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Interfaith Service for Holocaust Remembrance Day

by BAJC Shir HeHarim | Spiritual

An interfaith service for Holocaust Remembrance Day will take place on Wednesday May 4th at 7 pm, at the First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro.  BAJC (Brattleboro Area Jewish Community) and BAICA (the Brattleboro Area Interfaith Clergy Association) will offer a service in commemoration of the six million Jews and five million homosexuals, political protestors, Catholics, handicapped, and others who were murdered at the hands of the Nazis.

2nd Annual Antiques and Collectibles Appraisal Day at BAJC

by BAJC Shir HeHarim | Entertainment

Find out what your keepsakes are worth! Brattleboro Area Jewish Community’s own mini-version of “The Antiques Roadshow” will be live at our synagogue on Sunday afternoon, May 22nd from 1:00 to 5:00. Four experienced appraisers will be present to evaluate and assess antiques and collectibles, including books, sterling silver, silverplate, glass and art glass, china and pottery, fine art and signed prints, musical instruments, records and entertainment memorabilia, jewelry, paper, stamps, postcards, documents, furniture, toys & dolls, metalware, clocks, barometers & watches, rugs, tchotchkes (nick-nacks), and much more – but no weaponry or ammunition and no large rugs or bulky furniture.

Crafting for the Homeless – Last Session for the Season!

by BAJC Shir HeHarim | Activism

Crafting for the Homeless- come make a difference!

Come join us on Sunday afternoon, May 1st, from 1:00-3:00 pm, to craft items for the homeless population in the area. Using traditional crafts, we will make hats, scarves, blankets and sleeping mats from yarn and fleece fabric.

Crafting for the Homeless is completing its second year of meeting on the first Sunday of the month at Brattleboro Area Jewish Community, Congregation Shir Heharim. This will be our last session until next fall.

Some people come to learn to knit or crochet, others arrive with projects already underway. Some are members of BAJC; some are not. All are welcome! We donate our projects to Groundworks Collaborative. 

Women in Music Benefit Features Music by The Sisters Boulanger

by fomag | Music

Now in its 50th season, Friends of Music at Guilford (FOMAG) presents its 7th Women in Music Celebration, an annual house-concert gala, beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 24.

“This fundraiser for our concert season includes three important elements,” explains administrator Joy Wallens-Penford. “A bounty of good food, some delightful music, and a special Silent Auction with a few gift certificates to restaurants and merchants as well as a wide range of 2-for-1 tickets to arts events around the region. We help to promote other organizations’ events and garner vital support for the many free and affordable programs we present in the community.”

Brattleboro Committee Meetings and Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) will meet on Monday, April 25, 2016 at 5:30pm at Brooks Memorial Library in the community room.

The Brattleboro Police-Fire Facilities Building Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 4:00pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.

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

Chance To Ask a Question in the Florida Debates

by DWard | Activism

Dear ibratt readers, here’s something fun to get into – an opportunity to ask a question to Congressman David Jolly (R-FL) and Congressman Alan Grayson (D-FL) about the issues that are most important to you. You can watch the Florida Open Debate for U.S. Senate on Monday, April 25, at 7:00 pm EDT. All questions will be chosen from among those that receive the most votes online.

Brattleboro Transportation Center – Temporary Stairwell Closing

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

The stairwell on the east side of the Brattleboro Transportation Center will be closed temporarily to allow for a complete replacement of the stair unit. In addition, there will be a temporary closure of the rear potion of the alleyway between 77 Flat Street and 64 Elliot Street to protect the public during construction and to allow crews unobstructed access the job site. The work will be performed by Wright Construction of Mt. Holly, Vermont.

Prince Checks Out

by cgrotke | Obituaries

Well, that takes the wind out my funky sails. Prince just died at age 57. The year 2016 continues to be a brutal year for entertainment.

I was a rock and roll fan living in Florida on a visit to Buffalo when I first hear Prince. I was at a party of friends who attended a private school. They were cool. I was not. At some point someone put on Controversy. It was amazing and like nothing I had heard before. “What is this?” I asked. “Prince,” was the answer. “It is punk-funk.”

Punk-funk? I didn’t know either of those terms very well, but I liked it. When I got back to Florida I found the single, and the album. I was hooked.

Act 46 Study Committee Agenda and Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

ACT 46 STUDY COMMITTEE

Representing the Brattleboro Town School District, Dummerston Town School District, Guilford Town School District, Putney Town School District, and the Vernon Town School District
http://www.wssu.k12.vt.us

NOTICE OF MEETING

The Act 46 Study Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 in the WRCC Cusick Conference Room.
AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m. – Alice Laughlin, Committee Chair

II. REVIEW, PRIORITIZE AND ESTABLISH DESIRED OUTCOMES FOR MEETING BY CHAIRPERSON.

Cantrip and Low Lily at Next Stage on Saturday, April 23

by Not Signed In | Music

Twilight Music and Next Stage Arts Project present a Celtic and Americana music twin bill featuring high energy Scottish music by Cantrip, and American folk music with traditional influences and modern inspiration by Low Lily, at Next Stage on Saturday, April 23 at 7:30 pm.

From the strong base of its Celtic roots, Cantrip branches out into the music of other European cultures. Weaving together songs and tunes, both traditional and contemporary, Dan Houghton, Jon Bews and Eric McDonald take an audience on a cultural journey, putting their own spin on each style. Known for their innovative arrangements, un-produced sound and dry wit, Cantrip has toured throughout Scotland and the US, expanding the boundaries of Celtic music along the way.

Digital First Media Selling Reformer

by cgrotke | Media

The Reformer reports that it is being sold:

“Digital First Media will complete the sale of New England Newspapers Inc., which includes the Brattleboro Reformer, to Birdland Acquisition LLC on May 2. Included in the deal are the Bennington Banner, Manchester Journal and The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass.

The principals in the new company include three Stockbridge, Mass., residents: John C. “Hans” Morris, former president of Visa Inc.; Fredric D. Rutberg, former Pittsfield (Mass.) District Court judge; and Robert G. Wilmers, chairman and CEO of M&T Bank. The fourth principal is Stanford Lipsey, publisher emeritus of The Buffalo News and former owner, publisher and Pulitzer Prize winner for The Sun Newspaper Group in Nebraska.”

Noticed Around Brattleboro – Spring 2016

by cgrotke | Town News

Time for another edition of Noticed Around Brattleboro, where you can add the little (or big) things you’ve noticed recently in and around town.

I’ll get us started with an observation or two:

– Fast Eddies has re-opened on Putney Road.

– Top of the Hill Grill is now open for the season.

Fourth Annual “Camp for a Common Cause” Set for May 20

by ChrisLenois | Activism

Local band Groove Prophet takes to the bandstand to benefit Groundworks Collaborative 

BRATTLEBORO – Groundworks Collaborative presents the fourth annual Camp for a Common Cause, Friday, May 20 on the Brattleboro Common. 

For the past three years this event has been a joint fundraiser for Morningside Shelter and the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center; however the two organizations merged last June creating Groundworks Collaborative.  The family-friendly one-night campout continues to successfully raise awareness around homelessness in the greater Brattleboro area.   

Bereavement Support Group for Adults

by Not Signed In | Health

A new Seven Week Bereavement Support Group for adults begins on May 3rd and will meet each Tuesday from 5:00-6:30 pm, ending June 14th. The group is free of charge and open to anyone in the community grieving the death loss of a loved one, no matter when or where the loss occurred.

Bereavement Support Groups offer a safe, mutually supportive environment for sharing experiences through discussion, readings, simple activities, and suggestions for moving through grief. This group is sponsored by Brattleboro Area Hospice and will meet at the hospice office at 191 Canal St. in Brattleboro.

HCRS To Host Brattleboro Screening of Healing Voices

by Not Signed In | Education

New Documentary Seeks to Shift Public’s Perception of “Mental Illness”

Springfield, VT, April 20, 2016 – Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), Vermont’s second largest community mental-health agency, will join more than 125 community organizations around the world on Friday, April 29th to host a premier screening of Healing Voices. The new documentary places a spotlight on mental health – or what society refers to as “mental illness.”

The HCRS-sponsored screening will take place in Brattleboro on April 29th at the Hooker-Dunham Theater, 139 Main Street, #407. A reception will begin at 6:30 pm, with the screening starting promptly at 7 pm. A panel discussion will follow the conclusion of the film.

Act 46 Study Committees Meeting

by Not Signed In | Education

As part of the services offered through the Act 46 Implementation Project, representatives from the VT School Boards Association, VT Superintendents Association, and the VT Agency of Education will be available to meet individually with Act 46 Study Committees in Brattleboro on April 25th.

The purpose of the meetings are to assist in answering questions about the law and to provide information and feedback in response to scenarios that are being explored in communities. Members of the WSESU Act 46 Study Committee are scheduled to meet with this group from 9:30-11:00 (4/25/16). This meeting will take place at the Marlboro Grad Center – Ledges Conference Room. www.wsesu.org

Selectboard Meeting Notes: Police-Fire Project Team Reunite and Grants Galore

by cgrotke | Town News

The Police and Fire facility projects will be guided by the same team as before. The project manager, architects, and construction management company were all approved for contract signing.

Brattleboro received grants ranging from $240 to $1 million, the All State Music Festival has been cleared for a parade next year, and our financial questionnaires and checklists are in good order.

Democracy In Vermont Is Dead

by Not Signed In | Op/Ed

From the early days of one room school houses to the present, town residents and tax payers have been directly involved in their students’ education. Act 46 takes this role away from us.

The Dummerston community has built and paid for its school building and grounds. All decisions pertaining to our school are made annually by Dummerston residents by discussion and Australian ballot.

Implementation of act 46 completely removes the people from direct decision making about their children’s education. Furthermore, our schools will lose their identity as community centers.

Act 46 is being enacted without any information provided to the public, nor does the public have the opportunity to give input or feedback.

Brattleboro Time Trade Listings – Week of April 17

by Brattleboro Time Trade | Other

Brattleboro Time Trade:  Exchanging services, creating connections, strengthening communities, one hour at a time. See below for more exciting Upcoming Events and learn what Time Trade can do for you!

How Time Trade Works: You do something for someone and earn time credits for your “bank,” which you can then put towards someone else doing something for you! It’s that simple – and amazing!

This week’s fabulous listings, brought to you from the Big Easy:

Now anyone can see a listing of all our Offers and Requests: https://brattleboro.timebanks.org/ads?type=1

OFFERS (i.e. things people could do for you):

Use of Community Space
Fresh Exotic Sprouts, Grown Just For You (updated!)
Reading Aloud
Help with Spring and Summer Chore’s – Many T.T. Ref,s.
Egyptian Walking Onion Plants

This Week: BizUp, West B! This Tues at 6:30 at C.X. Silver Gallery, 814 Western Ave

by WBA | News & Information

A REMINDER:  THIS WEEK: BizUp! West B. Connect, Collaborate, Innovate! 

On Tuesday, April 19, at 6:30pm, the Community Development Action Team of the West Brattleboro Association will be throwing our springtime BizUp! event. This will be hosted by the CX Silver Gallery and Teahouse at 814 Western Ave in West Brattleboro.

BizUp! events spark connections, collaborations and innovations between West Brattleboro businesses and
organizations. Join us for local bites and drinks and meet fellow business owners in West B.