HEY, UPPER VALLEY! IT'S FRIDAY...
And there's a warming trend! No, I know it doesn't feel like it. It's, like, -4 out there right now. But today brings for-real sunshine, and the weather service promises "a beautiful spring-like day." Even more so tomorrow. Next chance for precip isn't until Sunday, starting as snow, shifting to cold drizzle as temps rise. Watch it on those dirt roads during the changeover.A whole mess of crows--we're talking thousands--have been drawing comment for their nighttime conventions in Lebanon. Lots of Hitchcock jokes, of course. Turns out this is typical wintertime crow behavior, which the Vermont Center for Ecostudies' Kent McFarland explained a couple of years ago. I know, I know, it's a "murder" of crows, not a convention. But who needs to go there first thing in the morning?Sharon discussing security cameras. Drug activity at the park-and-ride off I-89 versus privacy concerns. The issue was broached at town meeting by the father of the Royalton teen whose remains were found in Norwich last year. Town meeting turned it down, but the SB will take it up at its next meeting.Affordable housing in Norwich sustains another setback. A group that had hoped to develop two parcels north of town has withdrawn its bid after septic issues forced it to scale back and its development partners, including Twin Pines, withdrew. (VN, subscription required)"Most-wanted" man from Massachusetts captured in Woodstock. From near New Bedford, he'd allegedly stolen over $100,000 from his elderly father, evaded police for two years. His hometown police got a tip that he'd gone to ground in Vermont.NH House passes death-penalty repeal. It's tried in the past, only to get vetoed. This time it passed by a veto-proof majority. Supporters in the Senate believe they have enough votes to override if Gov. Chris Sununu does opt to veto.And votes to repeal NH's restrictive new voter laws. When the GOP controlled Concord, its lawmakers tightened up on documentation and residency requirements. Now Dems have the statehouse, and are trying to reverse the moves.Crowdfunding platform for women entrepreneurs launched in NH. The hope is to provide a "low-risk path" to funding, to help fledgling businesses get off the ground.VT Blue Cross-Blue Shield is delaying payments, and small medical practices are taking it on the chin. A new BCBS operating system is making it hard to verify claims. Small private practices are struggling -- including delaying payroll and taking out loans.Vermont worries about its low ranking for tech and innovation. It's just announced a set of "innovation grants" to small businesses. The state came in 47th in innovation in a study last year, and software development growth lags behind other states. Not clear how much a one-time, $150,000-total program will accomplish on that front.Goat elected Fair Haven VT's honorary mayor. Aren't you glad you waded through all that serious news to get to this? The three-year-old Nubian beat out dogs, cats, and a gerbil named Cyril to take the post.NOW ITS TIME TO MAKE SOME PLANS FOR TONIGHT... You might want to think about Cyrille Aimée, for instance. She'll be at Spruce Peak in Stowe. It's a drive, but it's going to be a beautiful twinkly night and if you're into jazz vocalists -- or even if you're not but are open-minded enough that you could be -- she'll be worth the trip. "There's a sense that she is in touch with something wild, free and authentic... and it elicits whoops of joy from her fans," one critic wrote. Take a listen. Or you could think about Mini Mud at the Chandler in Randolph. It's the 12th annual showcase for young talent -- as in, 9-18 years old -- from central Vermont. Singing, dancing, jazz, and a lot of boisterousness with a touch of self-consciousness thrown in.Or heck, maybe you just want to stick close to home and sing yourself. Circle singing at the Upper Valley Music Center in Lebanon. "Draws on traditions of chant, jazz and gospel improvisation...to create one-of-a-kind choral improvisations." Whatever you do, get some sun today and tomorrow. We so need it. See you Monday!
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