Transition Dummerston explores the Vermont Home Energy Challenge
DUMMERSTON - Transition Dummerston's monthly potluck and program will be on Friday, March 22, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Dummerston Congregational Church.
Prior to the potluck, from 5-6 p.m., there will be an informational meeting about a project for installing a Batch Solar Hot-Water System, led by Jessy Diamondstone. The community potluck will begin at 6 p.m., with opportunity to socialize with neighbors. Bring a seasonal dish to share; local food encouraged.
The main program, from 7-8:30 p.m.,will focus on the Vermont Home Energy Challenge, in which Transition Dummerston has recently decided to participate.
A panel will present the facts about the Home Energy Challenge and resources and incentives for home-owners to get involved: Jerelyn Wilson will talk about Dummerston Energy Committee's goals, and how they relate to the Challenge; Paul Cameron will explain how the Challenge will enable home-owners to conserve energy and save money; and Tad Montgomery will explain financing and government incentives for the program.
The Vermont Home Energy Challenge is a joint project of Efficiency Vermont and the Vermont Energy Climate Action Network (VECAN), designed to promote home weatherization for savings, comfort, and the environment. This creative program assists homeowners in identifying and implementing needed home energy efficiency improvements through home energy visits and audits, collaborations with energy contractors, and financial incentives.
It challenges each participating town to reach a target of weatherizing 3 percent of its homes, with a $10,000 prize going to the town in each region with the highest percentage. The more long-range goal is to help Vermont reach its statewide goal of 25 percent energy savings in 80,000 homes by the year 2020.
Transition Dummerston is looking for individuals interested in becoming involved in all aspects of the challenge, from volunteering to conduct home energy visits, to having one's home audited and weatherized. For more information, contact Catie Berg at 802-257-2007 or CatieGBerg@mac.com, or Ken Field at 802-387-5288 or KenCField@gmail.com.
Pet vaccination clinic in Halifax
HALIFAX - There will be a pet vaccination clinic at the Halifax Fire Station, 18 Branch Road, West Halifax, on Saturday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Dr. Ben Dow of Putney will be vaccinating both cats and dogs. This clinic is open to anyone. For the convenience of Halifax residents, the Town Clerk will be present to issue licenses.
Fees will be $12 for a rabies shot for a dog or cat, and $20 for a combination shot for dog or cat. Dogs must be on a leash and cats in a carrier. For more information, call 802-368-7390.
Dog licenses due in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro dog and wolf-hybrid licenses are due on or before April 1. Vermont dogs and wolf-hybrids six months of age and older must be licensed on or before April 1.
License fees for dogs are $15 for neutered animals, $22 for unneutered animals. Specially trained assistance dogs may be eligible for a reduced licensing fee.
For dogs not previously licensed in Brattleboro, a first-time license must be obtained in person from the Town Clerk's office. Licenses being renewed may be processed in the Town Clerk's office, through the mail or online at www.brattleboro.org.
Vaccination against rabies is required by Vermont Statutes before licensing. If an animal has been spayed or neutered, the certificate issued by the veterinarian must be presented when licensing the animal for the first time. A current rabies certificate issued and signed by a veterinarian must be filed with the Town Clerk.
Dogs and wolf-hybrids licensed after April 1 will be charged a penalty. In addition, any person failing to license a dog or wolf-hybrid may be fined up to $100 and the dog or wolf-hybrid may be impounded. If an animal licensed last year has died or been given away, contact the Town Clerk's office at 802-251-8157.
There will be a rabies clinic for area animals Saturday, March 30 at the West Brattleboro Fire Station from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers. Vaccinations are $10 each. An Assistant Town Clerk will be present to license dogs that reside in Brattleboro.
Irish/Celtic music concert presented in Guilford
GUILFORD - On Saturday, March 23, at 7 p.m., the Guilford Historical Society will present its ninth annual evening of Irish/Celtic music at the Guilford Community Church. Jim Anderson, once again, will be the master of ceremony.
The performers will be The St.Patrick's Irish Singers - Tony Barrand, Bill McKim, Michael Mario, Greg Sweeney, Peter Gould, Aiden Perra, Cassandra Anderson, Leslie Cotter, Jason Guerino, and Greg Sweeney. There will be singing, dancing, and a variety of instruments played including piano, guitar, banjo, bass, and squeezebox.
A suggested donation of $5. per person is requested. All proceeds go to the Guilford Historical Society.
Neighborhood Garden planning meeting set
BELLOWS FALLS - Would you like to garden in a raised bed this summer? Maybe you haven't gardened before, but would love to do so if only you had some help to get started?
For folks who live in the greater Bellows Falls area, and who answer “yes” to both of these questions, you are invited to attend the planning session for the Atkinson Neighborhood Garden on Sunday, March 24, at 1 p.m., at Parks Place. On this date, you can begin to plan the kind of garden plot you would like to have, what you would like to grow, and choose to do it with a neighbor or a friend, in one or more plots.
Sponsored by the Greater Falls Community Garden Collaborative, there will be a Master Gardener present who can answer your questions and help you figure out what is the best way for you to grow the kind of garden you would like. In addition, when it's time to put together the raised beds, people from the Collaborative will help, supplying the necessary materials, as well as seeds and seedlings.
The Atkinson Neighborhood Garden is located on the site of the Peoples United Drive-up Bank, on Atkinson Street, in Bellows Falls. It offers plenty of space, as well as water. For further information, contact Kari Gypson, project manager of the Community Garden Collaborative at 802-282-8669 or kgypson@yahoo.com.
Federal lead paint certification course offered in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - Lead Safe & Healthy Homes is hosting an EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting class on Tuesday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Windham & Windsor Housing Trust offices at the Daly Shoe Building on Birge Street.
This federal certification class costs $150 to register. All landlords and contractors that disturb more than 6 sq. ft. of paint are required to obtain EPA certification or be supervised by a certified renovator.
At these trainings participants will learn about the requirements of Vermont's lead paint law and related federal regulations, the health effects of lead in children and adults, lead-safe work practices, and how to protect yourself from liability.
Pre-registration is strongly suggested. Contact Lead Safe & Healthy Homes at 802-463-9927, ext. 208, with any questions or to register.
Free psychosynthesis training, counseling class
BRATTLEBORO - There will be a free introduction to psychosynthesis on Wednesday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m., at 73 Main St. The program includes a brief presentation on the principles of psychosynthesis, along with some experiential exercises and an overview of training opportunities in the field.
Psychosynthesis literally refers to the synthesis of the many aspects of the self into a more complete and whole experience of being. Developed by Dr. Roberto Assagioli, a contemporary of Carl Jung, psychosynthesis is used in the fields of counseling, mental health, social work, education and other related fields of human development.
The program will be led by local psychotherapist and educator Jon Schottland, a senior trainer at The Synthesis Center in Amherst, Mass., for the past eight years. Schottland has recently opened up a psychosynthesis counseling center in downtown Brattleboro. For more information or to reserve a space, contact programs@synthesiscenter.org or call 802-451-6768.
Grace Cottage offers Zumba, Zumba Toning classes
TOWNSHEND - Grace Cottage Hospital will offer two Zumba classes each week, starting April 3.
The Zumba workout combines easy-to-follow moves with invigorating Latin music, creating a fitness program that is both effective and fun. Appropriate for all ages and fitness levels, the only requirements are comfy clothes, low tread sneakers, a water bottle, and the ability to have fun. Certified Zumba instructor Tiffany Reeves will lead the classes.
Zumba toning will be offered on eight Wednesdays, starting April 3. The cost is $90 plus the purchase of toning sticks. The original Zumba course will be offered on eight Fridays, starting April 5. The cost is $80. You can sign up for both series for $130.
All classes will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Grace Cottage Hospital Community Wellness Center, 133 Grafton Rd. Call 802-365-3649 to pre-register.
To make applying for health care assistance faster, easier: file a tax return
BURLINGTON - Vermonters younger than 65 who plan to apply for government health programs or for assistance paying for health care can make the process easier and faster by filing a 2012 tax return this year – even if they don't owe any taxes.
Through Vermont's new health care marketplace, Vermont Health Connect, which will begin in October 2013, the state will compare applicants' projected 2014 income with income reported on tax returns filed in 2013. If there are no significant differences between the income amounts, no additional documentation will be required and a decision about the level of assistance the applicant qualifies for can be made quickly.
However, if the applicant has no tax return on file with the IRS or there are significant differences between the reported income and the projected income, applicants may need to provide additional documentation before a decision can be made.
Free tax return preparation for income-eligible Vermonters is available at 80 sites throughout the state. For assistance locating a free tax return preparation site, Vermonters should call Vermont 2-1-1.
West Brattleboro Association seeks donations for new signs
WEST BRATTLEBORO - The West Brattleboro Association (WBA) is a group of business owners and residents interested in promoting commerce in the village and assuring that it is a safe, healthy, attractive and prosperous place – both for the community and visitors.
And they have decided one way to get traffic to take a look at West Brattleboro is to place attractive signage welcoming people to it.
With the help of Keene Signworx, the WBA has developed a design for the new, free-standing signs. The association plans to place them on town-owned land just west of the triangle at the Creamery Bridge and at the western end of the village on the property occupied by the Chelsea Royal Diner (courtesy of owner Todd Darrah) so visitors coming eastbound will benefit also.
The primary image in the signs will be a handsome graphic of the Creamery Bridge. The estimate for these signs is approximately $3,000 each, and the group is currently raising money to help make it a reality. They would like to place the signage later this spring and are hoping the community will want to participate.
The WBA will also be specifically requesting contributions from businesses along the Route 9 corridor. If you wish to make a donation, send a check (made out to the West Brattleboro Association) to WBA Treasurer Stewart McDermet at 62 Butterfield Road, Dummerston, VT 05301. Or for more information, contact WBA President Michael Bosworth at 802-258-6475.
Put healthy food on the table with 3SquaresVT
SPRINGFIELD - The high cost of food, fuel and health care is making it tough for many elders to make ends meet. Since good nutrition is extremely important, the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers the 3SquaresVT program to help eligible Vermonters access dollars for healthy food.
3SquaresVT is open to everyone who qualifies, including individuals, families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Eligibility is based on household income and household composition.
The benefits come on an EBT card that looks like other credit or debit cards used at stores; there are no “stamps” anymore. If everyone in the household is 65 or older or gets SSI, then the benefits may be distributed as cash, deposited directly into the family's bank account.
Applicants can maximize their benefits by claiming every applicable deduction. Anyone who is over 60 or who has a disability will be allowed to claim many medical expenses. For more information on 3SquaresVT, call the Vermont Senior HelpLine at 800-642-5119.