…in Bahrain.

Forza Ferrari!

First runs on another achingly, bright blue Vermont morning.  The rest of the Northeast Kingdom may have lost 95% of its snow cover, but Burke Mountain remains 100% open.

The view at the transition from Upper to Lower Willoughby, named after the Willoughby Gap, that giant glacial gouge you see way off in the distance. The gap is a place of amazing energy, and a must-visit when you come to the NEK.

Last runs, with temperatures in the mid 40’s, packed powder turning to corn and memories to last a lifetime.

It’s better here.

Helluva ‘winter’ here in the Northeast Kingdom.  Ever since the January thaw, it hasn’t snowed much at all, hasn’t gotten cold, hasn’t done the things it’s supposed to do so the plow guys can make a few bucks and the snowmobilers can come up from down country and spend their dollars here.

Fortunately, lots of the plow guys also sugar and when the sun came out on Thursday and the temperatures went to near 40F, the sugar maples started dripping sap, and a tradition that has gone on for hundreds, if not thousands of years, kicked into gear.

On Saturday, staff photographer Alyssa Nichols captures these photographs at the sugarbush of a schoolmate.  Under achingly blue skies, temperatures which started out in the upper teens went into the mid 40’s, the winds calmed down and the sap started running.

Amazing what these sugar maples do, eh?

Tomorrow, we ski.  It’s better here.

The most intense interview of my life. That is how I would describe the thirteen or so minutes I spent on the phone with Ed Asner last week.

Ed Asner appears Wednesday night at 7:00 PM at Fuller Hall at St. Johnsbury Academy.  His one-man show, F.D.R., is being sponsored by Catamount Arts. You are well advised to attend.

Thirteen or so minutes with Ed Asner:

Ed Asner 19 Feb 2010

VPIRG wants Vermont Yankee closed for good in 2012.  James also called some of yesterday’s guest’s comments untruthful…AND called out Northeast Kingdom state Senators Matt Choate and Jane Kitchel for playing the worst kind of politics…

James Moore from VPIRG on Vermont Yankee

The vote takes place tomorrow in Montpelier.  Stay tuned.

Is the argument political?  Of course it is.  BUT…that doesn’t mean we can’t try and offer both sides.

We begin with a Monday morning interview with Larry Smith, the Manager of Communications for Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, the company that wants a twenty-year extension on the plant’s license.

LarrySmith_VermontYankee_Feb22.mp3

Tomorrow, we’ll talk to James Moore, the Clean Energy Director for the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.  His take is…different.

Wednesday morning, prior to visiting companies throughout the Northeast Kingdom, he stopped by the studios.  We talked about the state budget, the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, and what he should order at the Miss Lyndonville Diner…

Lt. Governor Brian Dubie 17 Feb 2010

Valentine\’s Day Forecast 14 Feb 2010