Aug 26 – Sep 1, 2009
A Middlebury Professor Shows Students How to Think Inside the Box; VT Voyageurs in Essex; A Federal Bill Sends Veterans to College
Trial Balloons Begin to Pop
It’s only been four days since Gov. Jim Douglas (R) shocked Vermont’s political world and announced he would not seek reelection in 2010. Since then, this reporter’s phone has been buzzing with calls from political insiders floating names of possible candidates who “would be great for the job,” or by politicians themselves claiming they are…
Burlington Bands 101
New to the Burlington music scene? Come to our cram session. On Wednesday, September 23, Triple Major presents Burlington Bands 101 at Nectar’s and Club Metronome. Musical guests include: In Memory of Pluto (rock) Anais Mitchell (singer-songwriter) Gordon Stone (bluegrass) Burnt MD (hip-hop) Lendway (indie-rock) Amadis (metal) More bands TBA The show starts at 9…
Calling Off the Dogs on the Big Cats at the Champlain Valley Expo
Meow! Talk about a nasty stink rising out of the litter box at the Champlain Valley Expo. The Burlington-area supermarket chain Price Chopper has pulled its sponsorship of a wild-animal act at the Expo known as the “Nerger Lion and Tiger Show.” According to a company spokesperson, Price Chopper was “misled” as to the true…
Douglas: He’s Out, Everybody’s In
Anyone who is not thinking of running for Vermont governor in 2010, please raise your hand. Yikes. This could get interesting. If nothing else, this political columnist is thankful for a little job security through at least one more election cycle. Less than 24 hours after four-term Republican Gov. Jim Douglas surprised our tiny political…
Giddy-uppin’ with the Clydesdales
You know what the most awesomest part of Burlington is? The fact that on any given day in the three-and-a-half-week summer we enjoy, some kind of crazy-assness is going on. One day someone’s building a microhouse in City Hall Park, and the next day pit bulls are tearing each other asunder in front of that…
Police, Prosecutors Reviewing Flanagan Charges
Burlington Police this afternoon confirmed to Seven Days that they have largely completed their investigation of Democratic State Sen. Ed Flanagan, and are beginning to review the case with state prosecutors. Burlington Police Chief Michael Shirling did not know how long the review could take, but did confirm that the case is now under review.…
Douglas Opts Out in ’10: Political Reaction
Before a packed room of staff, lobbyists, media and other members of Montpelier’s political class, Republican Gov. Jim Douglas made it official: He’s not seeking reelection in 2010. He also said he’s not seeking any other political office. But, he made no indication as to what his next steps may be — other than taking…
Douglas Makes it Official: He’s not Running in ’10
Here is the full text of Gov. Jim Douglas’ 10-minute speech announcing his attentions to not seek reelection in 2010. * * * * * I want to thank all of you for coming this morning. I especially want to thank the members of my Administration for being here, as well as my staff. Since…
Gov. Jim Douglas to Announce He’s Not Running in 2010
Shortly after meeting with his cabinet this morning, Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas will announce he’s not running for reelection in 2010. Sources confirm that Douglas will make the announcement at 11 a.m. in the governor’s ceremonial office at the Statehouse. The governor will also announce that he is not running for any other elective office…
Stock Up Now on Quirky Cards — Scribbles is Closing
Burlington is about to lose its favorite stationery store. Jane Jarecki emailed Seven Days today to say that Scribbles on Church Street is closing its doors. Seven Days readers awarded Scribbles the “Best Stationer” Daysie in 2008 and 2009. Scribbles was also named the “Grooviest Gift Shop” in 2007 and 2008, and was runner-up this…
News Quirks
Curses, Foiled Again According to police in Jasper, Texas, gunman Alex Fowler, 26, confronted Dorothy Williams, 69, and Sue Erzen, 87, at their home and demanded money. When told they had none, he demanded their purses. The women refused, and Erzen attacked the robber with a can of RAID bug spray. The suspect fled on…
Letters to the Editor
REDCOATS IN IRAQ In “Bullets and Bandages” [August 5], your pullquote attributed to Thomas Middleton jumped off the page: “We’re facing an enemy that wears civilian clothes, melts into the civilian populace and triggers IEDs with cellphones.” It could just as easily read, “…melts into the civilian populace and shoots from behind trees and stone…
Free Will Astrology
Here’s the weekly astrological forecast for August 26 – September 2, 2009. What’s your sign, baby? They’re all here… ARIES (March 21-April 19): What I wish for you this week is that you won’t be satisfied with mediocre truths; that you’ll be a fussy perfectionist focused on cutting out waste, fraud and delusion; that you’ll…
Living on Earth
Art Review: “Human = Landscape: Aesthetics of a Carbon Constrained Future,” a group show in various media, part of the Energy Project. Firehouse Gallery, Burlington. Through October 24.
Seven Days Hires Andy Bromage
Starting next week, look for seasoned political reporter Andy Bromage’s byline in Seven Days. Andy is joining our editorial team as a staff writer. That’s him in the photo. Andy is an award-winning reporter, editor and columnist who recently left a senior staff position at the Connecticut media company that publishes the New Haven Advocate,…
![VT State Parks [SIV141]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sevendaysvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/episode141.webp?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1)
VT State Parks [SIV141]
8/23/09: There are 52 State Parks in VT bringing the great outdoors to thousands of visitors each year. Eva and her mother spend the weekend at Grand Isle State Park where they have been camping for 30 years. As luck would have it, Ken Burns documentary about the National State Parks is currently airing on…
Markowitz Campaign Staffer Moves On
UPDATED BELOW. As I noted in this week’s “Fair Game” column, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz is conducting a national search for a campaign manager. Well, now the guy who’s been doing much of the heavy lifting to date has announced he’s moving on as of September 30. Markowitz said hiring a polished campaign pro…
Spinning Plates
At Montréal’s Tour de Ville, the international buffets — and the dining room — revolve
The Bornemann Conspiracy
I was in a hurry yesterday when rewriting and posting this snooze release about the new head of the Ethan Allen Institute (deadline work for the column and such), and missed doing a bit of homework on Rick Bornemann. Bornemann is a former utility exec and lobbyist who will take over as president of the…
Rising Star Chef Food and Wine Show
This summer’s excess of extraordinary food continued Saturday in an unprepossessing field across the street from the Topnotch Resort & Spa. A smallish, white tent held a dozen stations staffed by some of the country’s culinary luminaries. Familiar faces like Mark Timms of Norma’s (who organized the event) and Sean Buchanan of Solstice cooked alongside…
A Friend of Joe’s: Larry McCrorey, 1927-2009
The local jazz community is saddened this week by the passing of saxophonist Larry McCrorey, who died at his Grand Isle home on Saturday. McCrorey was 82. McCrorey, a physiology professor at UVM from 1966 to 1993 and ardent social activist, was a pillar of the Burlington jazz scene. Most recently, he was a fixture…
Crazy Paving
In the words of my soon-to-be bestie Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church, “Thank God for Paving Projects.” I really mean it — thank you to the being that lives in the heavens for the paving that is going on in Burlington, and around the state, including the crazy alien nighttime paving that’s happening…
