The Good With The Bad: 2013 in Review

by Lise | Op/Ed

If you asked me at any point during 2013 what kind of year I thought it was, I would have said lousy.  From a personal perspective it was trying to say the least.  Perhaps the brightest spot for me was fulfilling my 2012 New Year’s resolution of launching the new, improved iBrattleboro site on schedule in February 2013 thus marking the site’s 10th anniversary with a decided upgrade.  That felt good.   But personal issues aside, 2013 was an unusually mixed year with surprising news both good and bad.  First the bad.

The Boston Marathon bombing was a depressing incident through and through and while we may never know what really happened there, we can be sure that things like that will happen again. This year saw a continuation of random shootings, in malls, workplaces, and other typically safe places that seemed to pick up steam last year with the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.  Perhaps in time we’ll become desensitized to such events but not yet.

Commentary: Thoughts on Pathways Out of Poverty

by Norsehorse | Politics

*Updated* (view *Update* added to third paragraph)

Last Monday (December 30, 2013)  Governor Peter Shumlin announced his newly established initiative to address matters of poverty within Vermont, which he dubbed “Pathways Out of Poverty” and includes a Council that will meet three times a year (membership list, here).

News coverage can be found, here (via WCAX – Channel 3 TV – News; includes video; 12/30/2013); here (via VPR News; 12/30/2013); here (via vtdigger; 12/31/2013); and, here (via Times Argus; 12/31/2013).

In addition, read the set of anti-poverty advocacy and service provider coalition priority recommendations submitted to Governor Shumlin (dated: September 23, 2013; via Vermont Public Radio), here. *Update*: View a digital copy of the official Executive Order for the formation of the POoP Council (via Google Drive; no sign in required), here.

Investigation Into Double Fatal Fire In Dummerston, VT

by Not Signed In | Dummerston

VSP Press Release – Investigation into Double Fatal Fire in Dummerston, VT
STATE OF VERMONT , DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, VERMONT STATE POLICE

PRESS RELEASE
Investigation into Double Fatal Fire in Dummerston, VT

Det. Sgt. JP Schmidt, VSP – TROOP D BCI, 802 875-2112

Dummerston, VT – 1/6/14 – At approximately 5:00AM on January 6, 2014, Keene Mutual Aid contacted the Vermont State Police requesting a fire investigation at a residence located at 420 School House Road in Dummerston. The fire was initially reported at 4:41AM and fire personnel from the Putney, Guilford, Brattleboro, and West Dummerston Fire Departments responded immediately to the incident. The fire destroyed the residence, however firefighters were able to contain the fire; thereby preventing damage to the surrounding residences.

Music This Weekend!

by Pam Lierle | Music

BMC Chamber Music Series

PIANIST JONATHAN BISS 

FRIDAY, January 10, 7:30 pm

Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT  05301

Brahms, Chopin, Beethoven 

American pianist Jonathan Biss is widely regarded for his artistry, musical intelligence and deeply felt interpretations, winning international recognition for his orchestral, recital, and chamber music performances and for his award-winning recordings. Biss, whom The New Yorker describes as playing with “unerring sophistication”, made his New York Philharmonic debut in 2001, and since then has appeared with the foremost orchestras of North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. He is a frequent performer at leading international music festivals and gives recitals in major music capitals both at home and abroad. Sponsored by Vermont Public Radio. Tickets:  $30, $20, $10   

Brattleboro OB/GYN Welcomes New Midwife

by BMH | Health

Brattleboro OB/GYN is pleased to welcome new midwife Heather Ferriera, CNM, WHNP, to the practice. A board-certified nurse midwife, Ferriera is a graduate of Ohio State University with a master’s degree in midwifery. She will provide both full scope midwifery services as well as gynecologic services. Ferriera, who resides in Brattleboro with her husband and son, will begin seeing patients as of January 6, 2014.

 Brattleboro OB/GYN is a group of obstetrician-gynecologists and certified nurse-midwives who practice collaboratively to provide comprehensive care in partnership with patients. Specializing in women’s health, obstetrics and gynecology, they strive to offer patients the most professional attention in healthcare.

Robinson Hired by BDCC as SeVEDS Director of Workforce Development

by Not Signed In | Business

Moulton Powden assumes Executive Director role at BDCC

Andrew Robinson will be joining the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) staff as the Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) Director of Workforce Development.

The SeVEDS Director of Workforce position was created in 2012 to add capacity for tackling the region’s workforce development challenges and filling the position was one of three major goals the SeVEDS board identified for fiscal year 2013. The position has been funded by SeVEDS in partnership with regional municipalities and BDCC and was vacated at the end of 2013 by Patricia Moulton Powden who has replaced retiring Jeffrey Lewis as the Executive Director of BDCC. With the impending loss of over 600 regional jobs at Vermont Yankee, Powden is pleased to have found such a highly qualified and connected replacement.

Safety Tip of the Week – Walking

by acharkes | Other

Walking – you’re in charge of your own safety

Use crosswalks. Crosswalks are designed for your safety. If there is a crosswalk nearby, take the time and walk to it before crossing the street.

No crosswalk? Yield to cars. If there is no crosswalk nearby, you should cross the street only when there is a safe gap in traffic.

Icy Roads Alert

by paulgardner | Town News

Does anybody know what is going on with the icy roads this morning?

My wife just came back from trying unsuccessfully to get up to Marlboro. She reported that east bound traffic was creeping along with lights flashing and that the road was wall to wall ice. She turned around at the bottom of Starks curve and came back to town. At the State Police barracks she stopped to ask what was going on, but all the doors were locked and the place appeared desserted. I would assume they’re all out dealing with emergencies.

On our street there are a 1 to 2 inches of new ice and the town did come by and scrape at it with their plows a couple times to rough up the surface.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – January 7, 2014

by cgrotke | Town News

The town’s budget will be discussed at the first regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard on Tuesday evening. You can attend in person at the Municipal Center or watch on BCTV.

They will also take up issues such as whether any “savings” in this year’s budget could pay for energy audits of municipal buildings, new communication tower locations for Fire and Police departments, grants and an open CRT board position.

You can bring up other issues not on the agenda during public participation.

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 1/6/14

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV CH.8 Schedule for the week of 1-6-14

                   Monday January 6                

12:00 am      Hilltop Montessori Middle School Environmental Roundtable Discussion

2:00 am       FSTV Overnight

4:00 am       Heat Pump Workshop- Nov 18, 2013 in Brattleboro

5:40 am       On The Drive – Timber in the CT River Valley

7:00 am       The Folklorist: Ep.2: The Cuban Missle Crisis

7:30 am       First Baptist Church- Mary & Martha, Luke 10:38-42

Looking For Copies Of The “Brattleboro Independent,” From The 1870’s

by Rolf | History

I am looking for copies of the short lived newspaper, The Brattleboro Independent, which was published by T. P. James in the 1870’s.

The only reason we know that this paper even existed is that a newspaper article in the St Johnsbury Caledonian in the year 1878 makes mention of it. .

This Brattleboro Independent does not occur on any list of old newspapers in Vermont. Copies of it are either rare or non existent, as are copies of the Summerland Messenger, another publication that T. P. James created in Brattleboro.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: A Reading and Discussion Series

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

Join Vermont Humanities scholar Richard Wizansky for this reading and discussion series which features the shorter works by the great Russian writer, dissident, and former Cavendish, Vermont resident and includes his most read and highly regarded novella as well as several of his famous speeches.

World Book Night Deadline To Apply To Be A Giver Is January 5, 2014

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library are once again participating in World Book Night – an international event that gives volunteers thousands of free books to distribute in their communities. 

This year’s book titles are diverse and wonderful; authors like Agatha Christie; Joseph Heller and Maria Semple ; books ranging widely from the incredibly popular “The Dog Stars” to “The Tipping Point” to the beautifully written “Bridge to Terabithia”. It’s easy to get involved. Simply go to worldbooknightus.org and look over the book titles; choose the 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice of books that you would like to give away. Read the guidelines and apply to be a giver and submit. It’s that easy!

Weekend Concert Series: Janelle Monae

by cgrotke | Entertainment

I know very little about Janelle Monae other than every time I’ve seen her perform, it has been energetic and exciting. She reminds me a bit of James Brown, Prince, and Michael Jackson, but has her own style. It’s rap, R&B, island, soul, and pop all rolled into one. Spastic is another word some might use.

This show is from the Made in America Festival 2012, kicks off with a bit of a latin groove and moves through dancey hits and cover songs, and everyone seems to be having fun.

Is the NSA Spying on Congress?

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., Jan. 3 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today asked the National Security Agency director whether the agency has monitored the phone calls, emails and Internet traffic of members of Congress and other elected officials.

“Has the NSA spied, or is the NSA currently spying, on members of Congress or other American elected officials?” Sanders asked in a letter to Gen. Keith Alexander, the NSA director. “ ‘Spying’ would include gathering metadata on calls made from official or personal phones, content from websites visited or emails sent, or collecting any other data from a third party not made available to the general public in the regular course of business?”