Upping the competition Ask anyone who knows me, and they’ll tell you I have a highly competitive streak. I don’t deny it. In fact, I point to it as a contributing factor in the many successes I’ve had in life. When I was very young, I had a hard time losing at anything. It wasn’t…

By Mary Ellen Shaw It’s fun to take a look back at Christmas in the ’50s when we lived in simpler times. I don’t think the world was as materialistic back then. Christmas lists that were compiled by me and my friends didn’t have many items on them and those that made the list didn’t…

by Susie Spikol Tucked behind a stonewall on the edge of a hardwood forest, my 6-year-old students and I spy on an Eastern gray squirrel as it climbs out of a tree cavity and scurries down to the ground. There is a dusting of snow. My students, bundled in vibrant snowsuits, are the only flash…

This week’s horoscopes are coming out under the light of a Leo Moon. Undoubtedly there’s a lot going on right now. The way things look, Lucifer and the Archangel Michael are arm wrestling over humanity’s fate and no one knows how it will all pan out. I wouldn’t touch the astrological end of things with…

By Merisa Sherman A small toddler, with mousy brown hair and huge oval eyes looks up at her mom while they wait in their line. There are many children here, waiting for there time to sit upon the knee of the man who will hopefully bring him their greatest treasure, if only they were good enough…

By Tony Crespi Ironically, although ski writers (and adventure travel writers) are often asked questions about mountain gear – “What’s a great ski for carving? What’s a great glove? Is there a boot bag that is truly better than the one at the mall?” etc. — we really aren’t all gear geeks! Still, having been…

By Dj Dave Hoffenberg A lot has happened with Hamjob since my first article four years ago. They’re playing monthly this winter at the Nite Spot in Killington on Dec. 27, Jan. 11, Feb. 22 and March 21. Plus, there’s a bonus Moguls appearance March 14. They’re also playing this Friday at Center Street Alley…

We arrive at the parking lot just as the sky begins to darken and realize we will have to move quickly.  Our skinning buddies are already there, skis resting against their car as they make last minute checks to their gear.  We bump into another friend, just starting up with his snowboard for some après-work…

by DJ Dave Hoffenberg The Nite Spot is new in town and so is Julia Rose who plays there every Sunday 4:30 p.m. Julia Rose calls her music, “Folk-Pop Jazz with some Indie Soul.” She’s a violist and a vocalist that uses a looper pedal to build 5-8 part harmonies. She plays the ukulele and…

Gone, but not forgotten by Dom Chioffi News travels fast… I was sitting in my living room watching football last Sunday night when a text arrived. I glanced at my phone and saw it was from a high school friend that I’ve remained in light contact with over the years. I assumed he was just…

by Cal Garrison This week’s horoscopes are coming out under the light of a Taurus Moon. Looking at all of the aspects that hold sway over the coming week, I have to ask myself, “What makes you think you have what it takes to make sense of this?” Believe it or not, whether I’m writing…

by Susan Shea Black-capped chickadees are one of the most frequent visitors to our bird feeders in winter, but do we really know them? This common bird exhibits some remarkable behaviors and winter survival strategies. Undoubtedly you’ve heard the familiar “chicka-dee-dee-dee” call in the winter woods. Soon after spotting the caller, with its black cap…

By Dj Dave Hoffenberg Badfish is bringing their show and brand new beer to the Pickle Barrel this Friday 8 p.m. Most bands only get to do a CD release party, yet Badfish is doing a beer release party and then launching a CD next year. Badfish has been around for 18 years. I remember…

By Tony Crespi Ski tests are somewhat akin to seeing into a looking glass to the future offering a window able to glimpse new and refined models and technologies. A few years ago manufacturers began incorporating “rocker” into skis as camber technologies evolved. Soon virtually every ski used rocker. Today, manufacturers often blend traditional camber…

By Cal Garrison a.k.a. Mother of the Skye This week’s horoscopes are coming out under the light of an Aquarius Moon. Last week, while I was outlining some of the aspects that show up in my readings, I mentioned the asteroid Lilith, and talked a little bit about what happens in charts where she sticks…