local lowdown

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Little Shop of Horrors

Starting on Thursday, May 1 and running through Saturday, May 3 will be Middlebury Union High School's productoin of Little Shop of Horrors. The play will take place in the high school's auditorium and will begin at 7 p.m. all three nights. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and can be purchased at the door. Make sure you don't miss out on this rare opportunity to see a high school student dressed up as a man-eating plant and interacting with his human co-stars.

Community Forest Celebration in Bristol

On Thursday, May 1 starting at 5 p.m., Bristol residents and attendees from other communities will gather at Waterworks to usher in the new month with the raising of the May Pole followed by a potluck dinner, a May Pole dance, music and a bonfire beside the lake. For more information about the event, or for directions to Waterworks, call 802-453-7728 or visit www.familyforest.org.

Green-Up Day Cookout in Middlebury

As college students, we all know how difficult it can be to prioritize your time. On Saturday, May 3, Otter Creek Brewery will offer the Middlebury community a chance to help save the environment and pig out at the same time - how's that for multitasking? After filling up your Green-Up Day bags, drop them off at Otter Creek between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and stick around for some great food and fun. And who knows? - maybe they'll even give you free beer (if you are above 21, that is).

Wildflowers and Birdwatching

Apparently, the rest of Vermont is just as excited about spring as we are - the flood of birdwatching and wildflower-identifying workshops never ceases to end. This week, those who are flora-and fauna-inclined should make their way out to the Trail Around Middlebury (TAM) on Sunday, May 4 to walk with Warren King, who will be leading the expedition. For details on location and time or to ask questions, be sure to call 802-388-4082.

United Way at the Snow Bowl

On Wednesday, May 7, the Middlebury College Snow Bowl will play host to a barbeque to raise money for United Way. The event will include food, a cash bar, entertainment and volunteer/campaign awards. Middlebury Professor of Economics John Isham will also be speaking at the celebration. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and those who wish to attend should call 802-308-7189 or send an e-mail to ryan@unitedwayaddisoncounty.org.

Book Discussion with Bill McKibben

Scholar-in-Residence Bill McKibben will be discussing issues such as the effects of eating locally on the Middlebury community and economy on Wednesday, May 7 from 6-8 p.m. The book discussion will be held at the United Methodist Church in Middlebury and will be free and open to the public. So if you haven't gotten your fill of McKibben on the College's campus, try heading into town to hear everybody's favorite environmental writer speak.