The Waterbury Conservation Commission, with support from Revitalizing Waterbury, is sponsoring a Community Values Mapping Program to collect views from residents. Conducted with assistance from Vermont Fish and Wildlife, the first session will be held on April 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Leo’s Hall. Snacks and beverages will be available.
Discussion will focus on valuable historic and recreation locations, places to grow the local economy and build housing, cherished scenic views, and where to protect remaining farmlands, working lands, and wildlife habitat, among others. To RSVP or for more information, go to waterburyvt.com/boards/conservation/community-values-mapping-program—press release
Girls/Boyz First Has New Name
Girls/Boyz First is now called Youth First Mentoring. Youth First Mentoring supports community-based mentoring to ensure youths in our community have access to mentors who help kids develop into confident, responsible, and positive members of the community.
In addition to a new name, Youth First Mentoring recently welcomed a new program director, Sally Russell. Russell has 25 years of experience as an educator and independent consultant working with youths and vulnerable populations.
To learn more about Youth First Mentoring visit youthfirstmentoring.org or email director@youthfirstmentoring.org.
—press release
Andrews Joins Board of New Cannabis Org
Lauren Andrews, R.N., C.A. Courtesy photo.
The owner of Capital Cannabis and Aromed Essentials in downtown Montpelier has recently joined the board of directors of the Cannabis Retailers Association of Vermont. Lauren Andrews, R.N., C.A., joins five other new board members in the organization.
Colleen McQuade from Juniper Lane, chair of the association, said “We formed the Cannabis Retail Association to create a clear and unified voice in the legislature and in front of the Cannabis Control Board. This helps ensure we get the specific needs of our businesses met as the adult-use cannabis market grows. Our goals this session focused on advertising reform, the removal of product caps, and removal of the vape tax on cannabis cartridges, which will strengthen the best cannabis marketplace with the best cannabis in the country.”
The association hired Todd Bailey to serve as interim executive director. Bailey is the CEO of Trace — a Vermont-owned and operated seed-to-sale tracking platform — and has been engaged in the cannabis industry in Vermont for seven years.
Other board members include Miriam Wood from The Tea House, Tiffany Johnson from Euphoria Cannabis Products, Mike Sims from FLORA, and Ana MacDuff from Mountain Girl Cannabis.
The association will hold a kickoff event on May 3 at Zenbarn, located at 179 Guptil Road in Waterbury Center. After their members-only meeting concludes, people from the cannabis industry and cannabis enthusiasts are invited to Zenbarn’s weekly Grateful Dead Night featuring local band Dead Not Dead, a cash bar, and food available for purchase from 5 to 9 p.m. There will also be a silent auction with great items available for bids.
—press release
Beaudin Earns Spot on Dean’s List
Rachael Beaudin of Middlesex was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2022 semester at Washington University in St. Louis. Beaudin is enrolled in the university’s College of Arts and Sciences.
—press release
