The Winter Sports Preview
The Winter Sports Preview: Vermont’s Ski Resorts Cook Up New Alternatives to Skiing and Riding; A Venerable Vermont Business Makes Woolly Clothes Right Here; Critics of Burton Snowboards Request Meeting with Company
Local IT Profiles on Vermont 3.0 Blog
Nate Herzog, Director of Information Services at JDK Design, is writing a series of posts on the Vermont 3.0 blog about how Vermont companies are using IT (Information Technology) to solve business challenges. He’s got a new post up today about Green Mountain Coffee Roasters of Waterbury. What does making coffee have to do with…
Founder of Magic Hat Speaking at Champlain College on Tuesday
Alan Newman will be speaking in the Alumni Auditorium at Champlain College on Tuesday night as part of the college’s BYOBIZ “Speaking From Experience” series. Newman, a serial entrepreneur, helped found Gardener’s Supply, a gardening catalog business, Seventh Generation, which capitalized on the wave of interest in environmentally friendly products, and Magic Hat, the popular…
The Tech Behind Green Mountain Coffee
Ed. Note: This is the second in Nate Herzog’s series of posts about Vermont companies and their creative solutions to technical challenges. I met with Jim Prevo, the CIO of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, at his office in Waterbury. I explained my mission — when people think of Vermont businesses they frequently think of successful…
Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation (GBIC)
www.vermont.org/gbic 802-862-5726 Burlington, Vermont The Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation is Vermont’s certified nonprofit economic development corporation for Chittenden County. Since its founding in 1954, GBIC has served as a catalyst for economic opportunity in Chittenden County, assisting in the creation and retention of sustainable jobs and economic opportunities for thousands of Vermonters. The primary economic…
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC)
www.veic.org 802-658-6060 Burlington, Vermont VEIC’s mission is to reduce the economic, social, and environmental costs of energy consumption through the promotion of cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. The 23-year-old company provides services for Efficiency Vermont — the nation’s first statewide “energy efficiency utility” — as well as Residential Energy Services, Business Energy Services,…
Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCCC)
www.vermont.org 802-863-3489 Burlington, Vermont The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce is the largest nonprofit business membership organization in Vermont and has been active for more than 90 years. The Burlington region has long attracted residents and companies alike. Vermont’s booming economy, commercial activity, rich cultural scene, and ideal physical location between Lake Champlain and…
Seventh Generation
www.seventhgeneration.com 802-658-3773 Burlington, Vermont Seventh Generation is committed to becoming the world’s most trusted brand of authentic, safe and environmentally responsible products for a healthy home. For 20 years, the Burlington-based company has been a leader of cultural change in consumer behavior and business ethics and strives to be the lead educator on healthy living…
Burton Snowboards
www.burton.com 802-862-4500 Burlington, Vermont In 1977, Jake Burton Carpenter founded Burton Snowboards in his Vermont barn. Since then, Burton has fueled the growth of snowboarding worldwide through groundbreaking product lines, grassroots efforts to get the sport accepted at resorts and a team of top snowboarders. In 1996, Burton began growing its family of brands to…
Brighter Planet
www.brighterplanet.com 802-442-1521 Middlebury, Vermont Born out of a Middlebury College classroom, Brighter Planet is a Vermont start-up committed to helping people take smarter steps toward a healthier environment. The company has developed numerous products, including eco-friendly credit and debit cards, to help individuals and businesses reduce their impact on the climate. Brighter Planet works with…
Extra Credit!
Attention students and educators. Here is a list of possible tasks to complete while attending the Vermont 3.0 Creative Tech Career Jam on Saturday, October 25 at Champlain College. Select and complete one of the following activities: Collect an exhibitor’s business card and submit it along with a short reflection piece about why you would…
Bear Code
www.bear-code.com 802-225-1331 Montpelier, Vermont Bear Code is a software development co-op with offices in Montpelier and Moscow. The core expertise of the company, which describes itself as “technologically agnostic,” is building Web 2.0 websites and applications. Bear Code has built application driven sites for Springraise, uZooka, SuperArray, Seven Days, Skedwool, YouDiligence, Blue Cross Blue Shield…
Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET)
www.vermonttechnologies.com 802-656-3880 Burlington, Vermont The Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies is a leading-edge technology business incubator. The Center offers selected early-stage businesses a menu of traditional incubator services such as furnished office and laboratory space, business consultation, shared office equipment, administrative support, business education and workshops. Business incubators help to develop start-up businesses with the…
In Case You Missed It…Hardwick in the NY Times
When a Vermont restaurant or farm makes its way into the Dining & Wine section of the New York Times, it’s cause for celebration. Last week, a bunch of businesses in the Hardwick area made the grade. In her article “Uniting Around Food to Save an Ailing Town,” part-time Vermont resident Marian Burros tells the…
Vermont Businesses For Social Responsibility
www.vbsr.org 802-862-8347 Burlington, Vermont The Vermont Intern Program through Vermont Businesses For Social Responsibility places students throughout the state of Vermont in paid internships. These opportunities let students explore potential careers learn socially responsible business practices and gain valuable work experience in Graphic Design, IT, Marketing, Renewable Energy, Public Policy and Project Management, to name…
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT)
www.bcbsvt.com 802-223-6131 Berlin, Vermont Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state’s only Vermont-based health insurer, offering high-quality health coverage to Vermonters, regardless of age, occupation or health status. BCBSVT is widely recognized as a good corporate citizen and strives to improve the relationships between BCBSVT, its members, employer groups and providers of…
St. Michael’s Economics Professors Receive a “Manifesto”
Strange times in the St. Michael’s economics department. An anonymous letter was taped onto the doors of the economics professors on Sept. 18. The St. Michael’s newspaper The Defender has the scoop: …the same document was found published on multiple Web sites under thetitle of the True Cost Economics Manifesto, part of a campaign featuredon…
Pollina Upends Symington in New Poll … or Does He?
Hold on to your hats folks, it looks like Vermont’s race forgovernor is really heating up, and it’s not just thanks to VermontYankee. Or, is it? A long-awaited Rasmussen poll is out and it’s a far cry from the WCAX-TV poll taken earlier this fall, but it contains two sets of numbers that may lead…
State of Vermont Recruitment Division
www.vermontpersonnel.org 802-640-1657 Montepelier, Vermont No single Vermont employer offers so many opportunities: A career with the State of Vermont puts you on a professional path filled with tremendous opportunities for growth — not to mention a host of work-life benefits that are hard to match. Since the State of Vermont offers a variety of career…
Gallagher, Flynn & Company, LLP
www.gfc.com 802-863-1331 Burlington, Vermont Gallagher, Flynn & Company, LLP, is Vermont’s largest independent CPA and business consulting firm. In addition to a complete array of traditional accounting and tax services, the firm also provides a wide range of business consulting services focused in areas including Information Technology, Human Resources, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Financial Planning…
Fox 44
www.fox44.net/ 802-660-9333 Colchester, Vermont New to the Chittenden County market, FOX44 Local News is the only local newscast that airs in high definition. You can catch the team on both ABC22 at 7 p.m. and FOX44 at 10 p.m. A brand new addition, “FOX44 Local News This Morning,” runs from 7 to 9 a.m. The…
Front Porch Forum Wins More Awards
Burlington-based Front Porch Forum won two more awards this week. The Rural Telecom Congress recognized FPF with its “RTC People’s Choice Award — Most Innovative,” and its “RTC Champion Award.” The honors came with cash prizes — $500 and $3000, respectively. They’re just the latest in a string of accolades, documented here by FPF founder…
The Secret to Web Success: Story.
I tell this to my film students all the time. You can have great special effects, great cinematography, dynamic action sequences, beautiful costumes, and big explosions, but your film will still be crap if you don’t have a good story. In fact, the reverse is also true. All of those other elements can be sub…
Thief Uses Craigslist Employment Ad as “Getaway Car”
I came across this fascinating tale on Kottke.org. Apparently, a guy robbed an armored car in Seattle, and thwarted his pursuers by previously placing a phony classified ad on Craigslist. Here’s an excerpt from the write-up at CNET News: It appears to have unfolded this way, according to a Seattle-based NBC affiliate:around 11:00 a.m. PDT…
Life on Mars
So, I really haven’t been watching the new shows this season, but last night I checked out the pilot of Life on Mars. The beginning wasn’t promising — yet another NYC cop chasing a serial killer, who somehow manages to abduct the cop’s girlfriend (Lisa Bonet!), even though she’s also a detective and presumably trained…
Burton Snowboard Controversy: Update and Op-Ed
The debate over the controversial new snowboards from Burton is still going on — check out the ever-expanding comment thread on last week’s Blurt post. News Editor Brian Wallstin published an update about the boards in this week’s Seven Days. At least two anti-violence organizations have asked to meet with representatives of Burton Snowboards to…
That One ’08
“You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one.” So now, go get yo’ self some goodies.
Preview: The American League Championship Series
October is here, also known as the time of year you can’t help but feel bad for Cubs fans. It almost seemed unfair to them that this team was burdened with top notch starting pitching, a strong middle of the lineup, depth in the bullpen, a rabid, hungry fan base and history on their side.…
Karl Lagerfeld Buys a House in Vermont
I heard this rumor earlier this week, and it appears that it was true. Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld has purchased a house in Vermont, on an island in Lake Champlain. According to a “fashion scoop” from the WWD website, Lagerfeld has never actually seen the property in person, but he adores the photos. “I love…
Debate on Drinking Age a Real Rager
Continuing with the recent drinking theme, check out Mike Ives’ article in this week’s Seven Days about the Amethyst Initiative, a coalition of more than 100 college presidents fighting to open a debate on the wisdom of the 21+ drinking law. The Amethyst group is facing serious opposition from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), The…
Human Powered Vehicle Burlington Bikefest
Saturday, October 4, 2008, City Hall Park, Burlington
How To Avoid The Hangover
When you wake up on the couch (or in some cases walk-in closets), wearing a tutu and one sock with a mouth of sandpaper and a splitting headache, it’s often the consequence of a really good (or bad) night. The dreaded hangover has already set in and you’re in for a long, miserable ride on…
![BCS Kids Interview the Mayor [SIV99]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sevendaysvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/episode99.webp?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1)
BCS Kids Interview the Mayor [SIV99]
10/3/08: The preschool-age kids of Burlington Children’s Space grill Mayor Bob Kiss over pancakes. Just what exactly does the mayor do every day – besides climbing mountains and jumping in puddles? Music: Ryan Power, Is It Happening?, “Is It Happening?” Location: McClure Multi-Generational Center, Burlington Vermont
Where There’s Smokejacks, There’s Fire…
The real story behind the closing of a popular Burlington restaurant
Rocket Propelled
On Romance Mountain, extreme sledder Chad Chamberlain goes downhill fast
Room With a View
Visitors to the Stone Hut can sleep at the top of Vermont and ski at first light
News Quirks
Curses, Foiled Again Jason Slagel, 33, was arguing with another man at a motel in Fort Madison, Iowa, when he pulled a knife and told the man and four other people in the room that nobody would be allowed to leave. He eventually released two of the hostages, however, to go buy him beer. Instead,…
Stitches in Time
Art Review: “Cast On, Bind Off”, prints by Carol MacDonald. Firehouse Gallery, Burlington. Through November 1.
Stitching a Niche?
A venerable Vermont business makes woolly – and occasionally wild – clothes right here
Free Will Astrology
Here’s the weekly astrological forecast for October 8-15, 2008. What’s your sign, baby? They’re all here… ARIES (March 21-April 19): Writing in The New York Times, Paul Krugman waxed snide as he described the mindset of the U.S. Congress. It “has always had a soft spot for ‘experts’ who tell members what they want to…
Pollina’s Campaign: Broke Down Engine?
A sharp-eyed Seven Days reader snapped a couple of pics this morning of Independent gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina’s campaign van at Noyes Automotive on Pine Street in Burlington. In for just a tune-up, or a complete overhaul? they wondered. I think they meant the car not the campaign, though Pollina’s slogan “We Can Do Better”…
The Schlep to the White House
Sarah Silverman is funny. She wants you to go to Florida to get your Jewish grandparents to vote for Barack Obama. If I were Jewish and/or had grandparents in Florida, I totally would, just because she told me to. Especially now that she finally broke off her relationship with Jimmy Kimmel. God, I hate that…
Vermont Guv Candidate Sing-a-long?
Should our candidates for governor audition for the job by singing the Vermont state song? Blogger Morgan Brown suggests that perhaps they should. On the 2008 Vermont Gubernatorial Race Watch Blog, Morgan writes: Not to politicize the song in any manner of course, yet I wondered ifthere were those who might agree with me that…
Arguing for “Open Debates”
Craig “Craigslist” Newmark has called for the presidential and vice presidential debates to be “open.” That is, he’s advocating for the debates to be placed in the public domain for public commentary, redistribution, remixing, or whatever. Newmark writes… The Open Debate Coalition’s principles mark a significant step forward in that direction. The Coalition asks that…
Addison County to Get Full Broadband Coverage by 2010
The Addison Independent reported yesterday that FairPoint plans to make DSL coverage available to everyone in Addison County by 2010. Full coverage of the high-speed, or broadband, Internet access is good news for Addison County businesses, which will be able to take full advantage of the Internet’s capabilities. Faster service can mean more productivity, access…
Shumlin Weighs in on Homelessness Crisis
On September 24, homelessness advocates gathered outside the gubernatorial debate in Burlington to demand a $500,000 emergency appropriation from the state. Three directors of overcrowded homeless shelters said the money, which could come from the state’s $60 million “Rainy Day” fund, would lessen the impact of this winter’s impending homelessness crisis. Gubernatorial hopefuls Gaye Symington…
Venture Capital in Vermont
The reality of our job as institutional investors at FreshTracks means that out of every 100 businesses we review, we only invest in 1 opportunity. We see a lot of pitches that don’t fit our investment criteria. Maybe the business is too early on in its development, maybe it’s not in a market that we…
