Dec 10-16, 2008
Vermont’s Iraqi Refugees Struggle to Rebuild Their Shattered Lives; Vermont’s Solar Sector Scores in Bailout Bill; Tim Newcomb Draws on Vermont Political History
Where the hell is Matt?
Hola, amigos. I know it’s been a long time since I rapped at ya, but I got a lot on my plate these days. Finals = best time of the year, no? I don’t know about you guys, but for me, as the tests and papers pile on, all I want to do is drop…
State Budget Cuts
One of the most clicked on websites in Vermont this morning was probably a special page set up by the Department of Finance & Management that lists $19.7 million in proposed budget cuts. The cuts were agreed to by the Douglas administration and the Joint Fiscal Committee over the weekend, though talks have stalled on…
No More Daily Newspaper in Detroit?
It’s not exactly official yet (yes it is — see update below), but this announcement is all over the internet right now: DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press are leaning toward cutting home delivery to three days a week, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday. I know it’s inevitable — because…
More Media Layoffs — Politicker Sites Go Dark
It’s been the buzz of the blogosphere today: Of the 17 Politicker.com state websites, 12 will be shuttered. Vermont is one of those sites, according to a Colorado newspaper. The Colorado Independent reports that Politicker.com sites in New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire,Massachusetts and Pennsylvania will remain operating. Sites in Arizona, California, Colorado,Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,…
Sugar as Snow
Whilst you are daydreaming of ski slopes . . . check out Brian and Brennan Degan’s gorgeous gingerbread rendering of Mad River Glen. I saw the candied creation on December 6 in Waitsfield at the BigPicture Theater & Cafe’s two-day “GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST & EXHIBIT.” Mad River opens for its 60th season tomorrow morning. According…
Journalist Evans Rubara Speaks at St. Michael’s on Human Rights Atrocities in Tanzania
Coinciding with World AIDS Day on Dec. 5 and the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Dec. 10, St. Michael’s College hosted “AIDS and the Denial of Human Rights,” a week-plus of programs from Dec. 1-10. Events included film screenings, a rally in support of HIV/AIDS research funding…
Wright Makes it Official — He’s Running for Mayor
If anyone had any doubts about his intention, Republican City Council President Kurt Wright laid it all to rest Thursday announcing he is a candidate for mayor of Burlington. And, if you think Wright only has the support of the GOP in Burlington (yes, Virginia there is a GOP in the Queen City), think again.…
Old Kids on the Block
I went to the Boston Music Awards last Sunday to see my niece’s band, Drug Rug, perform. Their song, “Day I Die,” was nominated for Song of the Year. They kicked ass — as is normal (and runs in the family) — and the band that performed after them, Big Digit, blew me away. It…
Neighbors Decry Proposed Champlain College Purchase
Burlington residents spoke out yesterday against Champlain College’s plan to purchase the Ethan Allen Club on College Street. (For background on Champlain’s plan, see my story in this week’s Seven Days, “Burlington Mayor Challenges Champlain College on Proposed Building Acquisition.”) First, Jennifer Karp Adrian created a Facebook group, “YMCA should purchase the Ethan Allen Club.”…
NPR Cuts Programming, Staff
The list of media organizations cutting staff just keeps getting longer, and it’s not just in the for-profit media either. The Washington Post reported yesterday that National Public Radio is laying off 7 percent of its staff, or 64 of the public radio network’s 889 employees. The move is designed to close a $23 million…
Vermont Yankee & That Sinking Feeling
The state of Vermont’s Department of Public Service is now receiving monthly updates from Entergy on the performance of Vermont Yankee’s Decommissioning Fund — you know, the amount of money that needs to be set aside to clean up the plant once its closed. Anyone with a 401(k) knows the stock market has been in…
![The Bobbin [SIV108]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sevendaysvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/episode108.webp?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1)
The Bobbin [SIV108]
12/7/08: Mommy-owned and operated The Bobbin Sew Bar & Craft Lounge welcomes nursing moms, kids, crafters, novices and community members to take part in the fun. Whether you are knitting, crocheting, sewing, shopping, hanging out or just observing, The Bobbin will keep you entertained. So why should you pledge to buy locally-produced handmade goods this…
Iraqi Refugees in Vermont
This week’s cover story, “Exiles on North Street,” introduces Vermonters to some of their newest neighbors: the 50 or so Iraqi refugees who’ve been resettled in the Burlington area in the last year. Their stories, like those of other recent immigrants who’ve fled war and bloodshed in their home countries, are tragic and heart-wrenching. One…
Exiles on North Street
Vermont’s newly arrived Iraqi refugees struggle to rebuild their shattered lives
Letters to the Editor
SAUCE SOURCE Tracy Stopford of Milton recently expressed concern in these pages about Attorney General Bill Sorrell’s October settlement over the mislabeling of pasta sauces bearing the “Bove’s of Vermont” label. Simply put, the reason for the settlement was that the sauces were made in an out-of-state facility from out-of-state ingredients but were not labeled…
Free Will Astrology
Here’s the weekly astrological forecast for December 10 – 17, 2008. What’s your sign, baby? They’re all here… ARIES (March 21-April 19): It’s an ideal time for you to throw a party for all the people you’ve ever been and all the different selves who live within you now. Invite the teenager who once seethed…
News Quirks
Curses, Foiled Again After New Hampshire state police stopped a vehicle going 69 mph in a 45-mph zone, the driver identified himself as Jonathan Brackett. When asked, however, he spelled it “Jothan.” Trooper Chris Storm eventually learned the driver was Paul Sans, 26, who was wanted for burglary. A drug-trafficking charge was added when passenger…
Death Revisited
Soundbites: Death Revisited, Serendipity, Killin’ It, Bite Torrent, Dept. of Corrections
Smoke and Sin
A Montréal cigar lounge and restaurant features all manner of necessary indulgences
Winter Advisory
Art Review: Carolyn Shattuck and 15 other regional artists, Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery, Shelburne. Through January.
Fox Columnist Covers Hinesburg Nonprofit
Last Monday, coinciding with a new round of UN negotiations on climate change, Dr. Rachel Smolker entered the D.C. offices of the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. Along with 20 other protesters, she decried the fund’s positions on climate change. Smolker, 50, works for Global Justice Ecology Project, a Hinesburg nonprofit that fights for social and…
Wanted: Writers Who Can Work On the Web
At the Vermont 3.0 Creative/Tech Career Jam back in October, I moderated a panel called “So, You Wanna Write for the Web?” Our panelists included Washington Monthly blogger Steve Benen, EatingWell Media Group Digital Producer Penelope Wall and St. Mike’s journalism prof Marybeth Redmond. The questions we got from the audience were all over the…
