Vermonter.com

You’ve got to wonder what’s happening to Vermont these days.

This Sunday, there was a letter in the Burlington Free Press from a lady who runs a bed & breakfast in Burlington. She is concerned about the increase in crime, particularly robberies, vandalism, thefts and late night partying. Her sons have both been ambushed and assaulted merely walking home from work. One of them required stitches to his face. This lady is understandably confused on how to invite guests to her B&B when the “wonderful queen city of Vermont” is becoming more like crime infested areas of Hartford, CT. And so it goes.

Burlington isn’t the only place having big city crime problems. The suburban towns of Colchester, Essex and others have recently reported home invasions and burglaries by human trash looking for drug money. Add to that stores and homes in the Northeast Kingdom facing the exact same problems. We’ve got an habitual Connecticut criminal coming up to kill some innocent teacher, in the small town of Albany, to contend with. Oh yeah, and just last fall it was another hardcore criminal from Connecticut coming here to murder a couple in Montgomery for drugs.

Unfortunately, it looks like there’s another kind of travel and tourism invading Vermont and these folks don’t give a damn about white church steeples, farmer’s markets and scenic vistas.

Someone from Vermont (not me!) called into the Howard Stern show on Sirius satellite radio the other day and mentioned the current controversy surrounding Judge Edward Cashman the other day. Robin Quivers hit it right on the head when she suggested that if the judge has a daughter, perhaps the rapist should be sentenced to live within the Cashman household for a period of time while receiving his “sex offender treatment”. Great idea!

No word from Gary “Baba Booey” Dell Abate but we do know that he skis at Smugglers Notch and that Howard loves Vermont (and apparently jogs somewhere around the Northeast Kingdom).

The whole issue of treatment for sex offenders is kind or ironic considering the recent murder in Albany, VT. The Albany murderer had undergone such “treatment” in the past and look how he turned out. For the victim’s sake, isn’t it about time that punishment fits the crime? By the way, if you’re a bleeding heart for murderers, rapists and other human waste, let them move in with you and see if you can “treat” them.

Bark & Sparkle announces a first in the world of canine couture — a series of collectible, limited edition crystal collars.

(PRWEB) December 6, 2005 — No bones about it — these collars are different.

Bark & Sparkle has begun a series of collectible, limited edition crystal dog collars.

Entirely handcrafted of Swarovski lead crystal and sterling silver, the newest addition to its line of canine neckwear is a glittering Limited Edition called “Christmas Trees.”

Conceived as the first in a collectible series, the collar comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and features three Christmas trees in a dazzling field of snow, each sporting festive red decorations and topped with bright yellow stars.

“I wanted to create something unique — special pieces people could buy knowing they’d be among the select few to own them,” said Laurie Vien, owner of Bark & Sparkle. “Our Christmas collectible collar seemed like the natural first for the series.” She continues, “Everyone feels that their dog is the most special one in the world … so why shouldn’t they wear equally special collars?”

Vien plans to release other holiday collectible collars in upcoming months, each one available for a limited time and accompanied by a signed and dated certificate verifying it as an authentic Bark & Sparkle creation.

About Bark & Sparkle
Bark & Sparkle operates on the premise that divas come in all shapes and sizes, and that like women who crave a fabulous pair of shoes, dogs appreciate a little glamour of their own. The company offers a full line of Swarovski crystal collars for dogs as well as matching necklaces and bracelets for their owners. Owner Laurie Vien makes her home in Vermont with her husband and their four dogs. Ten percent of all profits is donated to animal charities.

For more info, product samples, or high-resolution photographs, please contact Laurie Vien at 802.893.2345 or e-mail protected from spam bots.

Troy, VT, January 10, 2006 — Brigitte Nadeau, with 20 years of photographic experience is a professional Dog Photographer who caters to dog owners and dog art lovers. ‘La Puparazzi’ is presently exhibiting Dog Photos at what can be considered ‘the border line’.

The Exhibit takes place at the Haskell Library, Derby Line, Vermont, which is probably the only cultural institution on this planet with a split personality. That’s because the U.S./Canadian border slices right through the “La Puparazzi” Dog art photo exhibit. A thick black line runs diagonally across the exhibit room floor to mark the international boundary.

“It is fun to see that half of my exhibit is in Canada and I did not have to cross Immigration and Customs to get to see it”.

Brigitte’s photo exhibit features a selection of black and white portraits of adorable dogs where you can “feel” their souls captured.

Another section displays portraits that have been hand colored using watercolor ink. Just a touch of color is added to the black and white portrait or in some case the entire photo. The goal is always to emphasize the emotion that the dog was gracious enough to show during the photo session and make you feel part of their personality.

The Exhibit is on until January 31, 2006
For more information:
Brigitte Nadeau
802.744.6375
http://www.LaPuparazzi.com