Friday Night Videos – COVID-19 Edition

by cgrotke | Entertainment

Here are a few videos you might find useful. One is a good demonstration of washing hands. Paint is substituted for soap so you can watch how to best get it in all the right spots. Another is on exponential growth, which uses the virus as a jumping off point for a short math lesson. Our third video is a short visual explanation of how social distancing works to keep the number of cases down low enough so that hospitals don’t overflow. Our final video helps you determine the day of the week.

Release of the Southeastern Vermont COVID-19 Resources for Individuals Guide

by WRC | Town Plan

During this uncertain time of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be very confusing to know where to go locally to learn about resources that can be useful. A new COVID-19 resource guide, aimed at individuals living in southeastern Vermont, is now available. This resource list is a compilation of currently known programs and activities relevant to people living in southeastern Vermont.  The resource can be found on the Windham Regional Commission’s website by visiting http://www.windhamregional.org/.  If you are in immediate need of assistance, call Vermont’s resource line by dialing 2-1-1 about help and resources.

Windham Southeast School District Board Remote Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Education

NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING

The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet remotely at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Please note that this meeting will take place remotely via Zoom:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/99535501176?pwd=Y0dnTnpMYkhUL2dKK2pnMTEybERPZz09

Meeting ID: 995 3550 1176

Password: 7E7Faj

Time To Read

by RDavis | Books

Some people see opportunity in a crisis. If we put in even a little bit of effort we will find many opportunities to pursue endeavors we have put off, or have never made enough of an effort to engage in, in this time of quarantine and pandemic.

On the less glamorous side, house cleaning may be at the top of the list for some. Gardening and yard work have the potential for a special kind of soulful renewal and I suspect more people are now doing outdoor projects they have been putting off for a long time.

Another opportunity is for people to read more books. In this age of online access there are some who embrace platforms such as Kindle and find that kind of access to books satisfying. I have always been someone who needs to have a physical book in hand. I don’t think I will ever change that habit because it fulfills a unique kind of need.

Governor Scott Extends State of Emergency Through May 15

by Not Signed In | State News

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today extended Vermont’s State of Emergency through May 15, which also extends the expiration date of all corresponding orders and directives issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The original State of Emergency, issued on March 13, was set to expire on April 15, as were the subsequent mitigation measures. As a result of this extension, all measures, including the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order, are now in effect until midnight on May 15 (note, schools remain dismissed for in-person instruction through the end of the school year).

“These are incredibly difficult times, and I know this extension is disappointing news for many. But the fact is, Vermonters are literally saving hundreds of lives by staying home,” said Governor Scott. “We are making big sacrifices to save lives, but we cannot let our foot off the gas just yet. We will continue to watch the trends, and as soon as the data shows a downward trend, we can open the spigot, a quarter turn at a time, to get folks back to work in a way that’s responsible and safe. Please know, I will work every hour of every day, for as long as it takes, to see Vermont through this and to help rebuild stronger than we were before.”

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status – April 9, 2020, 2:15pm 

by Not Signed In | Town News

WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• Effective today, Morningside Cemetery has opened for the season. Anyone visiting the cemetery to honor a loved one or to get some fresh air and exercise should adhere to all the requirements of social distancing. 

• Tomorrow (Friday, April 10) a Utilities Division crew will complete emergency pipe repair work near 12 Estabrook Street. Estabrook Street will be closed to through traffic from 7am until 4:30pm while this work takes place. Vehicles parked in the driveways between 111 Clark Street and 12 Estabrook Street will need to be moved prior to 7am on Friday. Anyone with questions should contact Mike Earle at 802-254-4255 or by email at mearle@brattleboro.org. 

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status – April 8, 2020, 7:30pm 

by Not Signed In | Town News

WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

• Many buildings are currently in a state of prolonged shutdown. The Town’s Water Department reminds all building owners that water lines within buildings should be flushed to keep the water supply safe. While the Town is continuing to deliver water to the meter that complies with all drinking water standards and has a trace of chlorine for disinfection, the water quality within the interior piping of a building will deteriorate if not used. 

• The annual Winter Parking Ban has been lifted. Beginning tonight, overnight on-street parking is allowed except where regulations prohibit parking anytime (e.g. on one side of some streets, near fire hydrants, etc.) and except on the following streets: Main Street, High Street, Elliot Street (east of School Street), Flat Street, Church Street, Elm Street, Harris Place, and Grove Street. 

Food Delivery For Those In Need

by LisaL | Food

The Brattleboro VFW Post #1034, Brattleboro Elks #1499, Masonic Lodge #102, and the American Legion Post 5 is banding together with the guidance of the Brattleboro Fire Department to buy groceries and other essential items for those who cannot and should not venture out. Volunteers will be purchasing items, bagging or boxing them, and delivering them to homes where needed in the Brattleboro area.
We are asking for donations to support this cause. 100% of the proceeds will be used to purchase items. Please make checks payable to VFW Post 1034, and include a return address so a receipt can be mailed. Mail to:

An Update from the Brattleboro Food Co-op

by BratFoodCoop | Food

Greetings from the re-invented Brattleboro Food Co-op! We have now more or less stabilized into our new schedule for curbside orders paired with open store hours. Just to remind you, we take orders at 802-246-2800 from 8:00 a.m. to noon for same-day pickup, and noon to 2 for next day pickup. We also are open for those not isolating from 2 pm to 7 pm, except for Sunday April 12, when we are closed for Easter.

A few explanations about how we are doing what we are doing, and what you can expect from us.

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 tonight, 04/08/20, 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)

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Representative Town Meeting On Hold, Staff Furloughs

by cgrotke | Town News
Brattleboro Selectboard april 7

The Brattleboro Selectboard met virtually to discuss updates regarding COVID-19, staff furloughs, putting Representative Town Meeting on further hold, and other matters. Board members urged landlords to pause rents and banks to pause mortgage payments. And licensed electricians may be required for most rental properties repairs.

It wasn’t the smoothest technological feat, and it took a while to get things working semi-smoothly, but it sufficed.

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status – April 7, 2020, 12:45pm 

by Not Signed In | Town News

• The Selectboard meets tonight at 6:15 pm on GoToMeeting…
• We have been advised that United States Census responses from Windham County are coming in more slowly than from some other areas of Vermont and other states. A complete count of everyone in Brattleboro and Windham County is important because, among other things, comparative populations are used to determine how much State and Federal funding assistance a community receives for a variety of programs and services. Please complete your 2020 Census form online or mail it in. If you are unsure how to do that, at least be responsive when a Census worker contacts you to ask for the information for your household. Thank you! 

• The Recreation Department is offering “virtual gymnastics” on Wednesdays and Fridays, as follows: 

Brattleboro Senior Meals

by KathrynT | Food

Brattleboro Senior Meals Menu April 6 to April 10
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MENU

Apr. 6 Beef Stroganoff over Noodles
Brussel Sprouts
Glazed Carrots
Clementines

Pandemic Diet – Eating Beans and Rice

by Lise | Food

It’s important to keep up morale during the emergency.  One way to do that is food.  But what to do when you hit those days when your delivery order isn’t ready yet, your curbside pickup order isn’t till tomorrow, or you just don’t feel like going to the grocery store yourself?  This kind of circumstance can lead to a lot of bean and rice dinners, and who’s to say that’s a bad thing?  It brings us back to basics, enduring a little hardship in what is, after all, a life and death situation.  On the other hand, simple, noble cooking can be seriously boring if you really like food.  

I think the key for me is to have on hand a few basic meals that we actually like to eat.  That way, we can always make something reasonably appetizing.  It’s important to keep meals appetizing because boredom and depression can diminish appetite and you want to keep eating, within reasonable bounds.  Food makes us feel good, and it’s good to feel good, especially during an epidemic, because feeling good boosts our immunity.

Town of Brattleboro COVID-19 Response Status – April 6, 2020, 1:20pm 

by Not Signed In | Town News

WHAT IS NEW TODAY 

There is no change in the deployment of Town resources today. However, we have 3 announcements today in the interests of public health and rumor control: 

➢ This evening (beginning at approximately 6pm at the Brattleboro Police Station on Black Mountain Road) there will be a procession of state and local law enforcement vehicles driving through town to salute the heroic work of healthcare workers. They will make stops (but will not leave their vehicles) at health care facilities along the route. The vehicles in the procession will be using their emergency lights. BPD is issuing a news release to alert the public so that people will not mistakenly believe there is a large-scale law enforcement emergency in Brattleboro. 

➢ The State of Vermont vehicles parked near the Connecticut River bridges and all other roadway points of entry into Vermont are noting the state of registration of vehicles entering and leaving Vermont. They are not collecting individual license plate data and are not restricting entry. 

➢ Some gatherings of people are still being noticed around town. Everyone is reminded that our collective health and well being depends upon people adhering to the social distancing advice of public health professionals in compliance with Governor Scott’s “Stay Home – Stay Safe” orders. People are encouraged to get outside for fresh air and exercise, including at Town parks, but no one should be within 6 feet of any other person, handling anything being handled by any other person, or touching any furniture or equipment at the Town’s parks or anywhere else outside of each person’s own home. 

Jubilee Year!

by MarkTwain© | Economics

In an April 5 comment on a recent article, under the subject line: And people still need to move…. , cgrotke wrote the following:

“It would be a shame if, at the end of this, everyone is simply in debt up to their eyeballs, and everyone needs to work off the “debt” of these strange months for the foreseeable future. That would be a very slow digging out of the economy.”

Under the category: “This is so crazy, it might just work!” please allow me to offer up a solution:

Plethoras & Myriads

by MarkTwain© | Entertainment

For the duration of the current crisis, Mark Twain© would like to ask challenging questions, requesting your answers. Here are 2 questions for today.

How are the meanings of these two words similar, how are they different?
When would you use “plethora?” when, “myriad?”