Minority Rules in Government and COVID

by RDavis | Health

It’s bad enough that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his band of idol-worshipping Trumpies are controlling much of what goes on in congress, but many of their supporters around the country are also in control of the course of COVID.

Federal politics has always been less than representative of the will of the people and that kind of imbalance has increased over the last few years. Even though Democrats have a slim majority in the Senate they have great difficulty passing any significant legislation because of issues like the filibuster and the need for 60 votes for bill passage. This situation has all but crippled the body politic and it will continue for the foreseeable future.

That future is starting to look at little grimmer when it comes to COVID in this country. A minority of Americans are determining the course of COVID because of their refusal to get vaccinated. The unvaccinated are not a monolithic group but it seems clear that states that lean Republican and places that have bought into the Trump lies have the lowest vaccination rates.

Summer Woodworking Classes at HatchSpace

by HatchSpace | Creative

HatchSpace is offering several woodworking classes for both beginners and experienced woodworkers.

Mastering the Card Scraper with Tom Bodett: In this 2.5-hour workshop, Tom Bodett shares his passion for woodworking and especially the Card Scraper – a simple and effective tool for creating a beautiful finish on wood.   Tom will cover how to use the Card Scraper and how to keep it sharp.  Each participant will receive a card scraper and the tools to keep it sharp – a diamond stone and burnisher.  Offered on July 17 and August 14.

Intermediate Lathe Techniques: An introduction to face-turning techniques on the lathe, with master wood turner Jeff Bower.  This 3-hour direct learning experience focuses on tools and techniques to create a wide-variety of simple forms. Includes safety, setup, design, and tool selection to take the mystery out of turning and inspire your creativity.  Previous lathe experience is required.  Offered on July 25 and August 1.

Help Us Understand Housing Needs in Brattleboro

by planning | Town Plan

The Town of Brattleboro is conducting a housing survey to help the Town and its partners create housing solutions to address pressing housing needs. Your contribution to the study of housing needs is very important. Findings from the survey will be incorporated into a Housing Action Plan that is expected to be completed this fall. Take the survey at http://tinyurl.com/brattleborohousing. In addition to residents of Brattleboro, property owners and those who would like to live in Brattleboro but have had trouble finding housing are encouraged to take the survey.

Brattleboro Celebration Planned for the Resumption of Amtrak Service

by Not Signed In | Travel

The Vermont Agency of Transportation has announced the resumption of Amtrak Service to Vermont beginning on July 19, 2021. A celebration is planned for Monday, July 19 at 12:45pm to be held on the green adjacent to the Connecticut River, across from Whetstone Station restaurant. The festivities are provided by the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance (DBA) and will include free gelato and a performance by a local band, the Detrani Brothers. The event is free and the public is welcome. An official from Operation Lifesaver of Vermont will be on hand to give a brief talk on train safety, and other local dignitaries will also address those in attendance.

New Interactive Weather Map for iBrattleboro

by Lise | iBrattleboro
iBrattleboro Weather Map

As Tropical Storm Elsa wends her way up the coast, it seems as good a time as any to point out our new weather feature — an interactive weather map! We’re very happy with the new functionality, having lost access to the National Weather Service maps about a year ago.

Before telling you more about the map and its many features, here’s how to find it: go to the iBrattleboro Weather Page and scroll down past the forecast and weather links where you’ll find it labeled Weather Map and Radar. There she blows, and isn’t she a beauty?

HatchSpace Re-Opens with Summer Woodworking Programs

by HatchSpace | Creative

HatchSpace, a non-profit 501(c)(3) community organization, re-opens in its new location at 22 High Street in Brattleboro, Vermont starting in early June. Summer classes and workshops will include an intensive beginning woodworking course with Gail Grycel, along with workshops on making a tile top end table, a Shaker Bench with guest instructor Tim Clark, intermediate woodturning with guest instructor Jeff Bower, carving with Noriko Isogai, bending wood with steam with Blake Johnson, intro to CNC with Gail Fletcher, designing your vision, using a card scraper with HatchSpace founder Tom Bodett, along with many others. For more info, see the complete course list at hatchspace.org or email info@hatchspace.org

“Here We Are” Brattleboro’s Community Talk Show

by Wendy O'Connell | Media

This week’s Guest: BILLIE SLADE, Green Mountain Camp for Girls, Executive Director

One of the coolest summer camps in Vermont, BILLIE SLADE is at the heart and helm of the Green Mountain Camp for Girls, right here in Dummerston. Tune in to hear great stories about this historic camp, 104 years old & going stronger than ever!

Selectboard Meeting Notes – The Dam Plan

by cgrotke | Town News
Brattleboro selecboard july 6

The first “hybrid” meeting using a combination of in-person and zoom participants had no real technical issues to speak of, but many interesting details to discern.

Big news was the agreement being worked out with owners of the nearby Connecticut River dams. They will be changing their operations to create a more natural water flow, which is good news for the river banks, all sorts of critters, recreation, and even the company’s plans for the future.

New land use amendments were approved, as was a mural project. The board also heard of two new places in town to get drinks more easily – Retreat Farm and craft experiment at the River Garden.

$1 Amtrak Fares, Special Events in Vermont To Celebrate Return of Trains

by cgrotke | Travel

This is a bit of fun news for train lovers.

“Amtrak and the Vermont Agency of Transportation welcome back Vermont’s beloved Amtrak trains – the Vermonter and the Ethan Allen Express – for full service beginning on July 19. Celebratory events will be held 45 minutes before the trains are scheduled to arrive at all stations in Vermont. To complement these events, $1 fares are being offered for travel on July 19 within Vermont so that attendees can cap off their participation with an Amtrak train ride.

Brattleboro VFW Breakfast/Lunch Info. Public Welcome to All Meals

by LisaL | Food

Breakfast Wednesday at the Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road from 6am-10am. Special is a 3 egg western omelette with toast for $7.50. (Ham, onions and green peppers) Public welcome, as are to-go’s by calling 802-257-0438. Scott and Lou cooking.

Thursday July 8th lunch special will be stuffed pork with mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and roll.

BCTV Schedules – Week of July 5, 2021

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1075 schedule for the week of 7/5/21

Monday, July 5, 2021

4:05 am GMALL Lectures – The Art Of Bees
5:30 am The News Project – Press Pass – 6/4/21
6:00 am Brattleboro Rallies – Rally in Support of our Asian American Community 5/18/21
6:50 am The News Project – BOMA Set To Build
7:00 am Brattleboro Gallery Walk – Zara Bode’s Little Big Band

Public Awareness of Deadly Racist History versus Celebratory Feelings for Birth of Slave Owners USA

by jay janson | Op/Ed

A lot has happened since the July 4th Independence Day celebrations of 2020 when yours truly saw published:
Not All Americans Celebrate the Birth of a Racist Slave Owning USA Homicidal at Home Genocidal Abroad
Prominently placed statues of famous racists are no longer acceptable, just as policemen shooting African Americans has finally become unacceptable. Why not dispense with the far out illusion of a racist colonial capitalist USA being worth celebrating.’

June nineteenth is now a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda & Notes – July 6, 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

At their first meeting in July, the Brattleboro Selectboard will make it easier to buy liquor downtown and at Retreat Farm with the granting of two new liquor licenses. They will also buy pick-up trucks, approve a new mural for a parking lot, contemplate repairs on the Elliot Street bridge, adopt new Land Use regulations, discuss their summer meeting schedule, review their goals, approve of dams, and more.

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

WSESD Social Justice Committee Agenda and Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER – 4:00 p.m. – Thomas Nolan

II. Approval of Minutes – May 26, 2021

III. Discuss Strategies for Ensuring that a Wide, Diverse Field of Candidates is Interviewed for the Superintendent Position

IV. Discuss How the Chosen Candidate can Verifiably Deliver a Diverse Workforce as a Necessary Condition of the Position