Williston Observer

March 18, 2010

Their Austin Conference team got drilled 10-2 by the Harris Conference on Saturday, but Champlain Valley Union High seniors made their mark in the Essex Rotary Key Bank All Star Hockey Classic at the Essex Skating facility.

Former Redhawk forward Sam Parent scored one of the two Austin Conference goals. CVU goalie Mark Albertson, sharing time between the pipes with Brattleboro High’s Mark Miller, had 24 of the 41 stops the two registered.

Nick Boyce, from Bellows Free Academy of St. Albans, led the winners with three goals.

— Mal Boright, Observer correspondent

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March 18, 2010

In conjunction with their North-South senior basketball all-star games last Saturday at Windsor High School, the Vermont Basketball Coaches Association also selected a Dream Dozen of underclass players for both boys and girls, based on performances from the past season.

Junior Jake Donnelly, the all-around CVU standout, was named to the boys Dozen.

CVU foes Ben Ferris of Essex High, Evan Tullar of Spaulding High and Nick Swim from Bellows Free Academy of St. Albans were also named.

On the girls’ side, CVU opponents Kari Lavalette and Jamie Panton of Essex, Reagan Jewell from Rice Memorial and Liesl Verderber were honored.

— Mal Boright, Observer correspondent

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March 18, 2010

By Tim Simard

Observer staff

While Vermont lawmakers debate the future of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, a group of Williston Central School students brought the issue to the classroom last week.

A team of Harbor House seventh graders presented the two sides of the Vermont Yankee debate before a group of eighth graders on March 11. In two groups of four, the seventh graders made arguments as to why the state should renew Vermont Yankee’s operating license, and why the plant should be shut down due to environmental concerns.

Teacher Deb McConnell said she chose the nuclear power topic because of its timeliness and the fact that the issue would require students to do a lot of research.

“I knew this was a subject they knew little about,” McConnell said.

The nearly 40-year-old nuclear plant, located in Vernon, has been the subject of much concern for state and local officials. In recent months, the plant’s operator, Entergy Corp., made several misleading statements to Vermont officials under oath. Vermont whistleblowers also discovered evidence of tritium leaking from aging pipes into the area’s groundwater. Tritium is a radioactive compound used in nuclear facilities.

The plant’s license with the state expires in March 2012, but the Vermont Senate voted against renewal in February. Entergy, however, continues to plead its case for further legislative review.

One by one, the seventh-grade debaters took to the podium last Thursday to argue their points. Students had learned only a few days earlier, following a random drawing, which side they would be on.

On the side supporting the continuation of plant operations, students cited the effect the closure would have on more than 600 employees, as well as businesses in neighboring communities.

“The ripple effect of taking 1,000 jobs out of the workforce is far greater than the 650 who would lose their jobs,” Sadie Casale said.

But the debaters opposing Vermont Yankee’s re-licensure, calling themselves the “Green Team” and wearing green apparel, said the environmental risks are too great to keep the plant operating. Chris Mallow said the tritium leak is enough of a concern, even if it was localized to the plant’s grounds.

“The tritium didn’t reach the Connecticut River, but what about next time?” Mallow said.

McConnell said part of the assignment required students to interview an adult on the subject to get their opinion. Students also had to delegate topics for each debater and then practice their presentations.

Students also had to argue for solutions. Matt Faris argued that keeping Vermont Yankee running would be cheaper for the future and solve part of the state’s financial crisis.

“This technology is already readily available,” Faris said. “You don’t need hundreds, or thousands or even millions of dollars developing new technology.”

Abby Keim said alternative energy sources are the way to go, stating future Vermonters will reap the benefits of investing now.

“Solar and wind have been known to pay off more in the long run,” Keim said. “So if Vermont wants to live up to its name — the Green Mountain State — we don’t need nuclear energy.”

For many involved in the debates, this was the first time they had to step in front of a class of peers to argue a point. Some became invested in their roles, such as Shana Leonard, who said she learned a lot about wind and solar power.

Dan Poodiak discovered that the more he learned, the more his opinion clashed with the side of the debate he was assigned to argue.

“It was hard to do because I think (Vermont Yankee) should be shut down,” said Poodiak, who argued in class to keep the plant in operation.

In the end, McConnell and the faculty judges ruled in favor of the Green Team, awarding them the win in the debate.

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Multiple charges

• Police received a report from PetSmart on March 9 that someone was trying to return stolen merchandise. Marie G. Zietlinski, 69, of New Jersey was subsequently cited on a charge of false pretenses and Patricia A. Giddings, 37, of New York was cited on charges of retail theft and false pretenses, according to police reports. The merchandise was valued at more than $380, the report notes. Giddings was cited to appear in court.

• On March 13, police observed a vehicle on Essex Road that was swerving and almost collided with a curb, according to police reports. The vehicle turned onto Industrial Avenue and swerved again, almost driving off the road, according to the report. Police subsequently stopped the driver, Donald Douglas, 44, of South Burlington and cited him on charges of driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license and violating conditions of release, according to the report. His blood alcohol test registered .195, the report notes. The legal limit for driving in Vermont is .08.

Burglary

• Ponderosa Steakhouse was reportedly “broken into” on March 11, according to police reports. Anyone with information is asked to call Williston Police at 878-6611. The investigation is ongoing.

• U.S. Unwired was reportedly burglarized on March 11, and money was reported missing, according to police reports. Anyone with information is asked to call Williston Police at 878-6611. The investigation is ongoing.

Domestic assault

Ashley Ray Stevens, 27, of South Burlington was cited on a charge of aggravated domestic assault-first degree on March 10 after allegedly hitting and kicking his wife and threatening her with a box cutter, according to a police affidavit. Stevens’ wife showed police the bruises and scratches incurred during the alleged assault, and said she was going to obtain a relief from abuse order and file for divorce, according to the affidavit. He was cited to appear in court.

Bicycle found

A silver and maroon mountain bike was found near the bike path on March 11, according to police reports. It is being stored at the police station. For more information, contact Williston Police at 878-6611.

Theft

• A vehicle at Earthycars had its tires and rims stolen on March 7, according to police reports. Anyone with information is asked to call Williston Police at 878-6611.

• Martin Magnuson, 20, of Burlington was cited on a charge of retail theft after allegedly stealing almost $50 worth of merchandise from Wal-Mart on March 10, according to police reports. He was cited to appear in court.

• Sarah E. Forquites, 30, of Essex Junction was cited on a charge of retail theft after allegedly stealing almost $412 worth of merchandise from Wal-Mart on March 14, according to police reports. She was cited to appear in court.

Disorderly conduct

• Tara Porter, 39, of South Burlington was cited on a charge of disorderly conduct on Feb. 26 after allegedly “causing problems” at FedEx on Leroy Road, according to police reports. No other information was released.

• Sarah E. Couture, 19, of Colchester, Christopher O’Reilly, 19, of Winooski and Andrew J. Bessette II, 19, of Colchester were cited on charges of disorderly conduct on March 8, according to police reports. No other information was released.

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Leek a secret

March 18, 2010

By Kim Dannies

Recently I attended a writers’ conference at The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health (kripalu.org). Think holistic hotel, or yoga camp for over-grown kids, and you have the idea: Heaven for some, hell for others.

Little Miss Rib-Eye, I was somewhat anxious about getting enough protein in this wholesome environment. But after my first meal I was so dazzled by the flavors and the beauty of the food that I didn’t want my vegetarian stint to end.

While it’s never a bad thing to have others cook for you, reality hits especially hard on a Monday morning trip to the grocery store — what could I buy to recapture some of the magic of the Kripalu weekend? Because I was cooking a meatless dish, I was inspired to buy leeks (which usually I think are a bit too expensive). Leeks are the secret elite of the onion family, and because they add so much horsepower to a dish I felt the cost would justify my pursuit for perfection. I shopped for freshness, color and low-fat flavor and the resulting recipe is truly a Kripalu-worthy dish.

Pignoli and Leek Linguine

Prep: Discard the dark green top and bottom tip of 3 leeks. Slice the white and light green parts into thin disks; rinse well in a salad spinner. Toast 1 ounce of Pignoli (pine) nuts. Slice a small head of radicchio into thin ribbons, yielding 3 cups. De-stem 6 asparagus spears and cut vegetable into 1-inch pieces. Mince 2 garlic cloves. Measure out 1 cup of white wine; 1/3 cup lemon juice; 1 cup shaved Parmesan cheese.

Gremolata: In a small processor combine 1 garlic clove, a large handful of clean Italian parsley leaves and the zest of a small orange. Pulse to a rough chop.

Cook 6 ounces of whole-wheat linguine in boiling water for 10 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large non-stick pan and sauté leeks on high heat for 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 2 minutes more. Lower heat; deglaze with a splash of wine. Add asparagus, wine, lemon juice and cooking water. Simmer for 1 minute, season with kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste. Stir in the pasta and half of the Parmesan cheese; turn off the heat and cover. Line 2 pasta bowls with 1 cup each of the radicchio. Portion out the pasta. Top with generous pinches of gremolata, Pignoli nuts, Parmesan and the remaining radicchio. Serves 2.

Kim Dannies is a graduate of La Varenne Cooking School in France. She lives in Williston with her husband, Jeff; they have three college-aged daughters who come and go. For archived Everyday Gourmet columns go to kimdannies.com.

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