Route 5 bridge closes for repair on July 12
GUILFORD - On Wednesday, July 12, the Route 5 bridge in Algiers will close, beginning at 7 a.m.
According to project information officer Jill Barrett, during the closure, the contractor will begin demolition of the existing bridge while excavation and installation of the piles will occur at the south abutment. The contractor has 28 days to complete the work and re-open by Aug. 9.
The 10-day wet cure for the prefabricated bridge units that were constructed near the current bridge ended on July 8, Barrett said. Crews are removing the forms and preparing the units for relocation to the bridge site.
Next WBA meeting is July 13
WEST BRATTLEBORO - The next monthly meeting of the West Brattleboro Association will be held on Thursday, July 13, at 6 p.m., at the Hayes Court Community Room on Garfield Drive.
After a review of the treasury report and the 2017 budget, there will be updates on the Neighborhood Fund and BizUp/Commercial Spaces.
Potential uses of remaining funds for the Sign Project will be discussed including the possibility of instigating a historic site marker. In addition, the idea of designing/thinking/convening a public feedback survey will be considered. The group also will hear about the idea of a West Brattleboro Bike Mobility Campaign.
Members of the WBA have been provided with a link to a video on substance abuse, addiction, and stigma. There will be a discussion of how to use this as an effective educational tool.
Brattleboro plans downtown parking study
BRATTLEBORO - The town of Brattleboro is about to embark on a study of the parking system in the downtown district.
According to town officials, an independent consultant will look at the current system to understand its strengths and weaknesses with the goal of developing a plan to make parking as efficient and user friendly as possible.
The town will host a meeting to explain the study and take input from the public on Tuesday, July 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the community room at Brooks Memorial Library.
The public - especially anyone with direct knowledge of the system - is encouraged to attend.
Edible Brattleboro kicks off harvest sharing campaign
BRATTLEBORO - This summer, Edible Brattleboro launches its “Share the Harvest” farmstand, offering local produce at no charge to the community, starting Sunday, July 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elliot Street Park
Come to pick up some fresh veggies or drop off some from your garden to share and/or exchange. Please bring your own bags.
On Thursday, July 13, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Edible Brattleboro will host a community potluck and performance in the Harmony Lot as part of the Southern Vermont Dance Festival. If possible, bring a dish to share, but if you can't bring a dish, come and enjoy a nice summer evening. In case of rain, the potluck will be moved to the River Garden.
Edible Brattleboro is an initiative of Post Oil Solutions. Its goal is to transform public spaces into “an edible landscape which will provide nourishment and inspire the community.” Contact [email protected], or visit their Facebook page.
Computer consultant offers advice in Halifax
HALIFAX - Computer consultant Chris Parkins of Halifax will describe what he does on Wednesday, July 19, at 7 p.m. at the Community Hall in Halifax. This is the first in a series of talks by local businesspeople describing their services.
The talk is sponsored by the Halifax Community Club and the Whitingham Library. It is free and open to everyone.
Parkins has an extensive background in education, including teaching in Costa Rica, where he first became interested in fixing computers. Since then he has received a certificate in IT [information technology] Management from Marlboro College Graduate School and has helped people of all ages with their computers, both hardware and software.
Parkins will describe what he does and then will open the meeting for questions. If you have questions about a computer you already have or are wondering about getting something new or if you've just got a new system and aren't sure how to set it up and transfer all your information, this is a chance to get answers to your questions.
Parkins' business, Catamount Computers and Technological Services, has a webpage at www.catamountcats.com.
HCRS to host free luncheons
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. - Health Care and Rehabilitation Services, Vermont's second-largest community mental-health agency, will host free hot dog lunches at their Springfield and Brattleboro offices in celebration of the nonprofit's 50th anniversary this year.
The first luncheon will be held on Friday, July 14, at the agency's headquarters located at 390 River St. in Springfield. A second luncheon will be held on Thursday, July 20, at the agency's Brattleboro office, located at 51 Fairview Street. Each will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with free hot dogs, chips, and cookies served while supplies last.
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, HCRS will host numerous events and activities this year. Anyone interested can visit www.hcrs.org for more information.
Jamaica Library plans summer camp
JAMAICA - Jamaica Memorial Library will host “Building a Better World,” a one week summer camp, on Aug. 7-11, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the library.
Open to children entering grades K-4, including home schoolers, camp is free, but your $20 (per family) donation helps cover the cost of supplies. Campers will be improving the world by making musical instruments, gardening, creating structures, designing a “main street,” and more.
Space is limited to 20 children, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through July 21. To register, download the form at www.jamaicavtlibrary.org or pick one up at the library. They are open Tuesday and Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m., Wednesdays noon to 4 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Questions? Call the library at 802-874-4901.
Businesses pass compliance checks
BELLOWS FALLS - Ten local businesses in the Greater Falls area have passed their Department of Liquor Control compliance checks in 2017. During the DLC compliance checks, investigators conduct retail inspections to prevent the sale and distribution of alcohol and tobacco products to underage minors. The businesses that passed the check earlier this year are: Lazo's Pizza Palace, PK's Public House, Allen Brothers, Circle K Westminster, James Petro, Jiffy Mart, Bellows Falls Rite Aid, Sandri #210, Wellfleet (Saxtons River), and B-A-R-T Energy.
These businesses have used a number of techniques to follow through on the responsibilities associated with having an alcohol or tobacco license, including training for their management and staff members.
Compliance checks have been shown to be an effective strategy at preventing underage access to tobacco and alcohol. Businesses looking for support can contact Greater Falls Connections at 802-463-9927.
Meals, coupons help fight hunger
WESTMINSTER - 3SquaresVT helps make sure that people in need don't go hungry by providing monthly food assistance to eligible families and individuals through a user-friendly EBT card.
Additional nutritional support is available during the summer months through several supplementary programs, such as summer meals programs for kids and Farm-to-Family coupons.
One of the great benefits of 3SquaresVT is that children in households receiving it also automatically qualify for free school meals. But once the school year ends, summer can be a difficult time for many families to meet their nutritional needs.
Fortunately, free summer meal programs for children are offered in many communities. Visit www.hungerfreevt.org/summer-meals-site-lists to find a summer meals program, or call Southeastern Vermont Community Action at 800-464-9951 to get help locating a program.
Eating the right food is critical to good health, and 3SquaresVT has partnered with farmers markets across the state to make sure those receiving benefits can use them to get plenty of fruits and vegetables. To locate a farmers market near you that accepts 3SquaresVT, visit vermontfoodhelp.com/farmers-markets.
Most farmers markets offer an additional incentive - for every dollar in 3SquaresVT benefits spent, they will provide $1 of free tokens for use at the market, up to a value of $10/day.
Households may also be eligible for Farm-to-Family coupons, which are used to purchase fresh produce at farmers markets. SEVCA is distributing coupon books worth $30 each to eligible low-income households on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact SEVCA at 800-464-9951 as soon as possible to apply. Coupons must be redeemed by Oct. 31.