District 3 to hold RTM citizens' forum
BRATTLEBORO - In an effort to help Representative Town Meeting (RTM) members in District 3 better represent their constituents, a public forum will take place on Sunday, March 13 at 3 p.m. in the social hall at Trinity Lutheran Church, 161 Western Ave.
The forum is intended to allow people who live in District 3 to express their concerns and to ask questions about town issues in advance of the Annual Representative Town Meeting on Saturday, March 19. Meeting members from District 3 are encouraged to attend.
Information about the meeting is available at https://bit.ly/654-bratt-artm, which links to the warning for the meeting (the articles on which meeting members will vote) and a RTM Finance Committee report on the budget for the 2023 financial year.
For the well-being of attendees and out of respect for the members of Trinity Lutheran Church, which is providing a space for the forum, face coverings are required.
For more information, contact David Levenbach at [email protected] or 413-559-1533.
Spring photo classes at In-Sight begin March 15
BRATTLEBORO - In-Sight Photography Project, at 183 Main St. Suite 3, will begin a spring series of photo classes for ages 11 to 18 beginning Friday, March 15. The after-school classes are fully offered on a pay-what-you-can basis.
One of the upcoming classes, on alternative photographic processes, teaches participants to make images using methods that date back a century or longer. Other classes are more suitable for young photographers who are just starting out in their learning of digital photography and use of black-and-white film.
Visit insightphotography.org/registration to see the full schedule and to reserve a spot. For questions, email Program Director Ryan Stratton at [email protected] or call 802-251-9960.
Rich Earth offers 'Urine my Garden' webinar
BRATTLEBORO - On Thursday, March 17, from 11 to 11:45 a.m., Join the Rich Earth Institute for a webinar to learn how to reclaim the nutrients from your body for a flourishing home garden and healthier watershed.
Human urine contains a wealth of vital plant nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Instead of flushing these elements downstream, where they contribute to nutrient pollution and harmful algal blooms, they can be reclaimed to create an abundance of free, sustainable fertilizer.
This webinar will provide step-by-step instructions for how to effectively “pee-cycle” at home. Register at bit.ly/654-urine.
Learn a new language with Pronunciator
BRATTLEBORO - Brooks Memorial Library now offers Pronunciator, an interactive language-learning tool accessible on computers and mobile devices. It includes 164 languages, including American Sign Language, and it's free to all library cardholders and visitors.
Using sound, text, and video, you can learn English to Pashto, Hindi to English, Spanish to Irish, or most any language combination that meets your needs.
Another software resource, Mango, offers self-directed interactive lessons in more than 45 languages.
Both can be found any time on the library's Online Learning page at brookslibraryvt.org.
SEVCA offers free tax preparation service
WESTMINSTER - Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) is offering free tax preparation services to eligible community members.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers no-cost filing of both federal and Vermont state income taxes, is open to anyone who makes less than $57,000 per year. Drop-off sites are in Windsor, Westminster, and Brattleboro.
The program uses highly trained, IRS-certified volunteers to ensure that community members gain access to programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
Volunteers also work with each individual and household to ensure all items are properly filed and to double check that a benefit has been received.
Preparers will pay extra attention to items that are new this year, like Economic Impact Payments from the stimulus checks in 2020 and 2021, Advance Child Tax Credit Payments, Homestead Exemption benefits, and Renter Rebates, so that those filing their taxes receive all refunds for which they are eligible.
To learn more about this program and find program forms, visit sevca.org/economic-development/volunteer-income-tax-assistance, or call 802-722-1603 or 800-464-9951 for more information.