Aug 18-24, 2010
Bedbugs in Burlington; Bennington President Defends Liberal Arts; A Survey of Curious College Courses
Vermont’s Primary: Are We There Yet?
Like a kid trapped too long in a car during a summer vacation trip, Vermont voters (or at least this political reporter) are asking: Are we there yet? The longest and most expensive gubernatorial primary in Vermont history will come to an end tomorrow, and everyone wants to know who among the five Democrats will…
Fringe Friday: Dan Feliciano
For week three of “Fringe Friday,” we feature independent candidate for governor Dan Feliciano, a corporate “change consultant” and workout buff who wants to run state government like a lean, mean business. Fringe Friday is Seven Days’ weekly web series about the independent and minor party candidates running for governor, U.S. House and U.S. Senate…
Where Has All the Campaign Money Gone?
* updated below * A reader asked in response to one of my recent posts on Tuesday’s campaign finance reports: How much are candidates spending in-state versus out-of-state? Are they providing their own campaign-fueled stimulus to the Vermont economy? Good questions. It is possible to glean from the campaign reports where the record amounts of…
UVM Liberal Bias? No Duh.
Not a day goes by here at 7DHQ that we writers don’t get at least a dozen stoopid press releases. These press releases alert us about everything from what handbag Lindsay Lohan took with her to prison to the method and make-up of Bernie Sanders’ last poo. Sometimes it’s fun to spotlight these press releases…
Susan Bartlett Was With Me Last Night
Well, me and 150 other people who attended the Vermont Software Developers’ Alliance 5th annual sunset cruise. Apparently, the Democratic candidate for governor was scheduled to be at a gubernatorial candidate debate, and she passed up the opportunity to spend a few hours hanging out with members of the VTSDA and the Vermont Biosciences Alliance…
Vermont Governor’s Race 2010: Most Expensive … Ever?
The five Democrats and single Republican running for governor have already eclipsed the amount of money raised in any of the previous races for the state’s top job. The difference is we’re not even through the primary, meaning this will easily be the most expensive governor’s race in history — even perhaps factoring for inflation.…
Will Bedbugs Mean the End of Curb Scores?
Thanks to bedbugs, scoring free furniture off Burlington greenbelts may never be the same. The bloodsucking insects are apparently a growing problem in Burlington and elsewhere in Vermont, and city officials are fingering curbside junk as a potential culprit. Last year, Burlington documented one case of bedbugs. This year the number is already up to…
Bite Club TV: Getting Fresh at the VFN Forum
The Vermont Fresh Network Forum is one of my favorite events of the whole year. I feel like Cinderella, if her evening at the ball had involved eating the giant pumpkin. To share my enjoyment, I brought videographer Elizabeth Rossano to this year’s event at Shelburne Farms’ Coach Barn, where we dug into dishes from…
Recession? Not in the World of Campaign Fundraising
To read campaign finance reports detailing the millions being raised in the Vermont gubernatorial contest, you’d think the recession was a figment of your imagination. For sure, it’s a good time to be a millionaire candidate — at least when it comes to financing your run for office. Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin continues…
Letters to the Editor
Dunne’s Fun Side Back in 1996 I helped organize benefit live music shows in the recently vacated J.J. Newberry department store here in White River Junction. A group of friends and I signed up rockabilly bands, DJs for dance parties, and acts such as the Rowellettes and the Great Rondini — escape artist extraordinaire —…
Schooling the Schools
The Bennington College prez says U.S. liberal arts colleges aren’t doing their job
WTF: What do UVM students mean by the “Flying Diaper”?
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot: We just had to ask…
News Quirks
Curses, Foiled Again Dallas police said Dwayne Lamont Moten, 20, hired a friend, Jacob Wheeler, 20, to shoot him, intending to blame the crime on his wife’s boyfriend so he could gain custody of his 3-year-old son. Wheeler was only supposed to wound Moten, who “drove a short distance before he realized he was shot…
Free Will Astrology
Here’s the weekly astrological forecast for August 18 – 24, 2010. What’s your sign, baby? They’re all here… ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the 18th century, the French Academy laid down rules about the differences between professional and amateur paintings. For example, it was decreed that true artists must create a “licked surface,” hiding all…
![Hoff the Harmonica Case Man [SIV188]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sevendaysvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/episode188.webp?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1)
Hoff the Harmonica Case Man [SIV188]
8/6/10: Bob Hoffman, also known as Hoff, has commissioned over 220 handmade harmonica cases from artists all over the world in a wide variety of materials (about 20 of the artists are VTers). Each harmonica case tells a unique story, many of them related to Hoff’s life and his relationships with the artists. You can…
Tuesdays With Sonny
On Saturday, Rep. Albert “Sonny” C. Audette, 78, died at Starr Farm Nursing Center after years of declining health. Since I generally don’t know my points of order from my points of law, his passing wouldn’t have been notable for me, but for the fact that I once spent an hour in his living room.…
Leahy Challenger ‘Spices’ Up Primary with Web Ad
Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Daniel Freilich is picking up some national notice thanks to his campaign ad spoofing the YouTube ads for Old Spice. Unfortunately, not all of the attention is positive. Then again, when Comedy Central, Huffington Post, Mediaite.com and Swampland (TIME’s political blog) post your campaign ad, spell your name correctly and…
