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More than a newspaper

The Commons is the public face of a larger nonprofit organization, Vermont Independent Media, Inc.

We came to life from the ground up in 2004, as members of the community became increasingly concerned about the consequences of absent corporate ownership of the daily newspaper in town and the need for local people to have access to the skills to create their own grassroots media.

VIM came to life lovingly and carefully thanks to indefatigable volunteers. The first public programs of the Media Mentoring Project began in 2005, and the first issue of The Commons was published in 2006. The newspaper was published monthly until 2010, when we began a weekly schedule. We are published on Wednesdays 51 times a year.

Our mission

Recognizing that a vigorous exchange of ideas and information allows democracy to function and is the lifeblood of a community, Vermont Independent Media:

• creates a forum for community participation,

• promotes local independent journalism,

• fosters civic engagement by building media skills

through publication of The Commons and commonsnews.org, and through the Media Mentoring Project.

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We're at 139 Main St., Brattleboro, Vermont (the Hooker-Dunham Building).

Office #601A: Newsroom

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The Commons
P.O. Box 1212
Brattleboro, VT 05302

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Recent PDFs

These PDFs are built from the final files that were printed and represent an accurate facsimile of the issue’s content.

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We maintain files of a limited number of back issues in our office. Please email info@commonsnews.org, and we will make them available if we can.

Issue #515

Jun 19, 2019

Issue #514

Jun 12, 2019

Issue #513

Jun 05, 2019

Issue #512

May 29, 2019

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Search The Commons from 2010 to present

TODAY’S FEATURE/THE ARTS/INTERVIEW

Compassionate creativity everywhere

Kali Quinn’s artistic journey takes her from theater to an exploration of the creative spirit everywhere, from medical schools to a van on an 11,000-mile road trip to discover and nurture an artistic vision

BRATTLEBORO—Kali Quinn is a goldmine of creativity. Whether performing, teaching, mentoring, or facilitating, she brings her artistry and skills as a creative doula to so many different venues, including Sandglass Theater, New England Center for the Circus Arts, Brown University medical school, and Full Circle Festival, to name just a few.... Continue reading story

TODAY’S FEATURE/THE ARTS

Compassionate creativity everywhere

Kali Quinn’s artistic journey takes her from theater to an exploration of the creative spirit everywhere, from medical schools to a van on an 11,000-mile road trip to discover and nurture an artistic vision

BRATTLEBORO—Kali Quinn is a goldmine of creativity. Whether performing, teaching, mentoring, or facilitating, she brings her artistry and skills as a creative doula to so many different venues, including Sandglass Theater, New England Center for the Circus Arts, Brown University medical school, and Full Circle Festival, to name just a few.... Continue reading story

CALENDAR

CALENDAR

NEWS

WINDHAM

Windham released from full membership in WRED

District towns overwhelmingly approve Windham’s partial withdrawal from the West River Education District; July vote will determine town’s status for grades 7–12

BRATTLEBORO

District will seek funds to support diversity efforts

$100,000 would support students of color and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice

DUMMERSTON

Voters to consider $50.2m school budget for 2020

Windham Southeast School District board members explain new budget ahead of June 25 voice vote

• Agriculture census data shakes up Strolling’s Locavore Index : Vermont still on top; California jumps to second place

• Food available to children free this summer

• A showery, stormy, and windy late week will lead to a sunny weekend

Browse News stories through the archives

TOWN & VILLAGE

• Wilmington charity named finalist for Red Sox Foundation awards

• Around the Towns

• ‘Brattleboro on Wheels’ rolls into Retreat Farm on June 29

• Students, volunteers plant trees for Saxtons River floodplain protection

• Workshop to focus on preserving historic woodwork, antique furniture, wooden heirlooms

Browse Town & Village stories through the archives

MILESTONES

• Milestones

Browse Milestones stories through the archives

SPORTS

• Post 5 off to good start as Legion baseball season begins

Browse Sports stories through the archives

VOICES

BRATTLEBORO

For downtown retailers, things are bad right now

Customers who are uncomfortable, scared, or frustrated with their experience are in no hurry to return. Those of us who submitted the recent letter can’t stay in business without a community effort to address these issues. VIEWPOINT by Vicki Gohl

WILLIAMSVILLE

We can consume food with an eye toward a changing climate

We don’t live in a perfect world, but it’s the only one we’ve got. Let’s change our cooking and eating habits accordingly. COLUMN by Deborah Lee Luskin

VIEWPOINT • Sweetness and light — and well-executed disruption: The protest at the Stroll loudly and clearly focused attention on our need to change our way of life radically and quickly. What better place to raise awareness about sustainability?

VIEWPOINT • Adult climate activists in the parade cheer for the kids: ‘We are fortunate that we have the choice to attend or participate in a parade. But in a few short years, thousands of people around the globe will live with long periods of heat, thirst, and discomfort as unavoidable facts of daily life.’

LETTERS FROM READERS • Strolling right by the Farmers’ Market

LETTERS FROM READERS • Shameful imprisonment of children must end

LETTERS FROM READERS • Individual respect is deserved

LETTERS FROM READERS • Co-op furthers a community-wide initiative against addiction, poverty

LETTERS FROM READERS • ‘Where do I sign up?’

Browse Voices stories through the archives

ARTS

• The End of America, Izzy Heltai to perform at Stage 33 Live

• Modern Times Theater sends puppets into space

• ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ comes to Great River Festival

• Write Action presents annual contest

• Consider the cephalopod: Windham Southeast launches ‘Let’s Read 2019’

• Six new exhibits open at BMAC on June 22: Works will include beach scenes, activist photography, and immersive installations

• Renovation will reinvent Keene theater: Two-year project will create the Colonial Performing Arts Center

• Brattleboro Music Center, Retreat Farm launch new summer concert series

• ‘Concerts on the Green’ series begins June 23

• Stone Church Arts presents ‘They,’ with Oliver Esposito and AC Muench

• A public investment with a good return: Working group is formed to guide development of $15,000 Town Arts Fund

• ‘Paris to Pittsburgh’ to be shown at All Souls Church

Browse Arts stories through the archives

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