Citing New Billionaires List, Sanders Says Congress Must Act on ‘Obscene’ Wealth Gap

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., Oct. 4 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said today that the “incredible and obscene” level of income and wealth inequality in America has become a danger to our economic and political systems – and must be addressed.

According to a new Forbes magazine tally, the 400 wealthiest Americans are now worth $2.29 trillion. Their combined wealth grew last year by $270 billion – a 13 percent increase. These billionaires now own more wealth than the bottom half of America – more than 150 million people.

While the very rich become richer, most Americans have become poorer. Median family income has declined by almost $5,000 since 1999 and more than half of the American people have less than $10,000 in savings.

Weekend Concert Series: Firehouse Five Plus Two

by cgrotke | Entertainment

This isn’t exactly a concert, but it does contain live performances by the Firehouse Five.

Who are the Firehouse Five? It is a dixieland band (comprised chiefly of Disney animators) that was most popular in the 1950’s. They released 13 records, are a lot of fun, and are thus is deserving of another look.

The leader is Ward Kimball, trombone player and animator of characters such as Jimminy Cricket and the Mad Hatter. Harper Goff is on banjo. He did concept drawings for Disney World, and art direction for the original film version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Frank Thomas, on piano, is animator of such characters as Bambi and Thumper on the ice, the dancing penguins in Mary Poppins, and King Louie in Jungle Book.

Windham Regional Career Center’s Fall 2014 Community Education & Training Programs

by betsg | Education

Windham Regional Career Center Offers Fall Community Education and Training Programs

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 is coordinating 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.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – October 7, 2014

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard plans to discuss Human Services Funding at their next regular Tuesday meeting. They will be exploring options to increase, reduce, level-fund, or eliminate the payments entirely in an effort to keep taxes down.

There will be an update on the status of the Police & Fire facility project, a discussion of charging non-profits for emergency services, a look at Town Manager evaluation forms, and more.

Watch on BCTV or attend in person. You can speak to any issue, or bring up something that isn’t on the agenda during Public Participation.

Whetstone Brook Community Forum

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

BRATTLEBORO – Oct. 3, 2014: The Windham Regional Commission (WRC) and the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) invite Brattleboro businesses, employees and homeowners to attend a community forum on October 15 to learn about a project studying the Whetstone Brook and to gather community input on ways to protect business and the local economy from future floods.

The community forum is the first step in a project called the Vermont Economic Resiliency Initiative or VERI. The VERI project is designed to help Brattleboro evaluate the flood risk to business and infrastructure (roads, bridges, utilities), and identify the steps Brattleboro and the state can take to minimize rebuilding and recovery costs and ensure businesses stay open—saving jobs and protecting the economy. The project is modeled on the success of a similar project in Bennington that reduced the flood impacts of Tropical Storm Irene and saved the town and businesses millions of dollars in economic damages.

Noticed About Town – Fall 2014 Edition

by cgrotke | Town News

Brilliance is back in the Brooks House. The frozen yogurt place is a new establishment next door, opening just in time for fall and winter. They’ll need some love to get them to a hot summer day.

Duo, the restaurant at the corner of the Brooks House, has been active. They are likely open by the time you read this. I saw a training session going on through the window the other night.

Shall we just say the Brooks House is back?

Winner of the Annual Write Action Flash Fiction Contest: Anna Blackburn

by Rolf | Culture

Anna Blackburn’s story, “Visiting Hours”, was selected as the 1st prize winner of this year’s winner of the Write Action contest. She is invited to read this story at the Write Action Local Author Showcase, during the Literary Festival on Saturday, Oct 5, 2014. 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden

There were so many excellent stories that it was a prolonged descion.

We hope you can come to the Showcase to hear local authors read some of their work.

Congress Investigating Why Generic Drug Prices Are Skyrocketing

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., Oct. 2 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) today launched an investigation into soaring generic drug prices.

“We are conducting an investigation into the recent staggering price increases for generic drugs used to treat everything from common medical conditions to life-threatening illnesses,” Sanders, chairman of a Senate health care subcommittee, and Cummings, ranking member of the House oversight committee, wrote in letters to 14 pharmaceutical companies.

BMH Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Recertified by Industry Leader

by BMH | Health

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is proud to announce the recertification of its by the (AACVPR). BMH was recognized for its commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) and pulmonary problems (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], respiratory symptoms,) recover faster and improve their quality of life. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling, and support for patients and their families.

On Exhibit: A World Illuminated by Imagination

by Brooks Memorial Library | Arts

Namaya and his B4Peace Team will be hosted by the Brooks Memorial Library in a multifaceted exhibit called “A World Illuminated by Imagination” to celebrate the library, the enchantment of books, and how they enrich lives and communities. Main Floor Panels & Mezzanine Wall, through October 2014

The Brooks Memorial Library houses an extensive permanent art collection, including works by Daniel Chester French, Larkin Mead, and William Morris Hunt, among others. There are also artifacts from history and pre-history: come see the mammoth tusk! Visitors are invited to take the self-guided fine arts walking tour. Tour pamphlets are available on both floors. 

Frederick Harrison Named BMH Center for Wound Healing Program Director

by BMH | Health

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital announced Frederick R. Harrison has been hired as Program Director for the BMH Center for Wound Healing. 

Harrison’s responsibilities include oversight and operation of the Center in conjunction with BMH’s partner, , to promote healing of complex wounds in place of amputation, maintaining quality of life for patients. He will also coordinate outreach and marketing with providers in the service area, stretching west from Bennington, east from Keene, and north from Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Brattleboro Union High School Board Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Education

BRATTLEBORO UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD
53 Green Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
www.wssu.k12.vt.us

NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The BUHS #6 Teacher Curriculum Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 6 (6:00 BUHS Gymnasium / 6:30 BUHS Room 239).

The BUHS #6 Finance Committee will meet at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8 in the WSESU James E. Kane Conference Room, 53 Green Street.

NOTICE OF MEETING

The BUHS #6 Board of Directors will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 6 in the WRCC Cusick Conference Room.

People in Hong Kong are Protesting China’s Interference in Election Choices, So Why Are Vermonters Not Protesting Similar Interference?

by CrisEricson2016 | Op/Ed

Protests are going on right now in Hong Kong because China wants to control which candidates will be on the election ballot in Hong Kong. The U.S.A.  owes a lot of “debt” to China, and Chinese firms own a lot of property in the U.S.A.  So, is their a correlation, is China interferring with elections in the U.S.A. by  Chinese owned multi-national  corporate sponsors giving donations, possibly under the guise of their corporate subsidiaries, to “non-profits” like Vermont Public Radio which refuse to allow all candidates to participate together in general election debates?

Brattleboro Firefighters Benefit Association – Firefighters for Fitness 5K Trail Run/Walk

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

The Brattleboro Firefighters Benefit Association is holding a “Firefighters for Fitness 5K Trail Run/Walk” fund raiser on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 10:00am. The race will start and end at the Harris Hill Ski Jump on Cedar Street in Brattleboro. Registration on race day is from 8:00-9:30 am for $20.00 per person. Pre-Race registration is available at a discount by going online to: www.brattleborofire.org We also have a Facebook Event page called “Firefighters for Fitness 5k Trail run”

Let’s Go To Valley Fair, 1893

by cgrotke | History

For many decades, Brattleboro was home to the annual Valley Fair at this time of year. It was a two day, town-wide celebration of livestock, farming, craftsmanship, sport, and entertainment. Brattleboro literally shut down so that everyone could participate. Imagine the Stroll merged with the Guilford Fair, on steroids.

The newspapers would hype the event for months, giving details of various fair committees and their decisions. After the fair, they would run multi-page accounts with full details, and pages with lists of every winner of every competition – from best pumpkin pie to the cow that can produce the most milk.

Let’s go to Valley Fair, 1893!  I’ve combed through the reports to recreate a visit for us.