By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger Ten members of the Vermont House have introduced a bill intended to get to the root of why people take their own lives. H.184 would require the Department of Mental Health to issue a report to the Legislature every year describing why suicides happen and recommending ways to prevent them. Under…

By Mike Polhamus, VTDiggger Plastic bags are sometimes said to last forever, but they might not last much longer in Vermont after legislators last week introduced a bill to ban single-use carryout bags. The bill, H.105, is one of two intended to curb the use of disposable plastic bags. Another, H.88, would impose a 10-cent…

Friday, Feb. 10—RUTLAND—On Friday, Feb. 10, the Castleton women’s ice hockey team and its fans will trade traditional Spartan green apparel for pink to raise awareness and funds for the creast care program at Rutland Regional Medical Center. The game begins at 7 p.m. “The Castleton University women’s ice hockey team is pleased to help…

Friday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m.—SOUTH POMFRET—Celebrate Valentine’s Day in swinging style with the beats of the Starline Rhythm Boys at Suicide Six ski area. The resort will be home to a Valentine’s swing dance held Friday, Feb. 10 at the Suicide Six base lodge in South Pomfret. The evening begins with a lesson with Patricia…

Sunday, Feb. 12, 2:30 p.m.—WALLINGFORD—Experience the region’s dim sum of yoga, Thrive Center of the Green Mountains, in its eighth annual Winter Spring Sampler yoga classes and workshops series. Experience the joy of restoring movement to all areas of your body while learning how to unravel the restrictions produced from daily life with different yoga…

Feb. 11-26—WOODSTOCK—Billings Farm & Museum’s Sleigh Ride Weeks are scheduled for Feb. 11-26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily and will feature horse-drawn sleigh rides, tours of the dairy farm and farmhouse, and a variety of family-centered activities each day. Climb aboard the Billings Farm sleigh for a ride through the frosty farm fields. In commemoration of…

Feb. 11-12—WOODSTOCK—A part of the Working Woodlands Workshop series, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park will host wilderness first aid training in partnership with SOLO (Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities), Feb. 11-12. wilderness first Aid (WFA) is a 16-hour course that creates a solid foundation in the basics of backcountry medical care. Started as the Mountain/Woods First Aid…

Saturday, Feb. 11, 3 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—The 7th annual Woodstock Vermont Film Series at the Billings Farm & Museum will feature the award-winning documentary “Sherpa” Saturday, Feb. 11, at 3 and 5 p.m. in HD projection and surround sound, with complimentary refreshments. All films are open to the public and accessible to people with disabilities. Reservations are…

Saturday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.—BRANDON—Snake Mountain Bluegrass returns to Brandon Music Saturday Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. Whenever they play at Brandon Music it is to a sold out crowd.The group is known for their vocal, instrumental, and original songwriting talents, plus a great sense of humor and onstage banter. Founding members Gregg Humphrey (guitar and…

Saturday, March 25, 7:30 p.m.— RANDOLPH—Although mud season seems impossible to contemplate with all this seesaw of sleet, wind, and snow, Chandler’s popular Mini Mud Variety Show is coming right up. This is Mini Mud’s 10th annual season and will take to the stage on Saturday, March 25, 7:30 p.m. Organizers are urging youngsters of…

Thursday, Feb. 16, 3 p.m.—RUTLAND—Cardiology experts from the Rutland Heart Center present Affair of the Heart: a Heart Fair and Showcase,Thursday, Feb. 16,  3-7 p.m. in  the CVPS/Leahy Community Education Center at Rutland Regional. Affair of the Heart brings together Rutland Heart Center cardiology experts as well as other services from Rutland Regional relating to…

Sunday, Feb. 12, 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.—KILLINGTON—The Sherburne Memorial Library is hosting a Mad Hatter Tea Party, a la “Alice in Wonderland,” Sunday, Feb. 12, with two seatings —11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The event consists of light brunch, games and silliness with Alice and the Mad Hatter himself, tea and dessert, photo opportunities,…

Saturday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m.—CHESTER—The public is invited to join members of the Chester Conservation Committee (CCC) Saturday, Feb. 11 for a guided full- moon snowshoe hike. The CCC is sponsoring this event to introduce hikers to the organization and to share the beauty of the Green Mountain Union High School nature trail. Last spring…

Sunday, Feb. 12, 1 p.m.—RUTLAND—ARC Rutland Area, an organization for people with developmental disabilities and their families, and the Elks Club will be sponsoring a Valentine’s Day dance Sunday, Feb. 12, 1-4 p.m. Along with members, families and friends, the community is invited to share the afternoon of dancing. This is one of five dances ARC…

Saturday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—The Paramount Theatre is host to many a fun evening, and are following suit in that category with a fun new benefit—the Newly Wed Game Rutland. Local couples test their knowledge of one another and help raise money to support the Rutland Community Cupboard, BROC Community Food Shelf and The Salvation…