Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”
Aldo Leopold
an American author, philosopher, scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist, and environmentalist. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin and is best known for his book A Sand County Almanac, which has sold more than two million copies

     May is swiftly approaching, WeCAN Brothers and Sisters, and with it comes our state's annual Green Up Day (this coming Saturday, May 4th, 2019), with events taking place throughout Vermont. Now, more than ever, it is important to set aside time in our hectic schedules and embrace our stewardship duties to our planet, Earth. Using this official Town Contact List resource you can take advantage of your local Green Up pick-up and drop-off points to make the most out of your day on Saturday. Download the official Green Up Day App available through the Apple App Store and Google Play to help coordinate your day and use your time efficiently and effectively. Many communities have BBQs or community gatherings at the end of the day, too, so consider this a fantastic opportunity to meet new friends or check in with old ones, welcome new residents to your neighborhood, or simply grab some complimentary grub as a thank you for your efforts.
     Check out other resources available on the Green Up Day website that include this handy guide to Staying Safe and Healthy on Green Up Day and ways to donate to the Green Up efforts through the Vermont Community Foundation as you make your plan to help clean up your community after a long Winter. We look forward to seeing you on the road next Saturday, May 4th!

HAPPENING THIS WEEK, MONDAY, APRIL 29th, 2019-SUNDAY, MAY 5th, 2019

Good Clash: Why Democracy Depends on Productive Disagreement,
Presented by Meg Mott, Professor of Politics, Marlboro College
hosted by Brattleboro Area Osher Lifelong Learning Institute - OLLI
Monday, April 29th, 2019 at New England Youth Theatre (100 Flat Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-12pm. 
This series considers how disagreement is crucial to democratic rule and how cognitive dissonance so often undermines debate. Using political theory and social psychology, we shall consider how the American federalist system encourages debate about public matters and how human psychology precludes finding a common ground. We’ll also look at both sides of three thorny issues—abortion, capital punishment, and guns—to see how we might approach each issue with more productive disagreement.
Mondays, 10am-12pm
April 29: Thorny issue #3: Guns.
In 2010, the Supreme Court struck down a Chicago ban on handguns, arguing that the right to bear arms was a fundamental right. In the wake of mass shootings, a powerful gun safety movement has rejected the Court’s interpretation. We’ll consider arguments on both sides of the issue as well as the cognitive dissonance each exerts on the other.
May 6: Democracy and Humility.
All three of our thorny issues engage with matters of life and death. As such, they operate at the very limits of our wisdom. This final class considers the courage and humility necessary to debate matters of existential proportion. What skills and principles do we need to make these important clashes more productive?
Meg Mott has taught political theory and constitutional law at Marlboro College since 1999 and has moderated Putney’s Town Meeting since 2016.

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Raise the Wage Phone Bank
Monday, April 29th, 2019 at Everyone’s Books (25 Elliot St., Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5:30pm-8pm. Food & training from 5:30pm-6pm. Phone calls from 6pm-8pm. RSVP to Ann at [email protected] or call/text (802) 258-0275 with questions.
Join Rights & Democracy members this coming Monday night (April 29) as we make calls to constituents in our network whose legislators are not yet on board in support of raising the minimum wage to $15/hr by 2024 this session! Hundreds of Rights & Democracy volunteers and members worked tirelessly in last fall's election to send the message to Gov. Phil Scott and his veto supporters that we would not sit by idly and watch the health and well being of Vermonters be vetoed for political gain.
Raising the minimum wage to a base livable wage—$15 an hour by 2024—is the least we can do for the tens of thousands of Vermonters who are working one, two, and three jobs to keep our economy humming. We have a moral obligation to make sure the economy works for them, too.
The Senate has passed the bill, and it will come to a vote in the House soon. Your help is needed to make sure we have the strongest vote possible before it heads to the Governor's desk. Thanks in advance for joining us in making the calls we need to Raise the Wage! 

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Public Listening Session - Windham County Sheriff Selection
hosted by Windham County Vermont Democratic Committee
Monday, April 29th, 2019 at the Brattleboro Food Co-op (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in the Community Room (please use the 7 Canal Street entrance). 6pm-8pm.
The Windham County Democratic Committee invites public comment on issues and perspectives to be considered in the committee's selection process for sheriff candidates.  The event will be held in the Community Room of the Brattleboro Co-op at 7 Canal Street in Brattleboro and on-line via https://zoom.us/j/628783538.

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RESCHEDULED FROM AN EARLIER DATE:
Climate Change Café presents
The House is on Fire: A Film and Community Conversation About Climate Crisis
a project of Post Oil Solutions
Wednesday, May 1st, 2019 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05031). 6pm-8pm. Free. Light Refreshments Available. For more information please email [email protected].
As those of you who were with us last Tuesday know, we were unable to screen “The Wisdom to Survive: Climate Change, Capitalism & Community”.
We will do so on Wednesday, May 1st, and then continue with the great conversation that the 20+ of us who were present that night had about the climate crisis, and the growing potential for social collapse. This is an opportunity for people to share thoughts and feelings about our situation, and to begin exploring what we can do.
We will begin with a screening of the excellent film, “The Wisdom to Survive: Climate Change, Capitalism & Community,” which has been described by Union Theological Seminary Professor, Tom F. Driver, as “a starkly prophetic film (that) combines the direst of warnings with deep love for life. It makes clear that our profit-oriented growth economy has caused the climate catastrophe and cannot itself rescue us from disaster. We need new thinking and a new way of life.”
In the face of the growing potential for social collapse and even human extinction, how are we responding? What is our gut-level reaction to this unfolding existential crisis? Do we believe that we have the wisdom to survive?
Following the film, we will then move into a facilitated conversation about the climate crisis. This is offered as an opportunity for us to come out of our heads and share with others what is in our hearts. Connecting with each other in this way is the first, necessary step to moving beyond denial  and  disempowerment, and becoming the proactive agency that our situation calls for.
For interested parties, there is also the possibility of starting an ongoing group, that would continue to engage with each other, to share, explore, and, most of all, support one another as we come to accept and deal with this unprecedented catastrophe.

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May Day Mocktail and Dance Party
hosted by the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition
Wednesday, May 1st, 2019 at 118 Elliot Gallery (118 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 6:30pm-9pm.
BAPC's DANCE PARTY and MOCKTAIL CONTEST is coming up on May Day (next week, Wed. May 1st!), at 118 Elliot Gallery from 630 pm to 9 pm in celebration of the dozens of people who are now successfully completing our "Alcohol-Free April" challenge. We'll be featuring amazing music AND voting on our favorite mocktails from FIVE area restaurants: Duo Restaurant- Vermont, echo restaurant & lounge, Twin Flames Taqueria, Whetstone Station Restaurant and Brewery and India Masala House. We'd also like to give a shout out to our sponsors for this event: Park Place Financial Advisors and Brattleboro Savings & Loan. Come for the music, stay for the drinks -- and, yes, there will be prizes! All are welcome. See you there!

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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, May 3rd, 2019 (and every Friday) at TD Bank Brattleboro (215 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT). In front of the building. 12pm-1pm. Signs will be provided
TD is a major investor in Tar Sands. TD helps to fund the Dakota Access Pipeline. What You Can 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 in this era of global warming and climate change to develop sustainable, resilient , collaborative, and socially just communities leading to a self- and community-sufficient post petroleum society.

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Diversity Celebration 2019: Voices of the People
sponsored by the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Diversity and Equity Committee, WSESU Schools and the Town of Brattleboro
Friday, May 3rd, 2019 at 118 Elliot Gallery (118 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) and at the intersection of Main Street and Elliot Street. 5pm-8pm.
The Town of Brattleboro and Windham Southeast Supervisory Union are proud to host the 20th annual Community Celebration of Diversity! WSESU students, families, friends, and community members are all welcome at this festive event celebrating our diverse schools and communities! The theme of this year's celebration is Voices of the People highlighting the perspectives and experiences of marginalized people. 
This event will feature art and performances by WSESU students from BUHS, BAMS, and elementary schools in Brattleboro, Dummerston, Vernon, Guilford, and Putney. 
Elliot Street will be closed from Harmony Lot to Main for a festive block party with crafts, activities, entertainment, and food!
118 Elliot St will be filled with a display of student work on our theme and host a story time and music and movement session for children!
Local organizations participating include:
Windham County NAACP
Meeting Waters YMCA
Edible Brattleboro
Mother Up
Youth 4 Change
The Root Social Justice Center
NEYT Theater Adventure
Community Choir
Brooks Memorial Library
Elliot Street Fish and Chips
Hazel
Twin Flame Taqueria
and more!

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Green Up Day Vermont (see above for more information)
Saturday, May 4th, 2019 throughout Vermont. (Brattleboro's flyer included below. Please send your town's flyer to [email protected] to be included in the Weekly Email Update)
Green Up Day, always the first Saturday in May, was launched in 1970 by Governor Deane Davis. In 1979, the nonprofit organization Vermont Green Up Inc. was formed to carry on the tradition of Green Up Day. It is an annual statewide event, when over 22,000 volunteers come together to remove litter from Vermont’s roadsides and public spaces. Green Up Vermont is not a State Agency.
How can people get involved? Visit the Get Involved page to find your Town Coordinator, where to get Green Up bags, and what to do with them afterwards. Also all seven Vermont Subaru dealers are official sites for bag pick up and drop off, plus they host a BBQ.

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Awaken Our Gardens
hosted by Edible Brattleboro
Saturday, May 4th, 2019 and Sunday, May 5th, 2019. Fresh veggie snacks for all plus a seed planting activity for children. Co-op shareholders (working at Co-op garden) and Brattleboro Time Traders can earn hours!

Saturday, May 4th, 2019 at Turning Point Recovery Center (corner of Frost Street and Elm Street, diagonally across from the New England Youth Theatre, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 1pm-4pm.
AND
Sunday, May 5th, 2019 in the Brattleboro Co-op Rear Parking Lot, Along the Whetstone Brook (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 1pm-4pm. 

Many hands make light work… Edible Brattleboro is getting ready for growing! Come to say hi or to help out on either (or both) day(s). We'll be there from 1pm-4pm, but you can come and go as you please.
If you do come to help out, be sure to dress appropriately including a hat and garden gloves. We'll have tools and some extra gloves on hand.
Some of the tasks at each garden include: tidy up and pile debris/trash for hauling, renew compost and soil layers on the sheet-mulched beds, lay down wood chips on the paths, replenish several container gardens, hand out brochures, and sign up new volunteers.

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Putney Huddle: Candidates for Windham Southeast School District Board
Sunday, May 5th, 2019 at the Putney Public Library (55 Main Street, Putney, VT, 05346). 1:30-pm-3:30pm. All are welcome.
The Putney Huddle invites you to meet with the Putney candidates for the two available director positions on the newly formed Windham Southeast School District Board. One seat is contested. All candidates will be there to answer questions and chat. Local legislatures and town officials including the town clerk will also attend to answer questions and discuss this important process. We will also have a Love Brigade and Sister District activity for folks to partake in. We hope to see you there!

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Coffee with Coffey
Monday, May 6th, 2019 at the Guilford Country Store (475 Calvin Coolidge Memorial Highway, Guilford, VT). 5:30pm-6:30pm.
This spring, State Representative Sara Coffey will continue to host “Coffee with Coffey” hours. We have had great attendance and great discussions among neighbors. Please come at the time that works for you:
Mondays in Guilford: April 1st and May 6th at 5:30 at the Guilford Country Store
Saturdays in Vernon, April 6th and May 4th at 9:30 at the Vernon Free Library.
It’s been nice to have some Vernon folks join on Mondays in Guilford, and Guilford folks joining us on Saturdays at the Library in Vernon. If you can’t come feel free to be in touch via email: [email protected]

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Exploring the Green New Deal: A Brattleboro Town Hall Meeting
part of the Sunrise Movement’s Road to the Green New Deal
Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 at 118 Elliot Gallery (118 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 6pm-7:30pm. Dr. Erickson will speak from 6pm to 6:30pm and lead a discussion until 7:30pm. Doors open at 5:30pm  Light refreshments will be served. 118 Elliot Gallery is fully accessible. 
As part of the Sunrise Movement's Road to the Green New Deal, 118 Elliot is hosting a town hall event on Tuesday, May 7th at 6pm to discuss climate policy and the Green New Deal. Join us for a conversation at the crossroads of economy, society, and environment with ecological economist and UVM professor Jon Erickson. We invite local organizations and residents to bring their perspectives to the table as we explore what a Green New Deal could look like in Vermont and beyond—and how to get there.
How do we break our dependence on fossil fuels while safeguarding our economy? What is driving unprecedented wealth and income inequality? Can we turn the tide on climate change? These questions are related, urgent, and framing a national conversation under the rubric of ‘Green New Deal’ legislation introduced this year in Congress. The answers will define the viability of our economy, character of our democracy, and obligations to our children.
While the meeting is intended as an informational gathering for ordinary citizens to learn more, a variety of local climate, social justice, and community organizations will attend to bring their perspectives to the discussion as we explore what a Green New Deal could look like in Vermont and beyond as part of the youth climate activism Sunrise Movement’s national effort to spark public participation and debate around the Green New Deal’s viability and goals. The companion bills, HR 109 and S 59, ‘Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal’, have today respectively garnered 92 and 12 cosponsors.
Jon Erickson is the David Blittersdorf Professor of Sustainability Science & Policy at UVM's Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. He has published widely on energy & climate change policy, land conservation, watershed planning, environmental public health, and the theory and practice of ecological economics, and he is also an Emmy award-winning producer of films such as the four-part PBS series Bloom on sources and solutions to nutrient pollution in Lake Champlain.
Sunrise Movement is a youth-led movement working to prioritize combating climate change across America. In 2018 Sunrise leaders pushed the promise of a Green New Deal into the mainstream, and now they are launching the Road to the Green New Deal: 8 tour stops and over 100 town halls across the US to bring Americans together around the future of our communities and our planet.

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Healthcare Jamboree
sponsored by the Vermont Workers’ Center
Thursday, May 9th, 2019, Brattleboro Savings & Loan Community Room (221 Main St., Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5:30pm-8pm. Program starts at 6pm. Please use the rear entrance. Free and open to the public. Childcare provided. For more info or to request a ride or interpretation contact [email protected] or (802) 257-4436. This building is disability accessible. 
Concerned about the cost of healthcare? Unable to get care you need? Want to preserve & expand Medicaid? Join us for an evening of information & action
Agenda:
5:30pm: Refreshments and resources
6pm: Program, “How we are impacted by the healthcare system & how we can take action for healthcare justice”
7:15pm: Resources & Activities, art making, postcards, photo stories, healthcare resources
The healthcare navigator from SEVCA will be there to help anyone with questions or problems with health insurance. There will also be a member of the Inclusion Center with information about their drop-in activity center, along with other health related resources. 

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Stand Up, Fight Back!
sponsored by the Spark Teacher Education Institute, Indigo Radio, and Brattleboro Solidarity
Friday, May 10th, 2019-Saturday, May 11th, 2019 at the Windham Regional Career Center (80 Atwood Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the Cusick Room. 9:30am-6pm. Entrance behind BUHS. All events are free and open to the public. Childcare available.
Join the Spark Teacher Education Institute, Indigo Radio, & Brattleboro Solidarity  for a day of workshops, speakers, panels, and community conversations - to share, learn, think, and organize for a better world. This year we have witnessed teacher strikes in Oklahoma, West Virginia, Colorado, LA and beyond. These teachers courageously took to the streets to fight for higher wages, improvements to teaching environments, and bettering students’ learning conditions. As educators in Vermont, we too fight for better conditions in our school, the strengthening of public education, and the overall health and well being of our students. We push to create classrooms engaged in critical thought about the major struggles in the world around us, always connecting these issues to the lives of our students and our Vermont community.  
The struggles of today - including perpetual war, increased privatization, environmental degradation, the building of walls, criminalization of the poor, and the separation of families - must be met with urgency, resiliency, and hope.  Connections must be made between the killing of children by U.S. made bombs to the inadequate nutrition, lack of safe housing, and poverty many of our students face. We must come together to investigate how we build a human community, one that stands opposed to the enormous profits of the few on the backs of many.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Friday, May 10th, 2019: Workshop and Concert
5pm-6:30pm Workshop: "Hip Hop vs. Neoliberalism” with Rebel Diaz in the Cusick Room.
Rebel Diaz is a political hip hop duo out of the Bronx, New York and Chicago, IL consisting of the Chilean brothers Rodrigo Venegas (known as RodStarz) and Gonzalo Venegas (known as G1). Rebel Diaz uses their music as an organizing tool and to spread knowledge about injustice. 
8pm Concert at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). Free and child friendly. 
Saturday, May 11th, 2019: Conference  in the Cusick Room. 9:30am - 6:00pm.
9:30am Opening Presentation: Mesoamérica Resiste, artwork Beehive Collective - created as an education tool.  
Mesoamérica Resiste explores the legacy of colonialism and the impacts of free trade policies and resource extraction on communities and ecosystems throughout Mesoamerica. The stories and perspectives in Mesoamerica Resiste allow us to make connections between the struggles for justice in our own communities and those that are happening all over the world.
11am-12pm Keynote Speech: "Consequences of the Capitalist System: Toward a Vision of Collective Emancipation” with Fred Magdoff
Fred Magdoff is Emeritus Professor of Plant and Soil Science at the University of Vermont. His interests range from soil science to agriculture and food (science, production, economics, policy) to the environment to the U.S. economy. His university research was on ways to improve the soil fertility, especially focusing on the critical role of soil organic matter. Recent books include What Every Environmentalist Needs to Know About Capitalism (written with John Bellamy Foster) and Creating an Ecological Society (written with Chris Williams).
12pm - 1pm LUNCH (provided)
1pm-4:30pm Panels: Speakers include educators and activists from California, Vermont, New York, Western MA and more!  
1pm: Education as Liberation:  In the Classrooms and on the Streets
2:15pm: Profit over People and the Privatization of Human Rights:  Housing, Healthcare, Education and Food for All
3:30pm: Solidarity in the Struggle - Resisting Occupation
Closing 4:45pm-6pm: Discussion, Music, Performance 

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How are Racial Justice and Climate Justice Connected? 
facilitated by Phoebe Gooding and Abby Mnookin
Saturday, May 11th, 2019 at The Winston Prouty Center (20 Austine Drive, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in Holton Hall on the 4th Floor. 1pm-5pm. Note: For this workshop, it's important to be there for the whole time, 1pm-5pm. Questions? Email Sonia at [email protected].  Admission by sliding scale donation, $0 to $50. Register for the event here, with link to payment from registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHFre1pBDkqDBxjFa_2oR_1ed_kEvYihQXhGMg9RyPE1GkdQ/viewform?usp=sf_link. This 350Vermont workshop is designed to support individuals and groups to dig into the roots of the climate crisis and explore how and why working for climate justice necessitates the dismantling of racism and white supremacy culture.  Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences and consider next steps to support their own learning and concrete actions they can take within their own activism.

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Camp for a Common Cause
Friday, May 17th, 2019-Saturday, May 18th, 2019 on the Brattleboro Common (intersection of Park Place, Route 5 and Route 30 in Brattleboro, VT, 05301). Pitch tents starting at 5pm Friday; we must vacate by 10am Saturday after a light breakfast. No alcohol and no fires please. Dogs are welcome, but must remain on a leash at all times. Contact Julianne with questions or to make a reservation: 802.490.2951, email [email protected], or go to GroundworksVT.org. 
Join us for this year’s overnight campout where we will raise awareness about homelessness in our community and raise funds to support Groundworks' efforts to house our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
The fun starts on Friday with live music and a community barbecue! Unable to camp overnight?  No problem! Join us for food and music! You can support Groundworks with a donation, and/or purchase a tent for a neighbor in need.
Fundraising: Teams and individuals are asked to fundraise a suggested minimum of $100 per person to support Groundworks.  PLEASE NOTE - all contributions are welcome and it costs nothing to camp.  We ask participants to try to raise some money on our behalf.  All contributions are tax deductible.
Register Online at https://groundworks.rallybound.org/Camp2018 and ask your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family for contributions to support your campout.

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Rootskills Spring Workshop
Saturday, May 18th, 2019 at the School for International Training (SIT 1 Kipling Rd, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 8am-6:30pm.
Find out more about schedule, registration, scholarships etc on our website: https://grassrootsfund.org/tools/2019-workshops
The Grassroots Fund's RootSkills workshops are day-long gatherings where grassroots organizers, colleagues and supporters convene to network, share stories and dig into both issue- and process-based skills-building sessions. We work with a planning committee ahead of each event to ensure a broad range of lived experiences and perspectives weigh in as we set agendas, select workshop topics and invite speakers. 
This event's theme will focus on racial and economic disparities as we discuss in/equity in rural, New England communities.

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Pride Family Picnic
hosted by Green Mountain Crossroads
Sunday, June 2nd, 2019 at Living Memorial Park (61 Guilford Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) at the Kiwani’s Pavilion at the top of the hill. 11am-2pm.
The much anticipated PRIDE FAMILY PICNIC hosted by Green Mountain Crossroads is back! One of the only events each year in southern Vermont where LGBTQ parents and kids (of all ages!) come together and get to celebrate the community, visibility, knowledge, and power of LGBTQIA+ people with their families. Bring a dish to share! GMC will provide watermelon, drinks (kid-friendly), hot dogs (meat, turkey, and tofu), buns, and condiments. Find us all the way at the top of Living Memorial Park!  

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SUMMER CAMPS

Farm to Ballet Performance Camp for Kids at Retreat Farm
presented by Ballet Vermont and Retreat Farm
Monday, July 15th, 2019-Friday, July 19th, 2019 at Retreat Farm (45 Farmhouse Square, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 9am-3:30*pm. *Paid aftercare option of 3:30pm-4:30pm for an additional $50. Please go to www.balletvermont.org for performance tickets.
Your camper can dance on the big stage with Farm to Ballet! Campers who participate in this camp will perform the choreography they learn at camp as the pre-show to Farm to Ballet's Retreat Farm show. Camp week will include daily ballet class, farm and garden exploration, activities, and craft. Dancers will work on choreography and craft costumes in addition to other activities to prepare for the big Farm to Ballet performance. 

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UPRISE Youth Activism Camp (Ages 13-19)
Sunday, July 28th, 2019-Sunday, August 4th, 2019 in Marshfield, VT. For more information please go here: https://www.uprisecampvt.org.
We're inviting youth ages 13-19 to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont for one amazing week of teen empowerment, creativity, action, and friendship -- all while strategizing for our collective future. As mentors with a broad spectrum of skills, we are passionate about empowering teens as organizers, change makers, and allies in our rapidly changing world. 
The cost of the camp is $450 for the week, but please feel more than welcome to ask us about scholarships. Bring your hopes and fears for the future, your unique style and skills, your passion and ideas -- but most of all, bring yourself, just as you are -- and join us!
Youth interested in attending Uprise! are asked to go through a short application form process. The application will give us an idea of who’s interested in the camp and help our team make this camp accessible and awesome for everyone. There are financial aid questions at the end of the application. You can find information on the application process here.

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RESOURCE FOR WeCAN: Rapid Response Text Alert System
When WeCAN began Song & Solidarity set up a Rapid Response Text Alert System for WeCAN Groups. Directions for signing up are on WeCAN's website, here: https://www.wecantogether.net/rapid_response We were reminded of the Rapid Response text alerts system as President Trump moves towards firing Mueller. In the event Mueller is fired, MoveOn is planning a nation-wide simultaneous protest. The trick will be to get the word out fast if/when the time comes. We are grateful to Song and Solidarity for providing this service.

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COMMUNITY MESSAGES

A Message from Lean Left, VT
Lean Left VT provides opportunities and training for Vermont volunteers to support the election of Democrats and Progressives in other states at state level as well as Congressional races. 
If you are interested in or have been supporting campaigns and candidates in other states, either to flip seats or hold vulnerable seats, we would like to hear about your interests! The purpose of the following survey is to gather information in order to make more opportunities available to you.  You can find the survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9NcaB-huaExZxZRaoRG3J5jfD5LffV-OhhMKoOsQ_4uWxjA/viewform.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. 
The Koch Brothers have a long term strategy to control the judiciary across the country. This year’s battle is the WI Supreme Court, where they hope to elect Scott Walker’s former legal counsel on April 2.
You can fight back by donating to Lisa Neubauer: https://judgeneubauer.com/contribute/ 
Read more on the Koch Bros plans: https://americansforprosperity.org/afp-scale-efforts-courts-2018/
Read more on the WI race: http://votingmatters.blog/2019/03/kochs-buying-judiciary/

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STANDING REGULAR MEETINGS 

Brattleboro State Representatives’ Updates and Community Conversation
First Saturday of the Month, alternating between 10am and 4pm (2.2.19 was at 10am). Location information to follow. Childcare available upon request by contacting [email protected].
As promised, all three of your Brattleboro State Representatives, Mollie Burke, Emilie Kornheiser, and Tristan Toleno, will gather in Brattleboro to host a community conversation and share updates from the first few weeks of the legislative session. Our series of monthly conversations— scheduled for the first Saturday of the month— will alternate between 10am and 4pm. 

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Women Veterans Weekly Coffee and Tea Social
Thursday Mornings at Brattleboro Legion Post 5 Inc. (32 Linden Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 9am-10am.
All female veterans are invited to join in the Women Veterans group coffee held at the American Legion.  All women veterans are welcome. You do not need to be a Legion member.

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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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Youth 4 Change
Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month from 5:30pm-8pm. 
For more information please contact Youth 4 Change at [email protected].
Agenda:
5:30pm: Drop in homework time and art making
6:00pm: Food
6:30pm: Meeting and Organizing
Youth 4 Change is for local-area youth 12-22 interested in political organizing around local/state/national social justice issues that are important to them. Brattleboro area advocates and educators are holding a space, and assisting youth in building a strong personal tool kit to organize for change.  Using a variety of creative methods, we aim to enable youth with tools for resilience, courage and compassion, while fostering their ability to speak up about issues that matter to them, and to take action in the name of love and liberation for all people.  Come explore issues of racial, economic and gender justice through art, movement, first-hand accounts and contemplative practices. Connect with area youth around the issues that matter to you and strengthen your tool kit for action! 

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Windham County NAACP Regular Meetings
Monthly community meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month at The Root Center for Social Justice (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) on the First Floor from 6pm-7pm. Upcoming Meetings: 3/21/19; 4/18/19; 5/16/19. For more information please email [email protected]. All are welcome.
The meetings are open to anyone interested in racial justice. The Mission of the NAACP is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

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ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING 

Indigo Radio
Sundays at 12pm on Brattleboro Community Radio 107.7FMTo 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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     We look forward to seeing you on Green Up Day in Windham County, friends. Send us your stories and pictures next Saturday to [email protected] before 10pm and we will feature you in an upcoming Weekly Email Update! Happy Greening! 

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