Fairpoint workers on strike

Unionized Fairpoint workers went on strike today, protesting the company's stance towards health care policies.

Fairpoint says to expect no interruption in service.

At least one picket line is in Vermont.

A community first aid class coming up

Saturday after next is a valuable class, led by a community first responder:

Saturday October 25

9AM – 4 PM

First Aid, CPR and AED Class

Ripton Community Church 

Friends of The Ripton Church are sponsoring a First Aid, CPR and AED class that is certified by the American Heart Association. This class covers general first aid issues, medical emergencies, injury and Environment emergencies.
The class will be taught by Ed Sullivan, Ripton EMT.

$5.00 for the class. Donations to the continued restoration of the building would be appreciated.
To reserve your place please call 388 1062.

(thanks to Norm Tjossem)

An alternative Nobel is sent to Ripton

Ripton resident Bill McKibben took home a Right Livelihood Award, often called an "alternative Nobel Prize".

Over the last ten years he initiated and built the first planet-wide, grassroots climate change movement. With the organisation 350.org at its core, this movement has spread awareness and mobilised political support for urgent action to mitigate the climate crisis that is already unfolding.

Congratulations to our friend and neighbor!

Ripton Ridge Run ahead

The Ripton Ridge Run is happening next Sunday!

On October 12, starting at 12:30, the Ripton Elementary School will see runners, walkers, and friends assemble. There will be a 10.4K run, 5K run and 5K fun walk.  Check-in starts at 11 am.

Registration: pre-registration discount and on-line registration end Monday, Oct. 6th.  On the 12th, race day, registration starts at 11 a.m. Fees include lunch, long-sleeved t-shirt, awards and raffle.

The Run is still looking for volunteers to help that day or ahead of time.

See the Run's website for more information, http://www.riptonridgerun.org, or call the elementary school at (802) 388-2208.

(thanks to Barry King)

Monday night presentation on preserving the Old Center Turnpike

This Monday evening will be a presentation on Old Center Turnpike Preservation.

Paul S. Gillies and Kevin Russell will be the presenters.

LandWorks supported the mapping which Gillies and Russell will describe.  Also involved are the Addison County Regional Planning Commission, the Town of Ripton, the Vermont Agency of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration,

The event begins at 7:30pm, and will take place at the Ripton Community House.

Friday night concern at the community church

The Ripton Community Church will host a concert this Friday night.
From the press release:

Singer songwriter Aaron Flynn will be giving an intimate solo performance on Friday, September 19, at the Ripton Community Church, Route 125, Ripton, Vermont.

Aaron writes, engineers, and records most of the material he will be performing.  Elements of Folk, Indie Rock, and Classic Country combine with powerful poetic lyrics and finger picking guitar to showcase this eclectic performer.

He has released an impressive body of original work, all the while touring at such hallowed venues as Red Rocks Amphitheater, The Great American Music Hall, and House of Blues.  Aaron has worked with the likes of The Samples, Gov't Mule, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Joe Bonamassa, Tragically Hip, and Don McLean, to name a few. www.aaronflynn.com

Tickets for the exclusive performance can be purchased by calling 388-1062 or at the door.   Tickets are $10 and refreshments will be provided at no cost.   Doors open at 7:30 pm and the show will begin at 8:00, lasting until about 10:00.  The Church is located on Route 125 in the village center.

(thanks to Roger Barkin)

Warning: fake Green Mountain Power phone call is a scam

Scammers pretending to represent Green Mountain Power have been calling Vermont residents.
Below is the news release, thanks to Sally Hoyler:

News Release
Contact: Dorothy Schnure, Green Mountain Power, (802) 655-8418
For immediate release:  September 10, 2014

GMP alerts customers to phone scam

Colchester, VT...  Green Mountain Power reported today that several of its customers have received phone calls from persons claiming to be associated with Green Mountain Power threatening immediate disconnection of service and it urged customers to be very cautious.

“Green Mountain Power follows a very clear process when working with customers regarding paying past due bills,” said Dorothy Schnure, GMP spokesperson. “We work closely with customers to help them find ways to pay their bills. Calls demanding immediate payment and threatening disconnection are clearly a phone scam.”

Scams have been reported from residential and commercial customers. The caller claims to be representing Green Mountain Power or Green Mountain Power Credit Department and threatens immediate disconnection of service if the customer does not pay their past due account balance by releasing credit card information to the caller or paying their bill by means of a money card, most often a Green Dot MoneyPak Card, or other alternate payment mechanism.

Customers should not provide any caller with personal information, including account and credit card numbers. If a call is questionable, they should report to the police and the Vermont Attorney General’s office the incident and any information such as the phone number called from in order to track the caller.

“We’ve heard about this and similar scams from utilities across the country and it seems to be increasing. We urge our customers not to give their information to anyone who claims to be Green Mountain Power and threatens immediate disconnection. If they have a question to be resolved, they can initiate a call to us to ensure their information remains safe,” said Schnure.

Green Mountain Power customer service teams are available at 1-800-835-4672 and anyone with questions regarding billing and account status should give GMP a call.