Cavendish Update 1/27/12 News/Events

Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page

The 1/27/12 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Help Needed
3. Warning Annual Meeting of the Cavendish Town Elementary School District
4. Letter from CCCA
5. Les Bon Temps Roulette! (Let the Good Times Roll)-Mardi Gras
6. GMUHS Library Renovation Survey On-line
7. Filing Date for Cavendish Elected Positions Jan 30
8. Cavendish Calendar 1/27-2/3

1. Cavendish Related News
Shaws Reopens Today! The newly renovated and expanded Shaw’s has its grand opening today. Ribbon cutting is at 9 am.

IBM and VELCO to Build Next Generation Communications Network for VT: At the 2012 DistribuTECH conference, IBM (NYSE: IBM) and the Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) announced an agreement to build an intelligent fiber optic and Carrier Ethernet communications and control network across the State of Vermont. Spanning more than 1000 miles, this advanced fiber communications network will connect transmission substations to Vermont’s distribution utilities, delivering reliable electric service and the capabilities required for the state’s future Smart Grid. Press Release

VT Educational Study: The southern Vermont towns of Dover and Wilmington have contracted with Northern Economic Consulting (NEC) to ask why some schools continue to fall behind in programming equity despite successful efforts to achieve educational financing equity. The NEC report looked at several economic and equity measures. The most significant findings are: The same school tax rate does not buy an equal educational opportunity for all Vermont students. Since 1997/98, national per pupil spending has risen 30 percent. During that same period of time, Vermont per pupil spending has risen 60 percent. Student performance has not improved against national standards when comparing similar demographics. Leaders of the towns want the Vermont General Assembly to discuss how to refocus on providing and funding equal educational opportunities statewide. Press Release

VT & Smart Meters: The Vermont Legislature has recently held a hearing on whether CVPS and Green Mountain Power can install “smart meters.” Smart meters communicate with a utility, allowing it to track and bill for electrical usage without sending meter readers out once a month. They enable utilities to pinpoint the locations of power outages much more easily than was the case with previous technology. Eventually, they're expected to allow customers to track their own electrical usage with an eye toward saving money and energy. Some critics charge that the smart meters emit radio frequency radiation in pulses with uncertain and possibly health hazards. Dr. Harry Chen, the state health commissioner, told the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday that an international health panel last year found that radio frequency radiation emitted by cell phones is a possible source of brain cancer in heavy cell phone users. Chen said smart meters emit well less than 1 percent of the radiation emitted by cell phones, and they're not often held right next to the head. Burlington Free Press

2. Help Needed
Two of our families impacted by the flood are finally moving back into their homes!!!! We need some help, including people with trucks. We have one move scheduled for Feb. 4 (Saturday) morning at 10 am. Also, would be great to have some food for our work crew. If you can help, please e-mail margoc@tds.net

3. Warning Annual Meeting of the Cavendish Town Elementary School District,
The legal voters of the Cavendish Town Elementary School District are hereby warned to meet in the multi-purpose room at the Cavendish Town Elementary School on Route 131, on Monday, March 5, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., to act on the following articles.

ARTICLE 1: To hear and act on the reports of the Cavendish Town Elementary School District Officers for the school year ending June 30, 2011.

ARTICLE 2: To see if the voters of said Cavendish Town School District will authorize the Cavendish Town School District School Board of Directors to borrow money by issuance of bonds or notes not in excess of anticipated revenue for the school year, as provided by in 16 V.S.A. § 562 (9).

ARTICLE 3: To transact any other business deemed proper when met, not involving the expenditure of school district funds or any other business acted upon in the preceding articles.

ARTICLE 4: To adjourn.

Ballot Items

To vote on the following items by Australian ballot. Polls open on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 10:00 AM and close at 7:00 PM. Voting to take place at the Cavendish Town Elementary School Arts Center.

ARTICLE 5: To elect a Moderator.

ARTICLE 6: To elect three (3) Cavendish School Directors for the Cavendish Town Elementary School Board, one for a three year term and two for one year terms.

4. Letter from CCCA
The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association, as all groups in service to their communities, could not prosper without the support of people in the community itself. Joyce Ringhel was just such a person. Joyce passed three months ago. She was a joyous and kind woman who also baked phenomenal cookies. Joyce and her husband Charles had been tremendous supporters of our work and we are saddened for her passing. Patricia Nye is another dear friend and supporter who passed not long ago and who, in her fiery nature and humorous way never stopped encouraging us to continue our efforts on behalf of conservation and community building. This has been a series of difficult months for all of us in Vermont and so for the people of Cavendish, and it is with regret that we come so late to this expression of condolence to both Charles Ringhel and Richard, Will and Amber Nye. We know, that for all of us who knew Joyce and Pat and their bright giving spirits, they will live on in our memories and continue to bring us courage to dream and do what needs to be done. Robin Timko, President CCCA

5. Les Bon Temps Roulette! (Let the Good Times Roll)-Mardi Gras
Tickets are going fast, so get yours now for CCCA’s benefit Mardi Gras dinner and dance party featuring local fiddler Bob Naess with his Cajun/zydeco dance band Yankee Chank. The event gets underway at 6 pm on Friday Feb. 10 at Crows Bakery in Proctorsville. Tickets are $35 and available at Crows Bakery. FMI: 226-7736

6. GMUHS Library Renovation Survey On-line
Staff, students and community of GMUHS have been asked to complete a survey regarding the renovation of the school’s library. Parents and community are encouraged to complete this survey, which is available on-line, by Feb. 10.

7. Filing Date for Cavendish Elected Positions Jan 30
If you are interested in running for one of the elected positions in Cavendish (Select Board, School Board etc.) you have until 5 pm on January 30 (Monday) to file your petition with required signatures.

8. Cavendish Calendar 1/27-2/3
January 27 (Friday): The Cavendish Black and White Film Series returns with the Marx Brothers “A Night at the Opera.” 7:00 at the Cavendish Elementary School. The films are free, donations always welcome, and refreshments available. FMI: 226-7497.
• Shaw’s reopens in Ludlow.
• Risk Behavior Dialogue Night at GMUHS, 6:30-8:00 in the school’s auditorium

January 28 (Saturday): Winter Farmers Market at the Ludlow Teen Center (Goodmans American Pie), Main Street Ludlow. FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.com
• Attention to the Heart Meditation, 4-5 pm FMI: Robin 226-7736
• Oil Still Life Painting Workshop with Hunter Eddy at Fletcher Farm School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org
• Woodcarving Workshop with Al Wilkenson at Fletcher Farm School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org
• Beginning Spinning with Patty Blomgren. Create beautiful, unique yarn using a spinning wheel. Plenty of time will be given to establish the essential coordination skills and basic techniques every spinner must master to gain competence in spinning. There will be four class sessions: Saturday, January 28, February 4, 11 & 25; 1-5 pm. The cost for all four sessions is $155 for FAVT members and $165 for non-members. FMI: Six Loose Ladies 802-226-7373, www.sixlooseladies.com
• Flannel with Flair: Okemo Valley residents and Okemo Mountain fans will fancy up their finest flannel shirts, denim and work boots for the premier social event of the season. Flannel with Flair, an Okemo Community Challenge benefit, will take place in the Roundhouse at Jackson Gore, from 7 p.m. until the cows come home. Following cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, attendees will enjoy dinner prepared by Okemo Executive Chef Scot Emerson and his Coleman Brook Tavern staff. Music by The Master Cylinders will keep those work boots stompin’ on the dance floor all night long. his year, Flannel with Flair will continue the Ski Ball tradition, generating funds for OCC to offer challenge grants to worthy nonprofit organizations in the community. FMI: Joyce Washburn at 802-228-1965

January 29 (Sunday): Oil Still Life Painting Workshop with Hunter Eddy at Fletcher Farm School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org
• Woodcarving Workshop with Al Wilkenson at Fletcher Farm School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org

January 31 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802) 228-5236, Dot Ramsdell at (802) 226-7870
• Spaghetti Dinner: Sponsored by the GMUHS Junior class. Cost is $5 for everyone, kids under 5 are free. Silent auction.

February 1 (Wednesday): Planning Commission Meeting 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office
• CTES PTO meeting, 6-7 pm

February 2 (Thursday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802) 228-5236, Dot Ramsdell at (802) 226-7870
• Sit & Knit" at the Six Loose Ladies yarn shop, Pollard Building, Proctorsville Green, 2:00 -9:00 PM. Open to knitters, spinners, crocheters, hookers. Free. FMI: 226-7373

February 3 (Friday): Cavendish Black & White Film Series features How Green was My Valley, 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School. The films are free, donations always welcome, and refreshments available. FMI: 226-7497.