School Auditors' reports are now available
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Town and Town School District auditors' reports for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, are available upon request and may be picked up at the town clerk's office, at the Municipal Center, 230 Main St.
The auditors' reports will also be available as part of the town and school district annual report, which will be available at the town clerk's office no later than Feb. 24.
Based on a vote at the 2010 Representative Town Meeting, the town will no longer mail the auditors' reports to all voters of the town. Therefore, persons interested in obtaining a copy should contact the Town Clerk Annette Cappy (802-251-8157; acappy@brattleboro.org).
Copies will be available for pickup, may be transmitted electronically, or sent by first-class mail.
Transition Brattleboro hosts cooking class
BRATTLEBORO - Transition Brattleboro invites the public to a discussion on “Community Food Sustainability: Cooking Seasonal Veggies,” with cookbook author Leda Scheintaub, at the Brattleboro Savings & Loan community room, 221 Main St., on Thursday, Jan. 26, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Scheintaub will focus on fall and winter vegetables, and she will share two of her favorite time-and-energy-saving techniques for the post-petroleum world: slow cooking and no cooking. She will also provide tips on navigating the kitchen with ease and how to read a recipe.
Participants are encouraged to share one or two of their favorite kitchen tips, and to bring a recipe they've been wanting to tackle.
This is the third part of the “Growing Food, Preserving Food, Cooking Food” series sponsored by Transition Brattleboro. See www.TransitionBrattleboro.org for more information.
Winter Farmers' Market offers free space for community organizations
BRATTLEBORO - The Winter Farmers' Market invites local groups, organizations, or nonprofits whose work supports the sustainability mission of the market to join in on a Saturday at the market between now and March 31.
There will be no charge to participate.
Available space will vary from week to week, so the market needs to know as soon as possible so they can reserve a spot on a particular Saturday.
Groups will need to provide their own table (maximum 6-8 feet). The River Garden is wired for Internet, but there are limited electrical outlets, so specify if access to electricity is needed. All groups are welcome to bring materials to display and distribute at the market, and to have a donation jar at their table.
If you are interested, have questions, or would like more information, contact Annik Paul at farmersmarket@postoilsolutions.org or by phone at 508-769-9694.
Free classes offered at Brattleboro Area Hospice
BRATTLEBORO - This February, Brattleboro Area Hospice will offer a four-week class for those wishing to explore issues connected to death and dying.
Led by Bettina Berg, the Volunteer and Education Coordinator at Brattleboro Area Hospice, the curriculum will include material used in the training of hospice and bereavement volunteers who serve families in the community facing terminal illness and death.
The class will provide opportunities to explore one's own attitudes and feelings about death and dying, as well as to learn about how one might support a friend or neighbor during a time of loss. It will meet on four Thursday afternoons - Feb. 2, 9, 16, and 23 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. - at BAH's office at 191 Canal St.
Class size is limited and registration is required. For questions or to register, call Berg at 802-257-0775, ext. 102.
AARP Tax-Aide Program begins in February
BRATTLEBORO - AARP Tax-Aide offers free tax counseling to assist taxpayers with the preparation of basic federal and state income tax returns.
Available to middle- and low-income taxpayers, AARP Tax-Aide offers assistance with AARP/IRS trained and certified counselors at various sites throughout Windham County. Call each site for times and days.
• Brattleboro Senior Center, 207 Main St.: Mondays, 1-4 p.m. and Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon. Call 802-257-7570 between 9 a.m. and noon.
• Community Bible Chapel, 107 Atwood St.: Thursdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 802-257-1594 for an appointment.
• VFW Post 1034, 40 Black Mountain Rd.: Mondays, 9a.m.-4 p.m. and Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m. Call 802-257-9509 for an appointment.
This service will also be available at the Bellows Falls Senior Center on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Call 802-463-3907 for an appointment.
Bring last year's tax return and all tax-related documents for this year, including W2 forms, unemployment statements, Social Security and retirement documents, all 1099 forms, pension statements and receipts, and cancelled checks if itemizing deductions.
Those seeking a Renter's Rebate must bring a Landlord's Certificate and documentation of all household income. People seeking a Property Tax Adjustment must bring a copy of their current tax bill and documentation of all household income.
Class shows how to turn plastic bags into crocheted totes
BRATTLEBORO - Learn to make a strong, colorful, and multipurpose carrier using everyday plastic bags and the simple technique of crochet. No experience is necessary.
The classes, taught by Jackie Abrams, will be held on Thursdays from 6-8 p.m., on Feb. 2, 9, and 23, at Knit or Dye, 41 Main St. Abrams has been developing plastic bag crochet projects in Ghana. You can read more about them it at kamiami.blogspot.com.
The cost is $30 for all three classes, with proceeds benefiting the Brattleboro Food Shelf. Space is limited.
To register and receive further details, contact Jackie at 802-257-2688 or at jackieabramsvt@gmail.com. The classes are co-sponsored by the Brattleboro Food Coop and Knit or Dye.
Compass School hosts open house
WESTMINSTER - The Compass School on Route 5 will host an open house for students and parents who are interested in learning more about the school on Tuesday, Feb. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Open House includes homemade dinner from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a presentation from Director Dr. Rick Gordon, a question-and-answer session with students and faculty, and a tour of the school with a Compass student.
Compass School opened in 1999, and serves about 100 students in grades 7-12. It offers what it describes as “a purposeful and focused learning environment with opportunity for hands-on and community based learning.”
The graduating classes have an excellent record of acceptances to a wide range of colleges.
For a full list of college acceptances, and to learn more about the curriculum, visit www.compass-school.org. For more information about the open house, contact Director of Admissions and Development Betsy Jaffe at betsy@compass-school.org or 802-463-2517.