Selectboard Meeting Notes: Public Works in the Spotlight, Few Women Apply For Town Manager Job

by cgrotke | Town News

The night belonged to the Department of Public Works. From project updates and truck purchases to the spotlight of a departmental presentation, Steve Barrett and Hannah O’Connell had their hands full with budgets, outlines, explanations, and answers.

The Selectboard was informed that Brattleboro’s FY13 budget has been completed and the town ended up with a small surplus in the General Fund.

And of over 60 applications received, we learn that only four women applied for the job of Brattleboro Town Manager. A new citizen committee of an indeterminate number of members will help with the second round of interviews.

New Journal of the Plague by Namaya

by Namaya | Books

by Namaya

 New Journal Of The Plague on Amazon. Published by Unlimited Publishing.

 This book is a penetrating first person memoir by a male nurse and Vietnam era veteran who worked with AIDS patients at a Veterans hospital in NYC in the early ‘nineties. Though set in the first years of the epidemic, one reader has said, “This book will stand among the classic tales of illness and healing.”

Human Right Project in Chile – Can You Help To Support This?

by Namaya | Arts

HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT in Santiago Chile – Need your support

Memoria. Hablar. Dignidad. 40 – An arts performance project to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the COup d’etat in Chile.

The B4Peace Project, and Namaya under the support of Grace Cares  has been invited to Santiago, Chile to the Villa Grimaldi, Park of Peace, for an arts and performance project called “Memoria.  Hablar.  Dignidad.”

Apron Theater Company presents Death of a Salesman

by Not Signed In | Entertainment

The Apron Theater Company and the Next Stage Arts Project present Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize winning play Death of a Salesman directed by Carrie Kidd at Next Stage in Putney on October 10,11,12,13, and 17, 18, 19. Evening performances are at 8 pm. The Sunday, October 13th performance is a 2pm matinee.

An attack on the “American Dream” of materialism, Death of a Salesman is a three-act play (two acts and a “requiem”), centering on the main character, Willy Loman, (played by Arthur Pettee.) He dies as he has lived, a failure in the eyes of society. Arthur Miller wrote: “…to me the tragedy of Willy Loman is that he gave his life, or sold it, in order to justify the waste of it.”

150 Years Ago (1863 09/17)

by BusyMom | History

 Sept. 17th. My time was so broken up yesterday that I could not finish this and guard duty last night and this morning then the guard guns to clean, and this afternoon all is excitement. They are now paying off the men that are to leave in the morning. Things are assuming a different shape.

Rumor has it that all the men on the Island, except those that came down from Vermont with us, and those that have come since, about 40 men, and a few Massachusetts are to have undisputed possession of Long Island, Boston Harbor. So you see that I shall have a chance to see some of my friends from Vermont yet.

CRT/DVTA Sign One Year Management Agreement

by Not Signed In | State News

ROCKINGHAM, VT The Connecticut River Transit (CRT) Board of Directors announces that it has negotiated a one-year management agreement with the Deerfield Valley Transit Association (DVTA) to become effective September 16th.

The agreement calls for the DVTA to act as a management company to provide overall management services. The DVTA reports to the CRT Board of Directors which retains full control of the company. CRT is using this period to review and take a fresh look at the company from top to bottom with the help of a neighboring transit agency. All routes, rides, and services continue uninterrupted and unaffected.

Cheryl Wheeler and The Nields at Next Stage on Friday, September 20

by Not Signed In | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present folk singer, songwriter and comedienne extraordinaire Cheryl Wheeler plus folk/rock sister duo The Nields in concert on Friday, September 20 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney, VT.

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.

Free Parenting Class: Guiding Good Choices

by BAPC | Family

Come learn the skills to keep your child safe! Guiding Good Choices is a free five-session workshop that aids parents and/ or caregivers of 4th through 8th graders. The course covers how to set clear guidelines with both positive and negative consequences, how to control and express anger constructively, promote family bonds, and prepare kids with “refusal” skills for that time down the road when trouble may tempt
them.

150 Years Ago (1863 09/16)

by BusyMom | History

Long Island, Boston Harbor

Sept. 16, 1863

 Dearest Abiah,

I thought I would write you a long letter today, but I do not know as I can, for I am on guard today. It is very hot here today. I cannot but think of you every moment, and tonight as I pass my lonely – what thoughts of you and the children will be on my mind. I was on from 11 A.M. Until 1 P.M., on again from 5 to 7. The guard are excused from all other duty until tomorrow at noon. I shall then have a good time to write but I wish this to be on the way to you.

Updating Our Config Files — A Dream About The Future

by Lise | Philosophy

Last night, I dreamed I had to run around and update everyone’s config files.  Their settings were out of date.  I knew they would run better with new settings, and so I updated those files, one after another.  When I woke up, I realized that the dream wasn’t talking about literal config files — it was talking about something deeper, the underlying principles and rules by which most of us operate.  Something in our basic configuration as a society isn’t working anymore.

Before I lose you, a config file is really just an old school word for settings.  It’s the file where certain software stores the basic settings it needs to operate. But there’s a subtle difference. I work with web sites and I update settings all the time — but I don’t often update the config files which tend to stay the same except under unusual circumstances.  These are very basic settings that underlie everything the software does.  In a sense, they’re almost unconscious, which is what our own “configuration settings” tend to be.

Rep. Welch Unveils College Affordability Legislation

by Not Signed In | Politics

Montpelier, VT. (September 16th, 2013)- Joined by higher education leaders from across Vermont, Representative Peter Welch announced legislation this morning at the Community College of Vermont in Montpelier that addresses the nation’s sky rocketing college costs. Across the nation, college costs have risen 1,120 percent over the last 30 years, with outstanding student debt now at $1.2 trillion.

“A college education, the gateway to the American middle class, is slipping further and further from the reach of working families. Federal loans and grants are a lifeline for college students. But students continue to lose ground because financial aid increases are being eaten up by college tuition increases,” Welch said. “This legislation creates a partnership between the federal government and our college administrators to cut unnecessary federal regulatory costs and encourage cost saving innovations.”

Button-Up Vermont Day of Action Oct. 5

by Not Signed In | Town News

Spring has long been the time when Vermonters Green Up, and this fall, for the first time, Vermonters will be encouraged to “Button Up.” On Saturday, October 5th, Vermonters have a powerful opportunity to participate in a local effort — or start one! — and lend a few hours to help friends and neighbors take actions to lower their energy bills this winter.

Modeled after Vermont’s successful “Green Up Day” and building on the familiar Button Up brand, this will be the first ever grassroots day of action on weatherization in Vermont. The day is being spearheaded by the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN), in partnership with Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Home Energy Challenge Coordinators, and is aimed at mobilizing as many volunteers as possible in communities throughout the state to take steps — large and small — to help Vermonters stop wasting energy and money and reduce our contribution to climate change. There is still plenty of time for towns to sign on to the effort, and VECAN will provide support and guidance to help make participating as easy as possible.

Speed Limit Reduction on VT Route 30 Associated with I-91 Bridge Reconstruction

by Not Signed In | State News

MONTPELIER, Vt.—September 16, 2013–The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) is temporarily reducing the speed limit on VT Route 30 from 50 mph to 40 mph for a one-mile stretch of road that extends approximately one-half mile north and one-half mile south of the location where Interstate 91 crosses over VT Route 30.

The speed limit reduction is associated with the Interstate 91 bridge replacement project, and will go in to effect to ensure the safety of construction personnel and the traveling public. The reduction will be in effect from September 23, 2013 to approximately August 2016.

Vermont Jazz Center Presents Steve Wilson/Louis Nash Duo with Bassist Nat Reeves

by Not Signed In | Music

Steve Wilson and Lewis Nash to present a Musical Dialogue at the Vermont Jazz Center on September 21st, 2013 at 8:00 PM

The Vermont Jazz Center will kick off its 2013-2014 season on Saturday, September 21 at 8:00 PM with a performance by two of the most highly esteemed musicians in jazz. Along with their myriad other projects, saxophonist Steve Wilson and drummer, Lewis Nash have been performing together as a duo since 2001. At the VJC they will be joined by bassist, Nat Reeves.

Sanders Statement on the Federal Reserve

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., Sept. 15 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today issued the following statement after Lawrence Summers withdrew from consideration to succeed Ben Bernanke as Federal Reserve chairman:

“I applaud Larry Summers for withdrawing his name from consideration. The truth is that it was unlikely he would have been confirmed by the Senate. What the American people want now is a Fed chairman prepared to stand up to the greed, recklessness and illegal behavior on Wall Street, not a Wall Street insider whose deregulation efforts helped pave the way for a horrendous financial crisis and the worst economic downturn in the country since the Great Depression. The Fed now must help develop policies which create millions of decent-paying jobs and rebuild the middle class.”

Sanders Says Senate Must Not Give in on House-Planned Cuts for Seniors, Children

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., Sept. 15 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said today that the Senate must call the bluff of House Republicans demanding deeper cuts in Head Start, Meals on Wheels and other programs for working families.

A proposal set for a House vote this week includes the deeper spending cuts in a continuing resolution to keep the government from shutting down after the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. The proposal would lock in across-the-board cuts known as sequestration but carve out an exception for the Pentagon, which would get a $20-billion boost.

Building a Better Brattleboro Annual Meeting Warning

by Not Signed In | Business

Building a Better Brattleboro will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at
5:30 p.m. at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden. The BaBB Board of Directors is seeking public input into the organization’s Fiscal Year 2015 work plan and budget. The public is encouraged to attend.

Kate O’Connor
Building a Better Brattleboro Board of Directors
(802) 490-2073
www.babb@sover.net

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 9/16/13

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Ch.8 Schedule for the week of 9/16/13

                   Monday September 16

12:20 am      TED Talks: Sleepy Man Banjo Boys: Bluegrass virtuosity from … New Jersey?

12:30 am      Health Exchange Info Session- 8/21/13 at BMH

2:00 am       FSTV Overnight

4:00 am       Instant Coffeehouse: Music Aboard the Ticonderoga

4:30 am       Danger Men Cooking Ep. 001

5:00 am       50 Years after the March on Washington: How Are We Doing?

150 Years Ago (1863 09/13)

by BusyMom | History

Camp on Long Island, Boston Harbor

Sept. 13th, 1863

 Dearest wife,

I commenced a letter to you yesterday. I believe that I dated it the 11th by mistake for the
days have all been so mixed up since I left home that I can hardly tell whether September or October. I had just commenced writing, when there was a call for Co. to fall in, every man to bring his blanket, where we were standing sometime and then dismissed. The trouble was a careless fellow had lost his blanket, then calling out
every man with his blanket left a good chance to search the tents, it was found. The same this morning, some fellow lost his cap, but there was not time enough left to write.

5:45 Live: 9/13/13

by BrattleboroTV | Media

5:45 Live delivers a Friday-the-13th edition that includes Thursday’s flash floods on Flat St, the new Park & Ride in Putney, BaBB’s Downtown Action Team forums, Windham Central’s school board redistricting, and plenty more.