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Cancelled – First Wednesday Solzhenitsyn on Solzhenitsyn Program

The First Wednesdays program with Ignat Solzhenitsyn at the Brooks Library and reception at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, scheduled for Feb. 5th, have been cancelled due to the winter storm.

We hope to reschedule for a future date and will post it in the library’s events calendar. http://brookslibraryvt.org/


Selectboard Meeting Notes: Brattleboro Threatens Local Businesses With Court Dates; Police Fire Plans Debut

Plans for the new police and fire facilities were presented to the Brattleboro Selectboard at their first Tuesday meeting in February. The plans were detailed and raised few comments from the board or the public.

Brattleboro businesses face new fines and possible court dates. That’s the word from the Selectboard regarding those who fail to pay for a Brattleboro business license.

The Selectboard held a discussion of evaluating the necessity of positions if staff retire, provoking minor protest from department heads who felt the budget process allows the board an opportunity for just that. The board disagreed.

Read on for all the details, plus FY13 audit information, grants, liquor licenses, meetings and appointments.


In the World of Outlawed Hemp the Trees Must Die

Was hemp, not marijuana, the real target? As a member of the cannabis sativa family, it is the botanical cousin of marijuana. Harmless, yet extremely valuable as a ready source of natural, biomass fiber, it paid a dear price for being competitive in the fiber products market of the 1930’s, and it brought its cousin marijuana down with it.

When corporate DuPont sought to diversify out of explosive munitions in 1910 it turned its attention to the textile fibers market. By the early Thirties, DuPont had significant investment in synthetic fiber research and development. Nylon was introduced in 1938 as the “first true synthetic fiber created wholly out of chemicals.”


Safety Tip of the Week – Driving

Yield at Crosswalks

Motorists, yield to pedestrians in all crosswalks, even at mid-block crosswalks. When downtown, stop for pedestrians who are waiting to cross. Pay particular attention to the crosswalk in front of the Post Office/Rec. Department.  

In other town crosswalks, stop for pedestrians if they are already in the crosswalk. Do not drive through the crosswalk if a pedestrian is crossing in it, even if they are on the far side of the lane from you.


Taiji Quan Beginner’s Class Begins

New Beginners Tai Chi & Taoist Exercises Starting in Putney.    

Taiji Quan, otherwise known as Supreme Ultimate Boxing, is an ancient form of martial art that has been practiced for both health and self defense. It can be practiced for recreation and to increase strength, flexibility, and vitality well into old age. Taiji Quan is not performed in the same manner as most western calisthenics or sports. It requires a tremendous amount of mental and physical concentration and control. Taiji Quan is often described as a moving meditation. After practice, one feels invigorated, clear-minded, and peaceful.


Senate Passes Farm Bill – Shumlin Tells Sanders Vt. Will Work to Avert Worst Food Stamp Cuts

WASHNGTON, Feb. 4 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today issued the following statement after the Senate voted 68-32 to pass and send to President Barack Obama a new five-year farm bill:

“This was a difficult vote on a bill which has some positive provisions but also some very negative ones.

“This bill will bring greater stability to Vermont dairy farmers by helping them to manage risks and produce products more efficiently. It also is good news that a successful MILC program will stay in place until new insurance provisions for dairy farmers are implemented.


Sanders Says Veterans Back Benefits Bill

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 – Leaders of more than 20 veterans’ service organizations today joined Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) at a news conference to support the most comprehensive legislation for veterans in decades.

The bill (S. 1982) is backed by the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and many other organizations.


Lest We Forget

My original film “deceptions” has now become part of a Deceptions Trilogy. That first film was released in 2010 and the second, deceptionsTwo, “Lest We Forget” was uploaded to my You Tube Channel last week and the third, deceptionsThree,”What Can I Do?,” is in gestation. This channel has now received over 180,000 views, not viral but very respectable.

My latest work, “Lest We Forget,” is a grim documentary that chronicles American war crimes and atrocities that compare if not EXCEED those carried out by Hitler and his fellow Nazi’s and the exaggerated hype that surrounds the War on Terror. Please take 28 minutes to watch these war clips and investigative reports. In 6 days well over 8,000 others have.


Cell Phone Scam – One Ring, and Brattleboro in the 1950’s

I was down at the Town Clerk’s office today doing some research. While I was there, someone called asking how to get in touch with iBrattleboro, so they put me on the phone. He said he didn’t have a computer but wanted to warn people about another phone scam.

He said that the scam goes like this. You cell phone will ring once. If you get curious and call it back, you get charged $20, plus another $9 a minute for as long as you stay on the phone.

So, be warned.

Part of my research involved looking at Selectboard minutes from the 1950’s and I got to pass over many unrelated but interesting things we don’t hear much about today (and some things we still hear about).

Do you remember:

– The West Brattleboro Speedway…


Just So Pediatrics Moves to New, Larger Location

is moving to a new location in the Medical Office Building at 19 Belmont Avenue, Suite G102 on the ground floor, at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital.

Situated just across the street from their old location at 16 Belmont Avenue, the new office provides larger space and updated facilities, including five exam rooms instead of four. The move will take place on Friday, February 14, with the office reopening in its new location on Monday, February 17.

Just So Pediatrics offers comprehensive care to infants, children, and adolescents. The pediatric group includes Dr. Valerie Rooney, Dr. Jane Katz Field, and certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Cynthia Howes. Along with their staff, they share the goal of making your child’s visit a comfortable one.


BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 2/3/14

BCTV Ch.8 Schedule for the week of 2-3-14

Monday February 3               

12:00 am      Vermont Yankeee Decommissioning Alliance Mtg -11/25/13

1:30 am       True North Reports: Healthcare Issues

2:00 am       FSTV Overnight

4:00 am       Holistically Speaking – Ep.82: Naturally Healthy Digestion

4:30 am       UVM Comm Med School: Who Owns Your Genes

6:00 am       VT Musicians on the Air: Flutist Laurel Ann Maurer


Solzhenitsyn on Solzhenitsyn – Event Cancelled Due to Snowstorm

EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW STORM

We regret at the First Wednesdays program with Ignat Solzhenitsyn and reception at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, scheduled for Feb. 5th, have been cancelled in anticipation of the winter storm. We hope to reschedule for a future date and will post it in the library’s events calendar.


150 Years Ago (1864 2/3)

Disclaimer: In the interest of historical accuracy, I am submitting these exactly as they were written. However, some comments and words are used that, although common and acceptable in the 1860s, would be considered offensive and politically incorrect today. So don’t shoot the messenger!

U.S. Barracks, Brattleboro, Feb. 3, 1864

Dear wife,


Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast Invitation – Selectboard Candidates Forum

The next “Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast” will take place on Friday, February 21,  2014 at the Gibson Aiken Center, downstairs, hosted by Senior Meals. Doors open at 7:30am. 

This year three incumbent members of the Brattleboro Selectboard are all  standing for re-election. John Allen, Donna Macomber and David Schoales all plan to be in attendance at this forum.  There are no declared opposition candidates.

This presents a unique opportunity for a conversation about the  issues facing the Town.


Chile Human Rights Arts Project In Santiago at Villa Grimaldi by Namaya & Zoe

We are thoroughly enjoying the incredible, culturally rich, and diverse city of Santiago, Chile.  We wake up in the morning surrounded by the snow covered Andean mountains and do our morning yoga to the rising sun.  Some mornings I stroll out to the main square and play my classical guitar.  It is a city of an old and gracious charm, yet it is vibrant with terrific music, dance, art, and performance. 

This has been a time of great transformation and for Zoe and me to focus even more clearly on our B4 Peace and social transformation projects.  We send you the warmth of the Chilean summer and great joy.


Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Spring Session Registration

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus agrees with the late, great Pete Seeger that anyone can sing! They invite you to join them for the spring session that will feature American folk songs, both familiar and lesser known, all within the Chorus’s larger theme of music that is spirited and spiritual; in other words, music for the soul.

For the spring concert, the Chorus welcomes back singer/songwriter Lisa McCormick who will accompany on guitar along with other instrumentalists. And as a tribute to Pete Seeger, a sing-along, sixties-era “hootenanny” will be part of the concert.


Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – February 4, 2014

The Brattleboro Selectbaord will see three plans and proposed budget for new Police Fire facilities during their Tuesday meeting at the Municipal Center. 

There will be a discussion of the FY13 audit, they will set a special meeting to discuss the Utility budget and rates, and will hear about adding late fees and fining businsses for not having a Brattleboro  business license.

Four new Police recruits will be sworn in, and the board will contemplate a hiring pause for the Town. 

If there’s something that isn’t on the agenda, you can bring it up during Public Participation.  Attend in person or watch it on BCTV, then read about it here the next day.


Delays On Route 30 on Saturday February 1

Good evening:

There will be single lane traffic tomorrow (Saturday, Feb 1) through the work zone on VT Route 30. Flaggers will regulate traffic. Delays up to 10 minutes may occur.

Cindy Cook
Public Relations Officer
Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project