On Wednesday, January 20th, at 6:30pm, Phoenix Books Rutland will host Jeffrey Amestoy for a talk on his new book, Slavish Shore: The Odyssey of Richard Henry Dana Jr.

Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) Foundation has announced the appointment of Carson Thurber as senior gifts officer. Thurber was assistant principal at the Stratton Mountain School in Stratton, VT, and vendor coordinator for Burton Snowboard Company in Burlington, VT. In his new role, he will support the SVHC Foundation in its mission to raise funds for SVHC.

The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) is a non-profit organization created by the State of Vermont to help develop Vermont’s sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and forest product market sectors. Executive Director, Ellen Kahler, announces the following appointments.

Gov. Peter Shumlin announced four judicial appointments today. Burlington attorney John Pacht will fill a judgeship recently funded to help address increasing caseloads related to child protection and opiate-abuse across Vermont. Chittenden County Deputy State’s Attorney Mary Morrissey will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Michael Kupersmith. Windsor County State’s Attorney Michael Kainen will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John Wesley.

To stabilize and expand access to pediatric care in Franklin County, Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) has worked with local physicians to create Northwestern Pediatrics. As of December 31, 2015, five Pediatricians from the former Mousetrap Pediatrics practice are now employed in the new Northwestern Pediatrics: Dr. Chip Chiappinelli, Dr. Deanne Haag, Dr. Roya Mansoorani, Dr. Stacy Strouse, and Dr. Heidi Zvolensky.

William Shouldice & Associates LLC, a government relations and lobbying firm, announced that Tess Kennedy has joined as a Government Relations Associate.

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, has promoted Rich Newman to North American Director of Facilities. Based in Williston, Vt., he is responsible for the management and oversight for all 2,400 TD stores, branches and corporate spaces in the U.S. and Canada.

The 2015 Lyndon State College Outstanding Young Alumni Award for 2015 was awarded to Matthew Cyr ’05 for his achievements in broadcast television.

Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) has announced the hiring of Lucie Kidd as a full-time member of the staff. As VBSR’s Office Manager/Bookkeeper, Kidd will focus on making sure the office systems and functions run smoothly, members and service providers are accurately invoiced and paid, and that VBSR members have another person they can contact if they have questions or needs. “When I saw the VBSR position, it spoke to me.

Eswar Tipirneni, MD, recently joined University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center Adult Primary Care, Hematology and Oncology. The practice provides all aspects of medical oncology care and outpatient infusion services, including chemotherapy, for adults with cancer and blood-related diseases.