Union Institute & University hosts poetry reading

Union Institute & University is holding its third annual poetry reading this Saturday, March 16, at 3 p.m., featuring Robin MacArthur, John Rose, and F. D. Reeve.

The event is free. Union Institute & University is at 157 Old Guilford Rd.

MacArthur is an affiliated professor at Union Institute & University. A mother, writer and educator, she represents half of the indie-folk duo Red Heart the Ticker. Her essays and short fiction have been featured in Orion magazine, Shenandoah: The Washington and Lee University Review, and on National Public Radio.

Rose's work has appeared in numerous journals, including Old Crow, Jack Mackerel magazine, and Today's Poets. Described by James Tate as “a powerful and original poet,” Rose has twice been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

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A matter of temperament

“Ben 'Spoon' Agave: Providing expertise to 'make a good town better'” [News, Feb. 27] was great and gave me a good glimpse into Mr. Agave, whom, after reading this article, I determined I could not support. I supported Kate O'Connor for the simple reason that she has a better...

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Vermont Yankee’s safety record gets NRC approval

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission recently completed its 2012 performance review for the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. In a letter dated March 4, NRC Branch Chief Ronald Bellamy told Chris Wamser, site vice president of Vermont Yankee, that the plant's safety was up to par. “The NRC determined...

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Putney debates sharing deputy with Westminster

Putney voters decided via voice vote at their annual town meeting on March 5 to allow the town's Selectboard to make a final decision on whether Putney and neighboring Westminster should share a 70-hour per week contract with the Windham County Sheriff's Department. Westminster voters had already decided at their own March 2 town meeting to approve a budget for a shared Windham County sheriff contract. Putney Selectboard Chair Josh Laughlin, however, said that Westminster voters had acted prematurely in...

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Putney General Store proprietor to step aside

The Putney General Store will remain open, even though store operator Ming Chou will leave this summer. That's the vow from the Putney Historical Society, the nonprofit that owns the building. Historical Society board member Lyssa Papazian said that Chou, who is working toward a smooth transition with the board, is coping with health concerns, and with no family in the area to help with the store and serve as backup, “it's not doable for him.” “We certainly expected to...

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Colonel boys fall short in quest for state hockey title

The only thing worse than losing a playoff game and falling one game short of playing for a state championship is being a senior and tasting that bitter defeat in the last game you'll ever play for your school. For the eight seniors on the Brattleboro Colonels boys' hockey team - Jimmy Podlaski, Romello Lindsey, Nik Rancourt, Ryan Cobb, Andy Harris, Philip Perkins, Adam Griffin, and Jason Molina - last Friday's 2-1 loss to the Burr & Burton Bulldogs in...

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Around the Towns

Toastmasters to meet BRATTLEBORO - BrattleMasters, the Brattleboro-based chapter of Toastmasters International, meets Thursday, March 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Marlboro College Graduate Center, room 2E, 28 Vernon St. The theme of this week's meeting is “Speak Up to Win,” focusing on what it takes to advocate for oneself on the job and for a more prosperous career. Four new member inductions are also scheduled. Refreshments are provided. The club meets the second and fourth Thursday of every...

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Forest Moon thanks supporters of winter fundraiser

Forest Moon: Celebrating Cancer Survivorship thanks all those who made our recent fundraiser at the Stump Sprouts Lodge and Cross Country Ski Center in Hawley, Mass., a success. Forest Moon lights a path through cancer, but we can't shine that light without lots of help from individual, corporate and foundation supporters. A fresh snowfall overnight and a crisp, bright January afternoon made for excellent trail conditions. And the hearty homemade dinner was a terrific way to relax and share the...

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Sugar boogie

Half the people on your road park their cars near the highway and walk; the other half fasten their seat belts, take a deep breath, and gun it, bucking ruts and jerking wheels as their bodies get slammed this way and that. The kids on the school bus hold on to the seats in front of them and scream as the bus driver (your mother) presses the pedal to the floor, tightens her jaw, and keeps the bus pointed forward...

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Children create mural for Greater Falls Warming Shelter

A group of children from the First Universalist Parish of Chester has created a mural to brighten the Greater Falls Warming Shelter. Working with artist Jamie Townsend of Springfield as part of a religious education project focused on social action and homelessness, the youngsters painted a colorful scene depicting hands holding a heart and a bird singing in a tree while the sun shines brightly down on them all. The mission of the Greater Falls Warming Shelter is to provide...

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State wraps up hearings for Vermont Yankee

Ten days of technical hearings before the Public Service Board on the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant wrapped up the final week of February. A slightly road-weary Raymond Shadis, consulting advisor and expert witness for the anti-nuclear New England Coalition, provided his views on the the fight over Vermont Yankee's state-awarded Certificate of Public Good. “There's a real fight on,” said Shadis of the CPG hearing. The PSB said it anticipates announcing in November whether it will award the CPG.

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Retreat launches new electronic health record system

The Brattleboro Retreat has gone live with a new electronic health record system, a nearly $2 million investment it says will improve accountability and patient care and safety. According to Robert E. Simpson Jr., Retreat president and CEO, the move is “a truly auspicious and critically important event for the Retreat. “An electronic health record is a crucial component in modernizing patient care and ensuring patient safety; goals that match perfectly with the Retreat's philosophy of care and workplace culture,”

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Film on Vermont’s migrant workers to be shown

On Friday, March 22, Migrant Justice will show the new documentary HIDE, which takes viewers inside the daily lives and struggles for dignity of eight migrant farm workers from Latin America working on Vermont dairy farms. The film showing will be followed by a discussion led by Migrant Justice and migrant farm workers. The film is produced by Elori Kramer and Peter Coccoma in collaboration with Migrant Justice. There will be two showings. In Keene, N.H., the film will be...

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Milestones

Obituaries • Tad Clawson of West Townshend. Died March 2, after a brief illness. Husband of Heidi Andrus Clawson for 30 years. Son of the late Robert and Muriel Smythe Clawson. Brother of Jill Berghel and her husband, Bill, of Mem­phis, Tenn. He graduated from Duke Uni­versity with a B.A. in Business Ad­ministration and went on to an insurance career as partner in the agency, Bono-Clawson Asso­ciates. After retirement, he be­came an independent consultant for investments and small busi­ness management.

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IndieFlix now available through Brooks Memorial Library’s digital services

Now that you've watched the Academy Awards, stream independent films to your favorite digital device-via your library card. Brooks Memorial Library has added another digital service to its suite of online services with IndieFlix, a digital streaming service offering nearly 2,000 films. IndieFlix is similar to other digital content to download eAudio and eBooks from the library's website in that users create an account, register with their library card number, and then set to streaming content. The company's website says...

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Blame Ratzinger, not me

Joseph Ratzinger - Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI - will go down in history as one of the most disgusting, hypocritical, unrepentant, criminal sinners in modern times. To anyone offended by my comments, blame Ratzinger and years of abuses by the Catholic Church, not me. They did the deeds.

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Not voting is sometimes the better choice

I didn't go to town meeting, but I went to vote today. I vote only on the issues that I feel strongly about, or that I know are the right thing to do (like funding local charities, libraries, etc.) and which are in danger of losing funding if I do not vote. On some issues, I just do not have an opinion, so I do not vote on those articles on the ballot. I really don't think it matters who...

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Errors in Guilford story

RE: “Guilford votes to send grades 7, 8 to BAMS” [News, March 6]: • Guilford Central School was a first-grade-through-eighth-grade school from 1957 to 1969. A kindergarten class was added in 1969. • The school board member mentioned is Penny Lussier. • The vote was taken by paper ballot, requested from the floor in lieu of a voice vote, not via Australian ballot. • The entire discussion and vote on the article was one hour and 45 minutes, not more...

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Stone Church Arts presents a St. Patrick’s Day ‘fiddle frenzy’

On Saturday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m., Stone Church Arts presents its annual celebration of Spring and Celtic music, the St. Patrick's Fiddle Frenzy. This year, they welcome two veterans to the Fiddle Frenzy, cellist Eugene Friesen and fiddler Emerald Rae, as well as two newcomers, multi-instrumentalists Rachel Clark and Bob DeMarco of the Celtic duo Blackbird. Join them for this one-of-a-kind musical party at Immanuel Episcopal Church, “The Stone Church on the Hill,” at 20 Church St. Friesen has...

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Preparing the ground for Putney Road

The Vermont Agency of Transportation has big plans for the section of Putney Road between the West River bridge and the Exit 3 roundabout. A major reconstruction involving sidewalks, a bike lane, landscaping, and four new roundabouts is planned. The project, conservatively estimated at $15 million, will reconstruct about one and a quarter miles of roadway, and cover more than 10 acres. According to state officials, construction is slated for summer 2020. “It's all about safety and mobility,” said Ken...

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Rich Earth Institute gets USDA grant for urine reclamation project

The Rich Earth Institute (REI) has received a $15,000 grant from the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program to conduct a second season of field trials with Jay and Janet Bailey of Fairwinds Farm on Upper Dummerston Road. The Rich Earth Institute is a nonprofit research and demonstration organization founded in 2011 by Abe Noe-Hays and Kim Nace. Dedicated to closing the food nutrient cycle, the mission of REI is to advance and promote human manure as a...

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With a shout

Join choreographer Reggie Wilson and two vocalists from his Fist and Heel Performance Group at a “Community Shout” for “(project) Moseses Project,” a dance performance work exploring representations of the Biblical figure Moses in story, myth, and history. Wilson is the first artist-in-residence through the Vermont Performance Lab's new Hatchery Project, a multi-year collaborative residency partnership supporting dance and other performance artists. Guests are invited to add their voices and bodies to this performance, which VPL Director Sara Coffey calls...

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New BMAC exhibits showcase contemporary art of China

Two remarkable new exhibits of Chinese contemporary art and photography will be on display at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) beginning Saturday, March 16. Featuring the work of renowned photographer Liu Bolin and 20 other contemporary Chinese artists, the new exhibits invite visitors to take a deep exploration of contemporary Chinese artistic expression. Museum visitors will also have the opportunity to contribute their own creations to a related interactive exhibit in the museum's family-friendly Ticket Gallery. Four of...

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Has the tribe really spoken about the skatepark?

This whole skatepark ordeal reminds me of the reality show Survivor, where inside alliances are formed and galvanized, strategies are plotted, and immunity from public process and scrutiny is granted, then granted again for privileged access to the spoils of a valued green-space splendor and the once-spacious neighborhood playground haven it will permanently occupy as its reward. There, the producers create a fractious and desperate atmosphere to maximize drama and to present pop-up obstacles. At this point, castaways bump into...

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House needs to fix ‘death with dignity’ bill

Our representatives in the Vermont House will soon take up a bill having to do with end-of-life choice, or patient-directed dying. This action follows the passage of an end-of-life bill by the Senate last month. Credit is due the Senate for its serious consideration of a carefully written bill based on Oregon's “death with dignity” law and the experience with it over the past 14 years, but the Senate's bill is woefully lacking. It's a one-page amendment of the original,

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Have voice, will travel

Jazz vocalist Karrin Allyson explains what brings her to the Vermont Jazz Center (VJC) on Saturday, March 16, at 8 p.m., in concert with, “A World Tour in a Single Night.” “In a word, work,” she said, laughing. “That's my job, to go where the people want me. I travel around the world for concerts. I just did a wedding in Beirut that was really amazing. And often you don't know until the last minute where you might have to...

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Dates set for Town Meeting info sessions

Brattleboro's pre-Town Meeting information session for the town budget is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, at Academy School, 860 Western Ave. Town Meeting Members of each of the three districts will caucus at 6:30 p.m. to appoint members to vacant seats. Districts 1 and 2 have nine vacancies each; District 3 has four vacancies to fill. Anyone interested in being appointed as a town meeting member should be present at the caucus or contact the Brattleboro Town Clerk at 802-251-8129...

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Having his back

The 26.2 miles of a marathon are known to be a test of human endurance, for those who have run the race as well as for those who have only imagined it. On Feb. 17 in Austin, Texas, Dummerston native Jeremiah Cioffi and his wife Kim ran the Livestrong Marathon on behalf of Brattleboro resident Neil Taylor. They did so to to honor Taylor's battle with cancer as well as gain a new understanding of his ongoing struggle. Jeremiah Cioffi,

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Drone dilemma

I had to see the controversial film Zero Dark Thirty for myself to decide if, as charged, it advanced the case for “enhanced interrogation methods” - military-speak for torture. It did not, in my view. What it did was affirm the hideous and inhumane nature of torture, no matter where it is carried out and by whom. It should never be used by any country that positions itself as a moral leader. Now, I need to see the documentary Dirty...

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Watershed Council wants more information for Connecticut River hydro relicensing

March 1 marked a major deadline for public comments on five hydroelectric facilities on the Connecticut River seeking renewal of their operating licenses. The Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC) submitted more than 100 pages of comments and study requests to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for additional information needed to make sound decisions about license renewal. The five hydro projects included in the 2018 relicensing are Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon dams in Vermont, and Turners Falls Dam and...

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Brattleboro School Endowment distributes funds

The Brattleboro School Endowment recently distributed funds to three area elementary schools for use in their winter sports programs. Funds from the nonprofit can be used to support all the extras that make a good education even better, said its president, Jill Stahl Tyler. “Winter sports has been a specific emphasis for the endowment since its creation,” Tyler said. “We hope that the money eventually given each year to the schools can help with paying for such things as artists-in-residence,

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Protect Vermont from industrial wind

RE: “Bipartisan support for a 'pause?'” [Town & Village, March 6]: It is critical that Vermonters understand that these senators, joined by State Representatives Carolyn Partridge and Matt Trieber, support Senate bill S30 after careful review of all the issues, including: • the cost of actual energy produced, both in terms of money and the environment, • economic impact to homeowners, second homeowners, and tourism, which produces many more local jobs than the wind developers at less environmental impact, •

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Megawatts don't add up

RE: “Bipartisan support for a 'pause?'” [Town & Village, March 6]: There are several important corrections that need to be made with respect to my comments. Most important: For New England to achieve 20 percent of our energy coming from wind power, we need to build 9,000 MW. Today, New England has around 700 MW installed. Onshore wind power is twice as, and in some cases three times more, expensive than conventional sources.

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Library offers genealogy, local history workshop

Brooks Memorial Library hosts a workshop on local history and genealogy with Linda Hay, former Academy School librarian, on Saturday, March 16, at 10:30 a.m. in the Brooks Memorial Library meeting room. If you're a family historian, a writer, a historical adventurer, or are simply curious, you'll find the daily lives ordinary people lived in the past a wonderful story worth piecing together. That's what Hay found in researching what life was like in Guilford in one particular year. Out...

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