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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.

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

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

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Issue #528

Sep 18, 2019

Issue #527

Sep 11, 2019

Issue #526

Sep 04, 2019

Issue #525

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TODAY’S FEATURE/THE ARTS

‘Making a movie is like throwing a party: you just see who shows up’

Vermont filmmaker Jay Craven to talk about getting the most of a small budget at Next Stage’s Framed series

PUTNEY—Next Stage presents Jay Craven’s 2016 seaside drama film, Peter and John, as part of its Framed hosted film series, on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019 at 7 p.m.

Based on the 19th century novel Pierre et Jean by Guy de Maupassant, Peter and John tells the story of two brothers whose relationship strains when the younger one receives news of an unexpected inheritance, a dire situation compounded when they both fall for the same woman.... Continue reading story

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TODAY’S FEATURE/THE ARTS

‘Making a movie is like throwing a party: you just see who shows up’

Vermont filmmaker Jay Craven to talk about getting the most of a small budget at Next Stage’s Framed series

PUTNEY—Next Stage presents Jay Craven’s 2016 seaside drama film, Peter and John, as part of its Framed hosted film series, on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019 at 7 p.m.

Based on the 19th century novel Pierre et Jean by Guy de Maupassant, Peter and John tells the story of two brothers whose relationship strains when the younger one receives news of an unexpected inheritance, a dire situation compounded when they both fall for the same woman.... Continue reading story

CALENDAR

CALENDAR

NEWS

BRATTLEBORO

Behind the music

A professional archivist lends a hand to organize a time capsule of records that document thousands of organs built at the Estey Organ Company

MARLBORO

Marlboro College looks ahead after merger talks fail

College will resume quest for a new academic partner for a sustainable future, yet one that will protect a small school’s campus, values, and legacy, president says

BRATTLEBORO

NRC gets an earful about citizens’ panels

At the behest of Congress, the federal agency is determining best practices for advisory panels, which are intended to give stakeholders a voice during the decommissioning of nuclear power plants

• First frost possible Thursday morning; warming trend to follow

• NEC, Northstar form citizens’ panel to monitor decommissioning of VY

Browse News stories through the archives

TOWN & VILLAGE

• Game of Logging women’s workshop offered in Putney

• Windham County Democrats caucus to reorganize town committees

• Vermont Center for Photography offers photo instruction for people in recovery

• Around the Towns

• Walk for Animals fundraiser benefits Humane Society

• Substance-use group to announce actions to address opioid crisis

• BMAC presents annual Domino Toppling Extravaganza

• Putney Foodshelf hosts annual Top the Truck food drive

Browse Town & Village stories through the archives

MILESTONES

• Milestones

Browse Milestones stories through the archives

SPORTS

Terrier girls off to a fast start in cross-country

By Randolph T. Holhut

Browse Sports stories through the archives

VOICES

WILMINGTON

Climate change: much worse than we’re being told

LETTERS FROM READERS by James Morris Hicks

OPEN LETTER • Student climate activists deserve support from their schools: ‘Our schools should be giving them the tools to demand change so that they can do more than simply cling to survival in a world destroyed by those of us too shortsighted to demand change ourselves’

VIEWPOINT • Our global emergency: We can make the monumental changes and investments necessary to address climate change. To do otherwise would be inane and suicidal.

VIEWPOINT • If Biden is the Democratic nominee, we’re in for a Trump trouncing: There’s a reason the former vice president has lost two previous bids for his party’s nomination — he ain’t no messiah. He’s a corporate Democrat who has a record that is very long and checkered, as well as a reputation as a bumbler.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE • We must protect nutrition assistance for families: Trump administration hands down a shameful new rule that could deny more than half a million needy students free school meals — more than 4,500 of them from Vt.

LETTERS FROM READERS • Country must face genocides on which it is built

LETTERS FROM READERS • Will and intention of the majority shall be served

LETTERS FROM READERS • All art comes from the hand, mind, and heart of a human being

LETTERS FROM READERS • Guilford Democrats plan caucus

LETTERS FROM READERS • Employers need to hire qualified people with disabilities

LETTERS FROM READERS • Join us for climate strike

Browse Voices stories through the archives

ARTS

PUTNEY

‘Making a movie is like throwing a party: you just see who shows up’

Vermont filmmaker Jay Craven to talk about getting the most of a small budget at Next Stage’s Framed series

• Marlboro College presents Ensemble Pamplemousse

• Sarasa presents ‘Music for 3 Cellos’

• Yellow Barn opens residency season with Omer, Argus string quartets

• Museum to host panel on history of LGBTQ activism in Vermont

• St. Mary's in the Mountains offers sweet conclusion to Wine & Soup Stroll

• Youth Rock Festival returns on Sept. 28

• Classical guitar is the star at FOMAG fall concert

Browse Arts stories through the archives

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