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Three Fundraising Events to Benefit the Brooks Library

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

The Holiday Book Sale at the Brooks Memorial Library will continue until December 21st. 

Raffle tickets are on sale for a custom designed and hand knitted doll created by local Newbury Award winning author, Karen Hesse.  Hesse says that she designs these unique, one-of-a kind dolls as she knits – the doll’s character, shape and color evolves while she is knitting. The raffle tickets are $1.00 each or $5 for six tickets. Raffle proceeds will benefit the Children’s Room programs.

Also on sale is the very popular 2014 Book Lover’s Calendar. The calendars are great holiday gift items and are available at the Library Front Desk for $10 each.

Local Independent Radio Needs Us

by Lise | Media

One of the great things about Brattleboro is the abundance of locally produced media including, for those of us who love music, independent community radio station WVEW.  This year, WVEW has been especially wonderful with many new shows featuring a wide variety of music including jazz, R&B, vintage American pop, indie rock, blues, reggae, avant garde, and much more. At the risk of sounding a bit hackneyed, there is truly something for everyone.  Check it out and see.

Independent radio is a treasure and if you want it to continue, it helps to support it as they rely on membership, donations, and underwriting for their funding.  Now would be an especially good time to support them as their annual fundraiser is Friday night (December 13) at the Backside Cafe from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  Just buy a drink at the bar and you’ll be supporting the station.  Drop a check or some cash into their donation jar and you’ll do even more to make sure their great programming continues.

Brattleboro Annual Expenses Rise to $7,000 a Year

by cgrotke | History

I was updating our Day in History listings and came across something that might astound and amaze you.

In 1875, according to the Vermont Phoenix, Brattleboro’s total expenses for the year were estimated at about $7,000. To compare, in 2015 our expenses are projected to be just under $17 million.

To be fair, they had just added a major expense to the Brattleboro budget in 1875 – streetlights, at a cost of $1,000 per year. Without them, the amount spent would have been lower.

Residents at the time voted to lay a tax of 40 cents on the dollar of the grand list to cover the cost of running the town.

It’s Official! Kurn Hattin’s Bianconi Makes Top 10 for Grammy Music Educator Award!

by KurnHattin | Education

Kurn Hattin Homes for Children’s Music Director, Lisa Bianconi, got the thrill of a lifetime last week when she learned that she is one of only 10 finalists for the inaugural Grammy Music Educator award. Bianconi received the call from the Grammy Foundation while at work at on Friday, letting her know the good news and telling her to tune in to the televised Grammy Nomination Concert to watch the official announcement live on CBS Friday night. The 10 finalists, from 10 cities across eight states receive $1,000 and a matching honorarium for their schools. One winner will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 56th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014.

5:45 Live: 12/6/13

by BrattleboroTV | Media

Join 5:45 Live from Pliny Park in downtown for a special Holiday Gallery Walk edition that includes BaBB’s annual tree-lighting ceremony, the Governor’s million-dollar trip Brattleboro, the Safe & Green campaigns SafStor expert panel on VY’s decommissioning, and much much more.

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 12/9/13

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Ch.8 Schedule for the week of 12-9-13

                   Monday December 9             

12:00 am      Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program

1:29 am       Cuban Bridge Music Program -Episode 15

2:00 am       FSTV Overnight

4:00 am       Vermont Arts Summit – Plenary One

5:05 am       The Modern Grass Quintet at the Valley Stage Music Fest

150 Years Ago (1863 12/8)

by BusyMom | History

Brattleboro, Vt. Dec. 8th,
1863.

Dearest wife –

I have but a little time and you will have to put up with a short letter this time. The box came safely to hand. I found that it was at the express office and asked for a pass. Capt. Brannon says “write one”. It is signed in a minute (That is the way I get them now) got a wheel barrow and trotted off, brought it up all right. That cheese will be good. It will be first rate. Our bread is nice now. I have eaten beans until I have had enough of them but still they come. There was one parcel that had not been opened, directed to you. When I opened it, Lo and behold: there was 1 pair of mittens two pair of socks and two pair of little mittens. Well, I tell you I thought of the little hands they were made to cover. The things were all right. What shall I do with the little mittens? Shall I send them by mail, or wait until I get a chance to send them up with some person coming down.

Weekend Concert Series: Andy Williams Christmas Specials, and Jonathan Coulton

by cgrotke | Entertainment

We’ll take a bit of a detour this week and feature the holiday music stylings of singer Andy Williams.

Andy Williams used his weekly variety show for an annual Christmas special on TV each year throughout most of the 60’s and early 70’s. Often the Osmonds would show up. It was a bit like a hipper Lawrence Welk Show, and is was fun for the entire family to watch.

This video is a collection of Andy William’s favorite clips from those specials.

BCTV Video Calendar: 12/5/13 – Cherry St Artisans, Paws for Prevention, BML Booksale

by BrattleboroTV | Media

Get a look at some of the area’s many seasonal events as the holidays get into full swing, with Cherry Street Artisans offering a one-stop shop for homemade gifts of all varieties, BaBB getting ready to light up downtown, Pop Up Brattleboro shaking up the art scene, and the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition joining forces with the Windham County Humane Society for a holiday ‘Pets and their People’ pro-photo fundraiser.

The Snaz and Jake McKelvie & The Countertops at Next Stage on Saturday, December 7

by Not Signed In | Music

Next Stage Arts Project presents two indie rock bands, Brattleboro-based quartet The Snaz and Keene-based trio Jake McKelvie & The Countertops, at Next Stage on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30 pm.

The Snaz is a young, original rock band featuring Dharma Ramirez (15, lead vocals and guitar), Mavis Eaton (15, keyboards and backup vocals), Zack James (13, drums) and Sally Fletcher (15, bass). They have won “Battle of the Bands” competitions in Brattleboro and Northampton. Their prize for the Brattleboro event was recording time at the Guilford Sound studios, where they recorded an EP with the help of Grammy nominated record producer Peter Solley.

Vermont Jazz Center Presents its 11th Annual Big Band Dance and Gala featuring Kevin Mahogany

by Not Signed In | Music

On Friday, December 6th at 8:00 PM, the Vermont Jazz Center will present a Gala Performance with the VJC Big Band supporting internationally acclaimed vocalist, Kevin Mahogany. This is a dance concert and more than half the floor will remain open for people to move to the sounds of the VJC’s 18 piece orchestra.

Kevin Mahogany is well acquainted to singing with big bands as he has his own repertoire and custom-made charts, some of them arranged by the legendary Frank Mantooth. According to the respected jazz website, allmusic.com, Mahogany’s “swinging style is reminiscent, but not derivative of Joe Williams.” He takes pride in his Kansas City roots and, just like another Kansas City resident, Charlie Parker, his delivery is deeply saturated in the authentic blues. In one recent performance, Kevin joked that the state law in Kansas City required a minimum of two blues numbers per set!

150 Years Ago (1863 12/4)

by BusyMom | History

Brattleboro, December 4th,
1863.

Dearest wife –

I have today the finest chance in the world to write you a good, nice warm room and a desk and nothing to do although I have had enough work yesterday and this forenoon. Day before yesterday I was detailed to assist in making out rolls in Mr. Mead’s office. He is superintendent of recruits. Commenced work yesterday, and have had to work pretty hard until a short time since, that job is done. How long I am to remain here I know not. I am here now, and shall improve it writing to you. I was rejoiced to receive a letter from you. It appears that we both had a letter in the road at the same time. You will find that I sent twenty dollars instead of fifteen. Well, I could not get the bill changed in camp and let it all slide. I suppose we shall get our bounty sometime if we do not get it, another pay day will come on some time or another.

First Wednesday: Kevin Cullen: Whitey Bulger and the Manhunt that Brought Him to Justice

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

Boston Globe reporter and Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Cullen lived in the shadow, and sometimes in fear, of South Boston gangster Whitey Bulger. Cullen tells the riveting story of the capture and trial of the most wanted criminal of his generation. Wednesday, December 04, 2013, 07:00pm – 09:00pm. Brooks Memorial Library.

Do you think you know who Whitey Bulger is? What is the background to Whitey’s escape from justice for so many years. How did Whitey get help from his brother William (Billy) Bulger, longest-serving former president of the Massachusetts Senate and president of University of Massachusetts. What was the role of the FBI in protecting Whitey? Whitey Bulger and the Manhunt that Brought Him to Justice written by Boston Globe reporter and Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Cullen, who lived in the shadow, and sometimes in fear, of South Boston gangster Whitey Bulger. 

Friends of Brooks Memorial Library 8th Annual Holiday Booksale

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

Save the date for Holiday Shopping! The 8th Annual Friends of Brooks Memorial Library Holiday Book Sale will be held in the Library on Friday, December 6 from 10AM to 6PM and Saturday, December 7 from 10AM to 2PM.

Gift quality books and gently used fiction, non-fiction, children’s books and CDs will be on sale. Non-fiction titles include art, cooking and gardening, history, music and more subjects. Book sale discount coupons are now available from the Front Desk of the Library. A collection of 400 music CDs, mainly jazz, will also be on sale and are in perfect condition.

Kurn Hattin Children’s Choir Gets Encore With Natalie MacMaster, Lights Up The Holidays At The Vermont State House

by KurnHattin | Music

For the second year running, the Kurn Hattin Children’s Select Choir has been invited to join Grammy-winning fiddler Natalie MacMaster on stage for her “Christmas in Cape Breton” concert. Kurn Hattin Music Director
Lisa Bianconi has chosen 26 out of the 64-member advanced choir to perform in the concert, which takes place at the Latchis Theater in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont on Friday, December 6 at 7:30 PM

41st Christmas at Christ Church

by fomag | Music

Guilford, Vt. – Friends of Music’s 41st Annual Christmas at Christ Church program is set for 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15—note this departure from past years’ schedule for the reprise performance. Christ Church is at the corner of Rt. 5 south and Melendy Hill Road in the Algiers Village of Guilford.

        “Brightest & Best: Music to Welcome the Holy Child” is this season’s theme for the program. Since mid-September, Tom Baehr has been conducting rehearsals with sixteen Guilford Chamber Singers. Many have sung with Friends of Music for a long time, and others are new to this annual “pick-up” group but sing with other choirs and choruses in the area.

43rd Community Messiah Sing: A Benefit for the Homeless

by fomag | Music

Brattleboro, Vt. – Friends of Music at Guilford, for a 43rd year, invites singers and music lovers in the Tri-State region to start their holiday season with its annual Community Messiah Sing on the first Saturday in December. Set again at Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main Street in Brattleboro, the Sing’s permanent home since 1982, the event is a benefit for agencies serving the area’s homeless.

        This year the first Saturday falls on December 7, and the program is set to begin as usual at 1:00 p.m. with Clark Anderson at the helm as conductor for a third season. William McKim graciously stepped in for a 28th year as Sing organist when Christian Huebner, Centre Church’s resident organ master, learned that his ministerial ordination ceremony was set for the same afternoon. Messrs. Anderson and McKim will lead the assembled singers through the Christmas portion of Handel’s masterwork, plus a few other favorite sections from Parts II and III.