The Panominousican

by spinoza | Creative

When Jeremy Bentham, in the 18th century, devised his ingenious architectural structure to revolutionize detention, little did he know that his idea would infiltrate every aspect of society. The simple premise of a central eye which sees everything, yet itself remains unseen, may have had a precedent in religious order, but aside from the Illuminati symbol which later appears atop the American dollar bill, no such mechanism was actually in place in any edifice near or far.

The Panopticon was designed to change schools, hospitals, asylum, and all manner of buildings committed to reform. However, execution was impractical, and its realization hardly employed.

I Come To Bury Representative Town Meeting, Not Run For It

by Glenn | Op/Ed

How is Representative Town Meeting (RTM) better than the “normal” open Town Meeting that every other Vermont town uses?

Taken on its own merits in a vacuum, RTM is a fine concept. But we don’t live in a vacuum; we live in the state of Vermont. If there were 30 people running for 14 seats, and there were platforms and discussions and a system of accountability between representative and those being represented, then it would be great – but we have 14 people running for 30 seats and it’s not clear who’s representing what. If there were so many people attending Town Meeting that it was impractical to allow everyone to participate in a Robert’s Rules style meeting, then I can see where RTM would be a good alternative – but space doesn’t seem to be an issue.

Brown & Roberts Year-End Sale — Gone!

by DonInGuilford | Opinion

When it was announced that Brown & Roberts Hardware was being sold, my first thought was, “there goes the year-end sale.”  I shop at B&R year-round of course, but I especially liked the pre-inventory sale which, for decades, was held between Christmas and New Years.  The fact that everything in the store was discounted a bit was fun for the wallet, but I also enjoyed saving up a list of  things, often as mundane as a certain size of wood screw, a kitchen utensil, some glue, a weird wattage light bulb, which I could have bought at any time but didn’t seem to get around to.  Then on around December 27 I’d go in and load up on cool, mostly useful, stuff, surrounded by other afficiandos doing the same.

New Route for Amtrak

by tomaidh | Travel

Trains will now stop in Greenfield and Northampton instead of Amherst. This project replaces the Palmer backup move and combined with already completed work in Vermont and work in Connecticut to be completed by 2016, will take an hour and a half off the schedule.

The faster running times are not yet evident.  Seven separate slow orders remain on the new line as construction is finished up.  Rather than try to run the new schedule while it’s not yet achievable, Amtrak has kept the running times in Vermont the same for the time being and will introduce the new schedule in the spring.  Trains will leave Vermont points about half an hour later than they do now and arrive about half an hour earlier in the evening.  Top speed in Massachusetts will be 79 mph.

Miracle on Westervelt Avenue

by SK-B | Spiritual

Grace had just turned 5 one day before Christmas Eve, and Eve would be two the day after Christmas. It was 40 years ago. 

We had been reading chapter books, one chapter each night. It was time to pick up our current book, Wind In The Willows. Tonight happened to be Christmas Eve, but the coincidence of our having come to the chapter about Rat an Mole’s Christmas Eve celebration did not dawn on us… at least not at first. 

()

I read about how Mole and Rat had finally found Mole’s cozy home under the snow, and were setting in comfortably when they heard voices outside:

Happy Holidays 2014

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

I’m hoping you are getting some warmth, food, and rest in the coming days. Perhaps a present or two, too.

With holidays and such, things may slightly slower around here for the next week or so. We’ll be checking in and making sure things get posted, but we’re also going to try to enjoy some time with the family.

A big thank you to everyone who adds their thoughts, comments, news, and events to iBrattleboro. A big thanks to all our wonderful advertisers, as well. Click on their ads and ennjoy their services.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at 7:00am in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center. It is anticipated that the Board will enter into executive session at approximately 9:00am to discuss the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

Vermont Veterans’ Home on VA Priority List for $1 Million Grant

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Dec.22 – U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today welcomed a Department of Veterans Affairs announcement that the state-run Vermont Veterans’ Home in Bennington is in line for a nearly $1 million federal matching grant.

The Bennington facility is on the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs’ priority list for construction grants during the coming year.

“I am committed to working with the state and the VA to ensure the veterans’ home can make these much-needed repairs,” said Sanders. “The men and women who have served our country in uniform deserve quality care in a safe home.”

Accident This Evening on 119 & Old Brattleboro Road

by Robyn Flatley | Police & Fire

My partner witnessed an accident on Brattleboro Road- 119 and Old Brattleboro Road this evening at twilight. If he hadn’t slowed down he would have been involved. But he saw a car driving really fast down Old Brattleboro Road and that made him cautious. Then he heard the impact and then… 

We don’t know if everyone survived the accident. One car was on it’s roof and partly up a tree. I hope it was not a terrible as it looked. 

Robyn Flatley

Brattleboro Christmas Holiday Schedule

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of the Christmas holiday, all Brattleboro Town offices will close at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, December 24, and will be closed all day Thursday, December 25, 2014, with the exception of emergency services. The offices will resume normal hours on Friday, December 26.

Brooks Memorial Library will close at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, December 24 and will be closed on Thursday, December 25. It will resume normal hours on Friday, December 26.

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 12/22/14

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Ch.8 schedule for the week of 12/22/14

Monday, December 22, 2014

12:00 am 2014 Statewide Housing Conference: Intro to Affordable Housing

1:20 am Ending Marijuana Prohibition: Should Vermont Lead or Follow?

2:40 am TED Talks: Pico Iyer: The Art of Stillness

3:00 am At BML: Mark Pokras, DVM – The Wildlife Vet Returns

5:05 am 2014 Veterans Day Remembrance

Where Does The Story End?

by cgrotke | Creative

I was noticing how different various classic Christmas tales would be if the ending was chopped off. The carefully crafted endings to the favorite tales are crucial to us enjoying the story and coming back to it year after year.

The ending is typically where the lesson is learned, growth occurs, good overcomes evil, and so on. Not if you lob off the ending, though.

Here are some examples:

Look to the Skies

by Not Signed In | Entertainment

For any skeptics and scoffers out there, I would say that you should consider looking to the skies tonight, sometime after 6 PM. Our best psychics on the faculty at the University of Brattleboro, (the Oldest Non-Existent University in New England) when the UFAUXs are expected to materialize, somewhere above Elliot or Flat Street.

Weekend Concert Series: Frank & Bing

by cgrotke | Entertainment

Seems like time to feature some Frank and Bing singing Christmas songs, in glorious “something-color.”

Classic haircuts, suits, and decorations are part of what makes this a fun holiday special that, for some reason, never made it to classic status. Maybe we can give it a boost 60 + years later.

WVEW-lp Is Back Broadcasting Over The Air at 107.7FM

by Stevil | Media

Brattleboro Community Radio has resumed its over the air broadcasts,  thanks to a huge effort by a number of people who pulled, pushed, encourgaed, gave hope, and worked together in a fashion that reminds us why we live here and have a Community radio station.

You can once again tune us in locally at 107.7fm, or listen to our webcast at wvew.org

Milking the Moment: Dairy Cow Takes Center Stage in Brattleboro Savings & Loan’s Holiday Marketing

by Not Signed In | Business

When photographer Kelly Fletcher set out to capture images in and around Brattleboro, Vt., to help promote Brattleboro Savings & Loan’s new Local Rewards checking account, she expected beautiful New England vistas and great personal moments of people enjoying their community.

Indeed, the project brought her to various locations in Brattleboro, from eateries to retail establishments to rooftops, where she captured scenic panoramas. But Fletcher’s favorite stop was Miller Farm, an organic milk farm in Vernon, Vt., with 160 cows-in-residence owned and operated by Pete and Angela Miller, Art and Judy Miller, and Keith and Tina Franklin and their families.