April 3 Forum on Addressing Homelessness Notes & Next Steps

by csimmons | Activism

Greetings!

On April 3rd, a second in a series of community discussions regarding a community response to homelessness took place at the  in Brattleboro. Attached are the notes from the evening, including several themes and action steps. The notes are also available in hard copy at the . Please share widely.

The next community forum is scheduled for Thursday, April 30th from 5:30-7:30pm at the , 118 Main St. Brattleboro. All are welcome. Details to follow.

The Co-op: Two Realities

by spoon | Food

    There is a very lengthy and continuing thread about what constitutes a real co-op.  There is the modern Big Store (food) co-op and the Little Buying Club.  There would have to be a lot in between but we’ll leave it at that for now.

    The debate seems mostly to center around prices.  Big Store has high prices.  Little Buying Club would have cheaper prices (how much cheaper unknown).  Actually, Little Buying Club prices aren’t too much cheaper because they can’t get the volume discounts.  In fact the food itself is more expensive for that reason.  It can be sold cheaper because it has so much less overhead.  A private garage to receive and break down orders, all volunteer labor etc.  It can be cheaper still if it limits itself to bulk buying, avoids refrigerated and frozen foods and limits the selection to a couple hundred basic items and ordering just once a month.

Sanders: Make Public Higher Ed Tuition-Free, Reform Loans, Protect Pell Grants

by Not Signed In | Politics

WASHINGTON, April 13 – In a speech tonight at American University, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will call for overhauling how college education is financed by allowing students to refinance loans, eliminating federal profits on loans, making 4-year public colleges tuition-free, expanding work-study programs and providing incentives for colleges and universities to keep costs down.

The senator also will call for expanding Pell Grants to help more students afford college through a program targeted for steep cuts by Republican budget makers in Congress. Sanders also said student loan programs must be overhauled to reduce crushing debt loads which now exceed American’s credit card debt.

Windham Regional Commission Releases Forest Stewardship Report

by Not Signed In | Nature

Do you know what threats, both global and local, face our forests and our forest economy? Are you concerned that climate change and invasive species could change the composition of our forests as we know them? Is Windham County really the “Timber Capital of Vermont?”

The Windham Regional Commission’s recently-released report, “Landscape Based Forest Stewardship,” provides insight into topics such as these, including what strategies exist to preserve the region’s forestlands. The report, available at www.windhamregional.org/forestry, is the result of several years of work by WRC, with support from a project steering committee made up of area natural resource and forestry professionals.

Morningside Shelter and Brattleboro Area Drop-In Center Host 
3rd Annual Camp for a Common Cause

by Not Signed In | Activism

BRATTLEBORO – On Friday, May 29 the Brattleboro Area Drop-In Center and Morningside Shelter will host the third annual Camp for a Common Cause on the Brattleboro Common. The collaborative fund- and awareness-raising event has been a great success for the last two years, raising nearly $10,000 in 2013 and nearly $9,000 in 2014. All funds raised are evenly split between the two organizations, both of which work to alleviate homelessness in the greater Brattleboro area.

“We couldn’t believe the success of last year’s campout!” said Lucie Fortier, Executive Director of the Brattleboro Area Drop-In Center; “people kept coming out in the rain to join us for the barbecue and live concert. Everyone had a great time despite the weather, which only made the campout all the more poignant.”

Brattleboro Winter Parking Ban Lifted

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Parking Department would like to announce the lifting of the winter parking ban. Starting 04/14/15, at midnight, overnight parking will be allowed on all streets EXCEPT in the downtown area. The following streets are never available for overnight parking:

Main Street
High Street
Elliot Street (from School St to Main St)
Flat Street
Canal Street (from the Plaza to #63)

A Carbon Pollution Tax – Is It Right For Vermont?

by Not Signed In | State News

Vermonters know global warming is happening now, and they are concerned about the impacts of climate change on future generations. Extreme weather events like Irene – which exacted a huge price on people’s lives and their pocketbooks – portend the kind of devastation we can expect from a warming world. Solutions that match the magnitude of the problem – and can turn this challenge into opportunity – are needed now.

There is a growing, diverse coalition – Energy Independent Vermont – working to do just that by calling for putting a price on carbon pollution. A fair, strong, carefully crafted tax on carbon pollution can accomplish three important goals:

Are You Living With Osteoarthritis? Join BMH for a Free Talk on April 27

by BMH | Health

As part of the Wellness in Windham Spring 2015 calendar, BMH certified orthopaedic physician assistants Maureen Mahoney, PA-C, ATC and Wayne Temmen, PA-C, will present a program on Monday, April 27 at 6:00 PM in the Brew Barry Conference Center. Their topic of discussion will be living with osteoarthritis.

“Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It is a chronic condition in which the material that cushions the joints, called cartilage, breaks down,” says Maureen Mahoney. “This causes the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain and loss of joint movement. About 27 million people in America have osteoarthritis.”

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 4/13/15

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Ch. 8 Schedule for the week of 4/13/15

Monday, April 13, 2015

12:00 am NSA The Law And Snowden

1:35 am Brattleboro Food Co-op Shareholders Forum 3/15/15

4:15 am The Benefits of Acupuncture at Morningside Shelter

4:30 am An Untrodden Route to India

6:00 am Abydos Egypt – Uncovering Egypt’s Ancient Past

International Jazz Day at a UN Underwriting Genocide in Yemen After Having Ordered Libya’s Obliteration and Korea Reconquered

by jay janson | Op/Ed

DESCRIPTION:
Some, if not most, of the most accomplished jazz musicians in the world performed brilliantly at the United Nations on International Jazz Day, April 10, 2015, at the same time sanctifying with music a failed United Nations, which, since its creation by the colonial powers, has facilitated genocide for profit of the amoral wealthy elite of Western speculative interest banking. Why? Celebrities as influential role models have added responsibility for the actions of their government.

Looking For a New Primary Care Physician in Brattleboro

by Not Signed In | Questions & Answers

I moved to Brattleboro in 2010 am am required by my health insurance to have a PCP (primary care physician). The first physician I found to be my PCP retired. The second just told me she is closing her practice. So for the 3rd time in 4 years I am looking for a PCP.

I have a challenging health condition that cannot go untreated. I am looking for suggestions for an MD or NP. I prefer a woman, and I will not go to Brattleboro Primary Care. Any ideas?

Weekend Comedy Series: Smothers Brothers

by cgrotke | Entertainment

Not much needs to be said about this musical comedy duo. They hit it big during the 60’s, first poking fun at the coffeehouse folk music scene with their interrupted musical numbers and brotherly disagreements, then as counter-culture leaders challenging the boundaries of television.

We’ll celebrate by showing a couple fo their best known routines, and an episode of the 60’s comedy show.

The Marina Restaurant’s Annual Plunge for Charity Celebrates 10th Anniversary

by Not Signed In | Activism

Brattleboro, VT—On Sunday, May 3, starting at 3 p.m., people will be jumping from a boat into the chilly water of the West River to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters, doing their part for The Marina Restaurant‘s Plunge for Charity.

The inspiration for The Marina Plunge, now celebrating its 10th Anniversary, came in 2003 when several Marina employees jumped into the river to celebrate a birthday. The following year they decided to make it an annual event for charity.

That year, a handful of individuals were thrilled to raise $1,500 for The Gathering Place, an adult day care center. Since then, the event has seen steady growth, according to founder and organizer Deirdre “Dee” Baker of Brattleboro.

Quality Used Books Sale in Guilford on April 25

by Not Signed In | Books

The Guilford Community Church, UCC will hold its annual Book Sale on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Excellent current and collectible books will be offered, including a selection of children’s and young adult books. “Vermont.calm” T-shirts will also be available for purchase.

The sale helps support the many local and global missions of the church. From Route 5, just beyond the Guilford Country Store, turn left onto Bee Barn Road then right to 38 Church Drive.

For further information contact Pat Haine (802) 257-0626.

In Memory: Georg Steinmeyer

by cgrotke | Obituaries

Georg Steinmeyer passed away recently, just a few weeks after his wife, Hanne.

Georg was a very interesting person. He grew up in Germany as part of the Steinmeyer organ building family, and came to Brattleboro in the fall of 1955 to work as Director of the pipe organ division of the Estey Organ Company. He often told the story of getting a transatlantic phone call in Europe from the United States, a rare occurrence, asking him to take the job.

Unfortunately, Estey’s days were numbered. Georg helped to oversee the building and installation of the final pipe organs built by the company.