Friday Night Blogging: Surfing & Sampling Montpelier's Supper, Wi-fi, Nightlife & Music Scene

Another Way Drop In Center
125 Barre Street
Montpelier, VT

[above photo via
Another Way Web page]After stopping by the Another Way Drop In Center for their free weekly Friday night supper (hosted from 5:00 PM until either the food runs out or the doors close) and, then visiting with folks for a while, I ended being late to my next stop. As a result, since I missed the person who would have let me in, I was not able to get online at one of the sites I sometimes use whenever it is available.

It actually worked out rather well however, as I truly enjoyed visiting and talking with some of the people at Another Way whom I do not always get to see as often as used to be the case. The fact is that as much as I thrive when online at times, there is of course nothing like the quality of what comes from socializing in person, at least it was so there this evening.


Capitol Grounds Cafe
& Roastery
45 State Street
Montpelier, VT

[above image via
Capitol Grounds Cafe Website]Once I realized that the online site was not available, I went to pick up my laptop and headed over to the Capitol Grounds Cafe & Roastery for a couple of hours to make use of the free wi-fi they provide [via NoWirz] for the price of an iced black tea or so.

They closed at 9:00 PM and I decided to check out what was going on elsewhere.

My next stop was the Langdon Street Cafe, yet on the way there -- which is just behind the Capitol Grounds Cafe -- with Montpelier being the small village it really is, I happened to bump into and chatted with one of my friends whom I had spoken with at Another Way earlier.

When I arrived the first band scheduled to perform was still setting up for their gig.


Langdon Street Cafe
4 Langdon St.
Montpelier, VT

[above photo via
Langdon Street Cafe Website]Upon getting myself a pint of stout, I found a place to sit, set up the laptop and proceeded to plug in, boot up and connect online.

By the time I was online, the Ryan Power Trio began playing. Never heard them before and, in my opinion, they are very good. Will try to make sure to hear them perform when they are in town again.

The place was really beginning to rock alive with both music, energy and conversation.

After a break between bands, next up was Manifest Nexto Me.

Never came across them before either. Manifest is playing as I blog this. All I can say is wow!

Prior to coming inside someone I never met before told me to make sure I stuck around to be here for the 10:30 PM gig of this particular band and, were they right on!

This band has the place packed, standing room only and it is definitely jamming here.

Solid playing, songs and performance, mind blowing. Excellent! This is my kind of music and group. They have won me over.

If you have never heard or seen this group perform, make certain to do so.

The Langdon Street Cafe is the place to be tonight and, even though it was by pure chance I ended up here, I am happy to have done so.

In fact another person I had not met before came up to me to ask me what I was doing on the computer and, I took him for the grand blog-tour, trying to explain blogging to him since he said he never heard of it before, which I was pleased to do.

The truth is that every time I have come by this place, I have always had a good time. It is a great environment and there usually is plenty of good company around too, despite my hardly knowing anyone.

The band has finished their initial session now -- a long one too, are on a short break and planning to play again.

With that, it is high time to blog this post up, then pay attention to my pint of Vermont-brewed organic oatmeal stout and, once Manifest is back onstage for the second time around, enjoy the live music being performed before they are done for the night.

Cheers!


*Note*: Made a few, mostly minor, edits for the purpose of clarification and readability: last updated on Saturday, October 1, 2005 at 8:10 PM [EDT].

VT Foliage Report: Warm Weather Slows ... Color Change

The latest (Tuesday, September 27, 2005) Vermont Foliage Report indicates (here; via Vermont Vacations - official Vermont tourism Website):

Warm Weather Slows Vermont Color Change:

MONTPELIER, VT – Vermont remains about a week behind normal in terms of color progression, as the curtain continues to go up slowly on the 2005 foliage season. Ongoing unseasonably warm weather has slowed the pace of color change to a crawl.

[...]

Read the entire report, here.

False 45th Design

Check out this awesome tee-shirt design, which False 45th aka Flatlander recently received from Bo of Eat More Kale shirts [make sure to also visit the Eat More Kale blog too].

[found the False 45th blog via the Vermont Blogs blogroll of 802 Online]

Wandering Gemini Photoblog

Have just come across some excellent offerings available via Wandering Gemini's photoblog [via the Vermont Blogs blogroll of 802 Online], where one can find the photography and greeting cards of Susan Mardirosian, including one of some trees going up in flames in Lowell recently, here as well as another one -- more distant shot -- too, here.

Yeah, yeah, okay, I know the trees were not actually going up in flames. It is of course just the usual, awesome fall foliage season in Vermont -- whether it is in the Northeast Kingdom (NEK), as has been recently evident in Lowell for example or, elsewhere within the state -- is all; something of which I can never tire or get enough of, especially given my being a resident tourist and leaf peeper going on some fifteen plus years now (since the Spring of 1988), with one year spent living up in the NEK in the village of Barton (Summer of 1996 thru the Summer of 1997).


*Note*: made a couple of mostly minor edits for the purpose of clarification and readability, as well as also having added a link to the state's fall foliage forecaster Web page, within the 2nd paragraph: last updated on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 11:00 PM [EDT].

Vermont BloggerCon II (2005)

Due to a suggestion made to her by Jeff Soyer (Alphecca), on Friday (September 23, 2005) Cathy Resmer (802 Online) blogged a post to announce that she is planning on organizing another Vermont blogger meetup for sometime later this autumn, here.

At the moment the date still appears to be very much in flux as people become aware of it and post comments as to either when works best or when does not on their own end as far as scheduling the *2005 Green Mountain BloggerCon* goes (*as I like to refer to it anyway*).

As I mentioned in my comment on Cathy's blog post on the subject the other day (here):

Due to my not being able to make it to last year's 1st annual VT blogger gathering after I said I would be, I will not promise this time around, but if I can manage to do so provided I am able to get there and back where ever it is held, I will try my best do so.

Otherwise, if need be I suppose, I will have to ghost or, rather shadow the event by reading and commenting on the blogs of those attending whom are live blogging during it.

Hope to be there in-person however.

With so many bloggers in the state now, as well as with more people getting interested and trying out blogging these days, this years event should be better attended, etc.

Speaking of *homegrown blogosphere*, ...

While they are by no means new to the blogosphere at all, Rick and Sarah Scully certainly have an excellent, homegrown blog of their own in Terrapin Gardens.

Had come across their blog via a comment post posted by Scully on 802 Online, here.

They also just happen to be among the newest bloggers on Montpelier's blog scene, having only recently (posted on Saturday, September 3, 2005) moved up from the Washington, D.C. area, which is quite the change of pace for them I would suspect.

Being someone who enjoys reading, painting, and creative writing, Sarah keeps a separate blog devoted to such, aptly named Creative Juices.

For his part, as someone who finds things on the Internets, Rick keeps a list about what he comes across, here [via del.icio.us].

Living with Rick and Sarah are their two Boston Terrier's, whom as I understand it are both natives of Maryland: i.e., Haley, a year and a half old female who is described on Rick and Sarah's About Us page as being an inquisitive little [poo machine] and, sweet older guy who is quite lovable, Mick.

There are two different online photo collections of Haley and Mick available for viewing. One on Rick's Flickr page, here and the other on Sarah's Flickr page, here.

A smaller collection posted by Rick of photo's taken of Vermont from a March 2005 trip to the state can be found, here.

Now that they live in Montpelier, Rick and Sarah have been posting photo's to the Montpelier Vermont Views group.

Check Terrapin Gardens and its offerings out, as it is well worth reading on a regular basis in my opinion (both the posts on their main blog as well as their, much briefer and occasional, Soundbytes [upper left-hand column, available just underneath their recently installed Webcam]).

To those readers of this blog of mine who either live or work in Vermont (and, especially anyone who lives or works in the Montpelier and surrounding area), if and when you visit their blog, make certain to post a comment and welcome them to the state (as well as our small city).

Welcome to Montpelier Rick, Sarah, Haley & Mick! Enjoy!


P.S.

Rick & Sarah: I hope you are able to get used to the long, cold and often hard Winters we experience in these parts, as well as getting used to driving on the snowy and icy roadways during that time of year too.

As I have not read all that much of your blog posts and, as a result, do not know about your travels or where else you may have lived besides D.C.: If you have not yet endured such weather as we can get up here and not already aware of one cold weather survival technique for damp climes like ours; come the colder weather simply make sure to dress in plenty of layers, upon layers, of clothes (*as well as socks*) as is needed on any given day depending on the temperature and the wind chill;

In addition, it is also good to learn how to walk what I think I once heard someone refer to as the Vermont shuffle, which is employed in order to avoid slipping on icy walkways and streets, particularly in and around Montpelier -- at least on certain back streets.

Even if you get the shuffle down pat however, you might want to get yourselves a pair of clip-on toe cleats for your regular or winter footwear, whether they be boots or not. Someone I know swears by them.

The clip-on's are great and, really easy to put on and take on when needed, just as long as you think to take them along with you whenever you go out during the Winter, easy enough to do since they come in their own little carrying case that fits in a pocket, backpack, brief case or purse.

The individual in question told me that they bought them at Miller Sports, located on 106 Main Street [phone: (802) 223-0357].

It was several years ago when they bought them though, so I do not know if Miller's still carries the clip-on cleats or not, but I do not know why they would not have them in stock if the things are still on the market.

On the subject of winter survival techniques to be aware of for living in New England, there is a good page of tips available online worth checking out, here [via the Hansconian].

Of course as I am sure you already know and accept in one way or another or, otherwise soon will anyway, it just comes with the territory.

Discovering Vermont’s homegrown blogosphere

(click onto above banner to be redirected to article)

*Interesting Read*

Vicki brought to my attention this interesting blog post:

The Norwegian Porridge Feud [via Bakerina]

Thank you Vicki!

Times Argus Debuts Reader Roundtable Blog

*Updated*
(see below @ *Update*)


The Barre - Montpelier Times Argus recently debuted its Reader Roundtable blog:

About the Blog:

The Reader Roundtable Blog features a diverse team of TimesArgus.com readers and Times Argus editor Maria Archangelo, posting commentary, critiques and analysis of the Web site's coverage of local and national news and opinion.

Seven Days j-blogger Cathy Resmer (802 Online) blogged a post last Friday (here) about the Rutland Herald's launch of their own Reader Roundtable blog during the middle of last week.

Hmmm, had just thought to check and there appears not to be any RSS feeds available for either reader roundtable blog yet, strange. However I am positive that the good people over at the news media division for the two papers are hard at work and are extremely busy as usual, especially with everything associated with these blogs and all.

So I am sure they will get around to providing the RSS feeds for both of their newest blogs when they are able to, which will make keeping up with the blogs much easier and better for those using rss feed readers of course (hint, hint Ernesto).


*Update*

Ernesto informed me today that Reader Roundtable blogs RSS feeds are now available on the blogs themselves as well as on the RSS pages for the Times Argus here and, the Rutland Herald here.


*Note*: last updated on Friday, September 23, 2005 at 8:40 PM [EDT].

Heads Up!

Look for an article by yours truly on blogs & blogging in the forthcoming (September 23, 2005) edition of the:


Just wanted to let readers of this blog know that Shay Totten, editor and publisher of the Vermont Guardian -- an independent statewide weekly newspaper, early last Wednesday (September 14, 2005) morning asked me to write a first person article concerning blogs and blogging, why and how I began blogging as well as about blogs and bloggers I have come across so far, especially within Vermont's own blog scene or blogsphere.

My deadline is actually tomorrow (Tuesday, September 19, 2005), just prior to noontime. Yet I wrote and finished up the piece in record time, for this writer anyway; truth be told it actually took quite a bit of work, energy and time -- including plenty of rewrites, but that goes without saying of course.

Thanks to now having a laptop of my own both for long writing sessions as well as to connect to the Internet - at least whenever I am able to afford to rent some space at a wi-fi hotspot (for the price of coffee, tea, etc.) in the area anyway (read more about it, here [via Beyond VSH blog]).

[thank you once again to the gracious, kind and generous person who donated the laptop to me early last week, I could not have done the article as I did without this gift; (you know who you are]

This is my very first article published in a mainstream statewide or local newspaper (not counting letters to the editor and commentary published previously elsewhere], weekly or otherwise. It is also the first I have written for publication in a really long time.

While the print edition of the paper is published each week on Friday's, it is always worth checking their online edition during the week just in case as they post articles and news to it in advance of publication of the print edition; and, of course, particularly on Friday when the highlights from any given week's edition gets posted.

Once it is published and available online, I will post a link to it within a post to this blog.

If and when you have read the piece, please let me know what you think of it one way or another either by posting a comment to this blog post (or otherwise the one with the link to the article to be posted once it is published) or sending comments to morganbrown at gmail dot com; or via my Chatango page when I am logged into and paying attention to it, here.

Serious critiques are welcomed, will be carefully read and taken into account; as this is how writers of any skill level manage to learn and then apply what have learned, hopefully improving their skills for the better.

In addition, feel free to contact the editor as well regarding what your thoughts are about the article, here (an online submission form is available on the page along with other related contact information).

Excellent Postcard!

Just received a postcard today from Mandarin Meg via Amazing Mail.

The face of the postcard looks like this:


The above bloggers blog quilt is also the same one as is featured within a recent blog post of hers as well, here. However the bloggers blog quilt on her blog post allows one to click each frame (i.e., photo or image) in order to be directed to that particular blog, so check it out and explore!

Thank you Meg! Much appreciated!

If you do not already know about the Amazing Mail service, basically as I understand it anyway, once one creates an account with them, you create your own postcard using the service from your computer, with your own images or photo's if you want or theirs if you so choose, type the message you want on it and, then, simply send away. Of course it is a paid service. They print out the card(s) and send the intended recipients mailing address by U.S. Mail. Simple enough.

Montpelier Capital City Bicentennial Celebration: October 7th, 8th & 9th, 2005

The City of Montpelier will be holding its Capital City Bicentennial Celebration over the period of three days from Friday, October 7, 2005 thru Sunday, October 9, 2005.

Whether you live in Vermont or not and, especially since it should be peak foliage season within our area around that time as well; if you can make it for that particular weekend, either for a day or more, you should definitely consider coming to help Montpelier celebrate its 200 year history -- as well as its 200th Anniversary -- as the state Capital City!

For anyone making the trip up by car (state roadway conditions map), bus, train or airplane and, then would potentially be in need of a good, quality, quiet and reasonably affordable place to stay for either one or more nights, though it is of course vital to book ahead if at all possible because the foliage season is one of their busiest times of year, I highly recommend the Twin City Motel.

In addition, there is also an online state fall lodging forecaster, which may prove useful as an advisory guide.


P.S.

For anyone driving up, check out: Vermont Gas Prices.

State Issues Poor Air Quality Advisory

Vermont Health Department Issues Advisory Due to Poor Air Quality Measured by EPA
[via VDH]

Read an article by the Associated Press (AP) on the subject, here [via Boston Globe Vermont local new wire (9/13/05)].

For additional information, visit the following site:

• Air Pollution Control Division, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation

Honorable Mention:

Yours Truly Named Vermont's most vigilant blogger by Famed Vermont Blogologist


Yes indeed, believe it or not, it is definitely true: I have just been named Vermont's most vigilant blogger by the state's (unofficial) premier blogologist herself, Seven Days j-blogger Cathy Resmer (802 Online).

Do not believe me though, read it for yourself (here; emphasis mine):

VT Blogs: Beyond Vermont State Hospital

Morgan W. Brown, Vermont's most vigilant blogger, has a new site. Beyond Vermont State Hospital explores Vermont's mental health care system, and looks at the future of VSH. ...

[...]

Make sure to read the entire post, here.

What is a blogologist (i.e., besides being a tongue twister; especially when trying to say it ten times very quickly), you ask?

While I am no expert on the subject, my meager understanding of the term is that it is a person who studies and reports on blogs, blogging and bloggers and all things blog, Internet stuff and the like.


P.S.

Seriously though Cathy, thank you for the excellent blog post about me and the Beyond VSH blog. Much appreciated!

Alternative Media Day: Friday, September 23th @ Johnson State College

For information concerning this particular event, read Cathy Resmer's blog post on the subject: Blogging Ethics and more at JSC, Sept. 23 [via 802 Online].

Live Blogging from the Langdon Street Cafe, Montpelier

*Updated*
[note the correction (i.e., strike out) as well as the related information and links within the 2nd sentence of the 1st paragraph]


Langdon Street Cafe
4 Langdon St.
Montpelier, VT

[above photo via
Langdon Street Cafe Website]Several months ago, I blogged a post about the Langdon Street Cafe and how it had free wifi (here; Tuesday, May 17, 2005). In fact, to my knowledge, it is the only such (i.e., free wifi) access offered by a business in Montpelier so far.[Thanks to Gravity for the information, I stand corrected here (1st comment post) and, here (2nd comment post) -- with apologies to the both J. Morgan's and the Capitol Grounds Cafe for my not having been previously aware of such and, therefore unintentionally posting misinformation. In addition, speaking of wifi access and laptops, good news on my end, here (3rd comment post; 2nd paragraph of my own comment post on the subject)]

Cool, even if I do not have a laptop -- wifi or not -- to use for online access at all.

For some unknown reason I decided to stroll by and then inside the cafe and try a pint of brew, mostly in the hope of seeing if they had a house copy of the Sunday Times Argus so I could see the article about the Beyond VSH blog as well as finally getting to see the photo of me in today's edition. They did. Cool again.

Even cooler, make that way cool, much to my surprise and unknown to me until now, three weeks ago they installed a public access computer for their customers to be used in the spirit of mutual aid and cooperation.

So if, like me, you do not have a wifi-laptop or otherwise forgot yours at home or the office, not too worry. Depending on the demand at the time for it, you can most likely get online from here, check your e-mail, do some research or blog your heart away, etc., at least for a little while anyway.

Speaking of which, I have got to attend to my pint of Vermont-brewed organic oatmeal stout and enjoy the live music being performed.

Cheers!


*Note*: last updated on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 5:25 PM [EDT].

In the News: Jamie's Big Voice, blogs & blogging ...

Received a heads up this morning from the Long Riders Guild concerning a profile of London resident and blogger Jamie McCoy and his blog (Jamie's Big Voice; -- in which Jamie mainly blogs about homelessness and related matters) within a must-read column that explores the expanding medium and growing use of blogs and blogging as well as what their future may be, here [via the Guardian; United Kingdom].

Beyond VSH blog in the News

For those who may not have already come across it yet, the Barre - Montpelier Times Argus (TA) and Sunday Rutland Herald (RH) article regarding the Beyond VSH blog, it bloggers and the matters being blogged about is available online here [via TA] and, here [via RH].

The article also mentions and links to this blog as well.


Welcome New Visitors!

Welcome readers of the TA and RH article.

Thank you for reading.

Street Poetry by Paul Millard

Bill Tinker of New Hampshire Homeless sent the below poem out earlier this evening, prompting yours truly to ask him to help put me into contact with its author, which Bill did and, thus the following is posted by permission of Paul Millard.

Sometimes Home Is A Cardboard Box

Today I feel sad please don't watch me cry
My Hobo hat's pulled low to hide my eyes
You don't see my tears anyway
everything I had's been taken away

Even my name has been lost
scary how much life costs
doesn't matter what's in a name
when nothing about me is the same

I've been kicked out of the Wal-Mart parking lot
The man there hates the homeless, that's the thanks I got
who knows he may be two steps from my spot
and sometimes home is a cardboard box.

Copyright ©2005 Paul Millard

Read more of Paul Millard's poetry, here.

zuckermanforcongress.com

State Representative David Zuckerman, an organic vegetable farmer from Burlington and member of the Vermont Progressive Party, had previously indicated his desire to run for the U.S. Congress and, just recently, set up a Website with which to explore such a campaign bid, here [via Barre - Montpelier Times Argus, here].

While it is a nicely designed site and a good enough beginning for his exploratory campaign effort so far, to my way of thinking it is mostly the standard offerings for such campaign Websites; yet it appears to be done with his own personal touch or style and, not by some professional political hack and, that is a major plus. One wonders whether this continues over the long haul or not, especially if he were to win the Vermont's lone U.S. House seat he is running for.

As the site expands and grows in the future, although I have no idea of if he has thought about doing so yet or whether he would be open to it either, it is my hope that David and his campaign will consider adding both a blog and podcasting as major components of the site. In fact I have already e-mailed him about such.

David's issues page pretty much offers the standard Progressive fare, which does not impress me really.

It is my hope that he will seriously consider including among his high priority issues the matters of affordable housing, homelessness, disability and mental health; especially since to my knowledge he has a good, proven record on these issues -- just as much as the ten he has currently listed on his issues page (i.e., Wages, Small Business, Health Care, Prescription Drugs, Social Security, Education, Energy, Defense, Taxes and Agriculture).

Besides what his record may have been so far on these additional issues I would like to hear from him about, it is even more important to me to know what he would do on them if he were elected to Congress, when and how high of a priority they would be for him, etc.; something anyone running for an office should always be asked and, then if elected, held accountable to of course.

Speaking as someone who is an Independent-minded voter however and, also not being one who is at all keen about the Vermont Progressive Party or, any other political party in general for that matter: Although David Zuckerman is indeed a Progressive, to me, he is really more like an Independent -- of sorts anyway; and, not that all Vermont Progressives are ideologues -- nor am I suggesting in any fashion that they are any more so than say a Democrat or Republican or some other party member may be, from what I have been able to tell anyway, David does not appear to have an ideological bone in his body or, if he does here or there, he seems to not let ideology rule either him, his conscience or his political decisions.

From what I have observed of him, he truly cares about people and their needs and it shows in his deeds over and over in the most sincere and determined manner, fighting hard to help in improving the lives and outcomes of those he is elected to serve or, rather, so they will have a real and meaningful opportunity to accomplish this for themselves.

As a state representative, David fights for not only people from his district however, but for all Vermont citizens on a variety of concerns. This leads me to conclude he will do the same as a member of Congress: i.e., I believe he will do his utmost to serve the interests of the citizens of this state and those of the entire nation, as well as the world at large; which in my opinion is crucial for anyone seeking to serve in Congress.

That said, these are simply certain observations, thoughts and insights of mine I am sharing for what it may be worth.

It is important to note that this post is not an attempt by me to promote David's exploratory campaign effort or, to in any way urge people to support him; especially since I am not sure I will even end up supporting (or, voting for) him if he does make a bid for the office, although for the moment that is where I am beginning to lean in this way too early to know one way or another stage.

This is my take is on the subject, what is yours?


*Note*: Several edits done for the purposes of clarification and readability; in fact more to come when I come across anything else requiring the same: last updated on Saturday, September 10, 2005 at 10:51 PM [EDT].

CNN Sues To Cover Katrina Aftermath

Read fishbowlDC blogger Garrett Graff's post, which includes his including CNN's memo to its staff on the subject, here.


*Update*

U.S. won't ban media from New Orleans searches [via CNN; Saturday, September 10, 2005]

In addition, Salon posted up a must-read article via the Associated Press (AP), which includes even more details, here [either subscription or free day pass-(via jumping through a view ad hoop) required].


*Note*: last updated on Saturday, September 10, 2005 at 6:17 PM [EDT].

An Example of How & Why: A Blogger's Work Is Never Done!

Seven Days j-blogger Cathy Resmer (802 Online) has blogged a truly good, thoughtful blog post, here.

Those who may have not already come across it yet, will want to read Cathy's earlier post, here.

Gas Prices Slowly Begin Dropping in VT

The Vermont Bureau of the Associated Press (AP) is reporting (here):

Gasoline prices starting to fall

By Wilson Ring, Associated Press Writer September 9, 2005

MONTPELIER, Vt. --Crude oil and wholesale prices of gasoline have retreated from the post Hurricane Katrina peaks and retail prices in Vermont are starting to go back down.

The declines are nowhere near as fast as last week's increases when some stations raised prices more than 40 cents a day. But a few stations in Vermont are selling gasoline for under $3 a gallon again and wholesalers expect the price to continue going down.

[...]

Read the entire article, here.

That will be good news to some, however I am sure most people will not rest too easy for a while and, as a result, may become much more careful about their future spending (which is never a bad thing really -- for one's household anyway), for fear of something else going wrong with the fuel and gasoline supply in one fashion or another -- whether real or imagined, therefore causing the speculative markets to find yet another reason or, rather, excuse to drive up the prices once again.

Fresh News Out of New Orleans

The Vermont Guardian has a (re)fresh(ing) news story posted on their Website about how: French Quarter residents defy evacuation, begin rebuilding their community.

FEMA chief relieved of Katrina duties

The Associated Press (AP) is reporting that FEMA Director Michael Brown is being replaced -- at least as far as his duties involving overseeing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts goes anyway -- and sent back to Washington, here [via Boston Globe].

About time! Actually, it is far too late!

Make sure to read the Time Magazine report How Reliable Is Brown's Resume?:

A TIME investigation reveals discrepancies in the FEMA chief's official biographies

In addition, read the Washington Post article: Inside FEMA:
Leaders Lacking Disaster Experience [registration required].

State of Massachusetts Sweeps Homeless Encampments in Boston's Back Bay

The Boston Globe included an article within this morning's (Friday, September 9, 2005) edition about how the State of Massachusetts swept through the Back Bay of Boston yesterday (Thursday, September 8, 2005), displacing people living from the homeless encampments they made under bridges and the like.

Among the persons who had been encamped, according to the article only a handful or so were present during the time of the sweep and had been offered space in shelters, however only one such person is reported to have had accepted the offer.

Read the article, here.

The Boston Globe site also has a discussion board forum topic posted on the subject: How to help the homeless?

If you are so inclined, let Massachusetts Governor Romney as well as Lt. Governor Healey know what you think about it, here.

Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort: Vermonters Pitching In

*Updated*
(see below @ *Update 2*)

It comes as no surprise that Vermonters across the state have been stepping up in a variety of ways to pitch in to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort [link leads to American Red Cross Hurricane 2005 Relief online submission form; via site donated by Yahoo!].


Photo caption -- Montpelier, Vermont: Yours truly is seen (far left) looking on as people from across Central Vermont drop off and, then volunteers sort and pack up, donated supplies on the lawn of the Vermont State House on Friday afternoon (September 2, 2005), during the day-long collection drive taking place at collection sites across the state (also taking place tomorrow as well, same hours, same sites -- see below for more info), which is one part of the state sponsored relief effort (see below excerpted press release for additional information) [above photo courtesy of: Ernesto Burden].

As the above photo caption (penned by yours truly) indicates, I was observing the event (rather, actually the reason I was there is that I was looking for someone in charge so I could find out if anyone involved was photographing it with a digital camera and, if so, was trying to find out if they could send me photo's of the event to blog up); and, while doing so, I just happened to bump into Digital Media Director for the Rutland Herald and Times Argus newspapers -- as well as blogger -- Ernesto Burden of all people. Read his own account, here.

In addition, yet another photo by Ernesto as well as a related Times Argus/Rutland Herald staff report is available, here.

For his part, Governor Jim Douglas announced the state's three part contribution effort, including (here; September 1, 2005 press release):

[...]

Colchester, Vt. -- As one part of a three-part plan to assist in the hurricane recovery effort, Governor Jim Douglas is urging Vermonters to contribute nonperishable food and other supplies tomorrow at 10 collection points organized throughout the state.

Officials in the hurricane-stricken Gulf Coast region say these resources are desperately needed. As a result, Vermont Emergency Management personnel, working in close coordination with the Red Cross, have organized a series of 10 collection points across the state tomorrow to collect the most basic goods needed by hurricane victims.

Due to the urgent need for these supplies, collection points will only be open tomorrow between 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Should the need in the affected area persist, the state will coordinate future shipments.

Once tomorrow's donations have been collected, the Vermont State Police will escort the convoy of trucks to Gulfport, Mississippi, leaving the Brattleboro area early Saturday morning.

Collection points will be located in:

Bennington -- Town Clerk's Office

Derby -- State Police Barracks

Hartford -- Fire and Police Department

Montpelier -- Vermont State House

St. Albans -- Collins-Perly Recreation Facility

St. Johnsbury -- Municipal Office Building and Fire Station

Rockingham -- State Police Barracks

Rutland -- State Police Barracks

Vergennes -- Vergennes High School

Williston -- State Police Barracks


Only the following basic non-perishable items will be accepted:

Bottled Water (Size: Liter and larger) Non-Perishable Food Clothing (new or like-new condition only) Infant Supplies (Formula, Diapers, etc.) Snacks/Protein Bars First Aid Kits Transistor Radios Batteries (Sizes: AA, C, D, 9V) Flashlights Hygiene Products (bar soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) Dog/Cat Food

"On Tuesday, immediately after the full extent of Katrina's destruction was apparent, I instructed my staff and the Department of Public Safety to reach out to the storm ravaged gulf coast and offer our state's assistance," the Governor said. "Due to an almost total failure of the telecommunication system we were not able to reach the appropriate authorities until early this morning."

At approximately 9:00 am Thursday, Commissioner of Public Safety, Kerry Sleeper, spoke with Colonel Marvin Curtis, Director of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, who is assigned to the Disaster Field Office in Gulfport, Mississippi. Colonel Curtis said Gulfport and the surrounding area have been overwhelmed by the devastation and its surviving population is in dire need of basic supplies such as water, non perishable food, and sanitary supplies.

"Colonel Curtis emphasized the point that most of the survivors had lost all personnel belongings and any timely donations would be greatly appreciated and essential in sustaining life and health," the Governor said. "The Colonel eagerly accepted any offer of assistance on behalf of the grateful state of Mississippi and Governor Haley Barbour and he thanked the people of Vermont for their generosity and compassion at this difficult hour."

State officials are emphasizing that they can only accept items on the list. These are the items that Mississippi authorities have indicated are needed. Staff at the collection points will not be able to accept other items.

The Red Cross will also be at the collection points accepting contributions to their disaster relief fund.

Vermonters with questions about collection points can contact Vermont Emergency Management at 800-347-0488. Phones will be staffed until 11:00 p.m. tonight and from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. tomorrow.

[...]

Read the entire (Thursday, September 1, 2005) official press release, here.

*Important Update*

Word is [excerpted from an advocates e-mail forward]:

WOKO just announced that the drop off time has been extended to Saturday, same hours & same locations. They have added to the list manual can openers.

fyi: The WOKO radio station is found on 98.9 FM, with its studio located in South Burlington, Vermont.

It is hoped that more photo's (of the event in Montpelier) will be forthcoming, as I had managed to come across someone in charge who works for the state and let them know of my interest and intention. If and when I receive any more photo's, I will be updating this post with such[post such within a separate blog post] the next time I am online, time and online access limitations permitting.


*Update 2*

Just wanted to note that none of the other photo's, which I had hoped would be coming in from a different source, have yet to arrive. If some do come in eventual however and, as noted in the above amended paragraph, the next time I am able to get online I will post them up within a separate blog post.

In addition, I thought I would link to an article posted on Saturday afternoon to the Boston Globe's AP Wire page of local news for the state of Vermont: Thirty trucks headed to Mississippi.


*Note*: last updated on Saturday, September 3, 2004 at 5:02 PM [EDT].