Current News

Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos announced today that he has accepted an appointment as Co‐Chair of the Elections Committee for the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). Condos, a Democrat, will jointly lead the committee with Utah Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell, a Republican. The committee is dedicated to informing members about state election administration practices and laws, tracking proposed federal legislation and election reform proposals and developing policy positions for consideration by the organization.

The Outdoor Gear Exchange (OGE), an outdoor retailer that has been a part of the Burlington community for over 15 years, announced today that this May it will move into the Church Street space currently occupied by Old Navy. By more than doubling the amount of retail space, this move will allow for expanded inventory and product selection, improved displays, more jobs and a better overall shopping experience. The move will also allow for increased back-office, warehousing, and gearx.com distribution space.
‘After many years, we’ve simply outgrown our current space on Cherry Street,’ said Marc Sherman, OGE co-owner and visionary. ‘Finding a big enough space in the heart of downtown Burlington was difficult but we were committed to staying in this community. When we heard Old Navy was moving out, we jumped on the opportunity to acquire the space. It feels good to move our locally owned store into a spot previously filled by a national retail chain.’

The Vermont House of Representatives has passed H.73, a bill increases transparency and accountability in state government. The legislation will provide for greater access to public records and allow for better enforcement of the Vermont Public Records Act (PRA).
The public records law as it currently stands is very complex and full of exemptions, making enforcement inconsistent across agencies. H. 73 seeks to make access to public records more readily available and the process understandable. The bill also sets up a process to review the necessity of current exemptions.
‘The current public records act is confusing for both individuals requesting access to records and those agencies providing the records,’ said Speaker Shap Smith. ‘By clarifying current law, state government will be more responsive to its citizens’with transparency, efficiency and accountability.’

Virginia L Hood, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., F.R.A.C.P., F.A.C.P., professor of medicine at the University of Vermont, has been elected 2011-2012 president of the American College of Physicians (ACP), the nation’s largest medical specialty organization. UVM medical alumnus David Bronson, M.D.'73, F.A.C.P., president of Cleveland Clinic Regional Hospitals, has been named president-elect. Their terms began during Internal Medicine 2011, ACP’s annual scientific meeting, held April 7 to 9, 2011 in San Diego, Calif.

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)!