Conferences & Tourism
DoubleTree welcomes new food and beverage manager
Rick Milliken, general manager of the DoubleTree Hotel Burlington has selected Eric Nielson as food and beverage manager. He is responsible for organizing and overseeing food service for the hotel's banquets and events as well as Trader Duke's restaurant, room service, marketing, staff training and supervision. Nielson worked previously as banquet manager for the Basin Harbor Club.
Vermonts energy future and economy are focus at conference
Energy and affordability are on the minds of many Vermonters this year. Renewable Energy Vermonts 7th Annual Conference and Trade Show, titled A Bright Future for Vermont's Renewables, will feature presentations and discussion on how Vermont can create a more sustainable and vibrant economy using renewable energy sources. Nationally recognized energy policy expert and author David Morris, director of the Institute for Local Self Reliance, will present the keynote address on effective policies for advancing renewable energy while providing local benefits. Jim Marston, regional director for the Environmental Defense Fund, will close the full-day conference on a panel titled, The Gore Goal: Can Vermont Become 100% Renewable? by sharing his experience on how Texas has been successful in ramping up renewable energy. The conference features many renewable energy experts from Vermont as well covering topics such as community wind power and financing, electric transportation, energy policy, heating with renewable energy and the role of biofuels in Vermont. New this year, an opening reception and exhibition offer homeowners and businesses the opportunity to learn about available renewable energy products and services. More than 50 renewable energy companies are expected to show their wares on Tuesday, October 14 from 4 to 7 pm in the Sheratons Exhibition Hall and all day on October 15, 7:30 AM 4:30 PM). The trade-show-only pass to the evening opening reception is $5. The trade-show-only pass on the day of the conference is $25 (pass includes refreshments but not lunch or speaker sessions). For more information, visit www.revermont.org.
Newly renovated, historic Amee Farm available for Meetings
A two-year restoration that included relocating a farmhouse dating to the mid 1800's has created a new, highly eco-friendly, 16-room lodge called The Amee Farm, one mile north of Pittsfield's village green on Rt 100. The Amee Farm restoration was undertaken by Michael Halovatch of New York City. Amee Farm is managed by Becky Mcmillian, chef/caretaker, and also by Chris Orosz, farm manager. Of special note are hand-crafted furnishings in guest and common rooms by Barre Pinske who will be the resident artist of The Art Gallery that opens Oct 18 at Amee Farm. The lodge enjoys the Vermont Green Hotels' designation for its sustainable design and infrastructure including on-site heating via hydroelectric, geo thermal and solar, soy insulation throughout, milk paint interior, organic linen, laundry and toiletries and more. Amee Farm is available to host corporate events, themed retreats and competitive, high-quality sporting events with 4,000 square feet of flexible and versatile event space that includes a country-style private dining room staffed by its own kitchen on premise. Food preparations focus on Vermont fresh, organic and local. The original homestead dates to 1793 and the grounds once housed a whiskey distillery and equipment for producing potash.
Stossel is featured speaker at Ethan Allen Institute's 15th anniversary
Come join Ethan Allen Institute for their 15th Anniversary Celebration, in the Emerald Ballroom of the Burlington Sheraton on Wednesday. November 12, 2008. The Institute celebrates fifteen years of steadfast, principled defense of individual liberty, private property, limited government, strong communities, competitive free enterprise, respect for the constitution, and increased economic opportunity for all Vermonters. The featured speaker is John Stossel, the renowned co-anchor of ABC's 20/20 program. In his years in network journalism he has received 19 Emmy Awards. His investigative journalism programs include Are We Scaring Ourselves to Death, The Blame Game, Boys and Girls Are Different, The Trouble With Lawyers, Sick in America, and Is America Number 1?.His books include best sellers Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity: Why Everything You Know Is Wrong, and Junk Science: What You Know That May Not Be So. The Dallas Morning News called John Stossel "The most consistently thought-provoking TV reporter of our time". The Orlando Sentinel said he "has the gift for entertaining while saying something profound." John has spoken to a number of free market oriented public policy groups across the country, where he has won rave reviews for personality, message, and presentation. John's topic for the evening will be The Future of America: Freedom and Opportunity. For more information email eai@ethanallen.org.
Vermont Master Composter course registration underway
Interested in learning more about home or small business composting and possibly passing on the good word about composting and reduced greenhouse emissions? For just $45, you can take an exceptional course through the Vermont Master Composter Program. Course participants may also participate in an internship to earn Master Composter Certification by volunteering in community outreach projects. The 2008 Vermont Master Composter course will be held five Thursday evenings, October 23rd - November 20th from 6:00-9:00 PM. The $45.00 fee includes the 5-session course plus a Master Composter resource manual, additional reading materials and workshop supplies. Classes will be held via Vermont Interactive Television at the following sites: Bennington, Brattleboro, Montpelier, Johnson, Lyndon, Middlebury, Randolph Center, Rutland, Springfield, St Albans, Waterbury, White River Jct, and Williston. The Vermont Master Composter Program is a partnership of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and the University of Vermont Extension. It is run by the director and staff of the Vermont Master Gardener Program with oversight and technical, funding, and other assistance from the Vermont ANR Compost Center: Waste Management Division.
Champlain College series to host entrepreneurial leaders
Champlain Colleges Bring Your Own Business (BYOBiz) Program has announced its Speaking from Experience Fall/Winter 2008-2009 series of lectures and talks, featuring local business and entreprenieural leaders. All events are free and open to the public. The 2008-09 series includes talks with Alan Newman, founder of Magic Hat Brewing Company; Michael Lane, co-founder of Dealer.com; Rich Jr and Jerry Tarrant, co-founders of mywebgrocer.com; and Roy Heffernan COO (Chief Operating Optimist) of Life is Good. The Speaking from Experience Series is sponsored by Champlain Colleges BYOBiz Program, which mentors student entrepreneurs and their businesses. For more information, contact Bob Block, BYOBiz program director at BYOBiz@champlain.edu, call 865-6490, or visit www.champlain.edu/byobiz.html. The series includes the evenings: Tuesday, Oct. 14, 7 PM; Tuesday, Nov. 18, 7 PM; and Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, 7 PM.
GMP CEO to headline socially responsible business conference
VBSR 16th Annual Fall Conference The Power of Choice: How Responsible Business Decisions Leverage Change has been scheduled for Thursday, October 30, 8:30 AM 4:30 PM at the Latchis Theatre, 50 Main Street, Brattleboro. The event is open to the public; visit www.vbsr.org or call (802) 862-8347. Pre-conference registration is $75 for VBSR members, $90 for non-members. Mary Powell, president and CEO of Green Mountain Power (GMP), will deliver the keynote address, discussing how Green Mountain Power creates positive change through its socially responsible business decisions. In the past ten years, the company has experienced a dramatic corporate culture shift following a major restructuring program that Powell initiated and developed. This conference, put on by Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, will provide practical information and resources to help businesses understand and leverage the power of their business decisions and make informed choices. Afternoon workshops will address four areas of decision-making: money practices, community and civic engagement, use of resources, and leadership distribution.
New coordinator named for Vermont Farms! Association to market events
Vermont Farms! Association has announced the hiring of Kathleen Wanner and Ghostwriters Communications (GWC) as the new coordinator of the organization. Wanner is the vice president of GWC, which has a staff of six that provide association management services to many other non-profit natural resource-based associations in Vermont and New York. This is a niche market for GWC that developed over time based on their reputation for delivering exceptional services in this arena. GWC manages the Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association and had already been working with Vermont Farms! on a new initiative to create a "Farm and Forest Heritage Trail" program. This concept would expand upon the offerings of both organizations and increase awareness about Vermont's rural working landscape. Vermont Farms! Association is a membership organization with approximately 75 working farms that are open to the public. This farm experience, more commonly known as Agritourism, gives visitors a chance to learn about and participate in farm activities. Agritourism farmers put a real face and voice to agriculture, providing fun ways for folks to learn about the serious business of farming. Working farms provide the food and fiber to fill the appetites of consumers. The wide range of activities appeals to people of all ages and in all seasons of the year.
Stoweflake Resort & Spa unveils classes and workshops
The Education Center at the AAA Four-Diamond property Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa (www.stoweflake.com) has announced its 2008-09 Classes and Workshops. The Education Center for Massage, Bodyword & Fitness at the Spa at Stoweflake provides opportunities for fitness professionals, as well as those seeking a healthier lifestyle, to develop skills in bodywork and massage techniques while working with world-renowned practitioners. During the chosen workshop dates, participants can take advantage of discounted room rates, use of Stoweflakes world class spa, and classes including yoga and Pilates. Some of the workshops offered at The Spa at Stoweflakes Education Center include: Advanced Reflexology: Level II with Geraldine Villenueve, 10/25-10/26, $285; Pilates Workshop, 11/9, 9 AM-4 PM, $200; and Fundamentals in Foot Function & Correction through Passive Mobilization, 1/12-15, 9 AM-5 PM, $475. For more information, visit www.stoweflake.com or call 1-800-253-2232.
Back to school specials from the VSO
The Vermont Symphony Orchestra has announced a Back to School Sale on its popular SymphonyKids educational outreach programs. This fall, for the first time, the VSO offers an array of discount coupons, accessed via the VSO website, www.vso.org. Coupons for the 2008/2009 season include discounts for: schools that have never had a visit by a VSO ensemble; schools that have had VSO visits every year for the last five years; schools whose enrollment is under 75 students; and more. Even though the VSO administration works hard to keep prices affordable for these high-quality programs, many schools appreciate some aid. Over the years various sources have provided funding to help bring VSO programs into Vermont schools. Back to School coupons for the 2008/2009 season must be tendered by November 1. Last season SymphonyKids reached more than 18,000 schoolchildren in 173 schools with 232 programs across the state. The VSO continues to look for innovative and affordable ways to bring music to Vermont schools. The VSO SymphonyKids program includes seven small ensembles that visit schools and a Musical Petting Zoo that introduces the youngest grades to the instruments of the orchestra in a hands-on setting. This year, on December 5, the VSO will also present a pair of youth concerts at the Flynn Center in Burlington, and in May 2009, Team VSO hits the road with an orchestral youth concert tour that stops at magnet locations in Newport, Swanton, Barre, Rutland, and Manchester. For more information about any of the VSOs SymphonyKids offerings, please contact education coordinator Eleanor Long at Eleanor@vso.org or phone 1-800-876-9293, ext 14 (864-5741, ext. 14 in the Burlington area). Or visit www.vso.org on line.
Gifford doctor, artist wife exhibiting in hospital gallery
Gifford Medical Centers art gallery currently features a very familiar name: Dr Lou DiNicola, a Gifford pediatrician, and wife Joann are displaying a mixed exhibit of watercolors and photographic prints. Joann DiNicola is a signature member of the Vermont Watercolor Society and a member of the Vermont Arts Council and Bryan Memorial Gallery in Jeffersonville. Shes also a former art educator who works out of a studio, The Arte di Luna Studio, in the couples Randolph home. Lou DiNicola got his start in photography at age 12 in southern New Jersey. He photographs primarily landscapes and nature. The DiNicolas exhibit runs to Oct 22. See it for free at the Gifford Gallery, located just inside the main entrance of the Randolph Hospital at 44 S Main St. Call Gifford at (802) 728-7000 for more information.
VHC schedules another year of their lecture series
Vermont Humanities Council has scheduled their 2008-209 series First Wednesdays. Vermont Department of Libraries and the Windham Foundation are the statewide underwriters of First Wednesdays. VHC receives support as well from each sponsoring library and from the Donner Canadian Foundation for all Newport-Stanstead programs. First Wednesdays, VHC's monthly series of eclectic talks, will got off to a start in October1 in no fewer nine towns throughout Vermont. Programs take place at 7:00 PM on the first Wednesday of every month from October through May. Some of the locations around the state for First Wednesdays are Brattleboro: Brooks Memorial Library, Burlington: Fletcher Free Library, Manchester: Mark Skinner Library, Middlebury: Ilsley Public Library, Montpelier: Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Newport: Goodrich Memorial Library, Norwich: Norwich Public Library, Rutland: Rutland Free Library, St Johnsbury: St Johnsbury Athenaeum. For a schedule of events and to learn more about VHC events, visit vermonthumanities.org. The Vermont Humanities Council is a private nonprofit working to bring the power and the pleasure of the humanities to all Vermonters of every background and in every community. The council envisions a state in which every individual learns throughout life a state in which all its citizens read, reflect, and participate in public affairs.
Fall events, presentations scheduled at Lyndon State College
Lyndon State College has announced the fall calendar for its 2008 Lecture & Arts Series, which brings an impressive array of intellectual and creative talent to Vermonts Northeast Kingdom. Thanks to a sponsorship from FairPoint Communications, all events are open to the public and many are free. Whether you are interested in music, film, politics or theater, you will find something to pique your interest at Lyndon State College this fall. For more information or a copy of this falls and future calendars, call 802-626-6426 or view the calendar at the Lyndon web site at www.lyndonstate.edu/arts.
Vermont International Film Festival to be held in Burlington
The 19th Vermont International Film Festival (VIFF) is set to run in Burlington and South Burlington from Oct 23-26 at the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center at Lake & College and Palace Cinema 9 on Shelburne Road. Thanks to a new partnership with Harold Blank at Palace Cinema 9, Vermont filmmakers are now eligible to win two cash prizes for their workthe Margaret and Harold Blank Film Awards: $1,000 award for best original story, and $1,000 award for most creative filmmaking. As in past festivals, Vermont filmmakers are also eligible to win the James Goldstone Award, a $500 prize sponsored by the Vermont Film Commission and given to an emerging filmmaker. Among the Vermont films slated for the Vermont Filmmakers Showcase is Michael Fisher's Father. Fischer is an innovative filmmaker specializing in short films whose atmospheric works often blend stunning cinematography with strong psychological drama. For a film schedule and ticket information, visit www.vtiff.org.
Noted artist-in-wood to be featured at The Art Gallery
Barre Pinske, whose hand-crafted objects d'art and furniture have been showcased on CNN and in USA Today, will be artist in residence at The Art Gallery, a cultural space opening Oct 18 in Pittsfield at the new Amee Farm. Pinske's works crafted from woods and resins are on permanent display at Amee Farm, a renovated and eco-friendly farmhouse focused on sustainable living. For The Art Gallery hours of operation please call 802-746-8196.
Challenge and adventure course opens at the Inn at Essex
If it is empowerment, conquering fears, building confidence, and quite possibly a life-changing experience you seeklook no further than Northern Lights Rock and Ice Challenge & Leadership Institute. The brand new million-dollar facility located on the Inn at Essex campus on Essex Way officially opened for business recently. The dominant feature at Northern Lights is the 45-foot high, 100-foot long challenge course, also known as the ropes course. Other elements at Northern Lights Rock and Ice include: a low ropes course, and a rainbow direct play set with climbing, sliding and other fun challenges designed for young children.
On Saturday October 11, Northern Lights will host Warren Macdonald, world renowned adventure and personal growth advocate. During a freak rock fall on a climbing expedition in 1997, Macdonald became trapped beneath a one-ton boulder. He lost both legs in the accident. The event at Northern Lights will feature Macdonalds presentation, followed by a series of challenge demonstrations and opportunities for many attendees to utilize the facility and embark on their own adventures. More information is available at www.northernlightsvt.com. For rates and scheduling, call 802.316.3300.
Basic Leadership Safety Series sessions scheduled through March
Basic Leadership Safety Series 5 sessions is presented by Pauline Singley, president, the Vermont Safety and Health Council. The sessions take place at Northwestern Medical Center and are $65, $10 for OSHA official safety handbook or $300 for entire series including OSHA book. Session dates are 10/30, 11/20, 1/22/09, 2/19/09, 3/19/09, from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM.
Circus Smirkus founder to receive Vermonts highest arts award
Governor James H Douglas and the Vermont Arts Council have announced Rob Mermin as 2008 recipient of the Governors Award for Excellence in the Arts. Mermin, a circus arts performer and founder of Circus Smirkus, will be honored in a public ceremony at the State House on Friday, October 17, 2008 beginning at 3 PM. The Governors Award is Vermonts highest honor in the arts. Since 1968, it is has been presented annually to an artist who has achieved national or international stature for making a significant contribution to the advancement of his or her chosen art form.
In his late teens, Mermin traveled to England and wound up with a job in a circus. At 19, he studied in Paris with the great French mime, Marcel Marceau and became hooked. After moving to Vermont, Mermin founded Circus Smirkus in 1987 in an old farmhouse in Greensboro, VT. He wanted to give kids the opportunity to run away to the circus--but with their parents permission. The program, dedicated to teaching circus arts, grew over the years to include a touring circus, circus summer camp, and an in-school circus arts residency program. Circus Smirkus first Big Top Tour was one week long. In 2008, the seven-week tour included 71-performances in five states. Over the years, Smirkus has welcomed young performers from 28 countries and ten Native American tribes. Smirkus has performed in Washington, DC as well as in the USSR and Sweden. Alumni span the globe as performers and teachers. The Boston Globe called the circus one of New Englands most treasured cultural and educational resources. It was featured in a 14-part series on the Disney channel. The award ceremony, which is free and open to the public, will include pre-show entertainment on the State House lawn. For more information, visit www.vermontartscouncil.org.
VT Historical Society unveils collection of Civil War portraits
The Vermont Historical Society has unveiled an online collection of photographic portraits of Vermont Civil War officers. The images, scanned from three notebooks of carte-de-visites in the Society's collections, can be viewed at www.vermonthistory.org/cwofficers. The images, arranged alphabetically by surname in 14 groups, capture the likenesses of 859 Vermont officers, sixty-three percent of the 1363 Vermont men who served as officers during the conflict. Users can search for particular individuals or just browse through the group to see the faces of the men who served the Union in that bloody conflict. These images were collected by the Vermont Officers Reunion Society beginning in 1869. The work was continued by Mrs James S. Peck of Montpelier, widow of a former adjutant general. Work on the collection continued through at least 1894, almost 30 years after the war had ended.
VHS librarian Paul Carnahan says the new online collection represents a significant advancement for the Society. The collection was scanned over a period of almost four years by high school students and other volunteers. The project represents a considerable investment of time but not financial resources. These photographs, along with letters, diaries, and documents from the Civil War, are available for use by the public at the Society's Leahy Library in Barre. The state's historical society also has Civil War artifacts on exhibit as part of its Freedom & Unity exhibit in the Pavilion Building in Montpelier.
VMEC offers workshops for 5S System & Set-up Reduction
VMEC has scheduled the following workshops for 5S System and Set-up Reduction. The 5S System is planned for Oct 14th in Burlington. Workplace information can change quickly and often - production schedules, customer requirements, engineering specifications, operational methods, tooling and fixtures needs, material location, and thousands of other details on which daily life in the enterprise depends. The 5S system a way to rapidly and accurately update and share this information.
Set-up Reduction workshops are scheduled for Oct 9th in Burlington. In this interactive, one-day workshop, participants will learn a systematic, low-cost, shop-floor proven method to improve setups dramatically. This seminar will teach the benefits of setup reduction and instruct how to implement a setup reduction project, from selecting the focus to applying the methodology and measuring the results. Attendees will learn how to apply specific tools and techniques through real-world examples, and videos and exercises will be used to reinforce the training.
Mistake-Proofing for Manufacturers is scheduled: Oct 16 & 17 in Burlington. Introduction to Strategy Deployment takes place Nov 13 in Colchester. Most workshops run 8 AM 4 PM and cost $295 per person ($150 for VT manufacturers). VMEC's primary mission is to improve manufacturing in Vermont. Visit www.vmec.org for a complete calendar listing.
St Mikes announce upcoming calendar of events
St Michaels College has announced their upcoming events schedule for the month of October. Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Below are some of the offerings for the month.
-Wednesday, Oct 15, Saint Michael's College presents Dr Sam Crowell, education professor, California State University, lecturing on Learning To Unlearn: Brain Neuroplasticity, Belief Systems and Inner Presence at 7 PM in St Edmunds Hall, Farrell Room. This lecture focuses on research from the brain sciences, particularly neuroplasticitiy, in relationship to education. Crowell, director of the Center for Holistic and Integrative Learning, is a consultant to schools throughout the country on school reform, brain research, holistic education, and integrative, trans-disciplinary curriculum.
-Thursday, Oct 16 Dr R. Keith Schoppa speaks on Three Kinds of Time: The Chinese Cope with Japanese Germ Warfare, 1940-1945 at 4 PM in the Hoehl Welcome Center. Schoppa, Doehler Chair in Asian History at Loyola College in Maryland, is giving the annual Norbert A Kuntz Memorial Lecture in History. Indiana Professor of the Year in 1994, Schoppa is author of many highly regarded books on Chinese history. His Revolution and Its Past: Identities and change in Modern Chinese History (Prentice Hall) is one of the most popular textbooks on modern China in U.S. college courses.
-Thursday, Oct 16, Friday, Oct 17 Saint Michael's College Center for Faith and Culture presents The Sounds of Silence: An Interdisciplinary Conference Exploring the Reality of Silence in the Worlds We Inhabit. Scholars and practitioners from various disciplines and traditions will address the phenomenon of silence and the importance of silence as a central element of human communication and communion with nature, with others, with ourselves and with the transcendent reality of God. Organized by Dr Edward Mahoney, professor of religious studies, (802) 654-2749.
-Monday, Oct 20 Dr Akbar Ahmed gives the annual Sutherland Lecture, this year on Islam in America and Abroad: Current Challenges and Opportunities, at 7 PM in the McCarthy Arts Center. Ahmed, the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University, is considered one of the worlds leading authorities on contemporary Islam. He is former High Commissioner of Pakistan to Great Britain. His numerous books, films and documentaries have won prestigious awards and his books have been translated into several languages, including Chinese and Indonesian.
-Tuesday, Oct 21 Marty Burke speaks on Career Transitions at 4:30 PM in the McCarthy Arts Center. Saint Michaels graduate of the class of 1964, he served over 30 years in the Canadian armed forces, went into business consulting, software project management, served as president & CEO of a global business management consulting & training corporation, and is now a professional photographer.
-Sunday, Oct 26, Saint Michael's College presents The Boston Camerata in the Humanities Program Concert Series, performing Abbey of Love, a program of late medieval music from the 12th to the 14th centuries, at 3 PM in the McCarthy Arts Center. Called Americas foremost early music ensemble by Le Monde of Paris, The Boston Camerata, will perform love songs of the troubadours of Provence, settings from the legend of Tristan and Iseult, music by Guillaume de Machaut, and more.
Tuesday, Oct 28, Saint Michael's College presents Current Issues in Economics: McCain and Obama on Taxes and Trade at 4:30 PM in St Edmunds Hall Farrell Room (3rd floor). As the presidential campaign heads for the finish line and concerns over the economy grow, many people are asking which candidate would be better for the economy? Economics Professor John Carvellas will critique John McCains plans on taxes and trade, while Economics Professor Reza Ramazani will critique Barak Obamas plans on taxes and trade. They will take questions and discussions from the audience.
-Friday, Oct 30, the College presents the fourth annual Leavy Lecture in Chemistry, Professor Harry Gafney of Queens College, CUNY, speaking on Probing the Bimolecular Encounter at 1 PM in Cheray Science Hall, room 111. Gafney is director of The New York State Center for Advanced Technology in Photonics Applications (CAT) at the City University of New York.
UVM offers ground-breaking new engineering seminar
In our global economy, business models based upon routine, task-driven science and engineering skill will continue to be outsourced and automated; business models founded upon investment in human insight, technological creativity, communication, and interdisciplinary innovation will not. The EMERGEneering 2008: Holistic Solutions for a Complex World seminar October 15 -17 at the University of Vermont will introduce engineering leaders to the increasing value of problem formulation using "non-traditional" engineering skills from the emerging fields of complex systems analysis and service sciences as well as in liberal arts strengths of economics, policy, law, and human psychology -- as the true competitive advantage for U.S. engineering firms in the 21st century. Sponsored in part by The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. For questions about the seminar or the online registration process, please call (802) 656-2085. Thank you for your interest in this important new seminar.
Vermont colleges offer nonprofit management training
Once again, two Vermont colleges are collaborating to help those who help others by offering a nonprofit management certification course. Starting this month, approximately 48 students will assemble at either Woodbury College in Montpelier or at the Marlboro College Graduate Center in Brattleboro for ten Friday workshops held over the next five months. Each workshop will focus on an aspect of nonprofit operation, including successful fundraising and grant writing, financial and personnel management, conflict resolution, marketing, and strategic planning. The workshops are designed for incumbent workers in the nonprofit field who have either recently moved into a management position or plan to seek a management position in the near future. This falls offering will be the second time Woodbury and Marlboro have worked together to strengthen Vermonts nonprofit sector. Over $28,000 in grants has been awarded to Woodbury College and Marlboro College to recruit faculty, continue to develop curriculum, and obtain the necessary materials for the program. Granting organizations include the Workforce Education and Training Fund (WETF), which is a division of the Vermont Department of Labor, an anonymous donor and the TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation, which recently launched a new program to provide funds for nonprofit employee education and professional development. The grants have allowed the schools to cap tuition costs for in-state students at just $750.
Thrive Center offers hands-on opportunity for Nordic walking
The Thrive Center of the Green Mountains, along with certified instructor - trainer, Debbie Goslin, with Leki, Inc, Buffalo, NY, for an evening of hands-on "Nordic Walking"; on Monday, October 20th, from 5:30 - 7:00 PM, at the Gilbert Hart Library, Wallingford. Participants will experience a facilitated program to explain the basics of Nordic Walking, and the opportunity to step out and try it. Learn how to apply these ergonomically designed poles to enhance walking programs, fitness programming, corporate wellness, and rehabilitation interventions. The investment [fee] is $9.00 which includes materials, use of nordic walking poles, a fabulous surprise raffle, and more. Appropriate for all fitness levels. Dress for movement. A portion of the proceeds will directly benefit the Gilbert Hart Library. Sliding scale fees are available upon request. Call 446.2499. For further information and to register with pre-payment by 10/13/08.
SymQuest hosts BizTech Summit at South Burlington headquarters
Larry Sudbay, President and Chief Executive Officer of SymQuest Group, Inc, announced that SymQuest will host its popular, bi-annual BizTech Summit at the companys South Burlington headquarters on Tuesday, October 21, from 8:30AM to 4PM. The schedule will include a host of free seminar topics, including: Measuring you Carbon Footprint Size; Business Continuity; Windows Exchange; Electronic Document Management; Managed Print Services; Microsoft Office SharePoint; Security; Workstation Management; Wireless Technology and Canon ImageWare 4. A complimentary light breakfast and lunch will be served. Visitors are also encouraged to view vendor demonstrations and booths. For more information about SymQuest please visit www.SymQuest.com or call (800) 374-9900.
BCBSVT to bring renowned wellness expert to health conference
The Vermont Department of Health will hold its 2008 Work Site Wellness Conference, part of the Fit & Healthy Vermonters Program, on Tuesday, October 7 at the Hilton Hotel in Burlington. The appearance of noted wellness expert Michael Samuelson as conference keynote speaker is made possible by major sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont. Samuelson is president and CEO for The Health & Wellness Institute (HWI), affiliated with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island. Samuelson is widely published and is a frequent director, consultant, and advisor to numerous prestigious boards and organizations including The Mens Health Network, The Business Innovation Factory, The HERO Forum for Optimal Employee Health, The Lance Armstrong Foundation and The Department of Defense. Governor James Douglas will recognize worksite wellness best practices by awarding the 2008 Governors Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Worksite Wellness Awards. Other speakers include Vermont Commissioner of Health Wendy Davis, MD, and representatives of winning organizations who will share their secrets. For more information about the program, call 802-863-7606 or visit http://healthvermont.gov/family.
