BLCP Connections
April 15, 2011
In This Issue
Summit on Community Design, Aging and Active Living
Planning for Burlington's Downtown & Waterfront
Can Good Bus Service Improve Your Health?
AARP Vermont Member Deals
We Need to Talk Seminar
Volunteer Spotlight
Calendar of Events

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The time to act is now! The deadline is approaching for AARP's Community Action Sponsorships. Check out www.blcp.org and find out how these small grants could make a big difference in your neighborhood.  Four projects will be funded this year for up to $2,000 each. Deadline for applications is May 6, 2011.

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 You're Invited!

Summit on Community Design, Aging and Active Living

  

Sometimes it takes an outsider to give us real perspective on our own communities - what makes them special and how they could be better.  That's part of what Dan Burden will bring to attendees at the Summit on Community Design, Aging and Active Living on May 6 at the Hilton Hotel in Burlington.

 

Burden is an internationally recognized expert on walkability, livability, sustainability and smart growth.  He works with cities and towns across the country on innovative approaches to street design, traffic claming, public safety, bicycling and greenways.

 

Join us for his presentation, discussion and lunch.  The event is free and open to the public.  Look here for more information and to register.  

RESIDENTS INVITED TO JOIN IN PLANNING FOR FUTURE OF BURLINGTON'S DOWNTOWN AND WATERFRONT

 

Burlington's Department of Planning and Zoning is launching a major effort to develop a downtown and waterfront plan. This 18 month project will focus on ways to promote and improve mixed uses and good urban design, affordable and workforce housing, transportation and parking management, and public infrastructure quality. In conjunction with City funds, this effort is possible through a Sustainable Communities Challenge Grant awarded to the City by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. City residents are encouraged to engage in this process and contribute their ideas on the future they envision for Burlington.

 

For older residents this project is particularly important. Seven of the city's fifteen senior living facilities lie within the boundaries of the study area or are immediately adjacent. Many older residents have chosen apartment buildings or condos in the downtown area in order to downsize, get rid of a car and easily access all that the city has to offer. A vibrant downtown with a variety of housing and transportation options helps contribute to a high quality of life for older residents.

 

The first stage of the project is to collect data on existing conditions in the project study area. This behind-the-scenes work will be conducted over the summer and will set the stage for a dynamic, interactive public planning process slated to begin in the fall. To follow this project and learn how you can participate, check out the Planning and Zoning website or sign up on Facebook at Burlington Downtown & Waterfront Plan.  

Can Good Bus Service Improve Your Health?

 

We all know that public transportation helps people who don't drive get around the community. We also know that it can save you money and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But did you know it can improve your health? A recent report for the American Public Transportation Association, found that people who live in communities with high-quality public transportation drive less, exercise more, live longer and are generally healthier than residents of communities that lack quality public transit.  The study, conducted by the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, found that public transportation contributed to positive health impacts in a variety of areas from reduced vehicle crashes, to fewer air pollutants, to greater access to medical care. The simple step of walking to the nearest bus stop provides most public transit users with the recommended amount of daily exercise. In addition, the study found that "improving public transit can be one of the most cost effect ways to achieve public health objectives, and public health improvements are among the largest benefits provided by high quality public transit...."

Special Deals for AARP Vermont Members

 

The advantages of being an AARP member just got a lot better.  As an AARP member in Vermont you can take advantage of a host of special offers and discounts negotiated with you and your family in mind.  Whether it's a night of jazz, a Willie Nelson concert, a day of golf or a trip to the circus there's something for everyone in this summer's slate of events. 

 

Here's a list of the activities coming up:

  • VSO outdoor concerts at Shelburne Farms, Quechee Polo Grounds and Mountain Top Inn in Chittenden
  • AARP Day of Country Music featuring Willie Nelson at the Champlain Fairgrounds
  • Herbie Hancock at the Flynn
  • Circus Smirkus at the Champlain Fairgrounds
  • AARP Day at Stowe for alpine slide, gondola rides, bungee tramp and more
  • AARP Day of Golf at Kwiniaska
  • Special membership deal for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UVM

For more information on the discounts, activities, dates/times and how to get your tickets, click here.  Call 802-951-1303 for more information.

We Need to Talk Seminar Offers Tips for Talking with Older Drivers

Families and Friends Can Learn Keys to Successful Conversations
 

AARP volunteers have launched a new program that helps family caregivers and friends start successful conversations with their loved ones about remaining active and participating in the community when it is time to limit or stop driving.

 

The free seminar entitled We Need to Talk is a program developed by AARP based on information created jointly by The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab.  The AARP Driver Safety Program is offering the free seminar to the public to better meet the growing needs of adults who are caring for aging parents and are concerned about making a smooth transition from driving to not driving. Workshops have been held at Copley Hospital in Morrisville and another is scheduled there May 21 and in Burlington on May 17.  Other sites around the state are being sought to host events.

  

During the We Need to Talk seminar, a trained AARP volunteer facilitator teaches participants how to:

  • Better understand the psychological and social impact of limiting or stopping driving;
  • Recognize the warning signs indicating an older driver may need to limit or stop driving;
  • Identify opportunities to hold "family conversations"; and
  • Help meet transportation needs if driving is limited.

Upcoming workshops are scheduled at the AARP office in Burlington on May 17 and at Copley Hospital in Morrisville on May 21. Call 802-888-3394 or 802-483-3665 for more information.  

 

 

Volunteer Spotlight 

United Way of Chittenden County Volunteer Center is looking for volunteers age 55 plus who can make a real difference at the Sara Holbrook Community Center.  Volunteers are needed to work with immigrant and refugee children in New Arrivals, a summer program for children who are English language learners. Since 1989, the Sara Holbrook Center has offered the New Arrivals program that serves children in preschool through 8th grade. Volunteers work with an experienced ELL teacher in a classroom, helping children continue their English language learning. Volunteers work one on one with children, chaperone field trips, and assist the teacher in the classroom and much more. The program runs Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 12:30pm.

 

Volunteers must be able to commit to at least one day a week, 4 1/2 hours per day, for the entire length of the program (5 weeks).

 

If you would like to help with the New Arrivals program at the Sara Holbrook community Center, call us today at 860-1677 or email: nancy@unitedwaycc.org

 

You can find many other volunteer opportunities at the United Way of Chittenden County Volunteer Center's online searchable database: www.unitedwaycc.org  and click on "Volunteer Now".

Calendar of Events


April 19
Channel 17 Live @ 5:25

Burlington Livable Community Project show with the Burlington Walk/Bike Council

Find out how this group is advocating for improvements to walking and biking in Burlington.

Call in at 862-3966

 

April 21
PACE Monthly Learning Series

All Those Documents Explained: Advance Directives, Living Wills, etc.

Presenter: Aaron Goldberg, Esq., Elder Law Attorney

Fanny Allen Campus of PACE

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

For more information: 655-6700

 

April 30

Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Turn in unused or expired medications to protect yourself, the children in your life and the environment.

Burlington Police Department, 1 North Avenue

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

For more information and additional collection sites in Chittenden County: www.dea.gov

 

May 3

3rd Annual Celebration Dinner with the Jenni Johnson Band

Hosted by Celebrating Seniors in Vermont

Burlington Elks Lodge, 925 North Avenue

4:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Tickets $12/person, reservation deadline April 28

Call Heineberg Senior Center 863-3982 or Jeanne at 288-8117

 

May 6

Summit on Community Design, Aging, and Active Living

Learn how complete streets principles, smart growth and a community design that supports active living contribute to successful aging.  

Sponsored by AARP

Keynote Speaker Dan Burden of the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute

Hilton Hotel, 60 Battery Street

9:30 - 2:30

Free and open to the public, lunch provided

RSVP required: vt@aarp.org or 951-1315

 

May 13

Fun, Food and Fortune Event to benefit HomeShare Vermont

This annual fundraising event includes food donated by the finest local restaurants, a chance to win great raffle items (JetBlue vouchers, Red Sox tickets, and more), live entertainment and a silent auction.

Sunset Ballroom, 1712 Shelburne Road, So. Burlington

5:30-8:30 p.m.

$35 per person

Purchase tickets: http://homesharevermont.org/ or call 863-5625