Newfane to hold Special Town meeting on Nov. 8
NEWFANE - The rescheduled Special Town Meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m., at the NewBrook Fire House on Route 30.
On the warrant is an article to authorize the Newfane Selectboard to negotiate purchase of the property served by the Lynch Bridge.
If the town purchases the property, this would eliminate the need for the bridge, but the town would still be eligible for 90 percent of the money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that is earmarked for the bridge. The difference between the purchase price and the FEMA funds is approximately $250,000.
Proposed alternative uses for the money include improvements at the Williamsville Hall.
West Brattleboro Association to meet
WEST BRATTLEBORO - On Thursday, Nov. 8, from 6-7:30 p.m., the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) will hold its monthly meeting at The New England House, 254 Marlboro Rd. The Association will review its treasury, its participation in both the town's traffic safety study as it regards Route 9 through West Brattleboro, and the TriPark housing situation since Tropical Storm Irene.
In addition to a review of these issues, there will be information about the West B Neighborhoods program, and the group will vote on proposed new board member, Helen Robb.
Members of the WBA will report on the Nov. 5 Selectboard hearing, vis-à-vis the Brattleboro Town Plan, and the group will continue the discussion about newly proposed signage for West Brattleboro and the Stockwell Trail. They will also discuss plans for their annual Holiday Party, a fun event for all members and their guests.
The meetings (which are held on the second Thursday of the month at this time and venue alternately with a morning meeting at Sunny's Deli on Western Avenue) are open to all residents. The Holiday Party in December will take the place of the monthly meeting.
BASIC to host third community forum with skatepark architect
BRATTLEBORO – Brattleboro Area Skatepark is Coming (BASIC) and the Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department will host a third public design workshop about the skatepark design with Mike Mclntyre, Skatepark Architect from Action Sport Design (ASD), now with Stantec, at the Gibson-Aiken Senior Center on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m.
This public forum presents local skaters an opportunity to provide input into the design process, provides time for the public to discuss esthetic concerns relating to skatepark design, and will serve as further input to Stantec from the public meetings held in September and October.
For more information, contact the Recreation and Park Office at 802-254-5808.
Knife sharpening clinic benefits Our Place
ROCKINGHAM - Thyme to Cook, located on Route 5 near Exit 6 of Interstate 91, will hold its annual knife sharpening clinic, conducted by Wusthof Knives, on Friday, Nov. 9, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Bring your first knife in to be sharpened for free, and up to two more will be sharpened for $2 each. All knife sharpening proceeds will benefit Our Place Drop in Center in Bellows Falls. No serrated knives will be sharpened. The store will have specials on knife-related products as well. Call 802-463-4929 for more information.
Alex Wilson to speak on resilient design at Marlboro Grad School
BRATTLEBORO - Alex Wilson will discuss his new initiative, the Resilient Design Institute (RDI), at Marlboro College Graduate School on Friday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m.
The Resilient Design Institute (RDI) advances practical solutions that can be employed by communities, businesses, and individuals to adapt and thrive amid the accelerating social, ecological, and climatological change being experienced today. In this program, Wilson will address resilient design as a driver of sustainability.
Well-known in the green design field, Wilson is the founder of BuildingGreen, Inc. and Environmental Building News. He has a well-earned reputation for being a pioneer in Green Architecture and remains a leading light in the field. He is incisive, technical, and filled with anecdotes. His Brattleboro-based company's resources are used throughout North America and the world by designers and builders wanting to create more environmentally responsible buildings.
He also writes the weekly Energy Solutions column in the Brattleboro Reformer and is a member of Marlboro Grad School's MBA Circle of Advisors.
The talk is free and open to the public. It will take place at Marlboro College Graduate School, 28 Vernon St.
Free car wash for veterans on Nov. 11
BRATTLEBORO - For the sixth year, Burton Car Wash & Detailing Services will participate in the Grace for Vets program.
Burton is offering a free top-of-the-line car wash to all veterans and military service personnel. Washes will be given rain or shine at either of the Burton locations – 201 Canal St. or 873 Putney Rd. - from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Last year, Grace for Vets provided 119,317 washes at 1,446 car wash locations across the United States.
“It's so important to remember those who have served our country. The United States wouldn't be what it is today without the dedication and sacrifice of our military,” says Connie Burton, owner of Burton Car Wash & Detailing. “Giving a free wash one day of the year is the least we can do to honor veterans for their service. I hope every serviceman in the area hears about this program and comes to get a free wash on Nov. 11.”
More information can be found at www.graceforvets.org, or call Burton Car Wash at 802-254-2086.
Kate O'Connor to speak at AAUW meeting
BRATTLEBORO - Kate O'Connor of Brattleboro, a former special assistant to Gov. Howard Dean, will address members and guests of the Brattleboro branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) at a meeting to be held on Monday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. at the community room at Hayes Court on Garfield Drive in West Brattleboro.
The public is invited.
O'Connor, a graduate of BUHS and Bates College, has written a book, Do The Impossible: My Crash Course on Presidential Politics Inside the Howard Dean Campaign, published by the Northshire Bookstore. It is about her many experiences in political life. She began working for Dean on his first day in office as a special assistant and Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs. She was his special assistant when he ran for president in 2004. After that, she was a consultant. Her last years in Brattleboro have been spent writing her book.
AAUW is a national organization devoted to advancing equity in education for women and girls through advocacy, education, research and philanthropy. Contact Brattleboro membership chair Vivian Prunier at 802-387-5875.
League of Women Voters to meet
BRATTLEBORO - The Southeast Unit of the Vermont League of Women Voters will meet on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., in the Selectboard Room on the second floor of the Municipal Center to review State League positions.
Every two years the Vermont League of Women Voters holds its convention. One of the things members do at convention is reaffirm support of existing State League positions. As a consequence, members are asked to review those position statements every two years to determine they still want to support existing State League positions, or to update or modify an existing position, or to pursue a new position on a new issue.
This is part of the League's bottom-up process to make sure that all members have a say in advocacy work. All State League position statements are available at the Vermont League of Women Voters web site. The public is invited to attend to learn about the League and how it works.
Jamaica/Wardsboro food pantry prepares for Thanksgiving
JAMAICA - Thanksgiving is right around the corner and preparations at the Jamaica/Wardsboro Community Food Pantry are underway. Their Thanksgiving distribution is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 19, at 6:30 p.m..
The Community Food Pantry provides nutritious, supplemental food for families with young children, the elderly, and those who by illness or circumstance find themselves in financial difficulties. Last Thanksgiving, they served 57 households, representing 195 individuals. They expect to serve at least that many in 2012.
Financial gifts can be sent to: Jamaica/Wardsboro Community Food Pantry, in care of Elaine Beckwith, P.O. Box 179, Jamaica, VT 05343.
Marine Corps League 'Toys for Kids' program begins
BRATTLEBORO - Appointments are being scheduled for the Marine Corps League Detachment and Auxiliary Unit 798 Toys for Kids project aimed at helping families in need of assistance for their children during the Christmas season.
Appointments can be made by calling 802-257-0001 from 4-7 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 21. Calls will not be received at other times or by dialing other numbers.
When calling, participants must have Social Security or Medicaid numbers for the children, ages 12 and under. When coming to the distribution site, participants must bring those cards with them.
The program reaches out to needy families in southeastern Vermont, southwestern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. Participants must be able to report to the distribution site at scheduled appointment times.
Distribution will begin Monday, Dec. 3, on the lower level of American Legion Post 5 on Linden Street.
Marlboro Alliance to hold wreath sale
MARLBORO - Decorate your home, this winter with beautiful wreaths made by a local crafts person and support a number of local causes funded by the Marlboro Alliance. Fourteen-inch wreaths are $18, 22-inch wreaths are $24, and 30-inch wreaths are $35.
All orders must be received by Monday Nov. 21. Wreath pick up will be at the Marlboro Post Office on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, e-mail marlboroalliance@gmail.com. Orders may be sent to Marlboro Alliance, P.O. Box 42, Marlboro, VT 05344. Include your name and phone number with your order.
Prevention Coalition offers free parenting workshop in Grafton
GRAFTON - The Greater Falls Prevention Coalition (GFPC) is offering the “Guiding Good Choices” parenting series in Grafton this Ffall.
Registration is currently open and classes will begin once a minimum number of parents have registered. Register today! This free, five-week series led by GFPC's Parent Outreach Coordinator provides support and skill-building for parents of kids ages 8-13.
The workshop focuses on setting boundaries, monitoring, communication, and dealing with conflict. Child care and light food are available. To register, contact Deb Witkus at 802-463-9927, ext. 212 or gfpc4parents@gmail.com.
Vermont website opens for Sandy donations
WATERBURY – Those Vermonters who wish to donate to Sandy relief efforts have a number of options. The Vermont Community Foundation has set up a web page with links for donating to national and regional disaster relief efforts.
The site also includes links to volunteer organizations and social media sites that coordinate volunteers and donations. The site can be found at bit.ly/responding_to_sandy.
The American Red Cross is also taking cash donations at www.redcross.org/charitable-donations.