Citizen Scientists: Making a World of Difference

by Not Signed In | Sci-Tech

Discover how you can observe and monitor the environment in your own backyard!

Almost anyone can be a scientist and help protect our planet – even in their own backyards. Whether someone’s passion is watching hawks, catching butterflies, chasing bugs, or even taking photographs, a workshop Saturday, April 9, in Brattleboro will offer individuals a chance to become a citizen scientist and make a difference in protecting the environment.

The US Environmental Protection Agency and more than a dozen community organizations –governmental and non-profit – will hold a 3-hour workshop showcasing opportunities to get involved with nature and the environment beginning at 9:30 am at the River Garden, 157 Main Street, Brattleboro.

Academy School and Esteyville First to Switch to Modern Wood Heat

by Not Signed In | Town News

Two school buildings stay warm with local, renewable heat from wood

BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT: The Academy and Esteyville school buildings in Brattleboro are the first public buildings to participate in the Windham Wood Heat Initiative by switching from fossil fuels to locally sourced wood pellets to heat their buildings. Academy School’s switch will reduce the school’s oil use by 15,000 gallons and generate $50,000 a year in positive economic impact for southern Vermont’s economy. Esteyville will cut oil consumption by 1,100 gallons and contribute $3,700 a year to the economy.

“We’ve got a quiet system providing an even heat and it’s been keeping our building warm,” said Andy Paciulli, principal of the 355-student elementary school.  “A bonus is that many of our students are learning about the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and decreasing our use of non-renewable resources. Heating with wood pellets has helped to deliver that lesson to our young learners. I expect we’ll realize the cost savings which should be significant for us and the taxpayer.”

Just So Pediatrics Announces Extended Office Hours

by BMH | Health

Just So Pediatrics (JSP), a member of the BMH Medical Group, is now offering extended hours in order to accommodate patients who request evening and occasionally, weekend appointments. In addition to its regular hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays, JSP has extended their office hours from 8 AM until 8 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with additional appointments available on some Saturdays.

“Extended hours benefit working parents who cannot come during 8:30am to 5pm hours,” says Cynthia Howes, RN, a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with JSP. “They also increase health care access to school aged children and decrease school absences.” Research from the University of Michigan shows children who have access to extended pediatric primary care appointments have half as many Emergency Department visits as those who do not.

Grand Gift Concert and Ball – An April 1875 Advertisement

by cgrotke | History

Below you will find an advertisement from April 1875 for a Grand Gift Concert and Ball to be held at the Town Hall in Brattleboro on April 27. You’ll want to get a ticket to this, because the prizes are amazing.

There is a concert from 7 to 9 p.m., followed by a ball from 9 until 2 a.m. A special orchestra is coming in from Lowell, Mass.. for the event.

The $2 ticket gives you a chance to win big. How big? How about first prize, a house and lot on Canal Street?

Trans Canada Hopes To Sell Dams on Connecticut River

by cgrotke | State News

Valley News is reporting that Trans Canada is planning on selling dams along the Connecticut River:

“West Lebanon — As part of its effort to finance a new Houston-based natural gas acquisition, Trans Canada Hydro Northeast is looking to sell its New England power generation business, including its hydroelectric dams on the Connecticut River.

At stake are not only some of the most lucrative assets on the river, but control of a critical natural resource in the Twin States. The Wilder, Bellows Falls and Vernon, Vt. dams are among the assets Trans Canada plans to sell.”

. Seems like they see a future in pipelines instead.

The Happy Birthday Animation Project

by cgrotke | Creative

I just finished a winter assignment and thought I’d share a bit about “the making of” this new animation.

This project really started a few years ago, when I was given the FAX jr. animation stand used at the Animation Lab at Capital Children’s Museum. (I used to run the program at the museum, and the animation stand is an old friend.) I invested in a new camera and software to shoot single frame animation, and did some tests to make sure it was all working.

The stand really pulled me away from computer animation and back into physical media of drawings and objects. I decided to give myself an assignment of completing a fully drawn animated project. But what to do?

Paid Oppostion or Just Plain Ignorant

by ChrisPratt | Op/Ed

My name is Chris Pratt. I have no problem disclosing who I am because I have nothing to hide.  Same goes for my website . I challenge the reader to show me one fact (hundreds of thousands are listed here) that is not well referenced and/or supported by an original video and/or a published article.

We are up against billions of dollars and thousands of faceless people paid to discredit and conduct character assassinations on people who are brave enough to question, to doubt or to demand further investigations or evidence. We are outnumbered and out spent at levels that are unimaginable. It truly is a David and Goliath quest for truth and openness vs deception and secrecy.

Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of March 27

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.

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.

BCTV Schedules For The Week Of 3/28/2016

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV channel 8 schedule for the week of 3/28/16

Monday, March 28, 2016

12:05 am Common Good VT: What’s Going On with Non-Profit Workplaces

12:30 am Regional Heroin Crisis Forum 3/8/16

2:00 am Medical Marijuana in VT – Dr. Nitya Jessica Eisenheim 2/29/16

3:15 am Senior Moments: Montpelier Senior Center Band

4:00 am A Way with Words: Conversations on the Art of Writing

Cheryl Wheeler plus Lizzy Mandell at Next Stage on Friday, April 1

by Not Signed In | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present contemporary folk singer/songwriter and comedienne extraordinaire Cheryl Wheeler, plus Lizzy Mandell, at Next Stage on Friday, April 1 at 7:30 pm.

It has always seemed as if there were two Cheryl Wheelers, with fans of the New England songwriter relishing watching the two tussle for control of the microphone. There is poet-Cheryl, writer of some of the prettiest, most alluring and intelligent ballads on the modern folk scene. And there is her evil twin, comic-Cheryl, a militant trend defier and savagely funny social critic. As the poet and comic forces join, taking their separate turns and melding into the same artistic vision, Wheeler emerges as a delightful, gifted and openhearted performer.

Brattleboro Time Trade Listings – Week of March 27

by Brattleboro Time Trade | Other

Brattleboro Time Trade:  Exchanging services, creating connections, strengthening communities, one hour at a time. See below for more exciting Upcoming Events and learn what Time Trade can do for you!

How Time Trade Works: You do something for someone and earn time credits for your “bank,” which you can then put towards someone else doing something for you! It’s that simple – and amazing!

This week’s fabulous listings, brought to you from a sugar coma:

Now anyone can see a listing of all our Offers and Requests: https://brattleboro.timebanks.org/ads?type=1

OFFERS (i.e. things people could do for you):

Borrow My Chimney Brush
Carfax Reports (Use When Buying a Used Car)
Nail Art
Back Country XC (Telemark) Skis and Boots

The Stockwell Brothers Band at Phelps Barn March 26

by Not Signed In | Music

Phelps Barn at The Grafton Inn presents contemporary bluegrass and folk music quartet The Stockwell Brothers Band on Saturday, March 26 at 8:00 pm.

Bruce, Barry, Alan and Kelly Stockwell’s music spans traditional and progressive styles, but their trademark acoustic sound features new singer/songwriter material recast with banjo, alternative rhythms and three-part harmonies. They cover straight ahead bluegrass songs, finger picked acoustic guitar ballads, full tilt breakdowns and traditional mandolin tunes mixed in with more unusual fare – Americana melodies riding world beat grooves and Celtic, jazzy, even neo-classical instrumentals.

Brattleboro Dog Licenses Due

by Not Signed In | Pets

Brattleboro dog and wolf-hybrid licenses are due on or before April 1. Vermont dogs and wolf-hybrids 6 months of age and older must be licensed on or before April 1. For dogs not previously licensed in Brattleboro, a first-time license must be obtained in person from the Town Clerk’s office. Licenses being renewed may be processed in the Town Clerk’s office, through the mail or online at www.brattleboro.org.

Vaccination against rabies is required by Vermont Statutes before licensing. A current vaccination means:

All dogs and wolf-hybrids over three months of age shall be vaccinated against rabies. The initial vaccination shall be valid for 12 months. Within 9 to 12 months of the initial vaccination, the animal must receive a booster vaccination.

Weekend Creativity Series – Hitchcock

by cgrotke | Creative

Two Alfred Hitchcock treats for you this weekend, to cover a range of creative topics such as suspense and filmmaking.

The first is an interview he did in 1972. I love listening to him talk, and he has a very dry sense of humor.

The second is an analysis of the way he blocks out a single shot in one of his films.

Brattleboro Selectboard Organizational Meeting

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special organizational meeting on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 5:30pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.

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