Nov 19-25, 2008
Even a Housing “Crisis” Holds Opportunities; A Writer Discovers the Seductive World of Home-Improvement Television; Dining Without Menus Could Be a New Trend in Vermont
Mobile Bike Drive in Burlington
I pulled up to work this morning and saw this van sitting outside my office. Turns out it’s a mobile, mini bike drive, organized by Bike Recycle Vermont. These dedicated pedal pushers are standing outside on this frigid morning collecting used bikes that they’ll fix up and sell to low-income Vermonters. Bike Recycle founder Ron…
CarShare Vermont
CarShare Vermont, Burlington’s latest stab at alt-transport, is gearing up for a launch party in mid December. According to Annie Bourdon, executive director of the vehicular nonprofit — formerly “Green Mountain CarShare” — four CarShare cars will be launched from the University of Vermont and Champlain College campuses in conjunction with the Campus Area Transportation…
Pee (Indoors) at Last!
Back in May, Seven Days reported that the tiny town of Roxbury was adding to its 450-square-foot public library. The addition would include, among other things, a bathroom. After all, the 1923 structure didn’t have what librarian Susan D’Amicoa called a “pot to piss in.” BREAKING NEWS: A toilet was installed last week, according to…
Armando Vilaseca Picked as VT’s New Ed Commissioner
Longtime Vermont educator, Franklin West Supervisory Union superintendent and all-around nice guy Armando Vilaseca was tapped this week to be Vermont’s new education commissioner, according to this story in today’s Burlington Free Press. Some readers may recall that Vilaseca isn’t just known for his education credentials. As Seven Days reported in March, Vilaseca, along with…
Seven Days Holiday Payday
Hey, we launched a new contest this week. It’s called the Seven Days Holiday Payday. Here’s the deal: You can register to win a local shopping spree on our website. But you can’t win unless you have the SECRET CODE. How do you get the code? Simple — you visit one of the participating local…
VT Yankee Decommissioning Fund — Toxic?
The downward spiral of the Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Fund continues. As I pointed out in “Fair Game” last month the value this fund — set aside to clean up the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant once it’s shut down — has been dropping precipitously since the end of 2007. By early October it had dropped…
Gov Hints at Same-Sex Marriage Veto
Folks who missed last night’s evening news on Vermont Public Radio missed an interesting report on whether Gov. Jim Douglas supports same-sex marriage. The answer? He doesn’t. But, will he veto the measure if it’s passed by enough of a majority in the House and Senate? Too hard to tell. Sure, lawmakers will be spending…
It’s Like Guitar Hero, But Real
Thursday will see the stately halls of the McCarthy Arts Center at St. Michael’s College torn to shreds with PURE ROCK’N’ROLL… and some singer/songwriter folky stuff… and probably some noodley jamming… and at least one a cappella group. The occasion is a Battle of the Bands happening Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. The lineup consists…
Why Can’t Progs and Dems Just Get Along?
In the most recent election Democrats and Progressives slugged it out (at least electorally) in several House races throughout the state — with one particularly charged race in the Queen City. These races opened up some old wounds, and as a result many Vermont voters, post-election, still want to know whether the parties can work…
Sen. Patrick Leahy Ranks #4 in Senate
Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy’s open contempt for former Democratic caucus member Sen. Joe Lieberman nabbed plenty of headlines (Sen. Bernie Sanders’ quick follow-through made for quite the one-two punch). Of course, Lieberman will keep his plum chairmanship but lose a minor subcommittee chairmanship. Despite the outcome not going his way (his colleagues kept Lieberman in…
Take Two
Art Review: “Twisted,” new work in fabric and sculpture by Wylie Sofia Garcia and Jake Rifkin. Flynndog, Burlington. Through December 30.
The iPhone Cometh
When Apple introduced the iPhone 3G, it was available in 22 countries (but not Vermont). Soon, the iPhone will be available in 77 different countries. The background chatter has been intensifying in recent days about whether Vermonters will join the rest of the developing world and be able to buy (and use) the iPhone. Legally.…
![Tiny Houses [SIV105]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sevendaysvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/episode105.webp?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1)
Tiny Houses [SIV105]
11/17/08: The tiny house movement is getting HUGE as Americans shrink their budgets and look for affordable alternatives to their Stuff Nation. Peter King has been building tiny houses for years and hopes to teach others the basics of simple living. Music:Silent Mind, 2012 Here We Come, “I Want to Go Home” LOCATION:East Johnson, Vermont…
I Am Burlington (and So Can You!)
Soundbites: I Am Burlington (and So Can You!), The Wiz, The Greatest Song in the World, Music: Darwin Style, Irony Check
News Quirks
Curses, Foiled Again Authorities charged Lavarr A. Milton, 21, and Guy O. Walker, 18, with robbing a gas station outside Louisville, Ky., after they stopped in mid-getaway to ask a police officer for directions. “The officer noticed some evidence in the vehicle that led him to believe that a robbery had occurred,” police official Alicia…
Free Will Astrology
Here’s the weekly astrological forecast for November 19 – 26, 2008. What’s your sign, baby? They’re all here… ARIES (March 21-April 19): Fifty-five percent of Americans not only believe in guardian angels but testify that they have been actively aided by the intervention of those divine helpers. Commenting on the results, one religious expert said…
Welch to Host Electronic Town Meeting
Looking for something to do tomorrow night? Why not spend an hour on the phone with your congressman? For the second time this year Vermont’s lone congressman, Democrat Peter Welch, is asking Vermonters to join him via telephone to discuss the economic crisis and what Congress can do. The Wednesday night telephone town hall is…
