The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 6:30pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
The PCL+FIGG Team will conduct the first on-site “Trail Talk” for the Public on Saturday, December 14, 2013. These trail talks will discuss the status of the I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Project and will provide participants the opportunity to learn about the construction and ask questions.
The talks will originate at the West River Trail near the marina. The first trail talk will be led by Caleb Linn, Project Manager for PCL (lead contractor), and Garrett Hoffman, Design Manager for FIGG (bridge designer).
Children come to Kurn Hattin Homes from all kinds of backgrounds and for all kinds of reasons. Recently a group of five 2012 graduates shared their moving stories of transformation. These candid interviews are now available for viewing on Kurn Hattin’s website. Each one is completely different, and some may surprise you.
Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) has completed its draft Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Southeastern Vermont’s Windham Region.
This process has been guided by a CEDS Committee comprising municipal and private sector representatives from throughout the Southeastern Vermont region. Prior to submitting the draft document to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), SeVEDS is required to allow for a 30-day public comment period.
The world has lost a great man; a humble peacemaker; a man who knew that educating people was the way to a better, more just world. A sad, sad day for humanity. RIP Nelson Mandela.
Get a look at some of the area’s many seasonal events as the holidays get into full swing, with Cherry Street Artisans offering a one-stop shop for homemade gifts of all varieties, BaBB getting ready to light up downtown, Pop Up Brattleboro shaking up the art scene, and the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition joining forces with the Windham County Humane Society for a holiday ‘Pets and their People’ pro-photo fundraiser.
[Brattleboro, 1,000 years ago]
LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER KING DICK YIELDED THE MUNICIPALITY TO SIR DAVID: THE ONCE FEARSOME, FIRE-BREATHING BUDGET-DRAGON WAS SLAIN, THANKS TO AN IBRATTLEBORO POLL.
SOME SAY THE POLL HAD BEEN HACKED. BUT IT TURNS OUT THAT ONLY THE WOODEN FLAGPOLE IN FRONT OF THE IBRATTLEBORO COMPLEX HAD BEEN HACKED BY SOME KID WHO JUST HAD TO TRY OUT THE NEW HATCHET HE RECEIVED AS A GIFT FOR HIS 10TH BIRTHDAY.
Next Stage Arts Project presents two indie rock bands, Brattleboro-based quartet The Snaz and Keene-based trio Jake McKelvie & The Countertops, at Next Stage on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30 pm.
The Snaz is a young, original rock band featuring Dharma Ramirez (15, lead vocals and guitar), Mavis Eaton (15, keyboards and backup vocals), Zack James (13, drums) and Sally Fletcher (15, bass). They have won “Battle of the Bands” competitions in Brattleboro and Northampton. Their prize for the Brattleboro event was recording time at the Guilford Sound studios, where they recorded an EP with the help of Grammy nominated record producer Peter Solley.
I just received a new twist on the medical alert obnoxious telemarketing calls. This one showed up in the caller ID as being from “Alert” so when I picked up, I just listened, didn’t say anything. A robo call came on saying that a system had already been paid for, including shipping (“perhaps by a friend or relative”), and all I needed to do was press one to arrange for delivery. I didn’t go down that road, but to be so bold as to say it is already paid for will undoubtedly get some people to respond. How despicable can thes telemarketers get? Please don’t answer!! I ask that rhetorically. I’m sure your responses would be just as nasty as the thoughts going through my head!
On Friday, December 6th at 8:00 PM, the Vermont Jazz Center will present a Gala Performance with the VJC Big Band supporting internationally acclaimed vocalist, Kevin Mahogany. This is a dance concert and more than half the floor will remain open for people to move to the sounds of the VJC’s 18 piece orchestra.
Kevin Mahogany is well acquainted to singing with big bands as he has his own repertoire and custom-made charts, some of them arranged by the legendary Frank Mantooth. According to the respected jazz website, allmusic.com, Mahogany’s “swinging style is reminiscent, but not derivative of Joe Williams.” He takes pride in his Kansas City roots and, just like another Kansas City resident, Charlie Parker, his delivery is deeply saturated in the authentic blues. In one recent performance, Kevin joked that the state law in Kansas City required a minimum of two blues numbers per set!
The Brattleboro Selectboard took up issues of farming, energy audits, and downtown improvements at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
The tax stabilization rate for farms was discussed and formalized, but a debate is now brewing over $95,000 in a little-used but popular loan fund for farms. The Selectboard has eyes on it as a way to reduce taxes.
A request to look for ways to save money was tabled, putting the issue of energy audits for municipal buildings on hold for the moment.
Vermont’s downtown program was described in detail, and the BaBB budget and workplan were approved for presentation at Representative Town Meeting.
Brattleboro, December 4th,
1863.
Dearest wife –
I have today the finest chance in the world to write you a good, nice warm room and a desk and nothing to do although I have had enough work yesterday and this forenoon. Day before yesterday I was detailed to assist in making out rolls in Mr. Mead’s office. He is superintendent of recruits. Commenced work yesterday, and have had to work pretty hard until a short time since, that job is done. How long I am to remain here I know not. I am here now, and shall improve it writing to you. I was rejoiced to receive a letter from you. It appears that we both had a letter in the road at the same time. You will find that I sent twenty dollars instead of fifteen. Well, I could not get the bill changed in camp and let it all slide. I suppose we shall get our bounty sometime if we do not get it, another pay day will come on some time or another.
Just a quick not to say how delightful it is to see the return of the iBrattleboro Christmas Calendar, one of my holiday tradtions for several years now. I love the pictures of old Brattleboro, alhtough at first it took me awhile to realize that in Windows I could right click and zoom in for a more detailed view. I get such a kick out of the animations. It’s a great way to start the season. Thank You.
On Thursday, December 12, 6:00-8:00 pm, the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) will host its annual Holiday Party at The New England House, 254 Marlboro Road. This is a time for people and businesses in West Brattleboro to get together socially and to celebrate the Association’s numerous accomplishments in this past year. The evening will feature a cash bar with hors d’oeuvres prepared by the restaurant. The WBA suggests a voluntary donation of $5 toward the food.
Boston Globe reporter and Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Cullen lived in the shadow, and sometimes in fear, of South Boston gangster Whitey Bulger. Cullen tells the riveting story of the capture and trial of the most wanted criminal of his generation. Wednesday, December 04, 2013, 07:00pm – 09:00pm. Brooks Memorial Library.
Do you think you know who Whitey Bulger is? What is the background to Whitey’s escape from justice for so many years. How did Whitey get help from his brother William (Billy) Bulger, longest-serving former president of the Massachusetts Senate and president of University of Massachusetts. What was the role of the FBI in protecting Whitey? Whitey Bulger and the Manhunt that Brought Him to Justice written by Boston Globe reporter and Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Cullen, who lived in the shadow, and sometimes in fear, of South Boston gangster Whitey Bulger.
Save the date for Holiday Shopping! The 8th Annual Friends of Brooks Memorial Library Holiday Book Sale will be held in the Library on Friday, December 6 from 10AM to 6PM and Saturday, December 7 from 10AM to 2PM.
Gift quality books and gently used fiction, non-fiction, children’s books and CDs will be on sale. Non-fiction titles include art, cooking and gardening, history, music and more subjects. Book sale discount coupons are now available from the Front Desk of the Library. A collection of 400 music CDs, mainly jazz, will also be on sale and are in perfect condition.
I believe we need not a financial audit (we’ll get those by law), but a periodic audit of the effectiveness of management and the fulfillment by Town government of its objectives.
Therefore, I have recommended to my fellow members of the Finance Committee that we request such audits.
Every ten years or so, we should have an outside or third-party expert review very extensively whether our Town is being run using best practices or not. Particularly at the juncture of the current inter-regnum (between Town Managers), this could end up being a very effective way of reducing Town expenses.
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce the transition of its travel clinic services to the new Tri-State Travel Clinic under the direction of Dr. George Idelkope, effective immediately.
The BMH travel clinic was created in 2011 as part of the hospital’s Occupational Health Services department, with Dr. Idelkope as the medical advisor and Jean Bristol as one of the registered nurses on staff at the clinic. Bristol has moved with the travel clinic to Dr. Idelkope’s office, providing continuity of care for patients. Bristol has more than 20 years of experience in travel medicine and is a member of the International Society of Travel Medicine.
Two adventurers set out in a canoe and . Something mysteriously beautiful.
For the second year running, the Kurn Hattin Children’s Select Choir has been invited to join Grammy-winning fiddler Natalie MacMaster on stage for her “Christmas in Cape Breton” concert. Kurn Hattin Music Director
Lisa Bianconi has chosen 26 out of the 64-member advanced choir to perform in the concert, which takes place at the Latchis Theater in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont on Friday, December 6 at 7:30 PM
