Rescue Inc. offers National Registry Basic Emergency Medical Technical Course
BRATTLEBORO - Rescue Inc., offers a National Registry Basic Emergency Medical Tech course that will be sponsored and taught by Rescue's Technical Rescue Team. The class begins on Tuesday, Jan. 15, and runs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and one Saturday per month, ending in early May. The classes will rotate between Newfane and Jamaica.
The course is a total of 145 hours, combining lectures and practical hands-on experience. No prior experience is necessary, but participants must be 18-years-old to take the National Registry exam. The cost is $350.
Certified EMTs are sought after to staff ambulances and first response squads, but this training is invaluable for anyone in a position where being able to respond effectively to a traumatic or medical emergency, could make all the difference.
To sign up or learn more, call Lew Teich at 802-257-0156.
Overcoming shyness theme of Toastmasters meeting Jan. 10 at Grad Center
BRATTLEBORO - If fear and shyness around public speaking are holding you back, or are holding someone in your organization back, personally or professionally, then Toastmasters is the answer.
BrattleMasters, the Brattleboro-based chapter of the venerable educational nonprofit, meets Thursday, Jan. 10, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Marlboro College Graduate Center, room 2E, 28 Vernon St., with the New Year's theme of conquering shyness.
The club meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month at the same time and location. Guests are welcome and refreshments are provided. There is no pressure to speak, and members are working at their own pace and with assigned mentors to help them meet their speaking and leadership goals.
For more information, visit http://www.brattleboro.toastmastersclubs.org.
2013 Brattleboro dog, wolf-hybrid licenses now available
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro dog and wolf-hybrid licenses are available for the 2013 licensing period. Vermont dogs and wolf-hybrids 6 months of age and older must be licensed on or before April 1.
Renewal licenses may be obtained in person at the Town Clerk's office, through the mail or online at www.brattleboro.org. Dogs being licensed in Brattleboro for the first time may be licensed in person or through the mail by printing the license form from the town website.
Vaccination against rabies is required by Vermont Statutes before licensing. A current vaccination means: All dogs and wolf-hybrids over three months of age shall be vaccinated against rabies. The initial vaccination shall be valid for 12 months. Within 9 to 12 months of the initial vaccination, the animal must receive a booster vaccination.
All subsequent vaccinations following the initial vaccination shall be valid for 36 months. If an animal has been spayed or neutered, the certificate issued by the veterinarian must be presented when licensing the animal for the first time. A current rabies certificate issued and signed by a veterinarian must be filed with the Town Clerk.
License fees are $15 for neutered animals, $22 for unneutered animals. Specially trained assistance dogs may be eligible for a reduced licensing fee. Dogs and wolf-hybrids licensed after April 1 will be charged a penalty. In addition, any person failing to license a dog or wolf-hybrid may be fined up to $100 and the dog or wolf-hybrid may be impounded.
If an animal licensed last year has died or been given away, contact the Town Clerk's office at 802-251-8157 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Putney Mountain Association presents 'The Puzzle of New England Predators' at annual meeting
PUTNEY - The public is invited to join noted naturalist John Foster of the New England Naturalist Training Center for a fascinating look at our local predators like coyotes, fishers, and bobcats.
The program will be held on Sunday, Jan. 13, at 4 p.m. at the Putney Public Library. A brief meeting will precede the program.
Through slide images and interactive discussion, Foster will discuss the habitats and habits of these elusive animals, debunk common myths about them, and bring to light the intricacies that support and surround the predator/prey relationship in this region. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.
Foster is a regional naturalist and founder of the New England Naturalist Training Center. He has conducted wildlife research, and regularly teaches private students a hands-on ecology focused program, the Intensive Field Studies Course. His presentations are uniquely well researched, backed by both field experience and current research.
'Fireside chat' looks at Saxtons River's role in Civil War
SAXTONS RIVER - Saxtons River's soldiers in the Civil War and their effect on the village is the topic of the second in another series of historical fireside chats that continues Monday, Jan. 14, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., in the parlor of the Saxtons River Inn.
Hosted by Main Street Arts and the Saxtons River Historical Society, there is no charge for this program, and attendees are encouraged to bring photographs and memorabilia to share in the informal setting.
Informant for the Civil War session is Richard Anderson, whose research has turned up facts that put a face on the village's participation in a pivotal moment in the nation's history.
Information and updates on possible postponements due to inclement weather are available by calling Main Street Arts at 802-869-2960. Dinner at the inn is available after the chats, with reservations appreciated by calling 802-869-2110.
Hemlock Wooly Adelgid workshop offered in Putney
PUTNEY - On Tuesday Jan. 15, the Putney Conservation Commission will sponsor a presentation by Jim Esden, a forestry specialist with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, on the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, a tiny insect from east Asia that attacks forest and ornamental hemlock trees.
This insect has recently been found in Putney. The presentation will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Putney Fire House with time for questions after the presentation. For more information, please contact Pamela Cubbage of the Putney Conservation Commission at 802-387-2338.
Foreign Language Potlucks continue at Main Street Arts
SAXTONS RIVER - Main Street Arts continues its winter series of foreign language potluck suppers with a potluck for French speakers Sunday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m.
A potluck for German speakers will be Sunday, Jan. 20. The next month's potlucks will be Feb. 3 (Spanish), Feb. 10 (French) and Feb. 17 (German).
The potlucks are generally a small group of friendly people with a wide range of proficiency in the language who join in an informal sharing of culture and language practice. Those who want to listen more than join in the conversation are also welcome. Native speakers are often present to lend encouragement. Previous participants have come from all corners of Windham County and New Hampshire.
There is no fee, and potluck contributions need not be ethnic. A beverage is provided. Information is available by calling MSA at 802-869-2960, e-mailing [email protected] visiting the Web site at www.MainStreetArts.org.
Neighborhood Schoolhouse hosts open house
BRATTLEBORO - The Neighborhood Schoolhouse, 231 Western Ave., will host an open house on Thursday, Jan. 24, from 8:45-10:30 a.m., and 5:30-7 p.m.
The morning session of the open house is a time for families to see the school in action. Visit their classrooms and experience a typical day. During the evening session, faculty will provide tours of the school and discuss the philosophy of Neighborhood Schoolhouse and how it comes to life in their programming.
The Neighborhood Schoolhouse serves children ages 3-12 in their Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Elementary and Before/After School Care programs. They offer financial aid and accept child care subsidy and Vermont state public Pre-K program funding.
Child care will be provided for the evening session. Call 802-257-5544 to RSVP and visit www.neighborhoodschoolhouse.com.
Sylvester to offer open studio classes
BRATTLEBORO - Terry Sylvester will present a six week series of Open Studio classes for adults at her Cotton Mill studio from Jan. 26 until March 7. Classes are Saturdays from 1-4 p.m.,Tuesdays from 4-7 p.m., and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Drawing and painting instruction will be available, but she is offering her space for inspiration and exploration of independent work as well. Sylvester is an accomplished scenic artist and art teacher with a light-filled space that she loves to share.
Classes are $30, with a small materials fee if necessary, and are held on a drop-in basis. Contact her at 802-257-7930 or [email protected], or visit www.sylvesterstudios.com for more information.
Space available at Farmers' Market for community organizations
BRATTLEBORO - The Winter Farmers' Market invites local groups, organizations or nonprofits whose work supports the sustainability mission of the market to join them on a Saturday at the market.
This is an opportunity for groups to spread the word about their organizations and the work they do for the local community. The market is located in the River Garden in the heart of downtown Brattleboro, and is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday through March 30. The market tends to average about 25 vendors per week, so available space will vary from week to week.
Groups will need to provide their own table (maximum 6-8 feet), but plenty of chairs are available. The River Garden is wired for Internet, but there are limited electrical outlets, so specify if you would need access to electricity. Groups are welcome to bring materials to display and distribute at the market and to have a donation jar at your table. There will be no charge to participate.
To reserve a space, or for more information, contact Annik at [email protected] or by phone at 508-769-9694.
Public meeting in BF looks at future of 'The Island'
BELLOWS FALLS - The public is invited to participate in a public meeting and charette conducted by consultant Mullin Associates of Pelham, Mass., to develop a growth and rehabilitation plan for the industrial area between the canal and the Connecticut River known as “The Island.”
The meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 24, at 5:15 p.m., at the lower theater at the Rockingham Town Hall in Bellows Falls.