A fresh spin on old favorites is the order of the day at the Green Mountain Inn as recently named Executive Chef Cody Vasek infuses his extensive culinary expertise into the creation of contemporary new menus for the inn’s restaurants. Vasek’s richly diverse background traces its roots to his family farm in Texas and extends to include an apprenticeship with a west coast master fisherman, the title of four-time Houston Chowhounds Throwdown winner and training directly with renowned Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten in New York.

The GridWise Alliance has announced seven new and returning members to its Board of Directors, all of whom are strongly committed to advancing the organization's efforts to build and expand the nation's smart grid. Three new directors replace directors whose two-year terms were completed, while four of the directors were voted to a second term.

The Agency of Commerce and Community Development today announced that Brent Raymond has joined the state agency as the new director of the Vermont Global Trade Partnership.

Raymond will be directing the work of the agency’s international trade office. The office assists Vermont businesses of all sizes with international trade-related educational seminars, trade show participation, technical assistance and one-on-one consulting services. The office provides funding to help Vermont businesses access international markets.

Dr. Traci Griffith, Saint Michael’s College Associate Professor of Media Studies, Journalism and Digital Arts, and a resident of Williston, was elected to be vice-president of the Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, and was appointed by Governor Shumlin to serve on the Vermont Humanities Council. Professor Griffith also serves on the board of Vermont Public Radio.

Professor Griffith will be speaking about media representations of Martin Luther King Jr. and the issue of race, at the city of Burlington speak out on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 16th.