Health

Public Philosophy Week: Science, Philosophy, and Making Meaning in a More-Than-Human World 04/01/2025

From the organizer:

What happens when we take other species seriously when learning about the nature of the world (ontology), how and what we can know about it (epistemology), and how we should live (ethics)? Hosted by Jules Lees and Kristian Brevik.

For more information: www.publicphilosophyweek.org

Public Philosophy Week: What Does It Mean to Belong? Signing Deaf Individuals in Hearing-Centric Spaces 03/30/2025

From the organizer:

This session explores the meaning of belonging and how it differs between signing Deaf individuals and English-speaking nondeaf individuals. While belonging is widely promoted in education, we must critically examine how it is fostered when different groups may conceptualize belonging in fundamentally different ways. Hosted by John Pirone.

For more information: www.publicphilosophyweek.org

Vermont Stands Up: Mask-Free School Attendance 03/26/2025

From Vermont Stands Up:

Since 2020 those wishing to attend schools in-person have had to confront a range of face mask requirements. A group of dedicated Vermonters who are concerned about the negative effects of masks in schools has crafted a bill to prohibit educational institutions from requiring any student, staff or visitor to wear a
mask for in-person attendance.

Hear from organizers as they discuss ongoing intiatives. Organizers include:

Amy Hornblas, Health Educator, amyvt.com
Alison Despathy, Nutritionist and author, alisondespathy.substack.com
Robert Kaplan, Attorney in Burlington, Kaplan & Kaplan
Steven O'Connor, Attorney in California, National Health Freedom Action

House Bill 393,“An act relating to the prohibition of requiring face masks in schools,” was crafted with legal and technical assistance from National Health Freedom Action and is now awaiting consideration by the Vermont House Committee on Education.

The group supporting the bill was organized by Amy Hornblas, a health educator and director of Vermont Stands Up. Ms. Hornblas points out that masking requirements imposed on students and staff over the past 5 years have included a range of unscientific practices, such as double-masking, playing sports and outside recess with masks on and requiring people to wear them all day in hot environments.

Readers can find the references and videos linked above at: amyvt.com. They can also sign the petition and track the bill’s progress by joining the health freedom group at: VermontStandsUp.org.

Larner College of Medicine at UVM: Match Day 03/21/2025

CCTV Productions 24-117.

Land Matters: Why Save Open Lands? 03/18/2025

From the South Burlington Land Trust:

Rosanne Greco, President of the South Burlington Land Trust (SBLT), and Dr Allan Strong, Member of Board of Directors of the SBLT, and UVM Professor in Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, discuss the South Burlington Land Trust and why it is important to save open land space.

For more information visit: https://www.sblt.org/

Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak: Burlington Public Forum on Community Safety: Hate and Bias Incidents 03/13/2025

From the Mayor's Office:

Join Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak and other City Leaders for a Public Forum on Community Safety. These forums happen bi-monthly, and offer residents an opportunity to hear from City staff, community partners, and experts to discuss health and safety related topics.

The March 13 Forum will focus on hate and bias incidents.

Panelists:

Julio Thompson, Assistant Attorney General
Jim Carrier, Journalist and Human Rights Activist
Big Hartman, Director, Vermont Human Rights Commission
Melissa Battah, Director, Vermont Interfaith Action

To contact the Burlington Mayor's Office, visit: www.burlingtonvt.gov/Mayor

Hidden WHYs of the F-35s: Vermont Air National Guard's Manipulation of the Basing Process 03/12/2025

From Rosanne Greco:

Host Colonel Rosanne Greco chats with Julie Macuga about the F35's being in Vermont and their impact on Vermonters in part two of this episode.

RAFT Public Information Session 03/11/2025

From MMCTV:

With increased severe weather here in Vermont, individual preparedness is more important than ever. Harry Schoppmann of Vermont Emergency Management provides an overview of the hazards we face, briefly touching on the last two summer's flooding events, discussing steps you can take to be more prepared for the next emergency, and providing information on how you can help your neighbors.
Sponsored by RAFT - a new volunteer long-term recovery group serving Richmond, Hinesburg, and Huntington. Recorded by MMCTV on 3/11/25 at the Richmond Free Library.

All Brains Belong VT - Brain Club: Neurodivergence & Work with Special Guest Annie Crowe 03/11/2025

All Brains Belong VT

Stand Up For Science March 03/07/2025

From the organizers:

Join us to Stand up for Science in Vermont and Nationwide! On Friday, March 7 we will be marching in Burlington to help spread the message of the vital role science plays in our lives and economy, with the intention of:

Securing and expanding scientific funding
Ending censorship and political interference in science
Defending diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in science

We also hope to educate Vermonters that federal research grants, including indirect costs, support local jobs. Anyone organizing or participating will do so as individuals and not on behalf of any institution.

The goal of this peaceful march is to educate Vermonters, draw attention to the Trump administration's intentional crippling of our scientific infrastructure, and send a message that we will not accept this attack on scientific progress. We expect participants to abide by the laws of the City of Burlington and to be mindful of and not obstruct traffic along the route, as intersections will not be closed for this march.

Please visit the official website to hear more about the goals of the rally and for tips on how to prepare for participation. This includes making signs without sticks and ignoring agitators. https://standupforscience2025.org

Featured Story

CCTV Celebrates Community Media Day!

October 20th is Community Media Day (CMD), a celebration of free speech, local storytelling, and the power of community voices! CMD recognizes the essential role that public access TV stations and community media centers play in strengthening democracy: keeping local news accessible, amplifying underrepresented voices, and building connections across our neighborhoods. In honor of CMD, a few of our dedicated Community Producers shared why community media matters to them. I encourage you to check it out.