Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
S t a r li n g s
ow was alive
d
in
w
e
h
t
e
d
si
t
The maple ou
were hidden
s
d
ir
b
e
h
t
t
u
b
lf appeared
se
it
e
e
r
t
with birdsong,
e
h
t
ves so that
behind the lea ud, cacophonous song.
lo
ud
to be singing a e like the shadow of a clo
mass
They rose en
t calling back
f
le
y
e
h
,
t
ss
e
in
hey had been
t
e
r
e
with the empt
h
w
f
o
ss
.
the fullne
e before that
e
r
t
e
h
to them with
t
d
n
a
before this
ere morning,
w
like the tree
it
if
s
a
,
y
ll
statica
They sang ec
with evening
y
v
a
e
h
s
a
w
y
sk
although the
e in the sky
c
n
le
si
e
h
t
r
a
he
and you could
singing.
beyond their
rd
Chard deN io
IN THIS ISSUE:
Pg. 4 Rec Center Building
for Sale
Pg. 5 A Chat with
Brian Ricca
Pg. 8 T&T Truck for Hire
The Bridge
P.O. Box 1143
Montpelier, VT 05601
PRSRT STD
CAR-RT SORT
U.S. Postage
PAID
Montpelier, VT
Permit NO. 123
Pg. 10 What is
Multiple Sclerosis?
tions and Reflections on 20th Century American Poets, was published by Marick Press in
2012. He continues to interview poets as well
as write a monthly column about poetry in
the Valley News. The following is an excerpt
from our interview.
Continued on Page 7
The Law Office of Amy K. Butler,
Esquire, PLLC
Bankruptcy Family Law
Estate Planning
64 Main St., Ste. 26, Montpelier
802-371-0077
akbutler@amykbutlerlaw.com
w w w.montpelierbridge.com
PAG E 2 A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016
THE BRIDGE
A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 3
T H E B R I D G E
HEARD ON
THE STRE ET
Kids Roam Streets, Liven Up City
MONTPELIER On week days, when school lets out, Montpelier High School students
roam the streets. So, whats the problem? Nothing, according to Montpelier business owners. In fact, kids liven up the place. But that may only be part of the story.
Montpelier kids are really nice, said Claire Benedict, co-owner of Bear Pond Books on
Main Street. They come into the store in a whole gang, and they are really nice.
Others reported similar student visitations during free time in the afternoon. Those attending the Montpelier Business Association meeting April 6 said students have snacks at
Sarduccis, play with the dogs at Quirky Pet and check out the new sporting goods at Onion
River Sports on Langdon Street.
However, that isnt the whole picture, according to Ken Jones, member of the Montpelier
Public School Board of Commissioners. The school board is concerned about the time between 3 and 6 p.m. I hear, strongly, it is not a problem for business. But we have substance
abuse issues, we have sexual misconduct issues during the hours between 3 and 6 p.m.,
Jones said. He would like to hear ideas about providing more structured activities for youth
during that time. We still want to provide our kids more activities, he said.
WE WANT YOU!
Volunteer Opportunities
with The Bridge
Nature Watch
by Nona Estrin
T
Watercolor by Nona Estrin
Thank
You!
PAG E 4 A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016
THE BRIDGE
T H E B R I D G E
A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 5
Ricca: We need a community conversation about mental health. I havent done enough to advocate for that. The leadership team and I advocated very articulately that we needed another
social worker in next years budget, so we could have a social worker at each of our schools
and not share one between two schools. Your point is a valid one, I am privy to information
that the general public isnt privy to, but theres also information out there that calls on this
community to do better. There needs to be candor and honesty about the issue of mental
illness and about things that are affecting our young people. There are still stigmas about
mental health in 2016 despite all the research. I think it is incumbent upon us as leaders in
the community to say, Depression is a real thing, and it really impacts people, and if a kid
is witnessing that and theyre worrying about it when they come to school, theyre not going
to learn as well as they possibly can.
The Bridge: Can you tell us more about whats going on in the buildings today?
Ricca: At the elementary school you would see direct instruction in literacy and remedial
instruction in literacy, direct instruction in math and remedial instruction in math. We did
not take on the universal pre-school last year, so were in the process of applying to have one
classroom of pre-school at Union Elementary School. We are prepared to financially support
anyone living in Montpelier who wants to take advantage of the voucher to attend a pre-qualThe Bridge: If were taking a different approach, what is it bringing students that it wouldnt
ified preschool anywhere in the state of Vermont. We have no geographic boundaries on that.
otherwise have brought them if we used a traditional model?
Although our enrollment is rising, it is going to be leveling soon. Then each of our buildings
Ricca: It used to be you go to high school and you get a diploma, then you go to college and
will have around the same number of students so we can comfortably serve them.
get a degree, then you get a job. Thats not the only way to find success in 2016. The chances
of a student graduating from Montpelier High School in 2016 and having only one career are The middle school will use a team approach multi-age teams for seventh and eighth grade
pretty slim. K12 needs to be a place where students gain a certain set of skills that transcend but a traditional approach will be used for fifth and sixth grades. If you walked into the
traditional boundaries. Think about the jobs that are going to exist in 2030, half of which building you would see a variety of learning experiences for students. In particular, at the
havent even been created. We need to prepare a child to go out into the world and have a middle school the students go to the senior center and members of the senior center come to
certain skill set, to be able to get along and learn the expectations of that future job. Students the school for computer education.
need to be able to problem solve, they need to be able to work collaboratively, they need to be If you came to the high school you would see weve committed to recess and recommitted to
able to take apart an argument and write something thoughtful as a response to it, they need the teacher advisory program. Weve expanded that over the last couple of years to try to give
to be able to push back in a healthy way.
students a safer place in which to share some of those worries I mentioned earlier.
The Bridge: When you say its diverse here, what do you mean?
You would see a facility staff that is recognizably changing the tenor of stewardship in this
Ricca: Im talking about diversity in terms of the need for mental health services. Some of district from Oh, those are the guys who clean up after us, to seeing students in all of the
our students are very willing and able to talk about that and access those services. Some oth- buildings being more proactive about taking care of their space. You would see a support staff
ers, not so much. We have a lot of young people for whom this [winter] break, which is the that works tirelessly in terms of instructional support working with students who are the
longest break that we have, is at the most unpredictable time of the year. Will there be heat? most vulnerable in terms of their learning goals but also a support staff that does all of
Will they be abused in some way? Will they have a meal in any shape or form? Who will be the day-to-day business to ensure that we do our very best to sit with somebody for an hour
caring for them? Thats the diversity I see. Some kids are coming to school with a lot on their or two. And youd see a school board that cares very deeply about good governance in a place
shoulders that impacts how they learn. I see more kids than Im comfortable with who are where families are passionate about good education, a board that emphasizes process so that
the ends are met. This board is doing a really good job of recommitting itself to policy goverworried about things they shouldnt be worried about at their age.
nance. It works with me on a regular basis to get data on what we say we are doing. From top
The Bridge: You are able to see these students in a way that many people cant because we
to bottom youd see some of the finest adults working to make sure the mission is achieved.
dont have a space or a forum to collectively witness whats going on. What responsibility do
you feel toward being an advocate and to whom do you advocate?
PAG E 6 A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016
THE BRIDGE
Summer of 2016
by William Fraser, City Manager
ver a month has passed since the Annual City Meeting elections. I thank
everyone for participating. City records indicate that this was the largest
voter turnout in at least 30 years if not ever. Obviously the Presidential primary brought many people to the polls but its wonderful to have more voices heard
on local issues.
I offer congratulations to Mayor John Hollar and Council Members Dona Bate,
Jean Olson and Justin Turcotte on their re-election. Congratulations are also due to
School Board Members Michele Braun, Bridget Asay, Jim Murphy and Peter Sterling
on their elections.
I thank the voters of Montpelier for their strong support of the Citys budget. This is
the second consecutive year with 80% yes votes. Each year we struggle with finding
the balance between delivering service and presenting reasonable budgets for consideration. We are grateful for your support and will continue to strive to provide the
best possible services for you.
Charter Changes
Among the items approved on election day were two charter changes. One authorizes the City Council to enact a 1% local rooms, meals and alcohol tax to be used
for infrastructure and economic development. The other provides the City with the
authority to regulate the use of Berlin Pond as a protection for the municipal water
supply.
Both charter amendments have been forwarded to the legislature for consideration.
Committee hearings have not yet been held on either proposal. If approved by the
legislature and signed by the Governor, they would become effective as directed in
the legislation.
Taylor Street
Information
In addition to the One Taylor Street (Transit Center, Bike Path, bridge, etc.) project, the City is developing an overhauled Taylor Street streetscape project. This will
include new sidewalks, lighting, landscaping and paving so that this community
gateway is enhanced at the same time that the One Taylor Street parcel is improved.
For those of you who want to stay abreast of information about city government,
there are several ways to do so:
Project Safecatch
Police Chief Anthony Facos recently announced an innovative partnership to address
opiate substance abuse in Montpelier. He has pulled together law enforcement, drug
treatment and drug prevention groups to work cooperatively to deal with addicts.
The effort is called Project Safecatch and, among other things, allows addicts to
bring drugs to the police station and seek help without being subject to arrest. Crimes
committed, such as theft or breaking & entering will still be addressed in the same
manner. Drug dealing will remain a top law enforcement priority.
A ll meetings of Boards, Commissions, Committees and the like are open to the
public.
This article in The Bridge is written by the Mayor or me and is published
monthly.
The Citys website www.montpelier-vt.org includes news, updates, notices and
information about projects as well as agendas, minutes and other meeting documents. All documents which go to the City Council for meetings are posted
publicly. The website will be completely overhauled and upgraded this year with
the new platform to launch in 2016.
A ll (or most) Council meetings and meetings of major boards and committees
are broadcast and often rebroadcast on local cable TV.
A ll (or most) of the above meetings are both streamed and archived for viewing
on the citys website.
The City has a Facebook page City of Montpelier, VT official which posts
updates and also links some updates from the website.
The City has a Twitter account @VTMontpelier which also posts updates and
links from the website.
The City often posts information on Front Porch Forum
The Annual Report, distributed in February and posted online, provides an
overview of the city governments year.
Finally, of course, please feel free to contact me or your elected officials with
questions or comments about the City Government. I can be reached at wfraser@
montpelier-vt.org or 802-223-9502. Other city officials email addresses and phone
numbers are available on the web.
Thank you for reading this article and for your interest in Montpelier city government.
A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 7
T H E B R I D G E
Anthem
I lay in my hammock all morning
rereading my favorite book, the one
about the foolish knight in love
with the damsel who didn't exist.
I laughed like the crows in the pines
at the notion of emptying my mind
of anything. I watched the light change
the leaves to oracles, and when
the darkness fell, I put down my book
and hummed to the thrush. Closed
my eyes to layer the darkness with another
darkness of my own making. Listened
to the anthem of an ant who sang as she crawled
across the Earth toward the one
small door in the dirt that opens
to the knock of silence onto everything.
Chard deNiord
PAG E 8 A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016
THE BRIDGE
Nothing about Moores truck-for-hire working life gives him greater pleasure than knowing that
hes providing a service that people like and appreciate.
I get around, said Moore. I bump into people at Shaws who say, Hi Tom, how are you
doing? You acknowledge them. Im doing something that people like and appreciate. So they
say, Hello. It makes me feel good.
To get in touch with Tom Moore at T&T Truck for Hire, phone 224-1360.
A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 9
T H E B R I D G E
MONTPELIER One of the students Montpelier High School Principal Michael McRaith refers to as an
example of rich student experience is Maggie Nowlan, a senior, who throughout high school has developed
an interest in socially responsible businesses.
Through a community-based learning program, Nowlan was a corporate intern at the headquarters for the
Cabot Creamery, a farmer-owned dairy cooperative business that is run directly by the farmers who produce
the milk that is used in the dairy products. These farmers are empowered in the decision-making that affects
the future of the business, and receive earnings directly correlating to the amount of milk they produce for
the company.
Following this experience, Nowlan worked in the Social Mission Department at the Ben & Jerrys world
headquarters in South Burlington. The Social Mission Department is responsible for promoting the companys social mission, which includes making the world a better place in innovative ways due to recognition
of the central, influential role that the corporation exists in society in terms of helping to improve the quality
of life for those around it.
Both Cabot Creamery and Ben & Jerrys are B Corporations, a certification of their high social, economic
and environmental standards. Nowlan took it upon herself to educate her peers about these corporations,
which encompassed all her interests regarding the movement to use businesses as a way to promote social,
economic and environmental good. She conducted a series of seminars about these companies to schools
around Vermont, and even negotiated a sponsorship with Ben & Jerrys to provide her 250 mini cups of ice
cream to give to students along the way.
Nowlan, in the final semester of her senior year, is still leading seminars about B Corporations. So far she has
presented to an astounding 350 students at 17 different schools. She has received a great amount of financial
support and guidance from the community-based learning program, particularly her advisor Matt McLane,
as well as from her teachers, who allow her to miss occasional classes for her seminars.
his summer, students are invited to immerse themselves in food systems programming at eight Vermont higher education colleges and universities with the Vermont
Food Systems Summer Study Tour. An initiative of the Vermont Food Systems
Higher Education Consortium, the Summer Study Tour offers a taste of Vermont for
the intellect.
From June 1629, students will delve into topics including carbon, sustainability, the ecosystem, farm-to-institution, climate change, conservation, biodiversity and policy. The Tour
winds its way from the classrooms to the field at Green Mountain College, Middlebury College, New England Culinary Institute, SIT Graduate Institute, Sterling College, University
of Vermont, Vermont Law School and Vermont Technical College.
From food justice to safety and labeling, the nation is poised to transform the way in which
it sources, grows, processes, purchases and contemplates food. The Vermont Food Systems
Summer Study Tour is the only program in the country where students take to the road for
two weeks, moving through eight schools, earning transferable undergraduate or graduate
credit or auditing the class. Vermont schools have graduated one-of-a-kind thinkers, advocates, farmers, retailers and restaurateurs who are leading the charge in how the nation thinks
about food.
Higher education, entrepreneurial vision and agricultural heritage define Vermont as a
center for food systems innovation, noted project facilitator Paul Costello of the Vermont
Council on Rural Development. A creative new generation of networked leaders is emerging
through the practical application of a Vermont farm and food education. Vermont schools are
offering a unique panoply of experiences and working together to make the state an epicenter
of food education for the nation.
Additionally, Vermont food and farm education strengthens Vermonts food system, motivates food-based startups, and increases communication among Vermonts food businesses,
all of which connect to Vermonts dynamic Farm to Plate food system plan.
Summer Study Tour enrollment is underway. For more information about the Vermont
Food Systems Summer Study Tour or to enroll, see VermontFoodEducation.org or contact
Rachel Arsenault (RArsenault@vtc.vsc.edu, 728-1677). The consortium is facilitated by the
Vermont Council on Rural Development.
PAG E 10 A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016
THE BRIDGE
by Marichel Vaught
There are four types of multiple sclerosis relapsing-remitting, secondary-progressive, primary-progressive and progressive-relapsing. About 85 percent of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis are initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting
multiple sclerosis, making it the most common form. Patients
with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis have symptoms that
come and go. They experience the symptoms for a period of
time that is followed by a period of recovery and no symptoms
at all. It is typical that relapsing-remitting patients transition
into secondary progressive after 1015 years. In secondaryprogressive multiple sclerosis, the symptoms worsen over time
and the recovery or symptom-free periods lessen. Ten percent
of patients are diagnosed with primary-progressive multiple
sclerosis. In primary-progressive multiple sclerosis, the symptoms worsen and there is essentially no recovery or symptomfree period. Progressive-relapsing multiple sclerosis is the least
common diagnosis. In progressive-relapsing multiple sclerosis,
patients have worsening symptoms followed by a period of
relapse, but unlike relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the
patient is unable to regain function after the relapse.
More and more medications, injection and oral, are becoming
available to help slow progression and therefore may only be
effective on patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Holistic healing, such as naturopathy and acupuncture, has
also become more prevalent with multiple sclerosis patients.
One important thing to note is that multiple sclerosis manifests
itself differently in every BODY. One person with multiple
sclerosis may need to rely on the use of a wheelchair. Another
person with multiple sclerosis may have a slight limp from time
to time. And yet, another can have full mobility but be legally
blind. For some people it is visually evident that they have it because of their use of a mobility aid or abnormality in their gait.
For some others, no one would ever guess they had a disability.
Currently, the Greater New England NMSS is one of 15
disability-support organizations promoting two bills in the
Vermont legislature, H.238 and S.176. Both bills seek income
tax credits for home modifications required by a disability or
physical hardship. The bill was introduced in the previous legislative year and is now in the Senate. However, no movement
is expected on them this year. Sponsors of the bills are Sen.
Anthony Pollina, P/D-Washington; Sen. Michael Sirotkin,
D-Chittenden; Rep. Robert Krebs, D-Grand Isle; Rep. Patsy
French, D-Orange-Washington-Addison and Rep. William
Frank, D-Chittenden.
Multiple sclerosis can strike practically anyone in any time of
their lives. There are hundreds of research projects happening worldwide to learn more about this debilitating disease
and how to cure it. Each year, several fundraiser walks are
scheduled throughout the country in order to raise money for
research funding and building support programs. These walks
also give the opportunity for those affected by multiple sclerosis
whether they have it themselves or know someone else who
does to come together and raise awareness.
Walk MS 2016 is scheduled for Montpelier on May 14. The
walk will begin at Montpelier High School at 9 a.m. Participants can choose between the 3.3 or 5 mile routes. Each participant is also asked to help raise funds of at least $25. People can
walk as an individual or as a team. As a frequent participant, I
noticed that the number of people walking for Montpelier has
been dwindling each year. In an email from Wesley Snyder,
NMSS event manager, the walk had its largest registration in
2012 with 133 walkers. From that year, attendance has slipped
to 100, 96 and as low as 88 just last year. The reason for the
decline is unknown.
The Bridge is proud to be a media sponsor of Walk MS 2016 in
Montpelier. If you are interested in participating in the walk or
making a donation, visit walkms.org and 05602 in the Find
a Walk section. People are also welcome to join The Bridges
own walking team, The Bridge Beat. Register for that particular team at http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/bridgebeat.
In the next issue of The Bridge, learn more about treatment
for multiple sclerosis and meet Julie Sancibrian, a central
Vermonter who has been living with multiple sclerosis for
20 years.
by Carla Occaso
from the Global Fund an organization that raises and spends billions of dollars on fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Tuberculosis is closely associated with poverty and is often passed on through
the coughing and sneezing of those living too closely in overcrowded
conditions, according to information on www.theglobalfund.org.
People who contract tuberculosis are most often impoverished, malnourished women and children. Therefore, it often goes untreated
and spreads due to fear of stigmatization and lack of education.
Maturu is hoping to help The Global Fund fight back and spread
the word in the United States, including from The Bridge located
right here in Montpelier. Maturu said she wants other children
living with HIV and AIDS to see they can become confident just
like me and to realize that they can achieve their goals and dreams
for the future.
A short video produced by The Bridge featuring Loyce Maturu
can be viewed on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/KMVcUXJrY8A.
A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 11
T H E B R I D G E
estled in Barres co-working space, The Office Block at 248 N. Main St., resides another
young Barre business, Immersive Technology
Studios; a virtual reality company working towards
bridging the gap between the real and digital world.
Owned by Andrew Glover, Immersive Technology
Studios utilizes new spherical imaging processes and
software to take images of physical spaces and convert
them into interactive experiences that can be applied
across different platforms. And if you dont know what
that means you are not alone.
As I spoke with Glover about Vermont Peaks I could see he was passionate about utilizing this
new technology. He explained to me that hes always looking for new ways to help his clients
connect with their customers. However, Vermont Peaks is a project that helps deliver the experience of being on top of Vermont that many of us take for granted. The ability to virtually transport yourself to and from anywhere in the world has many applications across several industries,
but Glover believes that it can best be utilized in education. He described to me how amazing
PAG E 12 A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016
THE BRIDGE
27 State Street
15 Barre Street
11 Main Street
Yvonnes
Riverside
Salon
37 Elm Street
24 State Street
75
Main
Street
PoemCity
Its April
and the city wears
her heart
on her long glass sleeve.
1
School
Street
Sara Norton
Marshfield
Northern Love
I see drivers
texting speeding tailgating
rocking expired inspection
stickers
sleeping headlights ...
popo follow me
home.
Reuben Jackson
Winooski
89 Main Street
40 State Street
22 State Street
41 State Street
A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 13
T H E B R I D G E
89 Main Street
30 State Street
5 State Street
22 Main Street
Untitled
In the dark
Ally is so dark
You cant see a thing, thats
how dark.
But
Cats can see in the dark
And flashlights.
9 Langdon Street
Carson Deforge
East Montpelier Elementary
School, Grade 1
27 State Street
7 Main Street
44 Main Street
2nd Floor
PAG E 14 A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016
THE BRIDGE
by Nat Frothingham
August 12 14
Theater for Kids by Kids
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Richard
and Robert Sherman. Based on a film
inspired by Ian Flemings novel.
September 15 25
Mainstage
The Syringa Tree by A.R. Gurney
OBIE Award Winner Best Play
October 6 23
Mainstage
Sylvia by A.R. Gurney
Gurneys mad comedy is the most
endearing good time to trot down the
pike in many a moon.
October 29 only
Special Event
June 24 only
The Poe Spooktacular
Theater for Kids by Kids
by Lost Nation Theater
Fractured Fables by Aesop
Got the boos? LNTs Halloween Party
Ensemble storytelling by ages 9 and up. featuring the best of Poe, costume
contest, great prizes, decadent desserts,
July 7 24
great dance party at Montpelier City
Mainstage
Hall Arts Center
Leonard Cohen: Bird on the Wire
Conceived by Stefan Rudnicki
November 30 to December 1
Hes got your young idealism. Hes
Special Event
got You when You cant face the world. Its a Wonderful Life
Hes got You at all stages. Bono
A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry
City Hall Arts Center is transformed
July 29 30
into a 1940s broadcast studio as five
Theater for Kids by Kids
versatile actors and ONE busy sounds
Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
effects wizard bring Frank Capras clasThe classic story adapted by Kim
sic
to life in front of a live studio audiBent, directed by Kathleen Keenan.
ence
(thats you!).
Performed by serious and experienced
young actors
T H E B R I D G E
Events happening
April 7 April 23
THURSDAY, APRIL 7
FRIDAY, APRIL 8
SATURDAY, APRIL 9
Calendar of Events
Contra Dance with Montpelier Contra Exchange. Music by Pete's Posse, calling by Will
Mentor, 811:30 p.m. Cajun dancing, 10:4511:30
p.m. Cajun workshop at the break. Capital City
Grange, Berlin. $612 sliding scale. contraexchange@gmail.com. contraexchange.org.facebook.
com/contraexchange
SUNDAY, APRIL 10
MONDAY, APRIL 11
Norwich Writers Series: Kerrin McCadden. McCadden is the author of Landscape with Plywood
Silhouettes. 4:30 p.m. Norwich University, Kreitzberg Library Multipurpose Room, Northfield.
Free. norwich.edu
PoemCity: The Poetry of Parenthood with
Samantha Kolber & Michelle Singer. Kolber
and Singer will read original and selected poems
that capture the sacred and profane aspects of
parenthood, as well as lead participants in writing
prompts to generate new work. 6:30 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
poem-city.org
Birthing From Within: Birth Healing I.
Classes utilize specific practices to strengthen
self-awareness, and build communication between
partners to support a strong coping mindset. 68
p.m. Good Beginnings of Central Vermont, 174
River St., Montpelier. Free. Register: 595-7953.
gbcvinfo@gmail.com. https://www.facebook.com/
events/715207021938908/
TUESDAY, APRIL 12
A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 15
Performing
Arts
THEATER, STORYTELLING,
COMEDY
Grandparents Raising Their Childrens Children. Second Tues., 68 p.m. Child care provided. Bereaved Parents Support Group. Second Wed.,
68 p.m. CVHHH, 600 Granger Rd., Berlin.
Wesley Methodist Church, Main St., Waterbury.
Jeneane Lunn 793-2376.
476-1480.
Food as Medicine: Your First Line of Defense.
PoemCity: Reading with Poets Ralph Culver &
A Night Of Fantastic Worlds. Brian Staveley and
Join Shona MacDougall for a talk about food!
Sydney Lea. Culver, author of the Anabiosis Press Elizabeth Bonesteel discuss speculative fiction.
prizewinning chapbook Both Distances, and
78:30 p.m. Bear Pond Books, 77 Main St., Mont- She will touch upon whole foods, lacto fermented
foods, superfoods and more, so that you can use
Sydney Lea, onetime Poet Laureate of Vermont,
pelier. bearpondbooks.com
food as your first line of defense. 6 p.m. 252 Main
join together to offer a fantastic evening of poetry
PoemCity: Reading with Poets Francette Cerulli St., Montpelier. $12; $10 for members. Register:
followed by an audience Q&A. 2 p.m. Kellogg& Jamie Gage. Join poets Jamie Gage and Franc224-7100. info@vtherbcenter.org. vtherbcenter.org
Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
ette Cerulli at the Library for an evening of poetry.
poem-city.org
Basics of Bike Tuning. Caleb Magoon from
7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Waterbury Sports will demonstrate the basics of
Black and White Ball. 27th annual Helen Day Art Montpelier. poem-city.org
giving your bike a tune up to get ready for spring.
Center gala, inspired by Truman Capotes illustri6:30 p.m. Waterbury Public Library, 28 N. Main
ous and decadent Black and White Ball. Silent
St., Waterbury. Free. waterburypubliclibrary.com
auction, complimentary drinks, hors doeuvres,
a seated three-course meal and a swag bag. Sit
Bereavement/Grief Support Group. Open to
Montpelier City Council Meeting. Second and
down at a casino table to play your favorite Vegasanyone who has experienced the death of a loved
fourth Wed., 6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers,
inspired games for special prizes. Live music by
one. 1011:30 a.m. Conference Center. 600
Montpelier City Hall. 39 Main St., Montpelier.
House Red. Enjoy our lively auctioneer, Antique
Granger Road, Berlin. Free. 223-1878.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13
THURSDAY, APRIL 14
FRIDAY, APRIL 15
PAG E 16 A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016
Live Music
VENUES
Bagitos. 28 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 2299212. Open mic every Wed. bagitos.com.
April 7: Colin McCaffrey & Friends, 68 p.m.
April 8: Bernie Benefit Bash, 6 p.m.
April 9: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.
April 10: Dave Moore (Celtic/American folk) 11
a.m.1 p.m.
April 13: Jamell NYT (R&B/hip-hop) 68 p.m.
April 14: Ron Sweet (folk/Americana) 68 p.m.
April 15: Dave & Rory Loughran (acoustic classic rock) 68 p.m.
April 16: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.
April 17: Bleecker & MacDougal (folk ballads)
11 a.m.1 p.m.
April 19: Old Time Music Session, 68 p.m.
April 20: Papa GreyBeard (blues/folk) 68 p.m.
Charlie Os World Famous. 70 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-6820.
Every Mon.: Comedy Caf Open Mic, 8:30 p.m.
Every Tues.: Godfather Karaoke, 9:30 p.m.
April 7: Quiet Lion (basement soul) 9:30 p.m.
April 8: Jesse Gile & Doug Perkins (eclectic) 6
p.m.; Gneiss (jam rock) 9 p.m.
April 15: Ian Alexy (acoustic) 6 p.m.; Stone Bullet (rock) 9 p.m.
April 16: Traveling Broke & Out of Gas
(Americana) 9 p.m.
April 22: Scott Graves (rock) 6 p.m.; Jay Killa &
Special Guests (hip-hop) 9 p.m.
Espresso Bueno. 248 N. Main St., Barre. 4790896. Free/by donation. events@espressobueno.
com. espressobueno.com.
April 8: Jason Mallery (singer-songwriter) 7
p.m.; Jennings & McComber (singer-songwriter) 8 p.m.
April 9: Jazzyaoke (live-jazz karaoke) 7:30 p.m. $5.
Trinity Community Thrift Store Spring Sale. Two
floors of shopping. April 1316. 10 a.m.4 p.m. 137
Main St., Montpelier. 229-9155. tctsvt@yahoo.com
PoemCity: "Nobody Cares That Your Dog
Died:" A Memoir in Poetry Workshop. George
Longenecker will lead this generative workshop
featuring several poems of personal memoir as
well as techniques for creating well-crafted poems.
14 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. Limited to 12 participants. Register:
223-3338 or rysenechal@kellogghubbard.org.
poem-city.org
Plant Spirit Communication. Work with plants
on a spiritual level and explore plant relationship
through ritual and shamanic tools. 6 p.m. 252
Main St., Montpelier. $12; $10 for members. 2247100. info@vtherbcenter.org. vtherbcenter.org
PoemCity: Vermont Contemporary Music
Ensemble: what I mean by rooted is web. All
new, never published visual poems featuring Jody
Gladding's bold experiments with the written
word are paired with four composers music in
response to the readings. 7:30 p.m. Unitarian
Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier. $25; students/
seniors $12. poem-city.org
Spring Jam. An evening of live music and dancing. Presented by Chandler Center for the Arts and
Vermont Technical College. 811 p.m. Chandler
THE BRIDGE
Calendar of Events
SATURDAY, APRIL 16
SPECIAL EVENTS
April 7: The SKY Family. Celtic Revival! High
energy Celtic/pop-rock music, dance and gospel
production. 7 p.m. Trinity Church, 137 Main St.,
Montpelier. 229-9158. barry.bolio@comcast.net
The Vermont Fiddle Orchestra Spring Concert.
With guest soloist Randy Miller. Raffle and
refreshments. 7 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main
St., Montpelier. 229-4191. info@vtfiddleorchestra.
org. www.vtfiddleorchestra.org
April 16. WORST. SONG. EVER. Musicians, hobbyists and hacks sign up in advance to cover their
least favorite pop music from any era. Semi-annual
special event with audience voting and trophies 8
April 9: The Sam Bush Band. The Grammy-win- p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. $5.
ning mandolin virtuoso, recognized as The Father 479-0896. events@espressobueno.com. espresof Newgrass, continues to be a driving force in the sobueno.com
ever-evolving acoustic music scene. A rare Vermont
appearance! 8 p.m. Barre Opera House, 6 N. Main April 22: Jazzyaoke. Sing the standards while
St., Barre. $3640. 476-8188. barreoperahouse.org backed by a live six-piece jazz band; all lyrics
provided. 7:30 p.m. The North Branch Caf, 41
April 911: Evelyn Glennie: The Heart of Sound. State St., Montpelier. $5. 552-8105. info@wooo.
Featuring the Rosauro Concerto for Marimba and tv. wooo.tv
Orhcestra, plus works by Tchaikovsky, Dvorak,
and Prt, and student works created through the
April 23: Walsh/Drucker/Cooper Trio: The
Vermont Creative Schools Initiative. $1040.
Three B's. Eugene Drucker, founding violinist
communityengagementlab.net
with the world-renowned Emerson String Quartet,
April 9: 7 pm., St. Johnsbury School Auditopianist Diane Walsh, and cellist Roberta Cooper
rium
will perform Beethoven's Piano Trio Op. 1, #2,
April 10: 4 p.m., Barre Opera House, 6. N.
and the Brahms Trio in C minor, Op. 101. They
Main St., Barre
will be joined by Vermont flutist Karen Kevra for
April 11: 7:30 p.m. Flynn Center Main Stage,
a performance of J.S. Bach's monumental Trio
Burlington
Sonata from the "Musical Offering" to cap off this
satisfying program by the "holy trinity" of classical
April 1517: Koinonia Academy Choir. Choir
from Plainfield, N.J. perform in celebration of the music. Capital City Concerts season finale. 7:30
Year of Mercy Jubilee of Youth and Young Adults. p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier.
$1525. www.capitalcityconcerts.org. Tickets also
vermontcatholic.org. koinoniaacademy.org/
April 15: 6 p.m., Blessed Sacrament Stowe. Fol- available (cash or check only) at Bear Pond Books.
lowed by potluck
April 16: 5:45 p.m., Mass at Most Holy Name
of Jesus Parish, Morrisville
April 17: 10:30 a.m., St. Augustine Church,
Montpelier; 3 p.m., Jubilee for Youth and
Young Adults at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, 85
Elmwood Ave., Burlington
SUNDAY, APRIL 17
AUDITIONS
April 10: The Next Generation. Chandler announces auditions for the eighth annual Next
Generation performance. Open to area high school
students age 13+ who are seriously studying classical music of all genres instrumental, ensemble
or vocal, as soloists or groups. Performance will
be the evening of May 13. To sign-up or for more
information: 718-9402, janet@chandler-arts.org
Brooks. Final film of the season. Commentary by
Rick Winston follows. 6:30 p.m. Chandler Center
for the Arts, Esther Mesh Room, 71-73 Main
St., Randolph. $9; $5 for members and students.
outreach@chandler-arts.org
MONDAY, APRIL 18
TUESDAY, APRIL 19
9th annual CSI Symposium. April 1920. Norwich University, Dole Auditorium, Northfield.
Free; open to the public. For complete schedule
and more information: http://libarts.norwich.edu/
csi-symposium/
Simplify Your Diet For Spring. With Lisa Mase,
Harmonized Cookery. Learn which foods help us
align with the promise of spring, understand how
to choose the best foods for your condition and
constitution and receive recipes to cook with these
ingredients. 12 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity
T H E B R I D G E
Visual Arts
EXHIBITS
Through April 8: Tom Leytham, The Other
Working Landscape. 26 watercolor prints by the
Montpelier architect and artist. The Gallery at
Central Vermont Medical Center, Berlin.
Through April 9: My Daily Bunny! Simple, heartwarming cartoons. Axels Gallery and Frame
Shop, 5 Stowe St., Waterbury. axelsgallery.com
Through April 10: Intimacy + Materiality. Explores material and pronounces the handmade or
methods of making through the lens of contemporary studio, social and design practices. Helen
Day Art Center, 90 Pond St., Stowe. 253-8358.
helenday.com
Through April 10: Carole Frances Lung aka
Frau Fiber, Peoples Cloth Trade Show: The tshirt is the problem. Through her alter ego Frau
Fiber, Lung utilizes a hybrid of playful activism,
cultural criticism, research and spirited crafting of
one of a kind garment production performances.
Helen Day Art Center, 90 Pond St., Stowe. 2538358. helenday.com
Through April 15: Lynn Newcombs Etchings:
The Power of Black Ink; Two Decades of Printmaking. Tools, bridges and abstract etchings.
Gallery hours: Mon.Fri., 10 a.m.4 p.m. White
River Gallery (in BALE building), 35 S. Windsor
St., S. Royalton. lynnnewcombvt.com
Through April 16: Them, Us & You. A global,
invitational exhibit involving more than 24 artists
from the U.S. and around the world. Studio Place
Arts, 201 N. Main St., Barre. 479-7069. Studioplacearts.com
Calendar of Events
Through April 20: Kate Reeves, My Winter
World. An exhibit of 14 watercolor paintings.
Gifford Medical Center Gallery, 44 S. Main St.,
Randolph. 728-7000.
Through April 23: Off The Wall. Annual exhibit
spotlighting area students grades K12. Fri.,
36 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., noon3 p.m. Chandler
Gallery, 71-73 Main St., Randolph. outreach@
chandler-arts.org
Through April 30: Annie Rodrigue Art Exhibit.
Canadian artist exhibit of abstract contemporary
works of art. T. W. Wood Gallery, Center for Arts
& Learning, 46 Barre St., Montpelier. 262-6035.
twwoodgallery@gmail.com. twwoodgallery.org
Through April 30: ARA Exhibits at the Library.
Collective gathering of paintings, collage and
photography of Art Resource Association artists,
celebrating 40 years. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
135 Main St., Montpelier. artresourceassociation.
com. colormuse@gmail.com. 279-0774
Through April 30: April Art Show at The Front
Gallery. The Front Gallerys artist-members
celebrate the opening of their April exhibition of
art work produced by the 16 local Vermont artist
that comprise the artist collective gallery. The
Front Gallery, 6 Barre St., Montpelier. hannah@
draw-lucky.com. http://www.thefrontvt.com
Through April 30: Cindy Griffith Art Exhibit.
Native Vermont artist exhibits pastel paintings in
her magical realism style. Reception: April 15th,
57 p.m. T. W. Wood Gallery, Center for Arts
& Learning, 46 Barre St., Montpelier. 262-6035.
twwoodgallery@gmail.com. twwoodgallery.org
Artist website: www.hungermountainarts.com
Through April 30: Cindy Griffith Art Exhibit,
Larger Works, Native Vermont artist exhibits
some larger works which include oil, acrylic and
pastel paintings. The Shoe Horn; 8 Langdon St.,
Montpelier. Artist website: www.hungermountainarts.com
Rainbow Umbrella of Central Vermont. Rainbow Umbrella brings LGBTQ individuals from
Central Vermont together to plan and hold events
such as bowling, discussion group, ukulele and tea
dances to foster community and increase LGBTQ
visibility in the region. Meets every other Tues.
57 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St., Montpelier. rucvtadmin@pridecentervt.
org
Poetry Clinic. The first hour of the clinic will be
devoted to generative poetry writing exercises; the
second hour will be devoted to respectful critiques
of work you bring to or make in class. Every first
and third Tues., 68 p.m. River Arts Center, 74
Pleasant St., Morrisville. $5 suggested donation.
888-1261. riverartsvt.org
Woodcock Watch. Listen and watch for the dramatic courtship flight of the American Woodcock,
a sandpiper which nests along the North Branch.
7:30 p.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm
St., Montpelier. $5 members; $10 non-members.
229-6206. northbranchnaturecenter.org
THURSDAY, APRIL 21
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20
9th annual CSI Symposium. April 1920. Norwich University, Dole Auditorium, Northfield.
Free; open to the public. For complete schedule
and more information: http://libarts.norwich.edu/
csi-symposium/
Films of Louis Malle: Au Revoir Les Enfants.
With Rick Winston. An autobiographical work
from 1984 set during the WWII German occupation of France. An Osher Lifelong Learning
Institute program. 12:302:30 p.m. Savoy Theatre,
26 Main St., Montpelier. By donation. pdaggett@
myfairpoint.net
Lego Free Build. Drop in and build whatever your
heart desires with Legos. For kids in grades 15.
13 p.m. Waterbury Public Library, 28 N. Main
A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 17
Through April 30: Three Vermont Artists Exhibit. Paintings of Cindy Griffith, masks of Ellis
Jacobson and prints of Phillip Robertson. Reception: April 14, 57 p.m. T. W. Wood Gallery
at the Center for Arts & Learning, 46 Barre St.,
Montpelier. 262-6035. twwoodgallery@gmail.
com. twwoodgallery.org
Through April 30: Vermont Water and Light.
Fine art landscape photography captured in and
around Central Vermont. Capitol Grounds, 27
State St., Montpelier. paulerichardson.com
Through May 1: Michael Zebrowski, SURVEY.
Inaugural artist-in-residence project on the
grounds of Spruce Peak at Stowe. For information: Helen Day Art Center, 253-8358, helenday.
com
Through May 2: Galen Cheney, To China and
Back. Paper constructions and paintings. The
Gallery at River Arts, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville.
888-1261. riverartsvt.org
April 12May 28: The Paletteers of Vermont
Spring Art Show. Opening reception: April
13, 5:307 p.m. Aldrich Public Library, Milne
Room, 6 Washington St., Barre.
Through June 30: Saddle Up! Norwich Cavalry:
Training, Touring and Tactics on Horseback.
The story of the Norwich Cavalry and its establishment is full of wonderful images of the days
when equines were part of the daily life at the
University. Norwich University, Sullivan Museum
and History Center, 158 Harmon Dr., Northfield.
485-2183. academics.norwich.edu/museum/
Through June 30: Fauna and Floral, paper cutouts by Adrienne Ginter. Exquisitely detailed
hand-cut paper and archival foam-core constructions that explore elements of the natural world
as well as fanciful narratives depicting ancient
myths, history and the artists personal experience. Opening reception: April 7, 57 p.m.;
Art Walk reception: May 6, 47 p.m. Pavilion
Building, 109 State St., Montpelier. Photo ID reSurvivors of Suicide Loss Support. Monthly
group for people affected by a suicide death.
Third Thurs., 67:30 p.m. Central Vermont Medical Center, conference rm. 1, Fisher Rd., Berlin.
223-0924. calakel@comcast.com.afsp.org
Innovations in the Forest and Food Economy
Our Own Story. Stewardship, Forestry,
Cuisine and Land Planning. Shawn Smith Hoffman and Melissa Smith Hoffman, of Earth Asset
Partnership and Living Future Foundation, describe several key projects, the Permaculture Food
Lab, Growing a Nutrient Economy, and Forest
Management for Medical-Mycological yields. A
Transition Town program series. 6 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
223-3338. kellogghubbard.org
Grandparents Raising Their Childrens
Children. Third Thurs., 68 p.m. Child care
provided. Trinity United Methodist Church, 137
Main St., Montpelier. 476-1480.
River Arts Photo Co-op. Gather, promote and
share your experience and knowledge of photography with other photography enthusiasts in an
atmosphere of camaraderie and fun. Adults/teens.
Third Thurs., 68 p.m. River Arts Center, 74
Pleasant St., Morrisville. $5 suggested donation.
888-1261. riverartsvt.org.
Songwriters Meeting. Meeting of the Northern
VT/NH chapter of the Nashville Songwriters
Association International. Bring copies of your
work. Third Thurs., 6:45 p.m. Catamount Arts,
St. Johnsbury. John, 633-2204.
FRIDAY, APRIL 22
SPECIAL EVENTS
The Museum of Everyday Life is soliciting contributions to its upcoming exhibition featuring the
mirror, which opens May 29. Accepting all kinds
of contributions including anecdotes, scholarship, art and objects consisting of or relating to all
aspects of mirrors. 3482 Dry Pond Rd., Glover.
museumofeverydaylife.org
Cold Hollow Cider Mill), Waterbury Center. $9.
Church trustee fundraiser. Reservations: 2448089.
PoemCity: An Evening with Reuben Jackson.
Host of VPRs Friday Night Jazz Reuben Jackson
will read his poetry accompanied with music by
Tom Morse and Jerome Monachino. 57 p.m.
Hunger Mountain Coop Caf, 623 Stone Cutters
Way, Montpelier. poem-city.org
Friday Night Group. For youth age 1322 who
are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or
questioning. Pizza, soft drinks and conversation.
Cofacilitated by two trained, adult volunteers
from Outright VT. Second and fourth Fri.,
6:308 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
Montpelier. Free. 223-7035. Micah@OutrightVT.org.
SATURDAY, APRIL 23
PAG E 18 A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016
Weekly Events
ARTS & CRAFTS
Beaders Group. All levels of beading experience
welcome. Free instruction available. Come with
a project for creativity and community. Sat., 11
a.m.2 p.m. The Bead Hive, Plainfield. 454-1615.
Calendar of Events
11 a.m.12:30 p.m.
Thurs.: Trinity Church, 137 Main St.,
11:30 a.m.1 p.m.
Fri.: St. Augustine Church, 18 Barre St.,
11 a.m.12:30 p.m.
Sun.: Last Sunday only, Bethany Church, 115
Main St. (hosted by Beth Jacob Synagogue),
4:305:30 p.m.
Lunches for Seniors. Mon., Wed., Fri., Noon.
Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E.
Montpelier. $4 suggested donation. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors.org.
BICYCLING
Open Shop Nights. Volunteer-run community
bike shop: bike donations and repairs. Wed., 46
p.m.; other nights. Freeride Montpelier, 89 Barre
St., Montpelier. 552-3521. freeridemontpelier.org.
BUSINESS, FINANCE,
COMPUTERS, EDUCATION
Computer and Online Help. One-on-one computer help. Tues. and Fri., 10 a.m.1 p.m. Waterbury Public Library, 28 N. Main St., Waterbury.
Free. Registration required: 244-7036.
Personal Financial Management Workshops.
Learn about credit/debit cards, credit building and repair, budgeting and identity theft,
insurance, investing, retirement. Tues., 68 p.m.
Central Vermont Medical Center, Conference
Room 3. Registration: 371-4191.
CRC Pro Health and Human Services. This
course will help participants build professional
and career skills in preparation for a variety of
entry-level positions in direct health care professions. Every Wed. and Thurs., through May 18,
5:308 p.m. Capstone Community Action, 20
Gable Pl., Barre. Free. The enrollment code for
this course is WFE-0603-VM40.
Sex Addicts Anonymous. Mon., 6:30 p.m. Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. 552-3483.
Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management Program.
Education and support to help adults at high risk
of developing type 2 diabetes adopt healthier
eating and exercise habits that can lead to weight
loss and reduced risk. Every Tues., 10:3011:30
a.m. Kingwood Health Center Conference Room
(lower level), 1422 Rt. 66, Randolph. Free. Register: 728-7714.
Overeaters Anonymous. Twelve-step program for physically, emotionally and spiritually
overcoming overeating. Two meeting days and
locations. Every Tues., 5:306:30 p.m. and Sat.,
8:309:30 a.m. at Episcopal Church of the Good
Shepherd, 39 Washington St., Barre. 249-3970.
Every Mon., 5:306:30 p.m. at Bethany Church,
115 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3079.
The Rockinghorse Circle of Support. Opportunity for young women and children to meet
once a week for friendship, good conversation and
fun. Facilitated by a licensed alcohol and drug
counselor and another person with child and family background. Topics reflects on how substance
abuse, whether it's ours or someone else's, affects
THE BRIDGE
RECYCLING
Additional Recycling. The Additional Recyclables Collection Center accepts scores of hardto-recycle items. Mon., Wed., Fri., noon6 p.m.;
Third Sat., 9 a.m.1 p.m. ARCC, 540 North
Main St., Barre. $1 per carload. 229-9383 x106.
For list of accepted items, go to cvswmd.org/arcc.
RESOURCES
Onion River Exchange Tool Library. 80 tools
both power and manual. Wed., 46 p.m.; Sat.,
911 a.m. 46 Barre St., Montpelier. 661-8959.
info@orexchange.com.
SOLIDARITY/IDENTITY
Womens Group. Women explore important
issues and challenges in their lives in a warm and
supportive environment. Facilitated by psychotherapist Kathleen Zura. Two different group
meetings: every Mon., 5:307:30 p.m. and every
Wed., 34:30 p.m. 138 Main St., Montpelier.
324-4611. Insurances accepted.
SPIRITUALITY
Christian Science Reading Room. You're invited
to visit the Reading Room and see what we
have for your spiritual growth. You can borrow,
purchase or simply enjoy material in a quiet study
room. Hours: Wed., 11 a.m.7:15 p.m.; Thurs.
Sat., 11 a.m.1 p.m. 145 State St., Montpelier.
223-2477.
A Course in Miracles. A study in spiritual transformation. Group meets each Tues., 78 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church, 64 State St., Montpelier. 279-1495.
Christian Counseling. Tues. and Thurs. Daniel
Dr., Barre. Reasonable cost. By appt. only:
479-0302.
Deepening Our Jewish Roots. Fun, engaging text study and discussion on Jewish
spirituality. Sun., 4:456:15 p.m. Yearning
for Learning Center, Montpelier. 223-0583.
info@yearning4learning.org.
A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 19
T H E B R I D G E
Classifieds
OUTDOOR
ADVENTURES
GREGS
PAINTING
802-479-2733
gpdpainting@aol.com
Since 1972
802.262.6013 evenkeelvt.com
Rocque Long
Painting
Insured
30+ years professional
experience
local references.
802-223-0389
New Construction
Renovations
Woodworking
General Contracting
223-3447
clarconstruction.com
PAG E 2 0 A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016
Opinion
THE BRIDGE
mart, focused and efficient government helps Vermonters, so why does it seem that
levels of frustration and distrust are at an all-time high? I believe that listening to your
customers, cutting red tape, finding efficiencies and increasing transparency are all
keys to earning that trust.
At the Secretary of States Office, we serve Vermonters in many ways, including: overseeing the states elections, registering its businesses, licensing its professionals, managing its
records, providing information, assistance and educational materials related to municipal
and open government laws.
We balance these critical priorities with Vermonters ability to afford them ensuring fee
revenue is spent wisely. Recent news about broken contracting practices, failed information
technology (IT) projects and budget deficits are discouraging and dont inspire confidence.
In my time as a City Councilor (18 years), State Senator (eight years), and Secretary of State
(five-plus years), Ive heard it all regarding government reforms and efficiency. I am encouraged by recent conversations about change and meaningful reform. However, experience
tells me be skeptical good intentions often become superficial calls to action that do
not translate to real structural, long-term solutions.
The Secretary of States office has worked hard to fulfill its mission while upholding high
standards, increasing efficiency while providing quality customer service. Our talented staff
works smart and implements creative and flexible solutions to business problems.
We have successfully completed four technology projects by focusing on solutions meeting
the needs of the customers and the agency while improving cohesiveness and integration,
creating efficiencies and reducing redundancies. We have implemented a new website and
major overhauls of IT systems for three divisions professional regulation, corporations,
and elections.
These projects reduce processing times, eliminate paper/postage, and increase the publics
access to information. Our implementations succeed because we measure twice and cut
once. Before we go out to bid on a project, we study and improve our business processes
and focus on customer service and public protection.
Opinion
Government must review its mission, strategy and processes, then streamline as necessary
to right-size its programs. Regulation should be risk-based and implemented only when
absolutely necessary. Its not acceptable to follow a process because weve always done it
that way. With every existing practice, we must ask Why? and What are we trying to
accomplish?
More than 30 years experience in the business sector taught me the value of listening to
customers and front-line staff to achieve excellence in customer service. This instills confidence and trust, providing for stability and predictability.
Ive spent countless hours talking about transparency in towns across the state, aimed at
improving openness and accountability. Transparency in government drives:
Measurable results and outcomes engaging in clear and respectful exchanges with
external and internal customers and stakeholders;
Breaking down government silos ending the old entrenched ways, which will allow
us to pool resources;
Public confidence by letting the sun shine in, we achieve greater accountability, prevent overspending and inappropriate contracting; and
A n authentic culture of accountability in government as the Vermont Constitution
demands!
There are many opportunities for the state to listen to Vermonters, streamline its programs,
and open its doors to inspection, constructive criticism and improvement. By focusing on
our core functions and mission, we improve the essentials.
Hard work, efficiency and common sense solutions are not republican, progressive or
democratic values; they are Vermont values. Here at the Secretary of States office, we work
hard every day to uphold these values and strive to promote confidence in government
through excellent customer service, innovation and accountability.
I believe if our government is transparent, accountable and focused, it can improve
Vermonters lives and earn their trust and respect.
by Paul Brouha
t is there as day breaks on a still spring morning when I am outside listening for a wild
turkeys gobble. It is there when I cross the yard to work in my garden. When I go out for
a walk with the dogs it comes along. I feel its vibrations while sitting at my desk with the
windows closed on a winter afternoon. It is wind turbine noise from the Sheffield Wind Project, which invades our property on a northwest wind. It is especially evident on rainy/snowy
days when the clouds hang low over our neighbors ridgeline where the 16 wind turbines have
been erected.
had occurred, the board authorized the developer to come into our home (into our 2nd floor
bedroom, actually) to conduct another test. After that test, which confirmed my experts
report, the company wants to monitor and audio record what is happening for a month. And
the wind companys owners want access to our bedroom at any time they feel like making a
measurement.
We homeowners have a right to the peaceful use and enjoyment of our property. We also have
a right to be protected against unlawful trespass on our property.
What the legislature needs to do is to amend Section 248 to require developers to comply at
all times of operation with a reasonably recognized noise level. The current noise limits are
not enforced and the wind company is able to manipulate the data to show compliance, when
the noise exceeds the established levels.
In granting certificates of public good and their associated establishment and measurement
of noise standards for wind turbines inside neighboring homes rather than at property lines,
the Vermont Public Service Board has essentially awarded wind developers an uncompensated
nuisance noise, health and safety easement across private property, even though that neighboring parcel has not been leased to the wind developer.
In effect, future development rights on thousands of acres of private property have been
stripped from rural citizens and handed to their neighbors tenant, the wind developer, without compensation as required by Article 2 of the Vermont Constitution.
The premise of zoning is to separate conflicting uses of land. When the board establishes
safety setbacks and noise emissions that are measured at or inside a neighboring home rather
than at a property line, there is in fact NO separation of the conflicting use.
The definition of trespassing is to enter the owners land or property without permission.
Here is how it works: After filing a noise complaint, the wind company is supposed to review
its data to ensure the noise is within the noise limit. In my particular case, the wind company
reported data that showed it was in compliance. I then had to prove the noise was too loud
on my property. Even when I submitted an expert report that showed the noise on my property exceeded the noise limit, in order to establish whether a violation of the noise standard
The board and the developer want to make the whole complaint process so intrusive and
unpalatable that well never complain again!
To combat the lack of integrity from both the board and the developer, landowners propose
a noise limit standard attributable to the wind turbine generators at and beyond the plant
facility property line and 30 dBA LMax in residence interiors neighboring the plant facility
property. Further, to ensure that landowners are protected from future violations, the legislature must require the wind developer to fund the costs of continuous independent transparent
monitoring at all existing and future wind projects, and data collection and reporting of noise
generated by the plant facility at and beyond the property line.
By moving turbine noise standards to property lines and requiring monitoring, the legislature
would be holding developers accountable for the effects of their projects: noise pollution,
turbine rotor failure and its attendant debris field, property value loss and visual blight. During the current session, the legislature needs to restore property rights by eliminating trespass
zoning and to hold the Public Service Board accountable for respecting the private property
rights of Vermonters. Good neighbors dont trespass.
Paul Brouha is a Sutton resident and homeowner whose property abuts the Sheffield Wind Project.
(Edited for length)
A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 21
T H E B R I D G E
Editorial
That was in 1996 20 years ago. Today, Vieux is president of Green Up Day. The annual budget has increased
to $130,000. Today, Green Up has a staff of two part-time
people: Vieux, who is president and Melanie Phelps who
is operations manager. Last years Green Up Day counted
more than 21,000 participants across the state, but there are
many more Vermonters who participate but are not counted.
Melinda Vieux
with two cats on a solo trip from Kansas to Vermont where
she joined her husband who had preceded her to Morrisville.
The winter of 19701971 is still remembered by old timers
for its record snowfall. And Vieux still remembers her solo
trip from Kansas. It was an unforgettable experience.
Speaking knowingly about herself, Vieux said, I have an
incredible knack for finding things and putting things together. These personal gifts organization (putting things in
order) and an understanding of synergy in human relations
(knowing how to get people to work together to achieve big
things they couldnt achieve without each other) have served
Vieux well in a succession of projects and career moves.
Her first local job was in St. Johnsbury working with a
community-based health planning agency. From there, her
career advanced to the state office on health planning and
this at a time when not a lot of women were holding high
state government positions. But after several years of state
government work, she was ready for something else.
At the time she was living in Plainfield in an apartment with
lots of plants and an overstuffed chair from which she spent
many moments meditating on what to do next in her life
thus she envisioned a business idea for Porcelain and Lace.
I used Victorian clothing for design inspiration, Vieux
said. What she wanted to create, in words of her own that
described the new business, was silk and French lace lingerie patterned after vintage wear, and also some lovely flannel
night wear.
Vieux went out on her own with Porcelain and Lace in
September 1979, a small cottage industry which employed
local women sewing in their homes. For Vieux, Porcelain
and Lace had some travel demands. Said Vieux, I went off
to New York City and got the silk, the lace, the flannel, had
the core designs created and took my wares to a New York
clothing show. I didnt think twice about it. Some of the
buyers asked if I was from California because they thought
the designs were leading edge.
Prentice noted Melindas combination of passion for Vermont and her environment, her strong people skills and
an ability to communicate with the media and centers of
influence in an endearing and effective manner to generate interest in the enduring qualities of Vermonts natural
beauty and her strong civic ethic.
The Bridge publishes every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month,
except in July when we publish only on the 3rd Thursday.
Our next issue comes out April 21.
PAG E 2 2 A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016
Letters
Dont Wait For Details
To Legalize Pot
Editor:
I heartily disagree with the letter "Urge Your Reps To Vote
'No' on Legalizing Pot in the March 17, Montpelier Bridge.
The letter says, "we just dont have enough details yet, so why
the rush?"
This is the standard caveat employed to shelve any kind of
progress. According to an article from NORML (National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) there have so
far been 22,000 published studies or reviews in the scientific
literature referencing the cannabis plant and its cannabinoids
(http://norml.org/component/zoo/category/recent-researchon-medical-marijuana). About half of these were published
within the last 10 years.
Marijuana is a completely natural plant which was around
millions of years before humanity came to blight both
marijuana and the planet and to make it illegal in America
in 1937. The reasons for marijuana's illegality were not exactly
altruistic or pertaining to the plant itself. It was this nations
historic scourges of corporate greed, yellow journalism,
personal ambition and racism working together which made
marijuana illegal. Perhaps they have done what they were
supposed to do; they largely removed hemp (a by-product
of marijuana that George Washington cultivated on Mount
Vernon) from competition with other products, like DuPonts
synthetic plastics coming out at the time. They had also
kept the minorities down and fed millions of Americans
into our voracious prison system. Each year some 400,000
Americans perish from tobacco (https://www.tobaccofreekids.
org/factsissues/tollus/) How many perish from marijuana
annually? Why is tobacco still legal and marijuana still illegal?
My father could smoke marijuana without fear of the law
when he grew up in the 1920s and 30s. Let's legalize it, end
the failed and destructive prohibition on it, regulate it like we
should have been doing all along, and not wait endlessly for
more details.
Walter Carpenter, Montpelier
Note: The author of this letter does not use marijuana.
THE BRIDGE
studio we work out of, our varied interests and our training
backgrounds. If you are thinking of getting started on a new
exercise program or finding a fitness center to call your own,
I encourage you to begin with a private session to help line
Editor:
Contrary to what we have heard over and over again in the out goals and stay on track. In all my years of doing this
past three years, the Vermont Supreme Court did NOT open work, I have never had anyone regret this time ... in fact,
people always tell me they feel more confident about the
Berlin Pond to recreation.
work they're doing and how to get it done.
Here's what the Court actually said: "Our opinion today does
not hold that recreational use of Berlin Pond must be permit- Thank you Carla, for putting to words what many have
ted. We conclude only that valid regulation would require ac- encountered as they explore the world of fitness here in
tion by the State either by direct regulation or by delegating Montpelier! I look forward to reading your next installment
and hearing how the work continues.
such power to the City and this has not yet occurred."
This statement makes two points clear. 1) The Court did Merin Perretta
NOT require Berlin Pond to be opened to recreation. The www.MerinPerretta.com
justices determined only that Montpelier did not at that time
North Branch Nature Center: Thank You
have authority to regulate surface uses of the pond. 2) The
State CAN delegate regulatory power to the City.
Editor:
The opinion also said, "If more powers are needed more must
be asked for." That is exactly what Montpelier is doing by Thank you, Montpelier, for approving a $75,000 contribusubmitting its charter change to the legislature asking for tion toward North Branch Nature Centers new community
authority over its public water supply source, for the benefit of nature center facility!
With your help we have now raised $905,000, or 60 percent
its citizens.
of the $1.5 million needed for construction. We are eagerly
Page Guertin, Montpelier
continuing our fundraising, and are hoping to break ground
within the next year.
Editor:
Expanded indoor and outdoor nature education, exhibition, meeting and presentation spaces that will enable us
I enjoyed reading Carla Occaso's cover article A Quest to be
to provide more programs for more people;
Healthy and Love it and all the great questions she opened
with. As a personal trainer and yoga teacher I hear so many A place to warm up from the cold and take shelter from the
people ask these same questions, have similar doubts and
rain with accessible bathrooms;
move through the cycles of injury, resolution and return to
movement that she notes. It can be challenging to find the A place to better learn about our areas natural history and
observe its wildlife;
right fitness center and practice to fit your lifestyle when
A natural playground, covered picnic area and more!
there are so many good choices in the greater Montpelier
area.
These improvements will help us better connect people of
One thing I would like to highlight is that all of the places all ages with the natural world, and draw more visitors to
Carla lists are staffed by professionals who would love to help Montpelier, to the benefit of our local economy.
you design a personal training program that fits your unique We would like to thank Montpelier residents by offering you
needs. You don't have to figure it all out by yourself! Not free admission to BirdFest this year on Saturday, May 28.
only would we enjoy helping you, it's how we make a living Just let us know youre a Montpelier resident at the check-in
and one thing that makes these centers great. Group fitness table!
classes are not for all people and sometimes a 30-minute
orientation to nautilus equipment is not enough. There are Chip Darmstadt, executive director
some truly awesome personal trainers in this area and we all Emily Seiffert, capital campaign coordinator
offer something slightly different depending on the gym/ North Branch Nature Center
T H E B R I D G E
A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016 PAG E 2 3
PAG E 24 A P R I L 7 A P R I L 2 0 , 2 016
THE BRIDGE