The Bondville UFO

by cgrotke | Entertainment

It looks like a UFO has landed at the Bondville Fair. As the flying disc stops spinning and comes to a full stop, the doorway opens up as if the aliens were about to come out to make contact. Instead, it was some slightly dizzy kids.  Looks like fun.

We approach the Starship 3000 with eager anticipation. The rotating metal contraption was built, one might guess, when Close Encounter of the Third Kind was released in theaters or shortly thereafter. 

We are told, somewhat suspiciously, to take all of our belongings out of our pockets and leave them outside the spaceship. Wallets, keys, purses, phones, and more all go into a communal pile on a white folding table.

Addiction As A Form of Suicide

by RDavis | Health

I make no claim of being a therapist or an expert on human behavior. But when you have been around for nearly eight decades you do come to understand a few things. I have learned that people who are unhappy about the course of their lives, people, who feel they are trapped in their lives with no way out and people who feel that the world around them will not allow them to succeed, often turn to drugs and/or addictive behaviors to ease their pain.

This is not a judgment call but simply an observation. I suspect that if you were to do a survey among people who have turned to drugs or alcohol or who have any kind of addiction at the center of their life, you would find most of those people to be among the unhappy.

Rakish and The Early Risers at Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present a contemporary folk double bill with Rakish (Maura Shawn Scanlin and Connor Hearn) and The Early Risers (Ashley Storrow and Putnam Smith) on Friday, September 20 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage.

Violinist Maura Shawn Scanlin and guitarist Conor Hearn unite to form “Rakish.” The pair gets their namesake from the traditional Irish tune Rakish Paddy, an origin that aptly suits the duo and their shared background in traditional Irish and Scottish music. Yet “rakish” itself also suggests something strikingly unconventional in its appearance, and Maura and Conor knowingly embrace this wealth of connotation in their music, drawing on the music they grew up with and performing it with their own slant. In a performance that toes the line between concert music and session music, Rakish explores tunes and songs from Irish and American folk traditions in a way that reflects their shared interest in and love for old traditional tunes and chamber music. Maura Shawn, a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition, wields the technical range of a classical violinist and the deep sensitivity of a traditional musician. Conor, a native to the Irish music communities of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD, makes his home in Boston, MA playing and teaching guitar. As a duo they have performed at venues and festivals across North America, and can be found teaching at fiddle camps across the country.

Windham Southeast School District Board Meeting Agenda Aug 27, 2024

by Not Signed In | Education

– If appropriate, every agenda item is subject to Potential Action.
– If any Board Member feels that an item on the Consent Agenda warrants discussion, that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be set aside for discussion. In this way the Consent Agenda will be approved in one motion. That request should be made now, or before the vote on the Consent Agenda.
– Amendments to the Agenda

“My Yehudi Friend”

by SK-B | Op/Ed

In the wake of October 7, 2023 and its aftermath, the idea that Jews and Arabs might share a deep impulse to love one another, might seem absurd. Thus I have felt reluctant to share this story with the 72 blog88.org subscribers or to post it to iBrattleboro. Yet the profound reality is that the inclination to love is fundamental to human nature.

I have heard people say that it is governments which stir up hatred and violence. But a small group of “true believers” can ignite cascading violence, which draws in governments and escalates into war. In normal times, as neighbors, we may share a garden. But in another situation, I may feel the need to kill you as quickly as possible, before you can kill me.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Brattleboro To Expand Police and Surveillance

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard aug 20 2024

The Brattleboro Selectboard voted in favor of many suggestions by Police Chief Norma Hardy at their regular Tuesday meeting: using community safety funds to purchase surveillance cameras, plus authorizing a move forward on un-budgeted hiring of three more officers, hiring two unarmed police staff, and one police data technician. They also will move ahead with locating a police satellite office downtown.

This came after a presentation on police data that showed that the majority of police calls in town were not for crimes, and many incidents with police involve a handful of known actors.

WSESD Social Justice and Equity Committee Meeting Minutes – August 1, 2024

by Not Signed In | Education

Panorama retention survey, school climate, well-being, and teacher feedback should be included in the annual report. The report will address the need for equity support and emphasize the importance of continuous improvement. Specific attention will be given to marginalized students in the continuous improvement plan to ensure that goals are met.

Upon reviewing the data, it is evident that students with individualized education programs (IEP) and those from low-income backgrounds are not performing well. This called for specific attention in the CIP plan for math and literacy. Deborah will speak to Mark about drafting the necessary goals that were presented at the June administration retreat.

WSESU Board Meeting Minutes – August 14, 2024

by Not Signed In | Education

Our renegotiations will start around November and the goal is to be done by the annual meeting or earlier in February if possible. The usual time requirement is 4 pm – 8 pm weekly on a non-board meeting night. The board discussed including 2 board members on the negotiation team in a “silent but present” capacity. While the negotiations fall under the SU purview, the board discussed if representatives from the SD and VES boards, who are not on the SU board, could be included. Anne will reach out to legal counsel to see if we can expand the group to include district membership.

WSESD Board Meeting Minutes – August 13, 2024

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary
● The Board reviewed who is on each of the committees and who the chair is. Also reviewed who participates in each of the school’s L.C.s

● The Board voted to resume responsibility for accepting all hires, resignations, and retirements now that the summer session is coming to a close.

● The Board voted to resume responsibility for the financial decisions now that the summer session is coming to a close.

● The Board approved the hire for the Automotive Teacher for the WRCC.

● The consent agenda was approved by the Board.

● The Board re-adopted policies E14, F4, F5, F41 and G13.

Jennie Reichman Concert Friday September 6, 6:30 P.M

by RDavis | Music

Local singer-songwriter Jennie Reichman will present an outdoor concert on the backyard patio at 63 Cedar Street in Brattleboro on Friday September 6 at 6:30 p.m. Reichman has a soft lilting voice reminiscent of a younger Joni Mithcell. She presents songs with a clear voice that easily communicates with the audience. She plays original as well as cover songs.

Will Jail Time Be A Deterrent?

by RDavis | Activism

A lot of people in Brattleboro are agonizing over how to make our downtown safer. There has been no lack of suggestions. I have done a little bit of research into how other communities deal with similar problems and, once again, there are no simple solutions.

Yet, I am beginning to think that we need to use a tool that has been rejected by most communities as being too cruel. That is having police and the court system lock people up who are breaking the law, no matter what level they are operating on.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – August 20, 2024

by cgrotke | Town News

 Safety has a price and the Brattleboro Selectboard will begin to hear some of the new costs for downtown safety at their next regular meeting. Brattleboro Police will request hiring of additional staff and officers plus the creation of a parking garage satellite office for police use. It is part of their downtown safety action plan. They will also discuss their HEAT mapping and how this impacts deploying resources to problem areas.

Esteyville bandstand plans will be discussed. The result of the public input is that people want the bandstand, but not way up in the air as it currently sits.  The selectboard will also set a plan for this year’s budget process. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Cris Ericson Got At Least 5 Write-in Votes & Will Be A Write-in Candidate Nov. 5, 2024

by CrisEricson2016 | Politics

Apparently I got at least 2 write-in votes on the Progressive primary election ballot somewhere in Vermont, one was my own vote for myself, and 3 write-in votes for me on the Republican ballot.

I was so disheartened that I emailed the DNCC and said I withdraw from being a remote correspondent. They had sent me a list of Illinois abortion providers for me to interview. CCTV.org in Burlington said they would air it. But, I threw the opportunity away because I was so worn out by Facebook abusing me.