Tuesday, January 13, 2009

 

January is jumping with news!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS! It’s time to get out those calendars again and start making note of all the fun activities coming up and also the meetings and requests for volunteers. Might you consider serving on the School Board or Select Board… or on the friendly neighborhood Parent Teacher Neighbor Association (PTNA)? Please give some thought to who you might be able to pass this along to as unfortunately, I don’t have EVERYBODY in town on my send list!


LOST & FOUND - If you lost anything at the First Night activities in Montpelier, you may still be able to get it back. A boxful of items are waiting to be claimed call 223-9604 or email director@mdca.org

At school Lost & Found continues to pile up, please look for missing items before they are donated to the Salvation Army.
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If there is any information to be included in the town report, it must get to the town offices immediately as the town report will be sent to the printers soon. Town Reports should be available for people the week of February 16th and can be picked up at the town offices or at the elementary school
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January 14th at 6:30pm join the PTNA for their rescheduled monthly meeting in the Berlin Elementary School Learning Center (library).

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Here is letter to the editor that was submitted to the Times Argus yesterday:

Dear Editor -

Saturday, January 17th at 10am there is a very important meeting for Berlin voters regarding how they will vote on both the school budget and town budget this year. There will be discussion and a vote as to whether to have these budgets on Australian ballot or to continue to use the Town Meeting format of presentations, discussion and a floor vote on each. While the Australian ballot allows for a greater number of voters to cast their ballot during the time the polls are open from 10am to 7pm, what is lost is the ability to make motions to make changes to the budget. Therefore, if a budget is not voted on favorably, the board would need to determine what changes should be made and bring a modified budget to the voters at a future date. Note that items which are to be decided on a floor vote are able to have discussion on the floor while any items on the Australian ballot can only be discussed at the pre-town meeting the night before. I hope at this meeting on Saturday consideration will also be given to possibly moving the Town Meeting to a late afternoon or evening time or even to a Saturday to allow more voters to attend. If an evening Town Meeting is discussed, help with transportation for those who have difficulty driving at night would also need to be considered.

Berlin residents are encouraged to visit both the school and town websites http://www.berlinschool.org and http://www.berlinvt.org. These websites contain much information including when board meetings are and will soon have information regarding budgets. Another site to check out is http://socialenergy.blogspot.com for happenings in Berlin and our surrounding greater community. If you would like to be put on an email list to receive updates, usually once or twice a month, please make your request by emailing corinne.s@comcast.net (email addresses are not shared as items are sent using bcc).

Whatever your opinion is regarding the budget votes, I hope you will come to the meeting at 10am on Saturday at the Berlin Elementary School. Free childcare will be provided.

Corinne Stridsberg

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There will be two positions on the Berlin School Board for consideration in March. The positions consist of one two-year and one three-year position. There is also one 3 year Berlin position up for consideration on the U-32 School Board. After an incredible NINETEEN YEARS on the Berlin School Board, Linda Beaupré is not planning on running again. Hopefully there are several people interested in running (it’s always good to have two or more people on the ballot!). Petitions can be obtained at the Town Clerk’s office, will need 20 signatures from Berlin registered legal voters, and must be submitted to the Town Clerk by 5pm on January 26th.
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There will be three positions on the Berlin Select Board for consideration in March. The positions consist of one three-year position and two one-year positions. If anyone is interested they will need to submit a petition by 5pm on January 26th. Petitions can be obtained at the Town Clerk's office and will need 20 signatures from Berlin registered legal voters. Pat McDonald and Kitty Langlois have decided not to seek reelection.
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The Berlin Fire Department continues to look for new members, they are an all volunteer fire department. They need folks not just to fight fires, there are a number of ways folks can help the fire department out. They hold meetings on Tuesday evenings. You’ll find contact information on these webpages: http://www.berlinfiredepartment.org/news.php http://www.berlinvt.org/Fire.htm
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Adults! Join Kellogg Hubbard Library for an A. A. Milne birthday celebration! On January 15th at 6:30pm we will be showing “Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day” and “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree.” These classic cartoons were released in the early 1960’s and are narrated by Sebastian Cabot. Documentary information will also be shown detailing the history behind the original characters and where they are now. The program is geared for adults, but they are certainly welcome to bring children and/or grandchildren who would enjoy the classic cartoons. A bit of trivia, honey and scones, and an A. A. Milne book giveaway will make for a wonderful evening at the library. http://www.kellogghubbard.org/ Check out the other wonderful programming Kellogg-Hubbard offers for both adults and kids!

If you have a library card at Kellogg-Hubbard Library (currently free to Berlin residents) have you made use of Listen Up! Vermont? By going to the library website you're able to download audiobooks 24/7!

Kellogg-Hubbard is seeking signatures on a petition to have a request for funds on the Berlin Australian ballot this year. Last year voters approved the request for $12,074. Petitions can be signed at the library or at Berlin Elementary.
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There is a note from the Town of Berlin regarding Berlin Winter Preparedness which I've posted on the main page of the school website for your convenience, please check it out: http://www.berlinschool.org It includes information regarding funds earmarked for Berlin folks needing fuel assistance that Central VT Community Action Council has; the town is looking for donations of split, hard wood (a day or two supply) for a modified Wood Warm program; also looking for people to transport a supply of wood to a Berlin resident in the event of a fuel emergency; who would be willing to donate fallen hardwood on their property; and finally looking for people to cut and split wood in the spring and summer of 2009. Please check out the details, even if you can’t help out perhaps you can spread the word to somebody that can or who is in need of some assistance.
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NATIVE TONGUE, classic rock music band, will be playing at Gusto's in Barre on the evening of January 16th. http://www.nativetonguerocks.com
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Having trouble keeping track of all your passwords? There is a way to keep them secure! Recently I downloaded a password safe from this site: http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/ Now I just have to remember the password to get into this program and I have all those other everchanging usernames and passwords stored where I can easily access them.
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Have you heard Capitol Video is moving? At the end of the month they're moving to 25 Berlin St. (formally Girasole Restaurant) where they are excited that there will not only be FREE parking but theyll also have pizza and calzones to go (pizza by Angelo Caserta of La Pizzaria). Plan on movie & pizza specials!
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Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at Montpelier City Hall - FREE! You're Invited ... Central Vermont's INAUGURATION CELEBRATION A party of the people, by the people, for the people! 11:00am on... watch Swearing-In and Obama's Speech on the Big Screen; 5pm - 7pm support local restaurants by eating dinner downtown; 6:30-10pm - Community Inaugural Ball including Dance & Live Music with the Dave Keller Band, Desserts and Inaugural Activities - bring something sweet to share, cash bar and soda/coffee/tea available, on-going coverage of Obama's Inauguration; 9:30pm on... party continues at Black Door Bistro, Langdon St. Cafe and other local spots. Organized by excited citizens of Central VT, for more info 223-4622 / info@grassrootsfund.org I hear many will be wearing ballroom gowns to the ball but certainly not required!
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The ReStore is OPEN!! at it's new location at 34 Granite Street in Barre. 477-7800 info@therestore.org visit their website: http://therestore.wordpress.com/
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Have you visited Heather's Nearly New recently? This is owned by Berlin resident Heather Ward. The store is located at 62 River Street in Montpelier. You'll find high quality clothing for children and maternity. 229-4002
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Have you checked out the Reuse Business Database that the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District offers on their website? You'll find where to take and get great reusable goods. There is also the A-Z Database for Residents You'll find these under CVSWMD Tools http://www.cvswmd.org/wp/
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Green Up Vermont poster entries are due on the last day of January. Details about this poster and writing contest can be found at http://www.greenupvermont.org or by calling 229-4586 or 800-974-3259. Green Up Day is May 2nd this year.
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Capital City Winter Farmers Market continue twice a month on the first and third Saturday at the Vermont College Gym 10am – 2pm http://www.montpelierfarmersmarket.com
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Statewide Food Drive AmeriCorps Volunteers invite you to participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service by donating non-perishable food items. The food collected in Berlin will stay local. Most desirable food shelf items include: peanut butter, cereal, tuna, canned soup, pasta and sauce, canned soup and chili, macaroni and cheese, canned beef, pork, chicken, canned ravioli, beef stew, canned fruits and vegetables. If you can help by donating something, please send it into school by the end of the week since we don't have school on Monday, January 19th.
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Some Montpelier stores will be offering discounts to their customers participate in their Breakfast Food Drive for the Montpelier Food Shelf (which Berlin residents are welcome at). January 18th-25th customers are asked to bring in a breakfast item to a participating business. Breakfast item suggestions are: cereal, canned ham, peanut butter, jelly, canned fruit and dried milk. Food pantry shelves are low and this should be a great help. Participating businesses include: Athena's; Bear Pond Books; Capitol Grounds; Damsels; Global Gifts; Men's Store; Onion River Kids; Onion River Sports; Phoenix Rising; Rivendell; Riverwalk Records; Salaam; Shaline's; Shoe Horn; Splash; The Cheshire Cat; The Drawing Board; The Getup; The Knitting Studio; Uncommon Market and Woodbury Mountain Toys
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Want to improve communication with your children, learn how to set limits, use discipline techniques without spoiling or spanking, and have a fun time together? Then come check out the Nurturing Parent Program. This is a FREE program which will meet once a week for 18 weeks from 5:30-8pm. Dinner and free childcare provided. This educational program that involves the whole family is intended for parents and guardians of 5-11 year olds. Call Cindy Haggett at PCAV to register 229-5724 email chaggett@pcavt.org
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The 2009 Vermont Farm Show at the Barre Municipal Complex is Tuesday, January 27th 9am-5pm; Wednesday, January 28th 9am-7pm and finishes on Thursday January 29th 9am -4pm Details can be found at http://www.vermontagriculture.com/FarmShow/FarmShow2009/index.html#
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BERLIN CHARTER CHANGES – Two meetings have been set, January 29th @ 7:00pm & February 9th @ 7:00pm at the Berlin Elementary School for the discussion of proposed Charter Changes - - there are several. The most significant are proposed changes to eliminate several elected positions and have them as hires by the Select board… e.g. Treasurer, Auditors, Listers…etc. If that goes through, the only position you will elect is that of Town Clerk.
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Brookfield Ice Harvest will be the last Saturday of January. A great opportunity for the whole family to see how ice was harvested on Sunset Lake at the turn-of-the-century. A demonstration of ice cutting and the ice boom used to move blocks of ice to wagons. Try out some hand-made snowshoes, and view ice sculpting, famous Vermont Floating Bridge. Lots of food, fun, and an ice hauling contest. No admission fee. January 31st at 10am in Brookfield, VT Info: 276-3959.
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3Squares VT helps folks get three square meals a day on the table, it’s the state’s expanded nutrition program which is focusing on healthy eating, it used to be called “food stamps” but has been renamed. “Now people with gross incomes of 185 percent of the federal poverty level, up from 130 percent, are eligible for the program. That's $3,269 a month for a family of four. And people will no longer have to spend down their savings for their children's college education or their retirement to qualify.” There have been a couple of interesting articles recently

http://www.timesargus.com/article/20090103/NEWS02/901030330/0/ and http://www.timesargus.com/article/20081229/NEWS01/812290364

Here’s some information you may not know – the number of families that qualify for free or reduced lunches at school helps the school in securing federal funds. If you qualify to have your children receive free or reduced lunch and breakfasts (even if it’s just a temporary out of work situation that qualifies you), it will be for the rest of the school year. You are only asked to submit new paperwork if your income goes down, not up. If you think you might qualify (even if you haven’t in the past), please visit: http://www.vermontfoodhelp.org
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Evening Adult Technical Education classes at the Barre Technical Center begin on January 20th. Details regarding classes on computers, LNA, automotive, and much more can be found at: http://www.barretechnicalcenter.org/pages/adult/adult.htm
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Need to have a dog or cat neutered or spayed and can't afford what the vets charge? Check out VT-CAN (Vermont Companion Animal Neutering) http://www.vt-can.org/home.php
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BERLIN DOGS need to be registered at the Town Clerk's office by April 1st. The cost is $7 for a dog that has been neutered or spayed and $11 for those that haven't been.
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ICE SKATING - Berlin has an outdoor skating rink with a warming hut over behind the town offices / police station.

There is also an indoor rink open year round in Waterbury: http://www.icecenter.org

2008-2009 Public Skating CV Memorial Civic Center 268 Gallison Hill Rd, Montpelier VT
Jan. 17 Sat. 1 – 2:15 PM ; Jan. 18 Sun. 4 – 5:15 PM
Jan. 19 Mon. 1 – 2:30 PM
Jan. 24 Sat. 4 – 5:15 PM ; Jan. 25 Sun. 4 – 5:15 PM
Jan. 31 Sat. 4 – 5:15 PM
Feb. 1 Sun. 4 – 5:15 PM
Feb. 7 Sat. 4 – 5:15 PM ; Feb. 8 Sun. 4 – 5:15 PM
Feb. 14 Sat. 4 – 5:15 PM ; Feb. 15 Sun. 4 – 5:15 PM
Feb. 21 Sat. 4 – 5:15 PM ; Feb. 22 Sun. 4 – 5:15 PM
$3 adult ; $2 student ; Preschool & over 62 Free / $5 skate rental

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