BRATTLEBORO UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD
53 Green Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
www.wssu.k12.vt.us
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The BAMS Committee will meet at 7:45 a.m. on Monday, December 16 in BAMS Conference Room.
One of the great things about Brattleboro is the abundance of locally produced media including, for those of us who love music, independent community radio station WVEW. This year, WVEW has been especially wonderful with many new shows featuring a wide variety of music including jazz, R&B, vintage American pop, indie rock, blues, reggae, avant garde, and much more. At the risk of sounding a bit hackneyed, there is truly something for everyone. Check it out and see.
Independent radio is a treasure and if you want it to continue, it helps to support it as they rely on membership, donations, and underwriting for their funding. Now would be an especially good time to support them as their annual fundraiser is Friday night (December 13) at the Backside Cafe from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Just buy a drink at the bar and you’ll be supporting the station. Drop a check or some cash into their donation jar and you’ll do even more to make sure their great programming continues.
Strolling of the Heifers has announced three more brown bag lunch events at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden in downtown Brattleboro, to take place during the week of December 16.
Each event is from noon to 1 p.m. and is free, open to the public, and indoors. People are encouraged to bring a lunch from home or a local takeout restaurant, and to enjoy it at one of the River Garden’s café tables.
On Monday, Dec. 16, Scott Hurley performs classical piano. Scott is a student at the Brattleboro Music Center studying with Bruce Griffin. He has produced a CD which he is selling to support his further education as a yoga teacher.
Orthopaedic surgeons Elizabeth McLarney, MD, Jon Thatcher, MD, and William Vranos, MD, announce they have joined the BMH Physician Group, changing their practice from Southern Vermont Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine to BMH Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Their office location remains the same at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s Richards Building, First Floor, 17 Belmont Avenue, but their phone number has changed to 802-251-8611.
It’s been very encouraging to read about all the recent arrests of people stealing things from cars in Brattleboro. Our officers seem to be going above and beyond to keep the community safe, and I can’t express my gratitude enough.
A few days ago, I was the victim of yet another theft in town, and the officer who handled my case showed exemplary professionalism and courtesy. Even though it didn’t happen to one of the wealthy elite, and he probably has a ton of things on his plate to deal with, he was very respectful, handled business, and brought resolution to the case within a matter of days. Thanks to his good work, there’s now yet another scumbag with a mile long rapsheet off our streets, and our community is a little safer.
Today I received two calls -both on my cell phone – both looking for medical information. The first- from # 767 – 275-9061-was from someplace called ” National Medical Audits”. The second – about 2 hours later- was from # 356-490-5697. and from “US Medical Associates” Both calls were obviously from call centers – there was a lot of background noise-and both times the caller was a man with a very pronounced Indian accent.
I was updating our Day in History listings and came across something that might astound and amaze you.
In 1875, according to the Vermont Phoenix, Brattleboro’s total expenses for the year were estimated at about $7,000. To compare, in 2015 our expenses are projected to be just under $17 million.
To be fair, they had just added a major expense to the Brattleboro budget in 1875 – streetlights, at a cost of $1,000 per year. Without them, the amount spent would have been lower.
Residents at the time voted to lay a tax of 40 cents on the dollar of the grand list to cover the cost of running the town.
Kurn Hattin Homes for Children’s Music Director, Lisa Bianconi, got the thrill of a lifetime last week when she learned that she is one of only 10 finalists for the inaugural Grammy Music Educator award. Bianconi received the call from the Grammy Foundation while at work at on Friday, letting her know the good news and telling her to tune in to the televised Grammy Nomination Concert to watch the official announcement live on CBS Friday night. The 10 finalists, from 10 cities across eight states receive $1,000 and a matching honorarium for their schools. One winner will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 56th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014.
Join 5:45 Live from Pliny Park in downtown for a special Holiday Gallery Walk edition that includes BaBB’s annual tree-lighting ceremony, the Governor’s million-dollar trip Brattleboro, the Safe & Green campaigns SafStor expert panel on VY’s decommissioning, and much much more.
It appears that spying on citizens is impacting bottom lines. Today, major tech companies released the following letter.
….
Dear Mr. President and Members of Congress,
We understand that governments have a duty to protect their citizens. But this summer’s revelations highlighted the urgent need to reform government surveillance practices worldwide. The balance in many countries has tipped too far in favor of the state and away from the rights of the individual — rights that are enshrined in our Constitution. This undermines the freedoms we all cherish. It’s time for a change.
BCTV Ch.8 Schedule for the week of 12-9-13
Monday December 9
12:00 am Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program
1:29 am Cuban Bridge Music Program -Episode 15
2:00 am FSTV Overnight
4:00 am Vermont Arts Summit – Plenary One
5:05 am The Modern Grass Quintet at the Valley Stage Music Fest
Did anyone else get sick after eating carrot soup at the Cotton Mill Open House on Sunday? I’m sick as a dog, and trying to figure out if it’s food poisoning or a virus.
Come ride this weekend to support the Putney Foodshelf. This time of year all of the folks at the Putney Foodshelf can use our help as they try to make sure everyone is well provided for during the holiday season. They will be upping their efforts over the next few weeks to see that no one in need. On Sautrday 14th and Sunday 15th, Hot Wheelz Cycle Studio is hoping to fill the house, not only with riders, but with some great donations of food items as well.
The foodshelf is in need of a variety of non-perishable items, such as healthy canned goods. A general rule of thumb is to try to donate only sutff that you would eat yourself and that isn’t out of date.
Brattleboro, Vt. Dec. 8th,
1863.
Dearest wife –
I have but a little time and you will have to put up with a short letter this time. The box came safely to hand. I found that it was at the express office and asked for a pass. Capt. Brannon says “write one”. It is signed in a minute (That is the way I get them now) got a wheel barrow and trotted off, brought it up all right. That cheese will be good. It will be first rate. Our bread is nice now. I have eaten beans until I have had enough of them but still they come. There was one parcel that had not been opened, directed to you. When I opened it, Lo and behold: there was 1 pair of mittens two pair of socks and two pair of little mittens. Well, I tell you I thought of the little hands they were made to cover. The things were all right. What shall I do with the little mittens? Shall I send them by mail, or wait until I get a chance to send them up with some person coming down.
If you are thinking about buying a car between now and January 2, 2014 consider Brattleboro Subaru. Brattleboro Subaru’s Share The Love promotion will donate$100 to any local charity, cause, or person of your choice in addition to the $250 that Subaru donates to a national charity. Please consider directing your donation to the Windham County Heat Fund.
Brattleboro Police are looking for the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed a pedestrian on Western Avenue near Union Street around 7:00 Friday night. The vehicle involved had left the scene before emergency crews arrived. The name of the victim has not yet been released. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 257-7950 or the TIPSLINE at 251-8188.
Vermont-grown Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes are currently for sale by the Brattleboro Rotary Club in front of Brattleboro Bowl on Putney Road. Sale hours are Monday-Thursday 11-7; Friday 11-6 and Saturday-Sunday 10-6.
All trees are $40 with proceeds supporting the club’s annual local student scholarship awards.
The Brattleboro Rotary Club offers the following tips to keep your Christmas tree fresh.
• Once you and your Christmas tree have safely returned home, make a fresh cut across the bottom of the trunk, to open up the pores in the wood, allowing it to absorb water readily
Bring your two- and four-legged friends to Paws for Prevention at Achille Agway in Brattleboro, this Sunday 11am-3pm to have a professional photo taken in a festive holiday scene. You will receive your photo in digital format which can be used for a variety of customized and unique holiday gifts. Photos taken at the event will be automatically entered (unless you opt out) in the contest with a chance to win up to $150! Bring your best smile, your family, your pets – bring the whole gang to Paws for Prevention this Sunday! Visit the website for more information. We look forward to seeing you there!
Guilford, VT–Guilford Community Church’s annual Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday, December 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Handmade crafts of all kinds will be for sale, as well as decorated wreaths, baked goods, holiday sweets, specialty cookie platters, and a wide variety of white elephant items.
