Weekend Creativity Series – Japanese Tea Ceremony

by cgrotke | Creative

If you’ve studied Japan, you’ve probably come across a wonderful book called the Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzo. In it, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony is explained. What one learns is that there is art in tea, and the tea ceremony is a reflection of life and culture.

This is the opposite of Dunkin Donuts drive-thru. A tea ceremony tales a while, and allows the tea drinker to relax and focus. Each move is deliberate. There is a right way and a wrong way to do each step. Each utensil is special and handled with care. Everything is shown respect.

Paul Cameron Resigns

by cgrotke | Town News

that long-time Brattleboro Energy Coordinator Paul Cameron has resigned as is moving to North Carolina to be closer to family.

His work on climate protection and energy issues for the town over the years has been substantial, and the Energy Committee frequently cites his participation as essential.  The small amount allocated by Representative Town Meeting each year toward his work has reaped significant savings in energy costs, helping to keep property taxes down and efficiency up.

On top of that, he’s a really nice guy, too.  Definitely will be missed.

Brattleboro Conservation Commission Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Conservation Commission will meet on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at 5:15 PM in the Hanna Cosman Room at the Municipal Center.

Rita Johnson
Planning Clerk & E911 Coordinator
Town of Brattleboro
230 Main Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
planning@brattleboro.org

Making America Great Again

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

A number of people I know are very concerned that Trump might be elected. I have a suggestion to take the wind out of his sails and make his service to the nation unnecessary.

Trump’s promise is to “make America great again.” If everyone steps up, works hard, and makes America great again before Election Day, he won’t be needed. As an added bonus, the newly re-greatized nation would remain that way, with Clinton maintaining the new status quo.

Here’s how I’d do it:

Heidi Wouldn’t Lie!

by tomaidh | Op/Ed

But would our government?

Abraham Lincoln said “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time”

Bill Casey wanted to fool all of the people all of the time. Here’s a quote:

“We’ll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false”

[William Joseph Casey was the Director of Central Intelligence from 1981 to 1987. In this capacity he oversaw the entire United States Intelligence Community and personally directed the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).]

Brattleboro Human Services Funding FY18

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee is accepting applications for FY18 Human Services Funding. The Application, as well as Instructions and Guidelines, will be posted on the Brattleboro website – www.brattleboro.org. The deadline to submit applications to the Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office is Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at 12:00pm.

The information session regarding human services funding is scheduled on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 7:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center. Applicants are encouraged to attend. For more information regarding the application process, contact Jan Anderson in the Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office at 802-251-8151.

iPhone vs. Android?

by SK-B | Questions & Answers

I am finally ready to upgrade from my flip-phone, so it is time to make a purchasing decision

I have heard that geeks prefer the android system, but less technically astute people (like me) would find an iphone more user-friendly. Then other people say, “No, no, that’s not true. You won’t have any problem with an android, and you’ll love it!”

That leaves me paralyzed, unable to come to a decision. I would be very interested in the persepctive of ibrattleboro participants.

I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of September 26th

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

I-91

Northbound I-91 traffic has been relocated onto the southbound bridge. Traffic will remain reduced to one lane in each direction on I-91 until completion of the new bridge. The new bridge will be 104’ wide and is designed to carry all four lanes of traffic –two northbound and two southbound.

To reduce congestion on I-91, both Exit 3 on ramps will be closed on Sunday, September 25th, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. I-91 will remain open.

Route 30

The speed limit on Route 30 near the work zone has been reduced to 40 mph. Project-related truck activity on Route 30 will continue. Route 30 may be reduced to a single lane intermittently, with flaggers regulating traffic within the work zone.

Windham Regional Career Center Offers Fall 2016 Community Education and Training Programs

by betsg | Town News

The Windham Regional Career Center at Brattleboro Union High School is pleased to announce their Community Education and Training Programs for this fall. Betsy Gentile, Workforce Development Manager and Adult Education Coordinator has coordinated 15 community education and training programs to meet the needs of area employers and their employees as well as providing personal and professional enrichment opportunities for all community members.

Note on Belva Lockwood in the Today in History Column

by Rolf | History

I saw the Today in History Column had a mention of a Belva Lockwood Burlesque, and thought that other readers would be interested in knowing that Belva was a famous advocate of women’s rights in her day, and that men in numerous towns created Belva Lockwood burlesques, where they would mock her, apparently by dressing up in drag, and mocking her, as near as I can make of it from reading old books that have been digitized.

Here is the wikipedia biography.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belva_Ann_Lockwood

Rolf

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Boston By Bus, $30k For Pedestrians, and Bittersweet Reconsideration

by cgrotke | Town News

Perhaps the biggest news revealed at the regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard had almost nothing to do with any board decision. A bus company has decided to start a daily route from downtown Brattleboro to and from Boston starting October 1.

The board did handle some meaty topics themselves, of course. They had healthy discussion of  accessibility features of the new police station, a lesson on business development activities, a decision to spend $30,000 on pedestrian safety and work safety into future budgets, another decision to reconsider their decision regarding Bittersweet Lane, a scolding for the public for not paying attention, and more. 

West Brattleboro Association Chicken BBQ Is Saturday, October 8, 11 Am Till Gone

by WBA | Town News

The annual Columbus Day weekend Chicken BBQ will be sponsored by the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) on Saturday, October 8th, starting at 11 a.m. and lasting until gone. The event will be held in front of the First Congregational Church on Western Avenue in West Brattleboro. There will also be a bake sale (and maybe more) sponsored by the Church.

The half barbecued chicken, which uses a barbecue sauce recipe from the Guilford Fair Fireman’s BBQ, will be available with a pickle for $7. Watch for an updated announcement soon, and meanwhile get October 8th on your calendar!

Proceeds from the BBQ help the West Brattleboro Association with its many activities for the community!  

Act 46 Meeting Agenda and Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

ACT 46 STUDY COMMITTEE

Representing the Brattleboro Town School District, Dummerston Town School District,
Guilford Town School District, Putney Town School District and the Vernon Town School District
http://www.wssu.k12.vt.us

REVISED NOTICE OF MEETING

The Act 46 Study Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2016 at the Putney Central School.

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m. – Alice Laughlin, Committee Chair

II. REVIEW, PRIORITIZE AND ESTABLISH DESIRED OUTCOMES FOR MEETING BY CHAIRPERSON.

III. REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBER ROLES AND PUBLIC COMMENTS BY CHAIRPERSON

An Enigma-Like Puzzle

by cgrotke | Creative

I’ve taken up Rolf’s challenge to create a puzzle. I haven’t hidden any prizes, but this could certainly be adapted to become a treasure-seeking endeavor in the future. Enjoy!

 

LSCMOS makes a square

BBMDEGHJWOWEPMLC are simply around

RO WB are varieties

and ACPMC also in pies can be found

BCTV Schedules For Week of 9/19/16

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV channel 8 schedule for the week of 9/19/16

Monday, September 19, 2016

12:00 am Rock Voices – 7/29/16 Concert

1:25 am UVM: John Abele Inaugural Stetson Lecture 8/23/16

2:30 am Wolf Peaches / Poisoned Peas & Madame Pompadour’s Underwear

3:45 am Senior Moments: Alzheimer’s Disease Pt 1

5:00 am GMMT: Friday News Show

Filling the Void Left by Vermont Yankee

by tomaidh | Vernon

A recent program on Vt. Public Radio reported that energy leaders from across the state met in Vernon Sept 12th to help the town plan for life after Vermont Yankee.

Entergy closed VY in December, 2014, leaving behind an enormous switchyard that can handle hundreds of megawatts of electricity from a power plant.

The town wants to replace VY’s tax base — and lost jobs — and with those high voltage transmission lines, Vernon is looking for an energy project that could make use of the electrical infrastructure.

Crafting For The Homeless Is Back For Its Third Year! Come Help Make A Difference

by BAJC Shir HeHarim | Activism

Come join us for our 3rd year of making a difference on Sunday afternoon, October 9th, from 1:00-3:00 pm, to craft items for the homeless population in the area. Using traditional crafts, we will make hats, scarves, blankets and sleeping mats from yarn and fleece fabric. Our group will meet the first Sunday of the month after this session.

Some people come to learn to knit or crochet, others arrive with projects already underway. Some are members of BAJC; someare not. All are welcome! We donate our projects to Groundworks Collaborative. 

Thoughts on 9-11

by tomaidh | Op/Ed

 

When playing serious poker, they say that if you can’t figure who the “patsy” is within 3 hands, the patsy is you.

Oswald thought he was doing something patriotic when he took the (CIA) job in the Book Depository.  No one was more surprised than he when he realized JFK had been shot. “Holy Sh*t” he said. “I’m the patsy”. “I better GTF out of here”. He didn’t succeed.