Calendar

Kids

KidsPLAYce: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 20 Elliot St., under Hotel Pharmacy, Brattleboro. Indoor play space and discover center. Children 0-8 years and adult companion. Children, $6; under 6 months free. Information: 802-254-5212.

Basketball Clinic: Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St., Brattleboro. Clinic given by Paul Freed and the BUHS Girls Varsity Team. Grades K-2 Coed 10:30-11:45 a.m., Grades K-2 co-ed; and Noon-1:30 p.m., Grades 3-6, co-ed. Fees $5 for Brattleboro Recreation & Parks players; and $10 for all other players. Information or to pre-register: 802-254-5808.

Storytime: 10:30 a.m., Westminster West Public Library. Program of books, songs and activities for toddlers and preschoolers. No charge. Information: 802-387-5737 or 802-387-4682.

Preschool Storytime: 11 a.m., Putney Public Library. Every Thursday. For ages 2 and up. Songs, stories, and crafts for little ones and their caregivers. Information: 802-387-4407.

Children’s Story Hour: 11 a.m., Village Square Booksellers, 32 Square, Bellows Falls. Pat Fowler reading. Reservations: 802-463-9404.

Boys & Girls Club: Noon-6 p.m., 17 Flat St., Brattleboro. Programs, activities, special events and use of facilities available for ages 10 to 18. Information: 802-254-5990.

Preschool Storytime: 1:30 p.m., Walpole, N.H., Town Library, ages 2 1/2 to 5. Crafts and stories. Information: 603-756-9806.

Windham County Activities for Youth: See the Youth Services’ H.E.Y.! Help Empower Youth! guide to after school and other activities and programs at www.HelpEmpowerYouth.com.

Museums

Brooks Memorial Library: 224 Main St., Brattleboro. Check out free museum passes to local area museums: Eric Carle, MASS Mocha, Springfield, Shelburne, Norman Rockwell, Bennington, etc. Reserve online at www.brooks.lib.vt.us, click on "Museum Passes" button. Information: 802-254-5290.

Outdoors/Recreation

Senior Bowling: 9:15 a.m., Brattleboro Bowl, Putney Road, Brattleboro. Every Thursday. Bowling for seniors. Information: 802-254-2710 or 802-387-5757.

Strength Training for Seniors: 9:30 a.m., Brattleboro Senior Center, 207 Main St., Brattleboro. Cost: $3 per class; $5 for two. Instructor: Cyndy Gray. Works on building strength on all major muscle groups followed by stretch and relaxation. Information: 802-257-7570.

Public Skating Hours: 12:30-2:30 p.m., Nelson Withington Skating Rink, Living Memorial Park, Brattleboro. Additional hours during vacation week.

Open Gym and Game Room: 1:30-5 p.m., Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department, Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St. For all ages. Information: 802-254-5808, www.brattleboro.org.

Fitness at the Rec: Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St., Brattleboro. Ongoing: Zumba 5:30-6:30 p.m.; 6-8 p.m., Volleyball; 8-10 p.m., Badminton, for all abilities. Information: Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Dept., 802-254-5808, www.brattleboro.org.

Miscellaneous

Putney Free Health Clinic Closed This Week: Normally open Thursdays, 6:30-8 p.m., Putney Medical Office, Main Street, Putney. Free, open to all. Information: Putney Family Services: 802-387-2120.

Blood Pressure Clinic: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Jacksonville Municipal Center. Sponsored by the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of Vt. & N.H.

Ongoing Events

Warm Hands, Warm Hearts: Donations needed of winter clothing for adults, children of all ages, including toddlers and infant PJs. Blankets also needed. Collection box on porch, Masonic Center, Main St., Brattleboro, though end of January. Checks accepted, make out to Warm Hands, with "clothing" on the memo line, send to: Warm Hands, P.O. Box 6214, Brattleboro, Vt. 05301. Information: rfagge@sover.net.

Crèche Display: More than 1,000 sets of Nativity scenes. Located in Guilford. Call Shirley Squires to set up an appointment: 802-254-2696. All welcome.

Meditation Sittings: 7-7:45 a.m., Vermont Insight Meditation Center, in the Neighbor’s Hall at Solar Hill, 229 Western Ave., Brattleboro. Information: Drew, 802-257-1213.

Bellows Falls Drop-In Center: Open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Our Place Drop-In Center, 4 Island St., Bellows Falls. 9-10:30 a.m., free breakfast; 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., food pantry open, except during lunch; 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., free lunch. Day shelter, shower, fax, phone, food pantry. Information: 802-463-2217.

Hospice Thrift Shop: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Experienced Goods Thrift Shop for Brattleboro Area Hospice, 77 Flat St., Brattleboro. Selling quality clothing, books, housewares, furniture and more. Seeking donations, 802-254-5200.

Recovery Chat: 2-3 p.m., Turning Point of Windham County, 112 Hardwood Way, Brattleboro. Less formal group, conversation, games, sharing. Information: 802-257-5600.

Guilford Food Pantry: 5-6:30 p.m., at Broad Brook Grange, 3490 Guilford Center Road. Pantry is open Thursdays (except the first Thursday of the month).

Spring Forest Qigong: 5-6 p.m., Medicine for the People, 133 Main St., No. 7, Putney. Exercise and meditation class. Meets every Thursday. Details: 802-387-3028, ext. 1.

Bingo: 6:30-9 p.m., Gassetts Grange, Jct. 10 and 103S, Chester. Doors open 5:30 p.m. Every Thursday. Refreshments. Information: 802-875-2637.

Southern Vermont Scrabble Club: 6-10 p.m., Marlboro College Graduate Center, 28 Vernon St., Brattleboro. Fun, friendship, while using rules and customs of competitive play. All equipment provided. Fee $3. First-timers play free. Every Thursday. Information: Ed at ed.liebfried@gmail.com or 971-344-8730.

Dedicated Dads Making a Difference: 6-8 p.m., Early Education Services, 122 Birge St., Brattleboro. Free fathers support group. Dinner and child care provided. Information: Josh Miller, 802-254-3742, ext. 172.

Alateen Meeting: 7-8 p.m., Cafeteria Room B, at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro.

Al-Anon: 7-8:30 p.m., Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Tyler Conference Center, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro. Information: Toll free, 1-866-972-5266.

AA, Food and Fellowship: 7-10 p.m., Turning Point of Windham County, 112 Hardwood Way, Brattleboro. 8 p.m., step meeting. Information: 802-257-5600.

Zen Meditation: 7:30-9 p.m., in Guilford. No charge. Beginners welcome. Information: 802-257-9425.

AA Hotline: Toll free, 1-877-851-0181.

BCTV

Brattleboro Channel 8: 7:07 a.m., Vigil for the Homeless: Brattleboro; 7:30 a.m., Road to ReThe Road to Recovery 2012 Showcase of Events; 8 a.m., Democracy Now! Live; 9 a.m., Nuclear Waste: The Gift That Keeps on Giving; 9:33 a.m., Agape Christian Fellowship: Spirit of Thanksgiving; 11 a.m., New England Cooks, Nina Lesser-Goldsmith; 12 p.m., Nowell Sing We Clear: Christmas Concert; 2:05 p.m., The Vermont Movie Update; 2:30 p.m., Poetry Reading: Oni Buchanan and Jon Woodward; 3:39 p.m., Traditional Balinese Music with Boston’s Gamelan Galak Tika; 4:44 p.m., Sustainable Aging: Advance Directives; 5:45 p.m., 5:45 Live: Midweek Report; 6 p.m., Brattleboro Tonight: Christmas Special 1980; 7:30 p.m., Let’s Talk About Mental Health; 8 p.m., Democracy Now!; 9 p.m., Al Jezeera News; 9:30 p.m., BUHS "Poetry Out Loud" 2012; 10:05 p.m., Ceremony for Departed Comrades: Brattleboro Post 5; 10:30 p.m., Breaking The Taboo: Exposing Global Drug Policy; 11:30 p.m., Peak Keepers Discuss Industrial Wind Power.

Brattleboro Channel 10: 7:30 a.m., Brattleboro Planning Commission Mtg; 9:30 a.m., Organic Politics: Our Own Money; 10 a.m., 5:45 Live: Midweek Report; 10:30 a.m., Montpelier Connection: 2013 Legislative Preview; 11 a.m., Vernon Selectboard Mtg; 1:40 p.m., Brattleboro Selectboard Mtg on Town Plan; 3:30 p.m., Townshend Selectboard Mtg.; 6:30 p.m., BUHS Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Hartford; 8 p.m., Newfane Selectboard Mtg.; 10:30 p.m., BUHS Board Mtg.

Friday

Music/Dance

Kevin Parry Performs: 7-10 p.m., at the West Dover Inn, Route 100, West Dover. Kevin Parry takes rock ‘n’ roll requests on guitar and vocals. Free. Information: 802-464-5207 or www.kevinparrymusic.com.

Ballroom and Latin Dance: Stone Church, 210 Main St., Brattleboro. A night of ballroom and Latin dancing presented by Shall We Dance Brattleboro. 7-8 p.m., a Salsa, LA Smooth Style, dance lesson taught. 8-10 p.m., Open dancing. Refreshments. Cost: Singles, $8; couples, $15; teens and seniors, $5. Information: Ray, 802-579-9990; ray@shallwedance.biz.

Music Night: 7:30 p.m., The Old Schoolhouse, in the village of South Newfane at the intersection of Dover Road and Auger Hole Road. Special "Music Nite." Dan DeWalt and Dan and Bruce Rosow, along with special guest Lizzy Mandell present an evening of family-friendly tunes. No cover charge. Free parking along Auger Hole Road. Bring drinks and snacks.

Film

Family Movie Night: 6-8 p.m., Pettee Memorial Library, 6 South Main St., Wilmington. Free movie. Film rated PG. A handful of kids stranded without their parents is determined to make the most of a bad situation in this comedy. Information: 802-464-8557, petteelibrary@yahoo.com, or petteelibrary.org.

Kids

Preschool Playgroup: 9:30-11 a.m., at Whitingham Elementary School. For children 0-5 years old with parent or childcare provider. Led by Amanda Hiouas. Sponsored by Early Education Services. Information: 802-368-7872.

Bowling Day: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Brattleboro Bowl, Putney Road. For children and adults of all ages. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost $7, price includes two games, shoes, a hot dog and a drink. Information: Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Dept., 802-254-5808.

KidsPLAYce: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 20 Elliot St., under Hotel Pharmacy, Brattleboro. Indoor play space and discover center. 10:30-11 a.m., Healthy Snack and Story from the Co-Op. Children 0-8 years and adult companion. Children, $6; under 6 months free. Information: 802-254-5212.

Storytime and Crafts: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Jamaica Memorial Library. Every Friday. Information: 802-874-4901.

Storytime for Preschoolers: 10:30 a.m., Rockingham Free Public Library, 65 Westminster St., Bellows Falls. Singing or a craft after stories. Free. Information: 802-463-4270.

Toddler Storyhour: 1:30 p.m., Moore Free Library, 23 West St., Newfane. Stories, songs, crafts for toddlers. Information: 802-365-7948.

Friday Teen Night: 6-11 p.m., Boys & Girls Club, 17 Flat St., Brattleboro. Grades 7 through 18 year olds. Bands, DJs, skate jams, and movies. Free meal at 6 p.m., dinner. Information: 802-254-5990.

Dungeons and Dragons: 5-9 p.m., Rockingham Free Public Library, 65 Westminster St., Bellows Falls. Fantasy-based, epic storytelling game. Other games, also. Ages 13 and up. Reservations required. Information: 802-463-4270 or bfyouth@sover.net.

Outdoors/Recreation

Fitness at the Rec: Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St., Brattleboro. 12:10-1:10 p.m., Ongoing Yoga/Pilates. Information: Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Dept., 802-254-5808, www.brattleboro.org.

Public Skating Hours: 12:30-2:30 p.m., Nelson Withington Skating Rink, Living Memorial Park, Brattleboro. Additional hours during vacation week.

Open Gym and Game Room: 1:30-5 p.m., Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department, Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St. For all ages. Information: 802-254-5808, www.brattleboro.org.

Meals

Congregate Breakfast: 7:45-8:15 a.m., Brattleboro Senior Center, 207 Main St., Brattleboro. Menu: Scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, fruit, muffin, juice, yogurt, coffee. Suggested donation for seniors over 60, $3.50. All others, $6. Information: 802-257-1236.

Free Dinner: 5-7 p.m., The Community Church of Whitingham. Free dinner on the second and fourth Friday of each month. Join neighbors in fellowship and food.

Ongoing Events

Meditation: 7:30-8:45 a.m., Biologic Wellness Center, Merchants Bank, 205 Main St., Brattleboro (ground floor, basement entrance on right). Mountains and Rivers Mindfulness Community. Free mindfulness class and sharing group in the tradition of Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Every Friday. Newcomers welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Information: mountainsandriversmc@myfairpoint.net or 802-387-2382.

Bellows Falls Drop-In Center: Open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Our Place Drop-In Center, 4 Island St., Bellows Falls. 9-10:30 a.m., free breakfast; 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., food pantry open, except during lunch; 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., free lunch. Day shelter, shower, fax, phone, food pantry. Information: 802-463-2217.

Worn Again Thrift Shop: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., St. Edmunds Catholic Church, Saxtons River. Clothing for all; shoes, boots and sneakers; bedding; household articles; toys. Operated by volunteers of West River Mission of Putney and churches in Putney, Townshend, Stratton Mountain and Saxtons River.

Hospice Thrift Shop: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Experienced Goods Thrift Shop for Brattleboro Area Hospice, 77 Flat St., Brattleboro. Selling quality clothing, books, housewares, furniture and more. Seeking donations, 802-254-5200.

Recovery Chat: 2-3 p.m., Turning Point of Windham County, 112 Hardwood Way, Brattleboro. Less formal group, conversation, games, sharing. Information: 802-257-5600.

Candlelight AA Meeting: 9-11 p.m., Turning Point of Windham County, 112 Hardwood Way, Brattleboro. AA discussion and fellowship with candlelit setting. Information: 802-257-5600.