The Wailing Wail

by spinoza | Op/Ed

I once visited the Western Wall in the holy city where notes are stuffed into the cracks, the in-box of God. Imagine, the standing ruins of Roman Jerusalem, and a procession of unique wordsmiths each hand-delivering the edited essence of their ultimate skinny.

In that crumbling courtyard, under protective eye of Uzi-packing soldiers and who-knows-what-else, I remember scribbling my note, eyeing my spot. Can’t remember what I put on paper. Nor do I recall whether my missive was responded to or not, time just washed it away.

1984 – 30 Years Too Late

by tomaidh | Opinion

About a week ago, I was speaking with an old college buddy. He was reminiscing about a time when we both read George Orwell’s 1984 (everybody was reading it at the time). He sent me a You Tube link to a
film version released in 1956.

In the classic novel, Orwell describes a then-not-too-distant future where an oppressive totalitarian elite has perfected a system of social control based on perpetual warfare, manipulation of perceived reality, and total surveillance of the population. The servile obedience of the bureaucracy and the mindless poverty of the masses keeps them in power. (MHP)

Leahy Co-Introduces Act to Curb Unwarranted Spying on Citizens

by Not Signed In | Politics

Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On Introduction of the USA FREEDOM Act of 2013

October 29, 2013

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, was enacted 35 years ago to limit the government’s ability to engage in domestic surveillance operations. In the years since September 11, 2001, Congress has repeatedly expanded the scope of this law to provide the government with broad new powers to gather information about law-abiding Americans. No one underestimates the threat this country continues to face, and we can all agree that the intelligence community should be given necessary and appropriate tools to help keep us safe. But we should also agree that there must be reasonable limits on the surveillance powers we give to the government. That is why I have consistently fought to curtail the sweeping powers contained in the USA PATRIOT Act and FISA Amendments Act, while also bolstering privacy protections and strengthening oversight. And that is why I continue my efforts today by joining with Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, as well as members of Congress from both political parties, to introduce the bipartisan USA FREEDOM Act of 2013.

People’s United Bank Helps BMH Open “The Doorway to Exceptional Care”

by BMH | Health

Hospital officials announced today has once again stepped up in support of the greater Brattleboro community with a $75,000 pledge to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign.

“We are proud to support Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s capital campaign for the renovation and expansion of the Emergency Department. The improved facility is vital to our community and to People’s United Bank’s 160 employees working in Brattleboro,” says Arne Hammarlund, Community Services Manager.

Encouraging Smart Commuting: Energy Committee Works With Local Businesses to Promote Alternative Transportation

by Not Signed In | Town News

Alternative transportation can be a tough sell in a rural state like Vermont, where residents often have to travel long distances to get to work and shopping. Brattleboro’s main streets are often choked with traffic, creating headaches for motorists along with air pollution that can cause health problems.

The Brattleboro Energy Committee has been working for several years to address this issue. In 2010, the Committee organized the Brattleboro Business Transportation Roundtable, made up of representatives from Brattleboro-area businesses and institutions such as the Brattleboro Retreat, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, and Landmark College. The Roundtable has been working to promote alternative commuting such as biking, walking, carpooling, and taking the bus among its employees through programs such as the Way To Go Commuter Challenge.

Windham Region Organizations Testify to 2 Million Dollars in Immediate Needs Due To VY Closure

by Not Signed In | State News

VERNON – On Monday October 28th, the Vermont House Commerce and House Natural Resources and Energy Committees held a joint hearing in Windham County to hear about community and economic impacts expected from the date certain closure of Vermont Yankee.

The Windham Regional Commission (WRC), Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC), southeastern Vermont’s regional development corporation, and the Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) testified about the need for full decommissioning, urgent economic development needs, and the plans they have developed to meet those needs, in the Windham Region. All three organizations are poised to work on the rebuilding of the Windham regional economy in the face of the loss of jobs, payroll and business activity resulting from the closure. The regional organizations estimate their immediate mitigation financial needs at 2.3 million dollars.

Intro to Music Theory For All Instrumentalists & Vocalists – Starting Soon!

by Pam Lierle | Music

Theory & Musicianship I, an introduction to music theory for all instrumentalists & vocalists, will provide the fundamental skills related to music theory, analysis, and general musicianship. Designed for instrumental and vocal students, members of this course will use their primary instrument to help review basics of key, interval, and diatonic chord motions. Basic actions of harmony and voice leading will be discussed, providing students with insight into how a melodic line implies or demands certain chord movement. Discussion of melodic content, phrase, and motive will lead to an introduction of basic analytical techniques.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting – Revised Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Monday, October 28, 2013 at 3:00pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center. It is anticipated that the Board will enter into executive session at 3:15pm to discuss a personnel matter.

REVISED AGENDA ATTACHED.

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

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 10/28/13

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Ch.8 Schedule for the week of 10-28-13

                   Monday October 28                  

12:00 am      Lost, Found and Remixed – A Filmaker Panel Discussion

1:30 am       Organic Politics: Restore Our Communities

2:00 am       FSTV Overnight

4:00 am       Archival Filmmaking in the Age of Mass Production

5:00 am       Targeting Obesity in Vermont

5:35 am       Red Grooms & Stephen Hannock- 9/28/13 at BMAC

Brooks Memorial Library Looking for Trustees For Upcoming Vacancies in 2014

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

The Board of Library Trustees of Brooks Memorial Library seeks enthusiastic and dedicated library lovers to fill three upcoming vacancies on the Board. One candidate will be elected at the March 2014 representative town meeting to complete one year of an unexpired term. Two others will be elected at town meeting to fill three-year terms.

New Books at Brooks Library

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

Be the first to know what new titles are coming into the Brooks Library collection.

Click on this link to see the current online edition of Brooks Memorial Library New Book Alerts. 

Sign up for   

150 Years Ago (1863 10/28)

by BusyMom | History

Brattleboro, Oct. 28th, 1863

Mr. Cole, Sir:

My opportunity for writing is not very good, but I will take my pencil and make the best of it. With regard to that house I wish you and my wife to do what you think is best. I do not know how cold it is up there and I do not know the cost of moving the house and should think that it was too late to undertake moving and digging a new cellar. We shall probably be mustered for pay next Saturday and shall be paid next week or week after.

Vermont Jazz Center Presents Kavita Shah Quintet, Emerging Artist Series on Sat, Nov 2nd at 8pm

by jfindlay22 | Music

Vocalist and Composer, Kavita Shah to appear in VJC’s Emerging Artist Series, November 2nd, 2013 at 8:00 PM

The Vermont Jazz Center launches its new Emerging Artist season with a choice that perfectly fits their concept.  The goal of the series is to present young musicians who deserve to be heard, individuals who are on the cutting edge, performing original, fresh, high quality music; artists with unfamiliar names whose personal statements are moving the music forward.  Kavita Shah is all of the above and more.  A talented singer, she is a tireless organizer with a vision and a body of work that challenges the definition of jazz while at the same time paying deep respect to its lineage. 

Patriots Have a Solution

by tomaidh | Opinion

I’ve been thinking about the FEMA bullet buy (which has been denied by the mainstream media until lately), and some of the new legislation and executive orders that have been issued such as the NDAA and the PATRIOT act, and it gets my fear glands all worked up.

I ran into a website that has all the answers: Obama’s hidden agenda: MUCH WORSE than The Gun Grab!

Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast – October 18, 2013 – Notes from – Gun Sense VT: a sensible approach?

by RobertOeser | State News

Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast, October 18, 2013, Gibson-Aiken Center – Brattleboro VT

Notes from – Gun Sense VT: a sensible approach?

Presenter:  Ann Braden –  

 

“The District of Vermont’s efforts to combat firearms violence in the state are shaped by two realities. First, federal law enforcement has a unique responsibility to combat the acquisition and possession of firearms by criminals in Vermont because the state has no laws prohibiting the possession of firearms by persons prohibited under federal law. Second, the most pervasive form of violent crime in the state results from domestic disputes.”

SeVEDS and BDCC To Testify On Economic Impacts With Date Certain VY Closure

by Not Signed In | Business

Public testimony from 5-7 pm in Vernon

On Monday October 28th, the Vermont House Commerce and House Natural Resource and Energy Committees will hold a joint hearing in Windham County to hear about community and economic impacts expected from the date certain closure of Vermont Yankee. The hearing is scheduled from 1:30 to 4:30 for regional organizations, municipalities and others to testify with an open time for public testimony from 5-7 pm at the Vernon Elementary School.

BDCC, southeastern Vermont’s regional development corporation, and SeVEDS (Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies) will testify at 2:15 PM about the pressing economic development needs, and the plans they have developed to meet those needs, in the Windham Region.

Brattleboro Committee Meetings Scheduled

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) will meet on Monday, October 28, 2013 at 5:30pm in the community room at the Brooks Memorial Library.

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee will meet and hold an Informational Meeting on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 6:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center. Human Service Agency funding applications and information is posted on the Brattleboro website.

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

Paddlng In The Retreat Meadows

by Lise | Nature

In an effort to get me to stop talking about the beach, Chris bought us a canoe this summer, well used but sturdy and appropriately green.  I’m not an expert paddler but I love to float around in boats, so I was appeased by this gesture.  Even so, it was almost September before we had mastered our knots (for tying it to the car) and assembled our gear.  But all the preparation turned out to be worthwhile once we pushed off into the Retreat Meadows.

Thank You For The Success of the Chicken Barbeque!

by WBA | Op/Ed

The West Brattleboro Association is celebrating another successful barbecue. To raise funds for programs that help our neighbors and our neighborhood, we sold 216 half chickens over Columbus Day weekend.

We could not have done it without the support of our generous members and sponsors, including Joe Jewett, who gave up part of his birthday to mix up his signature marinade and serve as head chef;  Tim Cuthbertson, who coordinated the event and shared chef duties; Helen Robb, who baked many, many beans—and the rest of the Robb family, including Charlie Robb Jr., who helped with the cooking; Mary Durland, whose giant bowls of slaw rounded out a delicious meal; Carl Hirth, Kris McDermet, Stewart McDermet, and Lynette Hamilton for rounding out the crew; and Barbara Gentry, of Dynamic Words, for promoting the event.