Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

"When you wake up every day you have two choices: you can either be positive or negative, an optimist or a pessimist. I choose to be an optimist. It's all a matter of perspective and choice."

     There are many new events in this week's email, friends. Scroll down to check out new listings that include yoga benefiting our community, tax help courtesy of United Way, and a self defense series at the Cotton Mill in Brattleboro that starts today (Sunday).
     Take a look and consider alleviating your cabin fever by attending an event this week...we hope to see you there. 

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HAPPENING TODAY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4th, 2018

Starting Today: Self Defense Group 
Sundays February 4th, 2018 - March 28th, 2018 at Sangha Martial Arts (74 Cotton Mill Hill, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 4pm-7pm. Cost: $10 per class ($80 total). 
Part class and part group exploration on the topics of Self Defense, Self Reliance, and Self Empowerment. 
Join facilitator Matt Hoffman for 8 weeks of progressive physical and mental exercises designed to help participants change the relationship to movement and conflict in practical and accessible ways. No previous experience required. Minimum age requirement is 16 or 14 with parental involvement (permission and waivers).

HAPPENING THIS WEEK MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5th-SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11th, 2018

Investing in Clean Water for Vermont Webinar
presented by the VT Chapter of the Sierra Club, Conservation Law Foundation, and Lake Champlain International
Monday, February 5th, 2018 from 1pm-2:30pm. Use this link to register: 
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4221157468720827649.
Join the Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club, Conservation Law Foundation and Lake Champlain International on Monday, Feb. 5^th from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm for a virtual discussion on the history and current state of water quality in Vermont, the status water quality funding, and what policies have shaped the challenges and opportunities we have today. This presentation will give context for those who want to take action for their water resources but would like more information before speaking out. Use this webinar as a precursor to Clean Water Day at the State House on Feb 22nd, 2018. This webinar will help community members enter the conversation. 
Agenda for the Webinar:
1:00pm–1:20pm: Lake Champlain International Executive Director James Ehlers presents "Threats to Water Quality Past and Present".
1:20pm–1:40pm: Conservation Law Foundation Lakekeeper Rebekah Weber presents "What You Need to Know About Water Policy in Vermont and What the Implications Are for Our Future".
1:40pm-2:00pm: Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club Organizing Representative Robb Kidd presents “How You Can Get Involved to Make a Difference”.

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Yoga Locally for The Root Social Justice Center
Tuesday, February 6th, 2018 at 118 Elliot (118 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5pm-6:30pm. Suggested Donation $10-$25 (or more) per class. Mats and props provided. All proceeds go directly to The Root Social Justice Center.
Join Yoga, Locally for vigorous, core flow yoga Tuesdays from 5:00pm - 6:30pm and Saturdays from 10:15am - 11:45am @ 118 Elliot in Brattleboro to benefit The Root Social Justice Center. Oak Meadow is the proud sponsor of Yoga Locally in February!
Join Laura Tabachnick's yoga class on any Tuesday or Saturday in February and every cent of your donation will go directly to support The Root Social Justice Center.
Join us for awesome yoga in a beautiful space and weekly give aways including free downloads of a parent/teacher course called Foundations in Social Justice. We hope to see you there!

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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, February 9th, 2018 (and every Friday) in front of TD Bank Brattleboro (215 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-1pm. Signs will be provided.
TD is a major investor in Tar Sands. TD helps to fund the Dakota Access Pipeline. The State of Vermont Keeps Most of Our Cash in TD. What You Can You Do (besides attending the vigils):
If you’re a TD depositor, change banks!
Founded in 2005, Post Oil Solutions is a 501c3 community organizing project in Southeastern Vermont whose mission is to help empower the people of the Central Connecticut River Valley bioregion to develop sustainable, resilient , collaborative, and socially just communities leading to a self- and community-sufficient post petroleum society. For more information please contact [email protected] or 802.869.2141.

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Winter Farmers’ Market
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Saturday, February 10th, 2018 (and every Saturday through March) at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-2pm. 
Area musicians will perform from 11am-1pm. No pets allowed. Metered parking available within walking distance. Restrooms and cafe seating available on site. Family friendly. 
We are beginning our 12th Season! Join us every Saturday for vegetables, fruits and meat from local farms, a variety of baked goods, locally and regionally produced artisan crafts, and freshly prepared food in the beautiful River Garden building on Main Street in downtown Brattleboro. 
EBT customers can turn $10 into $20 with CropCash
INFO: contact Market Manager, Sherry Maher, 802.869.2141, [email protected]

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Non Violent Direct Action Training Opportunity: Call for NVDA Training Participants 
(THE FEB 3rd REGISTRATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED. PLEASE CONTACT TIM AT [email protected] FOR MORE INFORMATION)
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions and 99th Monkee Affinity Group
Saturday, February 10th, 2017 at the Brattleboro Food Co-op (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the Community Room on the 2nd Floor. 9:30am-5pm.
TRAINERS: Cate Woolner & Carol Lewis
The workshop is free. Bagels, muffins, scones, croissants, fruit, coffee & tea will be available throughout the day. For lunch, bring your own, eat in the Co-op Café, or elsewhere in town.
Though not required, a donation of $5-$20 would be most appreciated as our way of thanking our volunteer trainers.
There are only 25 places and some have already been taken; it is advisable to register early.
For information and to register contact Tim 802.869.2141 or email him at [email protected]. 
Participating in this training does not mean you plan to risk arrest while involved in a non-violent direct action. It is important for all of us in the environmental, social justice, racial & gender equality, peace, and democracy movements to be well-versed in non-violence. In addition to risking arrest, we need to consider all the roles necessary to make our efforts successful, including being a support person, a legal, police or media liaison. This workshop is highly recommended for those who want to be prepared to act in support of the Poor Peoples Campaign, to resist the Keystone Pipeline across indigenous land in Nebraska, or to defend our country against a Trump-initiated coup by firing special counsel Robert Mueller.
Workshop Goals Include:
•To understand and become inspired by the spirit and history of non-violent direct action
•To prepare for participation in non-violent action that may be necessary as time goes on
•To deepen connections and build stronger community among activists in the greater Brattleboro area
•To consider joining an existing affinity group, or creating a new one.
The workshop is free. Bagels, muffins, scones, croissants, fruit, coffee & tea will be available throughout the day. For lunch, bring your own, eat in the Co-op Café, or elsewhere in town. Though not required, a donation of $5-$20 would be most appreciated as our way of thanking our volunteer trainers. There are only 25 places, and some have already been taken. So it is advisable to register early. For information and to register contact Tim 802.869.2141 or [email protected]. 

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Visible in Vermont: A Portrait of Racial Micro-aggressions Across Vermont (A Community Forum and Gallery)
hosted by The Root Social Justice Center, in Partnership With the “I Am Vermont, Too” Project
Saturday, February 10th, 2018 at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 2pm-5pm. This event is a fundraiser for the Root Social Justice Center and the “I Am Vermont Too” Project. We ask that you make a donation from $5- $100. We will provide a sliding scale guide at the door. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Light refreshments, childcare and ASL interpretation are provided. The event is accessible and fragrance free. For more information please email [email protected], call 802-254-3400, or go to the FB event page. 
In partnership with the “I am Vermont Too” photo/story project, The Root Social Justice Center is hosting a community forum and gallery, Visible in Vermont: A portrait of Racial Micro-aggressions across Vermont. 
Join us on Saturday, February 10th from 2pm - 5:00pm. for a segment of the “I am Vermont Too” photo gallery and an afternoon of discussion, learning, sharing, and action.
From the Northeast Kingdom to Brattleboro, Vermont, hundreds of multi-generational People of Color from across the state of Vermont are organizing through the “I Am Vermont Too” multimedia photo project to address racial micro-aggressions, a subtle yet impactful form of racism. We are bringing truth and power to shine light on who we are. This project is connected to national conversations and action about racial micro-aggressions. The “I am Vermont Too” gallery has been shown in 5 places around VT. This will be the first showing in Brattleboro. We will be joined by a panel of self identified people of color living in Vermont who have experienced racial micro-aggressions. These panelists will talk about their own experiences, the impact these experiences have had on their lives, and how we can move forward in being a more open and supportive community.
The “I am Vermont Too” Project will be taking photos the day of the forum for any People of Color in Vermont who want to participate. 
Located on the ground floor of the Whetstone Studio for the Arts building at 28 Williams Street in Brattleboro, The Root Social Justice Center provides a physically and financially accessible space to support and bring together communities working for racial and social justice. 

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Putney Huddle Meeting: Meet the Candidates 
Sunday, February 11th, 2018 at the Putney Public Library (55 Main St, Putney, VT 05346) from 1:30pm-3:30pm. All Are Welcome!
Guest speakers include:
-Ethan Sonnenborn, the 13 year old Democratic gubernatorial candidate
-Daniel Freilich, MD, a Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives
-Peg Alden, a Putney resident representing Southern Vermont Sister District, will highlight Sister District’s accomplishments to-date, share info from the Sister District National Summit, unveil the newest project, and outline opportunities for engagement
We will also kick off our Local Love Brigade project to support victims of hate through loving action. From now on a Love Brigade postcard table will be set up 15 minutes before our meetings open and will stay throughout the meeting. All supplies and addresses will be provided.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

A Meditative Vigil of Lovingkindness (A Valentine to Humanity)
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), part of the Brown Bag Event. 12pm-1pm. 
With a banner that reads “May All Beings Be Free Of Pain And Suffering, May All Beings Know Peace And Happiness. Please Join Us” Post Oil Solutions is continuing to host  silent vigils of lovingkindness for the peaceful, socially just society we are all seeking.
At a time when basic values are being assaulted and ignored, it is essential that we both express and simply be our inherent heart values. Though silent, the Vigil of Lovingkindness is intended to give voice to these values—selfless love, personal integrity, service to others, moral courage, and a basic commitment to the sacredness of life--that are the foundation of a wholesome society, and to speak up for the compassionate alternative that they represent. Please join us. All are welcome to join for a few minutes or for the entire hour. People may stand, sit or kneel, as they see fit. There are chairs, but please bring a cushion, mat, or whatever you are comfortable with. 
For further information or if you wish to be part of a contact list that will inform people of future Lovingkind Vigils please forward your name, e-mail address, and phone number to [email protected] or call Tim at 802.869.2141.

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Mother Up! Day at the State House 
Thursday, February 15th, 2018 at the Vermont State House (115 State St, Montpelier, VT 05633). 10am-2pm.
Contact Abby Mnookin for more info at [email protected]. Parents and kids are welcome, and pizza lunch and childcare will be provided! RSVP’s strongly requested, but not required. 
Mother Up!: Families Rise Up for Climate Action is a project of 350Vermont that brings together families to talk about the tough realities of climate change and to participate in the transition to a healthier and safer world. This day will be an opportunity for parents and families throughout Vermont to come together to let our legislators know that not only is climate change a top priority for us, but also that NOW is the time to lead the way with bold climate solutions. After all, our children are counting on us. 
Tentative schedule for the day:
10 am - Arrive, visit Committees, alternative meeting with Legislators
11 am - Meet with Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman (His office)
11:30 am - Alternative meeting with Legislators
12 pm - Present to Climate Solutions Caucus (Room 10)
12:30 pm - Alternative meeting with Legislators
1 pm - MU! recognized on the House Floor (House chamber)

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WeCAN Cafe: Fueling Your Activist Spirit 
Thursday, February 15th, 2018 at 118 Elliot (118 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 7pm-9pm. This event is free and open to the public. Mingling from 6:30pm. Program starts promptly at 7pm.
The folks who gathered nearly 40 organizations and 400 people for Windham County’s WeCAN Action Fair last spring continue with their series of “WeCAN Story Hour Cafés” on third Thursdays throughout the winter. These WeCAN Cafés are designed to build community and help community activists “fill their spirits” through information sharing, celebration and connection. All activists, including anyone wishing to learn about organizations and start participating in resistance efforts, are encouraged to attend.
Following January's theme of class and economic justice, February's theme will be healthcare and health justice, followed in March by race and racial justice. The Café start with a story hour followed by a policy discussion led by Vermont activists. There will be time to connect with representatives from different organizations, eat, chat, and enjoy local poetry and music.
We all need laughter, tears, hope, and inspiration-- to ground our work for the year ahead. Do you have a transformative story about healthcare or health justice -- a moment that helped you understand the world a bit better? Come share as our community explores who we are, how we got here, and where we’re going next. Emilie Kornheiser, one of the event organizers explains, “Our goal is to bring people’s real lives into our activism, to remember why we do the work we do, and make sure that our policies are shaped by multiple stories. We hope people leave feeling connected and inspired.”
Learn more at Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/582591242077436/
For more information, contact [email protected]  We hope to see you there!

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Film Screening of The Breast Archives, A Documentary to Benefit Planned Parenthood
hosted by the Planned Parenthood Defenders of Southern VT, Planned Parenthood New England, and 118 Elliot
Sunday, February 18th, 2018 at 118 Elliot (118 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 4pm-6pm. 
$10.00 suggested donation. All proceeds benefit Brattleboro Planned Parenthood. Please reserve your tickets HERE.
The Breast Archives uncovers nine women’s personal stories of empowerment. Baring their breasts and their hearts, the women share the unique journeys they’ve made with their bodies. 
Following the film join a short Q&A with film producer Meagan Murphy and a small panel of special guests. 

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Vermont Clean Water Day
Thursday, February 22nd, 2018. March from the Unitarian Church (130 Main St, Montpelier, VT 05602) to the State House in Montpelier, VT (115 State St, Montpelier, VT 05633). 10am-4pm. For more information and to RSVP click here.
We can no longer take clean water for granted. Pollution has impaired many of our waterways, some of which no longer meet our basic water quality standards. You’re invited to Vermont Clean Water Day on Thurs., Feb. 22nd from 10AM to 4PM in Montpelier to celebrate our lakes, ponds, rivers and wetlands, and call on lawmakers to invest in cleaning up and protecting our waterways. This is a great opportunity to hear from Vermont water advocates and then meet with your lawmaker to share your perspective on why it’s important to invest in clean water. 
CLEAN WATER DAY AGENDA (schedule subject to change):
10AM: We will meet at the Unitarian Church in Montpelier for issue overview and lobbying 101;
11:15AM: We will march to the State House for a press event and to meet with lawmakers;
3PM: We will end the day with a reception in the State House. 
Clean Water Day 2018 is co-sponsored by: Connecticut River Conservancy, Conservation Law Foundation, Lake Champlain Committee, Lake Champlain International, The Nature Conservancy of VT, Sierra Club VT, Vermont Clean Water Network, Vermont Conservation Voters, Vermont Natural Resources Council, and Watersheds United Vermont.

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Tax Prep with United Way of Windham County
sponsored by Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation, the Southeaster Vermont Economic Development Strategies, Southern Vermont Young Professionals, United Way of Windham County, and Ramunto's Brattleboro
Monday, February 26th, 2018 at Ramunto’s Pizza (1111 Putney Road, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) from 6pm-9pm. Register in advance HERE. Pizza will be provided. Cash bar available.
What is even worse than learning about taxes is actually filing them. Why not make it slightly enjoyable by adding pizza and friends into the mix? Join the Southern Vermont Young Professionals at Ramunto's Brattleboro for a night of Tax Prep with United Way.
Tax Prep with United Way: Whether you need step by step assistance or emotional support come down and do your taxes with friends and with assistance from United Way of Windham County’s ‘MyFreeTaxes’ expert Molly McNamee. Turn taxes into a free, fun night with friends. MyFreeTaxes Software Restrictions: Those who made under $66,000 in 2017 can file for free using this software. All are welcome! 

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STANDING REGULAR MEETINGS

Lost River Racial Justice, Black Lives Matter-South, and People Of Color Caucus Regular Meeting

Reoccurring racial justice organizing meetings every 2nd Monday at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio of the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) on the First Floor. 6pm-8pm. Childcare provided. Fragrance & nut free space.  

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Youth4Change Regular Meeting 

The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 
Youth4Change (Y4C), a program of The Root Social Justice Center, builds the leadership skills of youth ages 12-21, especially those from/in historically disenfranchised communities who want to use education, art, and action to address issues of racial, class, gender, queer, immigrant and indigenous justice.

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer Sister District Soup Makers Needed

Volunteer soup chefs provide the time and the ingredients so that 100% of subscription fees went directly to support candidates. We distribute soup on the third Mondays of each month - February 19, March 19, April 16 and May 21.  All soups are vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free. We need cooking volunteers each month during the weekend before distribution Monday. Volunteers receive a simple recipe the weekend before they cook and pick up containers and labels the next Friday.  Soup makers cook in their own kitchens and purchase ingredients which should cost around $20/4 quarts. If you want to cook but can’t cover that expense, we will hook you up with an ingredient sponsor. Once prepared, the soup is delivered cold to our refrigerators in Putney or Brattleboro. From there, it is picked up by subscribers or donated to the Putney Food Shelf according to the subscriber’s instructions. 
You can sign up to make soup as many months as you want. If you would like to cook or have questions, please email Diane Shamas at [email protected] or call 802-579-8294.  We will need to know which months you’d like to cook, whether you’d like to make a single (4-5 quart) or double (8-10 quart) batch, and whether you want to pick up/drop off in Brattleboro or Putney. 
A Little About Southern VT Sister District:

Subscriptions to our SisterDistrict Soup CSA raised $10,000 for progressive Democrats in strategic races! We helped elect two fine candidates, John Bell and Jennifer Foye, to the Virginia House of Delegates and our third candidate, Margaret Good, is running for Florida's House of Representatives on February 13, 2018. Read more about her here. Many many thanks to all of you who’ve cooked so far and donated the soup that makes it possible!!!

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Childcare as a Radical Act: Sign up to Provide Childcare!

The Family Solidarity Action Network is moving forward with their next big effort to support families in local activism: a collective of folks to provide childcare for local activist meetings or events. If you or someone you know would be able and willing to offer childcare (as a volunteer, or paid) for meetings and events please fill out this spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YGVI8wECe4ZDdghtAG147j7ktwgB_J5ZoWUPkwGrOhM/edit#gid=0
We are looking for people young and old with varying degrees of experience.  Having a large pool of people to call on will make it much easier for organizers to arrange childcare for meetings, allowing for more voices of families with young children to participate in local activism!  We will then be making this list available to other local organizations so we can be sure that childcare doesn't have to be a barrier to participation for anyone. 

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Inclusion Center is Looking for People Who are Interested in Helping our Organization Grow and Mature in Various Directions
Inclusion Center is an amazing program that works with all people who have disabilities or medical issues, and everyone else who has an interest in being with us. 
The possibilities for what Inclusion Center could be in the future are endless: A drop in center within another program! Have our own space with our doors always open. Offer classes. Offer services as well as being a drop in center! And those are just a few of our ideas! 
However, in order for us to grow, we need a few more people who can either come to our board meetings (the second friday of each month at 2:00), or come to a work group each month (generally Friday mornings). 
At Inclusion Center we all matter. Everyone helps make decisions. It doesn't matter if you want to join the board or just drop in as often as you can. Either way, your ideas and input matter just as much as everyone else's.
Please contact us ([email protected] or 802-387-5285) to discuss how we could work together. 

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ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING 
Indigo Radio

Sundays at 12pm on Brattleboro Community Radio 107.7FM
To stream live: Visit www.wvew.org 
Indigo Radio, deepening understanding and making connections! IndigoRadio is a group of area educators seeking to learn through engaging with others in our community and throughout the world. We will be talking about educational and social issues both globally and locally and connecting them to our lives and Brattleboro community. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indigoradiowvew/. For archive recordings of past shows: https://soundcloud.com/user-654648353

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Democracy, Eventually 

WVEW 107.7FM, Brattleboro Community Radio Station
You can listen to recorded and archived episodes here: https://soundcloud.com/democracy-eventually and you can find us on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/democracyeventually/ and on Twitter here @Democrazeee.
We are Democracy, Eventually a radio show covering local, state, and underreported national news stories from a progressive analysis. We air live on WVEW 107.7FM LP Brattleboro Community Radio Station.

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Have a fantastic week WeCAN friends! We look forward to seeing you at an event this week. 

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