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Happy New Year !

by KAlden | Living

Hoping everyone has a new year filled with peace of mind, contentment, good health and many quiet joys.

Let’s all treat our fellow human beings with kindness, compassion and respect.

Happy 2014!!

Sanders Calls for Minimum Wage Increase

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., Dec. 31 – With minimum wages set to go up on New Year’s Day in Vermont and 12 other states, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today renewed his call for an increase in the federal minimum wage.

“States and communities are not waiting for Congress to raise the minimum wage. They are doing the right thing because the simple truth is that working people cannot survive on the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, or $8 an hour or $9 an hour. If people work 40 hours a week, they deserve not to live in dire poverty,” Sanders said.

Biologic Wellness Center Open for January Gallery Walk

by Not Signed In | Health

Biologic Wellness Center will be hosting a photography exhibit and open house, during Gallery Walk, on Friday, January 3rd. Stop by our space on the ground floor of the Merchant’s Bank Building. Meet the featured exhibitor, Brattleboro resident, Dave Eagle, and enjoy his creative, edgy photographs. He describes himself as “a father, writer, photographer, irritable tech guy, forklift operator, ironist, socialist gubernatorial candidate, and a proponent of the Oxford comma.” Dave’s images, occurring at the “intersection of growth and decay,” remind the viewer that technological advance is fleeting and human triumph only temporary. This stunning, thought-provoking exhibit is on display throughout January.

Ask-a-Cop: Cellular Phone Tower Dumps

by BrattPoliceDept | Police & Fire

“Has the department ever requested or used tower dumps (requesting all data from a cell tower)? If so, did it require a warrant or court order?” 

The Brattleboro Police Department regularly obtains information from cellular phone companies.  This information is obtained through the use of court ordered search warrants or subpoenas, depending on the information sought.  These orders relate to specific suspects or specific phone numbers. 

If the officer has applied for it specifically, and the judge approved it, the information will include what cell towers were used by the person/number and when.  However, BPD has never requested a cell tower dump.

GMP Surcharge.

by tomaidh | Sci-Tech

I know that climate change is a myth, but somebody better tell Green Mountain Power. They have just announced that customers will be assessed a 1 ½% surcharge due to increased frequency of major storms.

Brattleboro 2014 Elections and the Annual Representative Town Meeting Information

by Not Signed In | Town News

Petitions for Brattleboro Town and Town School District Officers and Town Meeting Members are now available at the Town Clerk’s office. Town elections will be Tuesday, March 4, and the Annual Representative Town Meeting, Saturday, March 22.

Petitions for Town Officers must contain at least 30 valid signatures of registered Brattleboro voters and be filed in the clerk’s office no later that 5:00 P.M. on Monday, January 27 in order to have their name placed on the ballot.

Circumnavigating Brattleboro

by tomaidh | The Region

There’s a great driving loop that circles Brattleboro and takes you through some “Real Vermont” country.

Here’s a map.

1. Start at Main & Canal, by the Food Co-op. Go through Malfunction Jct. and head south down 142 , along the river towards Vernon.

2. After about a mile +/- go right on Broad Brook Rd (Twisty road) to Rt. 5 in Algiers (Guilford).

Back To School: Questions on Public Education In Brattleboro

by Lise | Education

When I said last year that I was going to try to figure out what was going on in public education, I had no idea what a gigantic project that would turn out to be. Not only is it complex, it’s also political, making it that much harder to unravel the claims of groups both for and against. In short, despite hours of research, I still have questions. But our own Brattleboro Town School Board says it wants to do outreach on education, and I think we should take the opportunity to reach out to them so we’ll get our questions answered and our concerns allayed (or not). To get the ball rolling, I have a list of questions I’d like to see addressed by local education officials. Even if no public discussion ensues, at least we’ll know what’s going on.

Showing Someone Around Brattleboro?

by Carolyn | Questions & Answers

I’ve lived here for 15 years. I know there are so many amazing things about the Brattleboro area, but fear that like most folks, I’ve become blind to some of them due to familiarity.  

I have a friend from out of town coming for a week.  Suggestions on local must-do’s? Hidden gems? Things I may have forgotten we have?

I’ve got local restaurants covered.  We’ll definitely take in a movie at the Latchis.  Visiting the Brattleboro Museum is on the agenda. If the weather cooperates, we’ll hike the Retreat trails and maybe Fort Dummer. 

Thanks for your suggestions!

Golden Lab Found 12/29

by Not Signed In | Pets

Golden Lab found on Cedar street Sunday afternoon. Name on tag is “Quest”.

Please call 203-233-8288 to retrieve your puppy!

Weekend Concert Series: Concert for George

by cgrotke | Entertainment

One year after George Harrison died, a group of his musician friends gathered at Royal Albert Hall for a memorial concert.

This show begins with the Ravi Shankar orchestra and a few meditative pieces, followed by some Monty Python. The second half is a collage of Harrison tunes performed by his friends. Taxman by Tom Petty. If I Needed Someone by Eric Clapton. Photograph by Ringo. All Things Must Pass by Paul. It is that kind of show.

Long-Term Jobless Benefits Expire Saturday

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said today that Congress must restore unemployment benefits that expire Saturday for 1.3 million Americans, including some 600 Vermonters, who have been out of work for longer than 26 weeks.

Unless Congress acts, jobless benefits will lapse during the first half of 2014 for an additional 1.9 million people, including another 2,300 Vermonters.

“It is not only immoral to cut off help for workers struggling to find jobs, it is also bad economics,” Sanders said. “At a time when long-term unemployment is near a record level, cutting benefits will hurt the rest of the economy and cause even more jobs to disappear.”

Brattleboro Last Night 2013 Celebration, Tuesday, December 31st, 2013

by Not Signed In | Town News

Once again Brattleboro’s Last Night Committee presents a fun filled, substance free day of celebration on Tuesday, December 31st for New Year’s Eve. The day kicks off with the wonderful Senior Potluck Luncheon at the Brattleboro Senior Center from 11:30-1PM. Sponsored by River Valley Credit Union, this year’s featured guests are “Sing, Sing, Swing” featuring Scott Sizer, Lynn Lovell and Rob Fletcher.

From 1 to 4PM folks can enjoy sleigh and hay rides at Fairwinds Farm on Upper Dummerston Road (no pets please). Adults are $8 and children up to 12 years are $4.

Brattleboro Ford Test Drive Raises $3,240 to Help BMH Open “The New Doorway to Exceptional Care”

by BMH | Health

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital officials announced the October 27 “” event organized by Brattleboro Ford raised $3,240.00 for “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign.

Drive 4 UR Community is a Ford Motor Company program that enables local dealerships to support community groups and nonprofit organizations. The automobile manufacturer donated $20 for every test drive taken by an individual during the day-long event on the BMH campus. The proceeds will support the hospital’s efforts to raise $3.5 million from the community to renovate and expand its Emergency Department.

The Stage for Change and Thoughts Going Forward – Brattleboro Taxes

by David Dunn | Opinion

I think everyone, including the Select and School Boards, recognizes that Brattleboro has a major property tax problem coupled with an imminent economic crisis. I think the Town needs to take aggressive steps toward a functional solution.

As the former head of the BUHS Board and its Finance Committee for 10 years, I/we faced a budget crisis every year. We recognized that there was an advocate for every budget dollar – and then some. I remember the public debate, scrutiny and pain we faced when we cut programs or tried to implement cost savings through change. We can no longer afford this brutal, slow process.

Brattleboro New Year’s Day Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of New Year’s Day, all Brattleboro Town offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2014, with the exception of emergency services.

Offices will be open for regular hours on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 and will reopen for regular hours on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Wednesday, January 1. All other violations, including extended parking, will be enforced.

Brooks Memorial Library will close at 6:00pm on Tuesday, December 31, 2013, and will be closed all day Wednesday, January 1, 2013. It will reopen for regular hours on Thursday, January 2, 2014.