AARP Vermont

Complete Streets are streets designed for all modes of transportation, allowing people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike, use public transit and drive. It is an approach to planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining streets that enables safe access for all people who need to use them, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders (Smart Growth America).

Winter Placemaking Projects Promote Livability for All Ages

Sophie Quest, of Burlington, has received AARP’s top volunteer award, the Andrus Award for Community Service.

AARP Makes Long-term Investment in Burlington’s Healthwith New Fitness Park AARP Vermont and the City of Burlington opened an AARP Sponsored Outdoor Fitness Park in Burlington’s New North End in July as a long-term investment in the health of residents.

Editor’s note: This commentary is by Beth Stern, of Marshfield, who is executive director of Central Vermont Council on Aging

AARP Vermont is collaborating with Team Better Block to implement a Community Demonstration Project in one Vermont community in 2016. The $15,000 initiative is an approach to revitalization that begins with temporarily transforming a single block into a vibrant destination that illustrates the potential for new business, safer streets and improved livability. Typically, cities have used their Better Blocks to set up farmers’ markets, beer gardens, bookstores and fruit stands. They’ve built swings and climbing areas, set up trampolines and presented school plays, local dance troupes and open-mike musicians. They often lead to more permanent neighborhood improvements.

Four AARP state offices in northern New England are partnering this month to co-sponsor the online program Living Histories: New England LGBTQ+ Voices from the Outwords Archive, hosted by the Outwords Archive (OUTWORDS) via Zoom on Friday, October 28 at noon Eastern. The event is free but registration is required.

Bethel Better Block Final Report

About 40,000 taxpayers who rely on Social Security will no longer pay state taxes on those benefits, thanks to the advocacy of AARP and its volunteers.

Linda Bowden of Burlington has been has been appointed State President of AARP Vermont, a volunteer position working closely with both staff and volunteers throughout the state to help AARP achieve its mission in Vermont. Her responsibilities include serving as a volunteer spokesperson, chairing the AARP Vermont Advisory Council, building networks and community partnerships, and recruiting volunteers.