Current News

Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Group (PMRG) Annual National Conference (ANC) keynote speakers Governor Howard Dean, MD, and Senator Bill Frist, MD, recently tackled one of today's most pressing issues ‘ the future of health care reform ‘ and what it may mean for the pharmaceutical industry.
This dynamic discussion, hailed by those in attendance as both informative and refreshingly non-partisan, left the audience of 500 industry professionals encouraged about the evolving realities of reform and inspired to continue the conversation about new ideas for successful implementation. Those members who were unable to make the trip to the ANC this year can now view the presentation online at www.PMRG.org.
Examining the Affordable Care Act

Men's sports, urban and transportation futures and the American diet -- the Burack President's Distinguished Lecture Series will tackle these varied topics in four talks scheduled throughout April. All are free and open to the public.
Michael Messner, professor of sociology and gender studies at the University of Southern California, will speak Tuesday, April 12 at 4 p.m. in North Lounge Billings on "From Boys to Men: The Shifting Culture of Men's Sports."
Messner's teaching and research has focused on gender and sport, men and masculinities, and gender and violence. He is the author of several books, including most recently It's All For the Kids: Gender, Families and Youth Sports.

Thanks to a 300-inch snowfall year, Sugarbush will remain open through Easter Sunday on April 24, 2011 â ¦ at least.
To celebrate the long spring season, Sugarbush is announcing deep lift ticket and lodging discounts, including free skiing and riding for the rest of the spring for purchasers of 2011-2012 season passes.
‘We’re feeling the positive aftershocks of the third snowiest winter on record here in Vermont,’ said Sugarbush president and owner Win Smith. ‘The mountain still has a superb amount of snow, and with warmer weather here it’s just a fabulous, fun time to be on the hill.’
The special spring deals at Sugarbush include:
· Free skiing or riding for the rest of the 2011 spring, for those who buy a 2011-2012 season pass (All Mountain 7, Mount Ellen Plus, Fancy Pass, or College Pass
· $48 per person, per night, spring vacation lodging packages at the luxurious Clay Brook slopeside hotel.

ImmuneWorks, Inc. recently partnered with The University of Vermont in Burlington to conduct a clinical trial for a new idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treatment. The Phase I clinical trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and biologic effects of three doses of IW001 in patients suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a serious lung disease.
For more information about The University of Vermont in Burlington clinical trial for IPF, visit ImmuneWorks’ website at www.ImmuneWorks.com.

As Vermont debates over whether or not to become the next state to pass the Death with Dignity Bill giving terminally ill patients the choice on ending their own lives, HBO will give a sneak preview of the HBO Documentary Film ‘HOW TO DIE IN OREGON’ to an invitation-only audience. Winner of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival U.S. Documentary Grand Jury Award, this film is an extraordinarily powerful, compassionate and intimate exploration of Oregon’s historic and controversial Death with Dignity Act.
WHO: Filmmaker Peter Richardson will participate in a discussion with moderator Anne Galloway, editor of vtdigger.org.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 13, 2011
6:30 p.m. - Screening
8:15 p.m. ‘ Discussion with Filmmaker Peter Richardson
WHERE: Majestic 10
190 Boxwood St.

Dr Robert E Simpson, president and chief executive officer of The Brattleboro Retreat, has been chosen by the American Hospital Association (AHA) as the hospital leader in Vermont who did the most in 2010 to help broaden the base of community support for hospitals, to advocate on behalf of patients, and to deliver the hospital message to elected officials.
‘In just a few years, Rob has become a state and national leader on mental health issues,’ said M. Bea Grause, president and chief executive officer of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. ‘His commitment to providing compassionate, effective healing to adults and children has helped to both transform the Brattleboro Retreat and shape state and national policy in many arenas. We are lucky to have him here in Vermont.’

FairPoint Communications has expanded broadband to hundreds more homes and businesses in Fairfax, Weathersfield, Brandon, Killington and Mendon.
These new broadband rollouts are part of FairPoint’s pledge to bring total broadband coverage to half of its exchanges this year and are part of the company’s new fiber-based, high-capacity network called VantagePoint(sm).
‘VantagePoint is enabling us to expand broadband service into areas with no high-speed Internet access and provide enhanced services across the state,’ said Michael K. Smith, FairPoint state president for Vermont. ‘Broadband availability opens the doors to the world for the residents and businesses in Vermont and is fundamental to the state’s future economic growth.’

You don’t need to search for it online. It’s true. Ben & Jerry’s gives away free ice cream. The annual event is a way to say thanks to those who have supported the company since the beginning. To continue the tradition, Ben & Jerry’s outlets across the globe will open their doors from noon ‘ 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12 to serve up the newest, super-premium quality and values-led flavors featuring even more Fair Trade certified ingredients than ever before.
This year’s newest flavors being offered in Scoop Shops include:
Late Night Snack inspired by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon ‘ Vanilla Bean Ice Cream made with Fair Trade certified vanilla, a Salty Caramel Swirl & Fudge Covered Potato Chip Clusters (the fudge uses Fair Trade certified cocoa, too)!

In conjunction with its Extra Innings Weekend this weekend, Bolton Valley Resort has announced that it is extending its early-bird season pass purchase deadline until Sunday, April 10 as well. The resort, just 30 minutes from Burlington, currently is offering the lowest prices on next year’s All-Access Season Pass until the new purchase deadline.
‘The Extra Innings weekend has become a quick hit, and we felt that extending the season pass deadline through until the last day of this season made sense,’ said Bolton Valley President George B. Potter. ‘With extra days to purchase your season pass, the ‘extra’ them will be running wild at Bolton Valley this weekend for sure!’

At its 2011 town meeting on March 1, the Town of Berlin approved a policy that allows the town Select Board to negotiate tax stabilization agreements with business owners who choose to locate, expand or improve properties in town. Select Board members believe that the policy offers a valuable incentive for business owners to move into Berlin, whose location and infrastructure already offer a lot of advantages.
‘Berlin is an ideal location, central within the state, just off I-89 and is home to E.F. Knapp State Airport,’ said Select Board Chair Susan Gretkowski. ‘We also have ample property available for business development, both in our business park and other designated areas in accordance with the Town Plan. Businesses like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, UPS, Staples, TJ Maxx, Price Chopper, Central Vermont Medical Center, and many others have chosen to locate here, and we’d like to welcome many more,’ she said.

Eight small business owners and two small business advocates have been selected by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) for outstanding success in their chosen fields.
Rick Cochran, owner of Mobile Medical International Corporation (MMIC), St Johnsbury, Vermont, has been named the SBA 2011 Vermont Small Business Person of the Year. Nominated by Aaron Melville, Attorney at Law, St Johnsbury, VT, Cochran was selected for exceptional leadership related to his staying power, employee growth, increase in sales, innovative ingenuity and contributions to the community. Mr. Cochran will compete for the national title at National Small Business Week ceremonies in Washington, D.C., May 18-20, 2011.

A 2010 Public Space Award presented to Wilmington's River Bank Park
by five different organizations: the Vermont American Society of
Landscape Architects, Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Council,
American Society of Civil Engineers, Vermont Planners Association and
AIA Vermont.
Thursday March 31st, there was a Statehouse Ceremony wherein
Administration Secretary Jeb Spaulding presented the prestigeous award to
Joseph Cincotta, Architect, LineSync Architecture.
"The Awards Committee was particularly impressed with the beautiful
design incorporating local materials. Most indicative of the park's
success was how much thought went behind each detail of the design
from the lowered walking deck to the arbor weight used in stabilizing
the antique stone wall, to the mini amphitheater for gatherings.
LineSync Architecture does an excellent job at communicating the
design intent."