Speed limit reduced on Route 30 due to I-91 bridge work
BRATTLEBORO - The Vermont Agency of Transportation is temporarily reducing the speed limit on Route 30 from 50 mph to 40 mph for a one-mile stretch of road that extends approximately one-half mile north and one-half mile south of the location where Interstate 91 crosses over Route 30.
The speed limit reduction is associated with the Interstate 91 bridge replacement project, and will go into effect to ensure the safety of construction personnel and the traveling public. The reduction will be in effect from Sept. 23 to approximately August 2016.
Prevention Coalition unveils new name, website
BELLOWS FALLS - Community members and media are invited to attend the launch celebration of Greater Falls Connections.
Formally known as “Greater Falls Prevention Coalition,” the group will launch its new name and website, and welcome a new staff member to the team at a luncheon on Friday, Sept. 20, at noon, at Parks Place Community Resource Center in Bellows Falls.
While the focus on substance prevention will remain the same, Greater Falls Connections will place a special emphasis on strengthening community, creating connections and focusing on the positive attributes of the Greater Falls area.
The new name, logo and website was created by a collaboration between community members, coalition members, staff and board members.
In addition, the group will roll out a new social awareness campaign called “LYL.” Geared towards young adults over 21, the campaign encourages social drinkers to learn his or her limit and to keep in mind that a good night does not have to mean getting wasted.
Bratttleboro Garden Club hosts mum sale
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Floral Arts and Garden Club will hold its annual mum sale on Saturday, Sept. 21, starting at 9 a.m. The sale will take place outside the Pieciak Accounting offices, opposite the Town Common.
The chrysanthemums are available in a wide range of colors and sizes and bred for long-lasting bloom. They are reasonably priced to support beautification of the community.
Coffee, bagels, and other treats will be available by donation. The event will take place rain or shine. Come early for the best selection. For more information about the Brattleboro Garden Club, contact Ann Newsmith at 802-257-4710 or [email protected].
AARP Driver Safety Class offered at Senior Center
BRATTLEBORO - The AARP Driver Safety Program, a classroom driver refresher course, will be offered at the Brattleboro Senior Center on Monday, Sept. 23, beginning at 9:30 a.m, There will be a lunch break at noon and participants may bring a lunch or purchase one at the Senior Center.
The course explains changes that occur in vision, hearing, and reaction time as we age and provides useful driving safety tip for handling these changes. The course also reviews the impact of changes in vehicles and roadways that affect driving safety. Some major auto insurance carriers in Vermont offer discounts to participants in the program. Those interested in the availability of discounts should contact their carrier to see if such a discount is available.
For more information, call the Senior Center at 802-257-7570, or contact Elliott Greenblott at [email protected] or 802-254-4489.
Irish language classes to begin in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - The majority of the population of Ireland spoke a language unrelated to English as recently as 200 years ago. Known by some as “Irish Gaelic,” on the island it is simply called “Irish,” or in the language itself “Gaeilge.” It is still the first language of a minority of the native population, and the language of choice for a growing number of families.
Irish enjoys constitutional status as the national and first official language of the Republic of Ireland. It is an official language of the European Union and an officially recognized minority language in Northern Ireland.
An entry-level class led by Johnny Lee Conroy (Irish name: Seáinín Mac Conraoi) will be meeting weekly on Monday evenings, starting on Sept. 30 at 5:30 p.m. in Brattleboro. The last class is Dec. 16. A mix of written and online resources will be used and guest teachers will drop by from time to time. Approximate total cost for this series (book + tuition) is $100.
For more information, contact Conroy at [email protected] or 802-254-4609.
Windham Regional Commission completes mapping project of Tropical Storm Irene damage
BRATTLEBORO - The Windham Regional Commission (WRC) has completed a project to map various aspects of Tropical Storm Irene damages in the Windham Region.
At the regional level, WRC created an inventory and map of homes and businesses that were destroyed, and an inventory and map of bridges and major culverts that were either destroyed or heavily damaged.
For the Whetstone Brook, Rock River, and Marlboro Branch, WRC created an inventory and series of maps documenting the locations of destroyed buildings, damaged and destroyed bridges and culverts, bank erosion, and flood channels.
A great deal of information was collected from hard-working town employees in the weeks and months following Tropical Storm Irene. That information formed the foundation for this mapping project. The mapping along the Whetstone Brook in Brattleboro is particularly detailed, thanks to data from Brattleboro's Planning Services and Public Works departments.
The maps can be viewed on WRC's website at www.windhamregional.org/gis. Comments on the maps are welcome as data are incomplete in some areas. Funding for this project was provided through Section 604(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act, administered by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources.
Girls sought for legislative internships
MONTPELIER - High-school age girls with an interest in government service and advocacy are invited to apply for Girls Rock the Capitol, a legislative internship led by Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains. No Girl Scout experience is needed.
This intensive program links girls to female legislators who act as mentors, while girls learn about and work on issues affecting the future of Vermont from inside the State House.
Through GRTC, girls become critical thinkers, work as a team to advocate for themselves and others, prepare for leadership roles in their schools and communities, and have a rich understanding of the Green Mountain State democratic process. To apply, contact Nicole Nolan at 888-474-9686, ext. 142, or [email protected]. Applications are due by Oct. 31.