Connecting Montpelier and nearby communities since 1993 | FEBRUARY 21M ARCH 6, 2013

IN THIS ISSUE
NATURAL COLOR

DOLLARS & DECISIONS

City Meeting, March 5, 2013

courtesy John Snell

Photographs at the hospital to get you through the cold

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WHOS WHO ON THE BALLOT Montpelier candidates in their own words

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IMPROVING DOWNTOWN Proposed tax would fund streetscaping, promotion

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AUTHORS ABC S Spelling bee at library to test local celebs
ILLUSTRATION BY TIM NEWCOMB

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PRSRT STD CAR-RT SORT U.S. Postage PAID Montpelier, VT Permit NO. 123

his years Town Meeting Day ballot may contain fewer items than in previous years, but the potential cost to taxpayers could be greater if all measures are approved. March 5 will find Montpelier voters confronted with an array of ballot issues, many of which will ask voters for more money. There are three long-term borrowing bond packages on the ballot (two city bonds for street and sewer improvements totalling $1.38 million and a third school bond issue covering repairs, heating and other projects at city schools); a proposed $75,000 downtown business district tax levy on nonresidential downtown properties; requests for increases from the library and recreation department; continued support of the Montpelier Circulator bus; and a request from firefighters to continue funding a position that the City Council cut in anticipation of a retirement. All of it, if passed, adds up to increased taxes for city residents. There is an open race with four challengers in District 3, while in the other districts the incumbents are running unopposed. Three candidates are running for the three slots on the Montpelier school board.

The Bridge P.O. Box 1143 Montpelier, VT 05601

Back to the budget: The city budget calls for an increase of less than 2 percent, but includes a controversial cut of the aforementioned firefighter backup position. This cut produced another ballot measure calling for the council to set aside funds to restore the position. The school budget calls for spending that exceeds the state-mandated single vote limit, thus triggering a second vote. The total increase, if both measures pass, would be 8 percent above last years budget. Follow that? If not, delve into our Town Meeting Day coverage, in which Bridge writer Richard Sheir helps you navigate the ballot and budget issues and their implications, beginning on page 4. Max Shenk, editorial associate

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STREET
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Cabot to Move Montpelier Operations to Waitsfield
gri-Mark, the parent company of Cabot Cheese, has decided to move Cabots Montpelier operations to a new location in the Waitsfield Industrial Park sometime later in the year. Agri-Mark spokesman Doug DiMento told The Bridge that the reason for the move has nothing to do with whispers that the company could not quickly get a permit for a new location in Montpelier or ensure parking for its employees at a new Montpelier location. The Waitsfield location best suits the growth of the company, DiMento said. The company has grown tremendouslyfrom $40 million in sales in 1992 to over $500 million last yearand we dont have enough space in the Montpelier location. The Waitsfield location is over 31,000 square feet and will meet our present and future needs as well. DiMento said that right now were going through due diligence with the new location, and nothing will be final at least until March, but it looks like well be moving. The 61 jobs at the Montpelier location will be relocated to Waitsfield, with other positions added. Agri-Mark is a dairy cooperative headquartered in Metheun, Massachusetts, with member farms in six different New England states.

HEARD ON THE

Nature Watch
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ast week, after the storm, we had a barred owl in the yard all day, looking weak. Owls dont drink water, getting their liquid entirely from the small creatures they eat. If food isnt available for a few days, they go downhill quickly. So, off to the pet store for a few feeder miceput one on the snow, down comes the owl, and within seconds, swoop, grasp, perch and swallow. In two days, this bird was back in good health, not showing up except at dusk, which is normal, and looking frisky and dynamic, hunting on its own again. I call this extreme bird feeding, and it is not for everyone, but it works for us, and every few years, it gets one of these magnificent creatures over a hump. In the coming weeks, owls will be breeding and building their nests, and we should start hearing them again at night. Nona Estrin

SUMMER IS COMING ...

We have a great summer camp section in this issue and in our next four issues, and great packages for summer camp advertising. For more information, contact Carolyn or Ivan, 223-5112, ext. 11, carolyn@ montpelierbridge.com or ivan@montpelierbridge.com.

City Clerks Office Raising Funds for Pet Microchip Reader

ontpelier city clerk John Odums office is partnering with The Quirky Pet on State Street to raise money to purchase a pet microchip reader for the Montpelier Police Department. The Quirky Pet will contribute to the yearly cost of notices for dog license renewals, and the money that the clerks office saves will be applied to the purchase of the microchip reader. Dog owners can also opt to donate an additional dollar toward the microchip reader fund. Microchip readers typically cost between $100 and $400, and the type of reader the office purchases will be determined by the amount of money it can raise. Currently, Montpelier police take loose pets to the Humane Society in East Montpelier. According to Cindra Conison, owner of The Quirky Pet, this is a time-consuming trip that takes our police out of Montpelier for at least an hour. With a microchip reader, Conison says, our police [could] scan the dogs chip, call the worried owner and quickly reunite the two, eliminating the costly middleman.

Local Schools Receive Farm to School Grants

wo local schools recently received 2013 Farm to School grants from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and the Vermont Farm to School Network. Berlin Elementary School received an implementation grant, while Washington South Supervisory Union received a planning grant. In its seventh year, the Farm to School grant program works to educate students and communities in the dynamics of local food production by linking school cafeterias and classrooms to local farms and food producers. It is wonderful to hear that students understand Farm to School is not just about healthy food, but also about economic development for our farmers. That is when we know theyre connecting the dots between the educational, nutritional and economic aspects of the program, said Jolinda LaClair, deputy secretary at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture.

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Arts Council Awards Grant to Plainfield

he Vermont Arts Council has awarded the town of Plainfield a $28,370 grant for improvements to the Plainfield Town Hall Opera House. The grant is earmarked to improve exterior drainage and address mold abatement in the building. The Vermont Arts Council awards grants of $1,000 to $30,000 every fiscal year to Vermont nonprofit organizations and municipalities to enhance, create, or expand the capacity of an existing building to provide cultural activities for the public. The town also received a matching grant from the State Division of Historic Preservation to correct the buildings structural deficiencies and has identified additional potential grant funding through the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to help offset the cost of additional improvements that must be completed in order for the Town Hall Opera House to be reopened.

Vermont Joins Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact

he Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has announced that it will join 38 other states in sharing information about suspended hunting and fishing licenses via the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. Through the compact, the 39 member states recognize license suspensions in other member states. Thus, any license holder whose privileges are suspended in one member state will have his or her license suspended in all member states. According to Vermont chief game warden Colonel David LeCours, the compact will deter Vermonters with suspended hunting or fishing licenses from hunting, fishing or trapping in other states. Currently, Vermont, New York and Pennsylvania are the only northeastern states participating in the compact. New Hampshire and Massachusetts have already voted against joining the compact, and Maine has passed supporting legislation but has not formally joined.

P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601 Phone: 802-223-5112 | Fax: 802-223-7852 montpelierbridge.com; facebook.com/montpelierbridge Published every first and third Thursday
Editor & Publisher: Nat Frothingham General Manager: Bob Nuner Editorial Associate: Max Shenk Production Editor: Kate Mueller Sales Representatives: Carolyn Grodinsky, Rick McMahan Graphic Design & Layout: Dana Dwinell-Yardley Calendar Editor: Dana Dwinell-Yardley Bookkeeper: Kathryn Leith Distribution: Kevin Fair, Diana Koliander-Hart, Daniel Renfro Website & Social Media Manager: Dana Dwinell-Yardley Advertising: For information about advertising deadlines and rates, contact: 223-5112, ext. 11, carolyn@montpelierbridge.com or gabriela@montpelierbridge.com Editorial: Contact Bob, 223-5112, ext. 14, or editorial@montpelierbridge.com. Location: The Bridge office is located at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, on the lower level of Schulmaier Hall. Subscriptions: You can receive The Bridge by mail for $50 a year. Make out your check to The Bridge, and mail to The Bridge, PO Box 1143, Montpelier VT 05601.
Copyright 2013 by The Montpelier Bridge

Veterans Small Business Center Opens in Randolph

he Vermont Tech Enterprise Center (VTEC) has opened a business incubator in Randolph for veterans and service members who are interested in starting or growing a small business. The space, located at 1540 Route 66 in Randolph (off I-89), provides vets and service members with high-speed Internet access, workspace, meeting rooms, copiers, video conferencing and a hospitality area. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, nearly one in 10 small businesses are owned by a veteran, and the latest census showed over 51,000 veterans living in Vermont. Studies show that veterans are about 45 percent more likely to be self-employed than those in the general population, and the resource center, according to U.S. Representative Peter Welch, is about empowering vets to be the best people that they can be. The services at the center are free to veterans and service people. For more information, call VTEC at 728-9101 or e-mail vtec@vtc.edu. compiled by Max Shenk

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Meet the Candidates for City Council and School Board

For City Council, District 1
Thomas J. Golonka want to thank the residents of District 1 for entrusting me with another two-year term as their city councilor. Over the past eight years I have been honored to assist the successive councils and city manager in making Montpelier a better place to live, work and raise a family. I have enjoyed my time on the council and look forward to bringing my expertise and experience in helping move us forward on many of the issues that have come before us. Over the next two years, I would like to concentrate on developing a strategy to increase the grand list and work better with our regional partners. We have significant excess capacity in our city. Utilizing this capacity more efficiently can help all of us by alleviating the significant burden associated with our high tax rate.

lic school system. I understand how hard our city and school staff work to provide quality education and services to our residents. In my next two years as a city councilor, I will work toward addressing goals laid out in the citys master plan. This is a highly vetted document with a wide range of goals. One goal, for example, is for City Council to review and eliminate unnecessary regulatory obstacles to development. Making affordable and mixed-income housing accessible to young families will alleviate the tax burden and fill our schools. This is just one example, but I would really like to assess our progress as a city toward all of these goals, celebrate our successes and take next steps toward making our city an even better place to live.

system. In 2006, I was appointed as the deputy commissioner of the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing where I currently serve. I am a graduate of both Champlain College and Johnson State College. Over the years, I have served on a number of boards, including a term on Montpeliers Mountaineers baseball team. To ensure continued sustainability of the community and working families, both in terms of economic and social viability, my highest priority if elected to City Council is supporting economic development and measures to ease the tax burden on residents. I hope to implement a strategy to grow both resident and visitor spending in the capital city and support local business. Economic growth in our community will encourage expansion and improvement of existing businesses and quality development of both business and residential sectors in this community and aid in the recruitment and establishment of new businesses and residents. I have worked on these efforts in other Vermont communities and witnessed great success. Jessica Edgerly Walsh started my career in the nonprofit world working with Vermont communities and municipalities to clean up and prevent pollution. In the role of state director, I was responsible for managing staff and budget. Last year, I left the nonprofit world

to help launch a successful 50-person solar company. My primary interest, if elected, is to expand housing opportunities in the city, particularly housing accessible to young families and retirees. Montpeliers population has been on the decline, meaning fewer families are footing the bill to maintain the citys infrastructure and services. I am interested in working to reverse that trend: broadening the tax base, filling the schools and adding more to the bustle of the downtown. In addition, I am interested in better connecting District 3 to the downtown business district, parks and other resources on the other side of the river. Whether its changes to zoning; plans for expanded sidewalk, road or bike path infrastructure; or a review of the circulator bus route, I want to make sure folks in every District 3 neighborhood can safely get into town. Zack Hughes My priority platform items are to (1) encourage a discussion around public safety in this community; (2) explore outside options for funding, such as grants; and (3) encourage wider use of public transportation. I am 35, a Montpelier resident for 22 years, single and a graduate of Montpelier High School, class of 1998. I studied one year of general business at Barre Vocational Technical Center. My additional education and training includes Community Leadership Training (2003);

For City Council, District 3

Steve Cook n 2002, my children and I relocated to Montpelier after having worked in the capital city for two years, and shortly after we purchased our home. I have three sons; two are currently in the Montpelier school

For City Council, District 2

Anne Watson have been delighted to serve on City Council since August of 2012 as a way to give back to my community. I was appointed to fill the remainder of a vacant seat, and I look forward to continuing for a full term. As a science teacher at Montpelier High School, I have the unique perspective of participating both in city government and in our pub-

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Board Governance Training (2005); Peer Support Respite Crises Training (2005); and Intentional Peer Support Training (November 2012 to February 2013). I am currently employed as a peer support worker and peer line facilitator and serve on the boards of the Central Vermont Community Land Trust and Washington County Mental Health Services. I am interested in virtual flight, travel, reading and writing. I can be reached at zackforcouncil2013@aol. com. Ron Wild s a 20-year Montpelier resident and developer of inspiring community projects, Im devoted to a vibrant downtown, healthy neighborhoods and a growing tax base. More housingfor a variety of income levels means more taxpayers and greater vitality for our community and schools. Montpelier should be at the forefront of finding ways to rehabilitate its older homes and develop unoccupied spaces. Our streets and sidewalks need immediate attention. The council should foster a civic climate that makes Montpelier the most desirable place to work and live in central Vermont. As director of Kids Fest, cofounder of First Night and director of the Vermont Alliance for Arts Education, I have helped enhance Montpeliers reputation as a home for the arts. As marketing manager for Wheels Transportation, I worked vigorously to keep Montpelier accessible and livable. Today, as program assistant for Everybody Wins! Vermont, I work to bring caring reading mentors to our schools. Community engagement defines my life. Im running for the District 3 seat because I love Montpelier. I want to improve our districts access to city services and facilities and to help make our city a place where we work creatively and positively toward the future. Reach me at ron.district3@gmail.com.

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Michele Witten Braun n serving on the school board, I want to look for ways to develop and contribute to a decision-making process that is as transparent, constructive and creative as we can make it. I hope to hear from teachers, administrators and fellow parents about their ideas for maintaining high-quality education in Montpelier. My kids are in third and sixth grade: old enough to tolerate a few more night meetings. Working as the planner for Northfield means a lot of night meetings, working with boards and budgets, the public, state and federal agencies, and having many of the same challenges I expect to face on the school board. With my husband, Dave Braun, I have owned our home in Montpelier for 14 years, and I have been volunteering for the past seven years in the schools math, science, nature and snack programs, as well as serving on the board of the Union School Parents Group. I have a BA from Bowdoin College in government and romance languages and an MS from the University of Vermont in natural resources planning. Waterbury and Berlin. Three of my children attended Washington Central Supervisory Union schools from K12, and my three stepchildren have attended Montpelier schools. The last will graduate in June! If elected, this will be my third term on the Montpelier School Board. Some areas I think the board needs to give attention to over the next few years include the following: (1) Reviewing the scope and services offered through our preschool program; (2) focusing on the development of key literacy, numeracy and social skills in the lower elementary grades; (3) reviewing a proposal to move grade five from Union to Main Street School; (4) considering the implementation of foreign language instruction beginning in kindergarten; (5) continuing and expanding support for art, music and drama as integral parts of our school curriculum; (6) investigating creative uses of technology at the middle and high school as a means of expanding learning opportunities; and (7) maintaining quality buildings so that they may continue to serve as safe and inviting learning environments for our students into the future.

For School Board

Sue Aldrich am chair of the Board of School Commissioners and have children in the Montpelier school system. One of the many great things about the Montpelier community is the inclusion of our students in workbased projects. I know that our schools, teachers and students want to and do give back to the wonderful, tax-paying citizens who recognize the value of investing in the education of the communitys children. This already pays us back in terms of property value because as a realtor, I can tell you that many people both local and from out of state want to buy homes in Montpelier because of our schools. Buyers do the research, and the fact that we have a large number of students accepted to Ivy League schools as well as other highly competitive schools is extremely impressive. I could go on and on about the extraordinary education delivered by Montpelier schools. I will take all calls and questions on my cell phone: 839-0213.

Lowell Vanderlip have lived in the central Vermont community for the past 40 years. For 20 of those years, I taught at Union Elementary School and so have a long history with the school system and the changes it has seen over the years. Following my teaching career at Union, I served for an additional 16 years as an elementary school administrator in

compiled by Richard Sheir; photos courtesy of the respective candidates, except Lowell Vanderlip photo by Nat Frothingham

Message to Montpelier Voters

from Montpelier Career Fireghters

We are asking Montpelier voters to support Article 15 at City Meeting on March 5.

If the citys currently proposed cut to re department stafng takes effect, we will have lost a total of six full- and part-time positions in recent years. If the Councils decision holds to not ll a vacancy that will be created by a retirement, our professional judgement along with that of nationally set standards is that this will take us even further below minimum stafng and seriously impair our ability to offer safe and effective re and ambulance service. At its nal budget meeting on January 24, the City Council, in an evenly split vote (broken by the mayor), decided to underfund the city budget by the exact amount we are requesting in Article 15 ($54,669.00), an amount necessary to maintain our current stafng level. This Council action was an insult to Montpelier voters. Through the years, the re department has received overwhelmingly positive support from the Montpelier community, which we appreciate. We ask for your continued support on March 5.
Paid for by IAFF Local 2287

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How to Vote, Preview of Key Ballot Items, Where to Hear Results

because that is where the bulk of our spending occurs. The The Montpelier Circulator Bus council did not believe that the budget reductions will jeopby the Numbers ardize essential public services. Funding for entities such as When: Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Town Montpelier Alive constitute only a small portion of the citys Total riders in one year: 12,583 Meeting Day, Tuesday, March 5. budget, and the council believes that the programs they offer Total routes: 20 Where: City hall, 39 Main Street, Montpelier. Total routes with an average of 10 or more riders per run: 6 are important to the quality of life in Montpelier. Need assistance? Citizens who require the assistance of (30%) John Hollar, Montpelier mayor mobility devices (wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, crutches, Total routes with an average of five or fewer riders per run: canes) will be able to vote in the community room of the 9 (45%) police department, directly opposite the accessible entrance Ballot Measure to Increase Funding to Average subsidy per rider: $9.50 (Less than the state average) to city hall. Poll workers will be stationed at the door to the Kellogg-Hubbard Library Beyond Average number of Saturday riders per run: 2 assist. The vote-by-phone system for visually impaired Average subsidy per Saturday rider: $38.50 (More than three the Council-Recommended Level voters will remain at its usual location in the city hall times the state average) The Case for a Yes Vote auditorium. Percent using free circulator to get to and from National Life: For the last four years, Kellogg-Hubbard Library funding Early voting: Early voting is now underway. Come by the 20% city clerks office Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 from its towns has been level-funded. The other five towns p.m., to vote early, or call for an absentee ballot at 223- have had their budget request rise this yearfrom $786 in Tune In for Live Results Worcester to $14,068 in Berlin to better reflect their towns 9500. he Bridge will be sponsoring live same-day Town MeetWhats on the ballot? Contents of the ballot can be viewed use of the library. Montpelier is being asked for an increase ing Day returns on ORCA Channel 17 for Montpelier online at montpelier-vt.org/page/586/2013cityballot.html. of 1.5 percent for each of the years that the budget was levelfunded, which is less than inflation for each of those years. and neighboring towns. Coverage begins at 9 p.m. For those While the library was level-funded, other parts of the city saw without cable access, the presentation will be streamed on Ballot Measure to Restore Funding for their budget grow to reflect the impact of inflation during ORCAs website. Defunded Firefighter Position these years. Montpelier mayor John Hollar will be present to offer elecRichard Bidnick, Kellogg-Hubbard Library director tion analysis on all issues. Montpelier School District superThe Case for a Yes Vote intendent Brian Ricca will address the results from the three The budget cut affects the health and safety of city residents The Case for a No Vote Montpelier school votes. Kellogg-Hubbard Library director as well as firefighters. The Matrix Survey on citizen support The city did not increase funding for other nonprofits, so Richard Bidnick will speak of the Kellogg-Hubbard vote in for city services showed that maintaining fire services is a far it did not seem fair to increase funding for the library. More- its six communities. The head of the Montpelier firefighters higher priority than civic projects, yet this years budget cut over, the city spends far more for the library than it does for union will speak about the firefighter funding issue vote. fire services and kept nonessential civic projects. all other nonprofit entities combined. It seemed reasonable Keith Vance, local political blogger from the website voiceof Lt. Jake Larrabee, president of the firefighters union for the library to seek additional funding from other com- montpelier.com, will offer political analysis as well. munities. The Case for a No Vote John Hollar, Montpelier mayor The budget reductions were made in city departments compiled by Richard Sheir and Max Shenk

Get Ready for Town Meeting

Montpelier City Meeting: Where? When? How?

Design & Build Custom Energy-Ecient Homes Additions Timber Frames Weatherization Remodeling Kitchens Bathrooms Flooring Tiling Cabinetry Fine Woodwork

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Guyette Explains and Promotes New Downtown District

by Nat Frothingham

s president of the board of directors of Montpelier Alive, Greg Guyette champions downtown Montpelier. In this question-and-answer exchange with The Bridge, Guyette explains what a Downtown Improvement District (DID) is and how such a district, if it wins approval on March 5, would work and would be funded. On Town Meeting Day, Tuesday, March 5, Montpelier citizens will vote on Article 15a proposal to establish and fund a DID. What is a Downtown Improvement District? I know such districts are in place in other Vermont communities. How do such districts work in practice? A Downtown Improvement District is a geographical area within which additional tax dollars are raised and spent for the benefit of the properties and businesses located within that area. In Montpelier, the proposed district has the same boundaries as the existing Designated Downtown. Each of the existing improvement districts in Vermont operates differently, based on local agreements or ordinances. In Montpelier, the DID funds will be collected along with municipal property taxes from commercial property owners and from the state of Vermont through increased PILOT payments. Whats the benefit that you see from a Downtown Improvement District in Montpelier? Montpelier has never had a dedicated budget for enhancing our streetscape and strengthening our business climate. The DID budget will fund highly visible improvements to the downtown landscape and promote Montpelier regionally as a special destination to live, work, shop and vacation. The promotions will promise a special experience in Montpelier, and the improved streetscape, in addition to our collection of distinctive shops, restaurants, hotels and inns, will help us fulfill that promise. How is such a district formed? In other words is it a vote of City Council followed by approval of city voters? Is that what gets a district going? Yes, that is essentially the process. City Council has given their approval for the Downtown Improvement District to appear on the March ballot based on its merits and on support from stakeholders within the district. On Town Meeting Day, the voters in Montpelier will be given the opportunity to vote on the DID [Article 12]. We

feel confident the measure will receive broad for donations for special projects or fundsupport. ing them through small Montpelier Alive operating budgets. However, the Montpelier What sort of money will a district in Alive budget is stretched between festivals Montpelier raise and how will that and events, streetscapes, special projects and money be spent and who will watch myriad other downtown financial demands. over the finances to make sure they We have not printed banners in years; they are wisely spent? are expensive. We are limited in our ability to The district will raise $75,000. The budget place holiday lights; they, too, are expensive. will be drafted by the DID committee and After many years of replacing the old plastic will be presented to Montpelier Alive and trash barrels with the nice steel waste and the City Council for approval. Important recycling containers, we are only a fraction to note: the committee will be comprised of of the way through that replacement process. property owners, retail shopkeepers, restau- This tool, the DID, provides a dedicated rateurs and representatives from the lodging and predictable funding stream with which community, the arts community, and from we can make an immediate impact and step the state of Vermont. These folks are vested up our downtown investment. Unlike many stakeholders and know best how to make items taxpayers fund, the DID will present strategic spending decisions that will benefit immediate and noticeable results that we will the downtown. all enjoy and benefit from. Am I right in thinking that the voters at city meeting will vote on whether to form a district and to appropriate money for it but that only ground-floor commercial properties in the district will pay for it? If this is the case, is it fair for voters who will pay nothing to vote an added tax burden on groundfloor commercial properties who will be obligated to pay for the added money? We have been asked this question in many forums and the simple answer is that this is the mechanism that the state of Vermont legislature established, and it is a framework we must work within. The assessment is on commercial real estate, exclusive of all residential properties. In terms of the many voting to tax the few, we asked the stakeholders to weigh-in on the DID and by a nearly 3 to 1 margin, they support this investment. We asked property owners and merchants, and the response we received is that this investment is necessary to maintain a competitive downtown. I think that is the key; this is an investment that we fully expect to pay dividends back to the funders. Montpelier Alive pursued this measure as a means to support a vibrant downtown and a dynamic business community, and that point should not be lost in the conversation. Do you see an appropriation for a Downtown Improvement District as a one-time event, or will this appropriation be put before the voters year after year and become another added tax on the business community? This tax could be put before the voters year after year as it is in some communities, and it is supported year after year in those communities. However, we would likely seek council approval for a charter change, providing longterm predictability for the DID committee. It is very important to understand that buy-in from the business community is essential to our efforts. We will be talking with them; we will be asking for their ongoing input, and if they see increased foot traffic, increased sales and a more vibrant downtown, we are confident that they will support the ongoing nature of the DID.

Are you confident that spending money to advertise downtown Montpelier in out-of-state publications is a good idea? It can be argued that you can spend a lot of money on such publications with very little results, certainly very little measurable results. How will you measure the results of such outof-state advertising for downtown Montpelier? Again, spending decisions will be made by the committee. If the business owners on the committee do not feel that there is substantial opportunity to draw visitors from Montreal, Boston or Hartford, they will not invest there. I believe in the power of promotion when it is supported with substance. The DID will likely provide both. Why institute a Downtown Improvement District? Why not just raise the needed money by canvassing City Council, the downtown merchants and others, including Montpelier residents, who may be willing to support downtown development efforts? Why restrict the fundraising to downtown commercial properties? Why not have a more general public campaign for support? After all, a strong downtown benefits everyone in the city, not just people who have a commercial interest. We have worn out our shoe soles for nearly 20 years canvassing downtown for money. And at the end of the day, the same loyal group of business owners steps up to support us. But, we can only ask so many times over the course of the year. The DID spreads the cost of improvement and promotion over the entire district, so that all beneficiaries will contribute, including the state of Vermont. The state will contribute roughly 40 percent of the DID budget. It was very important to us in the planning stages that this investment not be overly onerous on the individual shopkeepers. In the models we ran, we determined that the cost for a typical downtown store, if the landlord passes the cost along, will be in the $10 to $20 per month range. And, again, this added expense will be invested, and it will deliver returns. We could have asked the city for an allocation from the General Fund, which would have effectively taxed the whole city. However, the downtown stakeholders have an opportunity to increase revenues and profits from this investment, and they have indicated that they support this measure, so we did not feel that the citywide tax approach was the right strategic decision.

What is the most compelling reason in your mind why a Downtown Improvement District should be approved? We live in an ultracompetitive marketplace. The online threat to brick-and-mortar business grows every year. To survive, to thrive, we need to grow our market share, and that means new bodies, new feet on the street. We have a Super Walmart coming to Berlin. We have a neighbor six miles to We havent had such an the south that has invested heavily in their improvement district in Montpelier downtown: Waterbury has just completed a in previous years, and yet somehow fantastic rebranding of their downtown, and we got the planters, we got the they are poised for growth. This is not the waste receptacles, we got the time to be complacent; this is the time to inbanners. What changed? Why do we vest intelligently to reinforce our position as now need to raise additional money? a hub for regional business, and that is what That is a great question. Yes, for years we we are doing. have walked the streets, hat in hand, asking

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PAG E 8 F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013

THE BRIDGE

Agency Requests: You Cant Always Get What You Want

elow are listed outside agency requests and amounts recommended by the review committee. From the citys proposed budget document, the line item for this expenditure has progressed as follows: FY12 budgeted: $98,675; FY12 actual: $99,175; FY13 budgeted: $99,175; FY14 budgeted: $118,175. The FY13 to FY14 increase was $19,000, a n increase of 19 percent.

Montpelier Community Fund Recommendations

Organization Arts Grants Abigail Waring, Montpelier Movement Collective Capital City Band Capital City Concerts Kellogg-Hubbard Library PoemCity Kids Fest Linda Hogan Montpelier Alive, City Hall Banners Montpelier Alive, Montpelier Movement Collective Montpelier Chamber Orchestra Montpelier Community Gospel Vermont Opera Theater Willow Wonder, Montpelier Movement Collective Arts Grants total: General Grants American Red Cross Central Vermont Adult Basic Education Central Vermont Community Action Council Central Vermont Community Land Trust Central Vermont Council on Aging Recommended 0 1,500 1,000 1,000 900 400 1,000 500 1,000 500 500 500 8,800 500 6,000 2,000 5,000 5,000 FY14 Request 3,066 1,500 1,000 2,000 900 600 2,071 1,800 2,500 1,400 1,000 3,255 21,092 2,000 6,000 2,000 5,000 5,000

Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice Circle Community Connections EverybodyWins! VT Family Center of Washington County Friends of the Winooski Good Beginnings of Central Vermont Green Mountain Youth Symphony Home Share Now Just Basics (Montpelier Home Delivery Program) Lost Nation Theater Montpelier Veterans Council North Branch Nature Center Our House Peoples Health and Wellness Clinic Prevent Child Abuse RSVP TW Wood Gallery & Arts Center Vermont Association for the Blind Vermont Center for Independent Living Washington County Diversion Program Washington County Youth Service Bureau WCYSB, Basement Teen Center General Grants total: GRAND TOTAL:

18,000 3,000 5,000 0 3,500 500 400 1,000 1,000 5,000 5,000 0 2,500 200 1,250 1,200 2,000 5,000 500 5,000 1,500 5,000 15,000 100,050 108,850

18,000 3,075 6,000 1,500 3,500 500 400 1,500 1,000 5,000 5,000 1,500 2,500 200 1,250 1,200 3,000 10,000 500 5,000 1,950 5,000 15,000 112,575 133,667

source: City Managers office

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THE BRIDGE

F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013 PAG E 9

City Council Appoints Parking Committee, Awards $80,000 for Housing at February 13 Meeting
by Nat Frothingham

ity Council board president Tom Golonka called the February 13 meeting of the Montpelier City Council to order at about 6:30 p.m. The council is temporarily holding its meeting in the Montpelier High School library. (The city hall council chamber is not currently accessible until an elevator at city hall can be repaired.) Kevin Casey Seeks Trust Fund Award and Waiver Kevin Casey, community development specialist at the City of Montpeliers Department of Planning and Development, asked the council to approve an $80,000 award from the Montpelier Housing Trust Fund to the Central Vermont Community Land Trust (CVCLT). He also asked the council to approve a waiver to raise the income and occupancy eligibility ceiling for prospective Montpelier home buyers to 120 percent of the Washington County median income level. Based on recent census data, the Washington County household median income level is currently $55,313. The council gave unanimous approval to both these measures. In a subsequent phone call with The Bridge, Casey explained the broad intent of the $80,000 award to CVCLT. The land trust hopes to make it possible for young families to purchase eight Montpelier homes over a two-year period. The award will be used to help potential homeowners come up with needed down payments. Casey said that an average Montpelier house today costs $223,000. About 10 years ago as reported in the 2000 census, the average Montpelier house cost $108,000. Raising the eligibility income levels to 120 percent of median county income would make it possible for more young families to put together a down payment and afford to buy a Montpelier house. Report from the Montpelier City Charter Revision Committee Councilor Alan Weiss thanked Nancy Sherman and the other members of the City Charter Revision Committee for their hard work and effectiveness. (Aside from Sherman, members of the committee include Michael Doyle, Jonathan Williams, Earl Fechter, Page Guertin and Elizabeth Dodge with help from VISTA volunteers Drew DeVitis and Luke Rafferty, with Alan Weiss as the City Council liaison.) The councils charge to the charter revision committee was to deal with anachronisms in the charter and redundancies and items to be deleted, amended or added. The committee is consulting with (among others) city attorney Paul Giuliani, Montpelier attorney and

municipal law expert Paul Gillies, and Steve Jeffrey, executive director of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. In general, the committee hopes to make the city charter more understandable and reader friendly. Meeting information for the committee is listed on the citys website. The committee will report its findings to City Council in August 2013. In due course, the recommended charter changes will be printed and available to the public for review in advance of a public hearing and eventual city vote. Report from the Montpelier Community Fund Board Next, the council heard a report from Bernie Lambek, a member of the Montpelier Community Fund Board. (In addition to Lambek, the board includes Beth Boutin, Eliza Dodd, Julie Hendrikson and Warren Vail.) In previous years, the city of Montpelier made awards to support arts projects and arts organization from the Montpelier Arts Fund. That fund no longer exists. Instead, support for arts projects and organizations now comes from the Montpelier Community Fund Board. This year, City Council set aside $118,000 for awards to community nonprofits, community service organizations and arts organizations. Forty applications for assistance were received totaling just over $133,000. After consideration, the board recommended to the council awards totaling $108,150. General Discussion of Montpelier Parking Issues and Proposals Mayor John Hollar reminded the council of the citys current parking goal: to provide sufficient parking throughout the city for shoppers, visitors, businesses and housing. Hollar said parking was an issue he hears about all the time and is an issue that the state struggles with as well. He said that if the city of Montpelier develops the Carr Lot as a transit center with additional amenities, the 130 parking spaces now available at that location would be lost to the city, according to a 2005 Carr Lot Transit study. Two spokespersons from the Vermont State

Employees Association (VSEA)Kristin Warner, director of organizing, and VSEA treasurer and board member Sheila Coniff addressed the council on the parking issue. Warner said that 1,595 state employees report to work every day at the Capitol Complex in Montpelier, while 1,305 parking spaces are available, making a 290 parking-space deficit. In addition to the Capitol Complex, 400-plus state workers at the National Life complex also have parking difficulties. The VSEA is working with the state administration on car pooling, van pooling, subsidized bus passes and the like. On January 31 a state employee petition was delivered to the Shumlin administration calling for action on parking. Councilor Anne Watson asked if changes could be made to the citys winter parking ban so that residents would not have to move their cars on nights without snowfall. Montpelier Police Chief Tony Facos discussed his departments efforts to streamline payments and collections for delinquent motorists. He said that parking in the vicinity of Union Elementary School continues to be a big problem and that he would welcome a small council-appointed parking committee to deal with parking issues and problems. Councilor Weiss asked why the Union School couldnt stagger the entry and release times of its students. Councilor Thierry Guerlain discussed the idea of a big parking garage of two or three levels topped with residential units in a space behind the Vermont Thrush Restaurant, Vermont Mutual and the federal building, going all the way to Elm Street. Hollar said that building a 240-space parking garage behind the Vermont Thrush on state-owned land would cost $6 million. An individual parking space at such a garage would cost $200 per month. Thats the challenge, he said. The state doesnt have the money right now. Richard Sheir, whose wife runs The Quirky Pet and has customers who drive to her store from a distance, said that if current efforts to promote downtown as a tourist destination succeed, parking issues could intensify.

City Manager Bill Fraser recalled a visit that he and others took to Hanover (NH) a number of years ago. Hanover had instituted a standing parking committee. It was small but it included the key stakeholders such as Dartmouth. Following a detailed discussion about its makeup and representation, the council voted unanimously to appoint a seven-member, standing parking committee that would include such stakeholders as the VSEA, the states Buildings and General Services Department, Montpelier schools, the Montpelier Business Association and residents. There would be a council member as liaison and two at-large members. Fraser agreed to draft a charge for the newly establish parking committee. The VSEA has a March 12 parking conference open to all stakeholders. (Please go to page 26 for details.) Additional City Council Comments Guerlain asked for an update on the district heating project in an upcoming City Council meeting. He also asked the council whether or not the city ought to continue to own land around Berlin Pond if the city was unable to maintain control of that land. Watson said that a coalition of energy groups, including Green Mountain Power, IBM and the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, is working with Montpeliers Energy Advisory Committee to help the city reach its energy goals. Weiss expressed disappointment about a recent letter of the city managers that appeared in the Times Argus concerning negotiations over selling excess Montpelier water to the town of Berlin. Weiss felt that the city manager was making statements on behalf of the council and that these statements should have first been cleared with the council. Hollar said he supported the city managers letter and stated that Montpeliers offer to the town of Berlin was a genuine offer. He described the citys attitude toward Berlin as yes, we want to work with you. He said the waterrate offer to Berlin was not an unreasonable price and that the city was open to a counteroffer from Berlin.

Parks Commission Appoints Committees to Review Dog Policy

by Ivan Shadis

he City of Montpelier Parks Commission convened Tuesday, February 19, the night before The Bridge went to press, to hold a public review of the recently conducted dog survey. The 100-plus citizens who arrived at city hall were divided into two groups. In the majority were dog owners who had enjoyed the liberty and freedom the parks existing

policy had afforded their pets and came with appreciation and a willingness to find resolutions. In the minority were parents, skiers, birdwatchers and owners of land abutting the park who had come to feel threatened and even marginalized. First to speak for minimal change in policy was Representative Warren Kitzmiller, here representing his 115-pound Burmese mountain dog who lived for the joy of running with other dogs in Hubbard Park. On the

other side, Dave Pelletier of Terrace Street spoke of the unnerving situation of carrying a young child in the park, with unleashed dogs likely to come bounding up. At the meetings end, the commission moved to create three volunteer committees: (1) a group to review the canine code of conduct, (2) a dog-walkers culture committee and (3) a group of volunteers to clear feces from the trails.

PAG E 10 F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013

THE BRIDGE

Planting and Saving Downtown Montpelier Trees

by Nat Frothingham

Tree? Board? Whats Up?

health and welfare by improving and preserving the beauty of the city as it relates to street trees and park trees. The board organizes tree plantings, free educational workshops and the maintenance of trees among other community projects. The Tree Board serves an important role, especially for the downtown. Many people are unaware of the amount of work needed to keep the downtown trees healthyor even just alive! Most street trees struggle to survive with limited soil and water, while contending with extreme heat, sidewalk salt and vandalism. The downtown trees take many hours of maintenance each yearpruning, watering, composting, mulching and grate and guard repairs. Someone we couldnt operate without is Geoff Beyer. Hes the city tree warden and sits on the Tree Board. And hes also a presence on the Conservation Commission. Geoffs been fantastic. He is definitely our liaison with the Public Works Department, which does everything from sidewalk plowing to helping us with many heavy equipment issues. Geoff, his crew and his AmeriCorps volunteers provide us with manpower for many of our maintenance and pruning work days. Geoff has also led the effort in getting Montpelier High School students to build wooden tree guards, which protect the downtown trees. Geoff organized the plan and

ontpelier resident Sarah Hoffmeier is cochair, along with John Snell, of the Montpelier Tree Board. In the following question-and-answer exchange with The Bridge, Hoffmeier discusses how she first got involved with the Tree Board, then goes on to describe what the Tree Board is, what it does and some of the successes of what she feels is a very cool local organization. Please tell us about your first experience with the Montpelier Tree Board. When I first moved to Montpelier four years ago, I wanted to get involved in the community and was interested in what the Tree Board was doing. After attending one meeting, I knew it was the group for me. The members were so welcoming, and what they were doing for the city was something I wanted to be a part of. I volunteered for a year, and then there was an opening, so I asked if I could join. I was appointed to the board three years ago. John Snell and I are the current cochairs. What is the Tree Board? Its a volunteer group that was first created by the city in 1993 to protect the public

taught them how to do it. Its great to have town trees fail is that the tree wells are the next generation invested in the city. limited. Most tree wells measure three feet by three feet. Thats just six to nine cubic How do you get on the Tree Board? feet of soil, and the quality of the soil, given City Council appoints the Tree Board that most of it is not native, varies widely members. Everyone on the Tree Board has and is often quite poor. The trees need to be a three-year term and can then get reap- watered frequently: spring, summer and fall. pointed. We have official meetings on the We have a dedicated watering crewAbby first Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in Colihan, Jennifer and Lauren Grant, Carole the Memorial Room in city hall. All meetings Naquin, John Snell, myself and John Van are open to the public. Thats when we brain- Deren all volunteer their time to water trees storm and tackle any tree-related problems. two or three times a week during dry spells. We couldnt do it without them! I understand you have a tree Salt is an issue as well. We know its imnursery. Tell me about that. portant to keep the sidewalks safe for people The tree nursery was created by longtime in the winter, but the salt used isnt very state forester and [Vermont Department of] healthy for the trees. Every spring each tree Forest, Parks and Recreation official and should have the top two or three inches of board member Norm Hudson. Its located at soil removed and replaced to eliminate all salt North Branch Nature Center just behind the residue from the tree wells. Its a big task, so community garden. We have approximately we dont always accomplish this. 90 trees that are available for us to plant Another problem, particularly on the south around the city as needed. Some of these are side of State Street, is shade. The trees along used to replace existing trees that have died this stretch dont get enough sun. Its hard to or are in decline, and some are part of our find trees that like shade and also do well as initiative to plant more trees in our urban street trees. forest. Weve also had several workshops at Pests and diseases can be problems too. the nursery to teach people about planting, Take for example the emerald ash borer. Its pruning, transplanting. on the way and will affect our beautiful large green ash trees. Last summer we marked all Why do trees fail? the ash with purple ribbon and signs to make Many reasons. The main reason down- clear how vulnerable we are to their loss. The

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THE BRIDGE
borer is not here yet but could be soon. Finally, a few other things that contribute to trees failing are vandalism, accidents and dogs. People staple signs onto trees, carve into their bark or think its cool to hang from a tree that cant support that kind of weight. Lots of little damages add up. Dogs urinating on trees can cause problems too. With such limited soil, trees can be affected by the amount of phosphorus found in urine. Its definitely not adding to the health of the tree to have dogs peeing on them. You think its cool to be on the Tree Board? It is cool to be on the Tree Board! The board is made up of friendly wonderful Montpelierites. Many people have served on the Tree Board for a long, long time. Its a great group to be a part of. We get things done by working together. We have people volunteering who range in age from 7 to 87. Over the past year, Tree Board volunteers gave more than 1,500 hours of service. And we had fun doing it. Look at the tremendous value and cost savings to the city. People love living here. They love trees. Tell me about your Tree Board T-shirt. The design was created by Tree Board member Carol Naquin. Shes a graphic designer. She designed the logo. It says Montpelier Tree Board: Taking Root in Montpelier. Volunteers earn a T-shirt once they do 10 hours of service. We have white shirts with a green logo or dark green shirts with a white logo. We welcome anyone interested to come to a meeting to find out more. If you cant make it to a meeting, just e-mail or phone John Snell or me. Our contact information is on the city of Montpeliers website: montpelier-vt .org/group/67/tree-board.html. Or you can just Google Tree Board Montpelier Vermont, the Tree Board web page will come right up. Anything else? Yes, I want readers to know that the city of Montpelier has held the Tree City USA award for the past 10 years. Its great. Also, the city of Montpelier was recently recognized by the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Council for the Community Tree Stewards Award. We had a reception at the State House with Deb Markowitz, secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, along with the other winners in other categories. Its a real honor that weve been recognized for our work. Many people who live in Montpelier love our trees. But they may know nothing about the Tree Board. We are available to anyone in town who wants advice on trees and would be happy to meet with people to talk about tree species or tree placement and maintenance. Over the years, weve seen so many examples of the wrong tree planted in the wrong place or a good tree poorly maintained. We want to help folks get it right. We realize the importance of educating the public to keep our trees healthy for many years to come.

F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013 PAG E 11

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The Mountaineers Baseball Camps will be held at the Montpelier Recreation Field and will be run by the Mountaineers coaching staff and players. Campers will receive general baseball instruction in all aspects of the game. In addition to camp instruction, every camper will receive two game tickets, a team yearbook and a Mountaineers t-shirt. The campers will also take the eld with the Mountaineers prior to a home game. The campers will be divided up by age groups so that all will receive instruction that is benecial to improving their skills. Our professional staff of experienced coaches and dedicated players will provide an opportunity to learn the game as it should be played. The camps will be coordinated by Mountaineers Manager, Joe Brown, who serves as Head Coach at Cortland State College and has the highest winning percentage of any collegiate baseball coach over the last ten years! Coach Brown will be assisted by coaching staff and players from the 2013 Vermont Mountaineers. The cost is $95 per session. Participants should bring a glove, bat (optional) and sneakers. Please register in person at the Montpelier Recreation Department or mail the enrollment form to Mountaineers Baseball Camps, Montpelier Recreation Department, 55 Barre Street, Montpelier, VT 05602. Call 2235141 for more information. Our Employer ID# is 06-1393688.

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PAG E 12 F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013

THE BRIDGE

From Total Triumph to Withering Humiliation

Vermont Writers to Engage in War of Words at Library Spelling Bee
by Max Shenk
Poet Jody Gladding, an instructor at Vermont College, never competed in a spelling bee but throughout grade school we had weekly spelling tests. In fifth grade, if you got 100 on all the spelling tests all year, you won a prize, and I cheated on the last spelling test because I really wanted to win. And the word I cheated on was honor, Gladding added. So I guess things can only go up from there. A few of the participants are spelling bee rookies. Novelist Thomas Christopher Greene says hes never been in a spelling bee that I know of, and therefore has never won a spelling bee (and Im not anticipating that changing), and, when asked if he had any spelling bee horror stories, replied, Talk to me after Saturday. Author and journalist David Dobbs said that he hasnt lost a spelling bee yet. Ive never compeeted before, he wrote. Im undefeeted. Does Dobbs expect to win Saturdays event? Stay tooned. Certain words repeatedly send the contestants to the dictionary. Gladding and David Goodman both said that they habitually misspell misspell, while Leda Schubert said vacuum gives her problems. One c, two us, she asserted hesitantly. People often accuse me of misspelling my first name, poet Geof Hewitt said, but I have greatest trouble with eleemosynary, which I have to look up every time I want to write it. There were three times that Hewitt couldnt look it up: when he was given the word in spelling bees in fifth, seventh and eighth grades. Trouble is, Hewitt asked, how do you find a word you dont know how to spell? Food columnist Marialisa Calta listed accommodate, renovate, occurrence, occasion-

n Saturday, February 23 at 7 p.m., Kellogg-Hubbard Library is presenting Cabin Fever Winter Spelling Bee, featuring 21 Vermont authors and poets who are hoping, if not to win, to at least avoid embarrassment and humiliation at the hands of their peers. Spelling bees seem to stir up memories that many writers would rather forget. A few of the participants in Saturdays event won spelling bees at one time or another, but they hardly sounded triumphant. Rowan Jacobsen, author of Shadows on the Gulf, backed into a sixth-grade spelling bee victory on the word nigh. Id never heard the word in my life, Jacobsen said, but the other finalist tried N-Y-E and was wrong, so I took a stab at N-I-G-H and won.

David Goodmans Tale of Defeat

We asked the KHL spelling bee contestants for their spelling bee memories and tales of victory (or defeat). Writer David Goodman replied as follows: I was a finalist in my elementary school spelling bee in sixth grade. We were all on the stage in the school cafeteria. I had outlasted numerous other spelling bee contestants, and my moment of glory was near. I could feel it. Taste it. The brass ring was going to fit perfectly on my finger. My foul shot may have been unreliable, my baseball hitting questionable and my football receiving talents were dubious. But I could spell like nobodys business. It was down to me and Rita Caprino. She was a big, mouthy girl with a voice that sounded like a metal file pulling across a dull chain saw. And then came the moment of truth, the moment I was going to demolish Rita Caprinos dreams of glory and silence her ever-flapping mouth for good . . . Which word did you win (or lose) with? Cylinder. Which I coolly and confidently spelled: C-Y-L-I-N-DA-R . The moderator, Mr. Romanski, said, Im sorry, thats incorrect, David. Rita, please spell cylinder. I sank down in my folding metal chair. Now I could only hope . . . that Rita Caprino would have a brain cramp. That she, for the first time in her oh-so-annoying life, would be at a loss for words. The prospect of her screwing up was now the only thing separating me from the rest of the hoi polloi who were my classmates. Rita Caprino stood tall, her shoulders back, her chin jutting forward. A broad gap-tooth smile spread across her face. She was going in for the kill and savoring the moment. She threw me a cruel sideways glance and took her sweet time. C-Y-L-I-N-D-E-R, she bellowed triumphantly. I sank down in my chair. Each letter echoed off the tile floor and ricocheted right at me, striking me like a hail of darts. Boys and girls, declared Mr. Romanski, our bald principal whose head suddenly seemed to be blindingly shiny, please give a round of applause for the new sixth-grade spelling champion, Rita Caprino! I shrank off the stage, my head hanging in a state of shock and despair. Back in my sixth-grade classroom, Rita Caprino made a point of waltzing right by my desk. What kind of idiot doesnt know how to spell cylinder?! she muttered loud enough for everyone to hear. My fingers curled in a tight fist but somehow I resisted the urge to even the score right then and there. Besides that, I dont really remember much about my spelling bees.

ally, judgment and privilege as her problem words. In fact, she e-mailed The Bridge, as I was typing these, spellcheck alerted me to the fact that I misspelled three of them. Calta added that she considers spell-check to be the work of the devil. Whatever spelling chops I had have gone downhill because I no longer have to remember that renovate has one n, nor do I have to look it up, which might help me remember the next time. And how do you spell spell-check? One word or two? Novelist R. A. Harold said that, as a native Scot who grew up with British spelling, shes prone to misspelling (or properly spelling, depending on your perspective!) words that are spelled differently between British and American English, like jewellery versus jewelry. Harold also said that the i before e rule confuses her, as it did Burr Morse (How about diesel ? Should be deisel ) and Gladding (Weird ? Wierd ?). The participants said that theyre looking forward to Saturdays showdown, for a lot of reasons. It should be highly competitive because a lot of us know each other, said Schubert. Im going to have a lot of fun. Ill be the wisecracker in the corner. I hope Im not eliminated early, but I suppose I can keep making wisecracks after Im eliminated. I love the idea of a writers spelling bee, said novelist David Carkeet. Lets face it: writers are showoffs and egomaniacs, and what swifter way to bring them down than this event?

The Cabin Fever Spelling Bee takes place at Kellogg-Hubbard Library on Saturday night, February 23, at 7 p.m. There will also be a silent auction of books by the participants. Tickets for the event are $10 and proceeds benefit the library.

THE BRIDGE

F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013 PAG E 13

Tech Check
Management Through Technology
that need to change the data and read-only access to those that simply need to view. This method keeps everyone informed without risking corruption from an overzealous editor. Better still, everyone knows whats going on without sending (even more) e-mail. Im also a fan of using shared spreadsheets as task lists. Internal Website: Having a place to list information is vital. It might be Microsofts SharePoint or an alternative. Again, you could e-mail this sort of stuff to your team, but that requires them to manage the information. You might benefit from a team calendar or links to new policies or procedures. This is usually best as some sort of website. You could code something yourself if you wanted, serving it up on a local web server or even host it publicly and protect it with a password. Lots of options, but the key is to figure out what sort of information you need to post, how often it will change and who needs to read and change it. Communicate Adequately: We live in an era of rapid, often overly efficient, communication. E-mail, texts and tweets are great, but they may leave the need for interpretation. Communication is a two-way street, and its up to you to be sure that your audience receives your communications as you intend them. Thats why voice calls, or better yet, video calls should be used when you cant sit down with someone in person. It is far less likely that a staff member will misunderstand, forget or ignore your requests when you deliver them over a Skype video call instead of via e-mail. E-mails are too easy to miss (sometimes intentionally). Dont forget all of that nuance that you can pick up from someones voice or facial expressionsnuance that may help you anticipate and avoid a problem. Set Expectations: The key to effective management is communicating your expectations to your staff, making sure they understand and buy into them and holding them accountable. Technical solutions, like those above, can be effective at each stage, but theyre not the only way. There are situations where a phone call or face-to-face communication are better. Dont allow yourself to hide behind technology, as thats only going to cause unrest in your group. Jeremy Lesniak founded Vermont Computing (vermontcomputing.com) in 2001 after graduating from Clark University and opened a store on Merchants Row (Randolph) in May of 2003. He also serves as managing editor for anewdomain.net. He resides in Moretown.
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e have a saying at Vermont Computing: Its always a communication problem. With over 10 years in the drivers seat of a tech firm, Ive found that communication issues are the root of most problems. It doesnt matter whether its an internal (staff, human resources) or external (customer, vendor) problem, it nearly always comes down to someones communication failure. Communication involves both the sender and receiverand theres a responsibility on both ends. Effective management is primarily about effective communication. Technology can be used for many things, but it cant be used for hands-off management. While some may dream of managing from their e-mail, thats not going to happen, at least, not with any sort of effectiveness. Technology can be used to make management easier and more comprehensive. Even if you dont operate a business or manage people, these tools and tips can greatly improve your communication with friends and family. Shared Online Storage: There are dozens of products that synchronize, back up and share your information. Dropbox is the leader, but there are alternatives. Having a central folder for your team to work in is invaluable. We use Dropbox at anewdomain. net quite often to organize our workflow. Its also the preferred method at Vermont Computing for sharing, storing, organizing and backing up documents. Shared Online Documents: Whether its Google Drive, Microsoft Office 365 or something else, having your teams documents online is beneficial. I share a lot of spreadsheetsgiving full access to those

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PAG E 14 F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013

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Still Learning to See: Jo

by Joyce Kahn

f your visual senses are crying out, deprived by the stark landscape of a winter that seems to relentlessly drag on and on, they will thank you for feeding them when you visit John Snells exhibit of 31 photographs at the Central Vermont Medical Center Art Gallery, for it is a feast of color, design and pattern and primarily a celebration of the natural world. In the show, Still Learning to See, Snell pays homage to the artists unending journey to find the striking in the assemblage of color and the variety of pattern and texture in the natural and man-made world. But it is with an artists eye that Snell hones in on his subject, making compositions that are dramatic and engaging, and that invite the viewer to look more closely at what intrigued him. Snell has traveled the world extensively, and many of his photographs capture precious moments in time from these travels. But whether the photo is an aerial image of farm fields near Oklahoma City or a close-up view of a tulip petal, Snells vision is one of an artist who appreciates the diversity in nature, or, as Snell says, the astonishing variety of life forms in our world. This photographic exhibit is not for artists only. It is not one for which you need earphones and a running commentary to understand and access the artists intent. Look on the wall at each end of the exhibit for the two-page handout Snell has thoughtfully assembled for the viewer. This is an inventory of many of the photos, identified by a colored thumbnail accompanied by one or two lines of explanation. While no explanations are needed to enjoy the photographs, Snells comments inform the viewer of where and why he took each photo and also introduce you to his poetic sensibility.

Tell them you saw it in The Bridge!

Snell has an obvious love of Entering the exhibit, my eye w mediately drawn to Sassafras an Sky. The boldness of the large flower against the expanse of bl made me smile. The feeling I h akin to walking into a greenho the dead of winter. We in Vermo so acclimatized to the lack of co so many months, that a burst o is like an assault on the senses, a pleasant one. The pleasure to be d from color is evident in Fall Co flections #1 and #2, which he de as Another way to see Fall in Ve reflected by the water in a small st Another bold piece is the amazin set of mammatus clouds photog in front of Snells house. Here aga artist made use of the complem orange and purple colors to free beautiful image in time. Finding the extraordinary in dinary is another hallmark of this Why does an artist shoot photo or paint or sculpt or write? Ther be sure, an inner compulsion and goes the desire to share that wi that moved him or her. New Ice piece, where Snells close-up of n one yel the vie does. S ice form other p as did New s Red O sculptu show h photogr

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THE BRIDGE

F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013 PAG E 15

ohn Snell Photo Exhibit

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the ors artist. Above, Tulip Petals. Below left, New Ice. Photos courtesy John Snell. ographs re is, to Interesting patterns, whether made by shadows or reflections, d satisfaction, but along with that abound in these compelling photographic images. ith others, to express something In Tate Modern Shadows, taken at the Tate Modern Museum in e and Leaves of Grass is one such London, small black figures poised on large white stripes, which new ice in shades of gray offset by alternate vertically with black ones, reminded me of a play in llow-brown blade of grass invites which the curtain had just lifted and the performers were in place, ewer to look more closely, as he ready to dance. When I stopped and looked closely, I realized that Snells description: When new these small figures are people, and the drama created is due to ms, it seems to come from an- sunlight streaming through the windows. In Amsterdam Reflecplanet, invited me into his world, tions, the buildings and sky reflected in a canal reminded me of Red Oak Leaves and New Snow: a beautiful mosaic. Salt #2, an aerial view of San Franciscos salt snow changes the world, making ponds reminded me of a Mondrian painting because of its bold Oak leaves seem to be dancers or and colorful geometric pattern. ure. Snells succinct descriptions It is worth a trip to the hospital to see John Snells exhibit, now his talent for writing as well as through March 15. Each photo is a gem, which the photographer raphy. captured and has graciously invited us to share.

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PAG E 16 F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013

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The Montpelier School Page

This page was paid for by the Montpelier Public Schools.

Voters Will Be Put to the Test for Schools

by Amy Tatko for the Montpelier School District

he voters of Montpelier almost always pass the school budget. Last year, they approved a budget with a 5.3 percent increase over the previous year. This year, voters commitment to our schools will be put even further to the test. The school board is asking for $1.2 million more than the current budgetan 8 percent increaseto fund the schools next year. While that may seem high to some, the proposed budget nonetheless would cut hours from 15 positions and eliminate two full-time jobs. With so much at stake for our schools, students and teachers, why should the voters of Montpelier support the proposed school budget, and what exactly will they be getting for their money? The Challenges About half of the budget increase, or $517,309, will cover the increase for salaries and benefits. The other half or so, or $528,941, is for contracted services, which includes special education, student support and the after-school program Community Connections. The challenge facing the Board of School Commissioners, the superintendent and the three principals was how to cover the increasing costs for salaries and benefits, fund contracted services and still provide top-notch programs and services for students. Were doing everything we can to distribute this pain across the board, Superintendent Brian Ricca told the board at its January 9 meeting. New three-year contracts are in place this year for two units of district employees. Teachers and educational support staff received a 4 percent salary increase this year. They will receive 3 percent salary increases next year and the year after, a reflection of the districts commitment to excellence and its effort not to lose teachers to higher-paying schools. The budget also includes a 14 percent increase, or $276,120, for health insurance for all employees. This is a statewide increase for districts whose health insurance is provided through Vermont Education Health Initiative, a nonprofit purchaser of insurance. Also, a change in the support staffs new contract allows them to pay for only 15 percent of their health insurance, with the school district paying for 85 percent. Until this year, support staff contributed 20 percent and the district paid 80 percent.

When the budget process began, the district faced an uphill battle of how to cover these costs while maintaining vital programs for students. The Cuts Some board members expressed concern about the impact of shaving hours from jobs. An employee who works 32 hours per week, or 0.8 of a full-time position, might be reduced to 0.6 and work only 24 hours next year. The attempt to protect teachers and staff while trimming costs could backfire. Some of these 0.5s will leave us, said Sue Aldrich, chair of the school board. After extensive public support for Union Elementary Schools new physical education teacher, Marie Jenningswhose position was in the initial list of cutsAldrich said, I dont want to lose this person. The final budget preserves that position fully, a reflection of the boards response to parents and school employees who supported Jennings.

special educator. The other full-time position cut is the central office database manager. The Process School board member Charlie Phillips commended the principals and the superintendent at the final budget meeting on January 16 for what they were able to do to preserve positions. I have never in my three terms on the school board heard that much [public] support for individuals and for programs, Phillips said. The board and the administrative team also struggled with whether to cut funding for Community Connections. Until now, the after-school program has been funded by grants. The proposal for next year was to cut one of three staff positions and give the program cocurricular status, thus reducing the annual cost from $167,000 to $115,000. Several board members strongly supported Community Connections. Board member Ken Jones said the program was the best part of the day for some students and he wanted it fully funded. Yet another board member, Steve Robinson, said that Community Connections should come under the same scrutiny as teachers and other programs. The superintendent spoke up in defense of teachers. Its difficult for me as the educational leader of this district to accept that [Community Connections] is the best part of a students day. Ricca also said the Community Connections staff had all year to suggest ideas for restructuring when its grants ended, but that never happened. The board decided to fund Community Connections at approximately $145,000, albeit in the second vote for additional funding. If the second vote fails, the board would need to decide whether and how to fund Community Connections and other items in the second vote, including instructional assistants, contracted technical services, the social worker at Union, a substance abuse prevention counselor at the high school and more. The Philosophy During the budget talks, some board members spoke about how to stop being reactionary and become more visionary. Robinson said the board should look at the total

amount of money that the community can support and then decide how to use it creatively rather than protect individuals that already teach in the district. Members of the administrative team want to be part of a more visionary school district. Were ready and willing and able to be creative with you, said Owen Bradley, principal at Union. His vision is for Montpelier to have the best schools in any U.S. capital and to distinguish itself with an original vision or programs, while also continuing to send graduates to top universities and colleges. To that end, Bradley said the district must not only maintain great teachers but also find ways to eliminate mediocrity. Yes, get the right people on the busbut also get the wrong people off the bus, he said. Bradley and others expressed frustration that the union contracts limit their ability to be creative due to fiscal realities. The Future During the budget process, the superintendent asked the board its philosophy: What are your priorities and your vision? Although that conversation did not transpire fully, board members expressed an interest in pursuing it in the future. The model that we provide in the classroom needs to change, Jones said. Montpelier needs to shift to a 21st-century classroom, he said. He wants to see components of Community Connections integrated into the school day. The superintendent is ready to turn his attention to the future and start discussions with the board now about 20142015. He believes this should be a time of change for Montpelier schools, and in a recent interview he talked enthusiastically about personalized education, a flexible schedule at the high school to meet a wide range of student needs and interests, and integrated, or blended, education. Are we teaching enough critical thinking? he wondered aloud. His ultimate goal? For more students to have more ah-ha moments, Ricca said. Right now, however, the superintendent has this message: I assure the voters that well take their money and turn it into missiondriven work that is reflected in the students.

Marie Jennings, physical education teacher at Union Elementary School. Photo by Jeffrey Jarrad. The board wrestled with other proposed reductions, including a music teacher at Main Street Middle School and a social worker at Union. The full-time music teacher will now become part-time. The board was confident that a reallocation of the remaining music teachers would ensure quality and variety for students in all music programs. The board also added back money that would give the option to keep the social worker. Most cuts in the final budget are a decrease in hours. Subject areas affected at the high school are math, English and social studies. At the middle school, music and foreign language will have reductions. At Union, cuts include speech pathology and a full-time

Montpelier School District Proposed Budget for 20132014

General Fund Budget $16,597,784 Second Vote $389,132 Total increase $1,261,976 (an 8 percent increase over the current budget) What is the two-vote requirement? State law requires school districts to present voters with two separate ballot items if spending per student in the current fiscal year is higher than the state average and the proposed budget for next year is greater than the current years budget when adjusted for inflation. Next Year The Impact on Taxpayers This Year (proposed) Increase Tax bill for a $100,000 house $1,311 $1,441 $130 Tax bill for a $200,000 house $2,622 $2,882 $260 Tax bill for a $300,000 house $3,933 $4,323 $390 What if the school board did not raise taxes next year? 14 full-time positions eliminated larger classes fewer courses offered at the middle school and high school less differentiation for students (opportunities to work at their own level) further straying from the districts mission: Students will be capable, motivated contributors to their local, national, and world communities.

Capital Improvement Bond for Fiscal Year 20132014

Total = $2,300,000
The importance of what a student internalizes in terms of their climate is hard to measure, but its powerful. Adam Bunting, principal of Montpelier High School The major projects, by school: Union Elementary School Heating renovations and district heat connection: $910,076 New roof: $276,776 Renovate student bathrooms (partial): $99,316 Main Street Middle School New roof on original building: $168,232 Renovate student bathrooms (partial): $65,987 Montpelier High School Replace athletic field bleachers: $100,888 Renovate student restrooms (partial): $90,762 New roof on gymnasium: $84,000

THE BRIDGE

F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013 PAG E 17

Upcoming Events

Maple Onion 15K Freestyle Race. A challenging, scenic ski through maple-lled woods and open meadows. Prizes for overall winners, plus additional rae prizes. Benets the Onion River Nordic Junior Ski programs. 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. race start. Morse Farm Ski Touring Center, Montpelier. $15 in advance, $20 day of race; $5 juniors (under 18). Matt, 229-9409 or events@onionriver.com. Central Vermont Humane Society Birthday Party. Foot Clinic. With Courtney Tabor, nurse at Central Vermont Join adoptable pets for family fun to celebrate the shelters third Home Health & Hospice. Additionally, Chloe Budnick from Onyear in East Montpelier. Free raes, birthday cake, face painting ion River Exchange will be in the front lobby to talk with people and more. Bring gifts for the animals. 10 a.m.3 p.m. 1589 Route about local time-banking programs. 9 a.m.noon. Montpelier Se14, East Montpelier. Free. 476-3811 or events@cvhumane.com. nior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street. $15. 223-2518. Call 223-2518 Arts First. Art activities for youth age 710. 12:30 p.m. Studio to schedule a 15-minute appointment. Place Arts, 201 North Main Street, Barre. Free, but registration SymphonyKids: Galactic Brass. The Vermont Symphony required by Friday, February 22: 479-7069. Orchestras Fanfare Brass Trio play a variety of musical styles for Theater Master Class: The Innate Comedian. Tom local kids and demonstrate how their instruments produce sound Murphy leads an introduction to character development and disand how each one has changed since its beginnings. 9 a.m. Doty covering what is naturally funny about ourselves. Hands-on workMemorial School, Worcester; 10:30 a.m. Rumney School, Middlesex; shop requiring physicalization of ideas and some gentle acrobatics 2 p.m. East Montpelier Elementary School. Eleanor, 800-876-9293, for the average person. For ages 13 and up. 24 p.m. Lost Nation ext. 14, or eleanor@vso.org. Theater, 39 Main Street, Montpelier. $35. Register at 229-0492 or Crawling in from the Cold: How Turtles Survive in lostnationtheater.org. Winter. What do turtles do in the winter? Find out this and more with Sandal Cate, educator at the North Branch Nature Cen- English and Scottish Country Dance Party. Music by ter, who will bring in live turtles, read a story and lead turtle crafts. the Turning Stile (Joanne Garton and Aaron Marcus), calling by Val Medve and Martha Kent. Potluck supper follows. No partner For kids age 36. 1011 a.m. Waterbury Public Library. Free, but or experience necessary; all dances taught. Bring clean shoes. 25 registration required:244-7036. p.m. Capital City Grange, 6612 Route 12 (Northeld Street), Berlin. Create a Vision Board. With Marianne Mullen, life-em$10. Martha, 879-7618 or mdkent@comcast.net, or Val, 899-2378 powerment coach. Create a fun and creative tool to focus your or valandtom@myfairpoint.net. intentions and maximize your motivation. 5:307:30 p.m. Hunger Film Showing: Tipping Point. Documentary about Canadian Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. $7 co-op memtar sands. 46 p.m. Community room, Montpelier Housing Authorber-owners, $10 nonmembers. Register at 223-8000, ext. 202, or ity, 155 Main Street. Free. info@hungermountain.com. Art and Author Night. Art opening of Emily Johansens work, Dinner and Duets. Chefs specialities supper, followed by a concert featuring Arthur Zorn with special guests Diane Huling, followed by a reading with author Baron Wormser. Refreshments served. 6 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School Street, Marsheld. Celina Moore, Linda Radtke, Judy Cookson, Skip Potter, Nora Zablow and Dan Liptak. Benets Bethany Churchs sister parish Free. 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com. in El Salvador. 6 p.m. dinner; 7 p.m. concert. Bethany Church, 115 Pacem School Showcase of the Arts. Performances from Main Street, Montpelier. Dinner: $10, $5 children under 12; concert Pacems Shakespeare workshop, ne art and musical talent from by donation.Theresa, 229-0415. students and dessert. 68 p.m. College Hall chapel, 36 College Cabin Fever Spelling Bee and Silent Auction. TwentyStreet, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier. 223-1010. one local celebrity authors and poets compete in the classic linguisFull Moon Snowshoe Hike. Explore Montpeliers hillsides by tic challenge, hosted by Sydney Lea, Vermonts poet laureate. Silent lunar light with nature center sta and learn how wildlife survives auction of books authored by the participants. 7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubthe long nights of winter. Snowshoes and hot chocolate provided. bard Library,135 Main Street, Montpelier. $10; benets the library. 78:30 p.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm Street, Montpe- 223-3338 or kellogghubbard.org. lier. $5 members, $10 nonmembers. 229-6206. So Sayeth. Susie Smolen presents a one-woman show of labor Session Americana with Pat Hull. The Boston-based songs written between 1897 and 1983, bringing the voices of mill folk-rock band plays from their newest album, Love and Dirt, a workers, coal miners, union busters and more to life in a blend of playfully irreverent take on roots music with an edgy experimental storytelling and skilled musicianship. 7:30 p.m. Chandler Upper side. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show at 8 p.m. Haybarn Theater, Goddard Gallery, 7173 Main Street, Randolph. $10 suggested donation. College, 123 Pitkin Road, Plaineld. $15 in advance, $20 day of show. 595-2233 or goddard.edu/session-americana. Presented by Goddard College and WGDR.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22

stamina, strengthen your immune system and change habit patterns. 14 pm. Geezum Crow Yoga, 37 Elm Street, Montpelier. $40. 485-4433 or lkwalker.com/schedule. Astrology Workshop: Chiron and His Foster Parents. 25 p.m. Mazahra Arts, 34 Elm Street, Montpelier. $45. Mary Anna, 272-0827 or maryanna@mazahra.com. mazahra.com. Square Dance. Will Mentor calls squares both old and new to tunes by Pete Sutherland and Jim Burns. No experience needed. Potluck follows. No partner or experience necessary; all dances taught. Bring clean shoes. 36 p.m. Capital City Grange, 6612 Route 12 (Northeld Street), Berlin. $8. Merry, 225-8921.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Build Your Money Muscles Workshop: Build Your Credit. 1011:30 a.m. Micro Business Development Program of Central Vermont Community Action, 195 Route 302, Berlin. Free, but registration required: contact Margaret, 477-5214, 800-8438397 or mferguson@cvcac.org. Workshop repeats March 11. Todd Lecture Series: The Impact of Scientific and Technological Changes. Talk by Jeremy Rifkin, bestselling author, on the impact of science and tech changes on our lives. 7 p.m. Plumley Armory, Norwich University, 158 Harmon Drive, Northeld. Free. 485-2633. Adult Book Group. Februarys book is The Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson. Copies of the book available at the library. New members welcome. 78 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, Old Schoolhouse Common, Marsheld. 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com. Event happens every fourth Monday.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26

Medicare and You. New to Medicare? Have questions? We have answers. 34:30 p.m. Central Vermont Council on Aging, 59 North Main Street, Suite 200, Barre. Free. Register at 479-0531. Event happens every second and fourth Tuesday. Vermont Womens Business Center Wisdom Circle. A lightly structured networking and mentoring opportunity for women in business to learn and share with each other in their business ventures. 46 p.m. Quarry Grill and Tavern, 210 North Main Street, Barre. Free. Register at 479-9813 or info@vwbc.org. vwbc.org. Five Common Barriers to Healing. With Alicia Feltus, nutritionist at Cedar Wood Natural Health Center. Learn how Nutrition Response Testing can detect toxicities, immune imbalances, food sensitivities and scar tissues that may be blocking you from healing. 5:306:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. Free. Register at 223-8000, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Snowshoe with the Montpelier Section of the Green Mountain Club. Dicult trek to the Mount Manseld Chin via the Long Trail and Taft Lodge. Crampons necessary. Contact leader Paul DeLuca, 476-7987 or vicepresident@gmcmontpelier.org, for meeting time and place.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
The Artwork of the Talented Hopkins Family. Jacqueline Calder, curator at the Vermont Historical Society, gives an illustrated presentation on the artistic talents of John Henry Hopkins Sr., the rst Episcopal bishop of Vermont. Light lunch served. Noon1 p.m. Sullivan Museum & History Center, Norwich University, Northeld. Free. 485-2183 or norwich.edu/museum.

Snowshoe with the Montpelier Section of the Green Mountain Club. Moderate climb to Montclair Glen Lodge from the Couching Lion parking lot in Duxbury. About 5 miles round-trip. Meet at Montpelier High School. Contact leader Michael Chernick, 249-0520 or chernick5@comcast.net, for meeting time. Energy Medicine Yoga Workshop. Yoga and energy medicine woven together in a dynamic practice. Boost vitality and RED HEN BAKERY & CAF Route 2, Middlesex. redhenbaking.com. Saturday, February 23 Mint Julep, 13 p.m. Sunday, March 3 Mark LeGrand, 13 p.m. SKINNY PANCAKE 89 Main Street, Montpelier. All shows 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 262-2253 or skinnypancake.com. Every Sunday Old-time sessions with Katie Trautz and friends, 46 p.m. (intermediate to advanced players welcome to sit in) Sunday, February 24 Lily Henley (Appalachian) Thursday, February 28 Jay Ekis (Americana) Sunday, March 3 Mind The Gap (folk/blues) THE WHAMMY BAR Maple Corner Caf, 31 West County Road, Calais. All events free unless otherwise noted. 229-4329. Every Tuesday Trivia night, 6:30 p.m. Every Wednesday Open mic, 6:30 p.m.

see UPCOMING EVENTS, page 18

Live Music
BAGITOS 28 Main Street, Montpelier. All shows 68 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 229-9212 or bagitos.com. Every Wednesday Blues jam with the Usual Suspects and friends Every Saturday Irish/Celtic session, 25 p.m. Friday, February 22 Sustainable Ice Project Saturday, February 23 David Kraus and John LaRouche (Latin jazz and beyond) Sunday, February 24 Brunch with the Julian Chobot Trio, 11 a.m.1 p.m. Thursday, February 28 Good To Go (bluegrass/folk) Friday, March 1 Rebecca Padula Saturday, March 2 Zephyr Sunday, March 3 Brunch with David Kraus and John LaRouche (Latin jazz and beyond), 11 a.m.1 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 Smooth Jazz Thursday, March 7 Colin McCarey and Katie Trautz

CHARLIE OS 70 Main Street, Montpelier. 223-6820. Every Monday Trivia Every Tuesday Karaoke Every Saturday All-request dance party with Blue Moon Friday, February 22 Stereodelics (rock) Wednesday, February 27 Jesse Gile and Wes Hamilton (rock) CIDER HOUSE RESTAURANT Route 2, Waterbury. 244-8400. Every Saturday through March 2 Dan Boomhower (piano), 6 p.m.close NUTTY STEPHS CHOCOLATERIE Route 2, Middlesex. 229-2090 or nuttystephs.com. Every Thursday Bacon Thursday, live music and hot conversation, 6 p.m.midnight POSITIVE PIE 2 22 State Street, Montpelier. 229-0453 or positivepie.com. Saturday, February 23 The WonderMics (univer-soul hip-hop), 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 1 First Friday dance party with DJ Bay 6 and DJ Jah B (techno/hip-hop/R&B/funk/ reggae/dubstep), 10 p.m., 21+, no cover Saturday, March 2 Flowting Bridge (rock/blues/funk/jazz/ bluegrass), 10 p.m., 21+, $5

Theater
VATTA AUDITIONS Vermont Association of Theatres and Theatre Artists holds auditions and interviews for theatrical performers and personnel in design and construction, technical stage and house management, choreography and education. Saturday, March 2. Chandler Music Hall, 7173 Main Street, Randolph. Contact outreach@chandler-arts.org to schedule an audition. WINTERFEST 2013: LAUGH TIL YOU DIE Comedy and clowning by Tom Murphy (below). Final weekend of four shows over four weeks. 7:30 p.m. ThursdaySaturday; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through February 24. Lost Nation Theater, 39 Main Street, Montpelier. $20 adults, $15 students/seniors, $10 children age 611. Not all shows suitable for children; please check with theater before purchasing tickets. Infants and toddlers not admitted; children under 6 admitted at discretion of theater. Tickets at 229-0492 or lostnationtheater.
COURTESY KATHLEEN KEENAN

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT!

Send listings to Dana at calendar@montpelierbridge.com.

PAG E 18 F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013

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Weatherization materials available for free to time-bank members. Sponsored by Onion River Exchange; nal workshop in series. 67:30 p.m. Barre Recreation Department. $5 plus time credits for School Vacation Adventures: Art of the Civil War. Onion River Exchange members, monetary donation for nonmembers. Kids age 612 explore paintings, photographs and drawings creRegister at 552-3020 or heheather@orexchange.org. ated by Vermont artists to document the Civil War. Crafts, games, snack and a visit to the museums Freedom and Unity exhibit. 14 Buddhist Teaching Discussion: Unconditional Happiness. Four Buddhist teachers with ties to central Vermont share p.m. Vermont History Museum, 109 State Street, Montpelier. $8 per Buddhist perspectives on happiness in a challenging world. 6:30 child, $6 per child for VHS members or families with three or more p.m. Unitarian Church. 130 Main Street, Montpelier. Free; donaparticipating children. Preregistration required: 828-1413 or tions welcome. Sponsored by The Gathering. vhs-education@state.vt.us. vermonthistory.org/vacation. Musica Borealis: Scots Ballads and Stories. Norman Threats to the Vermont Forest: Pesky, Petite and Powerful Pests. Presented by forester Barbara Burns. Part of the Kennedy, singer, storyteller and National Heritage Fellow, illustrates the interweaving of music, folklore and social customs in Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. 1:30 p.m.; doors open at 12:30 the Hebrides, compared with the very dierent culture found on for brown-bag lunch. Aldrich Public Library, Barre. $5 suggested the mainland and south of Scotland. Part of the Musica Borealis donation. 223-1736 or clb247@cornell.edu. Series continues every series: next event March 28. 78:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Wednesday through May 8. 135 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-3338 or kellogghubbard.org. Sociodrama: Healing Society Through Creative AcCosponsored by the library, the Center for Circumpolar Studies, the tion. With Herb Propper. Explore common concerns and issues Vermont Humanities Council and the Summit School of Traditional through spontaneous group role playing, using creative imaginaMusic. tion to open perspectives, bridge conicts and move toward more The Importance of Leadership in Life, Politics and unied understanding. 5:307:15 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop Military Affairs. Talk by Zoran Jolevski, ambassador of the community room, Montpelier. Free. Register at 223-8000, ext. 202, Republic of Macedonia to the U.S. 7 p.m. Milano Ballroom, or info@hungermountain.com. Norwich University, 158 Harmon Drive, Northeld. Free. 485-2516. I Love Barre Workshop Series: Tarot as a Life Tool. Cosponsored by Norwich University and the Vermont Council on With Sheri Glebus. Learn about the deck structure and basic card World Aairs. meanings, as well as simple spreads to use for insight and guidance. Ecumenical Group. Songs of praise, Bible teaching, fellowship. Sponsored by Onion River Exchange. 68 p.m. Barre Recre79 p.m. Jabbok Center for Christian Living, 8 Daniel Drive, Barre. ation Department. $5 plus time credits for Onion River Exchange members, $1015 donation for nonmembers. Register at 552-3020 or Free. 479-0302. Event happens every second and fourth Thursday. Green Mountain Dog Club Monthly Meeting. Learn heheather@orexchange.org. Next workshop February 28. about the club and events. All dog lovers welcome. 7:30 p.m. Vermont Right to Know GMOs Forum. Public foCommodores Inn, Stowe. 479-9843 or greenmountaindogclub.org. rum on state legislation to label genetically engineered foods. Event happens every fourth Thursday. 6:308:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main Street, Montpelier. cat@cedarcirclefarm.org. Sponsored by Hunger Mountain Coop. Film Discussion Series: Hilary and Jackie. The tragic story of world-renowned classic cellist Jacqueline du Pr, as told by her Pork Loin Takeout Dinner. Take home pork loin and gravy, sister, utist Hilary du Pr-Finzi. Nominated for two Academy mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, rolls, applesauce and dessert. Awards; directed by Anand Tucker. Discussion with library direc46 p.m. Waterbury Center Community Church, Route 100 (next tor Richard Bidnick follows. 7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,135 to Cold Hollow Cider Mill). $9. Reservations required: 244-8089. Main Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-3338 or kellogghubbard.org. Hosted by trustees of the church. Herbal Recipes to Prevent and Cure Cold and Flu. With Sage Zelkowitz, community herbalist and educator. Learn how to make a potent immunity tincture, mullein infusion and School Vacation Adventures: Vermonts Natural Resources. Kids age 612 check out how rocks, trees and land have capsules to prevent colds and the u. Take home a tincture, capsules, handouts and a sample of the infusion. 5:307:30 p.m. shaped Vermonts people and culture. Crafts, games, snack and a Hunger Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. $11 co-op visit to the museums Freedom and Unity exhibit. See Wednesday, member-owners, $12 nonmembers. Register at 223-8000, ext. 202, February 27, for time, location and information. or info@hungermountain.com. Onion River Exchange Potluck. Bring a dish and good cheer for a meal with time bank members. Bring your own plate, utensils Herbal Aide and Chrysalis Tour: Film Screening and CD and cup. Nonmembers welcome. 5:30 p.m. Tulsi Tea Room, 34 Elm Release Performance. Documentary by Mary Blue featuring herbalists using their passion for plants as a tool to support their Street, Montpelier. orexchange.org. communities, paired with Eli Weaver performing music from her Chinese Medicine in the Kitchen. With Joseph Rothstein, new album, To Be Free. 6:308:30 p.m. Vermont Center for Integralicensed acupuncturist. Learn about basic foods and household tive Herbalism, 250 Main Street, suite 302, Montpelier. $8$10. objects that can be used to keep you and your family healthy. 224-7100 or info@vtherbcenter.org. vtherbcenter.org. 5:307:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. Free. Register at 223-8000, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain. Eat My Art Out. Informal performance series of developing works by local choreographers, followed by audience discussion com. and feedback. Refreshments provided. 7 p.m. Contemporary Dance I Love Barre Workshop Series: Weatherization. With and Fitness Studio, 18 Langdon Street (third oor), Montpelier. Kate Stephenson from Yestermorrow Design/Build School. Explore $5$10 suggested donation.229-4676 or cdandfs.com. simple, low-cost ways to improve the energy eciency of your home or apartment, reduce your bills and stay warm this winter. UPCOMING EVENTS, from page 17

COURTESY EMILY SLOAN

Naturalist Journeys Slideshow and Lecture Series: CaterpillarsThe Art of Survival. Naturalist and photographer Sam Jae presents his photographs of and work with New Englands caterpillars, including caterpillar behavior, nding, rearing and photographing techniques, as well as caterpillars in educational programming. 7 pm. Unitarian Church, 130 Main Street, Montpelier. By donation. North Branch Nature Center, 229-6206.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Practicing Happiness. With Ginny Sassaman, founder of the Happiness Paradigm in Maple Corner. Discuss multiple happiness strategies and get materials to boost your sense of well-being and contentment. 10 a.m.noon. Hunger Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. $10 co-op member-owners, $12 nonmembers. Register at 223-8000, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.com. Indoor Farmers Market. Live music by Good Old Wagon. 10 a.m.2 p.m. Gym, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier. Carolyn, 223-2958 or manager@montpelierfarmersmarket.com. Event continues March 16, April 6 and April 27. Wild Kratts Animal Adventures. Watch two episodes of outdoor science-based exploring with the Kratt brothers, PBS Kids award-winning zoology team. 1:30 p.m. Hayes Room. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,135 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-4665 or kellogghubbard.org. Sponsored by Vermont Public Television. Yoga Workshop: Five Pranayamas Broken Down. Come in and breathe. Open to all levels. 68 p.m. Studio Zenith, 50 Main Street, Montpelier. $25. Katy, 272-8923 or fusionstudio. org. Shape-Note Sing. Ian Smiley leads tunes from The Sacred Harp. All welcome; no experience necessary. Event happens by RSVP only: please call or e-mail to conrm. 6:308 p.m. Tulsi Tea Room, 34 Elm Street, Montpelier. By donation. Ian, 882-8274 or smileyira@gmail.com. Event happens every rst and third Saturday. Film and Discussion: Tipping Point. Showing of documentary lm, followed by discussion on the impacts of the Canadian tar sands and what a Native community is doing about it. 78 p.m. Media Room 207, Community Center, Goddard College, 123 Pitkin Road, Plaineld. Free. 454-8311 or goddard.edu/events. Presented by Goddard Colleges undergraduate program. Summit of Thieves. Closing dance concert for the 2030 art show. Rock and roll, soulful ballads and funky dance beats. Cash bar available. 7:30 p.m. Chandler Upper Gallery, 7173 Main Street, Randolph. $5. Tickets at 728-6464. Contra Dance. All dances taught; no partner necessary. All ages welcome. Bring shoes not worn outdoors. 811 p.m. Capital City STUDIO PLACE ARTS Thinking Out of the Box, art made from cardboard; Inspiration by Dennis Hedding; and Accidental Abstracts by Michael Lew-Smith. 201 North Main Street, Barre. Through February 23. Closing reception Saturday, February 23, 3:305 p.m. 479-7069 or studioplacearts.com. SULLIVAN MUSEUM & HISTORY CENTER Useful and Elegant Accomplishments, landscape drawings by 19th-century Norwich University alumni and their contemporaries. Norwich University, Northeld. Through June. 485-2183 or norwich.edu/museum. TULSI TEA ROOM Shades of Pussy, delicate owers in watercolor by Fiona Sullivan. 34 Elm Street, Montpelier. Through March 31. onasullivan.net. VERMONT HISTORY MUSEUM Freedom & Unity: One Ideal, Many Stories, experience a full-size Abenaki wigwam, a re-creation of the Catamount Tavern, a railroad station complete with working telegraph, a World War II living room and more. 109 State Street, Montpelier. $5 adults, $12 families. 828-2291. VERMONT SUPREME COURT The Eye of Senator Leahy, Patrick Leahys photographs of people both illustrious and ordinary from his insiders perspective. 111 State Street (rst-oor lobby), Montpelier. Through February. Hours: MondayFriday, 8 a.m.4:30 p.m. 828-0749.

FESTIVAL GALLERY Intertwined, a collection of innovative work from 12 of Vermonts premiere ber artists. 2 Village Square, Waitseld. Through March 9. 485-9650 or vermontartfest.com.
COURTESY HANNA SATTERLEE

GOVERNORS GALLERY Eye of the Beholder, pastels by local artists Anne Unangst, Cindy Grith and Marcia Hill comparing the same scene in their dierent styles. 109 State Street (fth oor), Montpelier. Photo ID required for admission. Through March. 828-0749.

Art & Exhibits

BIGTOWN GALLERY Small Great Art Wall, works by BigTown Gallery artists. 99 North Main Street, Rochester. Through March 30. Hours: WednesdayFriday, 10 a.m.5 p.m.; Saturday, noon5 p.m. 7679670, info@bigtowngallery.com or bigtowngallery .com. CENTRAL VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER Still Learning to See, photographs by John Snell. Lobby, 130 Fisher Road, Berlin. Through March 15. cvmc.org. CHANDLER GALLERY 2030/2D3D, juried show of work in a variety of media by Vermont artists in their 20s and 30s. 7173 Main Street, Randolph.

Through March 13. Hours: Friday, 35 p.m.; SaturdaySunday, noon2 p.m. 431-0204 or outreach@chandler-arts.org. CHESHIRE CAT Whimsical watercolors by Sarah Rosedahl, inspired by natural surroundings; above, Moon Cranes. 28 Elm Street, Montpelier. Through February. 223-1981 or cheshirecatclothing.com. CITY CENTER Cabin Fever: Love It or Leave It, group show by the Art Resource Association. 89 Main Street, Montpelier. artresourceassociation.com. CONTEMPORARY DANCE & FITNESS STUDIO Seasons of the Year, color- and light-themed acrylic paintings on board by Barbara Leber (above). 18 Langdon Street (third oor), Montpelier. February 25March 30. 229-4676 or cdandfs.com.

GREEN BEAN ART GALLERY Good Eats, playful food-inspired sculpture by Mary Jo Krolewski. Capitol Grounds, 27 State Street, Montpelier. Through March 2. curator@capitolgrounds.com. KELLOGG-HUBBARD LIBRARY Back in the Day: Artworks Old and New, work by Daniel A. Neary Jr. and Jessica Neary. 135 Main Street, Montpelier. Through February 28. 223-3338. RIVER ARTS CENTER Abstract paintings by Stowe artist Lisa Forster Beach. 74 Pleasant Street (upstairs), Morrisville. Through March 25. Hours: MondayFriday, 10 a.m.2 p.m. 888-1261 or riverartsvt.org. STOREFRONT STUDIO GALLERY Drawings, paintings, sculpture and more by artist Glen Coburn Hutcheson. 6 Barre Street, Montpelier. Hours: MondayFriday, 36 p.m. 839-5349 or gchneart.com

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Grange, 6612 Route 12 (Northeld Street), Berlin. $8. 744-6163 or capitalcitygrange.org. Event happens every rst, third and fth Saturday. Central Vermont Drag Ball. With DJ Snow Pz and The Ghost of Mattchoo. Drag performances by Ladies of the Rainbow, the Goodwives and more. Refreshments, drinks and rae. 8 p.m.1 a.m. Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite Street, Barre. $10 suggested donation; benets the Freeride Bicycle Coop. Madeline, 229-5951.

COURTESY HANNA SATTERLEE

Erin Duffee, who will be performing as part of Eat My Art Out on Friday, March 1, in Montpelier.

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

Feldenkrais: Free Up Your Shoulders. Uwe Mester leads a series of Awareness Through Movement lessons to help reduce tension, increase sensitivity and improve comfort in your hands, arms and shoulders. 1:303:30 p.m. Yoga Mountain Center, 7 Main Street, Montpelier. $30. Register at 735-370 or info@vermontfeldenkrais.com. Family Circus Sunday. A monthly gathering of folks interested in unicycle riding, juggling and slack-lining. For all ages; beginners invited. Equipment provided; bring your bike helmet. 4:306 p.m. Montpelier Recreation Gym, 55 Barre Street. $2 individual, $5 family. 223-3456. Event happens every rst Sunday. Film and Discussion: Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary. Documentary about Mumia Abu-Jamal, imprisoned American journalist, social activist and Goddard alumnus.79:30 p.m. Haybarn Theater, Goddard College, 123 Pitkin Road, Plaineld. Free. 454-8311 or goddard.edu/events. Presented by Goddard Colleges undergraduate program.

MONDAY, MARCH 4

Parents Group and Meet-Up. For central Vermont moms and dads looking to share ideas, advice and information. Kids welcome. Coee, tea and snacks provided. 1011:30 a.m. Hayes Room, Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. mamasayszine@gmail.com. Event happens every rst Monday. Creating Sustainable and Healthy Communities in a Changing Climate. Panel discussion about the impacts of climate change and what we can do to adapt and to develop sustainability with panelists from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and the Vermont Department of Health. 78:30 p.m. Haybarn Theater, Goddard College, 123 Pitkin Road, Plaineld. Free. 454-8311 or goddard. edu/events. Presented by Goddard Colleges undergraduate program. Classic Book Club. 6 p.m. Cutler Memorial Library, Route 2, Plaineld. Free. Daniel, 793-0418. Event happens every rst Monday.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5

Winter Wildlife Tracking. With John Jose, environmental educator. Learn to decipher the rich narratives written by local winter-active animals in a hands-on workshop, using plaster casts of animal tracks and sand-lled trays. 6:307:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. $10 co-op member-owners, $12 nonmembers. Register at 223-8000, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.com. Learning to See and Changing Our Perspectives Through Permaculture. Yestermorrow instructor Mark Krawczyk explores the ethics and design principles of permaculture with a look at how they can oer us a way to reenvision and reengineer water, food, building and social systems that our modern culture relies on. 34:30 p.m. Media Room 207, Community Center, 123 Pitkin Road, Plaineld. Free. 454-8311 or goddard.edu/events. Presented by Goddard Colleges undergraduate program. Film and Discussion: Hide: The Lives of Migrant Farm Workers in Vermont. Documentary about the experiences of migrant farmworkers, followed by a Q&A and discussion with the lmmakers about the lmmaking process and what they learned about this issue through their experience. 79 p.m. Haybarn Theater, 123 Pitkin Road, Plaineld. Free. 454-8311 or goddard. edu/events. Presented by Goddard Colleges undergraduate program.

Yoga and Wine. With Lori Flower from Sattva Yoga. Bring your own mat. 56:15 p.m.; wine bar open until 7 p.m. Fresh Tracks Farm, Route 12, Berlin. $8 yoga; wine available for purchase. freshtracksfarm.com. Womens Circle. Women and mothers discuss all things related to the childbearing years. Women only, please; children are welcome. Hosted by midwives Chelsea Hastings and Hannah Allen. 68 p.m. Emerge Midwifery and Family Health, 174 River Street, Montpelier. Event happens every rst Tuesday.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6

Informational Meeting on Vermonts Health Exchange. Learn about the new exchange, how it works, what it will cost and how it will aect employers and individuals going forward. 89 p.m. Montpelier Room, Capitol Plaza, Montpelier. Free. RSVP by March 5 with Lexie, 865-5000, ext. 4739, or lkaknes@fjgnancial.com. Awful Awful: The Spanish Flu of 19181919. Presented by historian Michael Sherman. Part of the Osher Lifelong Learning

Institute. 1:30 p.m.; doors open at 12:30 for brown-bag lunch. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street. $5 suggested donation. 223-1736 or clb247@cornell.edu. Series continues every Wednesday through May 8. Bringing Complementary and Alternative Medicine to the Mainstream. Discussion and examination of Vermonts pioneering eorts to reform health care with Lorilee Schoenbeck, naturopathic doctor. 34:30 p.m. Media Room 207, Community Center, 123 Pitkin Road, Plaineld. Free. 454-8311 or goddard. edu/events. Presented by Goddard Colleges undergraduate program. Apples and Honey Family Program: Preparing for Passover. Families with children of all ages experience the joys of being Jewish. 56:30 p.m. Montpelier. Suggested donation $22 per family. To register or for more information, contact Tobie, 223-0583. The Heart of the Matter: Perspectives and Strategies for Working with Anxiety. With Sarah VanHoy. Learn about the taxonomy of heart shock (trauma) and anxiety from various perspectives, including brain science, anthropology and Chinese medicine, the eects of shock on the body and strategies for selfcare and treatment with herbs and acu-points. 68 p.m. Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main Street, Montpelier. $10 VCIH members, $12 nonmembers. Preregistration required: 2447100 or info@vtherbcenter.org. vtherbcenter.org. First Wednesdays: Victorias Secrets. Middlebury College professor Antonia Losano explains how the Victorian era, the age of the realist novel and staid decorum, also had its guilty pleasures: mysteries, ghost stories, science ction, imperialist adventure tales and radical fantasies of gender confusion. 7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,135 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-3338 or kellogghubbard.org. A Vermont Humanities Council program sponsored by Bear Pond Books and Rivendell Books. see UPCOMING EVENTS, page 20 Alchoholics Anonymous, Sundays, 8:30 a.m. Making Recovery Easier workshops, Tuesdays, 67:30 p.m. Wits End Parent Support Group, Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous, Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Open daily, 10 a.m.5 p.m. 489 North Main Street, Barre. 479-7373. Overeaters Anonymous. Twelve-step program for physically, emotionally and spiritually overcoming overeating. Fridays, noon1 p.m. Bethany Church, 115 Main Street, Montpelier. 223-3079.

Support Groups
BEREAVEMENT
Bereavement/Grief Support Group. For anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. Every other Monday, 68 p.m., through April 15. Every other Wednesday, 1011:30 a.m., through April 10. Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre. Ginny or Jean, 223-1878. Bereaved Parents Support Group. Facilitated by Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH). Second Wednesdays, 68 p.m. CVHHH, 600 Granger Road, Berlin. Jeneane Lunn, 793-2376.

CANCER

Kindred Connections. For anyone aected by cancer. Get help from Kindred Connections members who have been in your shoes. A program of the Vermont Cancer Survivor Network. Call Sherry, 479-3223, for more information. vcsn.net. Living with Advanced or Metastatic Cancer. Second Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m. Cancer Center resource room, Central Vermont Medical Center. Lunch provided. 225-5449. Writing to Enrich Your Life. For anyone aected by cancer. Third Tuesdays, noon 1 p.m. Cancer Center resource room, Central Vermont Medical Center. 225-5449.

day group facilitated by Kathy Grange and Jane Hulstrunk. Evening group meets rst Mondays, 5:307:30 p.m., DisAbility Rights of Vermont, 141 Main Street, Suite 7, Montpelier, 800-8347890, ext. 106. Day group meets rst and third Thursdays, 1:302:30 p.m., Unitarian Church, 130 Main Street, Montpelier, 244-6850. NAMI Vermont: Connection. A peer-led, recovery-oriented group for individuals living with mental illness. First and third Thursdays, Hurricane Irene Support Group for Re- 67:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpecovery Workers. Get peer support and help lier. 800-639-6480 or connection@namivt.org. processing emotions, strengthen relationships NAMI Vermont Family Support Group. and learn coping skills. Every other Monday, Support group for families and friends of indi3:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main Street, viduals living with mental illness. Fourth MonMontpelier. 279-4670. days, 7 p.m. Central Vermont Medical Center, Hurricane Irene Support Group. Share room 3, Berlin. 800-639-6480 or namivt.org. your story, listen to others, learn coping skills, Celiac and Food Allergy Support build community and support your neighbors. Group. With Lisa Mas of Harmonized CookRefreshments provided. Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. ery. Second Wednesdays, 4:306 p.m. ConferBerlin Elementary School. 279-8246. ence room 3, Central Vermont Medical Center. lisamase@gmail.com. Diabetes Discussion Group. Focus on Grandparents Raising Their Childrens self-management. Open to anyone with diabetes Children. First Wednesdays, 10 a.m.noon, and their families. Third Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. Barre Presbyterian Church, Summer Street. The Health Center, Plaineld. Free. Don, 322Second Tuesdays, 68 p.m., Wesley Method6600 or dgrabowski@the-health-center.org. ist Church, Main Street, Waterbury. Third Diabetes Support Group. First Thursdays, Thursdays, 68 p.m., Trinity United Methodist 78 p.m. Conference room 3, Central Vermont Church, 137 Main Street. Child care provided in Medical Center. 371-4152. Montpelier and Waterbury. Evelyn, 476-1480. Cancer Support Group. Third Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Potluck. For location, call Carole MacIntyre, 229-5931. Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Support Group. Third Wednesdays, 68 p.m. Conference room 2, Central Vermont Medical Center. 8726308 or 866-466-0626 (press 3).

DISASTER

SOLIDARITY/IDENTITY

KIDS

HEALTH

RECOVERY

Brain Injury Support Groups. Open to all survivors, caregivers and adult family members. Evening group facilitated by Marsha Bancroft;

Turning Point Center. Safe, supportive place for individuals and their families in or seeking recovery.

Womens Group. Women age 40 and older explore important issues and challenges in their lives in a warm and supportive environment. Faciliatated by Amy Emler-Shaer and Julia W. Gresser. Wednesday evenings. 41 Elm Street, Montpelier. Call Julia, 262-6110, for more information. Mens Group. Men discuss challenges of and insights about being male. Wednesdays, 6:158:15 p.m. 174 Elm Street, Montpelier. Interview required: contact Neil, 223-3753. National Federation of the Blind, Montpelier Chapter. First Saturdays. Lane Shops community room, 1 Mechanic Street, Montpelier. 229-0093. Families of Color. Open to all. Play, eat and discuss issues of adoption, race and multiculturalism. Bring snacks and games to share; dress for the weather. Third Sundays, 35 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main Street, Montpelier. Alyson, 439-6096 or alyson@suncatchervt.com.

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UPCOMING EVENTS, from page 19

THURSDAY, MARCH 7

Film and Discussion: Solar Mamas. Documentary on Indias Barefoot College, training women with no formal education to bring solar-generated electricity to their villages. 34:30 p.m. Media Room 207, Community Center, 123 Pitkin Road, Plaineld. Free. 454-8311 or goddard.edu/events. Presented by Goddard Colleges undergraduate program. Windows on Waldorf. Explore the grade school and take a walk

through Waldorf education. Faculty will lead a guided tour describing the core curriculum and showcasing student work. 6:308 p.m. Grades building, Orchard Valley Waldorf School, East Montpelier. Registration recommended: 456-7400 or morgan.i@ovws.org. Makers: Women Who Make America. Preview of a new documentary recounting the events of the organized womens movement through the perspectives of those who lived through it, from 1963 to today. Panel discussion with representatives from the Vermont Historical Society. 7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,135 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-3338 or kellogghubbard.org. Cosponsored by Vermont Public Television.

Author Reading and Signing: Cassie Horner. Book signing and discussion with the Vermont journalist and publisher, discussing her new book, Lucy E.: Road to Victory, and other celebrated women in Vermont history. 7 p.m. Waterbury Senior Center. Free. 244-7036. Hosted by the Waterbury Public Library.

Submit Your Event! Send listings to calendar @montpelierbridge.com. The deadline for our next issue, March 7, is Friday, March 1.
Shambhala Buddhist Meditation. Instruction available. All welcome. Sundays, 10 a.m.noon, and Wednesdays, 67 p.m. Program and discussion follow Wednesday meditation. Shambhala Center, 64 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-5137. Zen Meditation. Wednesdays, 6:307:30 p.m. 174 River Street, Montpelier. Call Tom for orientation, 229-0164. With Zen Aliate of Vermont.

Weekly Events
BICYCLING
Open Shop Nights. Have a bike to donate or need help with a bike repair? Visit the volunteer-run community bike shop. Mondays and Wednesdays, 57 p.m.; Tuesdays, 68 p.m. Freeride Montpelier, 89 Barre Street, Montpelier. By donation. 552-3521 or freeridemontpelier.org.

HEALTH

BOOKS

Ongoing Reading Group. Improve your reading and share some good books. Books chosen by group. Thursdays, 910 a.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center, 100 State Street. 223-3403.

NAMI Family-to-Family Education Course. Evidence-based 12-week course to help families and friends of individuals with mental illness understand and support their loved ones while maintaining their own well-being. Begins March 14, 5:308 p.m. Berlin. Free. Advanced registration required: call: 800-639-6480. More information at namivt.org. Free HIV Testing. Vermont CARES oers fast oral testing. Thursdays, 25 p.m. 58 East State Street, suite 3 (entrance at the back), Montpelier. vtcares.org. Affordable Acupuncture. Full acupuncture sessions with Chris Hollis and Trish Mitchell. Mondays and Wednesdays, 27 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m.2 p.m. 79 Main Street, suite 8 (above Coee Corner), Montpelier. $15$40 sliding scale. Walk in or schedule an appointment at montpelier communityacupuncture.com.

MUSIC

CRAFTS

KIDS

Beaders Group. All levels of beading experience welcome. Free instruction available. Come with a project for creativity and community. Saturdays, 11 a.m.2 p.m. The Bead Hive, Plaineld. 454-1615.

DANCE

Ecstatic Dance. Dance your heart awake. No experience necessary. Sundays, 68 p.m., Christ Church, State Street, Montpelier. Wednesdays, 79 p.m.; rst and third Wednesdays: Worcester Town Hall, corner of Elmore Road and Calais Road; second and fourth Wednesdays: Plaineld Community Center (above the co-op). $10. Fearn, 505-8011 or fearnessence@gmail.com. West Coast Swing Dancing. With Scott Chilstedt and Kristin Rothaupt of Green Mountain Westie. Thursdays, 79:30 p.m., March 728. Studio room, Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street. Students: $8 drop-in, $25 four-week series; adults: $12 drop-in, $35 series. krothaupt@gmail.com.

FOOD

Free Community Meals in Montpelier. All welcome. Mondays: Unitarian Church, 130 Main Street, 11 a.m.1 p.m. Tuesdays: Bethany Church, 115 Main Street, 11:30 a.m.1 p.m. Wednesdays: Christ Church, 64 State Street, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. Thursdays: Trinity Church, 137 Main Street, 11:30 a.m.1 p.m. Fridays: St. Augustine Church, 18 Barre Street, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. Sundays: Last Sundays only, Bethany Church, 115 Main Street (hosted by Beth Jacob Synagogue), 4:305:30 p.m. Noon Cafe. Soup, fresh bread, good company and lively conversation. Wednesdays, noon. Old Meeting House, East Montpelier. By donation. oldmeetinghouse.org. Lenten Fish Dinner. Baked sh, soup, salad, vegetable, potato, beverage, dessert; sh sticks and mac and cheese available. Weekly raes of gift certicates to local businesses. Benets Central Vermont Catholic School in Barre. Fridays, 56:30 p.m., through March 22. Parish hall, St. Augustines, 16 Barre Street, Montpelier. $10 adults, $6 students in eighth grade and younger, $29 family of four; free for kids 3 and younger. 793-4276 or pte1218@aol.com.

Story Time at the Waterbury Public Library. Mondays, age 1836 months. Wednesdays, age 018 months. Fridays, age 36 years. 10 a.m. Waterbury Public Library. Free. 244-7036. Story Time at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Free. 223-4665. Story Time and Playgroup. For children age 06. Story with Sylvia Smith, followed by playtime with Melissa Seifert. Wednesdays, 1011:30 a.m.; program follows the Twineld calendar and is not held on weeks when the school is closed. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School Street, Marsheld. 4263581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com. Baby Play Playgroup. For children birth to age 3 and their adults. Thursdays, 9:3011 a.m., through June 13. St. Augustines Church, Barre Street, Montpelier. Christopher, 262-3292, ext. 115. fcwcvt.org. Storytelling Arts and Crafts. Naturethemed playgroup with child educator Ellen Bloom. For all ages. Thursdays, 10:3011:30 a.m., through February. Tulsi Tea Room, 34 Elm Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-0043. Dads and Kids Playgroup. For children birth to age 5 and their male grown-ups. Free dinner provided before playtime. Thursdays, 67:30 p.m., through June 13. Family Center of Washington County, 383 Sherwood Drive, Montpelier. Christopher, 262-3292, ext. 115. fcwcvt.org. Write On! For aspiring authors age 610. Drop in once or come for the whole series. Fridays, 3:304 p.m., March 129. Childrens library, Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. Linda, 223-4665. Cub Capers Story Time. Story and song for children age 35 and their families. Led by Carrie Fitz. Saturdays, 10 a.m. Childrens room, Bear Pond Books, 77 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. 229-0774 or jane@bearpondbooks.com. Story Time at Onion River Kids. Outdoor adventure tales and childhood classics. Sundays, 10:30 a.m. 7 Langdon Street, Montpelier. 2236025.

Sing with the Barre Tones. Womens a cappella chorus. Mondays, 6:30 p.m. Alumni Hall (second oor), near Barre Auditorium. 223-2039 or rjmorgan1956@comcast.net. Vermont Fiddle Orchestra Rehearsals. Prepare for the orchestras 10th anniversary celebration. All ages and levels of string players welcome, as well as intermediate ute players; no audition. Mondays, 7 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street, Montpelier. $70 for season. 877-343-3531, info@vtddleorchestra. org or vtddleorchestra.org. Monteverdi Young Singers Chorus Rehearsal. New chorus members welcome. Wednesdays, 45 p.m. Montpelier. Call 229-9000 for location and more information. Friday Night Community Drum Circle. Open drumming hosted by the Unitarian Universalists of Barre. Everyone welcome. Fridays, 79 p.m. Parish house, Barre Universalist Church, Main and Church streets, Barre. Follow your ears, or follow the signs. Accessible venue possible with advance notice: 503-724-7301.

SPORTS

PARENTING

Roller Derby Open Recruitment and Recreational Practice. Central Vermonts Wrecking Doll Society invites quad skaters age 18 and up to try out the action. No experience necessary. Equipment provided: rst come, rst served. Saturdays, 56:30 p.m. Montpelier Recreation Center, Barre Street. First skate free. centralvermontrollerderby.com. Coed Adult Floor Hockey League. Adult women and men welcome. Equipment provided. Sundays, 35 p.m., through April 21. Montpelier Recreation Center, Barre Street. $52 for 13 weeks or $5 per week. bmoorhockey@gmail.com or vermontoorhockey.com.

Mamas Circle. Meet and connect with others experiencing the joys and challenges of new motherhood. For infants up to 1 year old and their mothers (toddler siblings welcome). Snacks, drinks and parent education materials provided. Thursdays, 10 a.m.noon, through April 19. Good Beginnings of Central Vermont, 174 River Street, Montpelier. centralvt.goodbeginnings.net. Parenting Children Age 14. Class focuses on the Active Parenting Method, emphasizing open communication and raising condent, cooperative children. Wednesdays, 6 8 p.m., through February 20. Family Center of Washington County early childhood building, 383 Sherwood Drive, Montpelier. $15 individual, $25 couple; includes the book Parenting Your 1- to 4-Year-Old. Child care available upon request at no extra charge. Register with Christopher, 262-3292, ext. 115.

TAXES

Tax Return Preparation Help for Seniors. Volunteers from AARP assist with the preparation and ling of 2012 federal and Vermont income tax returns. Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m.3:15 p.m., through April 12. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street, Montpelier. Free. Call for a 45-minute appointment: 223-2518.

TEENS

RECYCLING

Free Food Scrap Collection. Compost your food waste along with your regular trash and recycling. Wednesdays, 9 a.m.5 p.m.; Saturdays 6 a.m.1 p.m. DJs Convenience Store, 56 River Street, Montpelier. cvswmd.org. Dollar Days. Bring in odd and sundry items for reuse, upcycling and recycling, including toothbrushes, bottle caps, cassette tapes, books, textiles, batteries and more. Mondays and Fridays, 12:30 p.m.5:30 p.m. Additional Recyclables Collection Center, 3 Williams Lane, Barre. $1 per car load. Complete list of accepted items at 229-9383, ext. 106, collino@cvswmd.org or cvswmd.org.

Free Photography for Teens. With photography mentor Ned Castle of the High/ Low Project. Learn how to take photos and put together a cool photography project. Camera not required. Open to all teens age 1318; drop-ins welcome. Mondays, 36 p.m., through February. Basement Teen Center, 39 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. saugust@wcysb.org or basementteencenter.org. The Basement Teen Center. Cable TV, PlayStation 3, pool table, free eats and fun events for teenagers. MondayThursday, 36 p.m.; Friday, 311 p.m. Basement Teen Center, 39 Main Street, Montpelier. 229-9151. Events for Teens at the Aldrich Library. No-obligations teen book club on Mondays; game night on Wednesdays. 5 p.m. Aldrich Public Library, Barre. 476-7550. Youth Group. Games, movies, snacks and music. Mondays, 79 p.m. Church of the Crucied One, Route 100, Moretown. 496-4516.

SPIRITUALITY

LANGUAGE

GAMES

Apollo Duplicate Bridge Club. All welcome. Partners sometimes available. Fridays, 6:45 p.m. Bethany Church, Montpelier. 485-8990 or 223-3922.

English Conversation Practice Group. For students learning English for the rst time. Tuesdays, 45 p.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center, 100 State Street. Sarah, 223-3403. Lunch in a Foreign Language. Bring lunch and practice your language skills with neighbors. Noon1 p.m. Mondays, Hebrew. Tuesdays, Italian. Wednesdays, Spanish. Thursdays, French. Fridays, German. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. 223-3338.

Yoga with Lydia . Build strength and exibility as you learn safe alignment in a nourishing, Christian Science. Gods love meeting husupportive and inspiring environment. Drop-ins man needs. Reading room: TuesdaySaturday, 11 a.m.1 p.m.; Tuesdays, 58 p.m.; and Wednes- welcome. Mondays, 5:30 p.m., River House Yoga, days, 57:15 p.m. Testimony meeting: Wednesdays, Plaineld (sliding scale). Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m., Green Mountain Girls Farm, Northeld (sliding 7:308:30 p.m., nursery available. Worship service: Sundays, 10:3011:30 a.m., Sunday school scale). Tuesdays, noon; Thursdays, 6 p.m.; Fridays, and nursery available. 145 State Street, Montpelier. noon, Yoga Mountain Center, Montpelier. Rates and directions at 229-6300 or saprema-yoga.com. 223-2477. Deepening Our Jewish Roots. Fun, engag- Restorative Yoga and Meditation. With Lori Flower. Mondays, 910 a.m. River ing text study and discussion on Jewish spirituality. Sundays, 4:456:15 p.m. Yearning for Learn- House Yoga, Plaineld. By donation. 324-1737 or karmiconnection.com. ing Center, Montpelier. Rabbi Tobie Weisman, Community Yoga. All levels welcome to this 223-0583 or info@yearning4learning.org. community-focused practice. Fridays, 5:306:30 Christian Meditation Group. People of p.m. Yoga Mountain Center, 7 Main Street (second all faiths welcome. Mondays, noon1 p.m. Christ oor), Montpelier. $5$20 sliding scale. 223-5302 Church, Montpelier. Regis, 223-6043. or yogamountaincenter.com.

YOGA

indicates new or revised listing for this issue

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F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013 PAG E 21

Class listings and classifieds are 50 words for $25; discounts available. To place an ad, call Carolyn or Ivan, 223-5112, ext. 11.

Classes
DANCE
ARGENTINE TANGO FOR BEGINNERS Creative, passionate, playful! Learn Argentine tango at Contemporary Dance and Fitness Center, 18 Langdon Street, Montpelier. No partner or experience required. Sundays, 56 p.m. Ses-

sion 1: March 3, 17, 24, April 7. Session 2: April 21, 28, May 5, 19. $48 per session. Preregistration required at tangowise.com/communityclasses or contact instructor Elizabeth Seyler: elizabethmseyler@gmail.com or 658-5225.

Classifieds
EMPLOYMENT
DRIVERS: CDL-B Great pay, home time. No forced dispatch. New singles from Plattsburgh, New York. Passport/ enhanced license required. 888-567-4861 or truckmovers.com.

HOUSING

YOGA

CLOSING APRIL 30, 2013

ANNOUNCEMENT:

PLANT SPIRIT YOGA YEAR Join herbalist, storyteller and yoga teacher Lydia Russell-McDade through the seasons, delving deeply into the teachings of the plants through movement, meditation, myth and magic! At Dharma Door Retreat, Underhill: March 31, May 11, June 22 (overnight), August 3, September 21, November 2 and December 21 (overnight). Preregister: lydia_dragony@hotmail. com or 229-6300. saprema-yoga.com.

HOUSING WANTED Professional nonsmoking woman seeks three- or four-bedroom house or apartment to rent. Stellar references, reliable, responsible. Willing to consider creative solutions such as house-share/ house-sitting, etc. Call 498-7328 with ideas, tips or an availability.

SERVICES

Do you care about someone with a mental health condition?

COMPUTER ASSISTANCE FOR ELDERS Patient, careful help with basic skills. E-mail, Internet, word processing. $25/hour. Call Leslie, 229-0809. HOUSE PAINTER Since 1986. Small interior jobs ideal. Neat, prompt, friendly. Local references. Pitz Quattrone, 229-4952. STUFF TO SELL? Wish you could have a yard sale, but its too cold to hold one outside? Call us at T&T Repeats Thrift Store. We just may be able to help you out. 224-1360.

Free education and support for family and friends of individuals living with a mental health condition. Gain information, insight, understanding and empowerment.

DOT HELLING
CLIENTS: please make contact for referrals, file pickup, etc
(802) 223-1555 or dothelling@gmail.com 29 East State Street, Montpelier Thank you for 30 wonderful years serving Central Vermont!

Begins in Berlin on March 14th

once a week for 12 weeks
To register, call 800-639-6480 or email program@namivt.org.

ATTORNEY AT LAW

THRIFT STORES

T&T REPEATS Bikes, name-brand clothes, small household furniture and more. At least two free parking spaces for T&T customers. 116 Main Street, Montpelier, or call 224-1360. TRINITY COMMUNITY THRIFT STORE Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.4 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, 137 Main Street (use rear entrance), Montpelier. Donations accepted during normal business hours. 229-9155 or tctsvt@yahoo.com.

NAMIVT.org
Made possible in part by a grant from the Vermont Department of Mental Health.

PAG E 2 2 F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013

THE BRIDGE

Tiny Bites
Food News You Can Use

ermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) is creating the Vermont Food System Atlas website. Ellen Kahler shared the trial version of the site with the legislature in January and plans to launch the official site in March. The site aims to help bring more local food to those who need it. The atlas will serve initiatives such as the State of Vermont Workplace CSA Program, which provides community supported agriculture shares to Vermont state employees. VSJF seeks information, requests and stories from local foodsheds. To submit one, contact farm2plate@vsjf.org.

T
P

double local food access by 2020. This movement helps chefs both to develop direct relationships with local farmers and prepare menus that are local, simple and seasonally fresh. Participating businesses range from small restaurants to institutional food providers. The food system planning committee, formed October 2012, works throughout New England to support each state as they begin to relocalize food systems. To read a recent article in Cornell Universitys Small Farms Quarterly, visit smallfarms.cornell.edu. hilip Ackerman-Leists book, Rebuilding the Foodshed, offers solutions for creating local, sustainable food systems. The author, a Green Mountain College professor, showcases some of the most promising, replicable models for growing, processing, and distributing sustainably grown food. Ackerman-Leist directs the colleges Farm & Food Project and founded the masters degree in sustainable food systems. This guide, part of a series called Community Resilience Guides, is available from Chelsea Green. For details, visit chelseagreen.com.

he Farm to Plate Network, established via the Vermont legislation in 2009, strives to

he ninth annual Vermont Grain Growers Conference, Returning to Our Roots, takes place Thursday, March 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Essex Resort. Speakers include Jack Lazor of Butterworks Farm, who will address ways to grow grains at home to nourish people and livestock and John Mellquist of Trunkenbrod Bakery, who will discuss the complete process of making a homegrown loaf of sourdough bread, from field to oven. For more information and registration, visit uvm.edu/extension/agriculture.

ermonts local food hubs are growing. From the Mad River Valley to Burlingtons Intervale, from Calaiss Farms to You to the East Montpelier Food Producers Network, these regional centers gather, distribute and market food from local and regional producers. These enterprises work to meet growing local food demands so that they can eventually supply anyone, from individuals to institutions. Supporting local food hubs is key to the Farm to Plate Network goal of doubling Vermonts local food consumption by 2020. For a food hub listing, visit nofavt.org. compiled by Lisa Mas; send food news to lisa@harmonizedcookery.com

40% off your rst session!

Therapeutic Bodywork and Massage

Providing integrative approaches to posteral correction and pain relief

In this 1.5-hour session, we will discuss your health concerns and evaluate your posture to locate the source of your symptoms. Then well provide the indicated bodywork and offer a home stretch/exercise program. Through April 2013.

Kelly Iverson, CMT 802.498.3920 | Matthew Sellers, CMT 802.595.2338

THE BRIDGE

F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013 PAG E 2 3

Hands-On Gardener
Time to Start the Onions, Celery and Parsley!
by Miriam Hansen

oday I sprinkled last years onion seeds onto wet paper towels, marked the variety and date and slipped them into individual Ziploc bags. Ill start checking for germination in a couple of days and every day thereafter. Last year I forgot about them for a week. By the time I checked, their growing tips had threaded through the paper towels. I managed to tease most of them free without too much breakage, but then I compounded the error by planting them upside down, mistaking the growing tip for the root! While February is the month to plant onions, celery, parsley and celeriac, early March is the month to plant anything that says Indoor Germination: 810 weeks before transplanting outdoors in spring. This includes many perennial and annual flower seeds. There are three principal things to consider when you are starting seeds: the medium you use, the container you fill with that medium and the way you treat the seeds you are planting. Since Im starting a huge number of seedlings, I generally buy a bale of Pro-Mix or some equivalent medium. I have splurged and bought a bag of Vermont Compost Companys Fort Vee for my onions and shallots, one of the very few long-growing seedlings I do not transplant. Your rule of thumb is to use a growing medium that is sterile, retains moisture and has enough nutrients to get your seedlings started. You will eventually need to fertilize, particularly if as is the case with onions, you are going to leave those seedlings in their original medium to grow in. Most of the seedlings I grow do eventually get transplanted. At that point, I will often mix in some soil or compost since I am no longer concerned with damping off or any of the other fungal diseases that can affect delicate seedlings. There are many different fertilizer regimens. I use a slurry of worm castings, but if you dont have worms, watering every two to three weeks with dilute solutions of liquid kelp and fish emulsion is a good regimen. As long as the leaves are a deep green and your plants are stocky, you dont need to worry that they are not receiving enough fertilizer. If you are looking at gardening centers and catalogs, you can get overwhelmed by the choices of containers. My attitude is to go with what is cheap and durable. All you are looking for is something to hold the medium, retain moisture and encourage healthy root development. A friend did some experiments last year with paper cups, peat pots and plastic pots and found that plastic was hands down the best material in terms of seedling growth and health. You also want to suit your container to the crop. The cucumber family prefers not to be handled. I start those in late April or May in four-inch plastic pots and leave them until

they are ready to set out. Others, like tomatoes, peppers and the Brassica family, will grow pretty quickly and need some depth and enough room to grow as seedlings before you transplant them. Many of the flowers Im seeding start out really tiny and are slow growers. I sow them in shallow flats and eventually prick them out (a fancy word for transplanting tiny seedlings) into individual plastic six or eight packs. Regardless of what container you use, make sure there is drainage! For years Ive sowed onions in shallow trays that are actually meant to hold six packs and therefore have no drainage holes. I make X-shaped slits in the bottom and then line the trays with plastic into which Ive poked holes. Offsetting the drainage holes in this way seems to keep them nice and moist for the three months theyll be growing in there. When youve seeded your trays or pots, cover them with plastic. I use grocery bags slipped over each side of the tray. When the seeds germinate, take the bags off. Over the years Ive learned that it is penny-wise and pound-foolish to start different kinds of vegetables in the same container. Even seeds of the same kind and variety of vegetable will germinate at different rates, but when you combine, for example, tomatoes and peppers or cabbage and cauliflower, you just complicate things unnecessarily. Seed treatment can vary from overnight soaking (highly recommended for parsley and celery) to scarification (nicking the hard seed coat) to freezing and chilling. Usually the seed packet will give you recommendations for this as well as the best temperature and conditions for germination. Some seeds like to be cool (lettuce) and some like warmth (tomatoes and peppers). Gardeners tend to have their own ideas about timing when it comes to seedlings, learning from experience what works best for them. I will say this. I tend to jump the gun, starting everything a bit too early and then having to juggle like mad to find space under lights, in cold frames and greenhouses, covering plants set out a bit too early and so on. I make no apologies. That is how I roll. Whichever way you roll, dont panic. If your tomato seedlings are leggy and look bedraggled because you started them in early April instead of mid-April, they will still produce like crazy. And if you waited a bit too long and your plants are tiny when you set them out, they will also produce like crazy. Nature is amazingly forgiving. Happy gardening! Miriam and her husband, David, live in East Montpelier, where they grow most of their own vegetables, berries and meat on less than one-quarter of an acre. Your questions and comments are welcome. You can reach Miriam at freshair460@gmail.com.

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PAG E 24 F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013

THE BRIDGE

A Message from City Hall

This page was paid for by the City of Montpelier.

Annual Voting on March 5

It includes the school resource officer in the citys budget with the school department sharing 50 percent of the cost. Operating Heating costs for city hall, the fire station and the police station have been calculated based on the district heat cost estimates. The budget anticipates contracting and/or regionally sharing ambulance billing and collection rather than performing this function with city staff. The water and wastewater budgets have both been balanced. The Wastewater Fund is now in a small surplus position, and the Water Fund is slowly but steadily reducing its deficit. The budget does not assume any changes in water or sewer rates nor sewer or CSO benefit charges although it is possible that water rates will rise slightly to help eliminate the deficit. Tax funding for the senior center is increased by $41,103 (35 percent), reflecting the realities of operating continuing and new programs to fulfill the centers mission in a newly renovated facility. The parks budget includes $15,000 for a caretaker to live in the city-owned house in the park. The funds are to be paid for specific work functions. This house has been occupied for years by the parks director, but he is moving to another residence. The Parking Fund is balanced contingent upon parking fee increases. Without some fee increases, the fund is out of balance by $50,000. Parking fees have not been adjusted since 2004. The District Heat Fund budget is included for the first time. The General Fund is realizing $55,376 in revenue from district heat, $20,376 to pay the 2009 bond and $35,000 for city costs associated with the system. Community Services The Housing Trust Fund is funded at $41,000, the same as FY13. The Montpelier Community and Arts Fund is funded at $118,175, which is the same amount of funding for outside agencies and the Arts fund in FY13. Community enhancements, including Montpelier Alive and various festivals, lighting and events, are funded at $29,500, the same as FY13.

Ballot Items
Articles 18 are the annual election and regular budget items. Article 9 is for a bond the General Fund for $710,000 to be used for sidewalks, retaining walls and storm drains and culverts. Debt service for this bond is already included in the General Fund budget. Article 10 is for a bond for $670,000 from the Sewer Fund. This is proposed to repair and replace a failing sewer line along River Street. Complete failure of the line could result in environmental issues and an enforcement order to perform immediate repair. Debt service for the bond is already included in the Sewer Fund budget. Article 11 is for a bond for $2,300,000 from the School Fund. This is proposed for energy, efficiency and safety improvements in all three school buildings. Article 12 is a proposal to create a downtown improvement district where commercial properties within the designated zone would pay an additional tax increment with the funds raised going directly for promotions and improvements within that district. The article proposes that $75,000 be raised through this manner. This proposal was recommended to City Council by Montpelier Alive. Article 13 is for $308,673 for the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. This article was by petition because the amount was increased from the prior year. Article 14 is for $40,000 for the Green Mountain Transit Agency Circulator Bus. This item was by petition and would continue the circulator bus service within the community. Article 15 is for $56,669 to be added to the fire department budget. This item was by petition. Article 16 is for a nonbinding resolution concerning tar sands oil transport in Vermont. This item was by petition. Thank you for your interest in Montpelier city government. Please vote on March 5. Feel free to contact me at wfraser@montpelier-vt.org or 223-9502 with questions or concerns. Remember, Montpelier is on Facebook (City of Montpelier, Vermont) and Twitter (@vtmontpelier). after deducting certain costs, represents 24 percent of the total. The states claim appears to be based on an early draft of the contracts between the parties, which would have allocated 24 percent of any cost overruns to the city. That provision was dropped in negotiations, however, and the final agreement states that if there are budgeted overruns, the parties shall meet and attempt in good faith to make budget adjustments. The city has met on numerous occasions with the state over the last two weeks in a good-faith attempt to resolve this issue. We have informed the state that the city has no additional funds to allocate to the construction of the heat facility. The remaining revenue for constructing the citys distribution system has been committed. Based on its contracts with private contracts and committed costs, the city is expected to meet its annual expenses, but it does not project surplus annual operating balances sufficient to provide significant payment to the state for its cost overruns. And the city cannot agree to pay the state out of funds paid by local property taxpayers. The city has made three proposals to the state in a goodfaith effort to resolve this issue: The parties could complete construction on the facility and distribution system and reconcile the respective budgets at that time, when we know what each party has spent. The city would agree to increase the cost of future capacity purchases that it makes from the state. The city would consider sharing a portion of any surplus operating revenues (up to an agreed-upon dollar amount). We do not believe that cancelling the project is a viable option. The costs that have been committed by both the city and state to date far exceed the amount of the states cost overruns. As of this writing, we are continuing to negotiate with the state on a mutually acceptable resolution of this issue.

ANNIE TIBERIO CAMERON

William Fraser, city manager

he annual city election is coming up quickly. The actual election day is Tuesday, March 5, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early ballots are already available.This years election includes an open City Council seat, an open school board seat, cemetery commissioners and parks commissioners. City and school budgets, three proposed bond issues, a downtown assessment district, three petitioned funding items and a petitioned advisory article are all on the ballot.

FY14 City Budget

Budget Numbers FY14 budget for all funds, including petitioned ballot items, is $18,693,731. Compared to FY13, this is an increase of $801,560 or 4.48 percent. However, $390,069 of that increase is for the new district heat budget. Without district heat, overall funds are up 2.28 percent. FY14 General Fund budget totals $11,007,106, which is an increase of $231,053 (2.1 percent) from the comparable FY13 spending plan. FY14 General Fund nontax revenues total $3,861,288 which is an increase of $129,453 (3.5%) from FY13 nontax revenues. Property Tax Impact Requires a 1.2 cent increase in the property tax rate. Including the recreation budget, a 1.2 cent increase represents a 1.3 percent property tax rate increase. For the average residential property valued at $223,000, 1.2 cents on the tax rate represents $28.99 on the tax bill. The library, circulator bus and firefighter petition ballot items combined represent an increase of $69,167 (20.7 percent) over comparable ballot items in FY13. They represent a total of 0.8 cent tax increase. The combined total of the municipal budgets and the ballot items results in a 2.0 cent (2.1 percent) tax increase or about $45.71 on an average bill. Personnel Total number of full-time equivalent employees (including the senior center) is 107.56 This is a net decrease of 4.22 (3.8 percent) from the FY13 budget. We eliminated a full-time firefighter/EMT, a full-time police officer, a full-time public works street employee, a full-time administration position and a half-time GIS position and reduced a full-time zoning administrator position to half time. We have added a 0.4 clerical assistant at the senior center and a 0.25 caretaker in the parks. A 0.875 position in CJC was expanded to 1.0 Cost-of-living allowances and step increases are built into all employee wage and salary accounts consistent with collective bargaining agreements and personnel policies. For this budget, that represents a 2.25 percent adjustment for fire union employees, 2.0 percent for police union employees and 2.2 percent (or CPI) for public works union employees. A 2.0 percent adjustment for nonunion employees is also included.

ANNIE TIBERIO CAMERON

District Heat Cost Overruns

by John Hollar, mayor

wo weeks ago, state officials informed the city that the estimated cost to build the states biomass heat plant was $2.8 million higher than originally anticipated. On Friday, that number was increased to $3.3 million, for a total facility cost of $18.3 million. That project is separate from the distribution system that the city is building. That cost is estimated at $6.6 million, and the city is currently within its budget. Under the contracts between the city and state, the state has control over all design, budget and contract decisions related to the plant. The city has had no authoritative role in developing the plant project. Nonetheless, the state has asked the city to pay $623,472 of this overrun, which,

THE BRIDGE

F E B RUA RY 21 M A RC H 6 , 2 013 PAG E 2 5

Editorial
12, 13, 14, 15Please Help The Bridge Reach Its Campaign Goal

Letters
Taxpayers to Fund Police and Fire Departments, Not Nonprofits To the Editor: I am writing about a new tax increase that is to be put on the (March 5) town meeting ballot. This tax increase is being spearheaded by Montpelier Alive. They are looking for $75,000 for what they call streetscaping. Montpelier Alive will use this $75,000 for trash cans, new benches and advertising. Well, I think Montpelier gives plenty to Montpelier Alive. Montpelier Alive is run out of city hall, and they get free rent, heat, trash, water and $20,000 from the city of Montpelier to help run their nonprofit organization. I dont get it. The city is going to ask Montpelier voters and taxpayers to vote for this $75,000 and to vote on cutting police and fire. I used the fire department once last year, and the firefighters saved my life. I called the police department to catch a shoplifter, and within 20 minutes of the call, the police had my property back to me. Now, in this same year, Montpelier Alive has not been in my store to ask me to become a member. This is what they have to do to raise money. Its called fundraising. Nonprofits raise money to run their projects. They typically dont ask taxpayers for money to fund them. I think keeping firemen and police officers around is much more needed than new benches and trash cans. Thomas Moore, T&T Repeats Thrift Store, Montpelier Edgerly Walsh Will Bring Perspective to Council To the Editor: I am writing in support of Jessica Edgerly Walshs candidacy for Montpelier City Council. Although there is a slate of capable candidates for the open District 3 council seat, I urge my fellow voters to cast their ballots for Jessica. Jessicas professional experience includes working with business entrepreneurs and advocating for community concerns. She is a former community organizer who is very familiar with the interplay between municipal government and its constituents. A year ago she left the nonprofit world to help launch a solar energy company. She is articulate, practical and responsive. She has experience with budgeting, communications and personnel management. She and her husband own a house on Blackwell Street, and they are committed to the Montpelier community. As a former city councilor myself, I can see that Jessica will bring a much-needed perspective to city government. Her election will help ensure that the Montpelier City Council is representative of its population. Sarah Robson Jarvis, Montpelier Edgerly Walsh Is Thoughtful, Experienced Team Player To the Editor: I am writing to express my strong support for Jessica Edgerly Walsh in her bid to serve as a District 3 member of the Montpelier Correction: In our last story on City Council (page 16 of Feb. 7 issue), The Bridge misidentified Andrew Brewer, owner of Onion River Sports, as Andrew Miller and associated him with the former Miller Sports. Carl Miller was the previous owner of Miller Sports. The person to whom this quote should have been attributed was Andrew Brewer. In the same story, Greg Guyette was described as a director. He is, in fact, board president of Montpelier Alive. The Bridge apologizes for these errors. City Council. Edgerly Walsh is a proven team player with municipal and business leadership and management experience. Her commitment to Montpeliers economic and environmental mission and her desire to revitalize and reconnect District 3 to the downtown put her in the forefront of the candidates vying for the seat. She will make a valuable and thoughtful contribution to city planning and decision making. Please vote for Jessica Edgerly Walsh on Tuesday March 5. Gretchen Elias, Montpelier Vermont House Bill H 225 Sets Needed Taser Provisions To the Editor: For the last eight months since Macadam Mason died after being shot with a Taser by a Vermont state trooper, we as a state have been faced with one essential question. What are we going to do to make sure that such an unnecessary death doesnt happen again? An innocent Vermonter was killed who today should be alive. Who will take responsibility to prevent a recurrence? The Taser bill that has been introduced (H. 225) is a statement that Macadam Mason was one of us and that what happened to him should not happen to anyone else. The American Civil Libertys Union (ACLU) recognizes Rep. Jim Masland of Thetford and Rep. Anne Donahue of Northfield for taking the initiative to develop this bill. We also recognize the 28 other representatives who have joined as sponsors. Provisions of H. 225 include: Development of statewide policies around the use of tasers. Development of a training program all officers must complete before using a Taser. Acknowledgement that Tasers are alternatives to lethal force but are not nonlethal and that their use should be limited to use under the same standards that justify the use of lethal force or that will directly reduce an imminent risk of a persons death through self-harm. Tasers are not to be considered as a tool to force compliance or to punish a subject. The manufacturers recommendations for use must be followed. Special attention must be paid if a subject is cognitively disabled or in an emotional crisis. Taser training must be coordinated with Department of Mental Health initiatives. A report detailing all incidents of Taser use must be submitted annually to the legislature. This bill is a start. It may not be perfect, but the ACLU feels strongly that state government must take the responsibility for setting policies for the use of these deadly weapons. We would prefer a moratorium on the use of Tasers while this is being worked out, but a moratorium has been rejected. Our goal is to prevent the unnecessary death of another Vermonter. Its hard to see how anyone can oppose the provisions of this bill. They are straightforward and fair. We urge the legislature to pass the bill and for the governor to sign it. Allen Gilbert, executive director, ACLU-VT, Montpelier Preserve the Amended Death with Dignity Bill To the Editor: Last week, Vermont senators, both Democrats and Republicans, in an orderly and professional way debated and voted on S-77, the
see LETTERS, page 27

ur annual campaign to benefit The Bridge and make it possible for the paper to close a critical gap between advertising revenues and expenses is moving forward. Were pushing hard to reach our goal of $15,000 from now until the end of February and pushing hard again during March. Were making a big, big effort to complete the campaign no later than the end of March, which is the end of our first quarter and coincides with the beginning of spring. In our February 7 issue, we reported contributions of $12,256 toward our $15,000 goal. A few days ago, we checked our numbers and discovered a numbers error. As of February 14, our contributions added up to $11,760 and we need to raise not $2,744 but $3,240 to reach our goal of $15,000. As the season changes from late winter to early spring, may I encourage anyone who values The Bridge to weigh in with a contribution. These contributions are both needed and deeply appreciated. Heres our basic campaign information. Please write a check made payable to The Bridge and mail that check to: The Bridge, P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601. Please feel free to visit our office in person. The Bridge is located on the basement level of Schulmaier Hall on the Vermont College campus. If you need further directions to locate our office, please phone us at 2235112.

ILLUSTRATION BY TIM NEWCOMB

A Welcome to Asiana House

andra and Gary Ma have just opened Asiana, a new restaurant in Montpelier located in the former Chittenden Bank building at the corner of State and Elm streets. Anyone who remembers the bank will likely recall its finish and high style. Well, Sandra and Gary with the help of Jeff and Jesse Jacobs have reinterpreted and in many ways recaptured the style of the place in its wood and marble floors and through the restaurants seating arrangements. And then theres the formidable Chittenden safe, which stayed in place after the bank moved into a new building opposite the Supreme Court building. In a phone conversation with The Bridge, head chef Gary talked about sushi, curry and other Asian dishes. The restaurants mission statement says, Here at the Asiana House our mission is to provide diners with an exquisite blend of traditional Asian foods and cuttingedge culinary creativity. We draw on cuisine from Japan, China, Thailand and Korea and many other cultures to create our own unique blend of flavor. For the past 10 years, Sandra and Gary Ma have run Asiana House in Burlington. Now, were lucky to have them in Montpelier and welcome them as part of our diverse restaurant community.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Read something that you want to respond to? Worked up about a local issue? We welcome your letters and opinion pieces. Letters must be 300 words or fewer; opinions, 600 words or fewer. Send them to editorial@montpelierbridge.com. Deadline for the March 7 issue is Monday, March 4, at 5 p.m. We reserve the right to edit all submissions for length, clarity or style. In many cases, we will work with you to make sure your piece meets our journalistic standards.

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A Granite Bear May Soon Be Snoozing in Hubbard Park

Here in Vermont, Ive done some carved And then what happened? woods that they want to designate as a kids restoration at the Vermont Supreme Court Several people contacted me and also Hub- play area. And the sleeping bear will be near n recent days, Calais sculptor Chris Miller building and at the old National Life ball- bard Park director Geoff Beyer. They sug- the ball field in the woods but accessible to gested something fun, like the stone pickup children. We decided it should be low to the visited The Bridge and talked about a new room on State Street. truck, in Hubbard Park. We had early dis- ground so that kids could climb on it and projecttaking a slab of Barre granite cussions about what might be an appropri- enjoy it. Were doing it out of granite, and it and creating a sleeping bear for children to What other artists have influenced ate sculpturesomething that would be ap- will be there for children to enjoy for many enjoy in Montpeliers Hubbard Park. The your work? Ive been incredibly lucky to work along- proachable and durable. After a lot of talking, generations. Bridge spoke with Miller about his project. side a few artists and stone sculptors who Geoffs original concept of a sleeping bear know human anatomy. Im currently study- topped the list. After the parks commission Your enthusiasm for sculpture: To make a donation to the Sleeping Bear How did you get started? How did it ing drawing and anatomy with Billy Brauer vetted several sketches and a scale model, from Warren. they voted to move forward with the project. project, please go online to Kickstarter.com and develop? Theres an area near the ball field in the search for Sleeping Bear of Hubbard Park. I was always making things. I was 17 years old and a senior at Milford High School in Lets talk about the Sleeping Bear Milford, Connecticut. I was headed for art Project. Last June, I created a 1950s, step-side school but that got delayed by a skiing injury. I was urged to wait a year during physical pickup truck. It was inspired by all these old, therapy, and during that year, I began wood rusting, farm pickup trucks that you somee also talked to Jody Brown of the Drawing Board in Montpelier about the Sleepcarving. In my home shop, I began making times come across in the woods with trees ing Bear Project. Heres what she said: furniture. And through other woodworkers, sometimes growing through them. Its a little Im a big fan of art in the public arena. You dont have to make a special trip to a I began to get work carving ball-and-claw roadside oddity. Its definitely whimsical. Its gallery or museum. You just come upon it by chance. Thats a big part of something that table legs, Chippendale-type fans and carved unexpected. People take pictures of it. Its beI support. headboards. I also did restoration work with come a bit of a landmark there, right near the Ive seen Chris Millers art. I know he can pull it off. Its in Hubbard Park. Its family carved moldings. I matched carved architec- dam at Curtis Pond [near Maple Corner]. friendly. Its something that kids can climb on. I absolutely hope people will support it. tural features in old building and churches.

The Sleeping Bear Project

by Nat Frothingham

An Endorsement of the Project

A Choice for Corporate America: Are You with America or the Cayman Islands?
by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders

hen the greed, recklessness and illegal behavior on Wall Street drove this country into the worst recession since the 1930s, the largest financial institutions in the United States took every advantage of being American. They just loved their countrys and Americans willingness to provide them with the largest bailout in history. In 2008, Congress approved a $700 billion gift to Wall Street. Another $16 trillion came from the Federal Reserve. America. What a great country. Just two years later, as soon as these giant financial institutions started making record-breaking profits again, they suddenly lost their love for their native country. At a time of mounting deficits, largely created by the recession that Wall Street caused, the major financial institutions did everything they could to avoid paying American taxes by establishing shell corporations in the Cayman Islands and other tax havens. In 2010, Bank of America set up more than 200 subsidiaries in the Cayman Islands (which has a corporate tax rate of 0.0 percent) to avoid paying U.S. taxes. It worked. Not only did Bank of America pay nothing in federal income taxes, but it received a rebate from the IRS worth $1.9 billion that year. They are not alone. That same year, JPMor-

Opinion

gan Chase operated 83 subsidiaries incorporated in offshore tax havens to avoid paying some $4.9 billion in U.S. taxes. Goldman Sachs operated 39 subsidiaries in offshore tax havens to avoid an estimated $3.3 billion in U.S. taxes. Citigroup has paid no federal income taxes for the last four years after receiving a total of $2.5 trillion in financial assistance from the Federal Reserve during the financial crisis. On and on it goes. Wall Street banks and large companies love America when they need corporate welfare. But when it comes to paying American taxes or American wages, they want nothing to do with this country. That has got to change. Offshore tax abuse is not just limited to Wall Street. Each and every year, corporations and the wealthy are avoiding more than $100 billion in U.S. taxes by sheltering their income offshore. Pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Pfizer have fought to make it illegal for the American people to buy cheaper prescription drugs from Canada and Europe. During tax season, however, they shift drug patents and profits to the Netherlands and other offshore tax havens to avoid paying U.S. taxes. Apple wants all of the advantages of being an American company, but it doesnt want to pay American taxes or American wages. It creates the iPad, iPhone, iPod and iTunes in the United States, but manufactures most of

its products in China so it doesnt have to pay American wages. Then it shifts most of its profits to Ireland, Luxembourg, the British Virgin Islands and other tax havens to avoid paying U.S. taxes. Without such maneuvers, Apples federal tax bill in the United States would have been $2.4 billion higher in 2011. Offshore tax schemes have become so absurd that one five-story office building in the Cayman Islands is now the home to more than 18,000 corporations. This tax avoidance does not just reduce the revenue that we need to pay for education, health care, roads and environmental protection, it is also costing us millions of American jobs. Today, companies are using these same tax schemes to lower their tax bills by shipping American jobs and factories abroad. More than five million U.S. manufacturing jobs were lost and more than 56,000 factories were shuttered since 2000. That also has got to change. At a time when we have a $16.5 trillion national debt; at a time when roughly onequarter of the largest corporations in America are paying no federal income taxes; and at a time when corporate profits are at an all-time high, it is past time for Wall Street and corporate America to pay their fair share. Thats what the Corporate Tax Dodging Prevention Act (S.250) that I have introduced with Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) is all about. This legislation will stop profitable Wall Street banks and corporations from sheltering profits offshore tax havens. It will stop

rewarding companies that ship jobs and factories overseas with tax breaks. The Joint Committee on Taxation has estimated in the past that the provisions in this bill will raise more than $590 billion in revenue over the next decade. As Congress debates deficit reduction, it is clear that we must raise significant new revenue. At 15.8 percent of GDP, federal revenue is at almost the lowest point in 60 years. Our Republican colleagues want to balance the budget on the backs of the elderly, the sick, the children, the veterans and the most vulnerable by making massive cuts. At a time when the middle class already is disappearing, that is not only a grossly immoral position, it is bad economics. We have a much better idea. Wall Street and the largest corporations in the country must begin to pay their fair share of taxes. They must not be able to continue hiding their profits offshore and shipping American jobs overseas to avoid taxes. Heres the simple truth. You cant be an American company only when you want a massive bailout from the American people. You have also got to be an American company and pay your fair share of taxes, as we struggle with the deficit and adequate funding for the needs of the American people. If Wall Street and corporate America dont agree, the next time they need a bailout let them go to the Cayman Islands, let them go to Bermuda, let them go to the Bahamas and let them ask those countries for corporate welfare.

A Call-to-Action Parking Conference at the State House, March 12

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Read something that you want to respond to? Worked up about a local issue? We welcome your letters and opinion pieces. Letters must be 300 words or fewer; opinions, 600 words or fewer. Send them to editorial@montpelierbridge.com. Deadline for the March 7 issue is Monday, March 4, at 5 p.m. We reserve the right to edit all submissions for length, clarity or style. In many cases, we will work with you to make sure your piece meets our journalistic standards.

s part of a general call for action, the Vermont State Employees Association (VSEA) has announced a broad-based parking conference set for Tuesday, March 12, from noon to 1 p.m, in the House Chamber at the Vermont State House. The VSEA hopes this conference will take the first steps in building a state-city-citizen coalition to resolve parking problems in Montpelier. The VSEA is inviting the broadest possible participation from state employees, Montpelier residents, the city of Montpelier, the states Department of Buildings and General Services, the city schools and the downtown merchant and business communities, with attention to residential and commercial renters in Montpelier. For further information, call the VSEA at 223-3437.

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Make Your Home Energy Efficient: Come to the March 4 Energy Fair
by Dan Jones

hat can you do to save money every year and help the planet? For a start, you can come to the Energy Fair on March 4, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at National Life Groups cafeteria, in Montpelier. This free, fun and informational event will feature treats, freebies and prizes for all. And bring the kids because Marko the Magician will be doing his magic! While the fair will be fun, its also about saving serious money. All in one place you will find the resources necessary to help you save money on your heating and energy bills. The fair is being put on by the the Montpelier Energy Action Committee (MEAC), which is on a mission to help Montpelier become the first net zero state capital in the country. This is an ambitious goal: it means that we will produce no more greenhouse gasses than we can recycle. To do this, we and our neighbors must do what we can to stop using gas and oil to heat the outdoors. We need to change how we heat our homes and how we get around. Its a big job, but we have to start somewhere, and the fair will be a one-

stop shop for learning how to do it. Last summer, MEAC hosted an ice-cream party on the State House lawn, where people had to learn a little about weatherization to get their Cherry Garcia. This time around, MEAC is ramping things up for this major event. Representatives from all the energy efficiency contractors in the region will be there to explain how you can make your home more efficient. You can tell the professionals about your home and your needs and get ideas on how they can help you solve your problems. (We think of it as a little like onestop speed dating for matching contractors and clients.) Local banks and credit unions will be there to help you figure out how to finance the work. Efficiency Vermont will show you how you can qualify for special incentives and rebates. Youll also have an opportunity to check out some electric cars and Go Vermonts computer system, which helps people find rides when and where they want them. If you like science, come enjoy demonstrations of home heating problems and solutions. Just by showing up, you can be entered in a raffle to win a $500 energy audit for your

home. Efficiency Vermont will be giving away coupons for large discounts on energy audits and a chance to get a free goody box of energy-saving lightbulbs and other fixtures. Your neighbors will be there to tell you about how much money they are saving through home weatherization and what their process was like. The Montpelier Energy Fair is the product of months of hard work by MEAC. Special recognition goes to the efforts of City Councilor Anne Watson and committee member Becky Wigg for organizing and coordinating this effort. National Life Group has stepped up to the plate and provided their facilities, and MEAC has received funding from the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, National Life Group, Montpelier Construction, Vermont State Employees Credit Union, Weatherization and Renovation of Montpelier, Go Vermont and Pellergy. This is important stuff. We all want to

Opinions

do the right thing to cut carbon emissions and stave off global warming, and this event will help everyone in Montpelier get there together. We can take to heart the charge of outgoing energy secretary Steven Chu, who reminded us: There is an ancient Native American saying: We do not inherit the land from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. Now is the time for Montpelier citizens to demonstrate just how forward thinking they are and make the commitment to weatherization and low-impact lifestyles. Come to the fair and let MEAC help you get started making a future our children will thank us for. Oh, and did we mention free popcorn and Marko the Magician? Remember its March 4, the evening before Town Meeting Day. Dan Jones is chairman of the Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee.

Pass the No Tar Sands Resolution

by Marie Countryman and Brian Tokar

his Town Meeting Day, March 5, voters in Montpelier will have an opportunity to vote on a resolution to challenge proposed changes to an aging Northeast Kingdom oil pipeline that could have a serious impact on Vermont and our entire region. The Portland-Montreal Pipeline was built between the 1940s and 1960s and currently pumps up to 400,000 barrels of oil a day from the port of Portland, Maine, to customers in Montreal and beyond, passing through 10 Northeast Kingdom towns. But Canadian companies are considering a very different use for a now-unused pipeline that travels the same route. It is connected to a vast oil pipeline network across Canada, and companies like Enbridgea partial owner of Green Mountain Powerhave applied to reverse the flow of their pipes so they can transport highly corrosive and toxic material from the Alberta Tar Sands across Canada and northern New England. Oil company officials currently deny that they have plans to reverse the pipeline through Vermont, but the evidence suggests that such a plan is in the works, including efforts to build a new pumping station in Dunham,
LETTERS, from page 25

Quebec, just across the border. With people across the U.S. and Canada challenging proposed projects like the Keystone XL Pipeline through Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas and the proposed Northern Gateway through British Columbia, this plan C option could become the path of least resistance for getting tar sands to the coast for export. Why is there so much opposition to getting oil from the tar sands? Tar sands mining is a massively destructive business and has been called the most environmentally damaging project on earth. Tens of thousands of acres of Albertas northern forest are leveled in the extraction process, which puts three to five times as much carbon pollution into the atmosphere as conventional oil extraction. Dr. James Hansen, one of our most respected climate scientists, says that if oil from the tar sands is added to the effects of burning coal, it is essentially game over for the earths climate system. The European Commission is sticking to a plan to label fuel from tar sands deposits as highly polluting, deterring refiners bound by environmental rules. The material that is mined from the tar sands is a gravelly, corrosive mix known as bitumen. It is nothing like liquid crude oil: it is highly acidic, corrosive and 40 to 70 times thicker. To transport it through a pipeline cian immunity to prescribe drugs for the purpose of suicide. This brings us to the ugly political side of this matter. Governor Peter Shumlin and the lead senator on the bill, Claire Ayer from Addison, were unhappy with the results and made misleading and false statements. The governor, a lawyer, publicly said during a radio interview that it creates a wild, wild west situation. Senator Ayer in the same interview wrongfully claimed that a dying patient can ask a physician for a lethal prescription, and the physician would have immunity if the patient used the drugs to cause his or her death. A caller (me) challenged her on that assertion, and she backed away from it. Some news media (the Times Argus for one) have perpetuated the misinformation by saying the senate approved an amended death bill allowing doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to terminally ill patients. Why? Could it be because when the house takes up the legislation that it would be help-

requires dilution with toxic chemicals such as n-hexane and benzene, which damage the human nervous system and can cause cancer. The pipelines travel through the following Northeast Kingdom towns: Jay, Troy, Newport, Irasburg, Barton, Sutton, Burke, Victory, Lunenburg and Guildhall; and it will cross these Vermont bodies of water: Missisquoi River, Beetle Brook, Ware Brook, Black River, Roaring Brook, Barton River, Annis Brook, Sutton River, Roundy Brook, Passumpsic River (East Branch), Moose River, Granby Brook, Catsbow Brook, Hudson Brook and the Connecticut River. In 2010, a tar sands pipeline in southwestern Michigan ruptured, dumping more than a million gallons of tar sands residues into the Kalamazoo River and forcing the relocation of 150 families. The cleanup, still underway, is the most expensive inland oil cleanup in history, costing nearly $800 million so far. The old pipeline to Portland has already experienced leaks just transporting crude oil, including one in 1977 that contaminated the Black River and Lake Memphremagog. In 2009, the Portland-Montreal Pipeline was issued a Notice of Amendment by the U.S. Department of Transportation, requiring substantial corrective action to plans and ful for proponents of the Oregon approach to have the public believe the senate bill needs fixing so they can more easily return to the Oregon language? Do not be deceived! Dick Sears, Bennington Democrat and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the bill as it was originally proposed had so many legal holes that even a first-year law student could see them. He expressed embarrassment that such a bill could be reported to the floor from his committee. Not only legally lacking, it did not provide the touted

procedures for emergency response training and corrosion controls. Just this past week, Enbridge has refused phase three of the the Kalamazoo cleanup: the bitumen sitting on the bottom of the river. What can we do? On Town Meeting Day, at least 23 towns, including Montpelier, will have a chance to challenge plans to pump this material through our region. The resolution voices the towns opposition to any effort to transport tar sands through Vermont, and calls for a thorough environmental review of any tar sands-related pipeline proposal. It also asks our town(s) to help investigate where our own fuel supplies come from, with a goal of phasing out purchases from refineries that use tar sandsderived oil. Larger cities and towns like Burlington will do most of the heavy lifting here, with support from allies across New England. There is an effort in the legislature to get the state of Vermont to do the same. The Alberta tar sands are far away, but the impacts of mining there are global in scope. By approving this resolution, town voters will help support efforts throughout Vermont and New England to assure that our region will be tar-sands-free.

controversial so-called Death with Dignity bill. They did so while presenting impassioned and compelling arguments. Fifteen Democrats and Republicans joined to pass an amended version. They rejected the approach patterned after Oregon, a state that by citizen vote has allowed physician-assisted suicide since 1997. Instead of journeying down the Oregon trail, Vermonters as they often do, went down their own road, and the result was a good and compassionate alternative. While improving care for a dying person, it also protects those at the side of the patient when he or she dies. It allows a dying patients physician to aggressively treat symptoms, primarily pain, without fear that, if the patient dies, the physician will be wrongfully accused of intentionally aiding in suicide. The passed bill does not allow the physi-

patient safeguards. The American Medical Association strongly opposed it. That is not hard to understand. As a pharmacist, I clearly understand that and could spend an hour discussing the many medical problems with the original bill. All want to have dignity at death. We should all want that for a dying person. Vermonts senate took action that will help some with that desire. We need to be diligent and watch that their work is not undone. Robert L. Orleck, Randolph

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Read something you want to respond to? We welcome your letters and opinion pieces. Letters must be 300 words or fewer; opinions, 600 words or fewer. Send your piece to editorial@montpelierbridge.com. Deadline for the March 7 issue is Monday, March 4, at 5 p.m.

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