Around the Towns

Brattleboro winter parking ban in effect

BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Parking Department reminds everyone that the winter parking ban is in effect. Overnight parking is forbidden on all streets in the town of Brattleboro. Vehicles parked for longer than one hour between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., may be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense.

This ban is in effect even if there is no snow on town streets. Brattleboro has a flashing light system and a signboard program in place to assist citizens in knowing when plowing will be done.

A flashing amber light designates the need to remove snow from off-street lots. A flashing purple light designates the need to remove snow from the streets. Snow removal starts at 11 p.m.

During snowstorms, vehicles must be parked under cover in the Transportation Center. Also, DPW will place sign boards around town with notification of pending snow removals.

Vehicles may be towed at any time if they are hampering snow plowing or snow removal. The parking ban will remain in effect until April 15, 2020.

Warming Shelter hosts open house

WESTMINSTER - Greater Falls Warming Shelter will hold an open house at its new facility Saturday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The shelter is located at 7752 U.S. Route 5 in Westminster, between Golden Cross and J&W Auto.

The public is invited to stop in for coffee and doughnuts and a tour of the new location that can serve 10 men and women who are experiencing homelessness for a variety of reasons.

The mission of the GFWS is to provide a safe, warm, overnight shelter during the winter months for those in need. The shelter opened Nov. 15 and will remain open until April 15.

Create-A-Card workshop at Pratt Library

WEST DUMMERSTON - Lydia Taft Pratt Library is sponsoring a Holiday Create-A-Card Workshop at the Dummerston Community Center, 150 West St., on Saturday, Nov. 23, noon to 1 p.m.

Join scrap-booker Cindy Crawford to create your masterpiece. The workshop is free, although donations are appreciated to benefit the children's book collection and defray the cost of materials. Bring your own scissors.

All ages are welcome, but space is limited. To register, call Cindy at 802-579-6262.

Miscast Cabaret at Main Street Arts

SAXTONS RIVER - Main Street Arts brings musical theater to the stage with a twist in the Miscast Cabaret on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 7:30 p.m.

Some of the community art center's most talented vocalists will tackle show tunes usually performed by the opposite gender for an unforgettable evening of entertainment in an informal cabaret setting.

Performers recently seen in MSA's musical productions of The Secret Garden, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, H.M.S. Pinafore and Hedwig and the Angry Inch will perform songs they love but happen to be written for characters they may never have a chance to play.

“The surprising beauty of Miscast Cabarets has made them hugely popular around the country, and we are excited to start this new tradition at MSA,” MSA Director Heather Geoffrey said in a news release.

Tickets are $15 and are available by calling MSA at 802-869-2960 or online at www.mainstreetarts.org.

New hours at Wardsboro Public Library

WARDSBORO - The Wardsboro Public Library is changing the library hours to better serve their patrons. Beginning Dec. 1, the library will be open on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wardsboro Public Library, located at 170 Main St., is a free library for Wardsboro, Stratton, and the connected towns. Its collection includes large print books, graphic novels, audio books, DVDs, and periodicals.

It offers high-speed internet, programming for adults and children, an adult book club, story and craft time, art shows featuring local artists, passes to borrow, interlibrary loan services, Recorded Books digital audio books, and e-books. Updates each month can be found at wardboropubliclibrary.org.

To learn more: 802-896-6988 or [email protected].

Rec presents Rape Aggression Defense classes

BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department and Brattleboro Police will co-sponsor two more sessions of R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) classes led by Brattleboro Police Officer Amy Fletcher.

Classes will run from 5 to 8 p.m. and will be broken down as follows: Session 2: Tuesday nights, Dec. 3, 10, and 17, and Session 3: Wednesday nights, Feb. 5, 12, and 19. These classes will take place at the Senior Center, in the lower level of the Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St.

The cost is $35 a session (three nights) for Brattleboro residents and $60 for nonresidents. Space is limited; sign up early to reserve your spot. The registration fee is nonrefundable, and the class is for those 18 and older.

Organizers ask that participants with special needs please let them know at least five days in advance. For all programs and events, visit www.brattleboro.org, find them on Facebook, or call 802-254-5808.

West River Radio Club to hold testing session

TOWNSHEND - The West River Radio Club will offer an FCC licensing and ARRL certification testing session for all levels and upgrades on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m., at the Heins Building of Grace Cottage Hospital, 133 Grafton Road (Route 35), Townshend.

Bring two forms of identification (one picture), any prior radio license, a pencil, a calculator, and $15 cash or check.

All are invited to stay for the monthly meeting and pot luck luncheon at noon. Kindly RSVP to Mary Peterson at [email protected] or 802-258-3921.

Red Cross seeks blood donors

RUTLAND - The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to be the lifeline for patients in need this holiday season by making an appointment to give blood or platelets.

While helping to save lives is likely motivation enough, those who come out to give between now and Dec. 18 will also receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane.

Local blood drives will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, from noon to 5 p.m., at the United Church of Bellows Falls, 8 School St., and Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, 54 Chickering Drive, Brattleboro.

To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-733-2767.

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