AARP tax help now available
BRATTLEBORO - Free tax assistance through the AARP Tax-Aide Program is once again available in Windham County.
AARP Tax-Aide is the nation's largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service available to all low and middle income taxpayers, but with a special emphasis on those aged 60 and older. This year, tax assistance will be offered at the Bellows Falls Senior Center, the Brattleboro Senior Center, both the VFW and the Community Bible Chapel in Brattleboro and the Jacksonville Municipal Center. Watch for the calendar listings for exact times and dates.
Tax-Aide volunteers are trained through a joint program with the IRS and must pass a rigorous exam to qualify as a Tax-Aide counselor. Counselors are certified to assist in preparing and filing the 1040 personal income tax forms, including itemized deductions, as well as simple business forms.
All information is strictly confidential and kept using secure means approved by AARP and the IRS. Watch for additional information on specific site locations, scheduling appointments and information to bring with you to your appointment.
Orthopedic surgeon presents free talk on knee arthritis
BRATTLEBORO - Southern Vermont Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine will present a free talk about knee arthritis by Dr. Elizabeth McLarney on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 6-8 p.m., in Brattleboro Memorial Hospital's Brew Barry Conference room.
Knee arthritis affects a large number of orthopedic patients. More than 600,000 total knee replacement surgeries are performed annually in the United States. McLarney, an orthopaedic surgeon, will discuss the role of total knee replacement in relieving knee pain and allowing patients to improve activity levels. A patient who has undergone the total knee replacement procedure will also talk about their personal experience and answer any questions raised by the attending audience.
The offices of Southern Vermont Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine are housed in the Richards Building on the campus of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, which is located at 17 Belmont Ave. For more information, call 802-258-6400 or visit http://www.southernvtortho.org.
Singing Valentines reservations due by Feb. 8
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Women's Chorus will surprise someone dear to you with a Singing Valentine by a Chorus small ensemble.
All day on Feb. 14, groups of 3-6 women dressed in red and pink will be scurrying about the Brattleboro area with well-rehearsed, three-part harmony songs that celebrate the glory of love and friendship.
Because of the popularity of these “singing telegrams,” there is an early deadline for ordering this year – Feb. 8. After that, orders cannot be guaranteed, but may be booked as space allows.
Cost for two songs within 5 miles of Brattleboro is $35, or $45 from 6-15 miles. In the past, groups have sung to people in such locations as in their homes, in hospitals, offices, stores, schools, and restaurants. If your valentine recipient lives out of the area, a single song can be sung over the phone between 6-8 p.m. for $20.
Some of this year's songs include: Our House by Crosby Stills and Nash, Let It Be Me by the Everly Brothers, On The Street Where You Live (from My Fair Lady) by Lerner & Lowe, and the medley You've Got A Friend/You've Got A Friend in Me by Carole King/Randy Newman, all of which are arranged by director Becky Graber.
To order, fill out an order form online by Feb. 8 at http://www.BrattleboroWomensChorus.org or call 970-708-4034.
Tri-Town Collectors to meet in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - The Tri Town Collectors Club will hold a special scholarship fundraising committee meeting during its show and collector meetings on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Holiday Inn Express on Chickering Drive.
Area collectors of all ages are invited to meet various hobbyist. The event, which will offer door prizes, begins at 9 a.m. with a club business meeting during the show's start-up session. Special door prizes this month include sports cards, donated stamps from a Bellows Falls collector, and a group of Indian Head cents, Buffalo nickels and a collection of numismatic reading material.
After a family fun day of buying and selling collectibles, dealers will join the Tri Town Numismatic Society at 3:30 p.m. for its monthly meeting. There is no admission charge and anyone looking to sell or trade their collectible items such as coins, comic books, sports/postcards and other interesting items may set up a card table by calling show chairman Joe Fuller at 802-297-1274 or e-mail Pepsijoseph@yahoo.com.
Renewable energy discussion to be held at Grad Center
BRATTLEBORO - In 2000, Germany set a goal of achieving 20 percent renewable electricity production by 2020. At that time, they were at 3 percent Now, just a dozen years later, they are already at 25 percent. How is Germany transitioning to a renewable energy economy so quickly?
On Monday, Feb. 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Marlboro College Graduate Center, 28 Vernon St., long-time renewable energy advocate Bob Walker and Vermont State Rep. Margaret Cheney will report on what they learned from their recent renewable energy tour of Germany as guests of the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
The trip was designed for policymakers and advocates who are advancing renewable energy in the United States. The group traveled around Germany meeting with members of Parliament, government officials, cooperative organizers, technical consultants, and farmers, all of whom are helping to rapidly make Germany the world's leader in renewable energy development.
Walker and Cheney will share photos, stories, and lessons from their trip and discuss how government policies, financing mechanisms, and local involvement can stimulate the growth of renewable energy, create business opportunities, and strengthen the regional economy. For more information: contact Tad Montgomery at 802-251-0502 or Tad@HomeEnergyAdvocates.com.
BF Woman's Club meets Feb. 12
BELLOWS FALLS - The Bellows Falls Woman's Club, member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, will hold its Feb. 12 meeting at the United Church of Bellows Falls on School Street, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
A representative of Parks Place Resource Center will speak about the agency's programs. Club members are reminded to bring non-perishable food and personal care items for Our Place Drop-in Center.
Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition presents free parenting workshop
BRATTLEBORO - In an effort to promote positive communications between parents, caregivers and teens, the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition (BAPC) is offering the Parenting Teens Wisely workshop, on Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 6-9 p.m. in Brattleboro. The free three-hour workshop teaches parents skills and techniques to help them better understand and deal with children ages 10-19.
Two trained facilitators will guide participants to help build understanding and communication among all members of the family. The course teaches constructive skills proven to lessen drug and alcohol abuse in youth, school and homework problems, delinquency and other problem behaviors, as well as family conflict.
All participants will receive a Parenting Teens Wisely workbook, a parent resource packet, a certificate of completion and a $25 gift card upon completion. Snacks will also be provided during the course.
Space is limited. For more information and/or register, call BAPC at 802-257-2175 or visit BrattleboroAreaPreventionCoalition.org.
Toastmasters meet Feb. 14 at Marlboro Grad Center
BRATTLEBORO - If fear and shyness around public speaking are holding you back, or are holding someone in your organization back, then Toastmasters is the answer.
BrattleMasters, the Brattleboro-based chapter of Toastmasters International, meets Thursday, Feb. 14, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Marlboro College Graduate Center, room 2E, 28 Vernon St.
On the occasion of Valentine's Day, the theme of this week's meeting is “Hot and Spicy,” by which organizers mean speaking to inform, persuade, entertain or inspire.
The club meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month at the same time and location. Guests are welcome and refreshments are provided. There is no pressure to speak, and members are working at their own pace and with assigned mentors to help them meet their speaking and leadership goals.
For more information, visit brattleboro.toastmastersclubs.org.
Sign-ups begin soon for Kindergarten in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - Kindergarten registration for the Brattleboro Town Schools will be held from March 6 to 13.
Registration for all Brattleboro students entering kindergarten will be held in individual kindergarten classrooms throughout the town. Children will not necessarily attend kindergarten at the school where they participate in the registration. School assignments will be made later in the spring.
Any Brattleboro resident with a child who will be 5-years-old on or before Sept. 1, 2013, should call Sue Dyer at 802-254-3742, ext. 124, for further information and to schedule an appointment. Appointments will be confirmed by mail.
Anyone wishing an exception to the policy regarding age for entrance must send a request in writing to Sue Dyer, Coordinator of Kindergarten Registration, Early Education Services, 130 Birge Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301, by April 1. In no case will a request for testing for early admission be allowed for a child whose birth date falls more than 60 days after the Sept. 1 date.
Vermont law requires proof of immunization for school enrollment. Children may be exempt from immunization for medical, religious or moral reasons.
Seats available for bus trip to the Boston Flower Show
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Senior Center and First Choice Tours invites any flower or garden enthusiasts to attend the annual Boston Flower and Garden Show on Friday, March 15.
The trip includes round trip transportation, admission to flower show, side trip to Quincy Market, tour escort and gratuities.
All Brattleboro Senior Trips are open to area adults. Contact the Brattleboro Senior Center at 802-257-7570 for more information, or stop in Monday through Friday from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Brattleboro Area Hospice offers spring volunteer training sessions
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Area Hospice will offer its spring volunteer training beginning Tuesday, March 12 and continuing until May 21. The Tuesday morning trainings run from 9 a.m. until noon and are held at BAH, 191 Canal Street, Brattleboro. Applications are due by Feb. 25.
Hospice volunteers help and support neighbors and their families who are living with life-threatening illnesses throughout Windham County. Help may range from errands and gardening to emotional and physical support. Volunteers report that the work is challenging and very rewarding.
Training topics include Hospice philosophy, nuts and bolts of volunteering, ethical issues, personal attitudes toward death and dying, and grief issues among others. Presenters include professionals from the community as well as Hospice staff and volunteers.
For an application, call the Brattleboro Area Hospice office at 802-257-0775. A $40 donation is requested to help defray the cost of training materials.