The Bridge, February 2, 2012

Connecting Montpelier and nearby communities since 1993 | FEBRUARY 215, 2012
IN THIS ISSUE
PARTY LIKE ITS 2010 Health care and Vermont Yankee at the State House
5
PART OF THE CITY No separate ballot item for the senior center this year
Who Pays for Montpelier?

A Look at The Proposed Local Option Taxes
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S, OM & R O LS EA L M HO CO AL TAX
G E DO E N S C E LI F E
ES SAL TAX
L IA T Y OC R I S U X C S E TA
NT MO VER OM E INC AX T
CI T Y P R O P E RT Y TAX
L RA E DE M F E CO X I N TA
7
UNMASKING THE BANDIT New gift shop honors Valentine phantom
L CA ON LO T I E S P L X S A TA
10
MOZART & FOUR SHOWS Winterfest and the latest from Capital City Concerts
G AS TAX
11
NO MORE TAXES Two opinions on why we dont need the option taxes
by Bob Nuner
15
Cover illustration by Wayne Burke; lettering added by Bridge staff.
y a vote of four to two, Montpeliers city council has proposed two new local option taxes: A local sales tax that adds 1 percent to Vermonts existing 6 percent sales tax and a rooms, meals and alcohol tax that adds 1 percent to an existing 9 percent Vermont rooms and meals tax and 1 percent to the existing 10 percent alcoholic drinks tax.
HEALTH & WELLNESS!

Coming up in The Bridge: Our February 16 paper will be a special issue on health and wellness. To advertise, call Carolyn or Carl at 223-5112, ext.11, or e-mail carolyn@montpelierbridge.com or carl@montpelierbridge.com. Deadline: Friday, February 10. The Bridge P.O. Box 1143 Montpelier, VT 05601
Why Option Tax? A primary driver of the two taxes, said Mayor Mary Hooper, is a gradual change in Montpeliers tax burden distribution from roughly 53 percent residential 25 years ago to about 66 percent residential now. If Montpelier adopts both taxes, it would join 10 municipalities already having a local sales tax and 13 having a local rooms and meals tax. Local option taxes are seen as a way to take some of the burden off residential property taxpayers. She referred to an eight-year-old economic study that described a city of 8,000 providing services for 20,000 on weekdays. These arent all office workers, doctors appointments or retail shoppers, but a combination of them and people passing through. Mindful of the relative responsibility that Montpelier taxpayers bear, Hooper said, the city council sought budget savings, but public discussion yielded no consensus on what to cut, and the council was left with a burden of full services for police, fire and public works. The city, in Hoopers view, had worked really hard to hold down expenses, but weve reached the inflexion point. Were thereat the point when other solutions must be found, given no consensus on cuts. Asked if the city could cut noncore services, the community said No, so thats brought us to local options. Nobody knows for sure, but the total revenue from the proposed local option taxes has been estimated at $950,000. The state would receive $285,000 of that, netting Montpelier $665,000, plus a increased payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT), yielding roughly $700,000. (The PILOT program is funded by local option taxes across the state; funds are divided
among towns based on the total insured value of state property in each town.) It is Hoopers understanding that approximately half the revenue would come from retail sales taxes and roughly half from other transactions, including business purchases by firms like National Life and others. Hooper emphasized her longtime interest in the health of downtown businesses: I dont want to do anything that will hurt downtown businesses, she says. She noted that the sales-tax discussion had provided opportunity to advise commercial real-estate holders that their residential spaces are exempt from fuel sales taxes. Hooper said recent council budgets have consistently held increases below the rate of inflation. Robert Gross, Montpelier resident and formerly of the Vermont State Tax Department, supports both taxes, seeing them as a way for Montpelier to share the burden with nonresidents who enjoy city services. He says, I favor it because I would like to see those people who are visiting those businesses from outside of town pay for those services. Our city has to spend a lot of extra money providing services. The city is spending a lot more than it would for its 7,600 residents. Basically, the city is supporting a population much greater than its residential population, and the residents are paying for those services. Gross also notes that Burlington, in addition to having a 1 percent sales tax and a 2 percent rooms and meals tax, values commercial properties at 120 percent of fair market value, recognizing the extra burden commercial properties place on the city. see LOCAL OPTION TAX, page 4
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STREET
K
Library Shakeup
ellogg-Hubbard Library Executive Director Daniel Pudvah has resigned, reportedly to take a job elsewhere. As of the writing of this column, no details were available, but a formal announcement is expected later in the week. Also resigning, however, is Library Director Robin Sales, who recently returned from maternity leave. She is rumored to have had some conflicts with the library board over planned personnel restructuring, although she could not be reached before press time. Library employees are unionized under the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
HEARD ON THE
ot even February yet and the yard is full of robins! Ive never before seen more than 12 or 15 overwintering robins at a time, in all the winters Ive lived here. But this year, many more than that are feeding, with a few cedar waxwings, on the huge crop of wild apples still on the trees. On these many days above freezing they can peck down to the seeds, which is what they appear to be after. Thirty robins in the apples at the back of the yard and another 30 just inside the woods, on the ground under the softwoods. Are they picking up the many fallen winged balsam seeds? On these good seed years, Im temped to pick up various fallen tree seeds and pop that rich wild flavor into my own mouth. Ash tastes green and is crumbly, but balsam is rich and filled with flavor. Nona Estrin
Nature Watch
Schy for Mayor?
ou may have heard the rumors that Gary Schy was prepared to take on former school board chair John Hollar for the Montpelier mayorship. According to hubbub, Schy found the notion that Hollar could run unopposed for such a key policy position distasteful. A quick call to his home confirmed that the rumors were true, and Schy had indeed opted to enter the fray. As of Monday, January 30, however, he has reconsidered his decision and has decided not to be a candidate. While not a certainty, this makes it likely that Hollars name will be the only one on the ballot.
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in Our Upcoming Issues!

February 16: Health & Wellness advertising deadline: Friday, February 10 March 1 (last issue before Town Meeting Day!) advertising deadline: Friday, February 24 March 15 advertising deadline: Friday, March 9 Call Carl or Carolyn at 223-5112, ext. 11
Coming To a Theater Near You
bout 100 people turned out for the central Vermont premier of the Vermont Workers Centerproduced film Strength of the Storm on Saturday, January 28, at Barres Old Labor Hall. The workers center and Vermont filmmaker Rob Koier presented the film, which, according to a press release, is the very first movie made about Tropical Storm Irenes affect on Vermont. Through interviews and heartbreaking footage of the storms damage, Strength of the Storm tells the story of Irenes impact on the lives of ordinary Vermonters. Subtitled a Film About Realizing That We Are in This Together, the film weaves together stories of economic inequality, climate disruption, personal transformation, and collective action into an inspiring vision of a more just, equitable, and livable Vermont. And if you missed the premier, fret not, as the movie is reportedly to be included as part of the upcoming 15 annual Green Mountain Film Festival, slated to take place March 16 to 25 in the capital city.
Sharing the Love
alentines Day is just around the corner, and theres no reason not to believe that the mysterious phantom (or is it phantoms?) wont strike again, peppering downtown Montpelier with letter-sized sheets of paper bearing a single red heart. The perennial phantom phenomenon is a generally popular one, and this time around the well-wishing will be reciprocated. Montpelier Alive will coordinate the creating and spreading of valentines to the phantom for February 14. During Artwalk, on February 10, Montpelier Alive will set up a table for grateful Montpelierites to craft their own messages to the mystery person or persons. After all, as Montpelier Alive Director Phayvanh Luekhamhan says, after all these years, the phantom deserves some love.
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Poets Aplenty
peaking of Montpelier Alive, Luekhamhan reports that over 100 submissions have been received for Montpeliers PoemCity event, cohosted with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library and underwritten with support from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. As in past years, poetry submissions will be on display around downtown, all as part of National Poetry Month. This year will include a State Housebased event featuring Vermont Poet Laureate Sydney Lea. Stay tuned and watch the windows.
As to the Scuttlebutt . . .
P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601 Phone: 802-223-5112 | Fax: 802-223-7852 montpelierbridge.com; facebook.com/montpelierbridge Published every first and third Thursday
Editor & Publisher: Nat Frothingham General Manager: Bob Nuner Production Manager: Marisa Keller News Editor: John Odum Sales Representatives: Carl Campbell, Carolyn Grodinsky, Rick McMahan Graphic Design & Layout: Dana Dwinell-Yardley Calendar Editor: Dana Dwinell-Yardley Bookkeeper: Kathryn Leith Distribution: Kevin Fair, Diana Koliander-Hart, Daniel Renfro Web Master: Michael Berry
n a personal noteyes, its true. As reported in the Times Argus and on vtdigger.com, I have decided to put my elections and database experience before Montpelier voters in a run for city clerk. If successful, I will be stepping down as news editor for The Bridge, meaning I will have only two more issues in this capacity. I will, however, continue my State House column, which is syndicated through The Bridge and runs in at least four papers around the state. Also, since Ill be busy making calls and knocking on doors on my own behalf, I wont be in a position (obviously) to provide any coverage of the city clerk race, so you wont be seeing any word on that ballot line in this column. all items by John Odum
Corrections
n Fuel for the Future? Listening in at a Biomass Conference, January 19, we incorrectly represented Sarah Galbraiths comparison of biomass to other fuel. Galbraith did not compare propane to wood chips but rather three pricings of green ton wood chips to oil: $30, $50 and $100 per ton, respectively, equivalent to $0.51, $0.86, or $1.70 per gallon of oil. In the same story, we said that Vermont schools use combined heat and power (CHP) biomass systems; in fact, the schools use heat-only systems. In addition, attendees to the conference numbered more than the 160 stated in the article. The Bridge regrets these errors.
Advertising: For information about advertising deadlines and rates, contact: 223-5112, ext. 11, carolynatthebridge@yahoo.com or ccampbell@montpelierbridge.com Editorial: Contact Marisa or Bob, 223-5112, ext. 14, or editorial@montpelierbridge.com. Location: The Bridge office is located at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, on the lower level of Schulmaier Hall. Subscriptions: You can receive The Bridge by mail for $50 a year. Make out your check to The Bridge, and mail to The Bridge, PO Box 1143, Montpelier VT 05601.
Copyright 2012 by The Montpelier Bridge

LOCAL OPTION TAX, from page 1 Who Stands to Lose? George Malek, of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, cautions that if the city uses sales taxes to reduce property taxes, property owners who itemize deductions will be unable to deduct those reductions from their income taxes, so the federal government will end up with the extra money. Malek says that Montpelier property-tax payers who itemize would lose an estimated 25 percent tax savings in federal tax deductions and a further cut of $150,000 in homeowner and renter rebates from the state. Terry Youk, owner of the Savoy Theater, proposes that, given the huge number of ballot items, Montpeliers electorate may be insufficiently informed to properly make decisions. The tax issue is complex, and he questions whether either side can realistically estimate how many purchases come from out-of-town visitors to determine the tax benefits. For the Savoy, the tax poses logistics and cost problems, he says. It would be clumsy to add 9 cents to a $9 ticket, but the market will resist a $10 ticket, the next round number up, so the Savoy would likely absorb the tax to keep sales manageable. Youk estimates that the 1 percent hed have to absorb, plus business-expenditure taxes on equipment and heat, will cost $3,000 to $5,000 a year. He asks: Would the city manager or employees negotiate reductions in their salaries or benefits to match losses businesses will likely face as a result of this tax? I am guessing likely not. Shoveling the problem onto the business community seems a desperate measure to me. Other options could use reexamination. Youk appreciates the work of the council, mayor and city manager: I believe people dont have a clue how hard it is to make a budget, and I appreciate their efforts, but to throw up our hands and add another tax on one of the highest-taxed communities in the state is a sign of desperation. . . . Individuals and businesses routinely have to reevaluate wants and needs . . . tighten purse strings and live within budgets, and it is no different for the city. Youk expects to take out advertisements to explain the taxs impact on businesses. Chris Graff, spokesperson for National Life Group, emphasizes the firms neutrality in the controversy, noted that in addition to the kinds of things we think of that would be taxable, like supplies and fuel, there are other things that are subject to sales tax, like software, hardware and telecom. Graff said, If we were to guesstimate, [the tax on National Life] would be about $175,000 a year, since the company purchases about 17.5 million dollars of taxable goods per year. Graff emphasized that National Life takes no position on the tax discussion. Its up to the city to figure out whats fair, he said. Montpelier Alive will host a forum on local option taxes, with supporters and opponents, on February 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Capital Plaza Hotel.
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What Gets Taxed?

Examples of how a local option sales tax would affect Montpelier: Sales-taxeligible purchases in Montpelier would require an additional 1 percent tax atop the existing 6 percent. Items affected: Those already taxedfor example, heating fuel for commercial nonresidential establishments, hardware, office supplies, tangible property (guitar, hammer, teakettle), etc. Items not affected: Those already exempt from taxclothing, nonprepared food, medicine, residential utilities and fuel. Normally taxed items purchased in Montpelier but delivered outside Montpelier wont pay additional tax. Taxable items purchased beyond Montpelier but delivered to Montpelier would pay another percent. Out-of-state taxable purchases shipped to Montpelier from sellers registered with the state will be subject to the additional tax, collected by those firms. Out-of-state firms like Amazon that have no agreement with the state do not collect Vermont sales tax; taxpayers are expected to self-report those purchases. Inventory purchased by Montpelier retailers for resale would be taxed only when sold, but fuel for their establishments, as well as purchased equipment, would be hit. Examples of how a local option rooms, meals and alcohol tax would affect Montpelier: Your summer creemee, already taxed at 9 percent by the states rooms and meals tax, would have an additional 1 percent garnish. A martini, already taxed at 10 percent, would taste an additional percent more expensive. Prepared foods at the supermarket taxed at 9 percent would cost an additional percent. A pizza delivered from Montpelier out of town would not be charged Montpeliers rooms and meals tax, but if the driver delivered pies en route somewhere in Montpelier, those pizzas would be charged an additional percent. Catering vans would add a percent in Montpelier, but not out of town. Bob Nuner
Here is the language for each tax to be voted on at Town Meeting Day: Article 10. Shall the city amend Title XII Section 2 of the city charter to allow for the assessment of a 1% local sales tax as per amendment language filed with the City Clerk on January 4, 2012? 20% of revenues received will be dedicated for business development and/or business promotion. 80% of all revenues received will be dedicated to offset property tax revenue. Article 11. Shall the city amend Title XII Section 2 of the city charter to allow for the assessment of 1% local rooms, meals and alcohol taxes as per amendment language filed with the City Clerk on January 4, 2012? 100% of revenues received will be dedicated for infrastructure improvements and maintenance.
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Capitol Notebook
STATE HOUSE NEWS & COMMENTARY
Montpelier Travels in Time to Whose Benefit?

by John Odum
his week in the State House, its largely business as usual inside the committee rooms, while in the halls and on the State House lawn, its 2010 all over again. This early in the legislative session, there isnt usually a lot of high-stakes drama. Mostly committee work, in which bills are being shaped into forms that the greater House or Senate can vote onor, in some cases, dying altogether. The former category includes bills focused on energyin particular the proposals to increase or expand net metering (the policy that allows for utility customers to offset some or all of their electricity costs with self-produced renewables, such as solar). One bill that would allow for a small expansion passed out of committee and was quickly voted on in the House chamber. In the latter categorybills that may not see the light of daywe find the bill alternatively dubbed death with dignity or physician-assisted suicide, generally depending on whether one is for or against it. Senator Dick Sears (D-Bennington) has suggested he may not bring the bill up in committee because he believes it doesnt have support to pass the whole Senate. This is a big statement from the Senate judiciary committee chair, given that he may still bring a pending marijuana decriminalization bill to the table. If he believes the dignity/suicide bill doesnt even rise to that bar, that says a lot. In the halls, however, much of the chatter focused on Federal District Court judge Gavin Murthas ruling that the Vermont legislature overstepped its bounds by denying the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant the right to keep producing energy beyond March. Its a topic that has consumed a lot of newspaper ink of late, and even provoked a demonstration on the State House lawn by the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, which led the efforts to have the facility closed. Meanwhile, the debate on whether or not the Shumlin administration should release cost estimates for its health-carereform plan before the November election continued to play out in the media. So, the election-year quiz of the day: what do you get when you add a debate over the future of Vermont Yankee with a debate over the merits of universal health coverage? Answer: you get 2010. And we all remember how 2010 went in both the gubernatorial and legislative races. The fact is that the early electoral playing field is not looking kind to Republicans,
and one wonders whether their leaders have noticed. Consider: to make health care work in their favor, the GOP needs cost projections. They need a tangible bill with which to induce sticker shock on the electorate. As a principle, one could argue that the voters already made their views known in electing Shumlin over Dubie, but as soon as firm numbers hit the table, it will be possible to get many of those voters to think twice. But the reality is that its going to be very difficult to force Shumlin to produce those numbers before hes readyand he wont be ready before November. To make Vermont Yankee work in their favor, Republicans need it as an inactive issue. As history. In this way, they can mobilize their electoral base with a look at what Shumlin hath wrought, without having to face a mobilized Democratic base. With the fate of the plant back on the table, the antiYankee machine is already reawakening, and that tips the scales back into Shumlins favor. Keeping Yankee front and center through November will not be hard. The Public Service Board will rule soon, and even if they rule in Entergys favor, there will be the opportunity for an appeal of the Murtha decision, which could drag out for some time. Beyond that, there may be other legal arguments to be madeincluding whether the leaking of radioactive tritium presents an opportunity for opponents under the legal designation of Vermonts groundwater as a public trust. Both of these thingshealth care (without the specifics) and Vermont Yankee uncertaintymean that Shumlin can run exactly the same race as last time. A race he won. And thats even before you take into account his numerous other advantages in 2012 as compared to 2010: hes the incumbent governor, its a presidential election year (increasing Democratic turnout), he has earned universal praise on his handling of the Irene aftermath, and his presumed Republican opponent (Franklin County senator Randy Brock) is not as broadly known and liked as his previous opponent, former lieutenant governor Brian Dubie. If the GOP is to have a chance at retaking the governors office, theyll need to find a way to fight the battle on their termsand while the State House is still buzzing with legislative activity. As of now, its shaping up to be a Democratic perfect storm. John Odum is the news editor of The Bridge and a longtime political blogger and online journalist. He lives in Montpelier.
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Senior Center Part of City Budget This Year

by John Odum
s part of the response to the calls for greater austerity in the city budget, Montpelier officials opted to put many expenditures that had their genesis as specific ballot items back onto the 2012 town meeting ballot in an attempt to give citizens more control over what the city is spending its resources on. One item that has struck some as conspicuously absent is the budget for the Montpelier Senior Activity Center. Until a few years ago, the senior center was an annual feature on town meeting ballots, and some citizens have wondered whyif other city expenditures that had previous incarnations on the ballot were making a return appearance, why not the senior center? The answer to that question involves a review of recent city history, and also leads to criticism of the center from some Montpelier citizens. Until recently, the senior center was run under the auspices of the school system. Since it wasnt part of the schools, this was seen by the city council as an odd fit. After inviting input from the public, the city took over the operation of the center. The city has since removed it from the ballot and included it in the overall city budget request. We talked about it and we said, You know, this is a department of the city, just like the fire department or the police department, City Manager Bill Fraser recalled. It is also different than the recreation department, which is required by the citys charter to be voted on separately. The senior center total budget this year is $274,262, which is up just under $500 from last year. Last year, the center asked for a tax
appropriation of $125,707. For this year, the request is $116,372a 7.4 percent decrease. The center has also been undergoing renovations. While the challenges of upgrading an old building that has sustained fire damage have required budgetary flexibility, Fraser indicated that they are still on track to be within budget. [We are] still within our budget, and we dont see that we will not get there, he said. Criticism of the Regional Model But while the books are in order, some in the city question whether the senior centers operational model is a fundamentally poor fit for a city of 8,000. Montpelier resident Richard Sheir, who has been vocal in his objections, explains it needs [to be operated under] the same philosophy as having joint fire agreements. Its that question of accepting a regional role for our [city] government without those other communities ever being asked to seriously step up the plate [and cover their share]. Beverlee Pembroke Hill, who oversees the senior center in her capacity as assistant city manager, explained how the city captures money from nonresidents to support the center. We provide a class. And if there are any slots open after our people sign up, then outof-town members can sign up for them. When out-of-town participants sign up for a class, participate in a trip or take part in any center activity, they are required to pay a base membership fee. Now, the Barre Senior, the Waterbury Senior, the Randolph Senior [Centers] dont require that; they allow us to go on trips without being members of their group.
Budget
Hill continued, The biggest percentage of nonresidents come from Barre City and Barre Town . . . [almost all of them] joined in order to participate in our bowling league, and they pay the full cost of what we pay to have them play with us. In other words, we dont subsidize them at alland they have to pay a membership fee even if they dont do anything else with the organization. In addition, Hill noted that nonresident members petition their own town meetings for town contributions for the service. Berlin gives $500. East Montpelier I think gives around $300. Middlesex gives $199now Middlesex might have seven people [participating in center activities]. For Sheir, however, these numbers miss the point. When were asked to put $119,000 down, why even bother to ask for $2,500 or $3,000? Thats an insult to everyone who owns property in Montpelier, he said. As of December 14, 2011, Montpelier residents made up 64 percent of the senior centers membership (352 residents). This is an increase in percentage over the 20102011 fiscal years 60.8 percent, although at this point that figure reflects a drop from 380 Montpelier members. Hill indicated that the city does expect membership to increase in response to the renovations. The new space will allow more programs to be offered, and we hope to be able to offer more community meals. Seniors love the socialization. Their meal event last Saturday night in St. Augustines Church basement to raise money for their capital campaign sold out and most of the people there were senior [center] members already or considering it. Sheir, while recognizing the benefits offered by the center, explained his objection to the model with a comparison. We have a cooperative football team. Same principle. In order for programs to be offered like football, you have to bring in
other schools to bring in participants. . . . -Were asking for $5,000 from each of the districts. Were asking for their proportionate share. Were not saying to the boys, hey come in with $10. . . . Were saying Heres what the aggregate cost of the program is. Heres your percent and heres what were expecting in order for meaningful participation from your residents. Sheir further believes that a reorientation of the centers programs might make it sustainable without such contributions. If . . . they offered a good deal of their programs at night when people who work over the age of 55 could show, then theyd have more than enough Montpelier people to populate their programs. As Fraser sees it, however, the center is a fundamental service of the city and should therefore be approached differently. Whos walking down the sidewalkwhat percentage of residents and nonresidents? Hubbard Parkthe city maintains it. Do we know how many residents are hiking versus nonresidents? Its open to all. Fraser describes the crucial need to have nonresidents participate to help fund a greater array of programs, but he recognizes that there will always be fundamental differences of opinion on what services are fundamental city responsibilities. Different people have different perspectives on whether its a good deal or not, Fraser notes. Sheir would not be likely to argue that point. He says Montpelier residents should vote down the budget and every item on the ballot. We need as a city to take this seriously, he says. He adds, Its symptomatic of an expansive city government that knows no ends . . . no other town is doing this kind of substantive regional subsidy and, consequently, no other town has near the tax rate we have.
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150 Years of Land Grant: The Accomplishments of Senator Justin Morrill

by Roger Allbee
his year is the 150th anniversary of the passage and signing by President Abraham Lincoln of the historic Land Grant Act in 1862. It was this act for which Justin Morrill is best remembered. But like many things, there is more to this story. Morrill was a very humble man from very meager beginnings. He was born in Strafford, Vermont, a small village near the Connecticut River, one of 10 children, in 1810, 10 years after the death of George Washington. Both his father and grandfather were blacksmiths. Due to family demands, Justin was unable to secure a college education, as he wanted. He was well educated nevertheless, collecting and reading many books in his spare time. He subscribed to a circulating library, learned Latin and read Blackstones commentaries on the laws of England as well as other standard and classical authors. Local commerce was his business, and he was very successful at it. He worked in and eventually became a partner in the local village store, then the center of commerce in the area. Successful in this and other local business ventures, he retired early, at the age of 38, to his farm on the edge of the Strafford village to pursue interests in architecture and horticulture, two of his passions. During this time he designed and had built a gothic house of the kind popular in the 1840s and 1850s. He also planted, for trials, many different plants from Europe and Asia. His retirement, however, would be short lived. In 1854 he was narrowly elected as a Whig to Congress from the state of Vermont at a time of great civil strife in this country. As part of his platform, he pledged to oppose slavery. Before taking his seat, however, he became a Republican and an early supporter of Lincoln. His passion was for education, and he became a leader and proponent for higher education for all. It was not a new idea, as the concept had been proposed by others, including Captain Alden Partridge, the founder of Norwich University, who argued for a national system of higher education covering farming, engineering and business that would be financed through the sale of public lands. Others, such as Illinois college professor Jonathan Baldwin Turner, had proposed similar ideas. It was Morrill, however, whose passion and remarkable skills of persuasion resulted in the passage of the Land Grant Act. He convinced Lincoln to sign this law at a time of great division in the United States. It was a historic act, as up until this time higher education was largely reserved for those of means and mainly white men interested in theology, medicine or law. Only 3 percent of the 397 colleges that existed at that time had either departments of science or agriculture. In the 1860s, when the law was passed, 80 percent of Americans lived in rural areas and some 60 percent were farmers. In 1860 one farmer fed five people, whereas today one farmer feeds 140. The Morrill Land Grant Act (sometimes referred to as the Agricultural College Act) of 1862 has had a great influence on this transformation. Today, 150 years later, there are 105 landgrant institutions in the United States. Since 1862 these institutions have granted 20 million degrees. They now enroll approximately
Amy Sholk as Ruth Morrill and Curt Albee as Justin Morrill rehearse for a February 8 Farmers Night event. Photo courtesy Vermont Historical Society. three million students annually. These public institutions of higher learning are dedicated to the mission established in the 1862 act, a liberal and practical education in the various pursuits and professions of life for the masses. Vermonts land grant became the University of Vermont, although one of the first proposals enabled by the state legislature was to combine UVM, Norwich and Middlebury into one land-grant institution. Each landgrant college was financed through the sale of federal public lands, or through the sale of scripts in those states like Vermont where such lands were not available. If you are interested in learning more about this Vermont statesman whose life spanned most of the 19th century, attend the Farmers Night event at the State House on February 8. You will see a play based upon his life and times. You will learn too about his many other accomplishments. These include the Tariff Act that financed the Civil War, the beautification of Washington, D.C., with the building of the Library of Congress, the building of the Washington Monument, the creation of Statuary Hall in the Capitol, the fresco paintings there by Costantino Brumidi (known as the Michelangelo of his time). When he died in 1899 after serving in Congress for 44 years (32 as senator), many national and state leaders turned out to pay tribute to this remarkable Vermonter on the return of his remains to Strafford, the town he loved. Strafford was, he said, a town where even the stars, the planets and the moon seem to shine more brightly than elsewhere. Roger Allbee is former Vermont secretary of agriculture, food and markets.
Essay
TELL THEM YOU SAW IT IN THE BRIDGE!
T H E BR I D GE C A L E N DA R O F E V E N T S
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Upcoming Events
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Name That Movie!
Try to come up with the titles of movies by watching a fun barrage of short clips. Its Happy Hour in the dark! Free popcorn, drink specials and prizes. 5 p.m. The CineClub (downstairs at the Savoy Theater), Montpelier. $2.50. 229-0598. Event happens every rst Friday.
Shape-Note Singing School
Ian Smiley leads tunes from The Sacred Harp. All welcome; no experience necessary. 68 p.m. Tulsi Tea Room, 34 Main Street, Montpelier. By donation. Ian, 229-4008 or vtshapenotesingers@gmail.com. Event happens every rst and third Saturday.
Espresso Brain-O
Its trivia night! Use your quick thinking to answer 20 questions. Beer, wine, small plates and caf treats available for purchase during the game. Eat, drink and think. 7 p.m. Espresso Bueno, Barre. $5 per team. 479-0896 or playtrivia@gmail.com.
Voices Across the Valley Concert
Lecture on Contemporary Art: Luis Camnitzer
Several local musicians present an evening of song with proceeds to benet the Waitseld Church and Mad River Valley Interfaith Council, including the local food shelf. 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m. Waitseld United Church. $10 suggested donation. 498-8545.
Camnitzer is professor emeritus of art at the State University of New York; his work is in the collections of more than 30 museums. Part of the masters in visual art residency at VCFA. 7 p.m. Noble Lounge, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier. Free. 828-8613.
Contra Dance
Full-Moon Snowshoe Hike
All dances taught; no partner necessary. All ages welcome. Bring soft-soled shoes. 811 p.m. Capital City Grange, 6612 Route 12 (Northeld Street), Berlin. $8. 744-6163. Event happens every rst, third and fth Saturday.
Explore Montpeliers hillsides at night with nature center sta. Snowshoes and hot chocolate provided. 78:30 p.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm Street, Montpelier. $3 members, $5 nonmembers. 229-6206.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Contact Improv Class for Beginners
With Abbi Jae. Learn to cultivate your awareness and listening skills, nd ease in your movements and safely move with other people. Accessible to all levels of skill and mobility. 1011 a.m. class; 11noon open jam. $5$10 sliding scale class and jam, $3$5 jam only. Contemporary Dance and Fitness Studio, 18 Langdon Street (third oor), Montpelier. 318-3927.
Coeehouse
Featuring Bill Carroll and his daughter. Fellowship, potluck snacks and beverages. 79 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, 137 Main Street, Montpelier (park and enter at rear). Free. Dick, 244-5191, 472-8297 or rawilburjr@comcast.net. Event happens every rst Friday.
House Concert with Lewis Franco and Dono Schabner
Nonviolent Direct Action Training
Mostly original swing, vocal harmonies and jazzy guitars. 7:30 p.m.; preconcert potluck at 6 p.m. Montpelier. $10 suggested donation. Contact Susan, 2291403 or hendrixddle@gmail.com, for reservations and directions.
Interactive training in the tactics, strategies, theory and principles of nonviolent direct action, focusing on building eective skills to use in the current struggle to close Vermont Yankee. 10 a.m.6 p.m. Plaineld Community Center (above the co-op). Free, but preregistration required. Register with Erik at 454-1979 or yingcyclecircus@hotmail.com.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Montessori School Open House
Green Mountain Club Annual Snowshoe Festival
Visit the school, meet sta and families, and see the classrooms. 11 a.m.1 p.m. Montessori School of Central Vermont, 89 Karl Circle, Berlin. Free. 223-3320.
Snowshoe hikes, nature walks, workshops and demos, kids activities, smores and cocoa, followed by a party with live Irish music, refreshments and rae. Free snowshoe rentals available. 8:30 a.m.3 p.m. Green Mountain Club Visitor Center, Waterbury Center. $8 GMC members, $10 nonmembers, free for kids younger than 12. 244-7037 or greenmountainclub.org.
Book Art: Make Your Own Strappy Journal with Elissa Campbell
24 p.m. Beth Jacob Synagogue, 10 Harrison Avenue, Montpelier. Members: $5 in advance, $8 at the door; nonmembers: $10 in advance, $12 at the door; $8 additional materials fee. Register at 279-7518 or bjprogramming@gmail.com.
Free Clinic Day at Montpelier Community Acupuncture
Weston A. Price Foundation Meeting
Receive a free full body treatment and meet the sta. 10 a.m.2 p.m. 79 Main Street, Montpelier. montpeliercommunityacupuncture.com.
Economic Series: Part ICapitalism and the Economic Crisis
Showing of the lm Fermentation Process by Sandor Katz and an informal discussion about the benets of local fermented foods. 35 p.m. Turkey Hill Farm, Randolph Center. 728-6558 or localfood@turkeyhillfarmvt.com.
Occupy Central Vermont hosts a discussion with Fred Magdo, University of Vermont professor emeritus, about the basics of a capitalist economy and how it has developed into the crisis-prone system of today. 13 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Free.
Argentine Tango
Food Sovereignty: Growing a Vibrant Local Food System
Robb Kidd, organizer for Rural Vermont, discusses the campaign, the goal of which is to remove barriers to production, processing, sale and purchase of local foods. Potluck follows. 5:30 p.m. Capital City Grange, 6612 Route 12 (Northeld Street), Berlin. Free. Marj, 2290782.
With Elizabeth Seyler. Enjoy the passion, improvisation and intimacy of tango. No partner required. Wear hard-soled, comfortable shoes. 67 p.m., beginner class; 7:158:15 p.m., intermediate class, 8:159 p.m., guided practice. Contemporary Dance and Fitness Studio, 18 Langdon Street (third oor), Montpelier. $12 class, $3 guided practice only. 318-4859. Event happens every rst and third Sunday.
see UPCOMING EVENTS, page C.2
Theater
Live Music
BAGITOS
28 Main Street, Montpelier. All shows 68 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 229-9212 or bagitos.com. Every Monday Open mic, 69 p.m. Every Wednesday Blues jam (except during comedy open mic), 56:30 p.m. Every Saturday Irish/Celtic session, 25 p.m. Friday, February 3 Miles & Murphy Saturday, February 4 Ty Wick Tuesday, February 7 Jazz with Karl Miller Wednesday, February 8 Comedy night, 6:308 p.m. Thursday, February 9 Ken Tonnissen Friday, February 10 Nancy Smith and friends Saturday, February 11 The Subtle Bandits Tuesday, February 14 Valentines Day jazz Wednesday, February 15 Bob Harris Band, 79 p.m. Thursday, February 16 Allison Mann and Ira Friedman with special guest John LaRouche (blues/jazz)
BIG PICTURE THEATER
48 Carroll Road (just o Route 100), Waitseld. Most shows by donation. 496-8994 or bigpicturetheater.info. Wednesday, February 8 Valley Night with Folk by Association, 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 15 Valley Night with Jeanne and the Hi-Tops, 7 p.m.
FRESH TRACKS FARM
OPEN AUDITIONS FOR RENT
4373 Route 12, Berlin. 223-1151 or info@freshtracksfarm.com. Friday, February 3 Eric Friedman (folk), 58 p.m. Tuesday, February 14 Amapola (Latin), 69 p.m.
POSITIVE PIE 2
BLACK DOOR
44 Main Street, Montpelier. All shows start at 9:30 p.m. with $5 cover unless otherwise noted. 223-7070. Friday, February 3 Swift Technique (hip-hop/funk) Saturday, February 4 Conscious Roots (reggae) Wednesday, February 8 Comedy night open mic with B.O.B., free Friday, February 10 MadMan3 (electronica) Saturday, February 11 The Party Crashers (rock) Wednesday, February 15 Swing night with live band, 8 p.m.
22 State Street, Montpelier. 229-0453 or positivepie.com. Saturday, January 21 Anque (salsa/Afro/Latin), 10:30 p.m., $5, 21+ Monday, January 23 ODeath and Brown Bird (alternative/folk/ Americana), 10:30 p.m., $8, all ages
Green Mountain Theater Group seeks actors for all roles. Production runs April 2729 and May 4 and 5. Saturday, February 4, 12:30 p.m.; and Sunday, February 5, 1 p.m. Montpelier High School Auditorium. Be prepared to sing a song from the character you wish to portray. 249-0414 or greenmountaintheater.org.
AUDITIONS FOR CABIN FEVER FOLLIES

Brief acts of all types and ages sought for mud-season community variety show. Acts must be self-contained, including props, music and costumes. Wednesday, February 15, 6:307:30 p.m. Valley Players Theater, Route 100, Waitseld. RSVP with Doug, 4966651, or Sharon, 583-6767.
RED HEN CAF
CHARLIE OS
70 Main Street, Montpelier. 223-6820. Every Tuesday Karaoke Friday, February 3 Starline Rhythm Boys (honky-tonk/ rockabilly) Saturday, February 4 Soulstice (reggae) Friday, February 10 Pariah Beat (indie folk)
961 Route 2, Middlesex. redhenbaking.com. Saturday, February 4 Knotwork (traditional Celtic), 13 p.m. Wednesday, February 8 Groove Tea Party for kids (tea, art show, music), 12:30 p.m., $3 Thursday, February 9 Wine tasting with Lewis Franco and the Brown Eyed Girls (rhythm/swing/four-hand piano), 6 p.m. Saturday, February 11 Poor Howard (acoustic blues), 13 p.m.
WINTERFEST
February 25: Cages: A Live Memoir. February 912: Ann Harvey and Friends. See page 11 for more info. 7:30 p.m. ThursdaySaturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Lost Nation Theater, 39 Main Street, Montpelier. $20 adults, $15 students and seniors, $10 children 611 (babies and toddlers not admitted). 2290492 or lostnationtheater.org.
SKINNY PANCAKE
calendar@montpelierbridge.com
89 Main Street, Montpelier. 262-2253 or skinnypancake.com. Every Sunday Old-time sessions with Katie Trautz and friends, 46 p.m. (intermediate to advanced players welcome to sit in) Sunday, February 12 Maryse Smith, 68 p.m.
THE FOREIGNER
Larry Shues hilarious farce, presented by the Plaineld Little Theatre. FridaySunday, February 312. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Cabot Town Hall auditorium, 3084 Main Street (Route 215). $12 adults, $8 children 12 and under. Tickets at 563-9965 or 426-3955.
PAG E C . 2 FE B RUA RY 215, 2012
T H E B R I D G E C A L E N DA R O F E V E N T S
UPCOMING EVENTS, from page C.1
Foot Reexology for Wellness
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Classic Book Club
Business Networking Luncheon: Top 10 Key Marketing Concepts

With guest speaker Amy Mattinat of Auto Craftsmen. Bring lunch. 11:301:30 p.m. Vermont Womens Business Center, 8 South Main Street (second oor), Barre. Free. Mary, 479-7439 or mjohnson@cvcac.org. This months book: The Warden, by Anthony Trollope. New members welcome. 6 p.m. Cutler Memorial Library, Route 2, Plaineld. Free. Daniel, 793-0418. Event happens every rst Monday.
Aromatherapy foot baths, and basic reexology techniques, benets and self-care for health and well-being. With Alicia Feltus, foot reexologist, wellness coach and yoga instructor. 5:306:30 p.m. Tulsi Tea Room, 34 Elm Street, Montpelier. By donation, but space is limited and preregistration is required. 563-3220 or aliciafeltus@gmail.com.
Book Reading and Discussion: Farms and Garden Series
Februarys book: A Country Year, by Sue Hubbell. Discussion led by Linda Bland. Books available for loan at the library. Part of a monthly series through April. 6:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Free. 223-3338. A Vermont Humanities Council event.
Mad Matt the Democrat
Better Birding Series with Bryan Pfeier: Tools of the Trade
This hands-on workshop will get you and your tools tuned up for spring migration. Learn how to choose binoculars, point-and-shoot cameras and other items for a better life outside. 6:308 p.m. First Baptist Church, School Street, Montpelier. $10. 454-4640 or vermontbirdtours.com.
Marsheld author Vince Feeney talks about Matthew Lyon, a 19th-century Vermont politician who would become known as the Spitting Beast in Congress. 6:30 p.m. Cutler Memorial Library, Route 2, Plaineld. Free. 454-8504 or cutlerlibrary.org. Cosponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council.
Todd Lecture Series: Bruce Mau
Landscape Design with Jean Vissering, Landscape Architect
Come learn about landscape design from a pro. 6:308 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. Cosponsored by the Washington/Orange County Master Gardeners.
Mau is a Canadian designer, the creative director of Bruce Mau Design and the founder of the Institute without Boundaries. 7 p.m. Plumley Armory, Norwich University. Free. 485-2633 or toddlectureseries@norwich.edu.
Poetry Reading with Local Authors
For the Love of Fats
Get the latest on healthy fats for your brain and skin, and learn how to make olive-oil soap with healing herbs and essential oils. With Marie Frohlich and Joann Darling. 6:308:30 p.m. Tulsi Tea Room, 34 Elm Street, Montpelier. $20. Register at 249-7551 or mariefrohlich@gmail.com. Part of a series through February.
With Sherry Olson, Carol Henrikson and Sarah Hooker. Refreshments served. 7 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, Marsheld. 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com.
Farmers Night: Justin Morrill Addresses the State House
Kurt Albee and Amy Sholk give a glimpse into the lives of Morrill, Vermont representative and senator, 18551898, and his wife, Ruth. 7:30 p.m. House chamber, State House, Montpelier. Free. 479-8505 or vermonthistory.org.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Ski with the Green Mountain Club, Montpelier Section

Moderate ski on Dr. Burns property in Berlin. Various distances. Call leader Fred Jordan, 223-3935, for meeting time and place.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9
The Temple Within: Accessing Peace, Healing and Empowerment Through Shamanic Journey
Central Vermont Adult Basic Education Volunteer Info Session
Current and prospective volunteers get information and share volunteering experiences at Central Vermont Adult Basic Education. Light refreshments provided. 56 p,m. Waterbury Learning Center, 141 South Main Street. Gale Rome, 476-4588, or Sue Rogers, 244-7840.
With Fearn Lickeld and Ivan McBeth of the Green Mountain Druid Order. Learn the cosmology of the three realms of existence, and be guided through a journey between them. 5:307:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. $7 member/owners, $10 nonmembers. Register at 223-8004, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.com.
Ukulele Group
Building Your Immunity for Winter
With Marie Frohlich, health coach. Learn how to make an immune-building soup and get herbal, food and energy medicine tips and tools for keeping u and cold free. 5:307 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. $10 member/owners, $12 nonmembers. Register at 223-8004, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.com.
All ages and abilities welcome. 68 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 46 Barre Street, Montpelier. 223-2518. Event happens every second and fourth Thursday.
Winter Bike Workshops: HeadsetsSet Ready Go!
Middlesex Historical Society Annual Meeting
Annual meeting of the board of directors, election of ocers, event planning for 2012, and sharing of old Middlesex photos and other memorabilia. 7 p.m. First-oor library, Heaton Woods Assisted Living Center, 10 Heaton Street, Montpelier. Free. Patty, 272-8074 or pwiley3@gmail.com.
Learn about dierent types of headsets, diagnosing their common malfunctions and adjusting threaded and non-threaded types. 68 p.m. Magic Wheel, 34 Granite Street, Barre. $25 or two Onion River Exchange hours; ve workshops for $100. Register at 477-7800, ext.18, or magicwheelvt@gmail.com. magicwheel.org. Workshops happen every Thursday through March.
Living a Spiritual Life in an Age of Materialism
INdiscipline
An evening of new and in-progress dance and physical theater works from students in Goddards MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts program. Reception and discussion follows. 79 p.m. Haybarn Theater, Goddard College, 123 Pitkin Road, Plaineld. Free. goddard.edu.
Torin Finser takes on contemporary challenges and proposes new solutions. Drawing on a variety of cultural and spiritual traditions, he makes the case for social change that begins within. 7 p.m. Grades building, Orchard Valley Waldorf School, 2290 Route 14, East Montpelier. 456-7400.
Ecumenical Group
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Songs of praise, Bible teaching, fellowship. 79 p.m. Jabbok Center for Christian Living, 8 Daniel Drive, Barre. Free. 476-3873. Event happens every second and fourth Thursday.
Cacao, Coee and Sugar Cane: Sacred Plants of the Global South
With Sandra Lory of Mandala Botanicals. A multisensory presentation on the history, farming and processing of these special plants, their healing qualities, and plant spirit medicine. 56:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. $6 member/owners, $8 nonmembers. Register at 223-8004, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.com.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Quilting Day
Bring your sewing machine and project in progress. Hosted by the Dog River Quilters. 10 a.m.10 p.m. Brown Public Library, Northeld. Free. Jean, 223-7984 or jeanjolley@myfairpoint.net. curated by Goddard sta member and alumnus Dustin Byerly. Pratt Center Library, Goddard College, 123 Pitkin Road, Plaineld. Through June. 4548311 or goddard.edu.
Art & Exhibits

CONCRETE STATUARY CASTING DEMOS & DISCUSSIONS
Concrete artist and mason Duy Gardner demonstrates casting techniques as he produces work for The Art of Love collection. Bandit Gifts, 54 Main Street, Montpelier. Noon, February 4, 5, 11, 12, 13 and 14. Free. duygardner@yahoo.com.
AUTO CRAFTSMEN
Small Inspirations, watercolors, acrylics and photography by Missy C. Storrow of Calais. 326 State Street (Route 2), Montpelier. Through February. 279-6349 or carystorrowart.com.
SPOTLIGHT GALLERY
Paintings by Janet Wormser. 136 State Street, Montpelier. Through February. Reception Friday, February 10, 47 p.m. vermontartscouncil.org.
CENTRAL VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER
GOVERNORS GALLERY
From Vermont to Italy, works by Ray Brown. 130 Fisher Road, Berlin. Through April 6. cvmc.org.
Sound Proof, black and white photographs of Vermont musicians by Matthew Thorsen. 109 State Street, Montpelier. Through March. Photo ID required for admittance.
STUDIO PLACE ARTS
OPENING RECEPTION OF ART AND BREATH
CITY CENTER
GREEN BEAN ART GALLERY
Hideichi Oshiro, a 101-year-old Japanese artist who recently donated his lifes work to Goddard College, fullling his dream that future students could learn from it. Wednesday, February 8, 6:308:30 p.m. Pratt Library Art Gallery, Goddard College, 123 Pitkin Road, Plaineld. goddard.edu.
Whimsical, colorful works in various media by Berlin artist Christine Hartman. 89 Main Street, Montpelier. February 4March 2. Reception Friday, February 10.
Pigments and Volumes, expressionistic skyscapes in giclee prints by Laurel Fulton. Capitol Grounds, 27 State Street, Montpelier. Through February. Reception Friday, February 10, 46 p.m. curator@capitolgrounds.com.
Weathering it Out, multimedia group show focusing on weather; Vermonters in Italy, pastels and drawings by Jeneane Lunn and Jim Lund; What Lies Below, multimedia works by Maggie Neale. 201 North Main Street, Barre. Through February 25. 479-7069 or studioplacearts.com.
VERMONT COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
CONTEMPORARY DANCE & FITNESS STUDIO
KELLOGG-HUBBARD LIBRARY
NICHOLAS HECHT ART OPENING
New paintings and a retrospective. Refreshments and music start at 7 p.m. Friday, February 10, 6 p.m. Plaineld Community Center (above the co-op). 272-0200.
Discography, new work with disks in grids by Janet Van Fleet 18 Langdon Street (third oor), Montpelier. February 7March 19. 229-4676 or cdandfs. com.
Found and Forgotten, photos by Gwen Roolf (rst oor), and People, works by Glen Coburn Hutcheson (second oor). 135 Main Street, Montpelier. Through February. 223-3338.
MFA in Visual Art graduate exhibitions. Wood Gallery, 36 College Street, and Alumni Hall (gym), Montpelier. Through February 4. vcfa.edu.
GODDARD COLLEGE
The History of Goddard College, 19691979, photographs, lms, and archival documents,
Vermont agriculutral murals by Grace Brigham, depicting maple sugaring with draft horses, apple picking, farmstead views, chickens, dairy and beef cows. SHOE HORN Montpelier of Belonging, buildings in graphite 109 State Street, Montpelier. Through spring 2012. 828-2291 or vermonthistory.org. pencil and charcoal by Adrian Wade. 8 Langdon Street, Montpelier. Through February. artwhirled23@yahoo.com.
VERMONT HISTORY MUSEUM
T H E BR I D GE C A L E N DA R O F E V E N T S
F E B RUA RY 2 15, 2 012 PAG E C . 3
Montpelier Art Walk Have HeART
Twenty-two venues host exhibits, receptions and artist events. 48 p.m. Downtown Montpelier. Free. montpelieralive.org/artwalk. Create your own valentines (materials provided), purchase one made by artists from Vermont and around the country or order a custom artist-made valentine. Benets CERF+ (Craft Emergency Relief Fund and Artists Emergency Resources). 58 p.m. The Drawing Board, Montpelier. craftemergency.org. Event repeats Saturday, February 11, at the Montpelier winter farmers market.
The King and the Thrush: Tales of Goodness and Greed
Montpelier performing artists Tim Jennings and Leanne Ponder present their award-winning folk storytelling show for children and adults. 2:30 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, Marsheld. 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com.
Anities: Diane Huling Plays Music of Great Composer-Pianists
Huling performs music of Bach, Busoni, Mendelssohn, Chopin and Mozart, composers who were also important pianists/harpsichordists of their time. 3 p.m. Bethany Church, 115 Main Street, Montpelier. $12$20 suggested donation. 223-2424, ext. 224, or arthurzorn@hotmail.com.
Asian Dinner and Dessert Extravaganza
Thai spring rolls, fresh pineapple-mango salad and chicken satay, plus choice of three desserts. Globalization 58 p.m. Maple Corner Community Center. $15 adult, $10 child; benets Montpelier to Thailand Explore what life is like for Vermonts undocumented workers, as well as global inuences and Eight. Beth Ann, 223-1610, or Linda, 535-8383. policies. Todays lm: Uprooted: Refugees of the Global Economy. Facilitated discussion follows. 35 p.m. Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 130 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. Madeline, 229 Scrag Mountain Music: The Declassied The quintet performs music by Schubert, Dowland, Golijov, Metzler and Arensky. All welcome. 5951. Event happens every second and fourth Sunday through April. 5:306:30, soup supper; 7 p.m. concert. Green Mountain Girls Farm, 923 Loop Road, Northeld. By donation. scragmountainmusic.org. Concert repeats Saturday, February 11.
Film Series: Migrant Workers in Vermont, Immigration and
Making Home-Made Herbal Body Creams and Lotions
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Singing Valentines
With Laurel Buley, herbalist. Learn how to make decadent and medicinal preparations using simple and natural ingredients, including a body and face cream. Bring a small container. 67:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. $8 member/owners, $10 nonmembers. Register at 223-8004, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.com.
A quartet from the Barre Tones chorus will surprise a loved one, friend, coworker or boss with a song, card, rose or small box of chocolates. $35; second song upon request. For more information, contact 223-2039 or rjmorgan1956@comcast.net. barretonesvt.net. Event continues Tuesday, February 14.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Got the Sugar Blues?
Ski with the Green Mountain Club, Montpelier Section
Moderate outings of various distances at the Bolton Ski Touring Center. Trail fee applies. Call leaders Mary Smith, 505-0603, or Mary Garcia, 229-0153, for meeting time and place.
Learn how to make sweet snacks and desserts without processed sugar. With Marie Frohlich. 6:308:30 p.m. Tulsi Tea Room, 34 Elm Street, Montpelier. $20. Register at 249-7551 or mariefrohlich@gmail.com. Part of a series through February.
Snowshoe with the Green Mountain Club, Montpelier Section

Moderate to dicult 5.4-mile climb up Hunger Mountain. 1,900 elevation gain. Meet at 9 a.m. at Rumney School. Leader: Scott Skinner, 223-7123.
Group Meditation
People of all abilities and experience levels welcome for meditation and discussion based on Adyashantis writings and talks. 6:308 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Sherry, 479-3223 or sherry@easeoow.com.
Page Pals
Osgood Lectures on the North: Showing of Heima
Younger readers read to, read with, chat or game with teen and tween volunteers. 10 a.m.noon. Kellogg-Hubbard Childrens library, Montpelier. Free. Please preregister at 2234665.
Introduction to Animal Tracking
Film documenting a series of free, unannounced concerts by the Icelandic band Sigur Rs in out-of-the-way Icelandic communities. Introduction and discussion by Michael Moynihan. 7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. Sponsored by the Center for Circumpolar Studies.
Get a short intro to patterns created by wildlife in our area, then go out and see what evidence of animals we can nd. Snowshoes available at no extra cost. 10 a.m.noon. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm Street, Montpelier. $8 members, $10 nonmembers, $5 children 8 and up. 229-6206.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Singing Valentines
See Monday, February 13, for description and information.
Montpelier Winter Farmers Market
Create a Valentines Day card with help from local artists or hire an artist to design a custom card for you; benets the Craft Emergency Relief Fund. Live music by Spider Roulette. 10 a.m.2 p.m. Gym, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier. Carolyn, 223-2958 or manager@montpelierfarmersmarket.com. Market happens every rst and third Saturday through April, except February markets on February 11 and 18.
Free Clinic for Problem Arms and Shoulders
Rebecca Riley and Irvin Eisenberg, certied structural integrators and massage therapists, oer 20- to 30-minute treatments for arm and shoulder problems at no charge. Portals Center for Healing, 28 School Street, Montpelier. Call 223-7678, ext. 2, or e-mail irvin. eisenberg@gmail.com to schedule your appointment. fascialbodies.com.
Maple Corner Mardi Gras Winter Carnival
New to Medicare? Have questions? We have answers. Parade, king or queen cake, candy hunt, skating, curling, and biathalon tournaments, informal 34:30 p.m. Central Vermont Council on Aging, 59 North Main Street, Suite 200, Barre. Free. skating, pick-up hockey, free hot dogs and marshmallows, hot chocolate and a large bonre. Register at 479-0531. Event happens every second and fourth Tuesday. Begins at 12:30 p.m. Complete schedule at facebook.com/mardigrasvt.
Medicare and You
Saturday Crafternoons for Adults & Teens: Decoupage Trays
Valentines Day Partner Acro Yoga
With local artist Sue Premore. Apply magazine illustrations, text and verse, and other materials to 13-inch by 9-inch trays, then nish with acrylic. Materials provided, but participants welcome to bring their own. 24 p.m. Waterbury Public Library. Free, but space is limited and preregistration is required. Register at 244-7036. Crafternoons continue on March 10 and April 14.
With Lori Mortimer. 7:159 p.m. The Conuence, Berlin. Register at 324-1737. sattvayoga.wordpress.com.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15
Scrag Mountain Music: The Declassied
Preschool Discovery Program: Camouaged Critters
See Friday, February 10, for description; note change in time and venue. 4 p.m. Savoy Theater, 26 Main Street. By donation. scragmountainmusic.org.
Adamant Winter Music Series: Anything Goes
Kids age 35 learn to spot some secretive creatures that try to hide in plain sight. Play games and do other activities to learn more about natures tricks. 1011:30 a.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm Street, Montpelier. $5 per child. 2296206. Event repeats Thursday. February 16.
Mark Greenberg and Ben Koenig. Optional potluck before the show. 5:30 p.m., potluck; 7 p.m., concert. Adamant Community Club, intersection of Haggett and Martin Roads. $10 in advance at the Adamant Co-op, $15 at the door.
Who Decides About War?
A Gift from the Heart Dinner and Auction
Dinner, music, cash bar, and live and silent auctions of products, services and unique gift baskets. Free on-site childcare. Benets Central Vermont Catholic School. 6 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall, Barre, $30 person, $55 per couple. Tickets at 793-8307.
Attorney Benson Scotch talks about the U .S. War Powers Act. First program in the weekly Osher Lifelong Learning Institute spring series. 1:30 p.m.; doors open at 12:30 for brown-bag lunch. Aldrich Public Library, Barre. $5 suggested donation; $40 individual , $70 couple for the full series, half-price for rst-time members. 2231763 or clb247@cornell.edu.
Dharma Film Series: Sweet Land
Callithumpian Consort
Olaf Tovrik and his rural Minnesota community struggle to overcome years of anti-German propaganda when he discovers that his mail-order bride is a German and a socialist. 7 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 46 Barre Street, Montpelier. $3 suggested donation. Neville, 224-1001 or nevilleberle@yahoo.com.
New music ensemble concert. 4 p.m. College Hall Chapel, Vermont College of Fine Arts. 828-8534 or vcfa.edu. Concert repeats Thursday, February 16.
Europe by Bike or Foot
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Second Sunday Concert
Get a taste of upcoming touring adventures with Mary Sue Lyons through a short slideshow of past trips. Refreshments provided. 5 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 46 Barre Street, Montpelier. 223-2518.
Snowshoe with the Green Mountain Club, Montpelier Section
Active Against Cancer
Dicult 5.2-mile trek to Mt. Manseld Forehead. Ascend Frost and Maple Ridge Trails from Stevensville Road, descend Wampahoofus and Butler Lodge Trails. Crampons required. Contact Paul DeLuca, 476-7987 or pdeluca420@msn.com, for meeting time and place. Featuring Rebecca Macijeski on violin, Denise Ricker on ute and Arthur Zorn on piano. 9:30 a.m. Bethany Church, 115 Main Street, Montpelier. Free.
With Nancy Brennan, cancer survivor, athlete and author. Learn, through Nancys personal experience, why exercise is good medicine and how it can help during recovery and beyond. 5:307 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. $8 member/owners, $10 nonmembers. Register at 223-8004, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.com.
Foot Reexology Workshop
Stories from our Past: Yiddishkeit with Avram Patt
With potluck lunch. 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Beth Jacob Synagogue, 10 Harrison Avenue, Montpelier. Free for Beth Jacob members, $5 suggested donation nonmembers. Register at 279-7518 or bjprogramming@gmail.com.
Learn basic reexology techniques, reex points on the feet, benets and self-care for health and well-being. With Alicia Feltus, foot reexologist, wellness coach and yoga instructor. 5:307:30pm. Tulsi Tea Room, 34 Elm Street, Montpelier. $30; space is limited and preregistration is required. 563-3220 or aliciafeltus@gmail.com.
see UPCOMING EVENTS, page C.4
PAG E C .4 FE B RUA RY 215, 2012
T H E B R I D G E C A L E N DA R O F E V E N T S
UPCOMING EVENTS, from page C.3
Science of Mind Principles
Weatherization Skillshop
Hands-on workshop on home energy eciency and weatherization techniques, taught by a Building Performance Instituteaccredited contractor. 69 p.m. 19 Gable Place, Barre.$25, includes reference book, informational materials and light dinner. Register at 888-514-2151 or weatherizationskillshop.com. Sponsored by Central Vermont Community Action Council.
Study group for inquiring minds of all faiths. 68 p.m. Universal Rivers of Life, 28 East State Street, Suite 4 (second oor), Montpelier. 2233427 or robin@universalrivers.com. Event happens every rst and third Thursday.
Winter Bike Workshops: Ticket to the Drive Train
Ecstatic Dance
Freestyle boogie with DJ using Gabrielle Roths mediative dance form, 5Rhythms. 79 p.m. Worcester Town Hall, corner of Elmore Road and Calais Road.$5$10 donation. Fearn, 505-8011 or fearnessence@gmail.com. Event happens every rst and third Wednesday, and fourth Wednesdays at the Plaineld Community Center.
Introduction to derailleurs, shifters and gear cables, index shifting systems and their adjustment, and replacing cables and housing. 68 p.m. Magic Wheel, 34 Granite Street, Barre. $25 or two Onion River Exchange hours; ve workshops for $100. Register at 477-7800, ext.18, or magicwheelvt@gmail.com. magicwheel.org. Workshops happen every Thursday through March.
Around the World Travel Talks
Learn About the Onion River Exchange
Amy Butler describes her adventures in Tibet. Light refreshments served. 6 p.m. Cutler Memorial Library, Route 2, Plaineld. Free.454-8504 or cutlerlibrary.org. Event happens every third Thursday.
Allison Underhill, director of the exchange, explains how the hour-for-hour service exchange works, trading time instead of money with people in your community. 7 p.m. At the Jaquith Public library in Marsheld. 426-3581 orjaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com.
Songwriters Meeting
Swing Dancing at the Black Door
Meeting of the Northern VT/NH chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International. Bring copies of your work. 6:45 p.m. Catamount Arts, St. Johnsbury. John, 633-2204. Event happens every third Thursday.
Lesson with Gillian Davis (no partner needed), followed by dancing to live music. 7:308 p.m., lesson; 810 p.m., dance. 44 Main Street, Montpelier. $5 suggested donation. Event happens every rst and third Wednesday.
Shakespeare Study Group
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Meeting on Disability Issues
Led by Tom Blachly. Possible agendas include reading plays aloud, group discussions, watching lms, working on dramatic monologues and doing scene work. 7 p.m. Jaquith PublicLibrary, Old Schoolhouse Common, Marsheld. 426-3581, jaquithpubliclib rary@hotmail.com or marsheld.lib.vt.us. Event happens every third Thursday.
Preschool Discovery Program: Camouaged Critters

See Wednesday, February 15, for description and information. Share stories and concerns. 13 p.m. Vermont Center for Independent Living, 11 East State Street, Montpelier. 639-1522 or 229-0501 (both are also V/TTY numbers). Event happens every third Thursday.
Windows on Waldorf: Grades 18
Come explore the grade school and take a walk through Waldorf education. Faculty will lead a guided tour describing the core curriculum and showcasing student work. 6:308:30 p.m. Grades building, Orchard Valley Waldorf School, 2290 VT Route 14N, East Montpelier. Free, but registration requested. 456-7400.
Callithumpian Consort
Ecological Design
See Friday, February 15, for description; note change in time. 7 p.m. College Hall Chapel, Vermont College of Fine Arts. 828-8534 or vcfa.edu.
Ben Graham of Yestermorrow talks about how buildings can be a part of regenerative land use, using local, natural materials for building, and integrating agriculture and aordability. 6 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. Sponsored by Transition Town Montpelier.
An Evening with Sydney Lea, Vermont Poet Laureate
Lea, Vermonts new poet laureate, has been described as a man in the woods with his head full of books, and a man in books with his head full of woods. 7 p.m. Crossett Brook Middle School. Free. Sponsored by the Waterbury Public Library. monthly special events with native speakers. Tuesdays, 3 p.m. Cutler Memorial Library, Route 2, Plaineld. Free. 454-8504 or cutlerlibrary.org.
Weekly Events
BICYCLING
Open Shop Nights
Have questions or a bike to donate, or need help with a bike repair? Come visit the volunteer-run community bike shop. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 68 p.m. Fridays, 4:306:30 p.m. Freeride Montpelier, 89 Barre Street, Montpelier. By donation. freeridemontpelier.org.
KIDS & TEENS
Zen Meditation
The Basement Teen Center
Cable TV, PlayStation 3, pool table, free eats and fun events for teenagers. MondayThursday, 36 p.m.; Friday, 311 p.m. Basement Teen Center, 39 Main Street, Montpelier. 229-9151.
Story Time at Onion River Kids

Fun outdoor adventure tales and childhood classics. Sundays, 10:30 a.m. 7 Langdon Street, Montpelier. 223-6025.
Wednesdays, 6:307:30 p.m. 174 River Street, Montpelier. Call Tom for orientation, 2290164. With Zen Aliate of Vermont.
SPORTS
Story Time at the Waterbury Public Library
Mondays, age 1836 months. Wednesdays, age 018 months. Fridays, age 36 years. 10 a.m. Waterbury Public Library. Free. 244-7036.
Library Activities for Kids
SPIRITUALITY
Christian Science
Gods love meeting human needs. Reading room: TuesdaySaturday, 11 a.m.1 p.m.; Tuesdays, 58 p.m.; and Wednesdays, 57:15 p.m. Testimony meeting: Wednesdays, 7:308:30 p.m. Worship service: Sundays, 10:3011:30 a.m. Nursery available. 145 State Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-2477.
CRAFTS
Story time, Tuesdays, Wednedays and Fridays, 10:3011:30 a.m. Crafts, rst Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. Games, second Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. Lego club, third Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. Teen Advisory Group meeting, fourth Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. Chess club, Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. (call Robert, 229-1207, for info) Young Adult Nights (games, movies, food, crafting and more for youth age 1017), third Fridays, 69 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Free. 223-4665.
Central Vermonts Wrecking Doll Society invites quad skaters age 18 and up to try out the action. No experience necessary. Equipment provided: rst come, rst served. Lunch in a Foreign Language Bring lunch and practice your language skills Saturdays, 56:30 p.m. Montpelier Recreation Center, Barre Street. First skate free. with neighbors. Noon1 p.m. Mondays, Hebrew. Tuesdays, Ital- centralvermontrollerderby.com. ian. Wednesdays, Spanish. Thursdays, French. Coed Adult Floor Hockey Fridays, German. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Equipment provided. Montpelier. 223-3338. Sundays, 35 p.m. Montpelier Recreation Center, Barre Street. $5. 363-1531, bmoorhockey@gmail.com or vermontoorhockey.com.
Roller Derby Open Recruitment and Recreational Practice
LANGUAGE
MUSIC
Sing With the Barre Tones
Womens a cappella chorus. Mondays, 6:30 p.m. Alumni Hall (second oor), near Barre Auditorium. 223-2039 or rjmorgan1956@comcast.net.
THRIFT STORES
Trinity Community Thrift Store
Beaders Group
Youth Group
Capital Orchestra Rehearsals
All levels of beading experience welcome. Free instruction available. Come with a project for creativity and community. Saturdays, 11 a.m.2 p.m. The Bead Hive, Plaineld. 454-1615.
Games, movies, snacks and music. Mondays, 79 p.m. Church of the Crucied One, Route 100, Moretown. 496-4516.
Story Time and Playgroup
Community orchestra. No audition required. All orchestral players welcome. Culminates in April concert. Mondays, 79 p.m. U-32 School band room. Dan, 272-1789 or liptakdan@gmail.com.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.4 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.5 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, 137 Main Street (use rear entrance), Montpelier. 229-9155 or tctsvt@yahoo.com.
TAX ASSISTANCE
Tax Help for Seniors
AARP volunteers help seniors le 2011 income-tax returns. Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.3 p.m., at Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 46 Barre Street, Montpelier. Call 223-2518 to schedule an appointment. Pick up forms at MSAC.
GAMES
Apollo Duplicate Bridge Club
All welcome. Partners sometimes available. Fridays, 6:45 p.m. Bethany Church, Montpelier. 485-8990 or 223-3922.
Story time: for children age 06. Playgroup: story, art, song, nature activities and cooperative games. Dress for the weather. Story time: Mondays, 10 a.m. Playgroup: Wednesdays, 1011:30 a.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School Street, Marsheld. 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com.
SPIRITUALITY
Deepening Our Jewish Roots
Morning Playgroup
HEALTH
Free HIV Testing
Vermont CARES oers fast oral testing. Thursdays, 14 p.m. 73 Main Street, Suite 40, Montpelier. vtcares.org.
Storytelling inspired by seasonal plants, fruits and herbs with in-house astrologer MaryAnna Abuzahra, plus crafts, games and activities. Walk follows. All ages welcome. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Tulsi Tea Room, 34 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. tulsiteallc@gmail.com.
Fun, engaging text study and discussion on Jewish spirituality. Sundays, 4:456:15 p.m. Yearning for Learning Center, Montpelier. Rabbi Tobie Weisman, 223-0583 or info@yearning4learning.org.
Christian Meditation Group
Second-Language Story Time

Tales in American Sign Language, plus
indicates new or revised listing
People of all faiths welcome. Yoga By Donation Mondays, noon1 p.m. Christ Church, Montpe- With Lydia Russell. Weaving in seasonal lier. Regis, 223-6043. poetry and myth, these intermediate-level Shambhala Buddhist Meditation Anusara-inspired classes help build strength, exibility and safe postural alignment. Instruction available. All welcome. Sundays, 10 a.m.noon, and Wednesdays, 67 Saturdays, 1011:15 a.m., Shambhala Center, Montpelier (no class February 11); Mondays, p.m. Program and discussion follow Wednes5:306:45 p.m., River House Yoga, Plaineld. day meditation. Shambhala Center, 64 Main By donation. saprema-yoga.com. Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-5137.
YOGA
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Support Groups
TURNING POINT CENTER
Safe, supportive place for individuals and their families in or seeking recovery. Alchoholics Anonymous, Sundays, 8:30 a.m. Making Recovery Easier workshops, Tuesdays, 67:30 p.m. Wits End Parent Support Group, Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous, Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Open daily, 10 a.m.5 p.m. 489 North Main Street, Barre. 479-7373.
Evening group meets rst Mondays, 5:307:30 p.m., DisAbility Rights of Vermont, 141 Main Street, Suite 7, Montpelier, 800-834-7890, ext. 106. Day group meets rst and third Thursdays, 1:302:30 p.m., Unitarian Church, 130 Main Street, Montpelier, 244-6850.
CELIAC AND FOOD ALLERGY SUPPORT GROUP
MENS GROUP
GRANDPARENTS RAISING THEIR CHILDRENS CHILDREN
With Lisa Mas of Harmonized Cookery. Second Wednesdays, 4:306 p.m. Central Vermont Medical Center, conference room 3. lisamase@gmail.com.
Men discuss challenges of and insights about being male. Thursdays, 6:158:15 p.m. 174 Elm Street, Montpelier. Interview required: contact Neil Davis, psychologist-master, 223-3753.
CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS
First Wednesdays, 10 a.m.noon, Barre Presbyterian Church, Summer Street. Second Tuesdays, 68 p.m., Wesley Methodist Church, Main Street, Waterbury. Third Thursdays, 68 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 137 Main Street. Child care provided in Montpelier and Waterbury. Evelyn, 476-1480.
Third Wednesdays, 67:30 p.m. For location, call Carole MacIntyre, 229-5931.
First Thursdays, 78 p.m. Conference room 3, Central Vermont Medical Center. 371-4152. Twelve-step program for physically, emotionally and spiritually overcoming overeating. Fridays, noon1 p.m. Bethany Church, 115 Main Street, Montpelier. 223-3079.
PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Third Wednesdays, 67:45 p.m. Conference room 2, Central Vermont Medical Center. 223-2933.
FAMILIES OF COLOR
KINDRED CONNECTIONS
For anyone aected by cancer. Get help from Kindred Connections members who have been in your shoes. A program of the Vermont Cancer Survivor Network. Call Sherry, 479-3223, for more information. vcsn.net.
Open to all families. Play, eat and discuss issues of adoption, race and multiculturalism. Bring snacks and games to share, and dress for the weather. Third Sundays, 35 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main Street, Montpelier. Alyson, 4396096 or alyson@suncatchervt.com.
ALZHEIMERS SUPPORT GROUP MAMAS CIRCLE GROUP
Second Wednesdays, 79 p.m. Community National Bank, Barre. 476-5116 or 476-4822. Support for parenting in a group setting. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers welcome; books, toys and light refreshment available. Hosted by Good Beginnings of Central Vermont. Thursdays, 10 a.m.noon. 172 River Street, Montpelier.
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND, MONTPELIER CHAPTER
First Saturdays. Lane Shops community room, 1 Mechanic Street, Montpelier. 229-0093.
Submit Your Event!

Send all general calendar listings to Dana Dwinell-Yardley, calendar editor, at calendar@montpelierbridge.com. Send class listings to either of our ad representatives: Carl Campbell (ccampbell @montpelierbridge.com or 223-5112, ext. 11) or Carolyn Grodinsky (carolynatthe bridge@yahoo.com, 223-5112, ext. 11, or 223-2958). Guidelines: The deadline for the February 16 issue is Friday, February 10. 50 words or less, please. Listings may be edited for length, clarity or style. Events happening in Montpelier have priority.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
WOMENS SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY GROUP
For anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. Every other Monday, January 9April 16, 68 p.m. Every other Wednesday, January 4April 11, 1011:30 a.m. Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre. Ginny, 223-1878.
Women support each other in staying clean and sober in this support and skills group. Wednesdays, 12:15 p.m. Steppingstone Counseling, 12 Cottage Street, Suite F, Barre. Income-based fee scale; insurance accepted. Interview required; contact Julie Bradshaw, 479-0050.
NAMI: CONNECTION
A peer-led, recovery-oriented group for individuals living with mental illness. First and third Thursdays, 67:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. 800639-6480 or connection@namivt.org.
BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUPS
BEREAVED PARENTS SUPPORT GROUP
DIABETES DISCUSSION GROUP
Open to all survivors, caregivers and adult family members. Evening group facilitated by Marsha Bancroft; day group facilitated by Kathy Grange and Jane Hulstrunk.
Facilitated by Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice (CVHHH). Second Wednesdays, 68 p.m. CVHHH, 600 Granger Road, Berlin. Jeneane Lunn, 7932376.
Focus on self-management. Open to anyone with diabetes and their families. Third Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. The Health Center, Plaineld. Free. Don, 322-6600 or dgrabowski@the-health-center.org.
Classes
COACHING
WOMEN IN TRANSITION
Navigating personal and career transitions with intention, strength and grace. Tuesdays, 68 p.m., February 7March 13. $225 for six sessions (advance registration $195). Lunch Break Coaching for Busy Professionals. Phone or in person. Special rates 11 a.m.2 p.m. MondayFriday. Appointments requested. Fran Weinbaum, stillpointlifecoach @yahoo.com or 249-7377.
Classifieds
FOR SALE
PRINT CARTRIDGE
For a Ricoh printer. SP3300D Ricoh Cartridge P/N = 406212. Our new printer uses newer cartridge. Price new: $140+, aftermarket pricing: $47+ (plus shipping). Cartridge in original box; sealed bag has been opened. $35 as-is at The Bridge. Call 223-5112.
Emerge Yoga
Amy LePage-Hansen, CYI Kripalu Yoga Therapy Pre- & Postnatal Partner Labor/Birth Workshops
Classes offered at various locations. www.emergeyoga.net 802.778.0300 amylepage.alh@gmail.com
SERVICES
HOUSE PAINTER
Since 1986. Small interior jobs ideal. Neat, prompt, friendly. Local references. Pitz Quattrone, 229-4952.
REFLEXOLOGY
BREAKTHROUGH
FOOT REFLEXOLOGY WORKSHOP
HEALTH
MarieFrohlich.com
Learn basic reexology techniques, reex points on the feet, benets and self-care to promote health and well-being. Wednesday, February 15, 5:307:30 p.m. Tulsi Tea Room, 34 Elm Street. $30, limited space, pre-registration is required. Alicia Feltus, foot reexologist, will lead this in-depth workshop. aliciafeltus@gmail.com or 563-3220.
COACHING
THE BRIDGE
We bring people home.

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Local Business News

Painting Nostalgia
entral Vermont has a new painting business: Nostalgic Painting. Bradley Whalen paints indoors and outdoors. He says he started at the age of 12, learning from his grandfather and uncles. Taking a risk, he has left the federal bureaucracy and returned to his painting roots, opening his own business after having worked again as an adult with his uncles. He critiques some of the work he has encountered while out on repainting jobsNot the old-school, clean-cut lines and dripless walls of my youthand declares hes ready to take the time to get it right. Hell be visible around central Vermont because hes bought a canary yellow1962 Chevy C-10 pickup truck in which hell carry his equipment. He can be reached at 4617517 or nostalgicpainting@gmail.com.
Business
come even more effective, healthy and satisfied. Stillpoint Associates Ltd., seeks to help individuals enhance these possibilities with life coaching. Fran Weinbaum, founder of Stillpoint, says, Life coaching is a practice that helps people identify and achieve personal or professional goals . . . based on [their] specific interests, goals and objectives. Weinbaum differentiates between doing and being, arguing that new personal patterns of being can provide a more solid foundation for new and more lastingly effective ways of doing. She says this approach, also known as ontological coaching, focuses on ones way of being, and how individuals can extend and enlarge the social emotional learning we do throughout our lives. Life coaching benefits, she says, may come from improved effectiveness in building and maintaining healthy relationships, navigating life transitions, clarifying career direction, facilitating difficult conversations, release of resentment, rebuilding of trust, and achievement of purpose, meaning or connection in life. Weinbaum comes to this work from years of coaching, study, guidance counseling and leadership programs. With an MA in therapeutic recreation from the University of Michigan and years of study in a variety of related disciplines, she has worked on authentic leadership training (looking at ones presence as a leader), nature awareness and change facilitation. Weinbaum has several courses and workshops planned, including Women in Transition: Navigating Personal and Career Transitions with Intention, Strength, and Grace, a six-week course beginning February 7. She gave a talk called Increase Your Emotional Agility, on Tuesday, January 31, at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, in which she discussed how emotions influence the conversations we have and do not have. Emotions, she notes, are part of nearly every interaction we have and affect decisions we make. Building emotional agility opens up more possibilities in our interactions and choices. Weinbaum will also offer lunch-break coaching, which she describes as short, to-the-point coaching for personal or professional growth. Stillpoint is located at 56 East State Street in Montpelier, and appointments are arranged by calling 249-7377. all items by Bob Nuner
Rebecca McCarty Copans

802.922.3452 802.229.9479 rebecca@mccartyre.com
Bandit Gifts Pops Up
uffy Gardner and Krista Harness have opened a pop-up store called Bandit Gifts at 54 Main Street, the old Capitol Stationers storefront. Bandit Gifts pays homage to the Valentine bandit, says Gardner, and features his concrete statuary and other gifts, including confections by Nutty Steph. Gardner is a mason and has worked out a trade deal for the space with Jesse Jacobs, whom he praises warmly for his flexibility in providing the space. The stores statuary incorporates Barre granite in its concrete. Because of the Valentines Day season, the stores offerings reflect that theme. Though Bandit Gifts will pack up on February 15, its a step, Gardner says, to determine if this could become a full-time downtown business. He says his statuary business is doing well, and he hopes it can contribute to what he sees as a growing creative economy in the area, one that he thinks is poised to take off, with the constellation of artists in the area, from NECI and VCFA to performers, artists and craftspeople who make Montpelier and environs their home.
Stillpoint Life Coaching
ow do you present yourself to the world? How effective are you at what you do? What assumptions about your surroundings and where you fit in and show up are implicit in your behaviortoward others, your circumstances, yourself? While we may be effective in relationships and professional career, there may be things we can do to be-
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Lost Nation Theaters Winterfest

by Bob Nuner
ost Nation Theaters 2012 Winterfest opens its first week tonight with Cages: A Live Memoir, featuring performers Donny Osman and Michael Chorney. (Cages was previously profiled in the January 19 issue of The Bridge.) Winterfest continues over the next three weeks with three additional events: February 912 Ann Harvey and Friends will be an evening of songs like Hard Times Come Again No More, 60 Seconds Got Together, Old Black Magic and Cry Me A River; Patsy Cline, Sondheim and Gershwin tunes; 1940s standards; and Stephen Foster. Ann Harvey will be joined by Paul Lincoln, with whom she performed in Lost Nations Pump Boys & Dinettes. Augmenting Harvey and Lincoln will be performers Eileen Harvey and Ashley OBrien. Ann Harvey says, Duke Ellington said, Theres two kinds of musicgood music and bad music. This is good music. Therell be some Broadway, but mostly that jazz-theatrical stuff with an Appalachian twist I do.
in the U.S. and Europe, and for venues like NPR, PBS and BBC radio and television. Not Just Another Pretty Face brings together Perrys past and current work. Shell introduce videos of past work, and, in turn, videos will introduce the evenings live performances. Perry incorporates social criticism and political satirefrom Marilyn Monroe through a few Gulf Wars, High Fashion, Erotica, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Mapplethorpes naked men and Censorship, according to a press release. February 2326 Lida Winfield learned to read in her early twenties after a struggle with learning disabilities. In Search of Air is a multimedia evening of spoken word, movement, lighting, fabric and visual art combined to convey the funny, sad, ironic, inspiring and universal stories of her struggle against the world of learning disabilities and her eventual triumphant access to a world that always seemed beyond her fingertips.
Winterfest curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $20 general admisFebruary 1619 sion; $15 students and seniors; $10 ages 6 to 11. Not all shows Janice Perry is an internationally known performance art- are suitable for children. Lost Nation Theater asks patrons to ist. Her work has been adapted for television, radio and print check with the theater when purchasing tickets. Lida Winfield. Photo by Gene Parulis.
Capital City Concerts Assembles Ambitious Mozart Evening

by Bob Nuner
he Capital City Concerts series celebrates its 12th season this year, and its next offering is an all-Mozart program with an orchestra of professional musicians and soloists of national and international stature. Participants are affiliated with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, New York City Opera Orchestra, Opera Pacific, A Far Cry, and the symphony orchestras of Munich, Tokyo, Montreal, Nashville, New Jersey and Vermont. The event, Massively Mozart, occurs Sunday, February 19 at 3:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier. Capital City Concerts impressaria Karen Kevra has developed the series largest and most ambitious undertaking to date in its 12-year history. The afternoon features a 23-piece orchestra plus vocal and instrumental soloists. The afternoons concert will open with an overture from one of Mozarts early operas, Mitridate Re di Ponto, conducted by Metropolitan Opera Orchestra member and Vermont Philharmonic conductor Lou Kosma. Further highlights of the concert will include performances of operatic arias by acclaimed French-Canadian mezzo-soprano Julie
Arts
Boulianne, who will perform selections from The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and Clemenza di Tito. Bouliannes voice has been characterized as subtle and pure by the New York Times. She has performed at the Met, the Montreal Opera, the New York City Opera and LOpera de Marseille. The Toronto Globe has called her . . . the one to watch, describing her voice as possessing sweetness and bite, with hints of darker and deeper notes to come. There will also be two concerto performances during the afternoon: The Clarinet Concerto will be performed by Daniel Gilbert, veteran Cleveland Orchestra member (Capital City Concerts notes that those who saw last years film The Kings Speech will recognize the Clarinet Concerto). Gilbert has soloed with the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Heights Chamber Orchestra, New Haven Symphony, Solisti New York and Aspen Mozart Orchestra. He has also performed with chamber music groups affiliated with the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Museum of Art and Oberlin Conservatory. Gilbert has taught at SUNY Stony Brook, the University of Michigan and the Oberlin Conservatory, and he earned his BA at Yale and advanced degrees at Julliard.
The afternoons other concerto will be Mozarts Concerto No. 1 in G major, to be performed by Kevra, a flutist. Kevra has earned praise from Boston to San Francisco, with a Grammy nomination for her debut recording Works for Flute and Piano of Louis Moyse and kudos from famous flutist Sir James Galway. Kevra has performed in the U.S., Canada and Europe, playing with Jaime Laredo, the Paris Piano Trio, the Borromeo String Quartet, and Trey Anastasio of Phish. For 2012, she has commissioned a chamber work based on Arab dance themes by the noted modern composer Mohammed Fairouz. She recently completed her first term as artistic director of the Summer Music from Greensboro series. Additional information about the concerts other accomplished performers is available at capitalcityconcerts.org. A concert this ambitious happens with support, in this case from several quarters, and the presenter acknowledges National Life, the City of Montpelier Community Arts fund and a bequest from the estate of former Montpelier resident and backer Margot George. Potential audience members are warned, Advance sale tickets are strongly recommended for this concert. Cash sale tickets are available at Bear Pond Books, but Capital City Concerts also offers online ticket sales at their website, where more information about the 20112012 season is available. Tickets are $10 to $25.
THE BRIDGE
PRUNING FRUIT TREES

And annual pruning maintenance.
call Padma 456.7474 ~ earthwiseharmonies.com
Framing to Finish Design Energy Mindful
Inside Design
Marketing Your Home
Replace incandescent light bulbs in your light fixtures and lamps with fresh bulbs, since they do dim over time, and put in the maximum wattage allowed. Remove the dead bugs from fixtures and wash or dust the shades. If a room does not have an overhead light, install one or put a torchiere floor lamp (or two) in the room. Semiflush ceiling fixtures will illuminate a room more than flush ones. Also, the clearer or lighter in color a lampshade is, whether it is fabric or glass, the more light it will let through. Creating more space in your home will require on-site storage or the rental of a selfstorage unit. First, go through and pack up anything you wont need during the current season (beach towels, snow pants, holiday platters, etc.) or anything you dont want anymore. The rule of thumb is to remove half of the contents of every closet and cupboard. This allows buyers to feel like there is space for their belongings. Pare down the shoes and coats in your entry, clean out linen and medicine cupboards, and sort through pantry items. Then look at your furnishings. It should be clear how each room is or could be used. If you have an empty room, set up a desk to suggest an office or a bed to suggest a guest room. Buyers should be able to easily walk into and around each room. If you can store or get rid of extra tables, chairs, dressers and so forth to make the rooms feel more spacious, do so. Open shelving, tables and mantels should be pared down to a small number of accessories. Artwork should be culled so there is some, but not an overwhelming amount. And yes, you should put away the personal photos. Buyers want to imagine their family living in the house, not yours. Finally, clean your home. And I mean really clean it. Ceilings, shelves, cupboard doors, the oven interior, tile grouteverything should be scrubbed until it shines. Your house cannot be too clean, and I cannot emphasize this enough. Buyers want to feel like they can move right in, not like they have to scrub for a week before they do. It is true that some buyers are the types to gut any home they look at no matter what. And some buyers are more focused on function than aesthetics. But most buyers want a home they can move into with little effort and feel comfortable in, at least for a while until they plan some changes. These are the folks for whom you are staging and from whom you will get that quick and higherpriced sale. It is worth the investment. Alisa Darmstadt is an interior decorator and the owner of At Home Designs. She works out of her home in Middlesex and can be reached through athomedesignsvt.com or at 223-2900. She welcomes questions, suggestions and service inquiries.
David Lathrop Carpentry

229-0921
February Vacation Day Camp

Licensed Child Care Program
Licensed childcare programs state subsidy is available upon request. Monday Friday February 27 March 2 7:45 a.m. drop off, 4:45 p.m. pickup Grades K 6th Montpelier Main Street Middle School Special Trip Wednesday: Upper Valley Aquatic Center Upcoming Programs & Events
Father & Daughter Valentine Dance: February 9 Mother & Son Valentine Bowling: February 11 Youth Baseball: register before Feb. 24 Girls on Track: middle school, starts in March Adult Zumba: mini-series March 8 March 29 Adult Ballroom Dance Lessons: March 27 April 17 April Egg Hunt: April 2
MONTPELIER RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Resident Fees: $ 30.00 per day first child $ 23.00 per day additional children $110.00 for the week/first child $ 95.00 for the week/additional children Non-Resident Fees: $ 43.00 per day first child $ 32.00 per day additional children $150.00 for the week/first child $130.00 for the week/additional children For prices and more information on our programs and events, please call us or visit us online: 1-802-225-8699 www.montpelierrec.org
by Alisa Darmstadt
hen we decorate our homes, we do it largely for ourselves. We want it to suit our tastes and our lifestyle, and it does not matter what anybody else thinks of it. However, when we choose to sell our home, what other people think is critical to a quick and high-priced sale. Enter the art of stagingpreparing your home for sale. There are obvious things to take care of when you decide to sell your homedangerous situations, structural or systemic problems, peeling wallpaper or chipped paint, and so on. But once you have addressed all of these red-flag issues, what next? You should stage your home, which means set it up in a way that will be most appealing to the greatest number of people. Your staged home may not be the way you like your home arranged. But living with the temporary inconvenience of your belongings placed differently will be worth it when your home sells quickly and at your asking price. Staging often involves expenditures, and many homeowners balk at spending money on a home they wont live in anymore. But look at it this way. If your house doesnt sell, what will you do? Probably lower the pricemaybe $10,000. However, if you spend $1,000 on staging and your home sells for your asking price, you are ahead $9,000. There are at least three things that will sell a homelight, space and cleanliness. Starting with light, I recommend that, if you have decorative window treatments (ones that do not provide any privacy, for example), remove them. If you have functional blinds or drapes, raise them or pull them back so the maximum amount of light can shine through. Clean your windows until they sparkle and remove as many screens as possible (they block light).
She knows whats going on because she reads The Bridge
THE BRIDGE
F E B RUA RY 2 15, 2 012 PAG E 13
Editorial
Vote No on Local Option Taxes
Letters
Revenue Balances Cost in Montpelier Taxes
To the Editor: Thierry Guerlain, who is running for Nancy Shermans Montpelier City Council District 2 seat, says hes not a tired Tea Party voice but a skilled businessman providing fresh leadership for responsible city budgeting. But Mr. Guerlains fuzzy math makes you wonder about his business acumen. It leaves the impression he is a Tea Party voice after all. In business, success is measured by having revenue exceed expenses. Mr. Guerlain only counts the expenses. He argues if you add up all the property taxes he pays on his house, he will have paid twice for the house in about 20 years. So he suggests Montpeliers financial system is a failure. However, if you consider the benefits of living in Montpelier as revenue, the result is a success. For example, the cost of educating just one child for 12 years will exceed the annual individual property-tax bill. Revenue should also include plowing and maintaining roads, providing fire and police protection, bonding for clean water and removal of waste, and the cost of staffing citizen participation in many other civic endeavors. People live in Montpelier because, on balance, the revenue is greater than the expense. Perhaps the fire and police services Mr. Guerlain wants to arbitrarily cut by 3 percent are overstaffed and overpaid. However, an astute businessman would examine costs to achieve efficiencies, not just randomly swing a budget ax. I have no desire to see taxes constantly rising above inflation. Reducing taxes might require thoughtful slimming down of police and fire protection. It will certainly require regional cooperation to provide services at reduced costs, and having more kids living here to use our schools. Unfortunately, Mr. Guerlains plan doesnt sound like a fresh approach at all. Rather, it is a distressingly familiar rant. Ill be voting for Nancy Sherman. Kimberly B. Cheney, Montpelier Montpelier taxpayers. And the situation for Montpelier residents would be even worse if the federal government ever changes the law, as it should, so that state and local sales taxes are collected on all Internet and catalog sales. Phil Dodd, Montpelier
nderstandably, this is an anxious moment, as Montpelier voters study the local issues and prepare to vote on Tuesday, March 6, at city meeting. In this issue, we pay close attention to proposals that would establish two new local option taxes. Both new taxes require approval by city voters and subsequent approval by the Vermont legislature. One proposal on the ballot calls for adding a 1 percent Montpelier tax on the states existing sales tax. A second proposal calls for adding a 1 percent Montpelier tax on the states existing rooms, meals and alcohol tax. Many who favor these new taxes argue that they would generate additional revenue for the city, whose taxes are among the highest in the state. And theyre right: if the two proposed option taxes attract the support of voters and legislative approval, yes, additional revenue would be generated. (For details, see cover story.) Those in favor of the local option taxes want outsiders who visit the city, shop in town, see a lawyer or dentist, go to the legislature, eat a meal, or take in a movie, play or concert to pay a little for the many services the city provides. We see some merit in this thinking. Its true that Montpelier property owners pay higher taxes than property owners in surrounding towns. Its true that the city, as a regional center, offers such amenities as libraries and schools; fire, police and ambulance services; movie houses and performance spaces; restaurants; and office spaces. And, of course, Montpelier is the seat of state government. Its also true that, over the past 10 or 20 years, the city has slowly lost population and that public-school enrollment, though stable now, has seen a dramatic decline from former years. There are fewer Montpelier residents than there were before. The citys grand list is flat. At the same time, each year there are additional school and city budget requests. And in the past two or three months a group of concerned city property taxpayersVibrant and Affordable Montpelier (VAM)has called on the city administration and council to rein in spending. Its hardly possible to summarize all that city taxpayers allied with VAM are saying. Certainly they are saying that property taxes are too high. Many are saying they cant afford current city taxes with added charges for water and sewer. Some have said its hard to sell a house in Montpelier, not because of the purchase price but because the prospective buyer balks at the property taxes and added charges. Some taxpayers allied to VAM worry that their children wont be able to settle in Montpelier and make enough money to pay the taxes. Some people feel Montpelier is on a dangerous course, rolling with increasing speed toward a precipice when too many people conclude they cant afford to live here anymore and have to sell. At least some of those calling for a brake on property taxes say that Montpelier doesnt have a revenue problem; it has a spending problem. Generally speaking, we agree. After a number of face-to-face meetings with VAM, once again the administration, with council approval, is presenting a budget for fiscal year 2013 that increases property taxes. At this time last year, the Montpelier City Council presented voters with a budget that included as many as 20 requests from outside agenciesfrom a low request of $400 from Good Beginnings, an organization that serves news mothers, infants and families, to a high of $18,000 from Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice. In comparing last years FY 2012 budget with this years proposed FY 2013 budget, its helpful to compare apples to apples. Last years budget as presented included the outside agency requests. This years budget did not include those requests. But to compare both budget fairly, lets include the outside agency requests in the FY 2013 budget. When you do the city administration and council are asking voters for a 2.31 property-tax increase at city meeting on March 6. In addition, this years budget includes a request for voters to approve a new $870,000 bond earmarked for expenditures that include fixing the citys streets and sidewalks and purchasing a new firetruck. As noted by city councilor Alan Weiss, the city is currently paying close to $700,000 on interest payments on current bonds. As Weiss remarked, Bonded indebtedness has a negative impact on the operating budget, period. Formulating a budget for a future year, you start with $700,000 on interest payments. Heres why we oppose the two new local options taxes. We oppose these taxes because they are new taxes. We oppose these taxes because, after the flooding of last spring and after the late August flooding from Tropical Storm Irene, downtown Montpelier is in no shape to deal with an added tax burden. We oppose these taxes because the added tax revenues from a 1 percent sales tax and a 1 percent rooms, meals and alcohol tax must be solidly related not to fresh spending but to measurable property-tax relief. We are not hearing a guarantee from city government that new option-tax revenues will drive down property taxes. We oppose these taxes because their imposition, rightly or wrongly, could send a message that Montpelier is a high-tax city and could discourage visitors from shopping or dining here. We oppose these taxes because this was the year for the city and council, if not to reduce the city budget proposal, then at least to bring in a no-growth, level-fund budget. This did not happen.
Kings 1,000-Mile Journey

To the Editor: What a lovely essay by Daniel Hecht on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [January 19 opinion pages]. It brought back memories of my own youth in the Chicago area. I was only 4 years old when Dr. King moved to 1550 South Hamlin. I lived at 9259 South Hamlin, which was eight miles down the street but in a different world. My house was in all-white Evergreen Park, and Dr. King chose to live in a ghetto apartment. In the summer of 1966, Dr. King led a series of marches protesting unequal access to housing. There was violence inflicted on the protesters. Dr. King was hit with a brick in the head. In August, Mayor Daley forced an end to marches in Chicago and called in the National Guard. Thats when Dr. King moved the marches to the suburbs, including one in Evergreen Park. He was not welcome, but he and his followers had the courage to stand in my town and say that change must come. His victory that summer was small. He called it the first step on a journey of 1,000 miles. But I have come to the conclusion that he profoundly changed the direction of my life. Because of his work, my elementary school had at least a few African-American children, bussed in from nearby neighborhoods to attend a special education program. My Catholic high school had about 10 percent African-American students. The black and white cultures were still segregated, and I had no black friends in high school. I did not walk in a black neighborhood until I was 18 years old. But integration ended widespread racial ignorance and made the prejudices of my parents generation impossible to sustain. I cant say how far we have come on our journey of 1,000 miles. I only know we are not there yet. It is a reminder that we must all have the courage to stand up against injustice in order to keep moving forward. Dan Costin, Montpelier
Rooms and Meals Tax Will Help Montpelier

To the Editor: When the rooms and meals and sales local option taxes were presented as one package to Montpelier voters in 2004, the taxes were defeated 55 to 45 percent. This year, we will have the chance to vote on each tax separately. I intend to vote in favor of the 1 percent rooms and meals local option tax. The tax is minimal (8 cents on an $8 lunch) and will help over-burdened Montpelier taxpayers share the cost of paying for city services with those who come to enjoy Montpelier but currently pay nothing toward road and sidewalk maintenance, police protection, street lights and the like. Montpelier voters approved a 1 percent meals and alcohol tax in 1993 by a 61 to 39 percent margin, but the legislature was not receptive to the idea at that time. Since then, 12 other Vermont cities and towns have been allowed to enact a local rooms and meals tax, and they seem to have survived just fine. Burlington has had its tax for even longer. I will vote no on the sales-tax proposal, however. On a large purchase, the 1 percent tax might be enough to drive a shopper elsewhere. Businesses would have to pay an extra 1 percent sales tax on their fuel and electric bills and for other supplies delivered to them. Montpelier residents would also have to pay an extra 1 percent sales tax for anything delivered to them from out of town. This undercuts the theory that we are using the local option tax to reduce the burden on
Keep Elections for People, Not Corporations

To the Editor: On Town Meeting Day, March 6, voters in Woodstock and dozens of other Vermont towns will have a chance to vote to encourage all our elected representatives to do whatever they can to put people back in control of our elections. The influence of big money on national, state and even local elections has been growing for a long time, and the Supreme Courts Citizens United decision in January 2010 reversed precedents and gave big money free rein to buy whatever candidates and elections it could afford. Thats why you see so many more super political action committees throwing so many millions of dollars around already. A billionaire may have only one vote, but the billionaires unlimited spending probably dwarfs whatever influence you have on the electoral process. Thats because the Supreme Court says the billionaires money is speech, and you both get to speak to your hearts contentif not your wallets. The Woodstock Town Meeting warning will include this item: see LETTERS, page 14
A Benefit for Baby Stella
he Montpelier family of Emily and Ben Thomas will host a Valentines Dance Benefit for their 10-week-old daughter Stella, diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer stage 4-S. Donations will go to the family for help with medical, transportation and insurance expenses. Emily cannot return to work until Stella is cured. The dance will be Saturday, February 11 at 7 p.m. at the Catamount Country Club, 1400 Mountain View Drive in Williston. A donations page for the family is at stella-thomas. blogspot.com.
Send letters and opinions to editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
THE BRIDGE
Taxes Enable Montpeliers Vibrancy

by David R. Abbott
his is an open letter to the citizens of Montpelier who signed the Vibrant and Affordable Montpelier (VAM) letter addressed to the city. I have several questions that I put to you all, since all that currently unites you is your signature on a request that the city present to the voters a 2013 budget that is 3 percent less than the current year budget. I know many of you. From the outset I acknowledge that we are all interested, above all else, in the long-term well-being of our fair city. I hope that VAM will address these questions for the benefit of us all as we move toward Town Meeting Day. Where is VAM headed with this effort? At what point does affordability compromise vibrancy? Surely a 3 percent reduction is not going correct the ills that VAMs initiators find in the city budget. The proposed tax reduction on the average home, with an appraisal of $220,000, would be $15 per quarter, hardly an amount worthy of this kerfuffle. Ive heard some VAM signers complain about the school budget. Is this the beginning of a sustained effort at deep cutting in both the city and school budgets over the next few years? Just how vibrant will our city be then, if affordable is achieved through a
comprehensive reduction of city and school services? In the process of making Montpelier more affordable, what is our commitment to our less affluent neighbors? It is easy to underestimate the damage that even a 3 percent cut will visit upon city services for our less affluent neighbors. Sure, these services are used by many of us, but certain of these tend to be of far greater value to those of our citizens who have fewer private resources: services such as the library, the senior center and recreation programs (and, in the future, schools?). Just as at the state and federal levels, cuts in local budgets tend to benefit the wealthy disproportionately and inflict the greatest pain on our less affluent citizens in the form of curtailed or lost services. In Montpelier, probably the most at risk are citizens who are tenants. Tenants are a substantial population in the city. They will feel the service cuts most directly and are unlikely to see their rents reduced even as their landlords benefit from lower real-estate tax bills. There are two prices to consider when determining Montpeliers affordability: the cost of
Opinion
real estate and real-estate taxes. The first is by far the greater barrier to getting young people moving here, a goal expressed in the VAM letter. What is your plan for addressing the cost of real estate in Montpelier? If Montpelier is an expensive place to live it is so, first and foremost, because people want to live here, thereby driving up real-estate prices. Look at real-estate comps in communities throughout central Vermont. Compare the services we enjoy here in Montpelier with those offered elsewhere. People are attracted to Montpelier in part because of value, the quality of life made possible by the very city services that VAM would curtail. Severe cuts in the city and school budgets would, over time, cause Montpelier real-estate values to fall, thereby making Montpelier more affordable. But vibrant? And desirable? Do people really leave (not just complain, but actually leave) Montpelier because of city taxes? Lets see the evidence. We are told of the case of young homeowners with a child who signed the VAM petition. They said that they love living here but wonder if they could continue to afford
the citys taxes. Will this family leave the city they love because of a $5-a-month increase in their city real-estate tax bill? For the price of one and a half gallons of gasoline? Of which they will likely be using a great deal more if they live in the country? This story reminds me of Governor Shumlins argument that we cant raise state taxes on the wealthy because if we do they will flee across the Connecticut River. Ben, Jerry and I beg to disagree with the proposition that tax avoidance will cause Vermonters to move. Whats your plan for paying for $30 million of deferred maintenance on the citys badly deteriorating infrastructure if your goal is a significant reduction of real-estate taxes? Over the past decade, through good times and bad, Montpeliers electorate has overwhelmingly supported city budget requests on Town Meeting Day. Seventy-five percent of voters during that period approved the proposed city budgets and the great majority of the individual budget items passed by similar margins. This was an expression of our values then. There is no reason to believe that we are a different people today. Taxes are the price we pay for civilization. Are we willing to continue to pay that price for life in this now vibrant, special place? David R. Abbott is a Montpelier resident.
Buckets of Light: Why Occupy?

by Margaret Blanchard
ast night I went to sleep troubled about the state of our country and woke with a dream fragment: I was in a theater watching a Harry Potter film in which their wands and spells were turning against our young heroes. It was the end of the film, yet the wands were too hot to handle and the spells were biting back. I turned to a friend next to me as the film ended on this sad note, and said, Is that it? She shrugged, also puzzled. In response, a resonant voice in my head declared, No. Its not too late. We still have our buckets of light. The image of buckets of light brought to mind the luminous lanterns on First Night in Montpelier, magically rising into the skies like souls going up to heaven. I imagine the image of buckets provided by the spirit of my practical father; the image of light, by the spirit of my inspirational mother. What does this have to do with the Occupy movement? The useless wands are like college degrees which lead to no jobs; the traitor spells are like dreams which cannot be fulfilled. What should be beginnings for our young folk feel like endings instead.
But perhaps its not too late, because now we have this movement which, filled in our sturdy buckets, can carry light into the dark places of greed and corruption which have brought our country to this place of stagnation. It is no coincidence that nearly half (47 percent) of the members of the U.S. Congress are millionaires. Fundamental social change, in my experience, comes from grassroots movements, which, unlike our failed foreign policy, really engage the hearts and minds of the people. The Occupy movement initially captured attention by taking over public space near Wall Street, but for it to grow, much less engage the hearts and minds of the 99 percent, it must inspire a full range of discussions around issues of democracy, campaign financing, corporate control of the economy, social mobility and income disparityin both public and private spheres. The civil rights movement and the womens movement would not have become movements without the consciousness raising which took place in kitchens and living rooms among small groups of people. The gay rights movements legislation would not have gotten to first base without the Milk
strategy of individual gays coming out to family, friends and colleagues. The environmental movement is not just about regulation of natural resources but also about people in families and small groups learning to live more sustainably. The Occupy movement needs both public legislation (like the current drive to amend the Constitution against corporate personhood) and private, shared consciousness raising about issues of class, money and values. To link these public actions and private exchanges to the larger movement, we need community-wide conversation about these issues in our media; at our libraries, book clubs, post offices, stores, schools and churches; in our arts council and our humanities council; and in our theaters and film festivals. Not everyone is inclined to stand on a street corner with the peoples mic proclaiming and echoing passionate speeches and inspiring poems. But everyone can read and discuss such literature, and further analysis,
Opinion
in their own places of learning and exchange while sharing their insights through art projects, book reviews, readings, experimentation, collaboration and social action. Many of us are already committed to projects which address a variety of social issues, but we are not usually in active communication with each other. In collaboration with other progressive activity taking place in Montpelier, like Transition Town and the Council of All Beings, and with other Occupy groups in Vermont, Occupy Central Vermont could help construct those buckets of light which might bail this country out of its latest decay. Against those age-old human tendencies, financial greed and political corruption, our fragile democracy needs now such a widespread movement. So, as another departed voice in my head periodically reminds me, Dont mournorganize! Margaret Blanchard is a poet and writer. She lives in West Topsham.
LETTERS, from page 13 Whereas corporations are NOT people, and whereas money is NOT human speech, SHALL the Town of WOODSTOCK urge that all our elected representatives, take all possible actions to restore elections to the people, including an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that affirms that under our Constitution, money is not speech and corporations are not persons; and further, that upon approval of this resolution at the annual Town Meeting SHALL the town send its resolution to Vermont State and Federal representatives within thirty days of passage of this measure?
The select board is to be commended for accepting this question, as it affects every member of our community. William Boardman, Woodstock
Population Level Causes Suffering

To the Editor: Last year the Earths population crossed the seven billion mark. It took only 12 years to increase from six billion, and only 12 years before that to increase from five billion. Compare that with the 123 years it took to jump from one billion in 1804 to two billion in 1927. The U.S. and Vermont have also reached record population levels. Population growth is the root cause of
most, if not all, of our environmental problems. Rising population growth also results in increased suffering of animal species. Much of this suffering results from factory farming. Factory farming has enabled the population to grow so dramatically, and ever-increasing population growth requires even more factory farms. It is cruel and inhumane to grow thousands of chickens in tiny cubicles where they can barely move, or even in free range sheds where they actually never experience the outdoors. Its worse for veal calves whose movements are extremely limited or who are tied to little sheds. Vermont is no exception, as most of our food comes from factory farms. Even most of our dairy farms are in reality factory farms where hundreds of cows live
crowded under a roof, wandering about in their own excrement and never enjoying the pastures where they are meant to be. Even in the wild, animal life is in trouble. In the U.S. we lose acreage the equivalent of four and a half Rhode Islands every year to development caused by population growth, which results in loss of habitat for many species. Can you think of any problem whose long-term solution is in any way advanced by having larger populations? Can you think of anything that will get better if we crowd more people into our towns, cities, nations or world? How many people are enough? George Plumb, executive director of Vermonters for Sustainable Population, Washington
THE BRIDGE
F E B RUA RY 2 15, 2 012 PAG E 15
Technology: Savior or Downfall of a Generation?

by Nick Stroutsos
or the past 16 years my family and I have spent summer days at Woodbury Lake. We have a small camp on the water, and many of my earliest childhood memories are of warm summer days there. In recent years, my time spent at the camp has dwindled. But last summer, after spending a week at the lake, I noticed something profound. There was no cellphone service, Internet, or cable, just a static-filled phone and a small television set. It felt as if I had lost all contact with the outside world. Days were spent lounging in the shade, swimming, kayaking and writing. When I returned to Montpelier, everything seemed louder, and no one seemed to be engaged in anything that wasnt a phone or computer. I had experienced a minor technological detoxand I felt great. The idea of wasting hours on a cellphone or computer seemed pointless. This got me thinking.
The 21st century has brought with it change, especially in communication. Social networking has taken the general masses by storm. There are currently more then 800 million people on Facebook, and 175 million on Twitter. Not only can mass communication enrich our daily lives, it can also be responsible for acting as a forum for political movements trying to battle violence and oppression. But all of this sounds too good to be true, because, as we know, the Internet as a whole suffers unscrupulously every day at the hands of people on the other side of a computer screen, whether it be a sociopathic hacker, a corrupt government or an illiterate racist. In addition, theres no doubt in my mind that this is taking a toll on peoples social skills. As a high-school sophomore tightly woven into the Montpelier school system, I witness people glued to cellphones and computers much more than I see people engaging in stimulating conversations.
The fundamental problem is the simple convenience of it. It is much easier to thank, threaten, forgive or apologize to people without soliciting an actual human response. It is not something we should hide behind, though. A new generation of geniuses will be nothing if they are a generation that cannot interact. The other major problem I see is the increasing dependence on technology. Lets face it, if tomorrow all the computers in the world crashed and the phones died, the world would be in a state of anarchy. People would be beside themselves, locked in a fetal position weeping over the devastating loss of Facebook. What Im saying might come off as a bit extreme. Im not antitechnology; I just think its time for a reality check. Just ask yourself, How much technology do I need to be comfortable? Take into consideration that Im not asking how much do you need to survive but rather, How much is healthy? Is that someone who spends 10 hours a day
hunched over a computer, three hours a night playing video games and their entire life consumed by staring into the pixelated depths of the screen on their phone? I dont think so. Technology overall is great and consistently helpful, but throughout the years it has become excessively overused and addictive to the general population. Most of the greatest thinkers of all time went their entire lives without any electricity and still somehow managed to create some of the best works of literature, music and scientific discoveries of all time. The point is not how destructive technology is, but how destructive it can be if we find ourselves addicted to and reliant on it. The world is a place to prosper, talk, read or spend a day at the lake.
Nick Stroutsos is a sophomore at Montpelier High School.
Opt Out of Option Tax: Two Citizens Against Proposal

Measuring the Benefit of Local Option Sales Taxes
by Jon Anderson
ontpelier is again considering the adoption of a local option sales tax. The more property you own in Montpelier and the less you spend here, the more you benefit from a local option tax. The converse is also true. So many people are worse off that probably we are worse off collectively. The city projects that a 1 percent local option tax in Montpelier will raise about $690,000. All towns recently adopting local option taxes, however, pay 30 percent of revenue to the state. Of the remaining amount, 20 percent, or about $97,000, will be earmarked for business development and/or business promotion, leaving $386,000 that could be used for property-tax reduction. If that money is used only to buy things the city would have bought otherwise, it would reduce the local property tax rate by about 4.7 cents per $100 of valuation. The city estimates that PILOT payments from the state will increase by about $27,000, because the state will use the revenue it receives to increase the pool of money for making PILOT payments. On the other hand, Montpeliers portion of such funds depends on our property-tax rate. If our property-tax rate goes down, our share of funds available to fund PILOT goes down as well. If Montpelier actually uses the new revenue to reduce property taxes, I believe Montpelier will actually receive lessnot morein PILOT payments. Because property taxes are income-tax deductible, Montpelier property owners who itemize their income-tax deductions will likely pay more in federal and state income taxes. If the effective marginal rate is about 30 percent, Montpelier homeowners lose the benefit of another 30 percent of any sales-tax revenue used to reduce their property taxes. The overall benefit of a 1 percent local option sales tax to homeowners who itemize their income-tax deductions is equivalent to about 3.3 cents off the Montpelier tax rate. For the average house in Montpelier, listed at $213,000, this translates to $70.29 per homeowner. If that homeowner buys $7,029 in sales-taxable items in Montpelier in any year, the homeowner is worse off. Most homeowners with the lowest incomes will pay more in taxes. Local property taxes for homeowners with incomes of less than $47,000 per year are capped at 5 percent or less of their income. Most of these homeowners, about 15 percent of the people in Montpelier filing income-tax returns, would see little or no benefit of the property-tax reduction, while they would pay more in sales taxes whenever they shop in Montpelier or receive deliveries of sales-taxable goods at their homes. Renters occupy about half of the housing units in Montpelier. They would save money only to the extent a landlord passes through the property tax savings. Otherwise, tenants are worse off. They receive no reduction in rents while paying more in sales taxes. Most, if not all, publicly owned apartments pay no property taxes, or they pay property taxes at a rate that is fixed.
So all tenants in publicly owned units would be worse off to the extent they buy or receive delivery of sales-taxable items in Montpelier. The remaining residents will be worse off if they are loyal Montpelier shoppers and better off if they are not. Folks supporting a local options sales tax argue that it will force people shopping in Montpelier to pay for maintaining the infrastructure here, a good theory that is probably not true in practice. Nonresidents shopping in Montpelier will pay more when they shop here. On average, Montpelier residents will be no better off. Rather, the extra money that nonresidential shoppers pay will go to the state treasury as a result of the state taking 30 percent of sales-tax revenues. Montpelier will not get this money back unless it spends the new revenues rather than using them to reduce property taxes. Jon Anderson is a Montpelier resident, landlord and businessman.
Downward Spiral or Downtown Revival?

by Tom Pelham
he Montpelier City Council voted ballot items last week for Town Meeting Day that raise the meals and rooms, the alcohol and the retail sales taxes to 10 percent, 11 percent and 7 percent, respectively, amounting to increases of 10 to 16.7 percent. The Times Argus reports the passionate objections of Montpeliers business community to this proposal. The business communitys opposition is more than justified. Further, the city council could choose a viable alternative that helps, not hurts, Montpeliers struggling downtown. In this era of big-box shopping malls and Internet retailing, Vermonts traditional downtowns have stiff competition. As evidence, residents need only recall the turnover and vacancies in Montpeliers storefronts in recent years. The owners of Bear Pond Books and Rivendell Books, who expressed opposition to the councils tax-increase proposals, today must worry about Kindles and Nooks and iPads. Now, their worries include the actions of their city council. How many sales will be lost because of higher taxes in Montpelier than at competitors or on the Internet? In addition to the councils proposed new taxes, retailers must worry about municipal property taxes, which are on the rise if voters approve the budget, as well as school property taxes, which are also heading higher. Local and state government need not make life more difficult for our downtown retailers. Rather than raise taxes, efforts should focus on lowering taxes so these treasured and living landmarks of Vermonts heritage can prosper and remain the economic and social hubs of Vermonts communities for years to come. Take school property taxes. In 2005, property-tax bills on Montpeliers nonresidential property totaled $6,280,393. By 2011, this tax had grown to $9,423,085, equaling annual tax hikes of 7 percent since 2005. Its certain that retail traf-
fic in Montpelier did not grow at a 7 percent annual rate. While these taxes grew, the number of children in Montpeliers schools declined. If over these years taxes grew at only a 3 percent rate, a rate higher than inflation, the nonresidential property tax bill last year would have been $7,499,117, saving nonresidential property owners $1,923,968 annually. Imagine the glee among retailers about their portion of a $1.92 million annual savings. Certainly it would enliven their bottom line and allow more support for efforts like Montpelier Alive, which glues downtown business together to act in coordination. While the Montpelier city budget may need more revenue, and Montpeliers retailers dont need higher taxes, spending on education in Vermont is flush with cash. Consider these facts reported this month by the $200,000 Picus study funded by the legislature. Vermont spends more than all other states on K-12 education per $1,000 of personal income; Vermont has the third-lowest ratio of students to school administrators; Vermont has the lowest ratio of pupils to teachers in the nation; and Vermont has the lowest number of students per school district among all states. The bottom line, the Picus study reports, is that Vermont spends $17,447 per pupil versus a national average of $10,820, a New England average of $15,316 and averages of $14,828 and $13,797 for our neighbors Massachusetts and New Hampshire, respectively, both of which have better student outcomes than Vermont. With 85,600 pupils, if Vermonts spending per pupil equaled that of Massachusetts, Vermonts school taxes could be lowered by an eyecatching $224 million. Such savings could lower statewide school tax rates for both businesses and residents by 22 cents, giving the city council capacity to accommodate municipal spending pressures. Or, a $224 million savings in education spending would allow the elimination, rather than increase as the city council proposes, of the sales tax in all Vermonts designated downtown districts. Think of it, no sales tax in downtown areas yet school spending equal to that of Massachusetts, the state with the best student outcomes in the nation. Rather than increase taxes on retailers, the city council could lead the way to lower taxes with reforms of Vermonts expensive education finance system. The city council is well positioned for such an effort. In the legislature, the two leaders of the powerful House and Senate tax committees have deep Montpelier roots. Senator Ann Cummings is the chair of the Senate finance committee and Representative Janet Ancel is the chair of the House ways and means committee. These two legislators have the political muscle to steer the effort for educations finance reform should they so choose. Montpelier residents and business owners should reject the higher taxes proposed by the city council and insist that Sen. Cummings and Rep. Ancel aggressively pursue education finance reform. This powerful duo can help downtown retailers better serve their customers without a tax ax hanging over their businesses bottom line. Tom Pelham was finance commissioner in the Dean administration, tax commissioner in the Douglas administration and a state representative serving Calais, Marshfield and Plainfield. He is also a founder of Campaign for Vermont.
THE BRIDGE
Spring Adult Education Classes

at the Barre Technical Center
Culinary Course ServSafe: Saturday, February 11, 2012, 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.; 4:00 5:00 p.m., test; 8 hours; instructor: Wendy Clark; Cost: $175, book included pay early and pick up book early. Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) Courses: LNA 4: Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:00 8:00 p.m. (classroom) and 5:00 9:00 p.m. (clinical); March 5 June 20, 2012; 100 hours; Instructors: Lynda Volz, Lori Knowlton, and Sherry Barnard; Interviews required and scheduled for February 21, 2012; Cost: $950 for tuition & text, $20 for Licensing, and $115 for testing. LNA Summer Intensive: Daily, June 11 July 11, 2012; 100 hours; Instructors: Lynda Volz, Lori Knowlton, and Sherry Barnard; Interviews required and scheduled for May 21 23, 2012; Cost: $950 for tuition & text, $20 for Licensing, and $115 for testing. Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Course: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 6:30 p.m.; March 6 April 26, 2012; 40 hours; Instructor Karen Martin; Cost: $450 materials included. Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) Course: Tuesdays, 5:30 8:00 p.m. and additional days as needed; February 7 June 26, 2012; 60 classroom hours required; Interviews required and scheduled for February 1, 2012; Instructor: Kathi Fuller; Cost: $950 for tuition and two texts. Child Development Recertification Course: Days and times: TBA; March 1 May 30, 2012; 45 online hours for 4.5 CUs; Instructor: Lori Hebert. Cost: TBA. American Red Cross Classes: All classes are scheduled on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. except for Recertification which meets from 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Registration and payment is required at least three (3) business days prior to class. Instructor: Sheila Cleary. Pick from the following dates: First Aid: 1st Wed of the month: March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, 2012; Cost: $60.00 Infant/Child CPR/AED: 2nd Wed. of the month: Feb 8, Mar 14, April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, 2012; Cost: $70.00 Adult CPR/AED: 3rd Wed of the month: Feb 15, Mar 21, April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, 2012 ; Cost: $70.00 Recertification: 4th Wed of the month: Feb 22, Mar 28, April 25, May 23, June 27, July 25, 2012; Cost: $50.00 Baby-Sitting: Designed for youth who want to learn or improve their baby-sitting skills. Saturday: Feb 25 or April 28, 2012 Pick one. 9:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m.; 6 hours; Cost: $85 Accounting I Class: Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:00 8:00 p.m.; April 2 April 30, 2012; 18 hours; Instructor: Dottye Ricks; Cost: $185 or $365 for Acctng 1 & 2; materials included. Accounting 2 Class: Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:00 8:00 p.m.; May 2 June 4, 2012; 18 hours; Instructor: Dottye Ricks; Cost: $185 or $365 for Acctng 1 & 2; materials included. QuickBooks 1 Class: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 8:00 p.m.; April 24 May 17, 2012; 16 hours; Instructor: Lorri Otis; Cost: $185 or QuickBooks 1 & 2 for $350. QuickBooks 2 Class: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 8:00 p.m.; May 22 June 14, 2012; 16 hours; Instructor: Lorri Otis; Cost: $185 materials included or QuickBooks 1 & 2 for $350. Microsoft Excel: Thursdays, 5:30 8:00 p.m.; March 8 April 19, 2012; 17.5 hours; Instructor: Scott Griggs; Cost: $175, book additional. Microsoft Word 1: Wednesdays, Times: TBA; April 4 May 23, 2012; 16 hours; Instructor: TBA; Cost: $185 materials included. Basic Computer: Mondays, 4:00 5:30 p.m.; Arpil 2 May 21, 2012; 12 hours; Instructor: TBA; Cost: $135 materials included. Home Improvement and Handyperson Courses: Handy Electrical: Wednesdays, 6:00 8:30 p.m.; March 14 April 11, 2012; 10 hours; Instructor: Jan Ruta; Cost: $125 plus additional $5.00 material fee due first night. Handy Home Repair: Tuesdays, 6:00 8:30 p.m.; March 6 April 13, 2012; 10 hours; Instructor Patti Garbeck; Cost $140, materials included. Tooling-U and Ed-2-Go Classes: Phone for information.
Enjoy Life-Long Learning at the Barre Tech Center

Custom Classes for Local Businesses! For more information on any classes, contact Dottye Ricks at 476-1487 or drickbvt@u61.net, or visit barretechncialcenter.org.

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Connecting Montpelier and nearby communities since 1993 | FEBRUARY 215, 2012

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