Weekend Creativity Series – Building The Wall

It is essential that all good citizens being to learn wall-making skills. Wall-making will be a growth industry in the coming years, from the wall to keep Americans out of Mexico, to the walls we will certainly need to keep us out of Canada and New Hampshire as well.

Who better to teach us these essential American skills than a foreigner! And let’s learn the Traditional Irish Dry Stone Wall method of putting the stones together.


This Bald Eagle Almost Put Me In The Drink

I was kayaking just off the western shore of the Connecticut River, about half way between the Hinsdale bridge and the West River confluence, when I glanced up and saw this dude looking down at me. More than a little startled, I nearly fell in the drink.

He just sat there, maybe 15 feet up, sitting on the limb. He noticed, then quickly dismissed me as an object of interest. I, havening never before seen a Bald Eagle in the wild, was genuinly shocked. In the video you hear me mention the shakey video (I later used some software to stablize the image), which was a direct result of me being startled and excited to see this fellow.


Where’s The Rain? Moderate Drought in Southern Vermont

I’ve been wondering where the rain is, and did a bit of research.

According to the United States Drought Monitor, Brattleboro and Windham County are officially considered to be in Moderate Drought, with about 85% of Vermont being categorized as Abnormally Dry.

The trend started in late June and has remained steady through July. The last time we were this dry in Vermont was June of 2015.


West Brattleboro Fire Station Groundbreaking

The Town of Brattleboro invites citizens and interested persons to attend a ground-breaking ceremony celebrating the rebuilding of the West Brattleboro Fire Station on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 4:00pm at the West Brattleboro Fire Station.

TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO
Town Manager’s Office
230 Main Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 254-4541
FAX (802) 257-2322


Brattleboro Selectboard Agendas and Notes – August 4 and 5, 2016

Brattleboro’s first Comprehensive Review of Town Operations will be presented for approval at the next not-so-regularly scheduled meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Property tax rates will be set for FY17, grants will be discussed, appointments to committees will be made, and more. Watch on BCTV or attend in person and participate. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

There is also a special meeting scheduled to hold a deliberative session the next day.


Brattleboro Senior Meals Breakfast Menu

AUGUST BREAKFAST MENUS

August 2nd – Bavarian Waffles w/Strawberries & Whipped Cream, Ham, Yogurt Parfait, Juice, Coffee.

August 5th Eggs Benedict w/Ham on an English Muffin, Home Fries, Fruit, Yogurt, Juice, Coffee

August 9th  – Stuffed Egg w/Sausage Gravy, Scone, Potato Pancake, Fruit, Juice, Yogurt Parfait , Coffee


Savings Bank of Walpole’s Branch ATMs Get New Security Device

SAVINGS BANK OF WALPOLE WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST AREA BANKS TO RETROFIT THEIR BRANCH ATMS WITH NEW SECURITY DEVICE

Keene, NH—In an effort to combat ATM fraud and “skimming,” Savings Bank of Walpole is pleased to announce that it will be one of the first area banks to utilize the ActivEdge Skim Guard system at all of their branch ATMs. The machines will be retrofitted with the ActivEdge system as of Thursday, August 4th.

Skimming means that a person (who is referred to as a skimmer) has installed a counterfeit card reader on the exterior of an ATM in an attempt to steal another person’s card information during ATM transactions or at point-of-sale machines like the ones used at gas stations or convenience stores.


Free Spaghetti Supper with Matt Dunne & PFFV

The Professional Firefighters of Vermont (PFFV) have endorsed Matt Dunne for Governor. Matt is a lifelong resident of Hartland, Vermont. He is an experienced leader with a deep commitment to making Vermont’s economy work for all Vermonters. In addition to PFFV, he has earned the endorsement of the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Rights & Democracy, and the Vermont State Employees Association (VSEA). 


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of August 1st

I-91

Northbound I-91 traffic has been relocated onto the southbound bridge. Traffic will remain reduced to one lane in each direction on I-91 until completion of the new bridge. The new bridge will be 104’ wide and is designed to carry all four lanes of traffic –two northbound and two southbound.

Route 30

The speed limit on Route 30 near the work zone has been reduced to 40 mph. Project-related truck activity on Route 30 will continue. Route 30 may be reduced to a single lane intermittently, with flaggers regulating traffic within the work zone.

Upper Dummerston Road

Upper Dummerston may be reduced to a single lane intermittently, with flaggers regulating traffic within the work zone.


Greenleaf Tree Removal

On Thursday, July 28th, from 7:00 a.m. until approximately 3:00 p.m., Greenleaf Street will be closed for tree removal between Western Avenue and Mather Road. Traffic detour signs will be set up allowing traffic to use Mather Road across to Bonnyvale Road for access to Western Avenue. Crews will ensure access to residences within the closure area.

If you have any questions, please contact Stephen Barrett, Director of Public Works, at the Brattleboro Department of Public Works at (802)254-4255.


End of the Line for Bernie Sanders

After many months of fighting the good fight, and losing, we’ve come to the end of the line for Bernie Sanders.  He was our last best hope, but for whatever reason, people opted for the “safe,” status quo candidate Hillary Clinton.  This may have been engineered, to a large degree, by a party apparatus that opposed his candidacy — the DNC email leak last week made it clear that they were out to get him, and it’s likely the party’s animosity toward Sanders trickled down to local party people across the country.  No wonder people thought there was voter suppression and shenanigans — the Democratic party was at war with its own progressive wing.  But so be it.  


Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee Agenda

The Brattleboro ADA Committee will hold a special meeting on Thursday, July 28, 2016, at 1:00pm at The River Garden located at 157 Main Street.

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


How to Safely Pass a Bicyclist

How to Safely Pass A Bicyclist – Some friendly advice for our motorist friends.

Written by: for Momentum Mag

Edited by: Alice Charkes

1. Slow Down.

When you’re approaching a bicyclist, slow down. Passing a cyclist is going to require you to make a few more moves than just continuing on your course, so reduce your speed in order to prepare yourself.


Local Motion Looking for Bicyclist and Pedestrian Advocates

Is creating more opportunities for walking and biking in Brattleboro important to you? If so, Local Motion, Vermont’s coalition for walking and biking, wants to hear from you. As part of their statewide expansion, Local Motion is looking for folks who are interested in bringing all of the benefits of a more walk- and bike-friendly environment into their own backyards. If this is you,  on Local Motion’s website today!


Violation, Vandalism, Thievery

My daughter’s car was literally broken into yesterday (back window smashed completely) and everything valuable and important was stolen. This happened in the parking area for the West River Recreation area at the junction of Rte. 30 and the Williamsville Road around 3 to 4 pm. 2 trucks were seen peeling out of the parking lot heading toward Newfane. If ANYONE can contribute anything to the finding of these people please call or text Beverly Miller at 802-251-5598 now. More than $1200 worth of theft and damage was incurred by my daughter Sarah Mattingley


New Session: Women’s Easy Acoustic Music Ensemble!

Singer/songwriter and music instructor Lisa McCormick is offering a new session of the Women’s Easy Acoustic Music Ensemble Class, beginning August 2, in Brattleboro,VT.

The class invites women to experience playing acoustic Folk and Boomer classic songs together, in a fun easygoing group environment. 

A world-renowned guitar instructor, McCormick specializes in teaching adult beginners through intermediate level students. 

Women with basic functional skills on an acoustic instrument are encouraged to join. Instruments may include guitar, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass, keyboards, and others. Singing is optional, and encouraged.