WKVT hosts “A Call To Action” forum on internet safety
BRATTLEBORO - WKVT Radio will present a live broadcast of a public forum on the topic of Internet Safety from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 1, in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center.
Panelists will include Karen Bates, Information Specialist for the Vermont Department of Public Safety, Detective Erik Johnson of the Brattleboro Police Department, and officials from area banks and schools.
Members of the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions or share information during the broadcast, which will be moderated by WKVT hosts Peter “Fish” Case and Chris Lenois.
“A Call to Action” is a free, public event series bringing state and local officials together with individuals and organizations to create awareness around critical issues and foster greater collaboration in addressing community needs.
Brattleboro Community Television will tape the forum to air at a later date on their cable channels as well as archive it online at www.brattleborotv.org. For more information, contact 802-254-2343 or visit www.wkvtradio.com.
Red Cross says blood, platelet donations needed throughout holiday season
BRATTLEBORO - The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give the perfect gift this holiday season - a lifesaving blood or platelet donation. By rolling up a sleeve, donors can help ensure patients continue to receive treatment throughout the holiday season.
Busy holiday schedules and travel plans make it more challenging for regular donors to give, and many businesses and organizations postpone hosting blood drives during the holiday season for the same reason. This can lead to a decline in blood donations, though the need is constant.
Blood donation opportunities in Brattleboro include Monday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Rescue, Inc, 541 Canal St.; Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at American Legion Post 5, 32 Linden St.; and Thursday, Dec. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Fraternal Order of the Eagles, 54 Chickering Drive.
For more information about donating blood, go to redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED-CROSS (733-2767).
Friends of Brooks Library present annual Holiday Book Sale
BRATTLEBORO - The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library will hold its 11th annual Holiday Book Sale in the Library on Thursday, Dec. 1, and Friday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Gift-quality and gently used books, including fiction, various genres of nonfiction, and children's, will be on sale, along with a selection of CDs and DVDs. On Saturday, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the Friends will provide free gift wrapping for books purchased at the sale and intended as gifts.
All the books in the sale have been generously donated by community members. The books are screened for quality and sorted and shelved by subject matter by Library volunteers.
The Friends of the Library hold three book sales during the year. Proceeds are used to update technology and buy Children's Room materials and programs, museum passes, and online and digital resources, as well as host the Vermont Humanities Council First Wednesday's public lecture series.
Marlboro School hosts family holiday event
MARLBORO - On Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon, Marlboro School will host a holiday event that is part of the Year of the Book Grant the school recently received from the Children's Literary Foundation.
Free breakfast will be provided to all families at 10 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., the adults will head to the school library to listen to author Doug Wilhelm talk about the importance of reading with children and for parents to choose two new books to wrap as gifts for their children.
While the parents are choosing their gift books, children are invited to make crafts to wrap as gifts for their parents in the school gym. Families will then come back together with their gifts for a storytelling time with author Doug Wilhelm.
For more information, contact Jess Weitz at [email protected] or 802-258-2568
Immanuel Retreat Center hosts Tangled Paper Jewelry class
BELLOWS FALLS - Tangled Paper Jewelry is a Zentangle drawing and art class taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Immanuel Retreat Center, 12 Church St.
Participants will create unique holiday and gift jewelry using recycled and art papers, making pendants or earrings with layered paper, pens, and maybe some paint, glue, and findings.
The workshop, like all of their Zentangle classes, is intended to help increase focus and creativity, and to provide artistic satisfaction and an increased sense of personal well-being and calm for artists and nonartists alike. Bring Micron pens or buy them in class. Other materials will be provided.
For more information or to register, call 802-460-0110, or visit www.immanuelretreat.org.
Fall holiday event at the Career Center
BRATTLEBORO - The Windham Regional Career Center, 45 Career Circle, will hold its first fall holiday event on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will provide an opportunity to showcase the many programs that constitute the Career Center. Food and beverages will be available and vendors will be on hand to sell a variety of handmade goods. There will also be a rummage sale and a large raffle, which will comprise items made by students in their programs as well as gift cards from a number of local vendors.
All proceeds from this event will help fund the Career Center's involvement in a number of career and technical student organizations. Additional funding will help students earn their program-based certifications in ServSafe, CPR, and OSHA.
Parking will be available in the church parking lot below the building. Instructors will be available if there is interest in touring their Career Center programs.
Saxtons River lights up for holidays
SAXTONS RIVER - The arrival of Santa on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m., will signal the start of the holiday celebrations in Saxtons River as the village Christmas tree is lit in front of the historical society.
After the lighting, Santa will visit with children and hear Christmas wishes at Main Street Arts, with hot chocolate and cookies provided by the members of the Nature Club. There will also be a tractor-drawn wagon ride around the village, with Mike Furgat at the wheel.
This year's event is sponsored by Main Street Arts. Also participating are the Saxtons River Ringers, who will present a free handbell Christmas concert at 4 p.m. at Christ's Church.
The Saxtons River Inn will offer free hot cider from 5 to 7 p.m., and the River Artisans Cooperative will hold a holiday open house from 2 to 4 p.m.
Informational meeting to discuss municipal energy planning
BRATTLEBORO - On Wednesday, Dec. 7, Windham Regional Commission will hold a training for municipal officials on municipal energy planning and the implementation of Act 174.
The meeting will focus on how municipalities can amend their municipal plans to include in-depth energy planning that emphasizes achieving the goals of the Vermont Comprehensive Energy Plan. It will also outline how municipalities may gain “substantial deference” instead of “due consideration” in Public Service Board proceedings.
The meeting will take place at the Marlboro Graduate Center room 2E, 28 Vernon St in Brattleboro at 7:00 p.m. Please send RSVP if attending to [email protected].
Inclusion Center hosts disability rights attorney
BRATTLEBORO - Disability Rights Vermont supervising attorney A. J. Ruben will be the guest speaker at The Inclusion Center on Friday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m., at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 16 Bradley Ave. In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be held on Dec. 16.
Many topics relating to disability will be discussed, including sexual abuse and what to do about it, relationships with aides, guardianship, and job security. Legal matters that affect people with disabilities will also be addressed.
Disability Rights Vermont is part of the National Protection and Advocacy system, which was created by Congress in response to concerns that states weren't doing enough to protect people with disabilities against abuse, neglect, and serious rights violations.
The Inclusion Center is a no-fee program for all people who have disabilities, whether mental or physical, as well as those dealing with anxiety or depression. It meets on Mondays at the First Baptist Church and Fridays at St. Michael's Episcopal Church from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, contact Julie Tamler at 802-387-5285.
Tuba Christmas returns to West B
WEST BRATTLEBORO - On Sunday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m., tuba players from the area will join together at First Congregational Church, 880 Western Ave., for the annual Tuba Christmas concert.
The sound of these large brass instruments has been described as “Angels We Have Heard Down Low.” The concert will feature Christmas music, and also some audience participation, so bring your voice. Admission is free, but an offering will be accepted.
Any and all tuba players are invited (no other instruments, please). There is a $10 registration fee for musicians. Rehearsal begins at 1 p.m., and music is provided. For further information, call Bruce Corwin at 802-254-4157.
St. Michael's Episcopal offers Vermont Christmas Pageant
BRATTLEBORO - Toddlers, children, and teens from area communities are again welcome to join in St. Michael's Episcopal Church Christmas Eve Pageant.
“We've been doing our own Vermont Nativity for several years now,” parishioner/director Annie Landenberger said in a news release, “and we'll do so again this year, adding any new elements that kids invent. Recent pageants have been blessed with flocks of free-range angels and sheep, a couple live rabbits, and even a goat.”
The pageant boasts a host of favorite carols of the season as well. Rehearsals will be on Sunday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m., with a dress rehearsal at 4 p.m. on Dec. 23. The pageant is at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve. For more information, contact Landenberger at 802-348-7156 or [email protected].