Pop-up testing for coronavirus available in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - The Vermont Department of Health recommends testing for people who have symptoms of COVID-19, have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period) with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus, or have recently attended an event with people who are not in their usual social circle.
COVID-19 symptoms can include fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, fatigue, muscle pain or aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
The Health Department has scheduled “pop-up” test sites in Brattleboro. Register to get an account at vermont.force.com/events/s/selfregistration, use information in a reply email to confirm your account (check your spam folder if you don't see the email), log in with the patient ID you are issued, and then set up an appointment.
Testing will take place on Wednesdays, Nov. 18 and 25, at the Brattleboro Health District Office (232 Main St., next to the Municipal Center) and on Wednesday, Nov. 18, Thursday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 20 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 17 Belmont Ave.
For additional COVID-19 health information, guidance, and case data, visit healthvermont.gov/covid19.
Brattleboro winter parking rules now in effect
BRATTLEBORO - The Parking Department notes that the municipal winter parking ban has been in effect since Nov. 15.
• Overnight parking is forbidden on all streets in the town. 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.
• The town's flashing light system and sign-board program alerts citizens when plowing will take place.
A flashing amber light designates the need to remove snow from parking lots. A flashing purple light designates the need to remove snow from the streets. Snow removal starts at 11 p.m. The Department of Public Works will also place sign boards around town with notification of pending snow removals.
• During snowstorms, vehicles must be parked under cover in the Transportation Center. If parking is not available in the garage, overflow parking is allowed in the Preston Lot. Vehicles must leave the Preston Lot by 8 a.m. to allow for plowing.
• Vehicles may be towed at any time if they are hampering snow plowing or snow removal.
The winter parking ban will will remain in effect until April 15, 2021.
Community discussion planned on immigration, policing in Windham County
BRATTLEBORO - The Windham County No Más Polimigra campaign and the Community Asylum Seekers Project will host an online event on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to address the role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in local communities and how it affects the lives of everyone.
Short clips from the documentary Immigration Nation will be screened, followed by a talk by a Vermont farmworker from Migrant Justice and a discussion.
Participants will learn about the No Más Polimigra campaign, which is seeking changes in policies that will block police departments from serving as de facto immigration agents.
Registering with a name and email address is required to receive the online link and dial-in information. To register, visit bit.ly/588_ice.
The Community Asylum Seekers Project, based in Brattleboro, provides basic needs and a supportive community for those in the process of seeking asylum in the United States.
Migrant Justice is a Vermont-based organization whose mission is to build the voice, capacity, and power of the farm-worker community and engage community partners to organize for economic justice and human rights.
Guilford Church plans drive-thru homemade pie sale
GUILFORD - A fall tradition, a homemade pie sale - this time with COVID-safe precautions - will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the parking lot of Guilford Community Church at 38 Church Dr.
Church volunteers will bake apple, raspberry, pecan, pumpkin, and specialty pies to sell to customers, who will remain in their cars.
A church volunteer, dressed in mask and gloves, will come to car windows to take orders, deliver pies, and collect payment of cash, check, or credit card.
To speed your purchase, you may reserve your pie(s) and pay ahead with a credit card by calling Patty Meyers anytime at 802-257-0994.
All proceeds benefit the church, which actively supports more than 15 local programs that serve the community, including Groundworks and The Root Social Justice Center.
Putney free produce distribution moved to Nov. 30
PUTNEY - The Vermont Foodbank and the Putney Foodshelf's monthly food drop of free produce and some non-perishables will take place Monday, Nov. 30, from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., on Carol Brown Way (in front of Putney Meadows, the white building across from the Putney Co-op and Putney Fire Station).
The change in schedule is because of Thanksgiving.
All are welcome. Because of COVID-19, the distribution is drive-up service. Bags will be provided.
Second round of grants available for micro businesses
WESTMINSTER - Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) has announced a second round of available grants to distribute through its Economic Micro Business Recovery Assistance for the COVID-19 Epidemic program (EMBRACE).
The Vermont Legislature's Joint Fiscal Committee has allocated an additional $1 million in CARES Act funds to be distributed through the state's five community action agencies' micro-business programs before the end of the year.
Through the program, qualifying small businesses can apply for grants of between $2,500 and $5,000. Grants can be used to pay for a variety of purposes, including rent and websites.
SEVCA distributed more than $144,000 to 31 businesses in their first round of funding earlier this fall.
“I think it's terrific that we've been so successful at helping very small business, micro business, many of whom are so small they really aren't eligible for any of the federal programs,” said Denise Mason, director of economic development at SEVCA, in a news release.
To determine eligibility and apply for EMBRACE funding, visit mbdp.org. Questions may be directed to Mason at [email protected].