Wednesday, Oct. 10

Blood Drive at First Baptist

BENNINGTON -- A blood drive will be held at the First Baptist Church of Bennington, 601 Main St., from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-in or for an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

All presenting donors in October will receive: a chance to win a seven-day cruise for two departing from Boston to Bermuda on the Norwegian Dawn, plus a coupon for $5 off one's next purchase at Freihofer's Bakery Outlet. Senior Center activities

BENNINGTON -- Bennington Senior Center activities will include a potluck dinner starting at noon. Call the center to sign up at 802-442-1052. The movie from 1 to 3 p.m. will be "Steel Magnolias," starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts.

Bingo at Moose Lodge

BENNINGTON -- Bingo will be held at the Bennington Moose Lodge. Doors open at 5 p.m., and food will be available. There will be a $500 "Red Special."

Workshop on end of life

EAST ARLINGTON -- The Federated Church of East Arlington is sponsoring a free workshop titled, "Starting the Conversation" from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Bailey Hall on Ice Pond Road in East Arlington. The night's presenter will be Cynthia Yee, spiritual advisor and chaplain with Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice. For additional information, call 802-375-2548 or e-mail at ksclark58@yahoo.com.

Health Benefit Exchange public forum

BENNINGTON -- The new Health Benefit Exchange will be the topic of a public forum at the Bennington Public Library, 101 Silver St., from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The Exchange is a web site designed to allow individuals and small business owners to compare, select and purchase insurance plans -- all in one place. Steve Kimbell, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, will explain the developments and the timeline of health care reform in Vermont. The forum is hosted by the Department of Vermont Health Access and is open to the public.

Dale Schaft, information management officer, Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, 802-828-4872.

Dissolution/Consolidation Study public sessions

HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. --The public sessions for the Dissolution and/or Consolidation of Services Study for Hoosick Falls have been announced.

The first session will be at 6 p.m. at the Senior Center on Church Street to present the report prepared by the Center for Governmental Research to the community. The second session will be Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. -- also at the Senior Center -- which will be a public hearing where questions from the community will be answered. All citizens should read the prepared documentation available at the village offices or online at www.cgr.org/hoosick to be properly informed to participate.

Meetings

Bennington Select Board

Bennington Town Office, conference room, 5:30 p.m.

205 South Street

Agenda: Minutes, Sept. 24; warrants; citizens; fire department truck proposal; agency funding policy for fiscal 2014; Grand List, errors and omissions; manager's report, if any; other business; executive session: personnel/contracts.

SVSU Policy Drafting

Committee

Central Office conference room, 5 p.m.

Agenda: #5185 Anaphylaxis; #6000 Curriculum Policy; #3105 Residency

Requirements for Student Enrollment; discussion on SVSU professional development opportunities which include equipment purchase; tracking sheet; review status; other. Dissolution/Consolidation Study Public Sessions Hoosick Falls, N.Y., Senior Center on Church Street. 6 p.m. Agenda: The public sessions for the Dissolution and/or Consolidation of Services Study for Hoosick Falls have been announced. The first session will be Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. at the to present the report prepared by the Center for Governmental Research to the community. The prepared documentation is available at the village offices or online at www.cgr.org/hoosick.

Arlington School Board

Arlington Memorial High School, Marsh Library, 6 p.m.

Agenda: Executive session, discussion of non-public records; public comments; approval of minutes, Sept. 26; principals reports: Arlington Memorial High School, student Facebook page presentation; Fisher Elementary School; superintendent's report: Social networking policy discussion, district website, other; school board report; financial: report of fiscal 2013 budget, contracts, purchases, warrants.

Announcements

Coalition for the Homeless annual meeting

OLD BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Coalition for the Homeless is holding its annual meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the Old First Church Barn, located at 15 Monument Circle. There will be a social hour at 4 p.m., followed by presentation of the yearly appreciation awards from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. The business meeting will commence at 7 p.m., and will include the election and presentation of new board members as well as a yearly overview of the agency. The public is invited to attend. RSVP to Linda at 442-2424 or email them at sixbankst@comcast.net.