Entergy Volunteers Re-Vamp Morningside Shelter

by Not Signed In | Activism

BRATTLEBORO 1/24/2014 – Over the course of two very long (13+ hour) days, a dedicated team of Entergy employees completed two much-needed projects at Morningside Shelter. As part of Morningside’s Project: Re-Vamp – Design for Dignity initiative, Entergy foot the bill for materials and recruited their skilled employees as volunteers to complete the projects.

On December 13, a crew of six Entergy employees, led by Project Manager Brian Tietze (with technical assistance from GPI Construction), completed a safety repair to the Shelter’s main staircase. The stair treads, which are traversed by hundreds of feet each day, had begun to split and the surfaces had become slippery. The bannister on the staircase had been patched a number of times, and although it had never been in violation of safety codes, Tietze noticed the potential safety hazard in the low height of the railing and made it a priority to raise it to a sounder height.

First Run Video Closing

by cgrotke | Business

The Reformer has a headline today about First Run Video, our quite-local video rental store, making plans to close their doors.  The move to the new location was costly and not all customers knew they had moved across the street, said the article. A silent partner taking a large share of profits was also cited as a reason for the store not doing well.

RedBox, Netflix, and streaming media have helped to eliminate the idea of going to a store and browsing through aisles of titles.

They’ll be closing February 6.

Ask-a-Cop: Round and Round

by BrattPoliceDept | Police & Fire

“It seems to me that most people dont know how to use the exit 3 traffic circle correctly. By which i mean that traffic entering the circle that will be exiting imediately stay in the right hand lane and all other traffic that wont be exiting immediately stay in the left hand lane…

This doesn’t seem to be just an out of state driver issue. I know many long time brattleboro residents who will stay in the right hand lane the full distance around the circle. My question is: Is this enforced in any way? Who is at fault if a driver in the right hand lane bypasses the immediate exit and a driver in the left hand lane exits into them causing an accident? Why is there no sign better representing how to effectively use the roundabout? It really is a systemic problem.”

AT&T To Open New Store in Brattleboro VT!

by Not Signed In | Business

We are pleased to announce the upcoming opening of our new AT&T Authorized Retailer location at 725 Putney Rd, Brattleboro, VT. AT&T continues to lead the communications and entertainment industries, from revolutionary smartphones and tablets to next-generation Home Phone and Internet Services. Prime Communications proudly serves as one of the largest Authorized Retailers of AT&T products and services nationwide.

Sanders Says Congress Must Act on Privacy Panel Report

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., Jan. 23 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement today after the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board urged President Barack Obama to shut down the National Security Agency’s bulk collection of phone data:

“This report underscores that the collection of records on virtually every phone call made in the United States is an unconstitutional violation of the privacy rights guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment. The president’s recommendations last week did not go far enough to rein in the out-of-control National Security Agency‎. Congress must pass strong legislation to protect the privacy and civil liberties of the American people.”

BCTV Video Calendar: 1/23/14 – Northern Roots, Garden Inspirations, Frogtown Mtn Puppets, and More

by BrattleboroTV | Media

BCTV’s Jan 23rd edition of the video calendar includes all the details (okay SOME of the details) on the House Blend A Capella show at Next Stage Arts in Putney, Garden Inspirations workshop fundraiser for the Latchis, Northern Roots Festival from the BMC, and Frogtown Mountain Puppets performing at the Sandglass Theater.

BMH Welcomes New Director of Organizational Improvement

by BMH | Health

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome Robert Gailey as the new Director of Organizational Improvement.

In this position, Gailey will work closely with the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kathleen McGraw in leading the hospital’s Organizational Improvement efforts. He will also work with BMH’s quality director and department managers in developing quality improvement teams for specific “service lines” within the hospital.

Gailey, who has a Master of Science degree in organizational effectiveness with a specialization in healthcare, comes to BMH with 15 years of experience in healthcare supervisory roles and quality leadership positions. Most recently, he worked as the Quality Improvement Outcomes Coordinator at Union Hospital of Cecil County, a 122-bed facility in Elkton, MD, along the Baltimore-Philadelphia metro corridor. He is also well versed in both LEAN and Six Sigma methodologies for streamlining business processes and eliminating waste.

School Board Forum Dreams Up Better School System

by Lise | Education

Over 40 people showed up for the Town School Board Public Forum ‘Learning in the 21st Century’ to participate in discussion and contribute ideas.  When all was said and done, the list of improvements alone, if enacted, would make the Brattleboro Public Schools cooler than most, and probably more effective, which says something about the ideals of those involved.  But as was reflected in the discussion, this is an era of standardization and assessment, data and budgets.

Attendees included members of the Town School Board; Principals Paciulli and Reid, of Academy and Green Street Schools respectively; an assistant principal; Lyle Holiday and Ron Stahley of WSESU; a number of teachers, including high school teachers; some parents; and members of the public and press.

Sanders Details Sweeping Veterans Legislation

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., Jan. 22 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, told reporters today that the Senate is expected to soon take up legislation to restore pensions for military retirees as part of the most comprehensive veterans’ legislation to come before the Senate in decades.

The measure that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has called a top priority for the Senate also would address a host of other programs for veterans, including expanded health care and dental care and improved education benefits.

Sanders (I-Vt.) told a news conference that the measure would rescind a 1 percentage point cut in the annual adjustment for benefits for military retirees under age 62.  There has been a groundswell in Congress to undo that provision in the bipartisan budget deal that Congress approved late last year. 

Lunar New Year

by ACCVT | Culture

Asian Cultural Center of Vermont (ACCVT) presents the 11th annual Brattleboro Area Lunar New Year Festival of China, Vietnam, and Korea on Sunday, February 9, 1 – 3:00 pm, in downtown Brattleboro at the River Garden. Ushering in the Year of the Horse, this annual celebration begins with eating together: It’s a potluck; bring a dish or some refreshments to share. There will be a craft and coloring table for younger children, t’ai chi demonstrations, a group calligraphy mural, Chinese exercises, Lunar New Year songs, a Korean tug of war, and more. To culminate our celebration the giant Vietnamese Dragon leads us in a community parade along Main Street (participants should dress warmly for the weather).

Ben Carr Music Project at Whetstone Station

by Not Signed In | Music

The Ben Carr Music Project performs original ‘ukulele inspired rock, reggae, funk and jazz at the Whetstone on Thursday, Jan. 23. The show begins at 8 pm and is free.

Visit the Whetstone at 36 Bridge St, Brattleboro, .

The band features Ben Carr on vocals and ‘ukulele, Jason Koerber on flute and saxophone, Josh Maiocco on guitar, Joel Eisenkramer on guitar, Pat Steven on bass, and Pete Biolsi on drums.

New Music Classes & Semester Starting at the BMC!

by Pam Lierle | Music

It may be freezing outside, but inside the Brattleboro Music Center’s spring semester starts next week. Get involved and let the music warm you! 

Consider starting that instrument you have always wanted to play! We offer lessons in 16 instruments & voice to all ages and levels. 

We also have classes for kids, teens & adults – including our new adult daytime programs, take a look:

Selectboard Meeting Notes: Tax Relief and Town Meeting Season (For Everyone Over 18)

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard spent most of the regular Tuesday meeting adding things to the agenda for Representative Town Meeting in March. They also gave over $30,000 to a regional effort to develop the economy, and firmly set forth their final budget for FY15.

A number of the articles put on the warning were aimed at reducing property taxes. One thing that won’t be on the Town Meeting agenda, at least not this year, is lowering the voting age to sixteen.

In food news, the former Bickfords will become Brattleboro’s latest pizza place, a regional chain called Ramuntos Brick Oven Pizza. Read on for all the details.

Safety Tip of the Week – Driving

by acharkes | Other

Driving – It’s a right, not a privilege.

Avoid distractions. Reaching for cell phones and other gadgets causes accidents. If you must make or receive a call, pull over or use a hands-free device. Texting while driving is illegal in Vermont. 

Interesting Article About C&S

by tomaidh | Business

“The modern supermarket, with its promise of a limitless variety of food and household goods available for low prices, is the crown jewel of consumer capitalism.

The cornerstone of all retail, the supermarket holds a seemingly permanent place in the canon of American life, yet barely appears in the broader discourse, even in discussions about our food habits.

It’s not unusual to debate the ethics involved with farming and food production, or to ponder the pros and cons of nonlocal food distribution, but the fact that the products will be on the shelves tomorrow and the next day is taken for granted.

Maybe The Weather Ebbs and Flows Like It Has For Hundreds of Years….

by scrispe | Op/Ed

If there’s one single thing we as humans absolutely know about the weather, it is that we don’t know the weather. I keep hearing this trendy-phrase: “the new normal,” which I find both annoying and silly because can anyone actually say what normal is on a grand scale regarding the weather? The word normal is so ambiguous as to render it meaningless in this context.

It is with a sense of gladness that more people are increasingly not buying into the theory of global warming and Climate Change. I have always been someone to question things – to question what I am told. It is encouraging that more people are questioning and doubting the notion of Climate Change/global warming for the dubious and flawed theory that it is.

On War-Promoting Media’s Snow Job and King’s Condemning US Wars for Predatory Investments

by jay janson | Op/Ed

On War-Promoting Media’s Snow Job and King’s Condemning US Wars for Predatory Investments

DESCRIPTION:

Mainstream media vilification of King as a traitor followed his world shaking sermon “Beyond Vietnam – a Time to Break Silence.” Media calumny only halted with the assassination that would protect a safe return on trillions of dollars invested in wars from a charismatic leader determined to stop these massive crimes against humanity for overseas as he had led the halting of horrific unprosecutable racist crimes at home.

TEXT:

Brattleboro Town School Board Surveys

by cgrotke | Education

The Brattleboro Town School Board recently sent surveys to parents, staff, and students as part of their community outreach effort. Below are the questions that were asked of each group. I thought the surveys might be of interest to those who don’t have children attending any of these three schools, but are interested in education.

School Officials Respond To Questions About Brattleboro Schools, Public Education

by Lise | Education

Recently, I submitted a list of questions to the Brattleboro Town School Board with regard to standardized testing, federal education programs, teachers’ concerns,  and a range of other topics.  I received a response from Town School Board Chair Margaret Atkinson today, with answers to most of them.  

Margaret Atkinson explained that she “worked with [WSESU Superintendent of Schools] Ron Stahley and District Curriculum Coordinator Lyle Holiday” in preparing the answers.

She stressed that the answers were not intended to represent the views of the Town School Board, who, she said, have not voted on it and have no declared position on most of these issues.  

As many in town grapple with the sense of cognitive dissonance that comes from hearing multiple conflicting views about our schools, it’s helpful to have concrete statements of position to evaluate.  The questions and answers below shed light on the administration’s view of the issues, and provide important background into how our school administrators see education today.