Nickel and Dime Bags – More Cost Shifting To Consumers

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

The plastic bag ban in Brattleboro banned plastic shopping bags. Grocery stores immediately complied, removing them from the available options to shoppers. Reusable bags were offered for sale. 

Paper bags, always a free convenience for shoppers, suddenly had a price tag. Depending on the store, paper bags to carry purchases from a store now cost 5 or 10 cents. I’m speaking primarily of grocery stores and supermarkets.

Ask cashiers why a previously-free store amenity suddenly costs money, the answer is often “You have to blame to Town of Brattleboro.”  But this isn’t true. Brattleboro did not mandate charging for paper bags.

BCTV Schedules – Week of 8/12/19

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 8 schedule for the week of 8/12/19

Monday, August 12, 2019

5:04 am GMALL Lectures – Solving Syria – The Impossible Mission?
6:30 am Brattleboro Rallies – Homeless Revolution 7/22/19
6:58 am Winston Prouty presents – Family Matters Ep 23 – Child Care Financial Assistance Program
7:30 am The World Fusion Show – EP 54 – Derrik Jordan, World Fusion String Quartets
8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast

VFW $6 Lunch Specials Open to the Public 8-12 to 8-16

by Not Signed In | Food

The Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road is open to the public for lunch. Lunch is served Mon-Fri from 11:30 – 1:30. Specials listed below are only $6 a plate. Hand made burger, fries, sweet potato fries, wings, onion rings, soups and sandwiches are also available. Take outs available by calling 257-0438

Brattleboro 2019 First Installment Taxes and Utilities Due

by Not Signed In | Town News

The first installment of the 2019 Real Estate and Personal Property Taxeswill be due onAugust 15th, 2019.  Payments made after August 15th, 2019 will have an additional 1% interest added to the unpaid balance.

The utility billing is also due on August 15th, 2019. Payments made after August 15th, 2019 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance.

Payments can be mailed to the Town of Brattleboro, 230 Main Street, Suite 111, Brattleboro VT 05301.

Twilight on the Tavern Lawn presents Planet Zydeco on Sunday, August 11

by stobro | Music

Twilight Music continues its 17th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, zydeco, Celtic, jazz, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, August 11 with Planet Zydeco performing their high energy accordion/guitar driven dance music of Louisiana.  The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 25.  All concerts begin at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at Next Stage at 15 Kimball Hill in case of rain.

Face of Recovery Film at Library

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

All,

       BPD with the U.S. Attorney’s office is hosting a viewing of the short film (10 minutes) titled, “Face of Recovery.” The film is about the journey and ultimate success in recovery of Justin Goulet. Following the film will an opportunity for questions/answers and comments for Justin along with U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan. 

The presentation will be 29 August 2019 in the Brooks Memorial Library Main Room at 7:00 PM.  

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Climate Emergency, Homelessness, Addiction, and Flowers

by cgrotke | Town News
Brattleboro Selectboard

Before the Brattleboro Selectboard could get to regular business, they heard from many agitated citizens on issues such as the homeless, flowers, and librarians getting paid less than homeless day work program employees. This was interrupted by a climate emergency protest, adding to the list of grievances.

Eventually the board got tho their scheduled business of updates on the DBA and Project CARE, approving of contracts, a short discussion of childcare at public meetings, and more. It was quite an outpouring of interest in local government, from many angles.

Wild Blueberries on Wantastiquet in late July

by DanAxtell | Nature

It’s a good year for wild blueberries on Wantastiquet. A week ago, I picked a cup of blueberries at the lower lookout. The photo is from July 30 with downtown Brattleboro in the background. There were plenty still ripening, so there should be a modest crop of ripe blueberries about now.

To get to the lower lookout, just go straight at the sixth hairpin turn. The spur trail is a quarter mile and pretty easy to follow. The view is historic and much better than the view from the summit. The ripe berries are in the sunniest spots, so you’ll have to explore the outcrops a bit to maximize the harvest. There is no poison ivy on Wantastiquet, but do take tick precautions. Don’t forget the binoculars.

iBreach!

by tomaidh | Other

I just got some very bad news: my iCloud account has been breached. Hacking into the cloud can have some very disastrous results.

The nice iPeople were so worried that they have attempted to contact me at least sixteen times in the last two days.

Needless to say, I’m very concerned.

BCTV Schedules – Week of 8/5/19

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 8 schedule for the week of 8/5/19

Monday, August 5, 2019

5:00 am Veterans Events – Traditional Memorial Day 2019 at the Dummerston Grange
6:55 am Promos – Umatter – What is Umatter YYA?
7:00 am True North Reports TV – Carbon Tax Fight 2020 Preview
7:30 am North Branch Nature Center – The Emerald Ash Borer in Montpelier
8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast

Brattleboro Town Employee Picnic

by Not Signed In | Town News

 Most Brattleboro Town Offices will be closed on Friday, August 9, 2019, from 11:30am to 1:00pm for the annual employees’ picnic. 

The Town Clerk’s Office will remain open and all emergency services will remain in full operation. 

VFW $6 Lunch Specials open to the Public 8-5 to 8-9

by Not Signed In | Food

The Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road is open to the public for lunch. Lunch is served Mon-Fri from 11:30 – 1:30. Specials listed below are only $6 a plate. Hand made burger, fries, sweet potato fries, wings, onion rings, soups and sandwiches are also available. Take outs available by calling 257-0438

Aug. 5th – Aug. 9th
Mon – meatloaf, baked potato, veg

Secrets to Plein Air Painting with Mark Boedges 

by Penelope | Arts

Join us for this wonderful workshop with Mark, a member of The Putney Painters,  as he demonstrates how to simplify aspects of plein air painting for a deeper impact. He offers demos that demonstrate color, value, edges, temperature and when, where and how to utilize transparent vs. opaque paint for controlling planes that you wish to recede and advance.  Each day usually begins with a teaching demo on the property followed by students painting and individual instruction and support.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – August 6, 2019

by cgrotke | Town News

Summer is over (just kidding) and meetings are back in session.  At the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard, Whetstone Station will request permission from the Brattleboro Selectboard to make noise on Frost Street, the ice rink will be approved for some energy efficiency measures, and the board will consider providing childcare at their meetings.

For the first time in quite a long time, a vendor unable to fulfill a paving contract will be replaced on the project. The board will hear updates on Project CARE and the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance, and more.  You can, as always, bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Energy Committee will meet on Monday, August 5, 2019, at 5:00pm in the Community Room at the Brattleboro Food Co-Op, located at 2 Main Street.

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at 4:30pm in the Mezzanine Meeting Room at Brooks Memorial Library.

The Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, August 9, 2019, at 9:00am in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center.

Van Deusen Runs For VT AFL-CIO President

by Not Signed In | Politics

VERMONT AFL-CIO UNITED!
A TEN POINT PROGRAM & SLATE FOR WORKING CLASS POWER!

VT AFL-CIO United! Candidates For Executive Committee
President: David Van Deusen, AFSCME
Vice President: Karl Labounty, AFSCME
Secretary/Treasurer: Danielle Bombardier, IBEW
Member-At-Large: Tim LaBombard, IBEW
Volunteer In Politics: Omar Fernandez, APWU

Barn Dance to Benefit Asylum Seekers

by Not Signed In | Entertainment

SAXTONS RIVER – A barn dance Tuesday, Aug. 13 will help support asylum-seekers who are seeking a better life in the United States.

The Community Asylum Seekers Project (CASP) is hosting the dance at 5 p.m. in the barn of Mary Hepburn at 27 Pleasant Street, Saxtons River, with live music and calling for dancing by Andy Toepfer.