Today I received two calls -both on my cell phone – both looking for medical information. The first- from # 767 – 275-9061-was from someplace called ” National Medical Audits”. The second – about 2 hours later- was from # 356-490-5697. and from “US Medical Associates” Both calls were obviously from call centers – there was a lot of background noise-and both times the caller was a man with a very pronounced Indian accent.
I was updating our Day in History listings and came across something that might astound and amaze you.
In 1875, according to the Vermont Phoenix, Brattleboro’s total expenses for the year were estimated at about $7,000. To compare, in 2015 our expenses are projected to be just under $17 million.
To be fair, they had just added a major expense to the Brattleboro budget in 1875 – streetlights, at a cost of $1,000 per year. Without them, the amount spent would have been lower.
Residents at the time voted to lay a tax of 40 cents on the dollar of the grand list to cover the cost of running the town.
Kurn Hattin Homes for Children’s Music Director, Lisa Bianconi, got the thrill of a lifetime last week when she learned that she is one of only 10 finalists for the inaugural Grammy Music Educator award. Bianconi received the call from the Grammy Foundation while at work at on Friday, letting her know the good news and telling her to tune in to the televised Grammy Nomination Concert to watch the official announcement live on CBS Friday night. The 10 finalists, from 10 cities across eight states receive $1,000 and a matching honorarium for their schools. One winner will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 56th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014.
Join 5:45 Live from Pliny Park in downtown for a special Holiday Gallery Walk edition that includes BaBB’s annual tree-lighting ceremony, the Governor’s million-dollar trip Brattleboro, the Safe & Green campaigns SafStor expert panel on VY’s decommissioning, and much much more.
It appears that spying on citizens is impacting bottom lines. Today, major tech companies released the following letter.
….
Dear Mr. President and Members of Congress,
We understand that governments have a duty to protect their citizens. But this summer’s revelations highlighted the urgent need to reform government surveillance practices worldwide. The balance in many countries has tipped too far in favor of the state and away from the rights of the individual — rights that are enshrined in our Constitution. This undermines the freedoms we all cherish. It’s time for a change.
BCTV Ch.8 Schedule for the week of 12-9-13
Monday December 9
12:00 am Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program
1:29 am Cuban Bridge Music Program -Episode 15
2:00 am FSTV Overnight
4:00 am Vermont Arts Summit – Plenary One
5:05 am The Modern Grass Quintet at the Valley Stage Music Fest
Did anyone else get sick after eating carrot soup at the Cotton Mill Open House on Sunday? I’m sick as a dog, and trying to figure out if it’s food poisoning or a virus.
Come ride this weekend to support the Putney Foodshelf. This time of year all of the folks at the Putney Foodshelf can use our help as they try to make sure everyone is well provided for during the holiday season. They will be upping their efforts over the next few weeks to see that no one in need. On Sautrday 14th and Sunday 15th, Hot Wheelz Cycle Studio is hoping to fill the house, not only with riders, but with some great donations of food items as well.
The foodshelf is in need of a variety of non-perishable items, such as healthy canned goods. A general rule of thumb is to try to donate only sutff that you would eat yourself and that isn’t out of date.
Brattleboro, Vt. Dec. 8th,
1863.
Dearest wife –
I have but a little time and you will have to put up with a short letter this time. The box came safely to hand. I found that it was at the express office and asked for a pass. Capt. Brannon says “write one”. It is signed in a minute (That is the way I get them now) got a wheel barrow and trotted off, brought it up all right. That cheese will be good. It will be first rate. Our bread is nice now. I have eaten beans until I have had enough of them but still they come. There was one parcel that had not been opened, directed to you. When I opened it, Lo and behold: there was 1 pair of mittens two pair of socks and two pair of little mittens. Well, I tell you I thought of the little hands they were made to cover. The things were all right. What shall I do with the little mittens? Shall I send them by mail, or wait until I get a chance to send them up with some person coming down.
If you are thinking about buying a car between now and January 2, 2014 consider Brattleboro Subaru. Brattleboro Subaru’s Share The Love promotion will donate$100 to any local charity, cause, or person of your choice in addition to the $250 that Subaru donates to a national charity. Please consider directing your donation to the Windham County Heat Fund.
Brattleboro Police are looking for the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed a pedestrian on Western Avenue near Union Street around 7:00 Friday night. The vehicle involved had left the scene before emergency crews arrived. The name of the victim has not yet been released. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 257-7950 or the TIPSLINE at 251-8188.
Vermont-grown Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes are currently for sale by the Brattleboro Rotary Club in front of Brattleboro Bowl on Putney Road. Sale hours are Monday-Thursday 11-7; Friday 11-6 and Saturday-Sunday 10-6.
All trees are $40 with proceeds supporting the club’s annual local student scholarship awards.
The Brattleboro Rotary Club offers the following tips to keep your Christmas tree fresh.
• Once you and your Christmas tree have safely returned home, make a fresh cut across the bottom of the trunk, to open up the pores in the wood, allowing it to absorb water readily
Bring your two- and four-legged friends to Paws for Prevention at Achille Agway in Brattleboro, this Sunday 11am-3pm to have a professional photo taken in a festive holiday scene. You will receive your photo in digital format which can be used for a variety of customized and unique holiday gifts. Photos taken at the event will be automatically entered (unless you opt out) in the contest with a chance to win up to $150! Bring your best smile, your family, your pets – bring the whole gang to Paws for Prevention this Sunday! Visit the website for more information. We look forward to seeing you there!
Guilford, VT–Guilford Community Church’s annual Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday, December 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Handmade crafts of all kinds will be for sale, as well as decorated wreaths, baked goods, holiday sweets, specialty cookie platters, and a wide variety of white elephant items.
We’ll take a bit of a detour this week and feature the holiday music stylings of singer Andy Williams.
Andy Williams used his weekly variety show for an annual Christmas special on TV each year throughout most of the 60’s and early 70’s. Often the Osmonds would show up. It was a bit like a hipper Lawrence Welk Show, and is was fun for the entire family to watch.
This video is a collection of Andy William’s favorite clips from those specials.
The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 4:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
The Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 10:00am at Marlboro College Graduate Center in the VCIL conference room.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
The Brattleboro Arts Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 4:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at 11:00am in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 2:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
Hell. It’s been years since I submitted anything to iBrattleboro. I do look at it every once in awhile, mostly to see that things are okay in one of my favorite places to live. But, I haven’t been there since 2004. I sense everything is okay. And I do hope all my friends there are happy, or at least struggling towards a worthwhile goal.
When I lived in Brattleboro I always thought, “this would be a good place to stay.” Yeah, I know. It has its quirks. But I’ll never forget my first day there when a postal worker spent ten minutes helping a homeless person get their mail straightened out. And I thought, “if I’m ever poor, this is where I want to live.”
