Cavendish Update: 6/8/12 News/Events

Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page

The Cavendish Update for 6/8/12 contains the following:
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Brian Benoit Publishes “Crustacean Vacation”
3. Pet Portraits to Benefit Proctorsville Fire Dept
4. Office Space Available at Black River Health Center Building
5. Cavendish Library Seeking Artists
6. Cavendish Events 6/8-6/18

1. Cavendish Related News
Recovered Property in Cavendish: Power Plant Road, Cavendish. State Police recovered a Polaris ATV that was found by the side of the road in Cavendish on June 5 at 4:04 pm. The identity of the owner and the status of the ATV are not known. Anyone with information is asked to contact State Police.

Commerce Agency Seeks Public Input for Flood Recovery: Last year, extraordinary floodwaters inundated the homes of some 15,000 Vermonters. But as of the end of last month, only 5,100 had received any housing recovery assistance. Those are just some of the findings of a disaster recovery action plan being developed by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development that could bring Vermont more than $21.6 million to help individuals and businesses recover. Hearings this month will help the agency develop a comprehensive disaster relief plan, which is due the end of July. The public can make comments at ACCD.CDBGDisasterRecovery@state.vt.us or attend one of the hearings (June 7, 3:30-5:30 at the Bugbee Center in White River Junction or June 12, 5-7 pm at Montpelier Lost Nation Theater. VPR

Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series Returns this Summer: Okemo Mountain Resort kicks off summer with the return of the Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series. Free concerts are scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday night from June 15 through August 31.

Changes Made to Proposed Biomass Plant: The developers of the proposed wood-fired generating plant in North Springfield have submitted an amended application to state regulators, which includes significant changes in the plant’s design and hopes for a new access road. The biggest change, would be changing the 35 megawatt plant to an air-cooled system rather than a water-cooled system, thus drastically reducing the plant’s need for water – either from drilled wells in North Springfield or water from the town’s municipal system Rutland Herald

Greyhound to Stop Service in Bellows Falls and Two other Towns: The nation's largest bus company is cutting service to Brattleboro, Bellows Falls and Keene, N.H. WNNE

VT Opts out of No Child Left Behind Waiver: After a year of work, the state of Vermont has dropped its plan to seek a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind education law. Governor Peter Shumlin says the conditions of the waiver are worse than the provisions of the law. VPR

Better Cell Phone Coverage is Coming: Small scale technology that can be quickly installed to answer the number of areas in the state where calls not only drop, but they never connect initially. Using CoverageCo, new towers will be installed in eight locations. If successful, the plan is to duplicate the technology in other places. VPR Press Release

CDC Ranks VT’s Child Injury Rate at 38th out of 51 states/territories: Unintentional injury is the number one killer nationally and in Vermont for children from birth to age 19, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vital Signs report. The report ranks Vermont’s injury rate among the worst 38th out of 51 states/territories. “When we look at Vermont, especially striking are the numbers of prescription drug poisonings among teens, and suffocation of infants too often due to unsafe sleeping arrangements.” The leading cause of death in teens is motor vehicle accidents followed by suicide. Press Release

River Valley Technical Center in Springfield Wins Society of Manufacturing Engineers top Prize: At the Dream It! Do It! Student Challenge, “a middle and high school manufacturing competition, RVTC was the first place winner of a $1,000 award for the reverse engineering and refurbishment of an 1860 Pratt and Whitney engine lathe. The project included the complete disassembly and re-manufacture of more than 100 parts. The fully restored lathe will become part of the 150th anniversary Civil War exhibit at the American Precision Museum in Windsor, Vt. starting in July, 2012. Springfield VT News

Warning: Rental Property Scam: Police are warning potential renters about a property scam. Someone is posting fake rentals online and then taking money from potential tenants. The scammers tell potential renters they are a husband and wife doing work in a foreign country and need to rent their home while their away. In order to get the keys, the victim is asked to write money overseas Lebanon Police want the public to be aware of online advertisements for rentals. They’re issuing these tips to make sure you’re not ripped off: Do not wire funds to people you do not know. Call the property manager or association, if applicable, and ask about the landlord. Know the area you are trying to rent in and drive by the location to see if there are rental signs. Be cautious when dealing with people who say they currently live overseas or are out of the country on business. Scammers tell victims this to explain why they can't meet in person. Be cautious also if they prefer to communicate via e-mail only. Be cautious of rental properties that will not allow a walk-through. WNNE

Resort Visits Down This Past Winter: According to the Vermont Ski Areas Association, skier and rider visits were down about 11 percent from last year and down 5 percent from the state's 10-year average. Vermont did fare much better than ski resorts in most other parts of the country. Nationwide, skier visits were down about 16 percent this past winter. WCAX

White Pine Needle Disease Conspicuous in VT: The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation reports that white pine tree needle damage is widespread in the state again this spring. Although the damage is very noticeable, it is not life-threatening to healthy trees. Press Release

Gov Signs Universal Recycling Bill (H 485): Vermonters recycle 36 percent of the waste stream, but half of the other 64 percent is recyclable, and yet ends up in our landfills, which are nearing capacity. H. 485 addresses this growing challenge by creating phased-in mandatory recycling and composting. Over the next few years, it requires waste haulers to also collect leaf and yard waste as well as food waste, and prohibits the disposal of recyclable and compostable materials in landfills. The Governor signed the bill on June 7. Press Release

Date for VT Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference: The 16th annual Women's Economic Opportunity Conference will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2012, on the campus of Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center. This year's conference will explore Vermonters' resiliency in the wake of an economic downturn and Tropical Storm Irene. There will also be new offerings for Vermont's value-added food producers and for recent college graduates looking to stay in Vermont. Of course, the conference will continue to feature the vital "how-to" workshops that provide the basic tools for women at all stages of their professional and personal development. Sen Leahy’s Office.

Application for Marijuana Dispensaries Now Available: The Vermont Department of Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn officially announced that in accordance with provisions set forth in Title 18 Chapter 86, Vermont's therapeutic use of cannabis, the department is now accepting marijuana dispensary applications. The rules for Vermont's therapeutic use of cannabis, known as the Vermont Marijuana Program (VMP), are available online through the Vermont Criminal Information Center (VCIC). Press Release

2. Brian Benoit Publishes “Crustacean Vacation”
A crab family is headed for the shore to kick back on a boardwalk where a seagull runs the candy store and an octopus acts as lifeguard. Young readers (ages 4-8) will enjoy the clever, rhyming verses of Brian Benoit, who lives in Cavendish, Vt., and thought up his world of sea creatures to entertain his brother during family trips to the Maine coast. Since, they have proven popular with his children. The bright, playful illustrations are the work of New Hampshire artist and author Marty Kelley, who has penned and illustrated several other children’s books. The book was published this month by Islandport Press. You can learn more about Brian’s book and other musings at Crabosity. FMI: 207-846-3344, www.islandportpress.com, or email books@islandportpress.com

3. Pet Portraits to Benefit Proctorsville Fire Dept
As a fundraiser for the Proctorsville Fire Department (PFD), an award-winning painter, and member of the portrait society of America, Jane Hart, will immortalize your pet. The paintings are custom oil portraits, using the finest European pigments (Old Holland Paint) on archival panels, so the paintings will last longer than we will! There is a minimum contribution of $250, made payable to the PFD, for the portraits. To see some of Hart’s portraits go to petsbyhART.com and to arrange for your pet’s sitting, e-mail jane@petsbyhart.com.

4. Office Space Available at Black River Health Center Building
Office space is available at the Black River Health Center for professionals in the health and wellness fields. Great location, ample parking and handicapped accessible. Reasonable rents, all utilities included except for WiFi/telephone. Contact George for more info at 226-7736.

5. Cavendish Library Seeking Artists
The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library is seeking local artists who wish to display their works in the Redfield Proctor Room of the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library in Proctorsville this summer. If you, or someone you know is interested, please contact Kata at 226-7503.

6. Cavendish Events 6/8-6/18
June 9 (Saturday): Vermont Days. Free admission to VT State Parks and Historic sites throughout VT. FMI: 802-228-5830 or www.yourplaceinvermont.com.
• Free Fishing Day in VT. No license required at any of the states 284 lakes or 7,000 streams.

June 10 (Sunday): Vermont Days. Free admission to VT State Parks and Historic sites throughout VT. FMI: 802-228-5830 or www.yourplaceinvermont.com.
• Cavendish Historical Society Museum Open 2-4 pm. Featuring flood exhibit and 250th Cavendish Historical Timeline. FMI: 226-7807 or margoc@tds.net

June 11 (Monday): Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. Agenda posted to blog as soon as it is received. LPC-TV tapes meetings and makes them available on-line and Comcast Cable TV.

June 12 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10-11:15. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, Charlotte Snyder at 226-7343 or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802) 228-5236, Dot Ramsdell at (802) 226-7870
• GMUHS Spring Sports Awards Ceremony, 6 pm at the school

June 13 (Wednesday): Okemo Valley Chamber Mixer, 5:30-7:30 at the Weston Playhouse, Route 100 in Weston. FMI: 228-5830

June 14 (Thursday): CTES Graduation, 6:30-7:30 pm
• Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10-11:15. 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

June 15 (Friday): GMUHS Graduation, 7 pm at the school
• CTES Plymouth State Park School Outing
• Ludlow Farmer’s Market, 4-7 pm in front of Okemo Mountain School, 53 Main St.

June 17 (Sunday): Cavendish Historical Society Museum Open 2-4 pm. Featuring flood exhibit and 250th Cavendish Historical Timeline. FMI: 226-7807 or margoc@tds.net