Monday, June 23rd

Btown's Heat Wave Edition: Sweltering Start, Midweek Storms, Cooler Relief – Gardener's Supply's Future, First BtownBrief Meet-Up Event & A Packed Week of Events – Find out where to beat the record heat as cooling centers open, then get the scoop on tonight's City Council meeting covering downtown traffic and City Place development. Plus, we're looking ahead to a week of big music with Waxahatchee and Peach Pit, a major groundbreaking at the Shelburne Museum, and how a new study proves Vermont's plastic bag ban is working.

June 23, 2025

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Table of Contents

Weather & Monday Rundown:

We’re talking HEAT today. It seems summer has decided to arrive with authority. Expect the sweltering heat and humidity to stick around through Tuesday, with temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 90s. The heat index is the real story, making it feel more like 100 to 110 degrees, especially here in the Champlain Valley. Relief, or what passes for it, won't even come after sundown, as overnight lows will linger in the 70s. A cold front is set to move in late Tuesday, bringing a chance of scattered thunderstorms and finally breaking the oppressive humidity for Wednesday, which should feel somewhat more pleasant with highs in the low 80s. Thursday looks cooler still, in the mid 70s, before some rain returns for the end of the week.

If you’re looking for an air conditioned activity tonight, the City Council is holding a meeting with a pretty packed agenda. They'll be discussing the Great Streets traffic mitigation plan—specifically, whether to reopen Main Street to two way traffic on nights and weekends—and giving a final look at the FY26 budget. There’s also a significant public hearing on the 2025 Action Plan for housing and community development, and a vote on an amendment to the City Place agreement. It’s a full slate, touching on some of the city's most talked about topics, from downtown construction to long term development.

As the heat begins to break midweek, the event calendar really heats up. The Ben & Jerry's Concerts on the Green series continues its strong season with the acclaimed indie artist Waxahatchee at Shelburne Museum tonight. On Wednesday, the series brings a double bill of Peach Pit and Briston Maroney, another big draw for the indie and alternative crowd. And for a more family-centric vibe, South Burlington's Nite Out on Thursday at Veterans Memorial Park features the band Sticks and Stones, a fleet of food trucks, and a fire show from Cirque de Fuego to cap off the evening.

There’s plenty more happening around town, too. On Tuesday, you can head over to Zero Gravity for a free Bike & Gear Repair Fair, a perfect opportunity to get that finicky derailleur adjusted or a jacket patched up. That same evening, Switchback Brewing is hosting a movie night featuring "Dazed and Confused" in their beer garden. Then on Wednesday, you can join the Silent Book Club for a quiet, companionable reading session at Water Works Park—a decidedly low key and lovely way to spend a summer evening by the lake. But, make sure to keep your Thursday open because I have a special event for you! Keep reading…

Burlington is experiencing a heat spike well above its June norms—with highs ~14°F above the average and overnight lows ~13°F above expectations, nearing record levels. After today’s blistering heat, temperatures dip significantly over the next three days, returning closer to seasonal norms.

Friends Mixer/Meet Up Event Thursday at the Pinery (South End Get Down Spot aka Coal Collective. FREE!!)

I’ve been collecting events for months and months now, and I’ve always wanted to have my own event. So I did some thinking. Think of this event as a space built for making friends; everyone who shows up shares the same hope: “I want to meet someone I’d happily stop and chat with if I saw them around town.”

Being here means you’ve given everyone permission to say hello, and that shared understanding does the ice-breaking for you. Bring everybody you want and help make new friends all together, it’s free! The South End Get Down Spot already has an bar, DJ, one food truck, bathrooms, and parking for their Thursday evening hang out. So, it makes it a perfect spot for a community party! Plus, come meet me, the Btown Brief guy, so you can finally put a face to it! Starting Thursday night at 6:45pm.

Now I just have to make it fun and interesting. Chef, yes Chef, here’s what’s on the hour-and-a-half menu:

  • 6:45pm: People come in.

  • 7:00pm: Group Rock, Paper, Scissor Tournament (match up with a stranger, best 2/3. Winners raises their hands to play other winner’s until the last 1v1 match-up. Cheer on the person that beats you, then if they get beat, cheer on the person that won)

  • 7:15pm: Mingle between games. Grab a drink, check out the other stationary icebreakers, say hello to someone new, or another group of people.

  • 7:30pm: Group Scattegories (Split into 4–6-person teams, 3–5 squads total. I call a category + letter, and hit a 60-second timer; teams shout ideas while one writer scribbles. Time’s up—cross out duplicates; most unique answers wins.)

  • 7:45pm: Mingle again. Check out the other stationary icebreakers, say hello to someone new, or another group of people.

  • Venue closes at 9. I’ll be packing my stuff up sometime in between!

Stationary Icebreakers Include:

Cornhole – casual bag-toss duels. Giant Jenga – build, wobble, crash. Cards / Uno – quick hands when seats open. Community Map – pin “best sunset” spots & more, trade stories. Question Tokens – pull a coin, ask its icebreaker. Burlington Bluff – 3 local “facts,” vote on the lie. Two-Minute Portraits – strangers sketch each other, big reveal. Paper Plane Toss – 30 second folds, variety of planes to choose, longest flight wins. I have more ideas to rotate in, and would love to make it a weekly or bi-weekly event; so show me you’re interested!

You don’t have to RSVP, but it makes it easier to have an idea if you vote on this poll:

Plan on going to the Btown Brief Thursday night Friends Mixer at the Pinery?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Also, coming soon:

What if meeting new people in Burlington was easier? I'm launching an idea to make that happen. Soon, you'll be able to sign up to meet a small group of strangers in your age range for coffee or a drink. Just fill out a quick poll with your age range and when you're free. I'll handle the rest, organizing you into groups of six, and sending you each the time+location. Plus, you'll already have something in common to talk about: the Btown Brief! Keep an eye out for the sign-up. Let’s turn this newsletter into a culture!

“The more people we teach, the more knowledge that’s out there, and then we’re not living in a life where there’s so much people not knowing and ignorance that’s actually been in the state and around us for a long time.,” said Chief Brenda Gagne of the St. Francis-Sokoki Band of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi, per WCAX.

This is a significant and long-awaited development for one of the area's premier cultural institutions. The 11,000 square foot Perry Center for Native American Art aims to provide a dedicated space for Indigenous art and education, developed in collaboration with local tribal leaders. The project, expected to be completed in early 2027, represents a major step toward elevating and honoring the region's Indigenous heritage.

"In a statement on Monday to WCAX News, Gardener’s Supply blamed a post-pandemic downturn in business, saying, 'Despite cost-cutting measures, the challenges posed by increased competition, rising shipping expenses, tariffs, and escalating marketing costs have proven insurmountable.'” per WCAX.

The Chapter 11 filing of the Vermont-based, employee-owned company has raised concerns about the fate of its retail locations and employees' stock. An Indiana-based catalog business, Gardens Alive!, is expected to purchase the company in what's described as a "going-concern sale," meaning the operations will likely continue. For now, the company has stated that business will carry on as usual for customers while the sale is finalized.

"In Burlington, locations include: Fletcher Free Library... Core at the One Center... a shade tent in City Hall Park... The Sharon Bushor Conference Room... The COTS Daystation... CVOEO Community Resource Center... and The Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform Office." per WCAX.

With heat index values soaring past 100 degrees, the city and local organizations have established several cooling centers to provide relief. These locations offer a vital service, especially for vulnerable residents without access to air conditioning. It’s a practical reminder of the public health challenges extreme weather poses and the community infrastructure required to respond.

“The transition from plastic to paper was quite minimal, and what we saw was people switching from single-use options to something else,” said UVM researcher Emily Belarmino, per Seven Days.

Five years after Vermont banned single use plastic bags, a University of Vermont study confirms the policy's effectiveness. The dramatic reduction shows a significant shift in consumer behavior, with most people opting for reusable bags rather than simply switching to paper. The findings suggest that the fee and ban combination has been a successful model for reducing plastic waste, a point of pride for a state that often leads on environmental initiatives.

"The decision issued last month affirms the Vermont Environmental Court’s decision that also favored the development following a six-day trial last summer." per The Other Paper.

The Vermont Supreme Court has sided with developers planning 32 mixed housing units next to South Burlington's Wheeler Nature Park, a decision that upholds earlier court rulings. Neighbors who appealed the project cited concerns over aesthetics, blasting, and the loss of a scenic view, arguing the land was intended for conservation. This ruling marks another chapter in a long legal history surrounding the park and adjacent parcels, though appellants have already filed a motion to have the case reargued.

“We didn’t want to have the kids in these hot buildings for these next couple of days. Don’t think anyone would be doing much learning, and certainly wouldn’t be excited about sweating all day,” said School Superintendent Steven Dellinger-Pate, per WCAX.

Students in the Washington Central Unified Union School District got an early start to their summer vacation, as officials canceled the last two days of school due to the extreme heat. Since the district's students had already met the state's required 175 days of instruction, the administration decided it was safer to close. The move highlights the challenges that aging school infrastructure, much of which lacks air conditioning, faces with increasingly hot weather.

Volunteer Opportunties Highlight: American Cancer Society

There are so many volunteer opportunities in Burlington! And a great way to meet people, and make new friends. This week I choose to highlight:

Road to Recovery: Give a Ride, Change a Life
Help make sure no one misses a cancer treatment because they couldn’t get there. The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program is looking for volunteers in Chittenden and Washington County to give patients free rides to and from treatment. It’s a simple but powerful way to support someone during one of the hardest times of their life. Volunteers must be 18–84 with a valid driver’s license. Learn more at cancer.org/drive or call 1-800-227-2345.

Check out this page for links to four great sites with volunteer opportunities all around Burlington: https://btownbrief.beehiiv.com/c/volunteer-burlington

Events:

Monday, June 23, 2025

General Events

Live Music/DJ

  • 7:00 PM: Ben & Jerry's Concerts on the Green: Waxahatchee at Shelburne Museum ($54-58; free for ages 12 and under)

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

General Events

Performances

  • 6:30 PM: Movie Night at Switchback Brewing Company 

  • 6:45 PM: 'Dazed and Confused' Screening at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington (Free)

  • 7:00 PM: Open Mic Comedy with Levi Silverstein at the 126, Burlington (Free)

Live Music/DJ

  • 7:00 PM: Isabel Pless & Andrew Montana at Radio Bean ($15/$18)

  • 7:00 PM: Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride at the 126, Burlington (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: Honky Tonk Tuesday with Pony Hustle at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

General Events

Thursday, June 26, 2025

General Events

Live Music/DJ

202+ Things to Do in Burlington (Summer Activities)

Today’s picks:

Five more ways to keep things interesting while the days are still long and warm. Head out to Colchester Pond for a calm paddle or a walk around the perimeter trail, where it’s just you, the birds, and the water. Stop in at August First for a pastry on their sunny patio, a perfect place to slow down for a bit and watch the world go by. Take a late afternoon trip to Lone Rock Point and sit on the cliffs for a quiet view of the lake and mountains—bonus if you catch golden hour. Wander the Pine Street corridor and see what’s new at the local shops and studios, especially in the Soda Plant. And when you’re ready for something simple, pack a picnic and spend the evening lounging at Waterfront Park as the sun sets.

Full list’s always waiting here when you need a plan: https://btownbrief.beehiiv.com/c/202-activites

Eating Out On A Budget (Food & Drink Deals)

This Week’s Food & Drink Picks
• Monday: $1 pizza and $1 drafts at Three Needs (after 4 PM) and ½-price burgers at Shelburne Tap House
• Tuesday: $12 pasta at Gold Restaurant and BOGO 50% off traditional wings at Buffalo Wild Wings
• Wednesday: $5 off burgers at Daily Planet and $1 oysters at Bleu Northeast Kitchen (5–6 PM)
• Thursday: $0.75 jumbo wings at Shelburne Tap House and $5 Zero Gravity pints at Daily Planet (5–10 PM)

View the full list of food & drink deals here: https://btownbrief.beehiiv.com/c/food-drink-deals

This Week’s Comic: That Vermont Maple baby!

Basically Vermont’s Cologne

This Week’s Restaurant Review: Farmhouse Tap & Grill

A cornerstone of Burlington’s farm-to-table scene, the Farmhouse Tap & Grill on Bank Street has cemented itself as a downtown institution. Housed in a cleverly renovated former McDonald's, the gastropub buzzes with a constant, lively energy, drawing in everyone from beer aficionados to families. The rustic-chic interior is warm and inviting, though its popularity often means the main dining room is bustling and loud. For those seeking a different vibe, the seasonal outdoor beer garden provides a more relaxed setting, while the downstairs Parlor offers a cozier escape.

The menu is a testament to Vermont’s agricultural bounty, with the LaPlatte River Angus Farm beef burgers rightfully earning their city-wide praise. These aren't your average pub burgers; they are thoughtfully constructed, often featuring local standouts like Vermont Cabot cheddar. Beyond the burgers, the kitchen delivers consistent, elevated comfort food, from the savory blue cheese garlic toast to a fresh New England raw bar. The main attraction for many, however, is the tap list—an expertly curated and extensive selection of Vermont’s most sought-after craft beers that has earned the bar widespread recognition.

Still, the very elements that define the Farmhouse experience can be a double-edged sword. The commitment to high-quality, local ingredients is reflected in the price point, which is a noticeable step up from a casual pub meal and may not fit every budget. The restaurant’s energetic atmosphere, while vibrant and fun, can easily feel crowded and may not be the best choice for an intimate or quiet conversation, especially during peak hours. Despite these considerations, Farmhouse Tap & Grill remains a great spot for a reliably delicious, locally-sourced meal and arguably one of the best draft lists in town.

View the full list of reviews here: https://btownbrief.beehiiv.com/c/restaurant-reviews

That’s All, Burlington!

Stay cool, check on your neighbors, and try to enjoy these long summer evenings. Thanks for reading.

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