Time for a Trim?by Richard Sheir

The “Report of the Montpelier City Council’s Citizen Budget Review Committee,” released on October

4, 2012, contains numerous recommenda-tions for City Council consideration. The committee members’ recommendations are framed within the committee’s broad con-cern that full-time equivalent positions in city government have grown 9.8 percent, from 106.85 in 1992 to 117.28 in 2013. In about the same time frame, the population of Montpelier has shrunk 4.8 percent, from 8,247 to 7,855. They feel that this imbalance contributes to the highest effective munici-pal tax rate in the state.

Explore the Possible Benefits of Contracting Out Instead of Hiring

More often than other Vermont cities, Montpelier city government tends to employ staff instead of contracting for the same sorts of services. An example of this is found in the city’s approach to information technology (IT). The committee report recommends that City Council review how IT services are provided and the cost of those services. Comparison towns in the committee’s report all use contract services. Montpelier IT are city employees with full benefits, which is far more costly in providing services.

Addressing and Paying for the City’s Infrastructure

In its report, the Budget Review Com-mittee takes the city to task for a budgeting system that for years has implicitly assumed yearly increases. To adequately address the city budget, the committee divided itself into 10 working subcommittees.

The Budget Process Subcommittee (BPSC) produced nine recommendations, among them “that the City Council first understand and then focus on the ‘gap,’ or difference, between the projected available budget year revenues—without any tax or fee increases—and the projected expenses, which should be adjusted for known in-creases or decreases (changes in union con-tracts, health plan, debt service, etc.).”

The BPSC further recommends “that the City Manager and City Council should focus on realistic efficiencies, cost savings and/or program changes that could mitigate or resolve any negative ‘gap’ (deficit), as well as important uses for any positive ‘gap’ (surplus) to further the council’s fiscal goals before considering tax increases.”

The Debt/Capital Planning Subcommittee

(DCPSC) feels that the city’s infra-structure has not received the attention that it deserves and that the public has no real idea of how bad Montpe-lier’s city maintenance has become: “If the general public was aware of the benefit of the costs of mainte-nance as compared to waiting for things to fall into disrepair then perhaps our Capital Improvement Plan would become a pub-licly supported high priority, fully funded and executed.”

DCPSC members state their opinion that “the monies for emergencies and other urgent needs were disproportionately taken from the Depart-ment of Public Works over a period of years.” They believe that this may partially explain why Montpelier’s roads and sidewalks look the way they do. They recommend that the tables be turned when they state that “[i]n order to catch up and to create a better mix-ture of maintenance, repair and replacement, other departments and programs should also be considered as a source of emergency funds when these situations arise and a re-balanc-ing of our spending should be considered with all aspects of the budget on the table.”

In the report, the DCPSC recommends that infrastructure be paid for by shifting spending from programs instead of raising taxes: “We recommend that the council look for savings in the current budget to offset the cost of new bonds that would otherwise raise the annual debt service, taxes and the overall budget. Any monies saved could be re-di-rected to our most urgent needs like fixing our neglected infrastructure and reducing the amount of borrowing the city ultimately has to do.”

In section D of the DCPSC’s list of recom-mendations, it cites Middlebury as a good example for a possible path for change: “In Middlebury, they have a committee com-prised of department heads, the town man-ager, several select board members and some residents to decide on capital expenditure priorities. This committee allows the other department heads in the city to see what

is truly needed and move their resources around based on those needs. It also allevi-ates the insularity that often exists between departments. Instead of lobbying for the biggest share possible for their departments, managers get to see the broader needs of the community and might be willing to give and take their share from year to year depending on the circumstances to benefit the community at large. This type of com-mittee also empowers a broader spectrum of the community by decentralizing the deci-sion making, which can create more open and less closely held control of the decisions regarding how money is spent on Public Works. Perhaps if something similar was established in Montpelier, resources could be moved thoughtfully to where the City’s ur-gent needs truly lie while fostering a shared community spirit of sacrifice and unity.”

Changing the City’s Planning Department

The report of the Planning Subcommittee (PSC) finds fault with the mission of the cur-rent Planning Department. The PSC echoes the Matrix Subcommittee report’s finding that the heavy emphasis on special projects di-verts attention from core planning functions. Subcommittee members strongly recommend that City Council become involved in deter-mining the parameters of the city’s Planning Department by defining its core responsibili-ties. They recommend that City Council con-

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Connecting Montpelier and nearby communities since 1993 | NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012

IN THIS ISSUEDEMOCRACY ON A

HUMAN SCALE

Two Middlesex authors’ new book on local governance

17

BIG DIG DONEBarre reopens Main Street

2

ELECTIONS WE HAVE KNOWN

A historical view of voting in Vermont

7

STUDYING ON ELMCCV opens new,

expanded location

15

cour tesy Chelsea Green Publishing

see BUDGET COMMITTEE, page 4

NEXT ISSUE TO FOCUS ON DOWNTOWNOur November 15 paper will have a special focus on downtown Montpelier, with additional attention on downtown Barre’s resurgence. Interested in ad-vertising, or have a story idea? Please be in touch: montpelierbridge.com.

Citizen Committee

RecommendsCity Cuts

deserves and that the public has no real idea of how bad Montpe-

Time for a Trim?

PAGE 2 • NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 THE BR IDGE

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THE BR IDGE NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 • PAGE 3

HEARD ON THE

STREETSandy and Climate Change: Is There a Connection?

When asked about Sandy, local me-teorologist Roger Hill noted that the

storm’s “left hook” to the west was unprec-edented—an extremely strong high pressure system, or blocking ridge, helped to steer it westward. Hill observed that complex fac-tors were at play with Sandy, noting that it occurred in conjunction with tides that were high, and then a developing nor’easter incorporated Sandy and dragged it inland. Central Vermont got off easy, experiencing modest winds and relatively little rain com-pared with other East Coast regions.

When asked if there’s a connection between the storm’s enormity and climate change, Hill said it’s too early to say with certainty: “I will make this broad statement. I suspect it is; in my heart I know it is; I don’t have the science to connect the dots quite yet. NASA and all sorts of academics will be looking at this, and they’ll probably come up with a connection. It’s just not 100 percent certain at this point.” Asked to venture what that connection might be, Hill responded without hesitation, “Extreme precipitation events.” Hill quoted New York Governor Cuomo, who noted to President Obama that 100-year floods are happening every other year.

Hill did say undeniable environmental changes suggest a climate connection: Oceans are warming (and getting more acidic), as they absorb 70 percent of the planet’s warming and continue to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2); the atmosphere now holds 396 to 397 parts per million of CO2. With warmer ocean temperatures, extra water vapor becomes available for storm energy to take up and dump, as storms move inland. Chemistry changes of extra CO2 in the atmosphere may not yet be absolutely linked to increasing storm violence and size, but those changes look contributory. It is, says Hill in an e-mail, “sunlight plus CO2 that heats the planet, raises water vapor and creates increasingly violent and heavy storms.”

Under Consideration: Transferring the Rec Department to the City Budget

Initial steps are underway to consider moving the Montpelier Recreation Department, cur-rently under the budget of the Montpelier School System, to the city’s budget. Here is the

wording of the motion passed by the City Council, directing City Manager Fraser to explore the idea further and report on it: “Motion: ‘That the City Manager develop a preliminary feasibility study with a due date of the second City Council meeting in March with the goal of actively considering the transition of the recreation department to the city budget in order to achieve efficiencies with parks, cemetery, trees, and possibly the Justice Center.’”

Barre Streets Reopen

In this photo of Times Argus photogra-pher Stephan Hard atop a pickup truck

Tuesday evening, October 23, Hard is photographing Governor Shumlin, Barre mayor Thomas Lauzon, Big Dig mascot Digger and Barre city manager Steven Mackenzie (Barre Partnership director Dan Jones with back to camera). The photo subjects are viewing a historical photo of Main Street, which had been taken from a similar vantage as the Times Argus photographer’s view, during a short celebration of the completion of Barre’s $16 million North Main Street Big Dig.

New Digital Technologies at Kellogg-Hubbard Library

Kellogg-Hubbard Library continues to adopt new digital technologies. They’ve announced a new circulation and catalogue database called Destiny. The library says that the sys-

tem now enables patrons to “renew materials, place holds, view the top ten circulated books, compile resource lists and check new arrivals from home any time of the day or night.” The library staff can also notify patrons when books are in, through patrons’ e-mail.

Final Hearing on East Montpelier School Bond Vote

The final public hearing on the bond vote for renovations to the East Montpelier Elemen-tary School has been postponed due to bad weather. Originally scheduled to meet Oc-

tober 29, the hearing will now take place on Friday, November 2, at 6:30 p.m. This hearing is the final opportunity for voters to ask questions about the $8.17 million proposed project before the bond vote on November 6.

—second item by Richard Sheir; all other items by Bob Nuner and Kate Mueller

P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601Phone: 802-223-5112 | Fax: 802-223-7852 montpelierbridge.com; facebook.com/montpelierbridge

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Copyright 2012 by The Montpelier Bridge

Traveling east out of Montpelier on Towne Hill Road on any fair day, I am treated with a short but spectacular view of our Granite Hills. This vista reveals itself as

I crest the hill just beyond the Bliss Road intersection. The higher end of the range—Spruce, Signal, Burnt, Butterfield and Knox mountains—stand center view, while the lesser summits of Hardwood, Kettle and Lords trail off to the north.

The hills’ granite moniker, which is seen only on obscure maps, is well chosen, composed as they are of geologically distinct granite in a landscape dominated by schist, marble and related metamorphic rocks. They are a coherent group of 1,600- to 3,400-foot hills and mountains that stick out in the otherwise low relief of central Vermont. Unlike the long ridgelines of the Green, Northfield and Worcester ranges, the Granite Hills have well-rounded summits that stand apart from one another, with considerable low terrain between. Except for the higher summits, which are capped with spruce and fir, the Granite Hills are cloaked in the maple, beech and birch trees of our northern hardwood forest. Groton State Forest, our second-largest state land-holding, encompasses some 26,000 acres of these hills, which not incidentally include some of central Vermont’s best lakes and ponds.

It is a great tract of wildland, never having been farmed because of the rocky, acidic soils at its higher elevations. From my home on Drew Mountain at the north end of the Granite Hills, I can walk for 15 miles through forested vales and up and down rugged slopes and not cross a single hayfield, lawn or regularly maintained road. Whether admired from afar, or trod underfoot, a nearby wild landscape is to be treasured.

—Brett Engstrom, guest contributor

Nature Watch

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Storm clouds in Waterbury on Monday, October 29. Photo courtesy Matthew Hogan.

PAGE 4 • NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 THE BR IDGE

sider “when and how other organizations can appropriately initiate and implement projects now initiated by the City Planning Depart-ment. . . . Food sustainability, time banks, neighborhood organizing and others are all worthwhile efforts that are, and can be, ad-dressed by local and regional nonprofits.”

The PSC report also contains a discussion of whether the city would be better off break-ing off planning and economic development into two areas of city government, since half the department’s work pertains to planning and zoning and half involves community and economic development work.

Ideas for Providing Cost-Effective Fire Services

The Public Safety Subcommittee (PSSC) did not consider the police department, due to time constraints, but fire services were considered and other public safety concerns were addressed in its 15 recommendations. After seconding the city’s effort to regionalize the city’s dispatch center, the subcommittee offers an intriguing vision of a different, more cost-effective plan for providing fire services.

The PSSC followed up on the Matrix Subcommitee report’s call for part-time fire-fighters and the training of a core of Mont-pelier residents as on-call volunteers for shift coverage. It goes on to detail the benefits of paging the volunteers after hours: “The City could utilize a pager system for evening cov-erage of fire responses by an enhanced Call Force. Two call force members could respond with the initial tone for any fire call in the City after the close of normal business hours. This type of response meets the O.S.H.A. requirement of the “Two in Two out Policy” for hazardous conditions and enables regular employees the ability to gain entry, rescue residents, and increase fire ground safety and effectiveness while working to confine and extinguish the fire. This system would increase fire ground safety and effectiveness of initial fire ground operations for con-finement, rescue, and suppression of fires without delay. (With an advanced call force

response program the City can save mon-ies paid in overtime to regular employees. This program would also protect the City from being in violation of O.S.H.A. regula-tions pertaining to fire ground operations, which cannot currently be met on every call due to staffing levels.) With a well-trained, well-staffed and well-deployed call force to augment the professional force, the City could realize the dual benefits of both cost-savings and improved effectiveness.”

The PSSC then asks the city to “[a]nalyze the costs and benefits of utilizing ambulance vans rather than the larger, box-like units currently employed to deliver Emergency EMS care. Box units are designed more for comfort and space on long-distance critical care transfers when more than two personnel are required. Vans are smaller, easier to han-dle, provide ample space for patient care with one or two attendants on short runs to the hospital and are much less costly to purchase and maintain. The City should undertake this analysis prior to making any replacement purchases for existing ambulance units.”

The PSSC has serious concerns about Montpelier ambulance transfers subsidizing nonresidents as well as concerns that the city isn’t able to provide a cost analysis of a poten-tially costly subsidy. They recommend that Montpelier “[u]ndertake a comprehensive and thorough analysis of the practice of per-forming ambulance transfers using Montpe-lier equipment and personnel and consider eliminating the service if it is not profitable. The City was unable to provide this sub-committee with a real cost of ambulance transfers and unable to substantiate that transfers make money for the City. The City should be able to calculate a COST OUT THE DOOR to claim it is making money off transfers. (COTD includes fuel, lights, heat, storage, overtime, etc.) With overtime costs of over $200,000 at time and one half,

the City should be able to provide an initial cost to the taxpayer. It appears the Montpe-lier taxpayer is subsidizing non-residents by doing transfers with Montpelier Firefighters and overtime cost shifted to the City.”

Ending the joint fire agreement with neigh-boring towns is another recommendation that addresses the direct subsidy of out-of-town residents: “Consider charging for Fire

Department services to all non-residents by use of City ordi-nances. Montpelier property taxpayers underwrite the cost of our public safety and emergency ser-vices, yet we are the host to thousands of non-residents who also have access to

Montpelier services. The City should con-sider instituting a system where non-resi-dents are billed for certain services they require from the public safety departments (e.g. (haz mat, car fire, etc.). Montpelier of-ficials should investigate this system, which we understand is in place in some other mu-nicipalities by use of City ordinances.”

The report contains recommendations for producing significant cost savings through changing the structure of the provision of fire services in Montpelier. The PSSC’s rec-ommendation 13 states: “The City should consider renegotiating the work shifts for Fire and Ambulance services,” and goes on to note that “[t]he Fire/Ambulance employ-ees presently work a shift that is 24 hours on and 72 hours off. The department has four (4) crews of three employees and Special Project Officers who work most days and some nights. However, on most weekend days and nights, the shift coverage is only three (3) firefighters. The City should ne-gotiate a more productive and safer shift configuration, such as 10 and 14 hour shifts. It amounts to the same number of hours worked but puts more firefighters on each shift both day and night and allows the De-partment to meet OSHA standards around

the clock. It could have the added benefit of reducing call back for sick and/or vacation time, thereby creating a cost savings within the department. If savings can be found by reducing overtime, the City could consider hiring three more firefighters full time and leave the 24/72 schedule.”

The PSSC’s recommendation 15 further states: “The City should investigate the costs and benefits of the current practice of de-ploying a fire truck on every ambulance call. Most residential calls can be handled by the two personnel on the ambulance call (oxygen and defibrillators can be affixed to the ambulance cot as they are designed to accommodate these tools).”

Addressing the Recreation Department

The Recreation Department Subcommit-tee addressed the city’s recreation depart-ment—its governance as well as its current fee structure. Again, following the lead of the Matrix Subcommittee report, subcom-mittee members recommended “bringing the Recreation Department under the city’s supervision, in a new department with the Senior Center.” They noted that the Recre-ation Department fee structure is dissimilar from other cities insofar as it relies far more heavily on city tax support and pointed out that “other cities and town interviewed are able to run Recreation Departments on smaller budgets per capita and, often with greater reliance on fees or donations from the business community and social orga-nizations. Montpelier should undertake a study based on these other towns (especially St. Albans, Middlebury and Brattleboro) to see what changes Montpelier could adopt for more efficient and effective delivery of recreation services. For example, in at least two cases, maintenance needs are met by the city public works department. There may be other differences worth examining.”

In the case of both the Senior Center and the Montpelier Recreation Department, the matter of subsidizing out-of-town residents comes into question, which is a theme that runs throughout the report.

BUDGET COMMITTEE, from page 1

IN THE LAST 20 YEARS, CITY GOVERNMENT HAS GROWN 9.8 PERCENT

WHILE MONTPELIER’S POPULATION HAS SHRUNK 4.8 PERCENT.

THE BR IDGE NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 • PAGE 5

Re-Elect

BILL DOYLEWashington County Senator

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by Peggy Munro

I have to admit, it’s taken me a while to connect all the dots regarding the machi-nations of the Republican Party’s current

political campaigns; the momentary cessa-tion of hostilities due to Hurricane Sandy has not changed my opinion. At first, I was upset about the party’s positions on women’s health issues. And I got hot under the collar at statements about the 1 percent, the 99 percent, the 47 percent, the 30 percent. The statistical talk suggested that as long as party members were only speaking in the abstrac-tions of figures, they weren’t really talking about me or you. Then the discussion de-volved to the nuts and bolts of voucherizing Medicare and Social Security, of splitting the population into those that would receive the traditional benefits and those who would move to “the new system.” And I can’t even begin to put my head around what foreign policy might look like in a year’s time if the neoconservatives regain power and plunge us back into a warmongering mentality, where brute force and torture is the answer to every question.

This election, at least on the Republi-can side, is not about a series of ill-timed misstatements, gaffes and other assorted “I never said that’s.” These are not hapless, ill-informed people running the campaigns: these are politically astute and experienced operatives who know that, most of the time, people don’t pay attention, and when they do, that attention is short-lived and easily parried.

This election cycle was supposed to be all about us: about the state of our economy, our standing in the world, our infrastructure, our education. And the code words thrown around have done a reasonable job of con-vincing us that we, the people, are what’s being discussed and debated.

It’s not, and we have been taken in. This election is actually about pitting them against me. Whether “them” is men, the wealthy, the poor, the elderly, the young, the educated, or the laborers, every one of us is being assigned

labels and positions and told that we may not change them. And this insistence on labels, on maintaining current status and strata, is about as un-American as it gets.

I thought I had been studying this election in a considered way. I can see the weaknesses in our country, and I do think we need to ad-dress them. I do see that the economy is not as strong as any of us would like. I do under-stand that we are not educating our children as well as we might. I do appreciate that the so-called entitlements of Social Security and Medicare are not sustainable in the long term as they currently stand.

What I don’t see, but what I’m afraid I am beginning to too clearly understand, is why each and every proposed solution fails to look at us as a whole and instead finds ways to have each of us be in opposition to all others. The Republicans are practicing a divide-and-conquer strategy; if they cannot speak to the country as a whole, they will ad-dress each little demographic and demonize all the others that run counter to their views. If they can get me to dismiss those who pay no income tax as takers, maybe I won’t notice their positions on women. And while I’m busy buying into their idea that those who don’t pay income taxes are noncontributing leeches sucking the blood out of the country, I may not see that they’ve very neatly slashed my Medicare benefits and, more important, my Medicare guarantees.

They will tell you that they are strict Constitutionalists, that the federal govern-ment has overstepped its boundaries as set out in the Constitution and that, as a result, government has taken over our lives. Too bad that they ignore the Preamble to the Consti-tution, which states that “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure do-mestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” If you’re looking for the intent of the founders, I think this statement is pretty clear: it’s about us together, not us apart.

In the words of John Donne, “No man is an island, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine.” This election should not be about you, and it surely is not about me; it’s about us, about we, about community, about tackling common problems and reaching reasonable solutions.

I would bastardize John Donne by say-ing, “Every person is an island, every person stands alone.” That, apparently, is the mes-sage of the current Republican Party.

Margaret Atkins Munro, EA, is a licensed tax professional living in Essex Junction. She is the author of 529 & Other College Savings Plans for Dummies and coauthor of Taxes 2009 for Dummies and Estate & Trust Ad-ministration for Dummies (coauthored with Kathryn A. Murphy, Esq.).

Election Needed for We, the People

Money Matters

PAGE 6 • NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 THE BR IDGE

Editor’s note: When The Bridge editors took a careful look at the several statewide races for constitutional office, we decided to skip the race for Vermont secretary of state.

Yes, the incumbent secretary of state was fac-ing nominal opposition from a Liberty Union candidate, but he had secured nominations from his own Democratic Party and also from the Progressive Party and the Working Families Party. In addition, he had won the nomination of the Republican Party by winning enough Re-publican write-in votes in the primary election.

After we published our October 17 issue with interviews of candidates for governor, treasurer, auditor and attorney general (neither candidate for lieutenant governor got back to The Bridge in time to be included in our spread), we heard from Secretary of State Jim Condos. In an e-mail message, Condos reminded us that he had a race, even though that race was nominal, and he was disappointed with The Bridge for not in-cluding him in the spread. In the days after our October 17 spread was published, we got back to Jim Condos and he agreed to an interview.

by Nat Frothingham

Secretary of State Jim Condos is a through-and-through Vermonter. He grew up in Burlington and moved to

South Burlington in his high school years. After graduating from South Burlington High School, he went on to the University of Vermont (UVM), where he graduated with a degree in re-source economics. As he explains, that major was UVM’s first formal academic interest in the then-emerging study of the environment.

His business career included long stints with the Lambert Company, which sold pharmaceuticals and confections. He was on the candy side of the business, traveling across Vermont selling such familiar brands as Rolaids, Dentyne gum and Certs. In the 1990s, he was downsized out of Lambert and went to work for Vermont Gas Systems, a

regulated utility, where he was marketing di-rector and public affairs manager. He worked for Vermont Gas Systems for 13 years.

Condos is proud of his working-class back-ground. “I’m a second-generation American,” he told The Bridge. “My grandparents from both sides came from Greece.”

When there was a public flap over vote-counting difficulties during the Progressive Party’s primary election for governor, Condos didn’t blame others for the difficulties; he took responsibility. He had learned about taking responsibility from his family up-bringing, or as he said, “When you make a mistake, own up to it, learn from it and move on.”

On the public side of his life, Condos served 18 years on the South Burlington City Council, serving as the council’s chair for the last eight years. He dealt with transportation issues as a member of the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization. He also served on the Chittenden County Re-gional Planning Commission, with stints on the board of Chittenden County Transporta-tion Authority. He served in the Vermont Senate from 2001 to 2008, where he chaired the Government Operations Committee with oversight on the secretary of state’s office. He was also chair of the Senate Education Committee.

In 2010, Condos was elected as Vermont’s 38th secretary of state. As Vermont’s chief election officer, he sees his job as non-partisan.

Discussing his pri-orities as secretary of state, Condos said, “I focused my first two

years on transparency in government.” He pushed through the legislature the first up-grade on public records laws in years. Now, he’s working on an update of open meeting laws. As part of his service, he toured the state and talked in 17 different locations on what he calls his Vermont Transparency Tour. Condos said flatly: “The people of the state . . . have a right to know what the government is doing.”

In general, Condos is seeing “a good elec-tions process” in Vermont with hardworking town clerks and local elections officials, but he sees a need for more training, and some town clerks are still on dial-up access and need better Internet access.

As he looks ahead to this year’s presi-dential election on November 6, he notes the traditional pattern of voter participa-tion: Less participation in the years between presidential elections, from 54 percent to 61 percent, and greater voter participation in presidential election years, about 70 percent or even more.

“What I worry about is town meeting day,” Condos said. “It’s probably less than 25 per-cent statewide.” He finds it interesting that voters come out in droves for a presidential election, but voter participation drops off at town meeting. “We’re not dealing with our local government issues that affect us every-day,” he said.

When Condos served on the South Bur-lington City Council, he said, “We had a [local] $10 million dollar operating budget. We would have two or three people turning up [at hearings]. But if we had an amendment to the leash law, 150 people would turn out.”

Condos often talks to school groups: “One of the things I talk about is voter participa-tion and eligibility.”

In 1788, only white male landowners had the right to vote. But over the years the right to vote has expanded. In 1870, black Americans got the right to vote. In 1920, women won that right. In 1961, citizens who lived in the District of Columbia (Washing-ton, D.C.) were granted the right to vote. Shortly thereafter, with the passage of the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the poll tax was abolished. In 1965, the Vot-ing Rights Act banned literacy tests and overt racial discrimination. Then came the 26th Amendment to the Constitution that lowered the voting age to 18. In 1986, absentee voting was established for overseas Americans. In 1993, with the National Voting Registration Act, voting registration was simplified. And in recent years, both people who live overseas and men and women in military service were given greater voting protections.

“What,” asked Condos, “do all these mea-sures have in common?” He answered his own question: “They are all designed to in-crease voting eligibility and participation.”

The effects of these measures have been dramatic. Said Condos, “In the 2008 presi-dential election, we had more voter par-ticipation than ever before. The turnout was more racially and ethnically diverse than ever before, with a greater number of younger and low-income voters casting ballots.”

But we haven’t reached voting nirvana. “Now the concern I’m seeing across the coun-try,” Condos said, “are attempts to restrict and suppress voting.” Condos sees this at-tempted voter suppression as a grim develop-ment. Yes, there’s a lot of talk about voter fraud. But Condos isn’t seeing it. Instead, he condemns voter suppression moves, saying, “Denying eligible voters the right to use their constitutional right to participate is the real voter fraud.”

Secretary of State James CondosPromoting Transparency in Government and Voter Participation

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THE BR IDGE NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 • PAGE 7

by Paul Gillies

Elections are wearying. By the time we get to election day, the noise and glare of the campaigns are almost over-

whelming. We are assaulted by news and ads on the radio, TV, the Internet and in news-papers and solicitations from the telephone and the mailbox, at the front door and even at the door of the polling place. We embrace the end of election day, not only to learn the result of the various races, but because it brings an end to all that babble (or, if you prefer, malarkey).

The election of 2012 will be re-membered for the money—nearly a billion dollars spent by each of the major presidential can-didates alone, not counting the direct expenditures of super PACS. But, perhaps surprisingly, it is not re-markable for the personal attacks, challenges to voter registration, political chicanery or a lack of respect among candidates. History gives us plenty of better examples of bad be-havior in elections.

Vermont has had only one reported in-stance of an election crime. That occurred in

St. Albans, during the election of 1910, when Hiram Dee, an election official, was accused of violating his duty as an election official by pocketing several ballots rather than placing them in the ballot box. Whether he was punished for this is unclear, although he was charged with that crime.

In 1902, S. J. Beatty, a delegate to the Republican convention, was told that “the men who are in the fight for governor are all rich—millionaires, in fact. There is plenty of money being spent in the fight; and if I were in your place I would take all the money I

could get. Somebody is going to get it; you might as well have it.” Delegates were of-fered $500 to $1,000 for their votes. No one was prosecuted for this, but it led directly to the enact-

ment of Vermont’s first corrupt practices act and eventually to the direct primary.

During the election of 1813, 190 soldiers in the state militia encamped at Burlington were marched to Colchester to vote and told that “if any soldier was known to vote for the federal ticket, he would be cobbed when he got back.” Nobody asked where those soldiers lived. Four gallons of rum helped smooth

over any hard feelings, and the men voted mostly for the Democratic candidates. The votes from that precinct were later discounted in the final tally, when the ballots were chal-lenged before a legislative committee.

The 1869 Council of Censors took issue with the way elections were run in Vermont. “Our elections,” it reported, “accompanied as they are by local contests, the intrigues of cliques, and the struggle of hungry aspirants, have in them much that is demoralizing. Not to mention the corrupt appliances which unscrupulous men bring to bear more or less in every close contest, there are influences which cannot be stigmatized as immoral which have yet an unhealthy tendency.” That year the council proposed the two-year term, replacing the annual elections the state had experienced since 1778. Halving the number was a progressive idea, designed in part to reduce political infighting and the constancy of election cycles.

The election for governor in 1844 was the nastiest in Vermont’s election history. William Slade, challenging incumbent U.S. Senator Samuel S. Phelps, accused Phelps of drunkenness during the most important vote in the U.S. Senate during his term, for swear-ing on the floor of the chamber (he used the word hell) and for “his excessive jealousy and violence of feelings, which are aggravated

by his drinking.” Phelps gave as well as he got, and a series of incendiary words were exchanged by pamphlets and in the press. Al-though Phelps won another term in the Sen-ate, the toxicity of the exchanges destroyed both men’s political careers.

This year, by comparison, the election sea-son has been rather mild in tone, here in Vermont, at least. The major issues of the statewide campaigns—from wind towers and health care to the budget and whether one should rent or own a home—are not per-sonal. Character is the determinant for vic-tory, aside from the cachet of incumbency.

We are a fortunate electorate because of that. The election is a healthy distraction from the weather, the economy and the com-ing of winter. The races for the legislative and statewide offices have been largely run in a civil manner, and the disgraces of the past only help to highlight how professional and civilized the process of running for of-fice and conducting elections has become. On election day, we will get the leadership we deserve. That is both our hope and our destiny.

Paul Gillies is a Montpelier attorney and writer.

Elections: The Long View

LOSTSilver ring with round turquoise stone. Went missing somewhere in downtown Montpelier about two weeks ago. Very cherished ring: it’s been on my finger for 37 years. Good karma and great apprecia-tion for its safe return!

If found, call Karen, 223-3219.

Essay

PAGE 8 • NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 THE BR IDGE

School Board Addresses Second-Grade Ennui and Frustrated Parents

by Zachary Beechler

When the Montpelier School Board met on October 17, they were not ex-

pecting the standing-room-only crowd of 30 concerned parents, urging the board to hire a fifth second-grade teacher at Union Elemen-tary School. Classes are too big, said parents, and children are no longer as interested in school as they used to be. Currently, there are four second-grade teachers, with 20 to 23 students each.

After the parents spoke, Superintendent Brian Ricca reminded the board of the fi-nancial constraints and other variables sur-rounding any new employment. Eventually, the board directed Ricca to initiate the hiring process for another second-grade teacher and also, per the superintendent’s recommenda-tion, to install classroom coaches—highly experienced, roaming instructors already em-ployed at the school—to immediately begin focusing their attention on the second grade.

The first parent to speak, Amy Tatko, said her daughter was an avid reader who had always loved school, but that, that had suddenly changed. Her daughter’s first-grade class had been smaller, she said, and last year a second-grade teacher was moved to another grade. “Waiting for learning to happen” was how she described her daughter’s disengage-

ment while the teacher settled down a room of easily distracted second-graders. “For seven weeks,” said Tatko, “when I asked her what was good about school today, she has told me about recess.”

Some parents complained to the board that their children were pretending to be sick to avoid going to school. Another cited a U.S. Department of Education study that con-cluded class size is the only objective factor in influencing academic performance. Even the rooms were deemed too small and not de-signed for so many desks, which further con-tributed to a hectic learning environment.

Too much time spent settling down stu-dents meant less time spent on classroom instruction, parents argued, which in turn might might eventually lead to their children falling behind state and federally mandated standards for reading and math. Also, chil-dren develop their attitude toward education at an early age, which in turn might go a long way in determining their children’s future academic progress, parents insisted. How-ever, none blamed the teachers for any of the current problems.

State guidelines are that classes cannot average more than 20 students. However, the average number of students per class is deter-mined by calculating the average of grades kindergarten through third grade; therefore,

smaller classes in kindergarten, first, and third grade lower that number to 18.

Superintendent Ricca noted that previously he was a teacher for 24 first-graders and that while a smaller number of students may be ideal, he was confident that the current size was not impossible. Nor was he necessarily convinced the increased behavior problems were the direct re-sult of increased class size.

Rather than hiring a fifth teacher, Ricca proposed employ-ing in-house coaches to assist the primary teachers, all of whom would provide feedback to the board at their next meeting. In addition, he suggested that a consultant from Washington County Mental Health Services observe the second grade and give their recommendations. And Ricca was more than willing, if directed by the board, to hire another teacher, he said, though he was quick to point out, “I can’t guarantee that a fifth second-grade teacher makes any of this better for anybody. I can’t guarantee that what I’m proposing is going to make it better, either.”

In addition to the financial strain of adding another teacher after the current budget has

already been passed, the earliest Ricca could possibly hire someone would be December, he said, which was already too late for some parents. He also cautioned the board that the candidate pool is shallower this time of year, and by rushing into the hiring process, they could risk being stuck with a substandard teacher, and he pointed out that, as a result

of moving students around to create a fifth class, parents might be trading one set of problems for another.

While parents cer-tainly understood the financial consid-

erations constraining the board, as well as the more than reasonable prudence recom-mended by Superintendent Ricca, the general sentiment seemed to be, as one parent put it, “I’m sure there are a hundred reasons not to add a fifth class to the second grade, but if the one reason to do it is that it’s what’s best for our children, then in my heart I truly feel that trumps any other logistical reason or excuse that we can come up with.”

The next Montpelier School Board meet-ing is on November 7.

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THE BR IDGE NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 • PAGE 9

Upcoming EventsFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 233rd Annual National Life Craft Fair. 4:30–7:30 p.m. Free admission; free parking. Event continues Saturday, November 3.Coffeehouse. Enjoy live music and share your own. Fellowship, potluck snacks and beverages. 7–9 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, 137 Main Street, Montpelier (park and enter at rear). Free. 244-5191, 472-8297 or rawilburjr@comcast.net. Event happens every first Friday.The Limit of Our Sight. Soprano Lindsey Warren, baritone Kevin Quigley and pianist Annemieke Spoelstra perform a recital contemplating life and beyond, including the music of Benjamin Britten, Richard Strauss, Charles Ives, Alban Berg, Antonin Dvor-ak, Hugo Wolf and Kevin Quigley. 7:30 p.m. Bethany Church, 115 Main Street, Montpelier. $20 suggested donation.Woody Sed. A performance piece about the life, times, and music of Woody Guthrie. 7:30 p.m. Chandler’s Upper Gallery, 71–73 Main Street, Randolph. $15 in advance, $20 day of show. Tickets at 728-6464.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3Work Hike with the Montpelier Section of the Green Mountain Club. Fall walk-through on the Long Trail to Bamforth Ridge Shelter. All abilities; 3–4 miles round-trip. Bring lunch and wear sturdy boots, work clothes and gloves. Meet at 8 a.m. at Montpelier High School. Eric, 223-1406 or trails@gmcmontpelier.org. Onion River Sports Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Swap. Drop off your old gear through Friday during store hours; grab used gear or new equipment closeouts on Saturday morning. Arrive early for best deals: line starts before 8:30 a.m. 9 a.m.–noon. Onion River Sports parking lot, Montpelier. 229-9409 or onionriver.com.33rd Annual National Life Craft Fair. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free admission; free parking.Fall Open House at Yoga Mountain Center. Free yoga classes in two studios, chai and treats, massage and discounts on yoga class cards and merchandise. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. 7 Main Street (second floor), Montpelier. 223-5302 or yogamountaincenter.com.Hunger Mountain Coop’s Food and Wellness Expo. Sample goods from local vendors and food artisans, learn about local health and wellness resources or get a free massage. Kids’ activity area. 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m. City Hall, 39 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. hungermountain.coop.Celebrate National Picture Book Month. Grace Greene of the Vermont Department of Libraries and authors/teach-ers Leda Schubert and David Martin discuss the importance of early childhood literacy, and Amy Cunningham of Everybody

Wins Vermont shares tips on the art of reading aloud. Giveaways, book lists and discounts. 11 a.m. Children’s room, Bear Pond Books, 77 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. 229-0774.Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas. World-class Scottish fiddle and cello. Workshop, 1–4 p.m.; concert 7:30 p.m. Old Meeting House, East Montpelier. Workshop: $40; concert: $20 in advance, $25 day of show, $50 family. Tickets at Bear Pond Books in Montpe-lier, at the parish house office or at oldmeetinghouse.org.Occupy Central Vermont: General Assembly. 3–5 p.m. Guerrilla garden park, next to Charlie O’s, Main Street, Mont-pelier. Heather, facilitation@occupycentralvt.org. Event happens every first Saturday. Monteverdi Workshop Series: Celebrating Hil-degard of Bingen. Lindsey Warren leads an exploration of the 12th-century Renaissance woman’s illuminations, poetry and music. 4–6 p.m. Monteverdi Music School, 46 Barre Street, Montpe-lier. By donation. Lindsey, info@northeastmusicstudios.com, or Eliza, 229-9000 or montevd@sover.net.Benefit Dinner for Rhythm of the Rein. Choice of ham or turkey, plus assorted desserts. Seatings at 5 and 6 p.m. First Baptist Church, Washignton Street, Barre. $10 adults, $5 children under 10. Reservations at 479-9463.Goddard College Concerts: Sean Hayes with Birds of Chicago. The San Francisco singer-songwriter presents his newest release. Cash bar by Positive Pie. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m. Haybarn Theater, Goddard College, 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield. $15 in advance, $20 day of show. goddard.edu.Mini Mud. Now in its sixth season, this annual performance cel-ebrates young talent from across the region. 7 p.m. Chandler Music Hall, 71–73 Main Street, Randolph. In adnvance: $14 adults, $6 students; day of show: $16 adults, $8 students. Tickets at 728-6464 or chandler-arts.org.Eleva Chamber Players: American Roots. Central Vermont’s only professional chamber orchestra plays a concert of music for strings by great American composers. 7:30 p.m. Waterbury Congregational Church, 8 North Main Street. $20 adults, $10 students and seniors. Tickets at elevachamberplayers.org. Concert repeats Sunday, November 4.Contra Dance. All dances taught; no partner necessary. All ages welcome. Bring shoes not worn outdoors. 8–11 p.m. Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite Street, Barre. $8. 744-6163 or capitalcitygrange.org. Event happens every first, third and fifth Saturday.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4Berlin Pond Waterfowl Walk. Look for lingering loons, waterfowl, American coot, scoters and other surprises at this birding hotspot. 7:30–10 a.m. $5 North Branch Nature Center members, $15 nonmembers, free for kids. Call the nature center for meeting place: 229-6206.Hunger Mountain Coop Annual Meeting. Meet other member-owners and participate in discussions that will help shape the future of the co-op. Brunch buffet prepared by the co-op’s deli. 11:15 a.m.–2 p.m. City Hall, 39 Main Street, Montpelier. Free; register at 223-8000, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.coop.

Eleva Chamber Players: American Roots. See Satur-day, November 3, for description; note change in time and venue. 4 p.m. First Universalist Church, 19 Church Street, Barre. $20 adults, $10 students and seniors. Tickets at elevachamberplayers.org. Solo Piano Recital by Diane Huling. The Vermont pianist plays “big piano” pieces: Handel’s Chaconne, Beethoven’s sonata Op. 109 and Brahms’s third sonata. 3 p.m. Barre Opera House. $15 adults, $10 seniors, $1 students. barreoperahouse.org.Guitar Workshop with Bert Wills. Wills teaches guitarists how to play Texas swing, Chicago blues, Piedmont blues, swamp country and more. 4:30 p.m. Guitar Sam, Montpelier. $15; free CD for those who register. Register with Kevin, 229-0295 or kevin@guitarsam.com. guitarsam.com.A Year for a Jewish Family in Modern South-ern Spain. Marc Mihaly discusses his friendships with highly educated Sevillanos who are curious about Jews, some of whom feel that they descend from Spanish Jews. 6:30–7:30 p.m. Beth Jacob Synagogue, 10 Harrison Avenue, Montpelier. Free. 279-7518 or bethjacobvt.org.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5Kids Creating Music. Bob Brookens leads youngsters age 18 months to 4 years in singing, dancing and playing all sorts of instruments. 10 a.m. Waterbury Public Library. Free. 244-7036.The Magic of Super Foods. With Aisling Badger, clinical intern at Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism. 6–8 p.m. Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 250 Main Street (third floor), Montpelier. $10 VCIH members, $12 nonmembers. Register at 224-7100 or info@vtherbcenter.org.Classic Book Club. Talk about The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, by Anne Bronte. 6 p.m. Cutler Memorial Library, Route 2, Plainfield. Free. Daniel, 793-0418. Event happens every first Monday.Gastronomy: Novels About Food and Culture. Read and discuss four mouthwatering novels about what we eat and who we are. Sherry Olsen leads discussion of the Persian and Arab American novel Crescent, by Diana Abu-Jaber. 6:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. A Vermont Humanities Council program. Third in a four-part series on Mondays; last event November 26.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6Central Vermont Adult Basic Education Volun-teer Info Session. Find out how you can help promote full literacy in the Barre/Montpelier area; if you volunteer already, come share your experiences. 5–6 p.m. Montpelier Learning Center. RSVP to Gale, 476-4588, or Sarah, 223-3403.Sakhioba Ensemble from Caucasus Georgia. The 13-man choir, dressed in traditional costume, sing rousing poly-phonic folk songs and liturgical chants, dance folk dances and play traditional instruments from Georgia. 7:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main Street, Montpelier. $15 adults, $10 students. 426-3210 or villageharmony@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7Preschool Discovery Program: Nestling in Deep Down. Children age 3–5 and their families explore the outdoors through nature-based activities, crafts and guided outdoor explora-tions. 10–11:30 a.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm Street, Montpelier. $5 members, $8 nonmembers. 229-6206.Breeding Better Vermonters: The Eugenics Ver-sion of Freedom and Unity. Presented by historian Nancy Gallagher. Part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. 1:30 p.m.; doors open at 12:30 for brown-bag lunch. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street. $5 suggested donation. 223-1763 or clb247@cornell.edu. Series continues every Wednesday through December 12.Comfrey Root Poultice Class. With Sage Zelkowitz. Learn how to make an herbal poultice for any closed-wound injury, such as sprains, bruises and even broken bones. 3–5 p.m. Jaquith

TheaterTHE FANTASTICKSU-32 student actors and musicians perform the classic musi-cal tale of love, adventure and wisdom. Friday, November 9, 7 p.m.; Saturday, November 10, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. U-32 High and Middle School, 930 Gallison Hill Road, Montpelier. $7 adults, $5 students and seniors; tickets at the door. u23.org.

RETURN OF THE MOOSEThe premiere of an original play by Tom Blachly, a “serious farce” about a group of hunters in the Northeast Kingdom trapped in their deer camp by a crazed moose. Presented by Plainfield Little Theater. November 9–18. Friday–Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Haybarn Theater, Goddard College, 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield. $15 adults, $10 students and seniors. Parental discretion advised due to mature language. Tickets at 426-3955 or blachly@together.net.

see UPCOMING EVENTS, page 10

Live MusicBAGITOS28 Main Street, Montpelier. All shows 6–8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 229-9212 or bagitos.com.Every WednesdayBlues jam with the Usual Suspects and friendsEvery SaturdayIrish/Celtic session, 2–5 p.m.Friday, November 2Rebecca Padula, 5:30–7:30 p.m.Saturday, November 3The Neptunes

Tuesday, November 6Jazz with Karl Miller and friends Thursday, November 8Joel MeeksFriday, November 9Karen MayhewSaturday, November 10Jake SorgenThursday, November 15Eric Friedman

BLACK DOOR44 Main Street, Montpelier. All shows start at 9:30 p.m. with $5 cover unless otherwise noted. 225-6479 or blackdoorvermont.com.Friday, November 2Post-Halloween party with MadMan3 (eclectronica)

Saturday, November 3The Stovepipe Mountain Band (folk/blues)Saturday, November 10The Troubadours (folk)Thursday, November 15Comedy Class performance hosted by Nathan Hartswick, 8 p.m., no cover

NUTTY STEPH’S CHOCOLATERIERoute 2, Middlesex. All shows 7–10 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 229-2090 or nuttystephs.com.Every ThursdayBacon Thursdays, hot music and live conversation, 6 p.m.–midnight

POSITIVE PIE 222 State Street, Montpelier. 229-0453 or positivepie.com.Friday, November 2First Friday DJ dance party with Jah B, DJ Bay 6 and Sata Sounds, 10:30 p.m., 21+, no coverSaturday, November 3Bert Wills with Clint Boyd (swing/blues/swamp country), 10:30 p.m., 21+, no coverSaturday, November 10Cats Under the Stars (Jerry Garcia trib-ute), 10:30 p.m., 21+, $5

SKINNY PANCAKE89 Main Street, Montpelier. 262-2253 or skinnypancake.com.Every SundayOld-time sessions with Katie Trautz and friends, 4–6 p.m. (intermediate to advanced players welcome to sit in)

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Jerry Garcia tribute band Cats Under the Stars, who will be play-ing at Postive Pie 2 on Saturday, November 10.

PAGE 10 • NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 THE BR IDGE

Art & ExhibitsCALL TO ARTISTSArtists in theirs 20s and 30s sought for a juried show at Chandler Gallery in Randolph showcas-ing the diversity and perspectives of innovative young artists. Two-dimensional and three- dimensional pieces accepted, as well as photog-raphy. Deadline is December 5. $15 submission fee upon acceptance. 728-4375, janetensia@gmail .com or chandlergallery.blogspot.com.

ALDRICH PUBLIC LIBRARY Autumn in Vermont, group show by the Paletteers art club. Milne Community Room, Aldrich Public Library, Barre. Opens November 5. Reception Wednesday, November 7, 5:30–7:30 p.m. paletteers.us.

BIGTOWN GALLERYNew Work, wall reliefs by Paul Bowen, oils on wood by Joan Kahn, gouache and oils on paper and canvas by Celia Reisman and watercol-ors by Fulvio Testa. 99 North Main Street, Rochester. Through November 18. 767-9670, info@bigtowngallery.com or bigtowngallery.com.

CITY CENTERUnmasked, pastel portraits by Sam Kerson (above left). 89 Main Street, Montpelier. Novem-ber 3–December 1. samkerson.com.

COLLEGE HALL GALLERYArt Resource Association annual fall/winter show in a variety of media. 36 College Street, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier. November 8–December 9. Reception Thursday, November 8, 5–7 p.m. Hours: Friday–Sunday, noon–4 p.m. judybassett@aol.com.

CONTEMPORARY DANCE & FITNESS STUDIODances on Silk, hand-painted silk hangings and stretched silk by Maggie Neale. 18 Langdon

Street (third floor), Montpelier. Through Novem-ber 22. 229-4676 or cdandfs.com.

GODDARD ART GALLERYDeflection Campaign Office with R&R Pillow for Exhausted Electorate, art by Peter Schumann and Bread and Puppet. 54 Main Street, Montpelier. Through November. 322-1685 or goddard.edu.

GOVERNOR’S GALLERYWe Are Vermont Strong, visual art by Vermont artists, teachers and community groups in re-sponse to Tropical Storm Irene. 109 State Street (fifth floor), Montpelier. Photo ID required for admission. Through December 28. 828-0749.

GRACE GALLERYGayleen Aiken: A Grand View, a selection of the artist’s work exploring Vermont’s chang-ing seasons. 59 Mill Street, Hardwick. Through December 31. 472-6857 or graceart.org.GREEN BEAN ART GALLERYSunflowers and Skies, acrylics by Barbara Leber. Capitol Grounds, 27 State Street, Montpelier. Through November. curator@capitolgrounds.com.

GREEN MOUNTAIN FINE ART GALLERYWe the People, figurative paintings by Dorothy Martinez exploring our country’s diversity. 60 South Main Street, Stowe. Through early Novem-ber. 253-1818 or greenmountainfineart.com.

KELLOGG-HUBBARD LIBRARYEmergence, assemblages of natural objects and photography by Ruth Coppersmith. Hayes Room, 135 Main Street, Montpelier. Through November 5. 223-3338.

JAQUITH PUBLIC LIBRARYPaintings by Charles Bohn. 122 School Street, Marshfield. 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@ gmail.com.

LOCAL 64Painting or Collage?, collage paintings on wood panel by Vermont artist Ted Zilius. 5 State Street (second floor), Montpelier. local64.com.

MADSONIAN MUSEUM OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGNMade in the Shade: The Design of Summer Vaca-tion, showcasing design excellence in recreation-

al items. 45 Bridge Street, Waitsfield. Through November 16. madsonian.org.

MONTPELIER SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTERHomeshare Now, photo portraits by John Lazenby exploring home sharing. 58 Barre Street, Montpelier. November 13–December 16. homesharenow.org.

RIVER ARTS CENTERFiguring It Out, group show by the open studio figure drawing group. Below right, drawing by Lauren Stagnitti. 74 Pleasant Street, Morrisville. Through January 7, 2013. Reception November 8, 5–7 p.m. 888-1261 or riverartsvt.org.

THE SHOE HORNPaintings and Drawings of Sculpture, lively works on paper by Glen Coburn Hutcheson. 8 Langdon Street. Through November 30. glen@gchfineart.com.

STATE HOUSE CAFETERIAVisions of Place, photography by Vermonters John Miller, Peter Miller and Richard Brown.State House (second floor), Montpelier. Through November 30. 828-0749.

STUDIO PLACE ARTSRock Solid, stone sculptures by area artisans and other works portraying qualities of stone; Kingdoms in the Sky, works by Vanessa Comp-ton; and Freedom from Dilution, paintings by John David O’Shaughnessy. 201 North Main Street, Barre. Through November 3. 479-7069 or studioplacearts.com.

SULLIVAN MUSEUMTol’ ko Po Russky, Pozhaluista (“Russian Only, Please”), chronicling the history of the Russian school at Norwich University, 1968–2000; and 1861–1862: Toward a Higher Moral Purpose, exploring the experiences of Norwich Univer-sity alumni (Union and Confederate) during the Civil War. Norwich University, Northfield. Russian exhibit through January 2013; Civil War exhibit through April 2013. 485-2183 or norwich .edu/museum.

TULSI TEA ROOMMagestic Biology, photography by Iris Gage capturing the innocence and vibrancy of fauna, flora and landscapes. 34 Elm Street, Montpelier. Through December 1. 223-0043.

VERMONT HERITAGE GALLERIESIcons, Oddities & Wonders, stories from the Vermont Historical Society collections; and The Emergence of the Granite City: Barre 1890 to 1940. 60 Washington Street, Barre. Through December. Free admission. 479-8500.

VERMONT HISTORY MUSEUMFreedom & Unity: One Ideal, Many Stories, expe-rience a full-sized Abenaki wigwam, a recreation of the Catamount Tavern, a railroad station complete with working telegraph, a World War II living room and more. 109 State Street, Mont-pelier. $5 adults, $12 families. 828-2291.

Public Library, 122 School Street, Marshfield. $1–$10 suggested materials donation. 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com.Stress Less About IBS. With Emily Irwin, clinical intern at Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism. 6–8 p.m. Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 250 Main Street (third floor), Montpelier. $10 VCIH members, $12 nonmembers. Register at 224-7100 or info@vtherbcenter.org.Montpelier Bike Summit. Talk bike trails, bike lanes, an annual bike festival and how to make Montpelier a nationally rec-ognized bicycle-friendly city. 6–8 p.m. Noble Hall Lounge, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier. Gwen, gwenhs@gmail.com.Patchwork: Piecing Together Family History. Vermont author Natalie Kinsey-Warnock discusses the importance of family stories and how they inspire her books. 7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. Part of the Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays series. Classic Film Night with Rick Winston and Tom Blachly. This 1948 version of Dickens’ classic tale of an orphan struggling to survive stars Alec Guinness, Robert Newton and John Howard Davies. 7 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School Street, Marshfield. Free. 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail .com.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8Empowering Your Intentions: Going Beyond Hopes and Wants. With Fred Cheyette. Learn how to set intentions in an empowering way for both the big issues in your life and the everyday things that always seem to come up. 6–7:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. Free. Register at 223-8004, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.com.Bhutan: A Slide Show and Talk by Tina Muncy. Get a closer look at a country where buying cigarettes is illegal, chilies aren’t just a seasoning but the entire dish and Gross National Hap-piness is deemed more important than Gross National Product. 7 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street. Free. 223-2518.Climate Change in Vermont: Roger Hill. Local meteorologist Roger Hill gives an informative lecture on weather phenomena, followed by lively discussion and bird-friendly coffee. 7–8:30 p.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm Street, Montpe-lier. By donation. 229-6206.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9Santa Workshop Sale. Christmas items, crafts, plants, gifts, food and fill-the-coffee-can cookie sale. 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Waterbury Center Community Church, Route 100 (next to Cold Hollow Cider Mill). 244-8089. Sale continues Saturday, November 10.

Indoor Garden Workshop: Salad Greens. With Peter Burke. Learn how to grow a steady supply of fresh greens with only a cupboard and a windowsill. 6–7 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop com-munity room, Montpelier. $10 co-op member/owners, $12 nonmem-bers. Register at 223-8004, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.com.Digital Camera Workshop with Bryan Pfeiffer. Bring your camera for a lively lesson on buttons, dials, menus and essentials for good photos. Refreshments and handouts. Charge your camera battery before class. 6–8:30 p.m. First Baptist Church, School Street, Montpelier. $10. wingsphotography.com.Community Swing Dance. Samir and Eleni Elabd lead a dancers’-choice lesson, followed by open dancing. Singles and all ages welcome. Light refreshments and dessert included. 6:30– 9 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street, Mont-pelier. $10 recreation-department or senior-center members, $12 nonmembers.Geology of Marshfield with George Springston. Learn about the history and geology of local Marshfield sites. 7 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School Street, Marshfield. Free. 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com.Tim O’Brien. The roots singer-songwriter performs at the intersection of traditional and contemporary with a vast array of instruments and challenging musical scenarios. 7:30 p.m. Chandler Music Hall, 71–73 Main Street, Randolph. $30 in advance, $35 day of show. Tickets at 728-6464 or chandler-arts.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS, from page 9

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT!Send listings to Dana at

calendar@montpelierbridge.com.

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THE BR IDGE NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 • PAGE 11

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10Bike Ride with the Young Adventurers Club. An easy outing with YAC, a group of the Montpelier Section of the Green Mountain Club devoted to helping kids age 0–6 and their parents get outdoors to hike, play, learn and make friends. For trip location and details, visit gmcmontpelier.org/yac, or call Mike, 223-8493, or Lexi, 229-9810. Walk with the Montpelier Section of the Green Mountain Club. Avoid hunters on an easy walk in Burlington from the Ethan Allen Homestead through the Intervale to the bike path. Optional meal in Burlington. For meeting time and place, con-tact leader Charlene Bohl, 229-9908 or president@gmcmontpelier.org.Annual Barry Chouinard T-Shirt Sale. T-shirts, polos, sweatpants and more, starting at $2. Benefits the Northfield Ama-teur Hockey Association and the Northfield High School boys and girls hockey team. Snack bar open all day. 8 a.m.–4 p.m. National Guard Armory, Norwich University, Northfield. Sale continues Sun-day, November 11, and Saturday and Sunday, November 17–18.Digital Photography Workshop with Bryan Pfei-ffer. Spend a half day taking photos and getting tips for capturing sports, wildlife, grandkids, flowers, landscape, macro photography or your own aspirations. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Montpelier. $45. Registra-tion required: limit 10 people. More information and registration at 454-4640 or wingsphotography.com.Vermont Craft and Products Fair. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. St. John the Evangelist, 206 Vine Street, Northfield. 485-8313. Sale continues Sunday, November 11.Santa Workshop Sale. See Friday, November 9, for de-scription; note change in time. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Waterbury Center Community Church, Route 100 (next to Cold Hollow Cider Mill). 244-8089. Walk-in Reiki Clinic. Experience a half-hour, clothes-on, therapeutic energy treatment involving light touch to help reduce stress and restore balance. 10 a.m.–noon. 141 Main Street, suite 1, Montpelier. $10. 522-6424. Timebank Craft Bazaar. Kick off Exchange Week, learn more about timebanking and check out the skills and services your neighbors have to offer. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Gym, Vermont College of Fine Arts. Montpelier. reachvt.org.Pacem School Literary Extravaganza. Candlelight dinner, followed by stories (fiction or nonfiction) and poetry. All ages welcome to read up to 5 minutes of original, family-friendly work. 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Noble Hall reading room, Vermont Col-lege of Fine Arts, Montpelier. $15 suggested donation; benefits Pacem School. Laura, 223-1010 or laura@laurawilliamsmccaffrey.com.Adamant Winter Music Series: Miriam Bernardo, Jairo Sequeira and Ruth Einstein. The trio performs Latin tunes. Optional potluck before the show. 5:30 p.m., potluck; 7 p.m., concert. Adamant Community Club. $10 in advance (tickets at the Adamant Co-op) or $15 at the door. 456-7054.Monthly Saturday Film Series: The City of Your Destination. Starring Anthony Hopkins and Laura Linney. 2009, 118 min. Bring a seat cushion. 7 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street. By donation. 223-2518. Cosponsored by MSAC and the Dharma Film Series Group.Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble: The Wonder of It All. Music of Pulitzer Prize–winner Kevin Puts, a masterwork by Paul Hindemith and a premiere by Thomas Read. 8 p.m. Unitarian church, 130 Main Street, Montpelier. $25 adults, $12 students and seniors, $5 financially challenged. vcme.org.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11Annual Barry Chouinard T-Shirt Sale. See Saturday, November 10, for description and information. Sale continues Saturday and Sunday, November 17–18.Vermont Craft and Products Fair. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. St. John the Evangelist, 206 Vine Street, Northfield. 485-8313. Service and Sacrifice: Vermont’s Civil War Gener-ation. Opening of a new exhibit documenting Vermonters and the Civil War. Historian and author Donald H. Wickman talks about Our Faded and Torn Banners with music by Pete Sutherland and presentation of the colors by the Civil War Hemlocks. 2–4 p.m. Vermont History Center, 60 Washington Street. Free. Amy, 479-8525 or· amy.sholk@state.vt.us.Shape Note/Sacred Harp Sing. No experience needed. All welcome. 3–5 p.m. Plainfield Community Center (above the co-op). By donation. Scottie, 595 9951 or nscottieharrison@gmail.com. Event happens every second Sunday.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12Love Your Fats. With Rebecca Dalgin, clinical herbalist. Sort through some of the different perspectives on fats and learn about quality fats that are essential to our body’s functioning. 5–7 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. $8 co-op member/owners, $10 nonmembers. Register at 223-8004, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.com.In the Witches’ Kitchen. With Grace Hurley, clinical intern at Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism. 6–8 p.m. Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 250 Main Street (third floor), Montpelier. $5 suggested donation. Register at 224-7100 or info@vtherbcenter.org.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13Workshop: Start Your Own Business. Learn how to make a plan and get started. For all types of business. 10 a.m.– 1 p.m. Community National Bank, Barre. $40 for one, $45 for two. Space limited; register at vtsbdc.org (click on the “training” tab). Heather, hgonyaw@vtsbdc.org. Spomsored by the Vermont Small Busi-ness Development Center.Medicare and You. New to Medicare? Have questions? We have answers. 3–4:30 p.m. Central Vermont Council on Aging, 59 North Main Street, Suite 200, Barre. Free. Register at 479-0531. Event happens every second and fourth Tuesday.Pool Workshop. Top pool pro Liz Ford shows seniors age 50+ the basics of playing pool. All levels welcome. 4–6 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street. $10. Limited to eight people; register at 223-2518.Beat the Winter Cold and Flu Blues Naturally. With Dr. Thauna Abrin. Learn about the risks and benefits of the flu shot and how to stay healthy using easy, natural remedies. Parents and teachers welcome. 6–7:15 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop commu-nity room, Montpelier. $5 co-op member/owners, $10 nonmembers. Register at 223-8004, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.com.Powder Productions Movie Premiere: Choose Your Adventure. Benefits the the Catamount Trail Association. Snacks provided; cash bar. Part of Onion River Sports’s backcoun-try skiing film series. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; film starts at 7 p.m. Savoy Theater (downstairs), Montpelier. $20, includes raffle ticket. Tickets at events@onionriver.com or at the door. onionriver.com.

Crossing Delancey: Movie and Discussion. The story of independent, intelligent Isabelle Grossman and her grandmother, who just wants her to settle down with a nice Jewish man. Discus-sion with Rick Winston, former owner of the Savoy Theater, fol-lows. 6:30 p.m. Beth Jacob Synagogue, 10 Harrison Avenue, Montpe-lier. $10 synagogue members, $15 nonmembers. Tickets required; call 279-7518 or visit bethjacobvt.org.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14Preschool Discovery Program: Crawling In from the Cold. See Wednesday, November 7, for description and information.2012 Election Analysis: What Is Ahead for Ver-mont and Our Country? Presented by journalist Bob Kinzel. Part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. 1:30 p.m.; doors open at 12:30 for brown-bag lunch. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street. $5 suggested donation. 223-1763 or clb247@cornell.edu. Series continues every Wednesday through December 12.Apples and Honey Family Program: Preparing for Shabbat. Families with children of all ages experience the joys of being Jewish. 5–6:30 p.m. Montpelier. Suggested donation $22 per family. To register or for more information, contact Tobie, 223-0583.Singing the Winter Time Blues? Options for Coping. Panelists from the medical, mental health and fitness communi-

see UPCOMING EVENTS, page 12

Support GroupsBEREAVEMENTBereavement Support Group. For anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. Every other Monday, 6–8 p.m., through December 17. Every other Wednesday, 10–11:30 a.m., through December 12. Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre. Ginny, 223-1878.Bereaved Parents Support Group. Facilitated by Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice (CVHHH). Second Wednesdays, 6–8 p.m. CVHHH, 600 Granger Road, Berlin. Jeneane Lunn, 793-2376.Survivors of Suicide. Facilitated by Cory Gould. Third Thursdays, 5–6:30 p.m. Board room, Central Vermont Medical Center, Fisher Road, Berlin. Karen, 229-0591.

CANCERKindred Connections. For anyone affected by cancer. Get help from Kindred Con-nections members who have been in your shoes. A program of the Vermont Cancer Survivor Network. Call Sherry, 479-3223, for more infor-mation. vcsn.net.Living with Advanced or Metastatic Cancer. Second Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m.

Cancer Center resource room, Central Vermont Medical Center. Lunch provided. 225-5449Writing to Enrich Your Life. For anyone affected by cancer. Third Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m. Cancer Center resource room, Central Vermont Medical Center. 225-5449.Cancer Support Group. Third Wednes-days, 6 p.m. Potluck. For location, call Carole MacIntyre, 229-5931.Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Sup-port Group. Third Wednesdays, 6–8 p.m. Conference room 2, Central Vermont Medical Center. 872-6308 or 866-466-0626 (press 3).

DISASTERHurricane Irene Support Group for Recovery Workers. Get peer sup-port and help processing emotions, strengthen relationships and learn coping skills. Every other Monday, 3:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main Street, Montpelier. 279-4670.Hurricane Irene Support Group. Share your story, listen to others, learn coping skills, build community and support your neighbors. Refreshments provided. Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. Berlin Elementary School. 279-8246.

KIDSGrandparents Raising Their Chil-dren’s Children. First Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–noon, Barre Presbyterian Church, Sum-mer Street. Second Tuesdays, 6–8 p.m., Wesley Methodist Church, Main Street, Waterbury. Third

Thursdays, 6–8 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 137 Main Street. Child care provided in Montpelier and Waterbury. Evelyn, 476-1480.

HEALTHBrain Injury Support Groups. Open to all survivors, caregivers and adult family members. Evening group facilitated by Marsha Bancroft; day group facilitated by Kathy Grange and Jane Hulstrunk. Evening group meets first Mondays, 5:30–7:30 p.m., DisAbility Rights of Vermont, 141 Main Street, Suite 7, Montpelier, 800-834-7890, ext. 106. Day group meets first and third Thursdays, 1:30–2:30 p.m., Unitarian Church, 130 Main Street, Montpelier, 244-6850.NAMI: Connection. A peer-led, recovery- oriented group for individuals living with men-tal illness. First and third Thursdays, 6–7:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. 800-639-6480 or connection@namivt.org.Celiac and Food Allergy Support Group. With Lisa Masé of Harmonized Cookery. Second Wednesdays, 4:30–6 p.m. Con-ference room 3, Central Vermont Medical Center. lisamase@gmail.com.Diabetes Discussion Group. Focus on self-management. Open to anyone with diabetes and their families. Third Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. The Health Center, Plainfield. Free. Don, 322-6600 or dgrabowski@the-health-center.org. Diabetes Support Group. First Thursdays, 7–8 p.m. Conference room 3, Central Vermont Medical Center. 371-4152.

RECOVERYTurning 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,

6–7:30 p.m.• Wit’s End Parent Support Group, Wednes-

days, 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.Overeaters Anonymous. Twelve-step program for physically, emotionally and spiritu-ally overcoming overeating. Fridays, noon–1 p.m. Bethany Church, 115 Main Street, Montpe-lier. 223-3079.

SOLIDARITY/IDENTITYMen’s Group. Men discuss challenges of and insights about being male. Thursdays, 6:15–8:15 p.m. 174 Elm Street, Montpelier. Interview required: contact Neil, 223-3753.National Federation of the Blind, Montpelier Chapter. First Saturdays. Lane Shops community room, 1 Mechanic Street, Montpelier. 229-0093.Families of Color. Open to all. Play, eat and discuss issues of adoption, race and multi-culturalism. Bring snacks and games to share; dress for the weather. Third Sundays, 3–5 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main Street, Montpelier. Alyson, 439-6096 or alyson@suncatchervt.com.

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Roots musician Tim O’Brien, who will play at Chandler Music Hall in Randolph on Friday, November 9.

PAGE 12 • NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 THE BR IDGE

Weekly EventsBICYCLINGOpen Shop Nights. Have questions or a bike to donate, or need help with a bike repair? Come visit the volunteer-run community bike shop. Mondays and Wednesdays, 5–7 p.m. Tuesdays, 6–8 p.m. Freeride Montpelier, 89 Barre Street, Montpelier. By donation. 552-3521 or freeridemontpelier.org.Weekly Rides at Onion River Sports.Come in proper physical condition depending on ride, bring water and a snack and dress appro-priately for weather. Helmets required. Anyone under 15 must be accompanied by an adult; anyone under 18 must have a signed parental permission form. MondaysCyclocross Cruise, 6 p.m., 1- to 2-hour, moder-ate, casual cyclocross ride, climbing and descend-ing beautiful dirt roadsTuesdaysCycling 101 with Linda Freeman, 5:30 p.m., all levels welcomeWednesdaysMountain Bike Ride, 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., interme-diate to advanced rides on different area trails each week; for carpooling and more information, e-mail kip@onionriver.com Onion River Racing Wednesday Night World Championships, 5:30 p.m., fast ride with town line sprints and competitions for bragging rights, route announced at ride time; onionriverracing.comThursdaysOnion River Racing Thursday Night Nationals, 5:30 p.m., pace is zone 1 and 2, no-drop ride, route announced at ride time; onionriverracing .com.

BOOKSOngoing Reading Group. Improve your reading and share some good books. Books chosen by group. Thursdays, 9–10 a.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Montpelier Learn-ing Center, 100 State Street. 223-3403.

CRAFTSBeaders Group. All levels of beading experi-ence welcome. Free instruction available. Come with a project for creativity and community. Sat-urdays, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. The Bead Hive, Plainfield. 454-1615.

DANCEEcstatic Dance. Freestyle boogie with DJ using Gabrielle Roth’s meditative dance form, 5Rhythms. Wednesdays, 7–9 p.m. First and third Wednesdays, Worcester Town Hall, corner of Elmore Road and Calais Road; second and fourth Wednesdays, Plainfield Community Center (above the co-op). $10. Fearn, 505-8011 or fearnessence@gmail.com.

FOODNoon Cafe. Soup, fresh bread, good company and lively conversation. Wednesdays, noon. Old Meeting House, East Montpelier. By donation. oldmeetinghouse.org.German Brunch: A Community Meal. All-you-can-eat buffet of fresh fruit, bread, salm-on and local meats and cheeses. Mimosas and other drinks available for purchase from Nutty Steph’s. Sundays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Nutty Steph’s, Route 2, Middlesex. $10 adult, $5 children 12 and under. nuttystephs.com.

GAMES Apollo Duplicate Bridge Club. All welcome. Partners sometimes available. Fridays, 6:45 p.m. Bethany Church, Montpelier. 485-8990 or 223-3922.

HEALTHFree HIV Testing. Vermont CARES offers fast oral testing. Thursdays, 2–5 p.m. 58 East State Street, suite 3 (entrance at the back), Montpelier. vtcares.org. Medicare Part D Enrollment Semi-nars. Learn how to enroll in prescription drug or Advantage plans on the Medicare website. Mondays, 3–4 p.m., through December 3. Central Vermont Council on Aging, 59 North Main Street, suite 200, Barre. Register at 479-0531.

KIDS & TEENSThe Basement Teen Center. Cable TV, PlayStation 3, pool table, free eats and fun events for teenagers. Monday–Thursday, 3–6 p.m.; Friday, 3–11 p.m. Basement Teen Center, 39 Main Street, Montpelier. 229-9151.Story Time at the Waterbury Public Library. Mondays, age 18–36 months. Wednesdays, age 0–18 months. Fridays, age 3–6 years. 10 a.m. Waterbury Public Library. Free. 244-7036.Story Time at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Free. 223-4665.

Events for Teens at the Aldrich Library. No-obligations teen book club on Mondays; game night on Wednesdays. 5 p.m. Aldrich Public Library, Barre. 476-7550.Youth Group. Games, movies, snacks and music. Mondays, 7–9 p.m. Church of the Crucified One, Route 100, Moretown. 496-4516.Story Time and Playgroup. For children age 0–6. Story, followed by art, nature and cook-ing projects, as well as creative play. Dress for the weather. Wednesdays, 10–11:30 a.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School Street, Marshfield. 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com.Cub Capers Story Time and Songs. For children age 3–5 and their families. Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. Children’s room, Bear Pond Books, 77 Main Street, Montpelier. 229-0774.Story Time at Onion River Kids. Outdoor adventure tales and childhood classics. Sundays, 10:30 a.m. 7 Langdon Street, Montpelier. 223-6025.

LANGUAGEEnglish Conversation Practice Group. For students learning English for the first time. Tuesdays, 4–5 p.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Cen-ter, 100 State Street. Sarah, 223-3403.Lunch in a Foreign Language. Bring lunch and practice your language skills with neighbors. Noon–1 p.m. Mondays, Hebrew. Tuesdays, Italian. Wednesdays, Spanish. Thurs-days, French. Fridays, German. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. 223-3338.

MUSICSing with the Barre Tones. Women’s a cappella chorus. Mondays, 6:30 p.m. Alumni Hall (second floor), near Barre Auditorium. 223-2039 or rjmorgan1956@comcast.net.Vermont Fiddle Orchestra Rehears-als. For folk musicians of all levels. No audition required. Performances in December (par-ticipating in perfomance not required to attend rehearsals). Mondays, 7–9 p.m. St. Augustine’s Church, Barre Street, Montpelier. $70 season; first rehearsal free. Sarah, 223-8945, ext. 1, or woodburystrings@att.net. vtfiddleorchestra.org.

PARENTINGMama’s Circle. Meet and connect with oth-ers experiencing the joys and challenges of new motherhood. For infants up to 1 year old and their mothers (toddler siblings welcome). Snacks, drinks and parent education materials provided. Thursdays, 10 a.m.–noon, through April 19, 2013. Good Beginnings of Central Vermont, 174 River Street, Montpelier. centralvt.goodbeginnings.net.

RECYCLINGDollar Days. Bring in odd and sundry items for reuse, upcycling and recycling, including toothbrushes, bottle caps, cassette tapes, books, textiles, batteries and more. Mondays and Fridays, 12:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Additional Recyclables Col-lection Center, 3 Williams Lane, Barre. $1 per car load. Complete list of accepted items at 229-9383, ext. 106, collino@cvswmd.org or cvswmd.org .

SPIRITUALITYChristian Science. God’s love meeting hu-man needs. Reading room: Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.; Tuesdays, 5–8 p.m.; and Wednesdays, 5–7:15 p.m. Testimony meeting: Wednesdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m., nursery available. Worship service: Sundays, 10:30–11:30 a.m., Sunday school and nursery available. 145 State Street, Montpelier. 223-2477.Deepening Our Jewish Roots. Fun, engaging text study and discussion on Jewish spirituality. Sundays, 4:45–6:15 p.m. Yearning for Learning Center, Montpelier. Rabbi Tobie Weis-man, 223-0583 or info@yearning4learning.org.Christian Meditation Group. People of all faiths welcome. Mondays, noon–1 p.m. Christ Church, Montpelier. Regis, 223-6043.Shambhala Buddhist Meditation. Instruction available. All welcome. Sundays, 10 a.m.–noon, and Wednesdays, 6–7 p.m. Program and discussion follow Wednesday meditation. Shambhala Center, 64 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-5137.Zen Meditation. Wednesdays, 6:30–7:30 p.m. 174 River Street, Montpelier. Call Tom for orientation, 229-0164. With Zen Affiliate of Vermont.

SPORTSRoller Derby Open Recruitment and Recreational Practice. Central Vermont’s Wrecking Doll Society invites quad skaters age 18 and up to try out the action. No experience necessary. Equipment provided: first come, first served. Saturdays, 5–6:30 p.m. Montpelier Recre-ation Center, Barre Street. First skate free. centralvermontrollerderby.com.Coed Adult Floor Hockey League. Adult women and men welcome. Equipment provided. Sundays, 3–5 p.m., through December 9. Montpelier Recreation Center, Barre Street. $5 per week. bmfloorhockey@gmail.com or vermontfloor hockey.com.

YOGAYoga with Lydia Russell-McDade. Build strength and flexibility as you learn safe alignment in a nourishing, supportive and inspir-ing environment. Mondays, 5:30–6:45 p.m., River House Yoga, Plainfield; Wednesdays, 4:30–5:45 p.m., Green Mountain Girls Farm, Northfield. $5–$20. Schedule at saprema-yoga.com.Community Yoga. All levels welcome to this community-focused practice. Fridays, 5:30–6:30 p.m. Yoga Mountain Center, 7 Main Street (second floor), Montpelier. $5–$20 sliding scale. 223-5302 or yogamountaincenter.com.

Free Community Meals For All in MontpelierMONDAY 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Unitarian Church, 130 Main Street

TUESDAY 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Bethany Church, 115 Main Street

WEDNESDAY 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Christ Church, 64 State Street

THURSDAY 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Trinity Church, 137 Main Street

FRIDAY 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., St. Augus-tine Church, 18 Barre Street

SATURDAY Second Saturdays only, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Trinity Church, 137 Main Street (hosted by folks from Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and First Baptist Church; final meal November 10)

SUNDAY Last Sundays only, 4:30–5:30 p.m., Bethany Church, 115 Main Street (hosted by Beth Jacob Synagogue)

ties talk about staying sane in the winter. 5 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center community room, 58 Barre Street. Free. 223-2518. Cosponsored by MSAC and the Neighbor to Neighbor collaborative.Five Common Barriers to Healing. With Alicia Feltus, nutritionist at Cedar Wood Natural Health Center. Learn about five common barriers to healing and how Nutrition Response Testing can detect toxicities, immune imbalances, food sensitivities and scar tissues that may be blocking you from healing. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop community room, Montpelier. Free. Register at 223-8004, ext. 202, or info@hungermountain.com.Quilting Group. Working meeting of the Dog River Quilters. Let’s quilt together. 5:30 p.m. Community room, Brown Public Library, Northfield. Jean, 585-5078 or jeanjolley@myfairpoint.net. Event happens every second Wednesday.Song Circle: Community Sing-Along. Rich and Laura Atkinson lead community members in song, accompanied by a variety of instruments. No experience is necessary; song books pro-

vided. 6:45 p.m.Jaquith Public Library, 122 School Street, Marsh-field. Free. 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com.Community Cinema: Solar Mamas. Film documenting India’s Barefoot College, where women from all over the world, many with little formal education, are trained to become solar en-gineers. Panel discussion follows. 7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Free. 223-3338.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15Meeting on Disability Issues. Share stories and concerns. 1–3 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.Fall Time of Remembrance. Honor and remember those whom hospice has served. All welcome. Light refreshments served.Social time, 5:30–6:15 p.m.; music and readings, 6:15–8 p.m. Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice conference center, 600 Granger Road, Berlin. RSVP to 223-1878 or smusik@cvhhh.org.

Third Thursday Travel Talks. 6:30 p.m. Cutler Memorial Library, Route 2, Plainfield. Free.454-8504 or cutlerlibrary.org. Event happens every third Thursday.Songwriters’ Meeting. 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.Climate Change in Vermont: Chip Darmstadt. The nature center’s director talks about the impact climate change is having on birds in Vermont, followed by lively discussion and bird-friendly coffee. 7–8:30 p.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm Street, Montpelier. By donation. 229-6206.Ecumenical Group. Songs of praise, Bible teaching, fellowship. 7–9 p.m. Jabbok Center for Christian Living, 8 Daniel Drive, Barre. Free. 479-0302. Event happens every first and third Thursday.

UPCOMING EVENTS, from page 11

Submit Your Event!Send listings to calendar@montpelier bridge.com. The deadline for the No-vember 15 issue is Friday, November 9.

50 words or less, please. Listings may be edited for length, clarity or style.

Events happening in Montpelier have priority, then events in surrounding communities.

High-resolution photos also welcome for possible use.

THE BR IDGE NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 • PAGE 13

ClassesLIFE COACHINGWOMEN IN TRANSITION A life-coaching group for women. Six Monday evenings, beginning November 12 (excluding holidays), 6–8:30 p.m. in Montpelier. Sliding fee and payment plans. Preregistration required. Contact Fran Weinbaum, stillpointlifecoach@yahoo.com or 249-7377. vermontwildernessrites.com.

POTTERYMUD!Welcome to the next session of clay classes beginning November 1 at Montpelier Mud in Middlesex at 961 Route 2 (Camp Meade.) Give us a call, stop by or check us out online at montpeliermud.com. Classes fi ll up quickly, so don’t wait! Get DIRTY!

WRITINGWRITING COACHAre you struggling with beginning, continu-ing, fi nishing? Do you need tools and rules to keep you working from concept to completion? Art really is long, and life really short. WRITE NOW is what we have. Th irty years writing and coaching writers in all genres. Free consultation. tamarcole21@gmail.com, 225-6415.

ClassifiedsARTISTS & MUSICIANSSTUDIOSStudios for solo artists or to share starting at $150. Th ree larger rooms of various sizes also available. Join us as we transform a historic convent and school into a unique center for the arts, music and learning. Call Paul for a tour at 223-2120 or 461-6222.

EMPLOYMENTDRIVERS: CDL-BGreat pay, home time. No forced dispatch! New singles from Plattsburgh, New York. Passport or enhanced license required. 888-567-4861.

HELP WANTED: PRODUCTION EDITORTh e Bridge seeks an all-around production edi-tor to shepherd our stories through all stages

of production, including liaison with writ-ers, copyediting and fi nal proofreading prior to printing. Position typically requires three days per production cycle. For more infor-mation, contact Bob, 223-5112, ext. 14, or bob@montpelierbridge.com, or Nat, 223-5112, ext. 10, or nat@montpelierbridge.com.

SERVICESHOUSE PAINTERSince 1986. Small interior jobs ideal. Neat, prompt, friendly. Local references. Pitz Quat-trone, 229-4952.

ELDER ASSISTANCECertifi ed by the Elderwise System of Caregiving. Off ering nonmedical services so that you, or a loved one, may remain independent at home. Contact Nancy for a complimentary needs as-sessment. 522-7084 or nnfarrell@comcast.net.

STUFF TO SELL?Wish you could have a yard sale, but it’s getting too cold to hold one outside? Call us at T&T Repeats Th rift Store. We just may be able to help you out. 224-1360.

THRIFT STOREST&T REPEATSBikes, name-brand clothes, small household furniture and more. At least two free parking spaces for T&T customers. 116 Main Street, Montpelier, or call 224-1360.

TRINITY COMMUNITY THRIFT STORETuesdays, Th ursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, 137 Main Street (use rear entrance), Montpelier. Do-nations accepted during normal business hours. 229-9155 or tctsvt@yahoo.com.

Class listings and classifieds are 50 words for $25; dicounts available. To place an ad, call 223-5112 for Carolyn, ext. 11, or Gabriela, ext. 12

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PAGE 14 • NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 THE BR IDGE

by Alisa Darmstadt

As the weather turns colder, I have been thinking of our wood-burning stove more often. Standing cold and

alone all summer, the black hunk of metal is ready to warm my home, both physically and emotionally. Whether you have a traditional fireplace or a wood-burning stove, piped-in gas or carted-in logs, this source of heat and comfort is an integral part of any room it occupies.

Fireplaces and stoves are excellent exam-ples of the ways in which form and function intermingle in interior decor. They serve as a source of heat, but are also a significant design element in the room, akin to a sofa or chair. As such, they are ideally selected when the room is constructed and are designed to blend with the look of the space. However, new homeowners or changes in taste often necessitate an update to the hearth area.

Hearths usually consist of stone and wood constructed around the fireplace of stove. If what you have is not to your taste, start imagining the possibilities! Brick and tile can be painted, so check with your favorite paint store to learn how to prepare the surface and what kind of paint to use (I recommend a charcoal gray for the color). Or you could reface the existing stone with a new layer of tile, brick or stone. Tile stores will have end-less options for you and can help you pull together a look that is right for your space. You might consider native slate or granite, adding some metal decorative tiles or using classic subway tiles.

The woodwork is most easily changed with a coat of paint. But if you need to go further, it can all be replaced. Perhaps you want to remove the fancy surround and in-stall a simple mantel, either painted to match or made from a rough piece of wood. If you are an antique lover, look for a salvaged fire-

place surround and have it fit to your space. Surrounds can also be purchased new or cre-ated from scratch. Keep the details similar to those in the rest of the room—both in the design of the surround and in the color or species of the wood.

While using stone and carved wood to accent a fireplace or stove is the traditional way to go, contemporary rooms tend to keep things simpler. Units that burn gas or wood can be installed within the wall and the area simply finished with Sheetrock or plaster. However, a minimalist fireplace does not mean it is no longer a focal point. It is still a source of physical and emotional warmth, so give it the attention it is due.

Many Vermonters have wood-burning stoves that jut into the room. But these can still be fashioned into a hearth area with the addition of stone, brick or tile on the wall behind and floor beneath. Depending on the situation, carved woodwork may also be added. Bookshelves or display furniture on either side of the stove will help integrate it into the room’s decor.

Once the hearth area is built out to your satisfaction, it is time to decorate around it. Create a comfortable conversation area by gathering seating around the hearth, making certain that the area can be easily navigated. Hang a significant piece of art (or a mirror) over the mantel or stove. Keep the art at eye level (or as close as possible) to keep the display grounded. Add some decorative ac-cessories—an urn with a botanical arrange-ment set on the floor, a pair of candlesticks and a few framed photos on the mantel or a few ledges with a collection of glass bottles, white pitchers or black-and-white photos. Whatever you choose, group like items to-gether, keep the display balanced and edit out unnecessary pieces.

Part of your fireplace or wood-burning stove display will include the wood and tools that go along with the appliance. Nooks for wood can be built in; otherwise, antique boxes, baskets or bins make great holders for the necessary items while keeping the area aesthetically appealing. If you prefer gas-burning appliances, a few paper birch logs in a basket add a nice authentic touch.

If you haven’t paid much attention to your fireplace or stove lately, take a second look. Get your chimney cleaned every year and spruce up your hearth area. Light the fire, and your home will be warmed. The room will feel cozy, and you’ll realize your hearth is the heart of your home.

Alisa Darmstadt is an interior decorator and fabric, design and color junkie living in Middlesex. She contributes regularly to a collec-tive design blog: Feathered Nest Diaries. Alisa can be reached at alisa@athomedesignvt.com. She welcomes questions and suggestions.

Inside DesignHome Is Where the Hearth Is

Montpelier Bike SummitNovember 7 • 6–8 p.m.

Noble Hall Lounge,Vermont College of Fine Arts

Learn how we can make Montpelier a nationally recognized bicycle-friendly city. Bike trails, bike

lanes, and an annual bike festival are on the agenda.

THE BR IDGE NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 • PAGE 15

by Nat Frothingham

According to Community College of Vermont (CCV) materials, “If you want a quality education with mini-

mal or no student loans, choose CCV.”The two-year college, now in its 42nd year,

describes itself as “the most affordable college in Vermont.” Students can live at home, stay employed and pursue college studies at their own pace. A CCV publication on annual in-state tuition costs reported that Vermont private colleges cost on average $27,947 per year, UVM costs $12,888, and the various Vermont state colleges cost $9,000, while CCV costs only $6,420 annually.

CCV got its start in 1970 in a rented space above Onion River Sports on Langdon Street in Montpelier. Under the early leadership of founding president Peter Smith, CCV gained steady institutional traction.

In 1973, CCV held its first commence-ment with eight graduates, and in 1975, it gained accreditation from the New England Association of Schools & Colleges. At CCV’s

commencement in 1984, the college had, for the first time, more than 100 graduates. The college also opened 12 teaching sites across Vermont that year. By 1993, CCV enroll-ment exceeded 5,000 students, and in 1998 at CCV’s 25th anniversary, 300 associate degrees were awarded.

Today, CCV is the state’s second largest college after UVM, with more than 12,000 students. CCV’s 12 separate academic centers are in easily accessible locations all across Ver-mont, from St. Albans and Newport in north-ern Vermont to Bennington and Brattleboro in southern Vermont and in between.

The new and expanded Montpelier Aca-demic Center has grown 15 percent in the past five years and now serves 1,300 students annually. Two of CCV’s fastest growing pro-grams are in the allied health and criminal justice professions. The Montpelier Academic Center offers 80 courses in the fall and spring semesters. The average class size is 13 stu-dents, and the ratio of males to females is 35 to 65 percent.

New HeadquartersAt an open house on October 4, CCV

staff members and friends hailed the comple-tion of a $3.5 million construction project at 660 Elm Street in Montpelier. That project,

designed by Northern Architects and built by E. F. Wall Associates, creates for CCV a new statewide Montpelier headquarters and an expanded Montpelier Academic Center.

All-told, the new Montpelier CCV facility, at the former site of Woodbury College, pro-vides 32,000 square feet. Some of that space is set aside for a new statewide CCV head-quarters in Montpelier that accommodates CCV administrative staff for the office of the president, deans, financial aid, registrar and the like.

Then there’s the new Montpelier Academic Center, with space for academic staff, 10 new classrooms including two computer class-rooms, an art room, a science lab and an additional computer lab with 12 work sta-tions. In addition, there is student space for quiet study and group use and new technol-ogy, including Wi-Fi connection and podium projectors.

Lisa Yaeger, CCV’s director of human resources, noted that the much-expanded Montpelier Academic Center was working well for students: “For the first time, students are spending whole days at the Montpelier center. They’ll either drive their own car or get dropped by a bus in the morning and stay for the whole day. They’re taking classes, doing homework in the computer lab. Some-times they’re taking peer tutoring in the learning center. And they’re having lunch with others in the student lounge. These things seldom happened before.”

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Community College of Vermont’s new campus on Elm Street. Photo courtesy CCV.

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Students at CCV enter the college with a wide range of life experiences and vary-

ing goals and expectations. Some start taking CCV classes while

still in high school. Others enroll after being out of school for a number of years or after serving a stint in the U.S. military.

Many students use the college to gain the essential skills they need to get and keep a job. For others, their goal is to eventually gain admission to a four-year college, and CCV is a stepping-stone to that end: Some 40 percent of CCV graduates with an as-sociate degree transfer to a four-year college and pursue a BA or BS degree.

Angela GivensAs part of a June 4, 2011, CCV com-

mencement day event held at Shapiro Field at Norwich University, CCV student grad-uation speaker Angela Givens described her personal story and CCV academic experi-ence.

“If you had met me three years ago,”

Givens told the commencement audience, “you would not recognize me. I had hit bot-tom. I was 130 pounds overweight and in the last throes of a very unhappy marriage. By February, I was also unemployed, and in June of 2008, I was homeless and living in Fort Dummer State Park with my son. Ironically, this was the best thing that ever happened to me. I ended up in Morningside Shelter in Brattleboro for six months. After years of trying to do everything on my own, and failing, I was forced to ask for help.”

The staff at Morningside helped Giv-ens find housing, get ready to go back to school and find care for her son. They also pointed her toward the CCV Academic Center in Brattleboro, where she pursued an associate of arts degree in education and earned a 3.99 average.

Givens transferred to Smith College where she is an Ada Comstock Scholar. Such scholars are described by Smith Col-lege as nontraditional students who are be-yond the traditional college age and who,

like Givens, may have a son or daughter. Comstock Scholars are allowed to proceed toward a degree at their own pace and live either on or off campus.

Courtney BeaulieuCourtney Beaulieu from Swanton served

for a year in Afghanistan with the Vermont National Guard. In 2010, she returned to Vermont and pursued an associate in liberal arts degree at CCV, graduating in 2011. Beaulieu is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Johnson State College. Her career goal is to teach biology to middle school students.

As a part of CCV’s 2011 annual report, Beaulieu is quoted as saying, “When I deployed to Afghanistan for a year, I had to put my education on hold. CCV has been wonderful because they made it easy for me to transition between different life-styles. While I was deployed, many things changed at home, but the one thing that was the same was CCV. A few months after I returned, I was right back in the classroom, and this helped me transition back into everyday life.”

CCV’s Diverse Student Body

Tell them you saw it in The Bridge!

HELP WANTED: Production Editor

The Bridge seeks an all-around production editor to shep-herd our stories through all stages of production, includ-ing liaison with writers, copyediting and final proofreading prior to printing. Position typically requires three days per production cycle. For more information, contact Bob, 223-5112, ext. 14, or bob@montpelierbridge.com, or Nat, 223-5112, ext. 10, or nat@montpelierbridge.com.

PAGE 16 • NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 THE BR IDGE

by Cassandra Hemenway Brush

The Sakhioba Ensemble from the Caucasus Republic of Georgia comes to Montpelier next Tuesday, No-vember 6, at the Unitarian Church. The choir of 13

men, dressed in traditional costume, will feature rousing polyphonic folk songs, liturgical chants, folk dances and tra-ditional instruments from the various regions of Georgia.

“It’s an amazing, unique harmony singing tradition with possibly one of the most ancient harmony singing traditions in the world and they are one of the foremost proponents of it,” said Larry Gordon, codirector of Village Harmony, one of the concert’s sponsors. “The sound of Georgian music is un-like anything else in the world. The harmonies are different; the voice leading is different. The whole background of the music is different.”

Indeed, the eerie, ancient sound of the Sakhioba Ensemble hearkens to times long gone. The music is mostly a cappella, punctuated with the occasional traditional drum or real sheep-gut bag pipe and energetic dance.

Sakhioba (pronounced Sa–key–oh–báh and meaning “sweet sound”) was founded in 2006 and is currently led by director and ethnomusicologist Malkhaz Erkvanidze.

“The choir is very excited to be performing our music for American audiences,” says Erkvanidze. “These aren’t just songs for us. This is the soul of our culture. To truly under-stand the Georgian soul, one must hear and understand our songs and chants.”

Erkvanidze and his ensembles Anchiskhati and Sakhioba have been instrumental in reviving the tradition of Georgian church chant, a huge and ancient body of music that was banned during the Soviet period.

“I want Americans to hear something that thrills them. This music is not dead, it is alive!” he says. “For those that can hear, this music brings history to life. It is our bread, our wine, our families, our prayers. It is our joy and our sorrow. It

will make people want to rejoice, dance and cry to the Lord. That’s the kind of people we are, and that’s the kind of music we sing.”

Erkvanize has “sort of been one of the pioneers of un-earthing and resuscitating some of the ancient Georgian chant,” Village Harmony’s Gordon said. “Sacred chant is coming back into circulation. The singers are all in their early 20s and 30s; they come from singing families and have been singing all their lives; they had a lot of background before joining Sakhioba.”

Village Harmony, headquartered in Marshfield, is a world music organization that sometimes sponsors tours of visiting

foreign groups, Gordon said. It also sponsors a program of singing summer camps, which teaches people traditional sounds and harmonies. In conjunction with its first U.S. tour, Sakhioba is releasing two new albums. Previous international tours by the ensemble include performances in England, Scotland, Croatia, Poland and Ukraine. The tour is being managed by Georgian Chant and cosponsored by Village Harmony. Erkvanidze has been a frequent guest leader of Village Harmony’s summer singing camps.

For more information and the complete schedule of workshops and performances, please visit georgianchant.org/sakhioba.

Ancient Harmonies from the Republic of Georgia to Be Featured at Unitarian Church

The Georgian choir Sakhioba, coming to the Unitarian Church in Montpelier on November 6. Photo courtesy Larry Gordon.

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THE BR IDGE NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 • PAGE 17

by Robert Nuner

You may be onto something when your work is endorsed by people not ordi-narily mentioned in the same breath.

Middlesex authors Susan Clark and Woden Teachout have just had their book, Slow De-mocracy: Rediscovering Community, Bringing Decision Making Back Home published by Chelsea Green Publishing, and the people noticing it come from a noticeably wide po-litical spectrum.

The articulate foreword, for example, is by UVM professor Frank Bryan, who has studied governance and democracy for a long time. But Clark mentions with some ap-preciation that advocate Ralph Nader has just ordered a case of the book from Chelsea Green, according to the publisher’s staff, so that he could offer it on his website.

Reaching Clark as she returned from a Bioneers Conference, I asked how the book addressed issues of governance in polarized times. She spent time discussing a finding that’s more thoroughly explored in the book: recent brain and cognition studies have shown that how we take in, or not take in, informa-tion to make decisions is impacted by our beliefs. If what someone tells us clashes with what we believe, she says, we have a strong tendency to shut out that information.

The implications for establishing a conver-sation among divergent view holders is that

one must find areas of common agreement and interest, upon which individuals can build solutions that will be mutually satis-factory and supportable. Clark anchors this deliberative process to place, which is often local and, perhaps literally, grounded in the realities of our lives where we live. Says Clark, “It’s how our brain works, our connection to place. It’s important to get engaged where I am connected and empowered, my public self can then get more engaged. Otherwise, it [government] becomes too abstract.”

Teachout and Clark open their book with tales of citizens discovering that they have no power against large, centralized entities—governmental or corporate. The issues they face are the result of top-down decision mak-ing with little regard for local consequences, a symptom of industrial age decision making that has extended far beyond the factory floor to how we govern ourselves, in the name of efficiency.

Clark notes, “We have a historical pattern: the rise of the expert. There was a time when Americans did everything for themselves. With the industrial revolution, we turned to experts, including treating efficiency in government that way. It’s [efficiency] not the only good thing. That’s what’s misleading. I hope we can give voice to the unspoken value of community and democracy.”

Slow Democracy then presents examples of citizens finding the means and spending the

time to talk to one another and identify common ground for their mutually held problems. Clark notes that one of the in-spiring aspects of local problem solving and decision making is that locally derived solutions can reflect brand-new ways of approaching problems, since the discovery process derives input from all stakehold-ers, who all have ideas about how a problem could be ad-dressed. These stakeholders often have good information about what can and needs to be done, and they have both the power and the stakes to think and act clearly and with goodwill to find last-ing, supported solutions. The authors do not dis-miss the role of experts but instead argue that their a role is to inform, not decide.

Clark reiterates the three necessaries of suc-cessful self-governance: inclusion, delibera-tion and power. But these, to be successful, she stresses, must not be mere tokens or jargon: “It’s important to remember that people actu-ally participate, and they really are welcomed.” To successfully deliberate, she notes, local decision makers do need good information,

which is where the role of experts can be important. This can then further enable lo-cals to come up with new options and ideas in a cocreative process.

And finally, she notes, “Power is really, really critical. If there’s no link of power to process, if they [citizens] can’t see the link, they won’t come back.”

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A New Book on the Power of Local GovernanceSlow Democracy: Rediscovering Community, Bringing Decision Making Back Home

time to talk to one another and identify common ground for their mutually held problems. Clark notes that one of the in-spiring aspects of local problem solving and decision making is that locally derived solutions can reflect brand-new ways of approaching problems, since the discovery process derives input from all stakehold-ers, who all have ideas about how a problem could be ad-dressed. These stakeholders often have good information about what can and needs to be done, and they have both

Clark reiterates the three necessaries of suc-which is where the role of experts can be

PAGE 18 • NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 THE BR IDGE

LettersDon’t Be Cheap! Tip That Barista

To the Editor:This is an open letter to everyone who

patronizes a downtown Montpelier coffee shop, café or takeout lunch restaurant during the day.

You need to tip the counter staff. I don’t know when it became acceptable

to not tip the kid who makes your sandwich or your fancy morning espresso beverage. If you can afford to buy an expensive lunch downtown, you can afford to tip. Nobody de-serves to come home from work, after feeding everyone in town and making 75 sandwiches or 200 coffees, with four dollars in tips in his or her pocket.

Furthermore, whoever replaced the tip jar at La Brioche with a scholarship fund jar should be completely ashamed of him- or herself. There better be a good explanation for that besides classic Montpelier cheapness.

Working on your feet all day dealing with demanding, cranky customers who rarely even say thank you, while being paid mini-mum wage (which is a complete joke, espe-cially when you are renting in this town), is exhausting work, both physically and emo-tionally. Leave a lousy dollar or two. Say thank you.Treat your barista like he’s your kid’s high-school friend or your niece or nephew, because he probably is.

You all claim to be all about the local, about the downtown economy, about the friendly faces. Tip. It often makes the dif-ference between eating dinner, or not eating dinner.

—Suzannah Mullikin, Montpelier

Vote for Senator Bill DoyleTo the Editor:For those of us who work with Senator Bill

Doyle, it is no surprise that he is still in the trenches, serving Vermonters. His abiding interest in the process of government and in how it can be applied to provide for the betterment of all is evident in everything he does. I have been a part of the Washington County delegation for the past 10 years, and his wealth of knowledge about the issues confronting our towns is amazing. He is con-stantly on the move at any number of com-munity events to listen to people’s concerns. His presence is a constant reminder that we are, first and foremost, a legislature of the people. I have been proud to serve with him and encourage all Washington County voters to join in reelecting Bill to the state senate.

—Rep. Anne Donahue, Northfield

Senators Cummins, Klein and Pollina Champion Working Families

To the Editor:I am a lifelong Republican, and I have been

an early childhood educator in East Montpe-lier for the last 44 years. As a dedicated child-care provider, I have provided care to many community members. My colleagues and I are committed to forming a union among our profession as a tool for raising the qual-ity and affordability of the care we provide,

along with bringing much-needed respect to our profession.

Therefore, on November 6, I will be vot-ing for Senator Ann Cummings, Senator Tony Klein and Senator Anthony Pollina to continue representing Washington County in the Vermont State Senate because they are dedicated to fighting for Vermont’s families and working people

Senator Cummings has met with us many times to give guidance on passing legislation that truly values women like me and the work that we do. Two weeks ago, Senator Cummings said she is running for pro tem of the Senate because she wants to represent providers like me.

Senator Tony Klein and Senator Anthony Pollina are both very supportive of our issues. They have listened and heard what we are saying. They have been true champions on our behalf in Montpelier. We need to vote for elected leaders who understand the struggles of working families and the needs of growing children and who will take action on issues that provides support to hard-working Ver-monters. Senator Ann Cummings, Senator Tony Klein and Senator Anthony Pollina are those elected leaders. I hope you’ll join me in voting to send them back to Montpelier.

—Joyce Wheeler, East Montpelier

Please Support Wendy Wilton for State Treasurer

To the Editor:Treasurer Wendy Wilton is reasonable,

competent and deserving of support. Trea-surer Candidate Wilton is reasonable, reli-able and respectful and has worked with the State Auditor’s Office over the past few years to improve municipal transparency, finan-cial management and foster prevention of embezzlement legislation. She’s the Vermont Municipal Treasurer of the Year, a straight shooter—the real deal.

Please support her like I do, for being a real Vermonter trying to improve the state. As a Republican, she is an underdog and will give some balance to the state. Please join me in supporting her.

—Tom Salmon, Rockingham

Bernie Sanders the NoisemakerTo the Editor:Rant, rant, rave, rave. Bernie is running

again! He creates high-paying jobs for his family, but what about those he represents?

Remember when Bernie looked into child labor in Mexico, getting a huge groundswell of support that almost had a life of its own? But then Bernie decided that, well, it wasn’t abusive. Remember Bernie’s investigation into cable costs and limited programming? Now I get reruns at the same time on two to three stations and pay for half-hour shows that are ads. Public broadcasting (paid for by cable subscribers) that was for the people now runs what, I believe, are commercial shows that feature Bernie (which also makes for free ads)—another way the rich get richer at the expense of the poorer of us. Bernie looked into credit card fees, and guess what, they’re even higher now!

For the campaign, Bernie “looked into” (did not investigate) the price of gas, and it’s hit $4 a gallon. Bernie supported the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (the first huge shift of wealth long before the too-big-to-fail debacle) that shifted corporate responsibility onto the taxpayers. Then there is the dismantling of the best health-care service in the world to benefit international corporations (a shift Gaye Symington ac-knowledged). Let’s not forget that the Demo-crats and Bernie promised to end the wars

EditorialDon’t Trash the Pond

I don’t see a lot of difference between fishing and bird watching. The woman with a fishing pole and the man with a pair of binoculars and a camera—while they’re doing different

things outdoors, they’re often outdoors for the same reason, because of the outdoor experi-ence. And neither those who fish nor those who enjoy birds want to trash that outdoor experience.

Let’s consider the future of Berlin Pond. I can’t believe there are too many Vermonters who would vote to see the pond trashed or who want to see the quality of the outdoor experience they prize compromised. I see at least three compelling reasons for protecting Berlin Pond.

First, Berlin Pond is the source of Montpelier’s drinking-water supply. It’s inconceivable to compromise the safety, quality and security of that supply.

Second, and this is both fortunate and lucky, for the past 100 or so years, Berlin Pond has been protected. When we visit the pond, we know we are in a special place.

Third, let’s acknowledge those special natural qualities of Berlin Pond and protect them. One of this country’s highest achievements has been setting aside places of great beauty and natural diversity and protecting them. We may not have visited all such places, but we know their names: Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Acadia and the North Cascades come to mind.

On Election Day (November 6), voters in the Town of Berlin will be asked to respond to this question: “Shall the Town of Berlin allow public access to the Town-owned land along Berlin Pond for recreational uses?”

How could anyone in the abstract vote against public access and recreation? But how could anyone fail to protect the natural asset that is Berlin Pond? As wetland consultant Brad Wheeler told The Bridge, “I’ve been doing wetland and soil mapping work since the early 1980s, and I have never found a pond to be as active with wildlife as Berlin Pond. It’s really unique.”

Nobody should be prevented from visiting and enjoying Berlin Pond. But nobody should be allowed to trash the pond or lower the quality of the pond as it is. The pond should be rigorously protected.

Corrections: In our last issue (October 27, page 22), The Bridge failed to acknowledge Jeffrey Jacobs as a member of the paper’s 2012 Annual Campaign Committee. Also, on page 23 of that issue, in the story “Out-of-State Travelers Lift Survivors from Fatal Crash,” it was stated that “State Police Trooper Jacob Metayer told me . . . that neither . . . were wearing seat belts.” This information was relayed to The Bridge via Trooper Metayer, but The Bridge did not speak with him directly. The Bridge regrets these errors.

see LETTERS, page 19

Biking, Walking and Transportation NewsBike/Ped Forum

Congratulations to the Vermont Bike/Ped Coalition for an extremely productive morning and afternoon forum, held on October 24. The forum touched on a wide range of biking and walking issues, which included updates from the VTrans and Amtrak, town proposals to improve biking and walking safety, law enforcement initiatives, incentives for people to walk and bike to work and the like.

Toward the end of the forum, several copies of a recently released biking and walking eco-nomic impact study were handed out. That study, titled “Economic Impact of Bicycling and Walking in Vermont” (released on July 6, 2012), finds that biking and walking have a number of positive social and financial impacts. Such impacts include employment gains, appreciable state tourism spending, retail sales of bikes and shoes, bike repair shops and bike recreational touring. The state of Vermont is also seeing a net positive in tax and fee revenues.

Bike Summit on November 7Thanks and appreciation to Montpelier Mayor John Hollar, who is organizing a local Bike

Summit on Wednesday, November 7, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Noble Hall on College Street at the Vermont College of Fine Arts campus.

The broad purpose of the summit is to make Montpelier more bicycle friendly than it is at present. Discussion time will be set aside for such topics as on-street bike lanes, a mountain bike trail network and a potential Montpelier Bike Festival; the summit will have an open format so that attendees can easily participate.

The summit is open to the public. A chili dinner will be served to those who attend; please bring a plate, cup and eating utensils so that disposable materials can be avoided.

VTrans Hearing in MontpelierThe Vermont Transportation Board is holding six public hearings across the state to get

public comments on transportation issues. A Montpelier-based hearing is set for Wednesday, November 14, at 6:30 p.m., at the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission, 29 State Street, suite 4, in Montpelier.

The board has identified six key topics: transportation revenues, bike and pedestrian issues, the future of passenger rail and intercity bus services, responding and adapting to climate change, the VTrans accelerated bridge program and roadway safety. The board is promising a written report of the hearings to VTrans and the Vermont legislature. For more information, contact the board’s executive secretary John Zicconi at john.zicconi@state.vt.us or call 828-2942.

Help Wanted: Production Editor

The Bridge seeks an all-around production editor to shepherd our stories through all stages of production, including liaison with writers, copyediting and final proof-

reading prior to printing. Position typically requires three days per production cycle. For more information, contact Bob, 223-5112, ext. 14, or bob@montpelierbridge.com, or Nat, 223-5112, ext. 10, or nat@montpelierbridge.com.

Addresses To Donate to the American Red CrossIf you would like to make a donation to assist victims of Hurricane Sandy, the mailing address of the Vermont and New Hampshire Valley Chapter is 29 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401-3323. Their donation website is redcrossvtnhuv.org.

THE BR IDGE NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 • PAGE 19

last election, and now our military doesn’t even deserve mention.

I’ve heard many who finally recognize Sanders for what he is—a noisemaker. But with Deb Markowitz’s and now Jim Con-dos’s electronic voting, it will be impossible to replace him.

America dies as Congress works exclu-sively for the 1 percenters. They even enjoy insider trading. When was the last time you made 10s of thousands on insider trading?

—Laura Brueckner, Waterbury Center

Assistant Needed for Local Blind Woman

To the Editor:The Vermont Association for the Blind

and Visually Impaired (VABVI) has an im-mediate need for a volunteer shopper/as-sistant for a blind woman who resides in the Montpelier area. This volunteer position would entail picking her up and taking her to a once-per-month shopping trip, which may include stopping at more than one store to pick up various necessities. This woman would need assistance with identifying, find-ing and purchasing items that she needs and then would need to be returned home. This is a rewarding one-on-one volunteer experi-ence. If you are fortunate enough not to need our services, perhaps you would enjoy help-ing someone who is less fortunate. Volunteer

shoppers are the key to keeping Vermonters affected by vision loss living independently, by helping them meet their basic needs. Come be a part of something wonderful by joining our team of inspirational vol-unteers. VABVI volunteers receive mileage reimbursement for the use of their cars. If you can help or would like more informa-tion, call Cathie toll-free at 1-877-350-8838. VABVI is a nonprofit organization providing a wide array of services to visually impaired Vermonters. There are about 10,500 visually impaired persons in Vermont. Volunteers play a critical role in providing them with the services they need.

—Vicki Vest, volunteer coordinator, VABVI, Montpelier

Don’t Forget to Support Green Mountain United Way

To the Editor:Green Mountain United Way (GMUW),

which serves Washington and Orange coun-ties as well as the Northeast Kingdom, re-cently launched its annual campaign to raise $600,000. As chair of this year’s campaign, I encourage everyone to learn about all the good work that GMUW does for our local communities and to support that work in whatever way possible.

At the official campaign kickoff breakfast in September, the theme for the campaign was announced as “A Time for Reflection.” This is a more-than-appropriate slogan fol-

lowing the devastation our area suffered a year ago from Tropical Storm Irene. I indicated to those in attendance that we all need to reflect on the unyielding efforts of GMUW during that crisis. I also pointed out that while GMUW was coordinating resources and helping so many flood vic-tims, they did not forget about all of the other initiatives that they serve and support each and every year. They didn’t forget that financial literacy is key to building a strong, recovering community. They didn’t forget how important farm-to-school programs are to promote healthy living. They didn’t forget about teen parent programs, early learning projects, assisting food shelves or distribut-ing free prescription discount cards.

GMUW didn’t forget, and it’s important for us not to forget. Please don’t forget to sup-port GMUW during this campaign. There are so many vital programs and projects that need your support and funding. Please join me in supporting a vital organization that works for the everyday needs of our com-munities. Send your contribution today to GMUW, 963 Paine Turnpike N #2, Mont-pelier, VT 05602. If you work at a company that does an annual United Way campaign, participate in that campaign. Every dona-tion, big or small, is meaningful.

I’ll be giving. Won’t you?—Wendy Rea, branch president, Merchants

Bank, Barre

LETTERS, from page 18

by Paul Gambill

The localvore movement is a rich part of our food culture in Vermont. We are blessed with a diverse array of

local producers that support the farm-to-table paradigm, and the commitment from consumers to buy local is at the core of Vermont’s successful small town culture.

Since moving to Montpelier three years ago, I have been continually inspired by, and the lucky beneficiary of, Vermonters’ pas-sions for supporting locally grown food. That localvore ethos carries over to other products and services as well.

One result of that Yankee home-grown in-dependence is that Vermont seems to attract individuals who have richly layered lives, with skills and gifts that support a wonderful mix of activities in our communities.

The Montpelier Chamber Orchestra (MCO) is an organization that thrives as a result of this multifaceted approach to com-munity life. The members of the orchestra come from varied professional backgrounds. From gifted amateur players who fit in prac-ticing and rehearsing around often hectic nonmusical work lives, to full-time musi-cians, the MCO is a locally sourced blend of artists that share a singular passion for bring-ing great music to our community.

That local flair will be on high display when five members of the MCO step into the spotlight as soloists at our November 16 and 18 concerts. These five members, who sit in principal positions in the orchestra as lead-ers of their sections, will bring their talents

forward for our community to revel in and celebrate.

Cathy Metz, the MCO’s co-concertmaster for our fall program, is a full-time educational consultant for deaf and hard-of-hearing stu-dents in central Vermont. Michael Close is the music teacher at Moretown Elementary School, the MCO’s principal cellist and a prolific composer. Dru Macy, who leads our viola section, is a retired English teacher and avid chamber musician. Willie Docto not

only owns an asso-ciation management company that serves clients in the United States, Poland and the Philippines, but he also fits in duties as principal second

violin in both the MCO and the Vermont Philharmonic. And Patricia Fitzgerald, our other co-concertmaster this fall, worked for years as the string teacher at J. J. Flynn Elementary School in Burlington and now works as a freelancer with a variety of diverse gigs.

It is important to note that the MCO is a volunteer community orchestra. Although some of our members are professional musi-cians and some avid amateurs, they come together and volunteer their time to inspire our community with the performance of great music.

Of equal importance is the spirit of ca-maraderie and support that I have found so prevalent in this group. Although most of the members of the orchestra take part in music as a past time, all of them bring a passion and commitment to our work together that creates a nurturing, level playing field, with professional musicians gladly sharing a music

stand with less experienced colleagues. What makes our November program so

unusual is that, instead of hiring an outside soloist to come in and razzle-dazzle us, we are drawing on our own gifted members to lead the charge. No musicians are being shipped in to bring this product to your doorstep. If ever there was an organization of locally sourced “products” designed to “enhance the economic and social health of a particular place,” it is your own Montpelier Chamber Orchestra.

On November 16, at 7:30 p.m., in the

Montpelier High School Auditorium, and on November 18, at 4 p.m., in the Chandler Music Hall in Randolph, the MCO will take to the stage. Please join us for what I promise will be an unusually inspiring performance by a group of your neighbors, who also hap-pen to be the gifted members of your com-munity orchestra.

For more information on the MCO’s con-certs, visit montpelierchamberorchestra.org.

Paul Gambill is conductor of the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra.

Montpelier Chamber Orchestra: Musical Localvores

Soloists at the upcoming Montpelier Chamber Orchestra concerts. From left, Cathy Metz, Willie Docto, Michael Close, Drusilla Macy and Patricia Fitzgerald. Photo courtesy Paul Gambill.

Opinion

WHAT DO YOU THINK?Read something that you want to respond to? Worked up about a local issue? We welcome your letters and opinion pieces.

Letters must be 300 words or fewer; opinions, 600 words or fewer. Send them to editorial@montpelierbridge.com. Deadline for the No-vember 15 issue is Monday, November 12, at 5 p.m.

We reserve the right to edit all submissions for length, clarity or style.

Annual Campaign Update

Beginning with our October 17 issue, The Bridge announced its current (2012) campaign, and I am grateful for contributions from our readers and friends to

date of about $4,500. As I said in an editorial note on page 22 of our last issue: “I am convinced that The Bridge needs to dig deeper and publish more hard news stories.” The truth is that we are already publishing hard news stories.

In June, Bob Nuner wrote an even-handed story about the ongoing controversy surrounding the future of Berlin Pond. In August, Ken Russell wrote a detailed story about the public impacts of a merger between Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service corporations. In September, we wrote a story about the Mont-pelier City Council turnaround vote to go forward in stages with a municipal heating project.

At The Bridge, we need to be ready to pursue the critical but often underreported stories. More and more, we’re aware that big, often out-of-state money is flowing into Vermont to influence elections. We need to track this story and publish what we find out. I’m aware of strong public support for local self-sufficiency in food and for lo-cally produced energy and alternative transportation. We need to continue to report on these issues. Clearly, the merchandising power of big-box stores and the popularity of online and catalogue shopping is changing the marketplace and challenging the traditional downtown.

We can’t stop writing about these things. We can’t pull back on our commitment to what’s happening locally. That’s why your timely and generous support of our current campaign to benefit The Bridge is so essential. Please, if you can, help us out with a check made payable to “The Bridge” and addressed to: The Bridge, P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601. And please, in advance, accept our sincere thanks,

—Nat Frothingham

PAGE 20 • NOVEMBER 1–14, 2012 THE BR IDGE

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