Valgar Street Fire Investigation Continues, Reward Offered

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

The investigation into the arson fire that caused extensive damage to four apartments at 16 – 38 Valgar St. continues to be a very active, joint effort by the Brattleboro Police and Fire Departments. Both agencies, along with assistance from the VT State Police, have been working persistently since the morning of the fire, conducting dozens of interviews to gather information about the incident. At this time the investigation is continuing and the agencies are again asking for anyone who may have seen anything unusual before the time of the fire or may have any information about the fire to call the Brattleboro Police Department at 802-257-7946 or the Brattleboro Police Tips Hotline at 802-251-8188.

Sleighs & Carriages – 1874

by cgrotke | History

Continuing our look at December advertising in Brattleboro, we now check in with an ad from a newspaper in 1874.

Mr. J. T. Hildreth on Elm Street in Brattleboro is offering deals on sleighs and carriages. You can stop in to get a new one, or bring in your current model for a tune up and some repairs. Buggies also available.

I-91 Closings December 8 & 9 – Reminder

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

Reminder:

I-91 between Exits 2 and 3 will be closed to complete preventative maintenance before the winter season begins in earnest.

On Tuesday, December 8, I-91 SOUTHBOUND will be closed between exits 3 & 2 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

On Wednesday, December 9, I-91 NORTHBOUND will be closed between exits 2 & 3 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

Traffic officers will be on hand to detour traffic onto Route 5.

Ted Cruz, Immigrant

by tomaidh | Politics

Ted Cruz has taken a hard line on immigration. Cruz was born on December 22, 1970, in Calgary, Alberta. Therefore, Cruz is himself an immigrant. Huh?

Noticed Around Brattleboro – December 2015 Edition

by cgrotke | Town Plan

Lots of little changes going on around town, and it is time for us to catalog them. Here are a few to get us started:

– Robert at Zephyr Designs on Main Street is retiring, according to a sign in the window.

– Main Street has some nice, large lit stars on display at night in addition to all the decorated windows. They look to be about 8 or 10 feet across, each.

Brattleboro Time Trade Listings – Week of December 6

by Brattleboro Time Trade | Other

Brattleboro Time Trade:   Exchanging services, creating connections, strengthening communities, one hour at a time.  See below for more exciting Upcoming Events and learn what Time Trade can do for you!

How Time Trade Works: You do something for someone and earn time credits for your “bank,” which you can then put towards someone else doing something for you! It’s that simple – and amazing!

This week’s fabulous listings, brought to you from the first nighta:

OFFERS (i.e. things people could do for you):

Meditation/ Visualizations etc.
Yard Work
New Parent Support
Dog Sitting in Our Home
Spanish for Travelers Class
Help with Fall and Winter Chore’s – Many T.T Reference’s
KidsPLAYce, Come and PLAY!
Vegan Raw Cookbook
Use of Dehydrator
Use of Pottery Studio by Experienced Ceramist

Vernon Artisan Market and Studio Tour

by mar | Arts

This small market and studio tour is the first of its kind in Vernon. Starting at the Vernon Town offices (at  567 Governor Hunt Rd, Vernon, VT 05354) with a marketplace of vendors offering handcrafted jewelry, paintings, quilts, jams and jellies, holiday cards, and baskets and continuing to just four open studios, this entire tour is easily visited in one afternoon. The open studios include a pottery studio, wreath maker, painter, and a furniture studio.

Bernie the Crank

by Namaya | Arts

Bernie
the Crank

Cranky leftist.

 

Equality

Economic justice

Invest in America

Build homes and jobs

Stop militarism

Health care for all.

House Honors Cheney

by tomaidh | Politics

On December 3rd, the House of Representatives unveiled a marble bust of former Vice President Cheney, which will reside in Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol. At the unveiling ceremony, Cheney was, in the playful words of NPR, “lightly roasted” — as though he’s some sort of grumpy though beloved avuncular stand-up comic. Courtesy, Glenn Greenwald.

How To Cram For The Messiah Sing, Dec. 5

by DanAxtell | Music

It’s a Wonderful Messiah Sing
Anyone who has ever sung Händel’s Messiah should come enjoy Brattleboro’s annual Messiah Sing on the first Saturday of December. You should probably cram first. I do. This post is our Saturday morning cram guide.

‘s Messiah Sing is Brattleboro at its best. It’s when everyone from our diverse music community is drawn to one place. The soloists are not boring. They’re either up-and-and coming locals or let-me-show-you-how-this-is-done professionals. For the choruses, you’ll always be near a strong singer. Brattleboro is lousy with them. You can just hum along if you’re unsure and then sing loud for the Hallelujah Raucus. If the singing stops during that dramatic rest just before the final Hallelujah, it’s wonderful and glorious. Someone ususally goofs, but there’s always next year when we’re sure to get it right. You just gotta let go on the Hallelujah Chorus. That’s the thing and ’tis the season. As the page turn will tell you, I Know That My Redeemer Liveth!

Weekend Creativity Series: The Way Things Go

by cgrotke | Creative

This week we’ll take a look at a film called Der Lauf Der Dinge, or The Way Things Go. It was an art installation/project done a while ago in a warehouse, filmed in just a couple of takes, that creates a large Rube Goldberg-style contraption out of ordinary sorts of things such as tires, trash bags, ladders, and fire.

At times it goes fast and has excitement built in, while at other times the drama comes from patiently waiting for something we know is about to happen to indeed occur.

Putney School Students Host Oxfam Hunger Banquet Benefit

by Not Signed In | Education

Where Will You Sit?

At this interactive event, the place where you sit, and the meal that you eat, are determined by the luck of the draw—just as in real life some of us are born into relative prosperity and others into poverty.

Students at The Putney School and volunteers at the Putney Foodshelf have organized an Oxfam Hunger Banquet that will take place at the Putney Central School on Westminster West Rd. in Putney on Friday, December 11 at 6 p.m. Mary Starkey, program support coordinator for Oxfam America in Boston, will be the keynote speaker and master of ceremonies.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda & Notes – December 8, 2015

by cgrotke | Town News

Say goodbye to the Vermont Yankee emergency warning sirens. The Brattleboro Selectboard plans to endorse the idea of removing them at their next regular special meeting.

They will also recap their latest impressions and feelings about the Police Fire Facilities meetings, will review departmental FY17 budgets for the Library, Assessors, Town Clerk, Finance, Fire and Planning departments, and will again discuss postponing their Windham Solid Waste Management District Budget vote. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during Public Participation.

Watch on BCTV and read all about it here after the meeting.

Brattleboro Committee Meetings and Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Energy Committee will meet on Monday, December 7, 2015 at 5:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

The Brattleboro Arts Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 4:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 7:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

Thank You, Time Trade!

by Brattleboro Time Trade | Family

Dear Brattleboro Time Trade,

I am writing to thank you for the BTT scholarship which provided myself and my family access to BTT Membership. I am a single mother of four young children and would not be able to join BTT and benefit from its work coordinating time exchange within our community without this scholarship. I look forward to finding the help I need within the BTT community and the extensive services it’s members offer while being able to offer my time without the burden of financial exchange. Thank you for providing this opportunity to myself and the many area families in need.

Sincerely,

Busy Mother of Four

West Brattleboro Association Holiday Party Is December 14th

by WBA | Town News

On Monday, December 14, at 6:00 pm, the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) will host its annual Holiday Party at The New England House, 254 Marlboro Road. This is a time for people and businesses in West Brattleboro to get together socially and to celebrate the Association’s numerous accomplishments in this past year. The evening will feature a cash bar with hors d’oeuvres prepared by the restaurant. The WBA suggests a voluntary donation of $5 toward the food, although no one will be turned away.

 In addition to this being a time to enjoy each other at this festive season, there will be a couple of short presentations.  The Association’s board president Michael Bosworth will give a brief “state of the Association” report after which the group will present the West Brattleboro Community Leader of the Year to a deserving person or entity. Come to our party to help us celebrate this worthy recipient! Previous winners have been Bill and Judy Daley of the Vermont Country Deli,  Ahmad and Kat Rashed of Rashed’s Garden Center, the staff and board of the Brattleboro Housing Authority, and Todd Darrah of the Chelsea Royal Diner, each for their many contributions to our community.

Brattleboro Committee Vacancies

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro is looking for citizens to serve on the following committees and boards:

Agricultural Advisory Board
ADA Advisory Committee
Arts Committee
Citizens Police Communications Committee (CPCC)
Conservation Commission
Development Review Board Alternate

Testament of Santa Claus, 1881

by cgrotke | History

Ever wonder where Santa buys his watches, clocks, jewelry and plated wares? In Brattleboro, of course, at the store owned by U. W. Frink at 10 Main Street, opposite the Brooks House. You’ll recognize it by the gilt letters on the door.

This clever ad appeared in December of 1881 in the Vermont Phoenix. Instead of simply listing items for sale, it comes in the form of a testimonial from Santa Claus himself who explains that Mr. Frink is reliable and offers free engraving.

Mr. Claus, we are informed, will make Mr. Frink’s his headquarters for the holidays.