“To Sleep, Perchance To Dream – Ay, There’s The Rub.”

by Vidda | Op/Ed

Today’s NASDAQ has Fairpoint Communications, Inc. at $14.34 USDs. Adjacent to the figure for Total Calculated Compensation of $2,359,299 (FY 2013) to Paul Sunu, as Businessweek notes, Fairpoint’s CEO is “connected to 15 board members in 3 different organizations across 7 different industries.“

Maybe that’s not so exceptional for a business man with 25 years experience in finance, corporate management and law, with degrees in political science and Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois’ Urbana-Champaign and the College of Law.

Sanders ‘Deeply Disappointed’ in FairPoint

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., Dec. 18 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement today after FairPoint Communications CEO Paul Sunu snubbed a request from the Vermont congressional delegation for the North Carolina company to negotiate an end to a two-month strike by about 1,700 New England workers:

“I am deeply disappointed, but not surprised, with the response from Mr. Sunu. His letter confirms what I have long suspected. FairPoint wants to slash wages and benefits for Vermont workers and it refuses to negotiate in good faith. In essence his letter says FairPoint’s bargaining posture is ‘take it or leave it, we want it our way, and we’re not going to make any compromises.’

Seeking A Source Of Quality Nip

by Lise | Pets

Every year at Christmas I make catnip mice for all the cats of my acquaintance, or in some cases, for the cats of my acquaintances.  In any event, the nip has always worked in the past, so this year I was a little surprised when the two test mice I made for my own cats elicited no reaction whatsoever.  We had to make them take the mice.  They poked them a little and one cat endeavored to at least try to act interested, but overall, the mice were a resounding failure.  I blame the nip.

The catnip I used advertised joyous rapture for kitties on its label, but it was commercially grown nip sold in plastic bags, so I knew it wasn’t going to be great.  But judging from my cats’ less than tepid reaction, it may as well have been parsley. 

Spoken Word Showcase: Clara Rose Thornton, Nye Ffarrabas, and Alec Silver

by CXSilverGallery | Arts

Thursday, December 18, 8:30pm – 10:30pm, join us for a celebration of performance poetry in a unique visual arts environment.

Featuring:

  • Clara Rose Thornton, 2014 Dublin (Ireland) Slam Poetry Champion whose work examines memory, lust, social justice and racial injustice.
  • Nye Ffarrabas, innovator and word alchemist, active since the New York Fluxus scene of the 1960s.
  • Alec Silver, actor and enthusiast of language.

I-91 Northbound To Close Thursday Night

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

The team completed a portion of the necessary pothole repair work on Monday night, however additional work is needed to complete the repairs in advance of the increased travel expected over the holidays. I-91 Northbound between Exits 2 and 3 will be closed on Thursday night, December 18th between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am to finish the repairs on the bridge deck.

Call for Poetry & Performers – Climate Change & the Arts 2015

by Not Signed In | Arts

Post Oil Solutions, continuing its innovative efforts to raise awareness about the growing climate crisis, is organizing Climate Change & the Arts, an evening of poetry, music, and dance that will be held on the evening of Saturday, May 2, 2015 at the Hooker Dunham Theater in Brattleboro. An art exposition will also be held in the Hooker Dunham Gallery.

Members of the literary, visual and performing arts communities of Windham County, both professional and amateur, interested in contributing their time and talent are invited to answer our call for poetry and performers. For more information consult the event website: http://www.climatechangeishere2015.com/, or contact Linda Brown at rise.up.vermont@gmail.com.

Selectboard Meeting Notes: FY16 Budget Tossed; Taxpayers To Be Asked To Pay For Full Plan F

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard snatched defeat from the jaws of victory at Tuesday’s long, final regular meeting of the year. With a vote of 3-2, the board threw away their carefully-crafted and quite palatable FY16 budget that featured no cuts to services and no significant tax increase.

Instead, the split decision was to endorse going forward with all three Police and Fire facilites immediately, and to ask for a new budget that would include payments to do the full scope of work, potentially adding a significant amount to property taxes.  This sends the board back into budget meetings, and the spectre of service cuts and tax increases is now again on the horizon.

In other news,  a list of capital improvements that were to be added back in to the budget had to be sidelined, Brattleboro pays a somewhat arbitrary rate for solid waste removal, the board endorsed the use of the higher-priced bag system for PAYT, and a new union is recognized for town employees.

Sorry for the delay. I had this almost finished last night and the power went out.

Brattleboro Savings & Loan Launches Local Rewards Program

by Not Signed In | Business

New checking account option benefits customers and area businesses

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. – A dinner on the house, a bag of groceries, a frame for a new art print, or a gift basket brimming with Vermont-made products are just a few of the extras Brattleboro Savings & Loan customers could receive from BSL’s new Local Rewards program.

Local Rewards checking account holders who meet three qualifiers – 20 or more debit card transactions, use of electronic statements, and at least one direct deposit or withdrawal – will now benefit from up to a 1.25% annual percentage yield (APY), and also be entered to win gift cards from a variety of local vendors.

WVEW Is Streaming On The Web

by Stevil | Media

WVEW-lp is temporarily unable to broadcast our shows over the air.

Our webstrean is working and you can hear your friends and neighbors by using the player on our website, or clicking on a link which will open our webstream in your player. Apps for iPhone and Android devices are available on our site.

www.wvew.org

Representative Welch to Visit Brattleboro

by Not Signed In | Politics

Official Appearance Schedule for Congressman Welch
Tuesday, December 16th, 2014

9:15 a.m.
WTSA Radio Food Drive: Brattleboro
Rep. Welch will join WTSA radio for the Project Feed the Thousands food drive to benefit local area food pantries.
WTSA-AM Studio, 464 Putney Road

Sanders Announces Fifth Annual State of the Union Essay Contest

by Not Signed In | Politics

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has launched his annual State of the Union essay contest. The contest is designed to engage Vermont’s high school students on the major issues facing the country.

The U.S. Constitution calls for the president to “give to the Congress information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” As the president prepares to deliver his State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress next month, Sanders’ essay contest asks Vermont’s high school students to write an essay of 250 words to 500 words detailing their own view of the state of the union.

Limited Income? Increase Your Food Budget!

by SeniorSolutions | Food

With the arrival of holidays and winter, many of us who have limited income are feeling the squeeze financially. Here’s a way to stretch your budget: Get 3SquaresVT!

If you’re eligible you’ll get a payment card (it looks like a credit card) to use at grocery stores, convenience  stores, farmers markets and food co-ops. If everyone in the household is 65+, the 3SquaresVT benefits may be deposited directly into a bank account. Seniors also may use medical expenses as adjustment to income, which may help you qualify.

Goodbye To My Many Vermont Yankee Friends

by Moose Man | Op/Ed

As I continue to say goodbye to my many Vermont Yankee friends I have a heavy heart. I have followed IBrattleboro for a long time but I have not contributed – other than for an obituary – prior to today. Candidly, I believe I am in the minority in respect to my opinions as compared to most of you.That’s okay as our differences are part of what makes us such an incredible community.

That said, during the past two months I have found myself in far too many conversations with departing Vermont Yankee employees. Most [ read almost all ] do not wish to leave. Many [ read most ] are in tears as they speak with me. Yes, some remain angry if not bitter. But that seems to have dissipated over the last 12 months or so. Universally they are simply sad to have to leave.

Booker T. Washington’s Pencil

by cgrotke | History

From today’s Phoenix, December 15, 1899:

“Before the appearance of Booker T. Washington in the Auditorium a Brattleboro girl read that he always carried a lead pencil in his right hand when delivering an address. When he came up to the stage she looked for the pencil, and there it was.

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 12/15/14

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Ch.8 Schedule for the week of 12/15/14

Monday, December 15, 2014

12:00 am Ethan Allen Homestead : The War of 1812 in the Champlain Valley

1:40 am 2014 Statewide Housing Conference: Intro to Affordable Housing

3:00 am Dartmouth Lecture: The Coming Battles Over Social Security

4:20 am VT Historical Society: WWI with Barre Mayor John Gordon

5:10 am Ending Marijuana Prohibition: Should Vermont Lead or Follow?

Brattleboro Time Trade – Week of December 14

by Brattleboro Time Trade | Other

Brattleboro Time Trade:

Exchanging services, creating connections, strengthening communities, one hour at a time.

See below for exciting Upcoming Events and learn what Time Trade is all about!

This week’s fabulous listings, brought to you from holiday card mania:

OFFERS:

Install a Toilet
Lonely and Want to Chat?
Chinese Translating
Backgammon

Wall Street Runs Washington, Sanders Says in Proposing to Break Up Big Banks

by Not Signed In | Politics

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said he will introduce legislation to break up Wall Street megabanks that are using a bill before the Senate today to put taxpayers on the hook for the banks’ risky investments.

Sanders outlined the proposal as the Senate, in a rare Saturday session, prepared to take up a House-passed bill that would roll back a law limiting risky investments like those that caused the financial crisis of 2008 and the recession that followed.