Northeast U.S.

The Burlington Airport Commission meets on the first and third Monday of every month in the M. Robert Blanchard Conference Room in the Burlington International Airport.

The public is encouraged to attend and provide input during the Public Forum portion of each meeting.

For more information on the Burlington Airport Commission, visit the website www.btv.aero/airport-guide/airport-commission or telephone (802) 863-2874, extension #201.

The Burlington Airport Commission meets on the first and third Monday of every month in the M. Robert Blanchard Conference Room in the Burlington International Airport.

The public is encouraged to attend and provide input during the Public Forum portion of each meeting.

For more information on the Burlington Airport Commission, visit the website www.btv.aero/airport-guide/airport-commission or telephone (802) 863-2874, extension #201.

Again calling fellow and sister earthlings to another equatorial visitation. The summer solstice, the longest day, from the depths of the onset of the winter solstice, the longest night, we patiently wait as planet earth slowly tilts on her axis, hurling herself around her closest star in a majestic gravitational ellipse, seemingly a single outpost in a distant and unending void. A phenomenal gravitational dance, unending and predictable, for billions of years, eons unknown and untold on a long finger of the milky way galaxy.

But, unlike our limited field of human observations, we are surrounded by a plethora, billions of stars and planets in cosmic evolutionary convulsions. Yes, we are here in our life zone. Astronomical time needs no human computations to mark its passage.

But, as keen observers for only a brief moment in geological and astronomical magnitude, we are but only recent newcomers to these heavenly observations. Who else watches? For certainly and undoubtedly we are not alone. Like a tree falling in the forest, does anyone hear? If anyone watches us from a distance, do we see them? This is the age-old human question as fellow and sister earthlings we search the skies in constant wonderment. Where did we come from? Where are we going? Are other humans waiting to welcome us with a long and distant embrace? We somehow call out for companionship from the stars and remote solar systems.

This is the human conundrum. Think of this as we celebrate the longest earthday in all its cosmic splendor. Yes, this is the summer solstice. Here on mother earth. The longest day. Commemorate this as we now prepare for the longest night.

Join award-winning producer, James Gero at the Burlington Discover Jazz Fest. The old adage holds true, music makes the world go round. Even before musical instruments, envision yourself in a world of ambient sound from the power of rolling thunder to the diminutive sound of a gentle summer shower; listen carefully to the birds, the most lyrical of all God's creatures. The virtuosos of fluttering pervasive staccato. The natural sound of nature, abundant and plentiful. The flutelike sound of a mountain brook or the crashing of mighty ocean waves on a deserted island beach to the wind softly whispering through dry fall leaves; indescribably beautiful are the sounds of mother earth and this can only be a brief and minuscule description yet I feel this is a most important influence that makes us as human beings musically inclined; from eons past we are inclined to listen.

These curious symphonies have instilled in us a love of a profound cacophony of sound translated down through millennium; we now interpret these sounds in our own creative ways and the Burlington Discover Jazz Fest transforms nature to modern music. Jazz, blues, gospel there is no wrong way to express our musical inclinations, yet Burlington Discover Jazz Fest is one of the best ways to be transformed into a city now enraptured in every musical genre. Filling the city street's venues and quaint cafes with endless days of an unending plethora of laughter in every kind of magnificent music a chorus, not unlike our very ancient roots. Burlington Discover Jazz Fest is a magical mixture and amalgamation of ear and mind-bending enjoyment. Let us liken this incredible experience as a renaissance of all our musical beginnings.

When we think of Jazz Fest we may picture talented musical performers; this is unquestionably and undoubtedly true and they are there for all to revel in, young and old, single or family, no one person is excluded. When we think of the Burlington Discover Jazz Fest we must also think of ourselves, ourselves as not only listeners but as interpreters. We in all ways determine our own feelings and special places the musicians take us. This is there for all to share. When we think of the Burlington Discover Jazz Fest, we must think of interpretation. Our one interpretation is ours alone. This is Burlington Discover Jazz Fest. As is the special and grateful gift of all the grand performances and musicians. Written by James A Gero.