Current News
by tim
The Organic Trade Association, based in Brattleboro, is pleased to announce that it has selected Michael Funk of United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) and Mark Lipson of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to receive its prestigious Organic Leadership Awards for 2011.
"Both Michael Funk and Mark Lipson have had a long commitment to the organic movement. Michael has been instrumental in the growth and advancement of the natural and organic industry for over 30 years, while Mark has demonstrated personal commitment, leadership and vision with regard to advancing organic farming since the early 1980s," said Christine Bushway, OTA's Executive Director and CEO.
by tim
Vermont ranks fifth in the nation home price increase from June to May. CoreLogic (NYSE: CLGX), a leading provider of information, analytics and business services, today released its June Home Price Index (HPI) which shows that home prices in the U.S. increased by 0.7 percent in June 2011 compared to May 2011, the third consecutive month-over-month increase. According to CoreLogic, national home prices, including distressed sales, declined by 6.8 percent in June 2011 compared to June 2010 after declining by 6.7 percent* in May 2011 compared to May 2010. Excluding distressed sales, year-over-year prices declined by 1.1 percent in June 2011 compared to June 2010 and by 2.1* percent in May 2011 compared to May 2010. Distressed sales include short sales and real estate owned (REO) transactions.
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The Vermont Department of Health Tuesday issued a report stating that it had detected strontium-90 in the edible portion of fish in the Connectict River upstream from the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant in Vernon. Governor Peter Shumlin again called for Vermont Yankee to operate extraction wells to test for radionuclides. Vermont Yankee responded that it has an extensive system of testing wells, none of which has detected strontium-90.
The governor issued the following statement Tuesday following the strontium-90 report:
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The US Small Business Administration announced today that Essex, Orange and Washington counties in Vermont have been added to the disaster declaration for Private Non-Profit Organizations (PNPs) that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature. Sept. 6, 2011 is the deadline to submit a disaster loan application for physical damages caused by the severe storms and flooding that occurred on May 26-27.
PNPs that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature in Caledonia County are also eligible for disaster loans from the SBA. Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.
by tim
The Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration (BISHCA) will hold a public hearing to review proposed hospital budgets and take comments from the public on August 4 from 1:30 pm to 5 pm.
BISHCA Commissioner Steve Kimbell and Acting Deputy Commissioner Mike Davis will lead the hearing at the Vermont Department of Labor, 5 Green Mountain Drive in Montpelier. For the convenience of Vermonters around the state, ten additional sites will provide an interactive video link-up to the hearing:
Bennington - Senior Citizen's Service Center, 124 Pleasant Street
Brattleboro - Brattleboro Union High School, 131 Fairground Rd, Room 125
Lyndonville - 1001 College Road, Lyndon State College
Middlebury - 51 Charles Ave, Hannaford Career Center, 2nd Floor
Newport - North Country Union High School, 209 Veterans Ave.
Rutland - 8 Stratton Road, Stafford Technical Center, Room 108
by tim
Fiske Guide to Colleges in 2012 and the Princeton Review’s Best 376 Colleges 2012 edition. The Fiske Guide is widely sold as ‘the #1 best-selling guide to colleges.’ And the Princeton Review’s Best 376 Colleges is called ‘the Princeton Review’s flagship college guide.’
‘We’re very pleased to be included in these guides; we know that these are among the most important resources for students and their parents in making college choices, so it’s wonderful for Saint Michael’s to be described in books that get into the hands of so many families across the nation,’ said Saint Michael’s President John J Neuhauser.
by tim
Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) Celebrates 40 Years of Organic Farming and Launches First Capital Campaign
4’0 years ago in Putney, Vermont, a small group of farmers gathered to talk about how to market their crops, be better farmers, and share their techniques for growing wholesome, healthy food. That was the beginning of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA). There are now 7 NOFA chapters in the Northeast. Since 1971, NOFA Vermont has facilitated the extraordinary growth in Vermont’s food landscape through educational programs, establishment of farmers’ markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and development of an organic certification program, Vermont Organic Farmers.
by tim
Agri-Mark, Inc, a Methuen, Massachusetts-based dairy cooperative that does business under the name Cabot Creamery Cooperative, has agreed to settle claims by Vermont Attorney General William H Sorrell that the company misrepresented the ‘rBST-free’ nature of the milk used to make some of its products. Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), also known as recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), is a synthesized hormone that is sometimes given to dairy cows by injection to increase milk production. The settlement requires Agri-Mark to pay $65,000 to the State of Vermont, to donate $75,000 worth of dairy products to local food banks, and to take steps to prevent misrepresentations in the future and accurately inform the public as to the rBST status of its products.
by tim
Some Vermonters saw their homes and cars swamped by this spring's heavy rains and floods, while others saw their jobs or businesses swept away.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is helping put the state's economy back on track, not only by providing financial assistance to families and businesses, but also by hiring residents in Vermont to help with the recovery efforts and spending money in the local economy.
The agency has hired 10 Vermonters in various positions around the state, according to FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer Craig Gilbert, who noted that the roughly 150 workers at the agency's Joint Field Office in Burlington are the equivalent of a large business locating there.
by tim
Individuals from Vermont's leading hotels, B&Bs, resorts, inns, restaurants, shops, attractions, and recreation destinations will gather in Woodstock for the Annual Hospitality Gala in November.
Celebrating Vermont's tourism industry and its contributions to Vermont’s economy, the highlight of the Gala is honoring five individuals with the hospitality industry's most prestigious awards: Borden Avery Innkeeper of the Year, Chef of the Year, Restaurateur of the Year, B&B Innkeeper of the Year, and Allied Member of the Year.
Award winning businesses/people will:
Demonstrate superior management ability as reflected in a successful business
Display commitment to training, motivating, and furthering self-improvement of staff
Promote and support legislation beneficial to the hospitality industry on local, state, and national levels; and
Provide consistent leadership within the community
by tim
In a partnership expected to elevate Vermont’s travel and tourism business, Ski Vermont and Heritage Aviation today announced a formal cross-promotional marketing agreement.
The new partnership establishes Heritage Aviation as the official air charter, Fixed Base Operator (FBO), and aircraft maintenance services partner of Ski Vermont. Ski Vermont is the association of Vermont’s 18 alpine and 30 Nordic ski areas.
‘Ski Vermont and Heritage Aviation share a passion for providing the highest quality service,’ said Parker Riehle, President of Vermont Ski Areas Association. ‘Ski Vermont’s work with Heritage Aviation will introduce general aviation passengers and aircraft owners to the distinction and authenticity of Vermont’s mountain lifestyle,’ he continued.
by tim
Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) reported second quarter 2011 earnings of $1.76 per share on as-reported and operational bases versus $1.65 for the second quarter of 2010. A far-flung energy company based in New Orleans, Entergy owns the Vermont Yankee nuclear power station in Vernon, Vermont.
Table 1: Consolidated Earnings ‘ Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
Second Quarter and Year-to-Date 2011 vs. 2010
(Per share in U.S. $)
Second Quarter
Year-to-Date
2011
2010
Change
2011
2010
Change
As-Reported Earnings
1.76
1.65
0.11
3.14
2.77
0.37