Sanders Statement on VA

by Not Signed In | Politics

WASHINGTON, May 5 – Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement today after the American Legion called for the resignation of Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki:

“Serious allegations have been made regarding waiting lists at the Phoenix VA. Secretary Shinseki has done the right thing by calling for an immediate investigation of those allegations by the independent Office of Inspector General. I have promised to hold hearings on this issue as soon as we have the facts. While it might be temporarily satisfying to call for firing someone, it doesn’t get us any closer to the truth or solve problems that may exist.

150 Years Ago (1864 4/30)

by BusyMom | History

(Just a printed form)

FREE MILITARY SCHOOL

FOR Applicants for COMMAND of COLORED TROOPS,-

1210 Chestnut St.

John H. Taggart, Preceptor, (late Col. 12th P.R.V.C.)

Philadelphia, April 30, 1864.

Please Help Me Figure Out This Riddle

by Cris Ericson | Op/Ed

Please help me solve this riddle.  If the U.S. Air Force wants to base F-35 fighter jets in Burlington, Vermont because they will be close enough to New York City and Boston to protect them in the event of and attack, then HOW does bombing New York City or Boston with nuclear bombs deployed by F-35 strike fighter jets help NYC or Boston? If you bomb a terrorist in NYC or Boston with a nuclear bomb, aren’t you doing more harm than the terrorist?

Citizen Journalism Research Study Survey – Professor Asks For iBrattleboro Users Input

by cgrotke | iBrattleboro

Kirsten A. Johnson, Ph.D., an Associate Professor at the Department of Communications at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pa, has a request. She’s doing research about citizen journalism efforts around the country and would like your views as users and contributors to this site. The more responses she gets, the more accurate the results can be. We filled out our survey, and she followed up and asked us to invite you and share the link.

Westminster West Plant Sale on May 31

by Not Signed In | Home & Garden

The Westminster West School invites you to its annual (and much anticipated!) spring plant sale, on Saturday, May 31 from 9am – 1pm. Come early for the best selection, including a wide variety of annuals, perennials, and vegetable starts from some of the area’s finest gardeners and farmers.

Free Public Talk and Tour of a Straw Bale Timber Frame Home Under Construction

by CarlyC | Home & Garden

Dear Neighbors,

My partner Chad Mathrani and I would like to invite you to tour the Straw Bale Timber Frame home we are building in West Brattleboro. This will happen during the straw bale installation and plastering phases in July. Throughout the tour we will share samples of natural non-toxic material options, field questions, and discuss natural building.

Space is limited, so we ask that you reserve a spot. To do so, or to be put on a list to receive information about other talks and tours, please send an email to info@vermontnaturalhomes.com

I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Alternate Route for the West River Trail

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

An alternate route for the West River Trail that provides recreational use of the trail near the construction access road has been opened at the Marina Trailhead. Signage has been installed providing clear direction to recreational users of the trail. There are intersections between construction access and the trail; users are strongly encouraged to exercise extreme caution at these intersections. As an additional safety precaution, users of the West River Trail are reminded to keep pets on a leash when using the trail in this area.

Only 15 Voters Attend First Daytime Town Meeting in Brattleboro, 1893

by cgrotke | History

We often curse low turnout at the polls. “How could it be that only 1,200 people came out to vote?” we ask, usually when the vote goes against us. Why can’t it be like the olden days, where everyone turned out to participate in civic affairs?

Here’s a story from May 5, 1893 Phoenix about the incredibly low turnout for the first town meeting to be held in the daytime. – there were more election officers in the room than citizens. Maybe our numbers aren’t so bad?

Frost, Elm, Elliot Neighbors – DIG IN

by Rabiah | Home & Garden

On Thursday, May 8th, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, the F.E.E.T. Neighbors will be hosting a meeting at the Elliot Street Cafe to discuss ways to beautify the neighborhood with Gardens. If you live or work in or near this area, please join us. We would love any support in gardening throughout the neighborhood and everyone is welcome. If you have seeds, or gardening advice to share, please come! And if you have no experience gardening, you are also welcome.

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 5/5/14

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Ch.8 Schedule for the week of 5/5/14

Monday May 5              

12:00 am      Will Miller Social Justice Lectures: Native Rights v. Tar Sands

1:30 am       Hunger Free VT: Medical Professionals and Hunger in VT

2:00 am       FSTV Overnight

4:00 am       Jericho Historical Society: Who Was Here First

Municipal Power Generation In and Around Bratttleboro

by tomaidh | Sci-Tech

Municipalities and public agencies across America (and elsewhere) are investing in renewable energy generation to offset some of the costs of purchased energy. A penny saved, is a penny earned, and we’re not talking about pennies! At times, these efforts result in surplus energy, for which there’s always a market. Funds thus generated can significantly defray taxes.

Brattleboro has significant opportunities to benefit from renewable power. In fact, we have already embarked upon this path.

Guests to Share Regional Economic Development Ideas at Next WBA Meeting

by WBA | Town News

The next monthly meeting of the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) will be held at the New England House
on Thursday, May 8th at 6:00 PM. The guests are Pat Moulton Powden and Laura Sibilia of the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation/BDCC and the Southeast Vermont Economic Development Strategies/SeVEDS. Their discussion will likely focus on the recently published regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy/CEDS plan.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – May 6, 2014

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will return to the discussion of what to do about the FY15 budget at their next regular Tuesday meeting at the Municipal Center. You can attend in person or watch on BCTV.

The board will also take first steps toward a state-mandated Pay As You Throw system, the Planning Department will receive grant money for a rewrite of the zoning regulations, there will be discussion and approval of a Parking budget, the Heifers will get a parade permit, and more. You can also bring up other items not on the agenda during Public Participation.

Weekend Concert Series: The Upper Crust

by cgrotke | Entertainment

Okay. Here’s an obscure one. Ever hear of the Upper Crust? I didn’t think so.

The Upper Crust was sort of a joke band. They dressed as 18th century nobleman, complete with powdered wigs, and played heavy metal songs about being the upper crust of society.

They had songs such as ‘We’re Finished with Finishing School,’ ‘Little Lord Fauntleroy,’ and ‘Let Them Eat Rock.’

New Executive Director at Green Mountain Crossroads

by Not Signed In | News & Information

Green Mountain Crossroads Announces New Executive Director

Brattleboro, VT (05/01/14) – The Green Mountain Crossroads (GMC) Board of Directors has appointed HB Lozito as its new Executive Director. Green Mountain Crossroads works to strengthen the community, conversation, and identity of rural LGBTQ folks in Southern Vermont and throughout the region. Lozito joins GMC with varied experience as a grassroots organizer, advocate, designer, educator, and leader in the LGBTQ community. The Board is thrilled to have Lozito join GMC and eager to see them succeed in this new position.

Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee Meeting

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, May 9, 2014 at 10:00am at the Marlboro College Graduate Center in the VCIL conference room.

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

Back Pain Treatment is Topic of Free BMH Educational Program

by BMH | Health

On May 19, at 6:00 PM in the Brew Barry Conference Room, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital will be offering a free educational program entitled, “Understanding Back Pain and Sciatica: When is Surgery Advised,” by Dr. Jon Thatcher.

Thatcher, who is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, will discuss the causes of back pain, surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, and when surgery is appropriate.

“Many people suffer from back pain, and most back pain can be treated conservatively without surgery,” says Thatcher. “Surgery becomes more effective when leg pain is caused by a pinched nerve in the lower back known as sciatica.”

Unspeakable Saturday Night

by Ezie | Arts

Tomorrow evening, sixteen local residents will perform a public reading of “Project Unspeakable” at 7pm New England Youth Theater.  A facilitated discussion of the play and the issues, questions and feelings it raises for the audience will follow.

The script, with the exception of two Narrators and a young seeker of truth, is made up of actual quotes attributed to each of the dozens of characters portrayed. Saturday’s cast includes Sophie Bady-Kaye, Frederic Noyes, Daniel Cantor Yalowitz, John Ungerleider, Bob Bady, Leo Schiff, Gary and Leslie Sullivan Sachs, Mary Kay Sigda, Greg Moreau, John O’Neal, Paula Green, RylandWhite, Tim Bullard, Debbie Lynangale and Amilcar Shabazz.

After three rehearsals and indivdual sessions with the director and principal playwright Court Dorsey, we are eager to share this moving and motivating story with the public.