We were saddened to learn this morning via Twitter that our friends at Burlington City Arts have been victims to senseless vandalism.

According to their Facebook page, “Last night, someone smashed the door of the Firehouse Center and stole the Gallery donation money. We are deeply hurt and saddened by this. If anyone has any information, please let us know.”

It is most certainly discouraging to realize that a person or persons could carry out actions such as this, especially around the holiday season and towards an organization that gives back to the community and its members. Hopefully, however, we can come together as that community and do whatever little we can to help BCA come back from this even stronger and truly exhibiting the values and thoughtfulness that is Burlington, Vermont.

To make donations to BCA please visit either their homepage, or FirstGive, and show them your support. You can also reach out to them via Twitter or Facebook and share your thoughts with them directly.

- The Burlington Boatyard Crew

Our friends at the ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center are asking members of the Lake Champlain and Vermont communities to take some time completing their new survey . This survey is an opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas about Lake Champlain and tell them a little about how you spend your time and how you use social media.

Burlington Boatyard is one many local lake stewards (LCI, LCSC, Outdoors Magazine to name a few) that understand the essential role social media plays in promoting environmental and ecological awareness in both our local lake community and other watersheds around the country. We ask that you take a moment to provide your insight, opinions, thoughts and concerns with ECHO via this survey, and appreciate your continued support for all of us who strive to make positive impacts on Lake Champlain and beyond.

Media Summary

“Will Fish For Fun” Kids Derby is an open fishing derby for kids up to the age of 14 from anywhere or from any means. Our goal is to give them a connection with nature. This is a free event with no restrictions. The grand price is a Lifetime Vermont State Fishing License (for the oldest age group only). It is held and headquartered at the Burlington boat house every year, the Saturday after Labor Day (September 12th this year). Fishing is limited to the Burlington Waterfront from shore. Only kids are allowed to fish, and parents are encouraged to coach by all means. There is a coaching crew but our coaches can get overwhelmed very quickly. People who are interested in becoming coaches can apply directly with the Event Organizer, Pete Thayer (send requests to “therocknvt@yahoo.com”).

The derby kicks off at 8am, rain or shine, and ends at 11:30am. We are happy and proud to have Charlie Papillo from WVMT Radio’s “The Charlie and Ernie Show” on AM620 weekdays early morning, not only hosting our derby, but also helping us promote the event and gain sponsorship, and in general keeping the kids smiling.

If you and your children would like to participate, go to the website www.willfishforfun.com, and click on the Contact Us page to fill out the information for each child (we need it for t-shirt and pole sizes). Once the information is submitted, you will receive an email containing your registration paperwork, which you will need to bring on the day of the Derby.

Last year we had a moving line with over 100 kids in it for over an hour. Need to get’em kids fishing. We have given away over 300 fishing poles since our start 2 yrs ago and we hope to be able to buy and give away that many this year alone. We are doubling the bait order, which is partly donated by Hog Island Bait in Alburg, so nobody will go wormless. Junior’s Italian, which has been supporting us since our 1^st derby, is also donating again this year.

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There’s no doubt that this summer is going to be unforgettable here on Lake Champlain. With the celebration of the Quadricentennial taking place over the next few months, the waterfront will be filled with boating, sailing, fishing and most of all, lots of fun for the whole community.

As nice as it is to relax on the rocks by the boat house or have a delicious lunch at Splash, we urge you to get out there and be part of the action! Our friends at the Lake Champlain Sailing Center have just announced and unbelievable “2 for 1 Season Pass Special” that will have you and a first mate experiencing the beauty of Lake Champlain off shore and on the water.

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For those passionate about Lake Champlain and the issues surrounding its well being, we suggest you visit the Voices For The Lake Blog. The VFL project, spearheaded by Bridget Butler and our friends over at the ECHO Center in Burlington, utilize social media technology to foster stewardship and awareness throughout the lake community. This fresh approach taken by the folks at ECHO blends the “old with the new” by tackling timeless issues of conservation and preservation through their use of YouTube, RSS Feeds and Twitter.

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During the past few days, the temperature has risen and so has the temptation to get back out on the lake. Unfortunately, the cold weather has returned and reality has settled back in. If you find yourself still yearning in anticipation for the boating season, then the Vermont Boat Show might just be what you need.

This weekend, February 13-15, come to the Robert E. Miller Expo at the Champlain Valley grounds in Essex Junction and see the widest selection of the latest boats and gear for 2009. Being one of the biggest boat shows on the east coast, Burlington Boatyard will be there talking about all the exciting plans for the 2009 boating season and will have information on all of our great online services.

If you can’t make the show, then stay connected through the live BBY Blog, as Guy Mitrano (CEO) brings you all the latest news from the expo. Hope to see you there!

- The Burlington Boatyard Crew

Yesterday I read a nice piece in the Free Press about our friends at the ECHO Center that truly speaks to what holiday spirit, and being a thoughtful business within the community, is all about.

If you are interested in becoming an annual member of ECHO, or are renewing your already existing annual membership, ECHO will provide that same level of pass to a low-income family within the community.

The ECHO Center is an unbelievable resource for the city of Burlington and the state of Vermont in general. Their exhibits attract everyone from kids in their strollers to those who have been residents for decades. Not to mention, it is a great tourist attraction for those that visit the Burlington area, and displays with pride all that Champlain is about and has to offer. The history, presentation, remarkable research and beneficial school programs are just a few things that make ECHO an invaluable asset to our community.

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Dave Genz, also referred to as “The Godfather of Modern Ice Fishing”, will be conducting a series of seminars in the Vermont and Lake George areas this January. With numerous accomplishments under his belt, such as being the inventor of the Fish Trap, a portable ice fishing shelter which was mentioned in the Wall Street Journal, Genz has been a major factor in bringing the sport of hard-water angling into the 21st century.

Dave will cover subjects such as mobility, clothing, electronics and the specific applications associated with ice fishing. Also, coming with years of hands-on research and know-how, Genz will outline his unique strategies that will teach fellow hard-water anglers how to consistently find and catch fish at all times.

In addition to professional knowledge and interesting discussion, attendees of these seminars will also enjoy the opportunity to walk away with many exclusive promotional items provided by sponsors and Dave Genz himself. These items range from door prizes, tackle and gift certificates to three Shawn “The Fish Whisperer” Hayes fishing charters. And the largest prize up for grabs, an all expense paid fishing trip with Dave Genz valued at over $1500.

This series of seminars will be very informative and educational, as the methods Genz speaks to have been applied and proven across the United States year after year. Aside from being a team USA silver medalist of the 1992 World Ice Fishing Championships, Dave’s articles are annually featured in such magazines as ‘In Fisherman’, and he has also written several books on hard-water fishing. When it comes to ice fishing, many in the industry refer to Dave as one of the most respected and recognizable authorities on ice-fishing worldwide.

The Dave Genz Seminars will be held in the month of January 2009 at the following locations and times:

Friday, January 9^th

Rutland, VT – Holiday Inn

Time: 6-8 pm

Phone:802-775-1911

Monday, January 12^th

Lake George, NY – Holiday Inn

Time 6-8 pm

Phone:518-668-5781

Thursday, January 15^th

Bulington, VT – Holiday Inn

Time 6-8 pm

Phone:802-863-6363

For more on Dave Genz and his accomplishments, please visit his site @ http://www.davegenz.com

With Ice Fishing season right around the corner, Burlington Boatyard has been working to ensure we keep the marine community aware of the many exciting and beneficial hard-water happenings taking place this winter in and around Vermont and the Lake Champlain area. 

Recently, BBY has been working together with Shawn Hayes, a Fair Haven resident, active ice fisherman and member of the Champlain Crappie Crew (CCC), to provide exposure and promotion of the upcoming North American Ice Fishing Circuit qualifying tournament which will be coming to Lake Bomoseen in March of 2009.

Shawn, as well as other local anglers like Scott Blair of Burlington (fellow CCC member), have enlisted BBY to aid in developing press releases and getting regular coverage out to the community as the state prepares to welcome what will be the first nationally televised ice fishing event of this scope to take place in Vermont.

We welcome you to be a part of the action as we bring you the latest articles, updates and further developments as we prepare for what is shaping up to be an exciting hard-water season.

- Guy