girl develop it

girl develop it
don’t be shy. develop it.

Girl Develop It, or GDI, does exactly what you’d think it does. It helps girls to develop – as in software development, right? We’ve all read (or maybe you haven’t) that the high tech world is really a guy’s world with very few women (aka girls).

Enter GDI. They’re working on changing that by empowering all women, 18 and older, to develop software through classes and meetups. Currently there are GDI chapters in 17 cities worldwide. Check here to see if there’s one near you.

Of course, there’s one here in Burlington, Vermont. In fact their next “Monthly Code & Coffee” is scheduled for November 20th. Come on gals, girls, ladies, lassies, women – what are you waiting for? If you’ve ever had an interest in software development – this is your chance – an opportunity to explore  your developing skills.

Not interested in joining GDI yourself? but think it’s an awesome idea (because it is), how about supporting them or spreading the word by following them on facebook and twitter.

Come on, let’s get more girls in the high tech world.

shoutplans

shoutplans
real-time discovery of social intent for daily activities and events

have you ever wanted to grab sushi or go to a concert but none of your close circle of friends were available? well, shoutplans can help you! shoutplans is a free social planning tool that lets you discover what everyone around you wants to do and when.

all you have to do is sign up and shout out what you want to do to your friends and/or local community. as they call it – you are “expanding your planning pools“. once you find others that are interested, use their built in planning tools to easily coordinate a sushi date, catch a movie, find a carpool to the mountain, grab a beer, or whatever and then get offline and actually be social!

it’s as simple as 1, 2, 3:

• shout it
• plan it
• do it!

and maximize your free time with shoutplans.

learn more.

south end art hop

south end art hop
vermont’s largest exhibition of visual art

for 20 years the south end arts & business association (seaba) has been presenting the south end art hop – a 3 day exhibition of visual art in burlington’s pine street corridor. with 60+ participating sites & 600 artists, the art hop attracts more than 30,000 visitors who ‘hop’ along pine street celebrating the vibrant arts community.

the weekend’s line-up of events is long and impressive. come and enjoy:

• concerts
• light shows
• comedy
• artist market
• kids hop
• fashion show – strut! (the only event you need to buy tickets for)
• juried art show
• short film series
• dog hop
• pottery wheel demonstrations
• brewery tours
• taste the world
• artist’s studios
• and more…

here’s a full list of this year’s art hop events, where you’ll also find a full list of participating artists and sites as well this great map.

not sure how to start? check out this awesome “go-with-the-flow-chart” from seven days (sponsors of strut!) helping you navigate the art hop. it’s broken down for families, foodies, thrill seekers and foward thinkers. we love this clever chart!

the fun starts friday – so get hopping!

p.s. seaba’s thinking of having an artcar parade next year – if you like that cool idea email them at info@seaba.com with artcar parade in the subject line.

startup vermont

startup vermont
promoting entrepreneurship and high growth companies in vermont

working together with the startup america partnership, startup vermont is a group of vermont entrepreneurs, business and community leaders who are dedicated to helping young companies grow and create jobs.

by becoming a member, entrepreneurs will have access to resources and connections such as:

• expertise in training, mentors, advisors
• reduced cost services
• recruiting & training talent
• sources of capital
• acquisiiton of new customers
• expansion into new markets

anyone interested in entrepreneurship in vermont should consider joining.

note:
thanks to all who attended the free startup event August 14^th  !

abel & lovely

abel & lovely
I AM abel and lovely, and together, WE ARE abel and lovely

originally a shop in charlotte, vermont, abel and lovely has re-invented itself as an online shop supporting community based women’s causes. as of now they sell a wide range of items from abel & lovely soaps, t-shirts, onesies to totes, aprons and candles.

and even more interesting is their new t-shirt project  “I AM Abel & Lovely”. they are partnering with the vermont cancer center this october to support local cancer research and supportive patient care.
   
here’s how it works: you buy one of their cool abel & lovely t-shirts and show up at burlington’s waterfront boathouse on october 6th wearing your shirt and join the photo shoot! 

with a mission “to empower all women to own the truth that authentic beauty comes from within” how can you not buy one of their t-shirts?

how strong and abel and lovely are you?

july 4th in vermont

july 4th in vermont
celebrations 

independence day. america’s beginning.

vermont has lots of fun ways to celebrate the 4^th. check out some fireworks, parties & parades in these towns (date of fireworks in parenthesis – some are on the 3rd, some on the 4th and some on the closest saturday to the 4th):

brandon – (6th)

burlington– (3rd) see the fireworks on the waterfront of from the lake

burke – (6th)

hartford – (4th)

hinesburg – (4th)

jay – (4th)

killington – (4th)

manchester center – (4th)

montpelier – (3rd)

plymouth – celebrate the birth of calvin coolidge – yes, his birthday was on the 4^th fireworks here (4th)

shelburne –  vso at shelburne farms (4th)

stowe – parade in moscow is vermont’s shortest parade (4th)

warren – definitely a crazy & wacky parade – a must see, at least once. find them on facebook  too. (4th) 

woodstock – (4th)

happy 4^th!