Town Meeting informational forum, district caucuses planned
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Town School Board will hold a pre-representative town meeting information forum on Wednesday, March 20, at Green Street School, beginning at 6:30 p.m., in the gym.
At 6 p.m., town meeting members of each district will be available to meet with constituents to offer residents an opportunity to share their views and discuss articles to be voted on at the annual meeting.
Also, at that time, Districts 1 and 3 will accept nominations to fill town meeting member vacancies for one year. District 1 has four seats to appoint and District 3 has three seats to appoint.
Any residents from any of these districts interested in being considered for this position should be present at Wednesday's 6 p.m. caucus. The public is invited to attend their district's caucus and stay for the information meeting. Childcare will be available.
Information session on RGS artist trip to Tuscany
BRATTLEBORO - An informational meeting for anyone interested in joining the River Gallery School art trip to Tuscany in October will be held on Thursday, March 21, at 6 p.m. at the school, 32 Main St. Those interested in learning more about the tour are invited to attend.
The trip will take place from Oct. 4 through 11 in Pienza, Italy, with a three-day, optional stay prior to the tour in Cortona from Oct. 1 to 3. The tour is sponsored by the River Gallery School and organized by Travel Fever Tours of Putney.
Artists as well as non-artists are welcomed on this tour to enjoy the numerous cultural activities and excursions planned - including wine tasting, sampling of the Italian cuisine, visiting an outdoor Italian market, and touring nearby villages.
River Gallery painting instructor, Lynn Zimmerman, will lead daily painting demonstrations and assist artists individually in the medium of their choice. Locations for painting will include Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, and Buonconvento. Visit www.travelfevertours.com for more information.
Stroll presents Cabin Fever Marketplace event
BRATTLEBORO - On Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the River Garden, 157 Main St., Strolling of the Heifers will host their Cabin Fever Marketplace, a fun design and art market.
At the Cabin Fever Marketplace, one will be inspired and delighted by items that are crafted and curated by creative local sellers. Find the perfect gift, tasty treat, or decoration for your home and leave knowing that springtime weather and the outdoor market season are just around the corner.
More information is available at www.StrollingOfTheHeifers.com or by calling 802-246-0982.
Goat farmer shares her experiences in Tanzania
WESTMINSTER WEST - Kathy Kingston will present “One Month in Tanzania” on Friday, March 22, at 5 p.m., at the Westminster West Congregational Church, 44 Church St.
Kingston, a homesteader and goat farmer in Westminster West, has just returned from an immersion trip to Tanzania, where she lived in the community center of a rural Tanzanian village. She will share what she observed of how the people there live and farm, what matters to them, and how their culture is influenced by colonization and capitalist pressures from the West.
All are invited to this meeting of the Living Earth Action Group. The group meets every Friday at 5 p.m., in the church. The group says it strives for inclusiveness and loving wholeness of all Earthlings. Bring snacks if you can. Contact caitlin@sanctuaryvermont.com for more information.
Rec. Dept. hosts youth chess tournament
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department will hold its 11th annual Youth Chess Tournament at the Gibson-Aiken Center's Senior Center on Saturday, March 23, from 1 to 4 p.m. This program is for participants in Kindergarten through grade 8; all skill levels welcome.
The cost of this tournament is $5. Eric Strickland will run the tournament. Depending on the number of entrants, contestants will be divided into appropriate groups using the Swiss System, so no players are ever eliminated. Game boards will be provided.
For more information, call the Rec at 802-254-5808 for more information.
'Sip and Swirl' fundraiser in Grafton
GRAFTON - Call an end to winter and treat yourself to a fun night out and raise money for young people to prepare for positions in the firefighting and EMS professions when the Grafton Fire and Rescue Auxiliary hosts its second “Sip and Swirl” painting party on March 23, at 6 p.m., at the Homestead Room of the Grafton Inn.
Every “Sip and Swirl” participant will receive a complimentary glass of wine, with more available by donation, and work on their own acrylic painting. All painting materials are included. An auction of homemade desserts will also be featured.
Tickets for this event are $50 at the door, beginning at 5 p.m.
Talk looks at parents, kids, and the great outdoors
DUMMERSTON - The Dummerston Conservation Commission and the Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center present a free talk, “Wild Play: Parenting Adventures in the Great Outdoors,” on Tuesday March 26, at 7 p.m., at the Evening Star Grange, 1008 East-West Rd.
David Sobel will weave together parenting experiences, developmental theory, and stories he told his children to present a model of healthy parenting in concert with the natural world for all who want to encourage outdoor play and place-based connections for children.
Sobel, a professor emeritus at Antioch University New England, consults and speaks widely on child development and place-based education with schools, environmental organizations, and the National Park Service. He is the author of numerous books and articles for educators, parents, and environmentalists focusing on children and nature.
Comedian Rusty DeWees event at Landmark College rescheduled for March 26
PUTNEY - Landmark College has announced the Academic Speakers Series event with comedian/actor Rusty DeWees that was postponed by snow has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 26, at 7 p.m. in the Brooks M. O'Brien Auditorium, located in the East Academic Building.
Entitled, “A Journey from Pumping Gas to Hollywood,” DeWees's presentation will share a bit about his process, his life, his unique take on the world, and anything else that comes to him in the moment.
DeWees is best-known for his character, “The Logger.” His one-man comedy show has played to sold out theaters across New England for nearly two decades, and produced performance DVDs, CDs, and other related merchandise. DeWees studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York City and has appeared in numerous off-Broadway productions, as well as roles in television, film, and commercials.
This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Eve Leons at eleons@landmark.edu. Driving directions, a campus map, and more information about the Landmark College Academic Speaker Series are available at www.landmark.edu.
Women's rights workshop at Brooks Library
BRATTLEBORO - “Know Your Rights in the Era of #MeToo: A Community Conversation,” co-sponsored by the Women's Action Team and the Women's Freedom Center, will be presented on Wednesday, March 27, at Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St., from 6 to 8 p.m.
According to organizers, this free event is meant “to empower women and all survivors of sexual violence to know their rights, with the goal of creating a community where people are not afraid to come forward with their stories” in an open community conversation.
Guest speakers include Cara Cookson, a victim rights attorney; Deborah Lee Luskin, a writer, speaker, and educator; Michael S. Lewis, a First Amendment attorney; and James Valente, a local trial lawyer. For more information, contact diana@coreflowyoga.com.
Brattleboro Farmers' Market seeks new vendors
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Farmers' Market is seeking new vendors for its 2019 season. They are particularly looking for prepared foods (breakfast/lunch) and cheese, but all applications are welcome in the areas of agriculture, prepared/specialty foods, and crafts.
It is a producers-only market, which means all products must be grown or made by the applicant. Generally, vendors hail from Windham and Cheshire counties, but this year the market can accept out-of-county prepared food and craft vendors on a one-year basis.
They operate two markets: A Saturday Market that is open on Saturdays from May 4 to Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., off Route 9 in West Brattleboro, and a Downtown Market that runs on Tuesdays from May 28 to Oct. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the New England Youth Theatre, 100 Flat St.
To learn more about applying, visit www.brattleboroareafarmersmarket.com, email farmersmarket05301@gmail.com, or call or text the market manager at 802-254-8885.
Funding available for Brattleboro-area projects
BRATTLEBORO - Funding is available for Brattleboro-area projects and organizations through the Crosby-Gannett Fund and the Dunham-Mason Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation.
The two funds were established at the Foundation in 2009 to support endeavors that contribute to the betterment and vitality of the Brattleboro area. The funds' local advisors are interested in supporting projects that rely mainly on local financial support.
Eligible projects and organizations will focus on innovation, capital improvements, and historical renovation/preservation. Crosby-Gannett Fund grants range from $250 to $1,000; Dunham-Mason Fund grants range from $250 to $500.
In 2019, there are two rounds for both funds with deadlines at 5 p.m. on April 19 and Oct. 11. Eligible applicants may apply to either or both of the funds at the same time. Visit vermontcf.org/availablegrants to learn more.