Labor Day treated Burlington to one of those perfect September days that remind us why we put up with mud season. After starting crisp enough to see your breath this morning, we warmed into the upper 70s with sunshine that had everyone finding excuses to eat lunch outside. The clouds that rolled in this afternoon are sticking around for Tuesday, keeping us partly cloudy with highs around 80 and just a whisper of a chance for mountain thunderstorms that'll likely stay well above the city. Wednesday looks nearly identical before Thursday brings more warmth and sunshine to start, though a cold front arrives fashionably late Thursday night. That front's our ticket to some genuinely useful rainfall Thursday night through Friday, with showers possibly lingering into Saturday. The weekend's shaping up cooler but pleasant, with highs settling back into the upper 60s and low 70s by Sunday.

Tonight's the perfect evening to shake off any Labor Day laziness with some community connection. The Singing Circle at 208 Flynn Avenue welcomes everyone at 7pm for an hour of songs that, as facilitator Shawna puts it, help folks "get in their bodies and feel their feelings." No choir experience needed, just show up a few minutes early and see if it resonates. If harmonizing isn't your speed, there's always pickup dodgeball at the Robert Miller Center, also at 7pm, where throwing balls at other adults for five bucks proves to be surprisingly therapeutic for the Monday evening blues.

Looking ahead to midweek, the CCV Community Chorus kicks off their fall season Wednesday at 7pm in Winooski with director Amity Baker leading everything from shapenote to Georgian music. Wednesday also brings line dancing at On Tap in Essex Junction at 6pm for those who prefer their musical expression with boot scooting, plus trivia night at Venetian at 7pm for the quiz masters among us. Thursday's packed with options: Bark & Brew returns to the Humane Society shelter at 5:30pm featuring Good Measure and Four Quarters breweries plus South End Sliders, while South Burlington Recreation hosts their traveling beer garden at Underwood Park's Overlook with music by Jacob Green and a free paint night capturing that spectacular view. For the Disney adults, Venetian's hosting Disney Karaoke Thursday at 7pm where you can channel your inner Elsa with a craft cocktail in hand.

The civic minded should mark Thursday afternoon for two important community gatherings. The Baird Park Comprehensive Plan meeting runs from 2:30 to 6:30pm with free, light food from Yalla Kitchen and a formal presentation at 5:30pm about the park's future vision. The Howard Center Arts Collective opens their Art Hop exhibition at 4:30pm at Flynndog Gallery, featuring over 40 artists reflecting on themes of compassion and kindness. Thursday evening, the Ward 6 NPA meeting starts with a free community dinner at 6pm before diving into discussions about homelessness initiatives and education funding with city councilors and state representatives. For those seeking their Latin groove, Switchback Brewing hosts their monthly Latin Dance Night Tuesday at 6pm with a beginner bachata class, while film buffs can catch Spike Lee's latest Highest 2 Lowest at Main Street Landing Wednesday at 7pm.

An official Meetup.com group! I just got back from a short vacation so I’ll be posting more events either today or tomorrow. And I love to discuss about what events people want to got to so remember to join the discord (link sent on Meetup.com after joining the group)

Burlington has tons going on. The Btown Brief highlights the best of it; Btown Brief IRL gets you off your couch to actually experience it. The idea is simple, we meet for trivia takeovers, food crawls, walks, live music, board games, bowling, volunteer days, and more. Burlington has so much to offer, why limit the meetup group to only one activity like every other group? We’re talking easy, low-pressure activities where conversation just flows and faces become familiar. Friendships don't appear from nowhere; they happen through casual time together, consistently. Show up a few times and proximity does the heavy lifting. Whether that's Btown Briefer-only events, or the group simply showing up together at existing happenings.

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Join free for the first month, RSVP to what sounds fun, utilize Meetup.com’s features, hop into Discord to coordinate, then just show up. As we grow, we'll add age-focused nights (20s–early-30s socials, 30s–40s dinners, 40s–50s game nights) alongside open meetups. Your attendance shapes what sticks.

For anyone who loves Burlington and wants to experience it fully. Whether you're new in town or born-and-raised, coming solo or with friends. Try it free, meet people, see if it fits. If it does, help us keep Burlington connected.

Building out the events week by week to start out, help decide what events we should show up to by using this newsletter’s Events section to see what’s going on.
[Join the Meetup group] • [Learn more] [Discord link shared on signup]

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Champlain Valley Fair numbers look good so far

After operating in the red for the past couple years thanks to ballooning costs for security, tents, and labor, fair officials say attendance is looking strong for the final stretch. The Expo spends about $1 million annually on entertainment alone, walking a tightrope between booking acts that draw crowds and keeping ticket prices reasonable. Fun fact: the grandstand has hosted everyone from Britney Spears to Justin Bieber to Mumford and Sons over the years, though today's stadium-filling artists are increasingly out of reach for county fairs. Check out the video in the link to see this year's fair festivities.

Hinesburg ends its police contract with Richmond

The September 8 breakup comes after months of failed negotiations over reciprocal coverage, pay inequities between departments, and the fundamental question of what kind of policing system the towns actually want. The sticking point? Richmond's officer gets time and a half for covering Hinesburg while Hinesburg officers get a flat $500 monthly stipend for the reverse.

Regulators Seek Rare Audit of Burlington Electric Department

The Public Utility Commission's extraordinary rebuke of BED management follows a pattern of costly mistakes, including losing nearly $1 million in renewable energy credits due to poor record keeping and underpaying solar array owners. The proposed management audit would examine everything from internal controls to employee training, marking what appears to be unprecedented scrutiny for a municipal utility in Vermont. General Manager Darren Springer, who earned $282,000 last year, pledged full cooperation while the PUC investigates whether BED improperly spent $2 million on the district energy project without regulatory approval.

'We're famous? What?!': Vt. boy goes viral on TikTok

Six-year-old Walter from Charlotte went viral with 3.5 million views after his neighbor filmed him marching down their driveway with a trash bag full of belongings, ready to move in next door with his best friend Miles. The boys have even created their own shortcut path between houses for easier visits. This wholesome Vermont moment captures the pure excitement of childhood friendship and the kind of neighborly connection that makes small town life special. Watch the adorable video that's melting hearts in the link.

Scott Kastner identified following fatal beating in Burlington

The father of four was beaten in broad daylight around 1:30pm by three youths believed to be 14 to 16 years old, one of whom displayed a gun during the assault. Officers on Church Street foot patrol intervened and caught the suspects, but Kastner died days later from his injuries. Two more suspects were later arrested as well. The case highlights ongoing concerns about youth violence and the limitations of Vermont's juvenile justice system, where confidential family court proceedings often result in minimal consequences due to lack of rehabilitation services.

Phil Scott, Emma Mulvaney-Stanak trade blows as state leaders take aim at homelessness, public drug use in Burlington

The governor and Burlington's mayor are locked in a public blame game over who's responsible for addressing the city's visible struggles with homelessness and drug use. Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison called visiting Burlington "terrifying" while Scott suggested the mayor's strategies are failing. Mulvaney-Stanak fired back that municipalities lack resources to handle the crisis, especially after July's motel evictions, and urged residents to flood the governor's office with pleas for help. Meanwhile, business owners report declining sales and scared employees, creating pressure from all sides for someone, anyone, to take meaningful action.

Burlington Council Approves Plan to Step Up Enforcement in City Hall Park

In a rare bipartisan move, councilors voted 9-2 to demand greater police presence and overnight clearing of City Hall Park, where drug dealing occurs openly and homeless residents regularly camp despite ordinances prohibiting both. The resolution comes after the recent fatal beating and ongoing complaints from businesses about declining sales and frightened employees. The catch? Burlington's police department remains understaffed, making it unclear how they'll actually implement increased patrols. The council also unanimously approved a new police contract with 15 percent raises over three years, boosting starting pay to $80,400 in hopes of attracting experienced officers from other departments.

Bus driver pay raise pays off in South Burlington

South Burlington's gamble on boosting bus driver pay has paid off spectacularly, doubling their driver workforce from 12 to 24 in just one year. After last year's severe shortage forced route cancellations and left parents scrambling, the district's investment means kids now get to school on time and can actually make it to field trips and sports events. Driver John Elowson says the gratitude from parents and students has been overwhelming.

UVM Extension: Drought stress affecting Vermont trees and shrubs

After an extremely wet spring, Vermont has received only 25 to 75 percent of normal rainfall since June while temperatures run 2 to 4 degrees above average. Trees are showing severe stress with browning leaves, premature leaf drop, and branch dieback. The drought weakens natural defenses, making trees vulnerable to boring insects, bark beetles, and root rot. UVM Extension recommends deep weekly watering out to the dripline and mulching to retain moisture, while warning that fertilizing during drought only makes stress worse. The conditions may also impact fall foliage colors if autumn rains don't arrive soon.

Another potential setback for new Chittenden County recycling center

The Chittenden Solid Waste District's $22 million recycling center, overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2022, has hit yet another snag. After their first Redmond Road site proved too wet for development, CSWD acquired another plot on the same road, only to have Williston's Development Review Board raise concerns about disrupting wildlife corridors and forest habitat. This marks the second major setback for a project meant to replace the 30-year-old Industrial Avenue facility. The board offered suggestions to lessen environmental impact but made no decision, leaving the desperately needed infrastructure project in continued limbo.

State Workers Ordered Back to the Office

Governor Scott is requiring most state employees to return to the office at least three days per week starting December 1, ending the pandemic era of widespread remote work. The administration claims the change will improve collaboration and make government more accessible to Vermonters, though unions question whether the real motive is appeasing Montpelier business owners who've complained about lost foot traffic. Many public facing employees already returned to regular schedules, but a significant portion of the state workforce has enjoyed flexible arrangements for nearly five years.

It’s a packed newsletter this week! It’s a one man team out here, so if you appreciate this newsletter and want to keep it going, consider a small donation using the link below, or right to my Venmo @BtownBrief ! Now onto the next section!

Monday, September 1, 2025

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Volunteer with Nightmare Vermont: Haunted House Kickoff!
Nightmare Vermont is a fully volunteer-run haunted house production; and they’re looking for new cast and crew to join the fun this fall. Whether you’re into acting, dancing, crafting, makeup, costumes, tech, or just love Halloween, this is your chance to get involved with a creative, welcoming group of spooky-minded folks.

Two kickoff sessions are being held: one on Thursday, September 4 from 7 to 9:30 PM at the UU Church basement in Burlington, and one on Saturday, September 6 from 3 to 5:30 PM in the Pickering Room at Fletcher Free Library. You only need to attend one.

At the kickoff, you’ll meet the team, hear about all the roles available—from scare acting to set building to behind-the-scenes help—and decide how much you want to participate. The shows run October 23–25 and October 30–November 1 at the Champlain Valley Expo, but there are volunteer opportunities all season long, especially on Saturdays during build and craft days.

No experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to play. RSVP or learn more at nightmarevermont.org/volunteering.

Check out this page for links to four great sites with volunteer opportunities all around Burlington.

Today’s picks:

Five more to add to your list as summer keeps rolling along. Spend a quiet morning at Leddy Park where you can walk the shoreline, find a shady picnic spot, or just sit with a view of the lake. Take a trip to Stowe and ride the Gondola SkyRide for sweeping mountain views without the long hike. Visit the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier to learn more about the state’s past and then walk through the nearby downtown for a slower pace. Stop by Burlington Records and dig through the crates to see what vinyl treasure you can uncover. Finish the day at Oakledge Cove where the rocky shoreline makes for one of the best spots to watch the sun go down.

Full list’s always waiting here when you need a plan: 202+ Things to Do

Soon to be updated with even more Burlington food deals:

View the full list of food & drink deals here.

Burlington’s dining scene just got a Turkish boost with Cappadocia Bistro, the new restaurant from the Oktay family (formerly of Istanbul Kebab House). In her recent Seven Days review, Melissa Pasanen spotlighted two stars of the menu: kumpir, a baked potato split open and mashed with butter and cheese before being loaded with toppings like garlicky yogurt, baba ghanoush, bulgur salad, and pickled cabbage; and the oven-baked flatbreads (lahmacun, pide, and stuffed bafra pide) that come blistered and fragrant from the 600-degree oven.

Melissa also noted the familiar meze plates (grape leaves, dips, and juicy chicken wings), the return of doner kebabs wrapped in fresh-baked rolls, and a pastry case that balances French-style Napoleons with traditional Turkish sweets like pistachio baklava. The bistro seats about 50 inside plus 25 outdoors, with the vibe leaning casual but full of color and energy.

Be sure to check out Melissa from Seven Day’s full review.

View the full list of restaurant reviews here.

Thanks for reading this Labor Day edition. Remember, the best part about living here is showing up for each other, whether that's a park planning meeting, or just throwing dodgeballs at your neighbors. Support your local businesses, check out those linked articles when you have a moment, and keep being the community that makes the city special.

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