Maybe, and/or just felon-friendly housing that's not sprinkled among the elderly/disabled. I love it when people succeed when they get out but it doesn't always break that way and when that happens a bunch of frail elderly neighbors in a giant building is just not optimal.

I think all most folks are saying is that low barrier housing for former prisoners maybe shouldn't be in a building for the elderly and disabled that doesn't seem so outlandish/nimby-ish. It's just a bad combination.

Oh nice will do!

I'm pretty conflicted about it, really. I'm on the old side and we have always gotten rescues. My kid (16) is kind of in love with the idea of a golden and as we descend into old age and relative infirmity (I'm in my 50s but FEEL older) the idea of a purposefully bred dog without baggage kinda appeals. I love every dog we've ever gotten from a rescue or animal control but they can be a handful. We will see in all likelihood we won't follow through with this purebred thing cause we are suckers for a weird looking shelter dog.

The obvious answer is Burlington, it's the biggest city and very walkable, lots of restaurants but lots of people with money to eat in them it seems. Might put Brandon or Middlebury on the list--they're much smaller but very cute downtowns. Middlebury has a college which probably helps as well. Good luck!

Thanks for this! In a couple years (stupid canine mortality) we will get a new dog and we are considering our very first non-rescue. A golden is on our list.

I am not that old and not retired but have some old-people style health issues. It's really not so bad. Once you have a referral to a specialist the wait isn't so bad especially if it's more of a big-deal health thing. The docs are especially responsive via messaging as well. I'm in Burlington which might make it a bit easier.

Cafe HOT is amazing and OMG Grey Jay. I think maybe they're afraid of the crime if they'll go anywhere in the county but Burlington.

I'm in Burlington and you would be a-ok. I've got 2 kids at the public HS in Burlington and the kids and parents are whatever they are and it's just fine. Ive seen a number of gay couples at school events. The head of the Burlington School District (I think? Someone high up in the system) sent a lovely email about transgender rights the other day and they've had these education/listening events around lgbtq issues. So it's not just "nobody cares do whatever" they make a real effort to be inclusive and kind and that extends to the kids.

Check the habitat for humanity restore. If you're not picky about materials you might find something.

I have a pair of Ice Bugs I only use for walking the dog after snow/freeze. They have 100% kept me on my feet. I like them better than the things you have to put on the shoe because I'm lazy.

So my kids love Burlington HS, macys and all. It's got more diversity than you'll find in other schools, the academics are good (plenty of AP classes etc) and they still use the fields at the old school for athletics so it's not like you're running around the mall for practice. My daughter runs cross country and it's gorgeous having practice on the lake. Their friends go from immigrants to children of UVM profs it's really cool. I means yes, Macy's. I'd still give it a chance if it's up to you because living in Burlington has so much to offer in terms of walkable teen stuff (music, coffee shops, thrift stores etc). The others are sort of more of a suburban experience which is lovely, but not as interesting to me.

Colchester is on lockdown too

A lot of lake property is 3 season only so they're not meant to be occupied year round. Maybe look for listings calling the property 'camps'.

Give them a call! Last I wanted to order some they had a message that they'd be closed for a while so that should tell you one way or another. They've had a sign on their door for a long time saying they're taking a break and when I drive by (a lot it's very close to my office) I always check to see if it's still there.

Cafe Dim Sum is open, Hongs hasn't been open for a while.

They're still not open and I miss them so much!

Cafe Dim Sum in Burlington.

Oh no I'm horrified with myself reading these comments but we've never kept it around long enough for it to get moldy I guess? Dumb luck/gluttony saving the day again.

True true I agree with your position on the one trick kitchen ponies. But, I was too uncoordinated or something for that colander trick and now we eat kinda a lot of spaetzle (had a Hungarian grandmother) so it worked out for us.

You should try to make if! It's just flour eggs water and salt and you can but a spaetzle maker for like 20$ on Amazon. Takes no time at all!

This school choice issue is a biggie to keep in mind!

My teens tell me that EF and CV are pretty notorious for racist bs at games. I don't know what the school can do about the parents other than ban them from games after the fact, but I respect the kids for saying fuck that we're not going there. It's more than they should have to put up with over a game.

So in my old job I often dealt with people trying to get disability. Seems like almost everyone gets denied on their first application and then the lawyers get involved for the appeal. That might be why they want to wait to talk until the denial. Which is kinda dumb if you're just looking for an outline of the process. So either way I'd get the process started.