Hello Burlington! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Nectar’s tribute concert, the Champlain Parkway opening, and Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus! the musical! + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A hometown music farewell: South Burlington’s sold-out tribute concert honored Nectar’s legacy with 32 local artists and a video tribute. The venue closed last year, and proceeds from the show went to charity -- read the full story.
Road milestone event: Hundreds ran the "Punishish" along Burlington's Champlain Parkway before it opens. Outbound lanes will open Monday, June 29, with inbound following Tuesday, June 30, after 60 years in the making -- see the opening schedule.
Strong demand keeps growing: Burlington Hyundai and Subaru dealers say EVs are selling before they hit the lot, interest remains strong despite 2025 rebate end and a 56% sales drop. Vermont rebates remain -- read how buyers are responding.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Gift ideas blooming: Home & Garden Vermont is that cheerful, locally owned spot for garden-inspired gifts, pretty stationery, Vermont-y finds, and fresh bouquets. Stop in when your place needs a little spring or when you remember a birthday mid-scroll… Jana can twirl up a custom bunch that actually looks intentional.
Local sunset fix: When your brain needs a five-minute reboot, Overlook Park nails it with wide-open views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks, a quick hop to the Rec Path, and just enough quiet to pretend you’re on vacation for 1.7 acres at a time.
Arcade night, settled: If your thumbs need cardio this week, The Dragon's Dojo is Burlington’s rhythm and fighting game arcade with imported cabinets, regular tournaments, and a welcoming crew that will happily cheer your first clear. Perfect for a quick after-work session or a longer button-mashing hang.
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04 — Our recommendations
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Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
💃 Intro to Highland @ (Essex Junction) | Wednesday (6/24) at 3:00 PM – Give the kids, and your inner kid, a summer win with Intro to Highland in Essex Junction, where ages 4+ learn solid Scottish footwork in a fun, supportive class. No experience necessary, just enthusiasm, sensible shoes, and a willingness to hop with purpose.
🎪 SB Nite Out #2 @ Veterans Memorial Park (South Burlington) | Thursday (6/25) at 5:30 PM – Take a break from cooking and hit Veterans Memorial Park for SB Nite Out, with Sticks & Stones, food trucks for cravings, and a Cirque de Fuego finale. The Kids Zone burns off energy with inflatables, mini golf, and face paint, you get a creemee.
🎭 Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! @ Contois Auditorium in Burlington's City Hall | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’ve read it a hundred bedtime times, or just need an excuse to practice saying no, this Mo Willems musical lets the crowd help keep a pushy Pigeon off the bus. It’s free with reservations, delightfully kid-friendly, and there’s standby for sellouts.
🎶 Summer Concert Series: Sugar in the Pan @ City Hall Park | Friday (6/26) at 12:30 PM – Whether you logged miles at contra dances or prefer a chair, Sugar in the Pan brings New England, Québec, Maritime, Appalachian, and Swedish tunes to your downtown lunch, with sing-alongs. Seven Vermont teens honor mentors, swap instruments, and raise funds for Young Tradition Touring Group.
⚾ Norwich Sea Unicorns Baseball @ Centennial Field | Friday (6/26) at 12:35 PM – If your idea of a proper Friday night is peanuts, a creemee, and hollering 'nice eye' without scaring anyone, the Sea Unicorns face the Lake Monsters at Centennial Field. Classic park vibes, quick innings, and the occasional Champ sighting, the good stuff of summer.
🍖 Summer BBQs @ Essex Alliance Church | Saturday (6/27) at 4:00 PM – North Ave’s doing summer right with a free, no-fuss community BBQ, live music, and yard games on the lawn. They grill the burgers and dogs, you bring a chair, a side, and your favorite family-friendly sipper. Rain or shine, please leave pets home.
🧩 The Amazing Puzzle Race 500 piece @ The Boardroom - Board Game Cafe | Sunday (6/28) at 12:00 PM – Round up a team of up to four, and race to finish a 500-piece jigsaw in 4.5 hours for prizes and bragging rights. It's $40 a team, which is cheaper than therapy, and yes, edge pieces first is not cheating, it's strategy.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Burlington report Weather forecastToday — High: 81°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 12%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind 3 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind 3 to 9 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 82°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 34%
A chance of rain showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers likely before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis renovated 1-bed, 1-bath residence at College & Battery pairs downtown Burlington convenience with front-row Lake Champlain and Adirondack views. A wide-open layout, south-facing semi-circle windows, and fresh new flooring keep the space bright and polished. Add an updated kitchen, private balcony, secure entry, elevator access, parking, and heated storage, and it feels effortlessly complete.
Take a peek inside → |
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