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SeVWA’s August 14, 2014 River Sampling Was Cancelled; Next Sampling Date is August 27th

Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance’s (SeVWA’s) water quality monitoring program was begun about 10 years ago. At that time, the organization was known as West River Watershed Alliance (WRWA). In 2014 there are 26 river and stream sites that SeVWA is monitoring and those sites are in the West River and Williams River watersheds and along the Saxtons River and Whetstone Brook. There are 26 volunteers that sample at those sites every 2 weeks during the summer, with 8 additional volunteers filling-in for the “regulars” on occasional days during the monitoring season. This summer the river monitoring program began on Wednesday, June 18th. The last 2014 sampling date at all sites will be on August 27th.


Road Work

August 15, 2014

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Milling of three streets was completed on Thursday and clean up around structures and along curb lines is taking place as planned on Friday. Resurfacing has been pushed back to Wednesday and Thursday, August 20-21. The tentative schedule has Lane Construction starting on Cotton Mill Hill, followed by Fairground Road and Birge Street. The second day would be Chapin, Grove Street and finally on Guilford Street. This can change with rainy weather between now and then.


150 Years Ago (1864 8/15)

  Aug. 15th. Here in the same spot. When we came in here the supply trains were just coming
in. The report was that the whole of the cavalry train of thirty-five wagons had been captured by guerillas that came through Snicker’s Gap. Our train was in the rear, the cavalry train in the center of the train guarded by hundred days men. They run without firing a gun, in fact, there was no firing on either side. That was all true, but last night we heard the rest of the story. Our cavalry in small force came up before they had time to remove the wagons or the supplies. There was a paymaster and his wagon, and money with the train. They had got the paymaster and had just got the money out and were opening the box but got none of the money. Others were taking off the mules. The cavalry retook all except the paymaster and a few of the mules. My informant said that he saw 16 of the guerillas that were captured and that there were others, so that and that Snicker’s Gap region is an infernal one. They care but little for anything but the plunder.


Too Urban?!

Too Urban?

It’s seeming that the Elm Street parking lot is quickly becoming the favorite choice for the location of the Brattleboro skatepark. It’s an odd turn of events considering this location is not supported by BASIC or the larger skateboarding community. It’s a little bit confusing because when the new Selectboard pulled the $50,000 dollar designer rug out from under BASIC and roped everyone back to the start line it was to “ensure due public process and identify the most ideal location for a skatepark.” Is the Elm street lot the best location for a skatepark?


My Boy Is Seven and Someone Took His BMX Bike

Someone took my boy’s “Roadmaster” BMX bike. It is glossy black, with green handle grips, and has a black chain guard. We can’t remember if we wiped out all of the purple letters on the old chain guard or left some on, so there may still be some purple letters left.

The value of the bike is really derived from the effort he took in redecorating it. He actually worked on removing the old grips himself.


August 1914: In Witness. Speak for Peace

Friends,

A moment to remember WWI. In the darkness of the wars in the Middle East, the insane invasion of Gaza, and the random madness and
war, we send this prayer for peace.

In whatever way we can speak out for peace in our lives, in our communities,
and yes speaking out against the estimate $1 trillion dollar US Military budget. 

 Last week, Zoe and I were at Universal peace day in NYC. It was
beautiful to perform the poem PALESTINE that said, “Peace, shaalom,
saalam” as over 50 flags of Israel and Palestine were knotted together
and raised high as a prayer for peace.


150 Years Ago (1864 8/14)

New Middletown, Va. Aug. 14th, 1864.

Dearest Wife,

I hardly know at which end of this march to commence this letter, but think I will begin where I left off. Well, in a few minutes after I sent off my last, Aug. 9th, went on picket. Did not go back to camp, but started to go up the Shenandoah Valley. I had a paper put up to send and told you where we were going, but had no chance to send it until yesterday. We followed and the rebels retreated, the cavalry occasionally skirmishing, occasionally a reb killed or wounded and quite often a few captured. Came through Charlestown, where John Brown was hung on the 10th. On the 11th in the forenoon left Berryville about a mile on the left.


Change In Brattleboro’s Voting Place and Hours for Primary and General Elections

Brattleboro’s polling place and hours will change for the Aug. 26 Primary and Nov. 4 General election. Due to budget constraints, The Board of Civil Authority has voted to hold both the August and November elections in the Selectboard Meeting Room of the Municipal Center. Polling hours have also been extended and will open at 7 a.m.


Social Security Turns 79

BURLINGTON, Vt., Aug. 13 – Marking Thursday’s 79th anniversary of Social Security, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called today for expanding “the most successful federal program in modern American history.”

The law creating the retirement program was signed on Aug. 14, 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Vermont has a special place in the history of Social Security. The first monthly retirement check, for $22.54, was issued in 1940 to Ida May Fuller of Ludlow. A legal secretary, Miss Fuller retired at age 65 and lived to be 100 years old. Today, there are 134,000 Vermonters on Social Security.


Turtle Island Park

What distinguishes the Jicarilla Apache from the Seminole, the Tlingit from the Zuni, the Pit River from our local Abenaki is less a matter of substance, and more of style. Style derives from form, and form comes from elements and conditions that dictate the hows and whats of daily existence. 

Some tribes thrive by way of the waters, others thrash in the dust and become stalkers of the wind and brush. People hone their ways based on a vast palate of diverse currents. Some travel by great longboats hewn from massive redwood trees, others tame equine energies.


I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project Update: Week of August 17

I-91

Northbound I-91 traffic has been relocated onto the southbound bridge. Traffic will remain reduced to one lane in each direction on I-91 until completion of the new bridge. The new bridge will be 104’ wide and is designed to carry all four lanes of traffic –two northbound and two southbound.

Route 30

The speed limit on Route 30 near the work zone has been reduced to 40 mph. This reduction will remain in effect through the Spring of 2016.

Project-related truck activity on Route 30 will continue. Route 30 will be reduced to a single lane intermittently both day and night, with flaggers regulating traffic within the work zone.


LOL Screwball Comedies of the 30’s and 40’s Continues August 13 at 2 PM

Escape the rain today and join us for a screwball comedy film that swept the 1934 Academy Awards and is still as breezy and beguiling today as when it debuted 80 years ago. Brattleboro Film Festival Advisory Board member Tim Metcalfe and journalist Tom Bedell will host post-screening discussions in the Brooks Library Meeting Room – covering a wide range of topics related to the screwball comedy era, film-making and Hollywood trivia in general.  For more information call 802-254-5290 or email info@brookslibraryvt.org.


Flash Flood Warning for Southern Vermont

“How likely: 2 out 4 How severe: 3 out of 4”

“Rain is expected to overspread the region from west to east this evening. The rain will become heavy at times late tonight continuing into Wednesday. The rain may be accompanied by embedded thunderstorms resulting in torrential rainfall. Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches in one hour are possible in a few locations. This will bring the potential for urban and localized flash flooding. Some small stream flooding is also possible.

Recommended actions: Act quickly. Move to higher ground at once. Get away from places subject to rapid flooding, such as dry Creek Beds or places along streams. Avoid already flooded areas.”

http://www.google.org/publicalerts/alert?aid=f7073f37dfbd078&hl=en&gl=us&source=web


Dosa Kitchen: South Indian Soul Food Is Open For Business!

Dosa Kitchen South Indian Soul Food, a new food truck, has pulled into 139 Main Street, down the alley leading to the Hooker-Dunham Theater. We’ll be here all summer, into the fall, and beyond. This week’s hours: Tuesday through Saturday, noon till we sell out We feature from-scratch dosas, curries, and chutneys. We favor local produce and never use factory farmed meat. Our menus is gluten-free with vegetarian and vegan options.


Nonprofit Alternative Car-Buying Service – More Than Wheels!

Tired of buying clunkers? Frustrated by the interest rates you are being quoted to finance a new or gently used car?

Are you familiar with the nonprofit, More Than Wheels?

It’s an award-winning alternative car-buying service that has helped more than 2,000 individuals and families get on top of their finances, address credit issues, and buy reliable vehicles at great rates (3-4% recently) with no down payment required.


Wednesday Farmers’ Market- Harvest Health Coupons for EBT Customers!

Stop by the Wednesday Market tomorrow (10-2, downtown by the Brattleboro Food Co-op)! For a very limited time we -still- have Harvest Health coupons for EBT customers. Double your money up to $10 per market visit and bring home some of the best local harvest. EBT and Harvest Health can purchase produce, preserves, breads, and food to take home (they can’t buy hot lunch). On deck from our farmers:

Fresh blueberries and raspberries


Brattleboro Paving Schedule

August 12, 2014

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Milling on three streets in Brattleboro begins Thursday, August 14, starting with Fairground Road. Motorists can expect alternating one-way traffic with delays and should seek other routes if possible. When complete, crews move to Chapin Street and Grove Street to mill the road surface on each. We plan to allow traffic in one direction only from Oak Street to Linden while work is taking place. Traffic trying to enter Chapin from Linden will be directed down Linden. We will also do the same during work on Grove Street. Allowing access to Grove from Oak Street only. After the milling operation, motorist can expect a rough road surface with structures sticking up and should drive with care.


Shazbot

Starting in 1978, the class clowns had fresh, new material. That is, certain kids were handed popularity on a plate. The reason? They were able to imitate Mork from Ork.

Marty was one of those kids in my school. He was one of the fortunate ones that was able to deliver a well-timed Shazbot or Nanu Nanu, rendering the rest of us in giggles.