War on Public Education

by tomaidh | Education

I’ve been observing what appears to be a nation-wide war on public education, and to the “greedy” schoolteachers who profit by being employed therein.

In state after state we see education budgets being cut and teachers being laid off, along with movements to voucher children to private schools, and to replace Public Schools with so-called Charter Schools, which are privately operated schools paid for with taxpayer money. (Some charter schools are founded by teachers, parents, or activists who feel restricted by traditional public schools. State-authorized charters are often established by non-profit groups, universities, and some government entities. Additionally, school districts sometimes permit corporations to manage chains of charter schools. The schools themselves are non-profit entities…Wikipedia)

Strolling of the Heifers Explores River Garden Role

by MartinLangeveld | News & Information

BRATTLEBORO, VT — Strolling of the Heifers, which operated under the non-profit umbrella of Building a Better Brattleboro when it presented its first parade and festival in 2002, is developing a proposal to assume responsibility for the Robert H. River Garden from BaBB.

While details of the proposal are still being worked out and a formal proposal has not yet been submitted, the Stroll’s priority for the River Garden will be to maintain the building as a community resource, according to Orly Munzing, founder and executive director of the organization.

Can Selectboard Members Be Voting Members of Committees? Brattleboro Charter Appears to Say No

by cgrotke | Politics

At Tuesday’s meeting, the Brattleboro Selectboard appointed John Allen to the PFFP (Police Fire Facility Project) Oversight Committee.

To keep the number of votes on the committee an odd number and to prevent tie votes, the Selectboard authorized Mr. Allen to be the 9th voting member of that committee.  Did they make a mistake?

5:45 Live- 4/2/13

by BrattleboroTV | Media

***

Packed with media–like photos of the Dummerston Covered Bridge after a Budget truck smashed through roof joists, video of this weekends Leaks & Lies VY Protest, live skypecasts from the Montpelier, and more–this midweek edition of BCTV’s ever-popular media round-up 5:45 Live should shed a little light on happenings around town, including rumors of a deal to lease McDonald’s a slot in the Brooks House.

No Rug Big Enough

by spinoza | Education

For your consideration, about the place of technology in schools.

Beyond any personal loss, I find it disturbing the school board and administrators chose to cut this service, and continue to obscure the fact that schools are not facing the reality described in the video.

It is equally disappointing that this is not more of an issue for the community. My kids are grown now, and they’re facing other educational horizons. But it seems crucial for a town that wishes to be vital, these challenges cannot be shirked.

Kurn Hattin Homes To Host Annual Jazz Invitational Featuring Trombone Legend and KHH Alum, Dick Nash

by KurnHattin | Music

Kurn Hattin Homes for Children welcomes the public to attend its Annual Jazz Invitational Wednesday, April 10th at 7:00 pm, with performances by the Bellows Falls Union High School Jazz Ensemble, Kurn Hattin Jazz Ensemble, Northfield Mount Hermon Jazz Ensemble, Vermont Academy Jazz Ensemble, and Vermont Jazz Center Youth Jazz Ensemble. The event will be hosted by Eugene Uman, Director of the Vermont Jazz Center, and the evening will conclude with a performance by the Keene Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Scott Mullett.

BMH Center for Wound Healing Opening in May

by BMH | Health

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital announced the establishment of Vermont’s only comprehensive Center for Wound Healing. Located on the BMH campus, the Center provides the most advanced therapies available for the treatment of chronic and non-healing wounds.

When the Center opens its doors and begins seeing patients on May 9, it will be the first facility of its kind in the state of Vermont and has been designed to serve the tri-state region, said BMH President and CEO Steven R. Gordon.

“Chronic, non-healing wounds are a problem for 8 million Americans, many of whom are elderly and managing chronic health problems, including diabetes, venous disease and injuries from radiation therapy,” said Gordon. With Windham County having the oldest population in Vermont, which in turn is the second oldest state in the whole country, Gordon adds that “The BMH Center for Wound Healing fills the need for this vital medical service not only for our local community, but also for the region.”

What’s Western About Western American Art?

by Brooks Memorial Library | Arts

What’s Western about Western American Art?
Wednesday April 3, 2013
7:00 PM until 9:00 PM

Amherst College professor Carol Clark considers how the works of painters such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Edward Hopper, George Catlin, and Albert Bierstadt have defined the American West as place and idea.

The lecture is a First Wednesday program sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council. Supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Vermont Department of Libraries.

Selectboard Meeting Notes: Brattleboro Goes Solar, PFFP Committee Formed

by cgrotke | Town News

Wine and beer at galleries and bookstore events will have to wait until Vermont offers up definitions of galleries and bookstores. So sayeth the Selectboard.

Brattleboro’s Police-Fire Facility Project oversight committee has been formed, a new skating rink compressor will be purchased, and Brattleboro has begun the first of what may be many solar energy projects.

The new Selectboard got off to a good start, with a new commitment from the Chair to hear all viewpoints. The new seating arrangement is, from left to right, Schneck, Schoales, Gartenstein, Sondag, O’Connor, and Allen. Longtime Selectboard watchers can make of it what they may.

New Community Acupuncture Clinic in Putney

by MFTP | Health

Beginning Friday April 5th, Medicine for the People will hold a Community Acupuncture clinic, every Friday from 2-6pm. Community Acupuncture is offered in a group setting for a sliding scale cost of $25-$50 per session. We offer this service in order to make holistic health care accessible to *everybody*, including YOU! Yes, YOU!

If you are interested in our clinic, you are welcome to drop in or call ahead to make an appointment. Our number is 802-387-3028 and we can be reached Monday-Friday 9-5. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of acupuncture, please.

Electric Fence @ PVB in Saxtons River Friday Night

by ElectricFence | Music

Steve Carmichael, Howard Weiss-Tisman, Jonny Sheehan and Jeremy Holch return to Pleasant Valley Brewing in Saxtons River for night of original music and unique covers.

Saxtons River is lovely this time of year and you don’t even have to leave Windham County (what I’m saying is it’s not that far from Bratt!)

Music is free and starts at 8:00. Good food and beer.

George Terwilliger Joins BMH as ED Site Director

by BMH | Health

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital today announced that George Pierce Terwilliger, MD, has been appointed Site Director for its Emergency Department.

Dr. Terwilliger has been practicing emergency medicine at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, New Hampshire since 2002. He comes to BMH through a unique professional services contract with Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic, by which Harneet Sethi, MD, serves as Program Medical Director for Emergency Medicine at Cheshire Medical Center and BMH.

“Our arrangement with Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic and Cheshire Medical Center allows BMH to share in the expertise of physicians like Dr. Terwilliger to meet the existing need in Brattleboro,” says Kathleen McGraw, MD, Chief Medical Officer at BMH.

Prior to his current post, Terwilliger had been a member of the ED staff at BMH for two years and spent 10 years practicing emergency medicine at the Gifford Center in Randolph, Vermont. He also has seven years’ experience as Medical Director of a family medicine practice in Chelsea, Vermont.

‘Tis the Season in Brattleboro (Almost)

by Zippy | Pets

Soon, Brattleboro will be joining Toronto, Canada, Clearwater, FL, and San Diego, CA as well as many other towns, by posting signs in public parking lots that remind the public of the dangers of how hot a car can quickly get, even on a mild day. In Brattleboro, they will be smaller stickers, strategically positioned near the coin slots on the town parking kiosks in all parking lots and garages. This effort can save lives and reduce the possibility of tragic animal suffering.

The Indoor Cat That Goes Out

by paulgardner | Pets

This is a story I submitted to iBrattleboro a couple years ago and it got a thousand or so views which is pretty good. And since the cat in question, Friskey, is turning 14 today, i thought it might be appropriate to resubmit it

When we got Friskey from the Windham County Humane Society as a 3 month old back in July of ’99, she was to be an indoor cat.

Cats who go out live an average of 4 years; cats who stay in live 16. Not much wiggle room for debate there.

AARP Safe Driving Class for Senior Citizens, April 20

by BMH | Health

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and AARP are co-sponsoring a Driver Safety program on Saturday, April 20 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Brew Barry Conference Room.

This driver’s refresher course is for people ages 55 and over and is designed to provide awareness of aging as it affects driving. The class covers normal physical changes associated with aging, provides practical techniques to compensate and review “rules of the road” with an emphasis on defensive driving practices.

Space is limited to 20 participants. The cost is $12.00 for AARP members with a membership card & $14.00 for non-AARP members. Call 802-251-8425 to register in advance. Fee covers materials only. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch.

Taxi 4267

by SK-B | Creative

I was no longer homeless, and I had a job. Compared with day labor pushing carts through the garment district, driving a cab seemed easy… and by my standards it paid well.

This evening I had started with two quick fares, each less than five dollars on the meter. Tonight, the weather was pleasant, but having left off my passengers in Little Italy, I now found myself stuck in a single-lane jam on a narrow street. There was another empty cab behind me, so if anyone were to hail a taxi, I would be first in line for the fare. Or so I thought.

Dummerston Covered Bridge Damaged

by cgrotke | Dummerston

that box truck shattered a cross beam and tore trim off of the covered bridge over the West River at Dummerston. 

Police are looking for the driver of the truck, according to the report. The bridge is said to be safe for travel, despite the damage.

Brattleboro Spring Leaf Pickup Schedule

by Not Signed In | Town News

The following dates have been scheduled for Brattleboro’s curbside Spring Leaf Collection. Whereas in the past leaf pickup was determined by scheduled day of rubbish pickup, all locations will be picked up each Friday:

Leaf Pick Up Date

ALL RESIDENTS Friday, April 12, 2013

ALL RESIDENTS Friday, April 26, 2013

Spring Cleaning: Holistic Detox at MFTP

by MFTP | Health

Spring is a great time to gently support the body as it emerges from winter and gears up for the warmer months of sunlight and activity. Getting digestion moving properly and supporting the organs of detoxification and elimination can help you experience freer movement of energy through the body and mind. Attempting to detox on your own can be daunting. Success is more likely with the positive support of a group and the opportunity for individualized support. The detox with take place April 22-27th.;