On July 22 in Washington, D.C, addressing hundreds of low-wage workers who have gone on strike for a living wage, Sen. Bernie Sanders said legislation he introduced that day would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. “It is a national disgrace that millions of full-time workers are living in poverty and millions…

By Rob Roper We need to lower the cost of health care in Vermont, and the state, dealing with a structural budget deficit, doesn’t have the capacity to raise more taxes. So, what can we do? One simple, cost-free solution is to repeal Vermont’s Certificate of Need (CON) laws. What are CON laws? Basically, a…

Dear Editor, The Affordable Care Act, despite its name, is not making health care affordable. One in five people in Vermont are struggling with medical bills. Meanwhile, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, as a “non-profit,” will receive a tax break of over $15 million this year, while ten of its executives are paid up…

Dear Editor, I am writing to respond to the questions Jim Haff raised in his letters to the editor recently about our Irene flood reimbursements. These questions he raised have been addressed by the Selectboard at several public meetings and in letters to citizens, but I am glad to have the opportunity to address them again…

By Lee H. Hamilton The presidential election is 16 months away, but already we’re smack in the middle of the usual media scrum of campaign coverage, prognostication, and strategizing by many who have nothing much to do with the real campaigns. I’ve been following the rhetoric of both parties, and there are a few points…

By Dom Cioffi Toru Iwatani loved arcade games, especially pinball machines. In fact, he loved them so much that he spent all of his time studying their construction and design. He became so accomplished that at 22 years old he was hired by Namco, a Japanese arcade game maker. Iwatani was initially upset when he…

Courtesy of pinehillpark.org “Halfpipe” is highlighted in solid yellow. By Tony Accurso “Halfpipe” is an advanced riders trail located in the Pine Hill Park trail system of Rutland. The trail is divided into an upper and lower section.The upper section can be accessed at the Watkins Road intersection near “Freefall,” and the lower off “Sisyphus.”…

Submitted Zappa Plays Zappa Friday, July 31 at 8 p.m. — RUTLAND — Dweezil Zappa will continue the timeless musical legacy of his father, Frank Zappa, at the Paramount Theatre on Friday, July 31 at 8 p.m., with Zappa Plays Zappa. He will also be offering a guitar masterclass preceding his concert for $75. Dweezil Zappa is…

By Robin Alberti Chili? Yes, please! The 3rd annual cook-off returns to River Road, in search of Killington’s best chili. Thursday, July 30 at 5 p.m.—KILLINGTON—The 3rd Annual Killington Chili Cook-off returns to the Sherburne Memorial Library on River Road on Thursday, July 30. Participants bring their finest chili to compete for the title of…

Submitted Jamie Ward Thursday, July 30 at 7 p.m.—BELMONT—Jamie Ward the piano man will return to the Village Green in Belmont at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 30 for a free concert. He will be performing new classic rock, blues and jazz songs, and surely unleashing plenty of comedic situations. This is his twelfth year…

Courtesy of Slate Valley Museum MEGHAN PICERNO Friday, July 31 at 7 p.m. — GRANVILLE, N.Y. —The Slate Valley Museum (SVM) has teamed up with Hubbard Hall Opera Theater of Glens Falls) to bring Italian opera to the museum on Friday, July 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. The crowd will hear music from the Italian…

Courtesy of Downtown Rutland Partnership The Little Circus sets up a tall apparatus, with performers flying high above the street on Merchants Row. Local merchants set out sidewalk sale tents along the closed streets of Merchants Row and Center Street in downtown Rutland. Sidewalk sales, circus, brew festival, and movies highlight the week of activities…

Courtesy of BRAM Have your treasured items appraised by Mark Putnam. Saturday, Aug. —LUDLOW—Black River Academy Museum in Ludlow will conduct a basketmaking workshop on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., led by Mary Coonradt. The fee is $60 per person, including supplies. Bring a bag lunch; drinks will be available Also…

Courtesy of VINS Encounter live caterpillars at VINS’ Incredible Insect Festival. Saturday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m.—QUECHEE—Join the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) in celebration of the fascinating world of insects on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fill the day with adventure as you encounter live caterpillars and other insects…

Courtesy of Billings Farm & Museum Making for beautiful wall art is a juried exhibition of forty colorful quilts made by Windsor County quilters, part of the 29th Annual Quilt Exhibition. Antique Tractor Day offers a chance to see tractors that date back to the 1930’s-1960’s and learn all about them from their owners. Aug.…