Family Events:

Holiday Stories
Children of all ages are invited to come and enjoy holiday stories and special treats. Please register.Thursday, December 11th at 6:30 pm South Burlington Community Library 550 Dorset Street

Story Time for Toddlers
For toddlers to age 3 to enjoy listening to stories, nursery rhymes, and finger plays. Please register. Tuesdays at 10:00am South Burlington Community Library 550 Dorset Street

Story Time for Babies
For non-walking babies and their parents to enjoy simple stories, songs and nursery rhymes. Library is closed Thursday, December 25 & January 1. Please register. Thursdays at 10:00am, South Burlington Community Library 550 Dorset Street

Literacy Story Time for 3-5 Year Olds
For children ages 3-5 years old to enjoy stories by a different author each week as well as puppets, rhythm activities, and a simple craft. There will be no story hour Friday, December 26. Please register. Fridays at 10:00am South Burlington Community Library 550 Dorset Street

Outreach Story Times: Mrs. Marje, our Children’s Librarian, will visit area day care centers and pre-schools to read stories every Wednesday morning. South Burlington Community Library 550 Dorset Street

Children's Miniature Horse and Buggy RidesChurch Street Marketplace, Top Block 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. FREE Courtesy of Fair Point Communications. Join us on the Top Block of Church Street for delightful rides in holiday bedecked carriages pulled by miniature horses from the Green Mountain Miniature Horse Club.

Bebop Playgroup
Adults indulge in coffee and bagels while kids up to age 3 meet their peers. Saturdays through Dec 13, 10AM at Bebop Baby Shop in Essex Junction, Free

ECHO Storytime - Young explorers discover the wonders of the natural world through books and imaginative play. Tuesdays through Dec 30, 11AM at ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington $7-9.50

Monday Music - Local musician Mia Adams tells stories and sings kid-friendly faves. In the JC Penney seating area Mondays, through Dec 8, 10, 10:30AM University Mall in South Burlington, Free

Tae Kwon Do K.I.C.K.S. Family Classes,
Children ages 4-6 and their parents from 3:45-4:30 p.m. and children ages 7-adult from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tae Kwon Do lessons for the whole family starting with children as young as 4 through adults. Learn punching and kicking techniques along with self-defense. Increase physical strength, flexibility and confidence. Quarterly promotional testing and participation in state-wide tournaments for interested students 877-1022
Family Night Open Jam at the Metronome is every Sunday at 9pm. It’s free to all and family friendly so bring your kids out to the jam.

Family Autism Support 2nd Sunday of every month, 3 - 5 pmMontpelierAdmission: free for more information: 249-7961

Live Animal Feedings
Monday, November 3–Thursday, January 1, 10:30AM, 12:30PM, 3PM
at ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington. $7-9.50For more information: 1-877-ECHOFUN ext. 100
http://www.echovermont.org/

EcoKid's Craft Lab 11 am-1 pm
The Bobbin Sew Bar and Craft Lounge Burlington, Vermont
Kids crafts using recycled materials

Community and Events:

First Friday Art Walk
December 5th, 2008 5:00 PM - 8:00 PMOver forty galleries and art venues stay open late to welcome walkers and share Burlington’s incredible art scene. Take a guided tour or make your own. Pick up your copy of Art Map Burlington, First Friday Art Walk’s official publication, and your guide to art in Burlington or check out www.artmapburlington.com to see a list of participating venues. First Friday Art Walk and Art Map Burlington is sponsored by Art’s Alive, Burlington City Arts, Kasini House, Robert Hull Fleming Museum, and the South End Arts and Business Association. (802) 264-4839 info@artmapburlington.com http://www.artmapburlington.com/

Legacy Town Meeting
Come share your concerns about health, equity and the environment. There will be a FREE Community Dinner, childcare and performances by the Bosnian Lilies and the Burlington High School Jazz Band. The event takes place on December 9 at City Hall in Contois Auditorium from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Contact emerrell@ci.burlington.vt.us for more information.

Thursday, December 11, 13, 14, 18, 19The Best Christmas Pageant EverWaterfront Theatre (60 College at Lake Street) 7:30p.m. "THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER!," presented by Catalyst Theatre Company, is a classic, poignant comedy of a good-hearted Mom trying to put on the annual church Christmas Pageant, despite having to cast "the Herdmans," -- the meanest, nastiest, most inventively awful kids in the whole world! Watch the sparks fly as the Herdmans meet the Nativity in a head on collision! This play is recommended for all ages and focuses on 30 CHILD ACTORS who experience working in a professional atmosphere alongside 10 adult actors. As in past years, numerous parents share the stage with their children, making this a family project. The show does sell out, so get your tickets early by calling 86-FLYNN.
Free Cider and Cookies Friday, December 12Outdoor Gear Exchange (152 Cherry Street) All day long. Warm up with cider and cookies while shopping for your winter gear at the Outdoor Gear Exchange.

Vermont Mozart Festival Celebrates the Holidays
Burlington – December 12, 2008
The Vermont Mozart Festival celebrates the holidays with Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Cantatas 4-6, William Metcalfe, the Oriana Singers and the VMF Chamber Orchestra. Tickets $27.50
First Congregational Church, South Winooski Avenue For more information, visit http://www.vtmozart.org/.

Holiday Gift Wrapping and Table Setting DemoApril Cornell (87 Church Street) December 13, 1:00pm and 6:00pm Stop by April Cornell and gain tips on how to make the perfect holiday table setting for dinner as well as how to create fun holiday gift wrap.

First Night Button SalesBurlington Town Center, December 13, 10:00 am - 4:00pm Purchase your First Night buttons in the Center Court or by the Church Street entrance at Burlington Town Center. Button sales also occurring on Saturday, December 20, and daily starting December 26-30

Community BreakfastDecember 13, 8am at the Second Congregational Church of Hyde Park $7/adults, $5/students and preschoolers are free.
Greek Pastry & Craft SaleDecember 13, 9am-3pm at the Greek Orthodox Church in Burlington, VT
A Christmas CarolFlynn MainStage, December 14, 7:00pmNebraska Theatre Caravan's beautifully staged musical adaption of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol features a 30-member cast, live orchestra, elegant costumes, lively dancing, and show-stopping special effects. This beloved performance shares the tale of tight-fisted, middle-class merchant Ebenezer Scrooge, and ultimately teaches the timeless lesson that a greedy world can be healed by brotherhood and unselfishness. A Flynn holiday tradition for 22 years! For more information call 86-FLYNN.

The VSO Holiday Pops concert
celebrates the season Friday night at the Barre Opera House and on Saturday night at the Flynn Center with both shows at 7:30pm. On Sunday December 14, the show moves to the Paramount Theatre in Rutland at 3pm. The VSO is donating 25% of all ticket sales to the American Red Cross relief services of Vermont.For tickets or the VSO CD "Christmas in Vermont", call 1-800-VSO-9293 or visit http://www.vso.org/

Merrill Lynch at 60 Lake Street in Burlington is again inviting senior citizens to phone family and loved ones anywhere in the world for free on Sunday, December 14th from 9am to 2pm. Refreshments will be served. Call Erin for more information or to make reservations at 660-1029


The Green Mountain Chorus will be caroling to ring in the Holiday season for some of our senior citizens. On Tuesday, December 16, from 6-8PM, the GMC will sing at the Converse Home in Burlington and the Allenwood Senior Residence in South Burlington.
Men's Night Tuesday, December 16, 17, 18Expressions (102 Church Street), 5:00pm - 9:00pmStop by Expressions, enjoy refreshments, bring in a wish list and get help finding something your partner would like. Free gift wrapping as well!

December 14, the Austin Handbell Choir of the First Congregational Church of Burlington on South Winooski Avenue is celebrating its 45th anniversary with a free public concert in the church's sanctuary at 3pm.

Live Fudge and Candy MakingLake Champlain Chocolates (65 Church Street) 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Enjoy free samples of chocolate, fudge and candy made in front of your eyes. This event repeats every Saturday through December 20.

Thanksgiving/Advent ConcertDecember 18, 12:15pm at the First United Methodist Church in Burlington, VT. Concerts are free and all are welcome.

Holiday Artist Market
Friday, December 19–Saturday, December 20, 2008Friday–11-7pm, Saturday–10-6pmContois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall Artists from the BCA Summer Artist Market join together with others to produce a festive holiday market of fine art, craft, and design objects.

2008 Christmas Concert
Gregorian chants are hauntingly beautiful in a way that is difficult to describe. The Fourth Annual Festival of Gregorian Chant and Seasonal Music, starting at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, the 21st of December. This concert is also free and located at the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel. The music will be performed by the Vermont Gregorian Chant Schola.

December 24, 2008 Christmas Eve!!!
December 26-January 1, 2009 Kwanza!!!

First Night December 31
New Years Eve festival showcasing 500 performing artists including children’s activities, magic, comedy, theater, and more at 32 venues downtown.
New Years Eve Ball Dec. 31 - Jan. 1 Burlington
Join ballroom dance fans of all ages as we dance in the New Year Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center. 6:30pm -12:30am. Entry Fee, Info: 802-598-6757. Wheelchair accessible,
Web: www.firststepdance.com/events/NewYear2008.php Email: kevin@FirstStepDance.com

Volunteer to Help Your Neighbors Prepare Their Tax Returns
Last year, over 50 volunteers helped over 1,300 low-income taxpayers (including individuals with disabilities and limited English proficiency) file their taxes and get refunds of over $1.2 million. Be part of this effort this year by becoming an IRS-certified tax assistor. Training is available online and in classes taught by CPAs. For more information, contact Margaret Bozik at mbozik@ci.burlington.vt.us or at 865·7171.

The Old North End Time Bank
You're invited to join The Old North End Time Bank, bringing people together to help each other. For more information or to join, check out http://www.burlingtontimebanks.blogspot.com/ or contact Melissa at burlington.timebanks@gmail.com, (802) 651-1084.

French-English Conversation Group
Speakers of Anglais swap syllables with native French speakers in a parlez session. Sundays, November 2 through January 4, 4–5:30PM;
at Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. Free

Buddha in Paradise: Tibetan Art from the Rubin Museum
exhibition of richly colored tangka paintings and exquisite sculpture from the Rubin Museum examines these different “Pure Lands” and the underlying philosophical beliefs. Through Dec, 19
Fleming Museum 61 Colchester Ave. Burlington, VT 05405 Phone: 656-2090
PRICE: $5 adults, $10 family, $3 students and seniors. Free to Museum members; UVM, Burlington College, Champlain College, Community College of Vermont, and St. Michaels College faculty, staff, and students; and children 6 and under.

International Club: Mondays, 3:30-5:00pm, Hauke Boardroom.

STAND: Student Anti-Genocide Coalition: Wednesdays, 4:15-5:15pm, Center for Service & Civic Engagement.

INCLUDE: LGBTQA ALLIANCE: Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00pm, Hauke 203.

Burlington Peace Vigil
Monday through Friday, 5 – 5:30PM
Activists stand together in opposition to the U.S. occupation of Iraq.

Salsalina Practice
Work on your sensuous nightclub routines at this weekly Latin dance session. Every Wednesday at 6pm at Salsalina Studios in Burlington For more information call (802) 598-1077

Poet’s Jam with Trevien Stenger at Parima Acoustic Lounge in Burlington
Every Monday night at 9:30pm

Jazz Jam at Radio Bean in Burlington FREE every Thursday at 6pm

Reggae Night with Double J & Doobie, Wednesdays, 10pm at JP’s Pub Burlington Free

Top Hat Entertainment Dance Party, Wednesdays, 10pm at Rasputin’s, Burlington. Free
Déjà Vu Ladies Night, Saturdays, 9pm at Second Floor in Burlington. Free

All Night Dance Party with DJ Toxic, Saturdays, 5pm at Tabu Café and night club, Plattsburg. Free

Monthly Old North End Community Dinner
All are welcome to the Old North End Community Dinners held the second Thursday of every month, 5:30 pm at the McClure Multi-Generational Center, 241 N. Winooski Avenue (next to the old Dairy Queen). FREE!
For more information call Charlie Giannoni at 660-9870. To donate food or help serve dinner, call Janet Hicks at 863-3860.

A Neighborhood Planning Assembly
(NPA) is held every month for each of Burlington’s wards. If you want to be more involved with and have a say in what is going on in your community, attend a Community Ward NPA. For more information, please go to http://www.cedoburlington.org/neighborhoods/npa/npas1.htm

Community Advisory Group
(CAG) is a group that needs the community members to have a part in determining the HIV/AIDS related services that are provided to the residents of Vermont. This group is important in promoting effective HIV/AIDS related care and prevention programs in the state of Vermont. To do this Vermont acts as an advisory group to the Vermont Department of Health HIV/AIDS/STD/HEP C programs on the issues of HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Help make these important decisions and get paid for your time! This membership calls for your involvement and attendance to bi-monthly meetings for which you will also be reimbursed for travel cost i.e. gas money.
Call Michelle Force HIV Prevention Supervisor at (802)863-766

Employment:

DREAM Job - Hiring a Camp Director for Camp DREAM!
DREAM (Directing through Recreation, Education, Adventure and Mentoring)
The Camp Director’s primary role is that of facilitator - to support the Camp Team in the creation and completion of successful camp programming and to help foster connectedness among Camp Staff and DREAM’s Development and Local Programming teams. The Camp Director will also be responsible for ensuring Camp DREAM’s long-term sustainability by overseeing the annual budget, coordinating hiring, and leading fundraising efforts.
Starting salary is $27,500 plus healthcare, plus, life changing experiences! Interested?! Check out our website: www.dreamprogram.org for the full job description and e-mail recruit@dreamprogram.org with a resume, letter of intent, and two references.

Champlain Housing Trust has two positions
Loan Officer: Responsible for processing all loans from intake through final closing, including correspondence and eligibility determination with loan applicants, loans underwriting and analysis of credit and debt, providing disclosure, ordering appraisal, and title opinions, creating loan and closing documents, and performing closings.
Loan Fund Stewardship Specialist: Develops and maintains all post- closing loan portfolio systems and records for tracking and reporting, addresses all post-closing borrower issues including delinquencies, and keeps the loan fund in compliance with all policies and regulations.
To apply send a cover letter and resume to: Human Resources Champlain Housing Trust, PO Box 523 Burlington, VT 05402 or email: HR@champlainhousing.org

Other job openings:
· Burlington Police Office- full time-$40,392.35/yr
· City Arts Curator- full time- $17.64/hr
· Parks and Recreations City Kids- Seasonal part time- $8.50/hr
· Parks and Recreation Landscape workers- $9.00-$10.00/hr
· Burlington Electric Dept- Full time- Engineering Technician-$16.71-$27.40/hr
· Burlington Electric Dept- Full time- Supervisor of Customer Services- $35.25/hr
· Clerk/Treasurer’s Office- Full time- Program Analyst & Database Administrator- $927.64/wk
· Library Dept- Full time- Library Assistant- $14.92/hr
For more information on these positions visit: www.hrjobs.ci.burlington.vt.us/joblist.html

Financial:

The program NeWheels Loans through Opportunities gets you new reliable cars at discounted prices and Budget/Credit Builder programs are available.
Call Yvonne at 802-865-8328 x122

Free Financial Education Classes for Opportunities Credit Union members:

Control Your Money: Budget & Savings
This is a workshop where you can learn budgeting and banking skills to help realize you financial goals.

To Your Credit Workshop
This workshop is for financially curious folks to learn how to read and improve their credit score. For more information call (802) 865-3404, x127

Homebuying Seminar
For would-be house hunters to consider the various steps in seeking a suitable space and obtaining a mortgage. Call Jane 802-865-3404 x127 to register.

CVOEO’s Growing Money Project has two classes that can help you build your financial stability.

Financial Self-Protection teaches about financial goal-setting, money and credit management, dealing with credit cards, managing spending and more.

Creating a Financial Future helps you to learn how to save and build net worth, and shows the first steps towards creating long term investments.

Think You Can’t Afford to Buy a Home?The Williston Interfaith Affordable Housing Task Force invites you to come and find out more about entry-level homeownership opportunities! Together with the Champlain Housing Trust, the Williston Interfaith Affordable Housing Task Force will provide information and resources about the home-buying process.
For more information, please contact: Coleen McBournie at the Williston Interfaith Affordable Housing Task Force - 800-445-6298 x25 - or - Liz Curry - 802-862-6244 Champlain Housing Trust

Homebuyers' Workshop - Before getting into debt, potential house hunters gather info about real estate valuation and mortgage financing methods. Saturday, August 16, 9AM–5PM at Central Vermont Community Land Trust in Barre. $60 per household

Health and Beauty:

BURLINGTON NAMED HEALTHIEST US CITY BY THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL:According to a recent report 92% of people living in Burlington say they are in good healthmaking Burlington the healthiest city in the country! Parks and Recreation is proud to contribute to the health of our residents by providing parks for outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, community gardening and much more!

Know your status and take control of your life and health. Get FREE HIV screening and counseling at SISTA United Alliance. Call for an appointment. (802)660-4875

LET’S GET IN SHAPE!!!!

VT Cares hosts yoga classes every Thursday from 2pm-3pm at 113 Church St Burl
VT Cares Walk-in HIV testing on Mondays from 4pm-7pm

Zumba Fitness (Fitness Options)
Step-by-steppers try out Latin dance inspired exercises mixed with high energy, international rhythms at Fitness Options in South Burlington. $10 (first time free)
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8pm through January 2009
At Olympiad Health and Racquet Club in South Burlington $10
For more information call (802) 310-6686 (802) 734-3479

Burlington Women's Adventure Boot Camp,
5:30-6:30 a.m. South Burlington High School through Nov. 14.
This is an early morning outdoor fitness class for women of all ages and fitness levels.
Website: http://www.BurlingtonBootCamp.com 764-5848.
Free Memory Screening: For adults 55 +, offered by UVM College of Medicine & Fletcher Allen Health Care on the 1st & 3rd Mondays of each month. Call Sally Ross Nolan for more information at 802-847-9488.
Beauticontrol Certified Beauty Consultant Diana Peters
Beauty and Spa products and Parties
To order or schedule a party contact:
Diana Peters
(802)598-4974 or e-mail pijamita@hotmail.com
Visit website: www.beautipage.com/dmp722


It’s hard to find a hair salon for us. So if you know anyone or any place that can do beautiful hair styling for ethnic women let us at SISTA Voices know.
Licensed Hair styling Specialist

Pauline Anderson (802)999-9022

Hair Braiding by Tonya Mitchell
Email: mailto:tonya%20goodgrace@yahoo.com

Other announcements:

900 Free Downtown Parking Spaces Added For Holiday Shoppers
Thanks to participating downtown employers, 900 additional parking spaces at downtown parking lots are available free to downtown holiday shoppers starting Friday, November 28 through Sunday January 4, 2009. Hours of availability are Monday through Friday, 6 PM to 10 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 10 PM, unless otherwise designated at each location.
The City of Burlington will place bright yellow sandwich board signs to guide shoppers to locations where free parking is available. Employers offering their parking spaces on evenings and weekends during the holidays include State of Vermont, City of Burlington, TD BankNorth, Pomerleau Real Estate, Howard Center, Main Street Landing, Chittenden Bank, and Grandview Farms.

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STATE OF VT PARKING LOT, Dept. of Labor, 59 Pearl Street
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STATE OF VT PARKING LOT, 50 Cherry Street, across from Macy's
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HOWARD CENTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES, 102 S. Winooski Avenue, next to Roxy Movie Theatre. Fridays only from 6 pm – 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 10 pm
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CHITTENDEN BANK PARKING LOTS:


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150 Bank St. across from Henry's Diner, Monday – Saturday, 6 pm – 10 pm; Sundays, 9 am - 10 pm


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2 Burlington Square, enter off College Street. Monday – Saturday, 6 pm – 10 pm; Sundays, 9 am - 10 pm
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SURFACE PARKING LOT, across from Ski Rack. corner of Main & Pine Streets
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CHAMBER BUILDING, 60 Main Street, enter on S. Champlain Street, Monday - Friday, 6 pm - 10 pm only, no weekend parking. This lot will not be marked with yellow sandwich board, but vehicles will not be towed on weekday evenings.
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ELMWOOD AVE PARKING LOT, north of the U.S. Post office in downtown Burlington.
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TD BANKNORTH corner of Main & St. Paul Streets, to accommodate Flynn Center patrons, no parking allowed during Flynn Center Events!!!
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SURFACE PARKING LOT BEHIND POMERLEAU REAL ESTATE, 69 College Street, entrance on S. Champlain Street
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SURFACE PARKING LOT (Pease West Parking Lot), foot of College Street, west side of Lake Street, near ECHO Lake Aquarium
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MAIN STREET LANDING PARKING LOT at foot of College Street next to Union Station at end of the Free College Street Shuttle. UNLESS NOTED OR STAFF ON DUTY!
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PERKINS PIER PARKING LOT, King and Battery Streets

FRIENDS OF LEDDY PARK HOLD CLEAN UP DAY:Thanks to all of the Friends of Leddy Park who came out November 15 to help clean up Leddy Park. It was a very successful day. A total of 11 volunteers collected 14 bags of trash and a large amount of metal/junk and blankets. In addition a group of people worked on trail maintenance and a large piece of metal was removed from the trail and braces were put in place to bank up the sloped trail for future dirt or gravel deposit. What a difference a day can make when a dedicated group of park enthusiasts donates their time and energy - thank you volunteers!
The SISTA Project has changed Organizations! You knew us before as Woman of Color Alliance, but WOCA has now closed. We have started a new Organization under which to run SISTA. SISTA United Alliance is not just our organization, it’s YOUR organization. Help grow your community by participating, volunteering, donating or whatever you can do to contribute. We are branching out and have many new programs for you to take advantage of but we need you.

To anyone who can provide childcare, we at SISTA are always in need of a provider. Contact Kinda Sharp-Garrett at our new number 660-4875.

Be a SISTA volunteer! It is a great experience and a chance to meet new people and do a great service to the community.
Here is your chance! If you haven’t yet been a part of our SISTA sessions, BE A PART OF SISTA! It is a growing program and we need more participants. This is a program for women of color that discusses relationships, dating and safe sex. Sisters connect with sisters on building self-esteem skills, developing life experiences with coping skills and developing safer sex methods. We provide good food, exciting games/activities, door prizes and valuable information plus child care and transportation if needed. Call Kinda Sharp-Garrett at 660-4875 or email sistaunited@yahoo.com to set up an interview. Call soon and become a SISTA!

You can add to the SISTA experience. If you have either African art or art made by Black women, such as yourself, that you may want to donate to SISTA let us know. We could always use more supplies and volunteers to join us.

If you have any news or information on events contact us to let us know. We can all do our part to inform each other.
If you have family photos or any poems that you want to share, email them to us and we will include them in an issue of SISTA UNITED VOICES.

Feedback: Write us at sistaunited@yahoo.com with your feedback and let us know what you think. We will include your comments in our next issue.

Remember:

SISTA LOVE IS STRONG! SISTA LOVE IS SAFE! SISTA LOVE IS SURVIVING!