western Avenue in the area of Union Hill. This study is funded by the State of Vermont, Agency of Transportation, Local Transportation Facilities Division. As part of the process, the Town is holding a public meeting to present design concepts.

Statement of Citizens Awareness Network on Vermont Yankee Certificate of Public Good

by Not Signed In | Activism

Citizens Awareness Network supports the Public Service Board’s decision to grant approval of the amended CPG that supports in total the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the State of Vermont and Entergy. While many have serious concerns about Entergy and its ability to live up to its commitments, the settlement reached between the state and Entergy is precedent setting. It is now up to the corporation to live up to its commitments and work constructively with the state of Vermont to achieve a safe and responsible decommissioning of the plant.

Putney Road Shooting

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

Early this morning, there was an officer involved shooting at a hotel on Putney Road. As per statewide protocol, the Vermont State Police is investigating. Further information will be made available in the future. Questions can be directed to the Windham County State’s Attorney at 257-2860. 

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

150 Years Ago (1864 4/3-4/4)

by BusyMom | History

Brattleboro, April 3rd, 1864.

Dearest Abiah,

I believe I was in Washington, when I quit writing there I was within a few hundred yards of Jacob I suppose and could not go and see him. That came of being trustworthy. Had to take charge of the men, keep them from running round. I could have fixed them, for I could have taken them to the barracks and I should have laughed to have seen them get out before I or the Captain came, but that would not be doing as I would be done by. At 8 o’clock the Captain came and we took the cars for home. Got into New York the next morning about 8 o’clock and stopped until the next day at 11, and in that time we all had the chance to go where we pleased. I was glad to lie still. I was as tired as I ever was in my life feet so sore that I could hardly step.

Bondville Boys in Concert/Dance at the River Garden

by MartinLangeveld | Town News

The Bondville Boys, an eclectic, edgy bluegrass band, will play a concert and dance at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden in downtown Brattleboro on Friday, April 18 from 7 to 10:30 p.m.

The concert is a benefit for Strolling of the Heifers, which has established its headquarters at the River Garden and is raising funds for renovations and improvements including air-conditioning and a demonstration kitchen.

The Bondville Boys, so named because “some of us are from Bondville, and some of us are boys,” consists of Jake Geppert (banjo, guitar and vocals), Tom Morris (guitar and banjo), Laura Molinelli (guitar and vocals), Dennis Fink (bass and vocals) and Ben Campbell (guitars, mandolin and vocals).

Popular throughout western New England since 1990, the Bondville Boys have shared stages with Del McCoury, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Buddy Cage, and the Gibson Brothers, among others. 

Brattleboro Board of Civil Authority Meeting Scheduled

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro BCA will meet on Tues, April 8 at 12 noon in the Town Clerk’s office to discuss details of the upcoming Town Budget re-vote.

Annette L. Cappy
Brattleboro Town Clerk
230 Main Street, Suite 108
Brattleboro. VT 05301
acappy@brattleboro.org
ph 802-251-8129
fax 802-257-2312

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting – Site Visit, Public Hearing, Special Town Meeting

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a site visit, special meeting and public hearing on Monday, April 7, 2014. The site visit will take place at 176 New England Drive at 5:30pm. The Board will reconvene the special meeting following the site visit and hold a public hearing at approximately 6:15pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

The Muddy Season – An 1874 Request for Sidewalks in Brattleboro

by cgrotke | History

I found this letter in an 1874 edition of the Phoenix, and it struck me as being somewhat familiar to contemporary opinion pieces.

This letter has it all – citizen concerns, a question of taxes, a call for protest if needed, and a request to do public improvements. Substitute any current town project for the sidewalks mentioned here and it could, with minor edits, be recycled and re-used in 2014.

West Brattleboro Assoc. Monthly Meeting, with Chris Hart, April 10

by WBA | Town News

The next monthly meeting of the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) will be held at the New England House
on Thursday, April 10th at 6:00 PM. The guest speaker will be Chris Hart, Executive Director of the Brattleboro Housing Authority who will discuss possible future uses for the Melrose Terrace housing complex once residents are moved to new quarters being built on Canal Street called Red Clover Commons. The group will discuss various other items including the upcoming Green-Up Day on May 3rd and the semi-annual Chicken Barbecue sponsored by WBA on May 24th, the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. It will be held once again in the front of the West Brattleboro Congregational Church.