Brattleboro lists municipal Christmas, New Year's closings
BRATTLEBORO - In observance of the Christmas holiday, all town offices will close at noon on Thursday, Dec. 24, and will be closed all day Friday, Dec. 25, with the exception of emergency services.
Town offices will also be closed for the New Year's holiday on Friday, Jan. 1.
Brooks Memorial Library will open at 9 a.m. and close at noon on Dec. 24 and will be closed all day Dec. 25. Normal hours resume on Dec. 26.
The library will also close at 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve and be closed on Jan. 1. The library reopen on Jan. 2.
Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots from noon on Dec. 24 through Dec. 25, as well as on Jan. 1.
All other violations, including extended parking, will be enforced on those holidays.
Trash, recycling, and composting will not affected by either holiday. Collections will take place on the normal schedule.
For questions about town bus service, call The Current at 802-460-7433.
Youth Services re-launches Drop-in Dinners program
BRATTLEBORO - Youth Services will hold a Drop-in Dinner re-launch and renaming party on Tuesday, Dec. 29, from 7 to 10 p.m., at the Boys & Girls Club on Flat Street.
Drop-in Dinner is a free, weekly social dinner and activity night where youth ages 15-22 are invited to come, eat, and hang out. On Dec. 29, there will be a DJ, door prizes, free pizza and refreshments, and a $50 cash prize for the winner of the re-naming contest.
Find out more on Facebook at Youth Services Drop-in Night.
BF bike project nears fundraising goal
BELLOWS FALLS - The Bellows Falls Community Bike Project is more than halfway to its goal of $5,000 for its annual appeal
All donations received by Dec. 31 will be matched up to $5,000. Donations will help the bike project expand its educational reach, purchase new tools and parts, and upgrade its computer system.
The Community Bike Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit bike shop located at 24 Canal St. in Bellows Falls. Its mission is to provide community access to reclaimed bicycles and bike repair skills, encouraging safe bicycling as a means of affordable transportation, self-sufficiency, and overall wellness. To make a donation, write to P.O. Box 553, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
BAJC to hold Crafting for the Homeless sessions
WEST BRATTLEBORO - Come join Brattleboro Area Jewish Community, Congregation Shir Heharim, on Sunday, Jan. 3, from 1 to 3 p.m., to craft items for the homeless population in the area.
Using traditional crafts, participants will make hats, scarves, blankets, and sleeping mats from yarn and fleece fabric. All you need is enthusiasm and interest. Techniques will be taught and projects will use basic techniques and simple patterns. This event is suitable for adults, teenagers, and kids old enough to sit still and participate. Kids younger than 12 will need to have an adult in attendance with them. If you want to, one can take projects home to work on between meetings.
Knitters, crafters, and crocheters have been gathering to make hats, scarves and blankets to donate to Groundworks Collaborative (formerly the Drop In Center). Last season, they made and donated 35 warm wool hats and 35 fleece and knitted scarves.
They also made enough 5-inch blanket squares to assemble into three separate blankets, which they plan to auction or raffle off to generate money to purchase fleece fabric for blankets to donate. Fleece blankets are warm, lightweight, and easily washable, and many more of them can be produced than the assembled blankets.
For more information, contact Janet at 802-254-8454, or visit BAJCvermont.org.
Grace Cottage seeks volunteers
TOWNSHEND - Volunteer “Grace Greeters” are an important part of the Grace Cottage Hospital/Family Health team, offering assistance in clerical work, patient wheelchair transport, delivery of materials from one department to another, and more.
A few new Grace Greeters would be much appreciated this winter, to work in 3-hour shifts as little as once a week. For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Ian Harrison at 802-365-3738.
Funding available from VCF's Small and Inspiring grants program
MIDDLEBURY - Funding is now available from the Small and Inspiring grants program at the Vermont Community Foundation. One of a number of competitive grant rounds at the Foundation, this program awards grants of $500 to $2,500 to support work that connects people to their neighbors, their land, and their history in ways that strengthen the community.
There are four rounds of Small and Inspiring in 2016 with deadlines at 5 p.m. on Jan. 12, March 8, July 26, and Oct. 11. Visit vermontcf.org/SmallandInspiring to learn more or apply.