Coolest lunch in town...

Al fresco dining (in 13 degree weather) for the local homeless shelter. How I love Vermont(ers).



http://www.wptz.com/video/18321093/

Hope

And might I point out which state predicted this election first...
Barack Obama Wins Vermont

It feels GREAT to be proud again to call myself an American. Bravo!

Vermont Amber Alert

ROYALTON STATE POLICE ACTIVATE THE VT CHILD AMBER ALERT

The missing child is Brooke Bennett and was born in 1995.

Height: 5'3"
Weight: 98 lbs.
Hair: Brown with purple highlights
Eyes: Blue
Scar: on calf 3 inches long and quarter inch wide

Other descriptors: Both ears pierced top and bottom, usually wears earring in rear hole - Bottom front tooth in front of K9 very yellow, freckle on neck in the front, freckle on top of 2nd toe on left foot, birthmark on upper left arm, bug bite above left eyebrow.

Brooke was last seen Wed. 6/25/08 at 9am at 7 Main St (Cumberland Farms) in Randolph Center Vt, walking in a southerly direction toward the village of Randolph. Brooke was last seen wearing pink sweater, blue jeans, white sneakers w/pink letters. There is some speculation she might have connected with a person she met on myspace.

UPDATE: I'm sorry to say this is another tragic ending here in Vermont. http://tinyurl.com/6y24c9
Our thoughts are with her (innocent) family and friends.

If you have any information pertaining to Brooke Bennett's kidnapping or death, PLEASE call the Vermont State Police at 802-234-9933.

Tears for China and Burma

I have been struggling to wrap my head around the terrible tragedies of late.

First, the cyclone in Burma/Myanmar. The latest death toll stands at 78,000. 2.5 million survivors are still waiting to receive aid of some kind. I can only hope that the ruling regime will begin to accept the support, supplies, and aid being offered from around the globe.

Then China's 7.9 earthquake in Sichuan province; with it's estimated 50,000 deaths and 5 million displaced individuals. My heart breaks every time I hear about another school that is found in rubble. I wept uncontrollably as I listened to NPR's Melissa Block follow a family's search for their two year-old son, Wang Zhilu, and his grandparents.

Fu Guanyu and Wang Wei, I only wish my overflowing tears could wash away your incredible grief. You are in my thoughts and prayers.


Photo by avirus

BARACK OBAMA: A CHAMPION FOR ARTS AND CULTURE

The following is simply cut and paste from Senator Obama's position statement on the Arts.

I post it here because his statement completely echoes my thoughts on the Arts and the very issues I advocated for on Capitol Hill last year at the Americans for the Arts Arts Advocacy Days in Washington DC. It's a GREAT read! Enjoy.

Our nation’s creativity has filled the world’s libraries, museums, recital halls, movie houses, and marketplaces with works of genius. The arts embody the American spirit of self-definition. As the author of two best-selling books – Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope – Barack Obama uniquely appreciates the role and value of creative expression.

A PLATFORM IN SUPPORT OF THE ARTS

Reinvest in Arts Education: To remain competitive in the global economy, America needs to reinvigorate the kind of creativity and innovation that has made this country great. To do so, we must nourish our children’s creative skills. In addition to giving our children the science and math skills they need to compete in the new global context, we should also encourage the ability to think creatively that comes from a meaningful arts education. Unfortunately, many school districts are cutting instructional time for art and music education. Barack Obama believes that the arts should be a central part of effective teaching and learning. The Chairmanof the National Endowment for the Arts recently said “The purpose of arts education is not to produce more artists, though that is a byproduct. The real purpose of arts education is to create complete human beings capable of leading successful and productive lives in a free society.” To support greater arts education, Obama will:

• Expand Public/Private Partnerships Between Schools and Arts Organizations: Barack Obama willincrease resources for the U.S. Department of Education’s Arts Education Model Development and Dissemination Grants, which develop public/private partnerships between schools and arts organizations. Obama will also engage the foundation and corporate community to increase support for public/private partnerships.
• Create an Artist Corps: Barack Obama supports the creation of an “Artists Corps” of young artists trained to work in low-income schools and their communities. Studies in Chicago have demonstrated that test scores improved faster for students enrolled in low-income schools that link arts across the curriculum than scores for students in schools lacking such programs.
• Publicly Champion the Importance of Arts Education: As president, Barack Obama will use the bully pulpit and the example he will set in the White House to promote the importance of arts and arts education in America. Not only is arts education indispensable for success in a rapidly changing, high skill, information economy, but studies show that arts education raises test scores in other subject areas as well.
  

Support Increased Funding for the NEA: Over the last 15 years, government funding for the National Endowment for the Arts has been slashed from $175 million annually in 1992 to $125 million today. Barack Obama supports increased funding for the NEA, the support of which enriches schools and neighborhoods all across the nation and helps to promote the economic development of countless communities.

Promote Cultural Diplomacy: American artists, performers and thinkers – representing our values and ideals – can inspire people both at home and all over the world. Through efforts like that of the United States Information Agency, America’s cultural leaders were deployed around the world during the Cold War as artistic ambassadors and helped win the war of ideas by demonstrating to the world the promise of America. Artists can be utilized again to help us win the war of ideas against Islamic extremism. Unfortunately, our resources for cultural diplomacy are at their lowest level in a decade. Barack Obama will work to reverse this trend and improve and expand public-private partnerships to expand cultural and arts exchanges throughout the world.

Attract Foreign Talent: The flipside to promoting American arts and culture abroad is welcoming members of the foreign arts community to America. Opening America’s doors to students and professional artists provides the kind of two-way cultural understanding that can break down the barriers that feed hatred and fear. As America tightened visa restrictions after 9/11, the world’s most talented students and artists, who used to come here, went elsewhere. Barack Obama will streamline the visa process to return America to its rightful place as the world’s top destination for artists and art students.

Provide Health Care to Artists: Finding affordable health coverage has often been one of the most vexing obstacles for artists and those in the creative community. Since many artists work independently or have non- traditional employment relationships, employer-based coverage is unavailable and individual policies are financially out of reach. Barack Obama’s plan will provide all Americans with quality, affordable health care. His plan includes the creation of a new public program that will allow individuals and small businesses to buy affordable health care similar to that available to federal employees. His plan also creates a National Health Insurance Exchange to reform the private insurance market and allow Americans to enroll in participating private plans, which would have to provide comprehensive benefits, issue every applicant a policy, and charge fair and stable premiums. For those who still cannot afford coverage, the government will provide a subsidy. His health plan will lower costs for the typical American family by up to $2,500 per year.

Ensure Tax Fairness for Artists: Barack Obama supports the Artist-Museum Partnership Act, introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). The Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow artists to deduct the fair market value of their work, rather than just the costs of the materials, when they make charitable contributions.

Paid for by Obama for America

Can I just say...AMEN! - Allison

cc2.0lic photo by roxannejomitchell

Missing Person: Nicholas Garza

One of the first-year students on our campus has unfortunately been missing now for two weeks. In order to assist in keeping his vital information circulating, I will post the basic information and links below. My thoughts are with his family, friends and fellow students, during this difficult time.


Missing: NICHOLAS A. GARZA
Age: 19
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 150-160 lbs.
Home: Albuquerque, NM
Missing since: Feb. 5, 2008
Missing from: Middlebury College campus;
Middlebury, VT.

Nick vanished while walking the short distance from a friend's dormitory to his own at approximately 11:00pm on Tuesday, Feb 5th. It was poor weather, and it is believed Nicholas did not have a coat on. There have been no phone calls, e-mails, or monetary transactions from any of his accounts.

Links for more information:

• Dedicated website: http://nicholasgarza.org/
• Middlebury College's Garza info page
• Middblog, a student blog, updated regularly
• Facebook group

Anyone with information regarding Nick's whereabouts
is encouraged to call the
Middlebury Police Dept. at 802-388-3181.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, Nick's body was recovered from the Otter Creek in Middlebury. As the cause of Nick's death is still a mystery, you are still encouraged to contact the Middlebury Police with any relevant information regarding Nick. There will be a campus memorial service when students return in the fall. Our hearts go out to the Garza family.

Save the Children Responds to Deadly Earthquake in Peru

Save the Children is rapidly responding to a developing humanitarian crisis brought on by a large earthquake that struck off the southern coast of Peru on Wednesday evening.

The agency has sent a team to the area to conduct rapid assessments of the needs of children and their families, and to provide lifesaving relief.

"Many families have been forced from their homes and out into the open," said Rudy Von Bernuth, who heads Save the Children's emergency response operations. "Save the Children is moving quickly to ensure that children, who are among the most vulnerable in any natural disaster, are protected and their families have the means survive this crisis."

The 8.0-magnitude quake struck at 6:40 p.m. local time Wednesday with an epicenter about 90 miles southeast of the capital, Lima. It was followed by two large aftershocks of magnitude 6 and 6.3, respectively.

According to the Peruvian Civil Defense Institute, the worst damage occurred in the provinces of Cañete, Pisco and Chincha. The death toll stands at 450 and continues to rise, while hundreds have been injured and over 80,000 displaced.

The large cities of Ica and Pisco were hit particularly hard — public buildings and homes have collapsed. Government sources report that destruction is widespread in the major city of Ica, capital of the province of the same name. Communications systems and have been disrupted, and a major highway to the area has been damaged, hindering rescue efforts.

In addition, schools have been closed, and teachers have been asked to check the status of classrooms and school buildings. Save the Children also will work with the government to ensure that children's education is not disrupted.

"We know from working in disasters around the world that children's recovery depends not only on meeting their physical needs — food, clean water and shelter — but also on repairing the social structure of their lives, including education," said Von Bernuth.

Peru is located on the seismically volatile "Pacific Ring of Fire." The nation has experienced severe earthquakes in recent decades, including a 1970 temblor that killed 50,000 people in the city of Yungay.

Donate now to support Save the Children's response to the earthquake in Peru.

Image Caption: People prepare to spend the night outside their homes in Lima's port of Callao, after an earthquake struck Peru, August 15, 2007. Reuters/Enrique Castro Mendivil, courtesy alertnet.org

Why DO you work in the Arts?

A state-level arts administrator, who was advocating for a LONG overdue increase in the state's arts budget, recently listed the many arts organizations on the brink, and artists who were struggling to make their next rent payment. When someone asked him, "Well, WHY then, would anybody work in the Arts?" he decided to solicit feedback from other arts folk in Vermont, including me.

Granted, I work in an arts program within a successful, private college. I have it much easier than most arts administrators in Vermont - I have program funding that is not in jeopardy of being cut on a yearly basis, I have health care, and retirement, and other solid benefits. I get a decent salary (for Arts work, that is) and I work with the support of other, full-time, committed colleagues.

So the following was my feedback for Mr. Administrator. If you work in the Arts, I would love to hear your reasons, too.

Although the nature of presenting performances, and our small staff, demands I work days, nights, and weekends, I leave my office each day knowing I've made a positive impact in my community. Last year, over 7,000 patrons (in our rural, agricultural county of only 35,000 people) shared the artistic, global and cultural events I assisted in planning.

By working in a small, understaffed arts organization, I've acquired more business skills and explored more areas of knowledge than I ever could have in a more structured, traditional role, including:
- Event management
- Contract negotiation
- Grant writing and fund raising
- Immigration and taxation policies for foreign workers
- Advocacy and public speaking
- Publicity and creation of written materials; including standard operating procedures
- Staff and volunteer management
- Building and sustaining collaborative relationships
- Plus, I have teamed with colleagues in areas as diverse as marketing, tourism, education, government, technology and other arts organizations

But what keeps me engaged and energized and working in an often under-valued profession, is the privilege of working with brilliant, creative, talented, innovative, passionate people: artists, teachers, students, legislators, colleagues and patrons alike - who come together across many miles, disciplines, cultures, faiths and beliefs - to experience art together.

For me, every performance feels like world peace; achieved in 2 acts, with a 15 minute intermission.

Picture: MapleMama w/West African musicians Mamadou Diabate and Cheick Hamala Diabate, October 2003.

Arts Advocacy Podcasts

I've desperately wanted to post about my experiences at Arts Advocacy day on Capitol Hill, but haven't had the chance yet (thanks, yet again this winter, to artists stranded by a blizzard while trying to get to our venue.)

In the meantime, I particularly recommend listening to the podcasts of Wynton Marsalis at the Congressional Arts Breakfast, and the 20th Nancy Hanks lecture by Robert MacNeil. Both are entertaining AND inspiring.

Action Alert: USCIS Proposes Increase in Visa Processing Fees

I recently received the following Arts Action Alert from Americans for the Arts. My regular readers know my thoughts and concerns related to presenting artists from abroad. This 68% proposed increase in petition fees is completely unacceptable considering the current problems with USCIS processing, as well as the significant impact it will have on the not-for-profit organizations often presenting these artists.

You can help by contacting your legislators. American Arts Alliance even provides a pre-written letter for you, you just need to add your name and address and press "send." The actual campaign letter from the Arts Alliance is below. And if you are interested in receiving future alerts yourself, use the box below to subscribe.

USCIS Proposes an Increase in Visa Processing Fees

We need your help. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a proposed increase in visa processing fees for O and P visas. This proposed rule would increase the Form I-129 filing fee (from $190 to $320) and the Form I-824 filing fee (from $200 to $340). These new fees would increase the financial burden U.S. nonprofit performing arts petitioners already suffer when booking foreign guest artists.

We are opposed to the proposed increase of the filing fees for nonimmigrant worker petitions. It is our position that before the USCIS contemplates any price increase, regular processing procedures for our community must be improved.

Since 2001, the American Arts Alliance and its colleagues in the Performing Arts Visa Task Force have been working to persuade USCIS to make the O and P visa process efficient, reliable, and affordable. We believe that American nonprofit arts organizations provide an important public service by presenting foreign guest artists in performances, educational events and cultural programs in communities across the country. The delays and unpredictability in visa processing have made it increasingly difficult for international artists to appear in the United States. USCIS should not consider a fee increase without first improving regular processing procedures.

This is a proposed rule, which means it is not in effect yet and there is time to get it changed. A federal agency drafts proposed regulations and publishes them in the Federal Register. The public may then offer their concerns and objections during the "public comment period." After the public comment period, the agency examines the comments and issues its final regulations and the timetable for their implementation.

The time for public comment is now! Please submit comments on behalf of your organization by April 2, 2007. Below is a sample letter to help you in submitting comments.

Please edit the letter to reflect your personal experience with visa processing and include the docket number - DHS No. USCIS-2006-0044 – in your comments.

Sincerely,
American Arts Alliance

The Sound of Hope

I recently caught an episode of NPR's SoundClips: Audio Experiences. SoundClips is an occasional series from All Things Considered that collects the sounds that fascinates their listeners: from antique hit and miss engines and large overhead cranes to defective ceiling fans and noisy dryers.

On January 17, the featured sound clip was a chemotherapy pump, in a story entitled "The Sound of Hope." It got me thinking about what sounds elicit thoughts of hope from me. I've listed some below, but I'd love to hear some of your inspirations in the comments.

Gentle rain

Children playing

The whisper of December snow

My car engine, turning over, at 30 degrees below F

Early morning bird song

The tentative stammer of someone learning a new language

Laughter

A newborn wail

Pomp and Circumstance

Silence after gunfire

The clamor of plates and silverware at a soup kitchen

"You have been accepted..."

A babbling brook on an arid day

Voices raised together in song

Sound files courtesy of NPR and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Photo by herby_fr

World Music: Part 5 of 4 - I'm Moving to Canada

As I indicated in my previous post, we had an artist stranded in Montreal, because the U.S. Embassy in London lost his passport and visa during processing. I spent SEVERAL hours contacting the embassies in London and Montreal, personnel at the Vermont Border crossing, personnel at USCIS, CBP and the State Department, all of Vermont's representatives in Washington, heck - even an immigration lawyer who is a family friend, trying to find a solution.

We explored the possibility of the Visa Waiver Program:

Nationals from 27 countries (primarily Europe, plus Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, and Singapore) may enter the U.S. without a visa for up to 90 days. The general requirements for participation include no prior overstays in the U.S., a machine readable passport, a processing fee (in U.S. funds only) and a prepaid round-trip ticket to a non-contiguous country within 90 days of arrival. Here was the rub for us, however: Aliens entering under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are subject to the same rules as those admitted in B-1 or B-2 status - meaning they cannot work!

However, before using the VWP, you should carefully consider your options. If you are admitted to the U.S. under the VWP, you may not change or extend your non-immigrant status. If your admission is denied, you have no right to administrative or judicial review. Likewise, if you are found to have violated the terms of your admission, you also forfeit the right to contest a removal order.

After leaving voice messages, faxes, and e-mails scattered throughout the globe, I was able to speak with an extremely helpful border agent at our very own Vermont border crossing in Highgate. He confirmed many of the above stipulations of the VWP, and suggested that the consulate in Montreal might be able to reissue our artist's visa on an expedited basis. A staffer at Senator Leahy's Burlington office also called the Embassy in London trying to help as well.

After a few attempts, I actually heard back, via e-mail, from the U.S. Consulate in Montreal. It was an unsigned e-mail, from a general e-mail box, with no contact information whatsoever, but offering the following advice:

We will be able to accept [your pianist's] application for a visa today before 11:00 am. Please contact him immediately so that he can complete the DS-156 form online at evisaforms.state.gov. He has to complete all the questions on that form online and then print out all three pages, including the third page with the barcode. If he is under 45 years of age, he must also complete the DS-157 form. He needs to bring his passport, one recent, passport-sized photo and 100$ in US cash only. If he shows up without any of the above, he will be turned away and will not be processed. He MUST be here before 11:00 am to get processed because we will closed tomorrow. Otherwise, he will not be able to travel to the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program if he is getting paid for the performance.

Please confirm if he will be here before 11:00 am.
Best Regards.

I received this e-mail at 9:57 am. I broke my phone upon reading it.

The pianist was staying at a hotel at the airport - almost 30 minutes by taxi from the consulate. I know he probably didn't have a spare passport photo on him, or $100 U.S. for that matter, so while it was an impossible task for us, I did try to appreciate that fact that they actually responded and we now know the option exists if similar problems arise in the future.

I must say our pianist, for all he went through, was gracious and performed spectacularly. He used the time in Montreal to rest, get his hair cut (he claims to have looked like Chewbacca before the trim,) eat great food, and watch some bad cable movies. We asked if he practiced his all Beethoven program on the piano in the hotel bar, to which he replied, "Yeah, until some drunk demanded I switch to Bach."

Even with a shiny new democratic house and senate, I fear Bush with his 6 years of Homeland Security, the Patriot Act, increased ridiculous bureaucracy, refusal to sign Kyoto, IRAQ, and the incredible damage he has done to our global relations, I'm about ready to throw in the towel and move to Canada. At least I already know their national anthem.

Montreal HDR Photo courtesy of Alistair Howard
Updated 1/28/07 for typos and links.

World Music: Part 4 of 4 - When in Rome,...NY

In looking through my posts, I realized I never posted this 4th installment about presenting international artists in the United States.

Considering I currently have a brilliant British pianist stranded in Montreal and incapable of traveling over the Vermont/Quebec border to perform for us Friday since the U.S. Consulate in London LOST HIS PASSPORT AND US VISA they were processing, it seemed appropriate (and more constructive than the rant I'd like to post) to finish this series now.

To review the previous installments, visit...

World Music: Part 1 of 4 - Introduction
World Music - Part 2 of 4 - Visa. It's everywhere you want to be! (tm)
World Music - Part 3 of 4. Taxation without Representation

OK, so you, your performer, and their agent have worked diligently for almost 6 months. We’ve competed a USCIS visa petition, received a I-797 approval notice, the artist has visited a U.S. consulate for an interview, photo and biometric fingerprinting, and finally has their shiny new visa affixed to their passport. Now our wonderful performer travels to the States.

Each time a foreign artist seeks entry, they must undergo inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Often, CBP inspectors ask nothing at all, but they have enormous power and discretion to determine whom they will admit. If a CBP inspector decides that an alien is seeking entry in the wrong status, the inspector may detain the alien, deny him/her access to a phone, and put him/her on the next plane back. Worse yet, if the inspector suspects that the alien has committed a fraud or misrepresentation, the inspector has full, unreviewable discretion summarily to exclude that alien from the U.S. for five years. Moreover, aliens who enter the U.S. with visas and then overstay may, in certain circumstances, be relegated to forever obtaining their visas only from their home country consulate.

Applicants should have with them a copy of the underlying USELESS USCIS (sorry, did I say that out loud?) petition as well as the original, or at least a copy, of the I-797 approval notice, whether they have a visa or not. Assuming CBP chooses to admit the alien, it will issue the alien one portion of the white I-94 containing a stamp showing the alien's date of entry, a notation of the classification in which the alien is admitted, and the date until which the alien is admitted.

As crazy as it sounds, once in the U.S., this little white card trumps everything else - including that visa you spent hundreds of dollars and 6 months to obtain. The departure date HAND-WRITTEN (can you believe it) by the CBP on the I-94 is all-important. The artist/alien should be CERTAIN they can read a correct, designated departure date and that they have in fact been admitted in the proper classification before crossing into the U.S.! Once in the states, you must abide by the departure date on the I-94, even if the border agent accidentally transposed numbers in the date, or it otherwise doesn't align with your visa. Do not count on there being exceptions of any kind to this rule, even if it is CBP's fault. Indeed, an overstay of even one day can render the artist subject to another rule, 222g, under which the alien must return to his or her home country consulate to obtain ALL future U.S. visas. For frequent travelers, this can be devastating.


It is also important not to lose the I-94/I-94W (which is usually stapled into the passport, just above a perforation which can separate easily!), not only because it represents an immigration "registration" document that the holder by law must carry at all times, but because it represents the potential proof that the alien departed the U.S. on time. The carriers collect I-94s from departing aliens and send them to USCIS, which then inputs the data into its computer system. If timely departure data for a given alien is missing, the system will show that alien as a possible overstay. If so, CBP inspectors will at some point in the future, often years later, discover that that the arriving alien has a past overstay. In these cases, CBP has been known not just to put the alien into "secondary" inspection, which can cause hours of delay (and great stress), but to handcuff and ship them back immediately, if they cannot prove they did not overstay.

These 4 posts and guidelines hopefully don't scare you away from presenting an international artist...but just offer some advice from the trenches to help recognize and avoid the potential hurdles and make your artist(s) visit a successful one. Again, I refer you to the following resources:

• Artists from Abroad
  
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• U.S. Department of State/Consular Affairs
• U.S. Customs and Border Patrol

Keep Your Distance

We awoke this morning to a gentle dusting of beautiful snow.By the time I had showered and dressed, 45 minutes later, the visibility was almost zero and we had over 2 inches on the ground.

I turned off my overdrive, and started the slow descent down the hill where we live, and was stopped by traffic half way down. There was a 4-car pile up at the intersection at the bottom of the hill. After waiting 15 minutes, I proceeded to the intersection and turned right to drive past the high school. There, I saw 3 cars off the road, where students had obviously tried to stop, but had to swerve into the ditch. When I went to turn onto the state road, traffic was backed up for over a mile through our little village.

So, I braced myself for a long commute to work. My commute is usually 35-40 minutes in good weather and close to 1.5 hours in bad snow. But 5 miles down the road, as I crossed the town line, the snow vanished, the sun came out and there was barely a dusting on the trees. It was like I had traveled through some sort of weather warp.

The rest of my drive was a breeze, but it got me thinking about students and winter driving. How telling that the accidents I passed were all around the high school where there is a large population of inexperienced drivers. So here are my personal tips for winter driving…

• Keep your distance. Even if you are an experienced driver and can stop on a dime, that doesn’t mean the drivers around you are as confident. For newbies and pros alike, the best thing you can do, is give yourself plenty of room.
• Take your time. Leave early, and don’t rush on the roads.
• Consider a lower gear. Even if you drive an automatic like me, you can downshift or switch off overdrive to give you more control.
• Remember - bridges and overpasses freeze first.
• Know your vehicle. Do you have on summer or winter tires? Do you have ABS brakes? Do you have traction control or other assistive tools? Do you have rear wheel drive? All of these things greatly impact your car’s ability to maintain its course and stop when warranted.
• “Four-wheel drive does not mean four-wheel stop.” Don’t get too cocky just because you have all- or 4-wheel drive. It is not going to help you if you’re tailgating someone who loses control or if you hit a patch of black ice. Safe winter driving practices apply to you, too. (Quote is courtesy of The Contessa.)
• Keep your car’s maintenance up to date. See Car Talk’s official winter checklist.
  
• Washer fluid. Sounds like a crazy one – but you go through a ton of it keeping the slush and dirt (kicked up by the inevitable truck in front of you) off your windshield. And then there’s the times your washer jets are completely frozen – you can at least splash the fluid on your windshield occasionally.
• Pack a winter kit. In case you go off the road or are stranded for a while, consider a small shovel, snow brush, jumper cables, a little road salt or sand (or kitty litter!), hat/gloves/boots, reflective flag or tape (to tie to your antenna – so your car can be visible if covered in snow), a blanket, and a charged cell phone – to name a few.

Here’s a great Canadian list of winter driving recommendations – and they should know, eh?

By the way – with the 15 minute delay at home, I still made it to work in under an hour. As they say in Vermont, "If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes."

Photo courtesy of Irdim.

Turkey breasts aren't the only news this week!

I continue to stumble across news and blog postings about the recent experience of a woman simply trying to breastfeed her child on a Delta flight.

I am glad this woman's plight is getting lots of coverage - but what I am appalled at are some of the comments and responses. I am not going to list names here, but here are my replies:

1. "I don't want to see an engorged breast and nipple being whipped around when I'm trying to relax on the plane."
   
   OK, first , there is rarely any "whipping around" of breasts during breastfeeding - this is simply anatomically improbable! And two, the view of the breast and nipple is usually blocked by the feeding child and the mother's nursing top. This is not a striptease we're talking here.
   
   
2. "When you board a plane, you are under federal jurisdiction and required to adhere to all requests of the flight crew."
   
   Hmmm - I did not know that flight attendants are now trained to set and uphold federal laws and policies. Have they added legal, constitutional, and law enforcement studies to their training? Asking her to cover her baby and then kicking her off the plane for not doing so was WAY overstepping an appropriate request and response.
   
   
3. "The stewardess was only asking her to hide the baby under a blanket. What's the big deal?"
   
   What if the flight attendant had asked you to eat your dinner while under a blanket? Somehow, I imagine you would refuse as well. Why should a baby be treated with any less dignity?
   
   
4. "They were only on a 50 minute flight - I don't know why she couldn't have waited?"
   
   First - they HAD been waiting - over 3 hours - already. Secondly, an infant's stomach is about as big as a golf ball, and therefore babies can't go very long between meals. And third, unlike adults who can chew gum or pop their ears at take-off and landing, one of the best ways for a baby to accomplish this is via breastfeeding.
   
   Lastly, if she had waited, you would have had a SCREAMING infant on a small commuter plane. I'm sure that would have been so much less offensive to the flight attendant and passengers.

There is a petition you can sign and many mothers' groups are planning "nurse-ins" at Delta check-in desks tomorrow (Tuesday 11/21) nationwide. If interested, I encourage you to show up and support the rights of breastfeeding Moms and children everywhere.

Flying Boobies

Now that I've got your attention - I cannot believe this topic is back in the news again - ESPECIALLY here in Vermont, where I consider my neighbors fairly enlightened, and where we have LAWS ON THE BOOKS to protect mothers and children exactly from this kind of discrimination!

Most of you know my opinion on this topic already - so I'll share the recent Burlington Free Press news articles directly with you.

Woman alleges she was kicked off Burlington flight for breast-feeding

By Sky Barsch, Free Press Staff Writer

November 14, 2006
A New Mexico woman who was kicked off an airplane departing from Burlington International Airport after she breast-fed her 22-month-old daughter has filed a complaint against two airlines with the Vermont Human Rights Commission.

Emily Gillette, 27, filed a charge with the commission last week -- a step citizens can take before suing in court -- after a Freedom Airlines flight attendant allegedly told Gillette that she offended her, ordering her to cover up.

Robert Appel, executive director of the Vermont Human Rights Commission, said statute prevented him from saying whether the charge had been filed with his office. He did say that breast-feeding is protected under the Public Accommodations Act, meaning that a mother is allowed to breast-feed in public. Gillette's attorney, Elizabeth Boepple, provided documentation to the Free Press of the charge filed with the Human Rights Commission.

In that filing and in a telephone interview Monday, Gillette said she, her husband, Brad, and their daughter, River, were seated on Delta Flight 6160, a code-shared flight with Freedom Airlines, on Oct. 13 awaiting takeoff. The family, which had been visiting relatives in Vermont, was on its way to New York City to rendezvous with family visiting from out of state and out of the country. The flight had been delayed by three hours, and it was about 10 p.m. when it appeared that it was nearing takeoff time.

Gillette said she was seated in the second-to-last row, next to the window, when she began to breast-feed her daughter. Breast-feeding helps babies with the altitude changes through takeoff and landings, Gillette said. She said she was being discreet -- her husband was seated between her and the aisle -- and no part of her breast was showing.

Gillette said that's when a flight attendant approached her, trying to hand her a blanket and directing her to cover up. Gillette said she told the attendant she was exercising her legal right to breast-feed, declining the blanket. That's when Gillette alleges the attendant told her, "You are offending me," and told her to cover up her daughter's head with the blanket.

"I declined," Gillette said in her complaint.

Moments later, a Delta ticket agent approached the Gillettes and said that the flight attendant was having the family removed from the flight.

Gillette said she didn't raise her voice -- not wanting to make a scene in the current jumpy air travel atmosphere -- and complied with the ticket agent, crying as she exited the plane.

Paul Skellon, a spokesperson for Phoenix-based Freedom Airlines, said he was aware of the incident.

"A breast-feeding mother is perfectly acceptable on an aircraft, providing she is feeding the child in a discreet way," that doesn't bother others, Skellon said. "She was asked to use a blanket just to provide a little more discretion, she was given a blanket, and she refused to use it, and that's all I know."

Skellon said the airline investigated the incident, and the flight attendant is still employed.

Gillette said she felt "really ashamed."

"It embarrassed me. That was my first reaction, which is a weird reaction for doing something so good for a child. And then helpless," Gillette said. "I wasn't even allowed to get angry because it could have been held against me. Then, devastated all around."

Delta provided ground transportation, hotel accommodations and new tickets on another airline, according to Boepple, a Manchester attorney, who is representing Gillette. Gillette, who owns restaurant equipment and repair companies with her husband, said she spent the family weekend on the phone with airline representatives upset from the incident.

Asked what she hoped to come of the case, Gillette said she wants to see policy change.

"I don't have any kind of high expectations. I'd really love to see them make a donation to an organization I choose. And, yeah, I want another trip with my family."

However - this is the kind of response I am proud to say was staged by some fellow Vermonters...

'Nurse-in' draws large support for breast-feeding

By Sky Barsch

November 15, 2006
SOUTH BURLINGTON — About 30 mothers and fathers — and dozens of their young children — gathered in front of the Delta Air Lines check-in desk at Burlington International Airport this morning, staging a "nurse-in" to say they were upset that a woman was kicked off a plane for breast-feeding.

The nurse-in, organized by Burlington mother Sharon Panitch, lasted more than an hour, as women nursed their babies, displayed signs, and talked to each other about breast-feeding issues.

"I just think it’s unbelievable that it happened in 2006, especially in Vermont" said Lora McAllister, a mother from Swanton. "It’s kind of mind boggling."

McAllister was referring to what happened to Emily Gillette, a New Mexico woman who was kicked off an Oct. 13 flight departing from Burlington. The flight was operated by Freedom Airlines, which was operating a commuter flight for Delta Air Lines. Gillette said that at about 10 p.m., after a three-hour delay, she began to discretely nurse her 22-month-old daughter as they prepared for take off.

That’s when Gillette says a flight attendant approached her, directing her to cover up with a blanket. When Gillette declined, the attendant allegedly told her that she was offended, and the Gillettes were kicked off the plane. Gillette has filed a charge against the two airlines with the Vermont Human Rights Commission because breast-feeding is protected under Vermont’s Public Accommodations Law.

Freedom Airlines representatives did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. Paul Skellon, a spokesperson for the Phoenix-based carrier, said Monday he was aware of the incident.

"A breast-feeding mother is perfectly acceptable on an aircraft, providing she is feeding the child in a discreet way," that doesn't bother others, Skellon said. "She was asked to use a blanket just to provide a little more discretion, she was given a blanket, and she refused to use it, and that's all I know."

Skellon said the airline investigated the incident, and the flight attendant is still employed.

At the airport today, mothers, fathers and grandmothers showed their support for Gillette and breast-feeding. One woman wore a sign that read "BREASTFEEDING" and her son wore a sign that read "BREASTFED."

"I was horrified that a mother could be humiliated like that," said Caroline Beer, 34, of Burlington.

The parents praised Burlington International Airport for allowing the demonstration and for being accommodating.

If you have questions on the laws surrounding Breastfeeding in your home state, I recommend contacting your local La Leche League chapter.

And lastly, a BIG shout out to Ethan's Mom for sharing these links with me! Love and best wishes to you both!

Safety in Numbers

This blog is usually for keeping in touch with friends, and to express the occasional opinion. This post is a departure in both content and mood. I have been writing it off and on for two weeks, and deliberated whether to post it at all. But it is important information, so I will share it now.


We recently had a horrific incident in Vermont. A college student went missing. Her parents were up visiting, and reported her missing when she didn't show up for dinner. She had spent the previous evening out on the town with friends. These friends gave an accurate description of what she was wearing down to her earrings. They had taken cell phone pics of her that night. They remember her asking to borrow some guy's cell phone around 2am when her phone's battery had died. A friend remembered her calling from this guy's phone - they traced the call. They found jewelry store security video footage of her walking with this guy using his phone. There were missing persons posters, news bulletins, and e-mails everywhere I turned. There was more info than any other missing persons case I've ever seen. Still, hikers found her body, on a trail near a popular swimming hole, a week later.

Yes, there probably is a false sense of security here in Vermont. Everyone is friendly and helpful. We don't have the same alarming violent crime rates as metropolitan areas. People run into gas station or markets and leave their cars running outside.

But terrible things happen even here in little Vermont. And I've been wondering how to teach MiniMaple about strangers. I want him to be wary - but not to the point he's screaming "stranger danger!" every time a little old lady smiles at him in the grocery check-out line.

But I might also not be the best role model for him. I was molested, as a teenager, by a stranger. I wonder even now how I let it happen - how he gained my momentary trust. And there are some small answers there - he knew my name. It was across the back of the t-shirt I was wearing. I was also in a strange environment, which I didn't know well - and I was inclined to believe/trust someone who "worked" there. I was lucky to be knocked unconscious during the rape and only have brief, incomplete memories. But it left my trusting nature, and my basic faith in human deceny, shattered.

According to a Mayo Clinic report, here are the numbers on abductions:

Missing children overview

• Of the 837,055 missing persons reported in 2001, an estimated 80 percent were children.
• About 99 percent were found within hours or days by usual law enforcement response.
• More than 7,000 children nationwide were missing for prolonged periods. (Sources: FBI, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
  

Nonfamily abductions

• In 1999, more than 50,000 children and adolescents were taken by nonfamily members by physical force or coercion for at least one hour.
• Ninety-one percent of nonfamily abductions lasted less than a day, with 29 percent lasting two hours or less.
• Classic nonfamily kidnappings pose the greatest risk of death or serious harm. About 100 children were kidnapped by nonfamily members in 1999.
  (Source: U.S. Department of Justice National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children, 2002)

So what do I do to teach my son? Of course the usuals: I'll tell him not to accept anything from strangers (candy, a ride, etc.) If someone approaches him that he doesn't know, run to a parent or teacher. The National Crime Prevention Council also recommends the following:

In addition to teaching children how to recognize and handle dangerous situations and strangers, there are a few more things parents can do to help their children stay safe and avoid dangerous situations.

• Know where your children are at all times. Make it a rule that your children must ask permission or check in with you before going anywhere. Give your children your work and cell phone numbers so they can reach you at all times.
• Point out safe places. Show your children safe places to play, safe roads and paths to take, and safe places to go if there's trouble.
• Teach children to trust their instincts. Explain that if they ever feel scared or uncomfortable, they should get away as fast as they can and tell an adult. Tell them that sometimes adults they know may make them feel uncomfortable, and they should still get away as fast as possible and tell another adult what happened. Reassure children that you will help them when they need it.
• Teach your children to be assertive. Make sure they know that it'’s okay to say no to an adult and to run away from adults in dangerous situations.
• Encourage your children to play with others. There'’s safety in numbers!

And you can be certain, I won't be sending him out in a T-shirt with his name across the back.

Election Day 2006

I am ready for this election to be over. I'm tired of the ads on TV and radio, the unsolicited mailings and PHONE calls , and most of all the lawn signs.

I don't know if these signs are strictly a Northeastern thing, but they are everywhere! I took some pics of a lawn full of them recently. (If you can't read it - the large sign says, "WANTED George W. Bush, international terrorist, for crimes against humanity.)


Anyhow - I'd like to see a change in Washington, but I'm not going to preach about who you should vote for. There are so many people around the globe who are dying each day for the basic right to a voice in their government. We can show them that the process DOES work and is worth the fight. Just get out there and VOTE!

And lastly - a shout out to Vermont's current legislators for work well done!
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An Independent Voice

With mid-term elections looming, I thought I would take a moment to acknowledge Vermont's own Senator Jim Jeffords, who is retiring at the end of this term.

I am a democrat, but in every election since I was legal to vote, I have cast my ballot for Jeffords: Vermont's Republican senator since 1988, and our congressman for 14 years before that. I believe in voting for the person that will best represent my beliefs, and Jeffords always did that. He voted his conscience and rarely along party lines. He voted for what he truly thought was in the best interest of Vermonters. He was one of only 23 senators to vote against authorizing the use of military force in Iraq in 2002.

But I was never more proud that day in May 2001, when Senator Jeffords left the Republican Party and announced his new status as an independent. Jeffords' change in party affiliation moved control of the Senate from the Republicans to the Democrats...a move many of his former republican colleagues and supposed supporters never forgave him for. But that was a day in Vermont, and political history, that I will always cherish.

So as the end of his term nears, I want to thank Senator Jeffords for being an exemplary politician, for representing Vermont with great integrity, and for his visionary 32 years of public service. Your voice will be greatly missed!


Note: You can listen to Senator Jeffords farewell floor address here.

Note: I also want to thank Vermont's Democratic Senator Leahy, and Independent Congressman Sanders for their extraordinary work as well.

Two Towers once rose...

Two Towers once rose up to the sky
and in their wake, we wonder why
so many lives were lost,
so many paid the cost,
for the freedom we still enjoy today.



For those who fell,
and those who fought
through smoke and ash
forget, we'll not.

And for those who remain
without their loves,
may the world replace hate
on the wings of doves.

Please excuse my humble attempt at honoring those lost to 9/11, and instead, check out the 2996 tribute to Jean C. DePalma at Minor Revisions or tune into the Bernie's World Episode 13- HeroCast.

Photo above from worldtradecenter.com

UPDATE: The 2996 project is curently mirrored here.