Grace Potter opens for President Obama Friday
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals to open for Obama tomorrow.
Vermonter, Grace Potter will open for the President's visit tomorrow. Her management is reporting that the Nocturnals will play about 45 minutes. Potter's new CD, “The Lion The Beast The Beat” drops June 12. This is her fourth studio album and features a collaboration with Dan Auberbach of "The Black Keys."
From WCAX-TV (this station will be covering the event from 5 am on)
Burlington braces for Obama visit
WCAX-TV
Fans of President Barack Obama are counting down to his visit to Vermont on Friday.
But Preparing for a presidential visit is both an honor and a top secret headache for local law enforcement.
"Many details we can't share just because of the security risk. Many we don't know. Events like this really evolve up until the last minute," said South Burlington Police Chief Trevor Whipple.
The South Burlington police are working with the U.S. Secret Service to ensure President Obama's visit Friday runs smoothly. Although the chief could not confirm the logistics, it's expected that the president will fly into Burlington International Airport before making his way to the Sheraton Hotel and the University of Vermont.
The last time a president visited Vermont it was 1995. Air Force One landed, President Clinton emerged and the Queen City went into a frenzy. Crowds, protestors and security checkpoints. Nothing was normal, including the president's roundabout route from the airport to downtown Burlington.
On Friday, President Obama's team is also likely to keep folks guessing. The logical route for his motorcade would be down Williston Road, potentially impacting streets like Spear, East Avenue and sections of Interstate 89. But police say commuters in South Burlington should be prepared for anything.
Read More
But Preparing for a presidential visit is both an honor and a top secret headache for local law enforcement.
"Many details we can't share just because of the security risk. Many we don't know. Events like this really evolve up until the last minute," said South Burlington Police Chief Trevor Whipple.
The South Burlington police are working with the U.S. Secret Service to ensure President Obama's visit Friday runs smoothly. Although the chief could not confirm the logistics, it's expected that the president will fly into Burlington International Airport before making his way to the Sheraton Hotel and the University of Vermont.
The last time a president visited Vermont it was 1995. Air Force One landed, President Clinton emerged and the Queen City went into a frenzy. Crowds, protestors and security checkpoints. Nothing was normal, including the president's roundabout route from the airport to downtown Burlington.
On Friday, President Obama's team is also likely to keep folks guessing. The logical route for his motorcade would be down Williston Road, potentially impacting streets like Spear, East Avenue and sections of Interstate 89. But police say commuters in South Burlington should be prepared for anything.
Read More
From VPR News:
Occupy Vermont Plans To Protest Obama Visit
Thursday, 03/29/12 7:04am
VPR/Kirk Carapezza
Progressive activist leader Ashley Smith speaks to members of Vermont's
Occupy movement in Burlington Wednesday night.
President Obama will be in Vermont Friday for a series of campaign events, and progressive activists in Burlington are organizing to argue that he hasn't fulfilled his campaign promises made back in 2008.
At a meeting Wednesday night on UVM's campus, members of Vermont's Occupy movement demanded that President Obama support policies that benefit what they call the 99 percent.
Ashley Smith with the United National Anti-War Coalition is an organizer of the left-leaning Occupy movement. He says one of the issues that it continues to advocate for is ending America's global military intervention.
VPR/Kirk Carapezza
Members of Vermont's Occupy movement are dusting off their buttons ahead of President Obama's visit to Vermont Friday.
"Obama is not a peace president," Smith told a group of about 60 Occupy members. "The reverse is the case. He came in to salvage a mess that Bush created and to expand the American wars."
Vermont's Occupy movement suffered a setback last winter when its Burlington encampment was shutdown.
But UVM graduate student Nolan Rampy says the movement is still smoldering here, and he sees the president's visit Friday as an opportunity to resist calls from Democrats to rekindle its energy around President Obama's reelection campaign.
"Obama has completely and utterly sold out the left and I think his entire first term has proved that," Rampy said after the meeting. "What he's shown is that if real change is going to come about in the country it's going to come from people on the outside protesting the establishment."
From the South Burlington Police
Presidential Visit TOMORROW
by South Burlington Police Department on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 3:59am ·
The South Burlington Police Department would like to remind everyone that President Obama will be visiting the Burlington area tomorrow, March 30th.
Due to the level of security required for a visit by the President, there will be temporary road closures and redirections of traffic in and around the area of Williston Road (US Rt 2), Interstate Route 89 in the area of exit 14 E&W, and the Spear Street/ East Avenue intersection. These temporary actions may delay traffic and will likely radiate beyond this area to other roadways. While the highways will only be closed intermittently during this event, backups may occur.
It is highly recommended that alternate routes be planned and extra time allowed for travel on this date.
Info from the Obama Campaign:
This event is completely sold out
there will be no tickets sold at the doors!
SECURITY
There will be a high level of security at this event. This will affect all aspects of the day, from parking to exiting the facility at the end of the event. We ask for your patience during this process as everyone works to ensure your safety.
**PERSONAL ITEMS**
All guests will pass through security before being allowed entry to the venue. Just like at the airport, those who travel light will travel more quickly. Please leave all large bags, backpacks, computers, and other unnecessary items at home or in your vehicle, as they will not be allowed into the facility. Please remember to bring your identification. Large professional long lens cameras and large camera bags are prohibited, and may be turned away by security, so a small camera is best.
**REFRESHMENTS **
Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase (CASH ONLY). Outside food and beverage will not be permitted.
**LIMTED SEATING**
This is a standing reception and there will be very limited seating reserved only for elderly and disabled guests who need accommodations.
______________________________
KEY TIMES TO REMEMBER
*Doors Open at 11:30am* and will close at 1:30 p.m.
*Please plan to arrive by 1:00 pm at the latest— entry is not guaranteed for late arrivals*
*Program is expected to conclude at 3:30 pm*
Follow Photos By Nanci at: