Homelessness Marathon News, Ground Reports, Observations & Comments Open Thread

by Norsehorse | News & Information

Am initiating this  news, ground reports, observations and comments open thread in the hope that there will be those who either had been present or viewed the video coverage or otherwise listened into the audio during the broadcast and will share their observations and opinions with the rest of us.

For my part, due to various reasons (including technical difficulties and the like experienced on my end), I only managed to be able to listen in to certain portions of the broadcast and it appears news coverage might be sparse or otherwise somewhat late in coming; not to mention about how personal accounts can sometimes be more enlightening and interesting as well.

150 Years Ago (1864 2/20)

by BusyMom | History

Feb. 20. 1864. Yesterday I did not finish this, for I did not get any opportunity to write until evening. Then I had a hard head ache and turned in early. The cold weather hangs on yet, though the morning is most pleasant. I feel first rate. I was bluer yesterday than two whetstones, but my feet, head and heart are light. I feel first rate, but the heart goes out towards another that I should like to feel beating right against my own.

I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of February 23rd, 2014

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

I-91

Northbound I-91 traffic has been relocated onto the southbound bridge. Traffic will remain reduced to one lane in each direction on I-91 until completion of the new bridge in the Fall of 2015.

Weather permitting, night work will be conducted Sunday night, February 23rd through Friday night, February 28th.

Route 30

The speed limit on Route 30 near the work zone has been reduced to 40 mph. This reduction will remain in effect through the Fall of 2015.

Project-related truck activity on Route 30 will continue. Route 30 will be reduced to a single lane intermittently both day and night, with flaggers regulating traffic within the work zone.

Brattleboro Town School District – Notice of Availability of Auditors’ Report

by Not Signed In | Education

Notice is hereby given that the Brattleboro Town School District Auditors’ Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, is available upon request and may be picked up at the Brattleboro Town Clerk’s office, 230 Main Street, Brattleboro, Vermont, or the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union (WSESU) Central Office, 53 Green Street, Brattleboro, Vermont.

Persons interested in obtaining a copy of said Auditors’ Report should contact the Brattleboro Town Clerk (251-8157) or the WSESU Central Office (254-3730). Copies are available on the WSESU website: www.wssu.k12.vt.us or for pick up, and may be transmitted electronically or sent via first class mail.

Sanders Testifies at Statehouse on Education

by Not Signed In | Education

MONTPELIER, Vt., Feb. 19 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) provided an overview on federal education policy in testimony today at the Statehouse before the Vermont House and Senate education committees.

Sanders, a member of the Senate education committee, focused on ways to expand pre-kindergarten and make college more affordable.

“There is perhaps no issue more important than how we educate our youth,” Sanders said. “I am very concerned that, on many levels, we are failing our youth. We must do away with the archaic notion that education begins at 4 or 5 years old. For far too long, our society has undervalued the need for high-quality and widely accessible early childhood education.”

Safety Tip of the Week – Driving

by acharkes | Other

Driving – It’s a privlege, not a right.

When parking, don’t block sidewalks. Pedestrians and those in wheelchairs need to get through, so when you park a car, pay attention to keeping the sidewalk (or crosswalk) free.

5th Annual Brattleboro Rotary Club “International Film & Food Festival” Set for March 2nd

by cohnpr | Entertainment

The Brattleboro Rotary Club is raising money to help upgrade the radio station KILI, a non-profit radio station broadcasting to the Lakota people on the Pine Ridge, Cheyenne River, and Rosebud Indian Reservations, part of the Great Sioux Nation in South Dakota.

On Sunday, March 2, 2014, from 4-8PM at the New England Youth Theatre, the Brattleboro Rotary Club will be sponsoring the fifth annual “International Film & Food Festival,” with proceeds benefiting KILI which serves 30,000 people on the three reservations and seeks to preserve Native American culture and instill pride in the peoples’ unique heritage.

Lucy Terry Prince & “The Black Man in Song” includes Local History

by fomag | Arts

Guilford, Vt. – On Saturday, February 22, at 3:00 p.m., Friends of Music at Guilford presents “Lucy Terry Prince & The Black Man in Song” at Guilford Community Church (snow date: Feb. 23). Co-sponsored by Guilford Historical Society, this Black History Month event includes a talk by Linda Hecker on early Guilford resident Lucy Terry Prince (1730-1821) and a concert of works by ten African-American composers featuring tenor Irwin Reese and pianist Julia Bady.

African-born Lucy Terry grew up as a slave in the Ebenezer Wells household of Deerfield, Massachusetts. Considered the earliest African-American literary figure, she authored a poem about a 1746 Indian attack on Deerfield that was handed down orally for many years before its first publication. She married Abijah Prince, a free Black man from nearby Northfield, and raised a large family on land they bought in Guilford, Vermont. Lucy’s skills as an orator were legendary.

Poet Federico Garcia Lorca in Vermont

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

Because of snow (again!) the Garcia Lorca program scheduled for Wednesday evening has been postponed to Saturday, Feb. 22, at 3:00 p.m. in the meeting room. See you then!

Please join independent scholar, Patricia Billingsley for a richly illustrated slide talk with vintage photos, maps, and other related images about the friendship between Spanish poet Federico García Lorca and Vermont poet Philip Cummings in the Library’s meeting room.

Deconstruction Works Growing; Tag Sale This Saturday 9-12

by Deconstruction Works | Business

Deconstruction Works, a local deconstruction services provider, has been performing partial- and whole-house deconstruction for several months now.  In an exciting development, 4 founding member-owners have agreed to formally incorporate the firm as a member-owned cooperative. 

The team includes Tom Shea (formerly with ReSource, a Burlington based non-profit deconstruction services provider), Randy Bright (of ForNora Energy Solutions, which will continue to exist and grow), Erich Kruger (formerly with  ReNew Salvage & Ithaca-based  Finger Lakes ReUse) and Michael Weitzner (of Thistle Stone Works). Projects are currently underway in Dummerston, Newfane, and Brattleboro.  In the spring they will be dismantling a 4000 sq ft house in Tinmouth, Vermont.

Selectboard Meeting Notes: Utility Rates, Bus Changes, and Turnaround Tension

by cgrotke | Town News

Should we cut lose the library or recreation department? Find a new management model? The Brattleboro Selectboard’s discussion of a municipal hiring pause led to talk of rethinking town government and services on a grand scale, at least for a short while Tuesday evening.

Utility rates have been calculated and announced, Connecticut River Transit encourages public comment on proposed changes to their routes and schedules, a new turnaround in the location of the old turnaround on New England Drive raised concerns by a property owner, and many grants were on the agenda, leading to a varied and busy evening for the board.

Train Your Brain!

by northeastpni | Health

Where are my keys?  What is that person’s name?  Why did I come into this room?

Sound familiar?  Want to do something about it?

The latest brain research has reached such popular publications as National Geographic and AARP Magazine.  It has scientifically revealed that our mind-body connections can have a positive influence on our memory.  The faculty at Brattleboro-based NEPNI (the Northeast Psycho-Neuro-Immunology Institute) has extensively explored much of this evidence-based brain research and wants to share it with you.

150 Years Ago (1864 2/18)

by BusyMom | History

U.S. Barracks, Brattleboro, Feb. 18,
1864.

Dearest Abiah,

Well, here I am in the old spot all well and sound. Went on guard yesterday morning, it was horrible. The wind blew so that the old guard house cracked. It kept growing colder all day. I slept until half past two, then took charge of the guards until 8, but it was quite different from standing on post. I feel much better doing something than in staying in the office, but I have a nice chance to think sitting up alone. How much I thought of home you may guess. That is a place that is ever present with me. How the heart will yearn to embrace you and the children. I feel great anxiety for you all. I am afraid that your health will suffer taking so close care of the children.

Chile Human Rights Arts Project. B4 Peace

by Namaya | Arts

Human Rights Arts Project in Chile by Namaya, Zoe Kopp, & B 4 Peace Team

The Vermont based artist and poet Namaya,and Zoe Kopp the Program Director for B4 Peace presented a multimedia performance art project at a Peace Park  in Santiago Chile from December 21 through the January 21, 2014t.  “MEMORIA. HABLAR.DIGNIDAD. 40,” to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the coup d’etat on September 11, 1973 that lead to eighteen years of a brutal dictatorship. 

Starry Mountain Singers at Sandglass Theater

by SandglassTheater | Music

Don’t miss this rare treat!  On Friday evening, The Starry Mountain Singers (featuring members of the beloved Sweetback Sisters) will grace the Sandglass stage with their gorgeous and intoxicating harmonies!

 

Friday, February 21st, 7:30 pm

Suggested Donation $10 – $15

At Sandglass Theater

17 Kimball Hill, Putney, VT

to make reservations (highly recommended!)
By Email: stefanamidon@gmail.com
or by phone: 718-916-1544

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 2/17/14

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV CH.8 Schedule for the week of 2-17-14

                   Monday February 17

1:30 am       Nuclear Free Future: Talking with Maggie Gunderson

2:00 am       FSTV Overnight

4:00 am       Tar Sands Exposed – Exploring the Human and Environmental Costs

6:15 am       Ray Shadis: Nuclear Decommissioning Outcomes

8:00 am       Democracy Now!: LIVE coverage

9:00 am       Agape Christian Fellowship: Mind Your Morals