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BMH’s Richardson Elected Chair of VT Hospital Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Committee

by BMH | Health

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital announced that its Director of Emergency Services, Brian Richardson, has been elected Co-Chair of the Vermont Hospital Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (VTHEPC) Committee.

Richardson joins Co-Chair Chris Lackney of in Townshend and Secretary John Berino from in Burlington as leaders of the VTHEPC committee, which is comprised of emergency preparedness coordinators from 14 participating Vermont hospitals and the state department of health.

Sovereign Citizens – Watch Out!

by tomaidh | Activism

“At approximately 12:30 pm on 30 Dec, Police officers made contact with Robert Earl Lawrence at the Dothan City, AL Animal Shelter after he attempted to turn a stray animal over to an employee. Lawrence, a “sovereign citizen”, became disorderly after being told he could not leave the animal without producing identification. After repeatedly being told to calm down, Lawrence was advised he was being placed under arrest. A physical altercation ensued, to which Lawrence was shot in the abdomen. Lawrence, 30, was transported to the Southeast Alabama Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 9:50 p.m. last night.” (CLG release)

A Landlord’s Responsibility?

by KAlden | Questions & Answers

Does anyone in the ibrattleboro community know exactly what a landlord’s legal responsibility is in terms of shoveling steps and walkways on their property?

The house I live in is managed by a local ‘property management” and any time there is a major storm on the weekends he never has anyone come to shovel. Currently, my walkway is like a skating rink -there is no way I could safely walk on it-especially since I now have to use a cane.

Who Knew? – Walking Sticks Revealed

by Vidda | Health

I ran across a recent discovery.com article about King Tut’s virtual reconstruction. Using 2,000 computerized tomography (CT) scans of the pharaoh’s body to conduct a “virtual autopsy” an image is “built” that shows Tutankhamun naked except for wearing a loincloth.Looking directly into the “camera,” he looks as if he is posing for the picture.

The reconstructed photo shows him standing holding a cane to support his club foot. At first, I thought something was odd about the image. Tutankhamun’s damaged foot is his left foot, but contrary to my expectation he is holding the cane in his right hand.

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:

Seeking A Source Of Quality Nip

by Lise | Pets

Every year at Christmas I make catnip mice for all the cats of my acquaintance, or in some cases, for the cats of my acquaintances.  In any event, the nip has always worked in the past, so this year I was a little surprised when the two test mice I made for my own cats elicited no reaction whatsoever.  We had to make them take the mice.  They poked them a little and one cat endeavored to at least try to act interested, but overall, the mice were a resounding failure.  I blame the nip.

The catnip I used advertised joyous rapture for kitties on its label, but it was commercially grown nip sold in plastic bags, so I knew it wasn’t going to be great.  But judging from my cats’ less than tepid reaction, it may as well have been parsley. 

Limited Income? Increase Your Food Budget!

by SeniorSolutions | Food

With the arrival of holidays and winter, many of us who have limited income are feeling the squeeze financially. Here’s a way to stretch your budget: Get 3SquaresVT!

If you’re eligible you’ll get a payment card (it looks like a credit card) to use at grocery stores, convenience  stores, farmers markets and food co-ops. If everyone in the household is 65+, the 3SquaresVT benefits may be deposited directly into a bank account. Seniors also may use medical expenses as adjustment to income, which may help you qualify.

Festive Fruitcake

by Julia Beard | Food

This year, the Beard household is having a big, whiskey-soaked fruitcake. In years past I’ve made small fruitcakes, one pounders that were tasty and spirited, but this year it’s a bundt cake. The small loaf is gone too fast!

We were a store-bought, tea-totalling fruitcake family growing up. Nobody liked them, and nobody ate them. When I began making them my opinion of fruitcake changed. I went to all lengths, soaking brown paper and wrapping it tightly, tying in cheesecloth and keeping in a pot, baking in a Bain Marie. To my relief, I’ve found that regular baking techniques work just fine. A standard spice cake recipe with alcohol-soaked fruit bakes up perfectly. I continue “feeding” the cake every other day until serving.

Best Air Pump In Brattleboro?

by cgrotke | Questions & Answers

It’s time to put air in my tires. Since it is impractical to try them all, I thought I’d ask you for your opinions on local area air pumps.

Has any service station out there installed any new, innovative air pump machines? Have there been any technologiocal advancements in recent years? Where is the best place to fill tires? Any good deals?

Up until now I often stop in at one of the stations near Exit 3, but I don’t have to go there if there is a better option.

The BAJC “Pop-up” Gift Shop for Chanukah!

by BAJC Shir HeHarim | Spiritual

The BAJC “pop-up” gift shop will be open for several  days this week and next.  Chanukah candles are available, along with menorahs, dreidels, chocolate “gelt” and other Judaica and gift items. Although you can’t purchase anything on Shabbat,  you can select your candles and gifts next Saturday morning (12/13), and pay another day, when it’s not Shabbat. (You can send a check to BAJC.) 

The gift shop (in the BAJC office–the cottage behind the shul) will also be open on Monday 12/8 from 3:00 to 6:00, on Wednesday the 10th from 1:30 to 5:30, on Thursday the 11th from 3:00 to 8:30, and on Friday the 19th from 4:00 on.

What Is A Quaker?

by JohnWilmerding | Activism

For my friends and acquaintances, who will frequently ask me “What’s a Quaker?” “Aren’t they something like the Amish?” and especially “Why do you always seem to speak out about things that concern you?”

Nice Snow Coming Down in Brattleboro

by cgrotke | Nature

For the moment, the snow falling outside looks quite wonderful. It’s somewhat heavy looking, falling fast and straight with occasional gusts to blow it around.

I have yet to think too much about shovelling it, and can just appreciate this first covering over of autmn remnants.

Check the for the latest in forecasts, don’t drive unless you absolutely have to, and have a safe and warm Thanksgiving. 

Brattleboro Parking Ban Ticket?

by Not Signed In | Questions & Answers

When I moved in to the town of Brattleboro in April, I went to the parking enforcement office to find out about the parking rules on my street. Carol Coulombe in that office said don’t worry about unless there is snow and not mentioning the winter parking ban. Well apparently Officer Hamilton went on a ticketing spree last night and I woke to a parking ticket and not a flake of snow.

BMH Annual Meeting Features Special Guests and Key Topics

by BMH | Health

The Annual Meeting of the Southern Vermont Health Services Corporation and its subsidiary, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) held on November 14, 2014 featured special guests, key topics, and various recognitions.

Keynote speaker , Founding Member, Vermont Green Mountain Care Board and Adjunct Professor, Dept. Community & Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, discussed the evolution of the US health care delivery system and the population health approach to improving the health of communities.

Entergy Push Poll

by Not Signed In | Questions & Answers

Yesterday, I was called by “VT Opinion Survey” with what was quite obviously a push poll from Entergy, owners of Vermont Yankee. I am a sucker for polls and had a fun time scoring Entergy on topics such as “trust worthy” and “transparency.” After about 20 minutes, the caller repeated the same initial questions and asked if, as a result of the call, I had changed my mind on any of the topics.

Anyone else out there get a call?