***For best viewing experience, scroll all the way up in email and click Read Online***

Friday's shaping up to be a decent day across the Champlain Valley, with highs landing in the mid to upper 30s and a fair amount of sun breaking through, especially as the afternoon rolls on. The real story is the wind. A gusty southerly breeze is picking up this evening and will stick around into Saturday morning, with gusts potentially reaching 40 to 50 mph across the Champlain Valley. That could mean isolated power outages, particularly in northern areas, so keep your flashlights handy. On the bright side though, all that warm air riding in on the south wind is pushing Saturday's highs into the low to mid 40s, which will feel downright spring-like for the last day of February. Any snow showers or light rain early Saturday should be brief and insignificant. Enjoy the warmth while it lasts, though, because Sunday flips the script hard. March arrives with highs only in the low 20s, wind chills dropping to near zero, and a chance of light snow that could make travel a bit slippery. Early Monday morning will be the coldest stretch, with wind chills well below zero. Sun returns Monday, and temperatures gradually climb back into the 30s by midweek. That’s the classic Vermont weather rollercoaster for you.

If you haven't voted early yet for the March 3 city elections, tonight is a great chance to take care of it. Burlington is hosting a Community Voting Night from 4 to 7 PM at the O.N.E. Center (20 Allen St., second floor gym), where you can register to vote, cast an early ballot, and access interpretation services. With election day less than a week out, there's also plenty of info available on ballot items, candidates, and the proposed REIB charter change. Elsewhere tonight, comedy fans have options. Maddy Smith, the MTV Wild N Out cast member and nationally touring comedian, is at Vermont Comedy Club for the first of four shows this weekend (6:30 PM and 8:30 PM tonight, same deal Saturday). Over in Shelburne, Wit & Wine at Shelburne Vineyard brings together four of Vermont's top stand up comics with, well, wine. Doors at 7, show at 8. And if live music is more your speed, the Lil Butter Hip Hop Showcase takes over Queen City Lodge Oddfellows Hall on North Ave at 7 PM.

For something more on the cultural side this evening, Capital City Concerts and Palaver Strings perform at the Cathedral of Saint Paul on Cherry Street at 7:30. The Grammy nominated Palaver Strings are joined by flutist Karen Kevra for a program of Hungarian, Romanian, Hebraic, and Finnish masterpieces featuring works by Bartók, Bloch, and Olli Mustonen's Nonet No. 2. The evening also marks a milestone moment for the 26 year old concert series, with an announcement about its next chapter. Feeling crafty instead? Date Nights at Mudcraft Pottery Studio (6 to 8 PM, West Lakeshore Drive in Colchester) lets any pair of people try throwing a bowl or cup on the wheel, no experience needed. They handle the glazing and firing, and you pick up your creation about a month later. Meanwhile, tabletop gamers can grab a seat at Quarterstaff Games on Church Street for the Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Prerelease, doors at 6 PM. Down in South Burlington, the SBRP Community Dinner at the South Burlington Senior Center (5:30 PM) features a spread from Eastern Dragon including sweet and sour chicken, veggie lo mein, and egg rolls. The VT RV Show also kicks off today at the Champlain Valley Exposition, running through Sunday with free admission and over 100 RVs on display.

Saturday is absolutely packed. With those spring-like 40 degree temps (before the wind settles down in the afternoon), it's a great day to get out. Start your morning with us at the BTown Coffee Club [MEETUP] at Zero Gravity Brewery on Pine Street (10 AM to noon), where you just grab a drink and look for the group at the big table on the right (and join our community groupchat). The Burlington Winter Farmers Market is also running 10 AM to 1 PM at Lumière Hall in Burlington Beer Company, with 40 vendors, local food, fresh winter veggies, and artisan crafts. Dog owners, check out the Romp with Dogs at Wheeler Park [MEETUP] in South Burlington (9:30 to 11 AM), a casual group walk through mostly flat trails and fields. Over in Williston, Passion 4 Paws Pawp-Up Pawty at True Value Village Hardware (11 AM to 1 PM) lets you meet adoptable dogs and maybe take home a new best friend. One awesome highlight is the Rokeby Museum Free Day in Ferrisburgh (10 AM to 5 PM). A Btown Brief regular Jon helps put on events there, and this one's a good one: free admission to the "Seeking Freedom" exhibit on the Underground Railroad and an abolitionist family's legacy, plus a morning of clothespin doll making with artist Catherine Brooks (10 AM to noon) and a 1 PM book club discussion of James McBride's "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" (registration required at rokeby.org). Saturday evening, the Constellation Contra Dance at Mann Hall (208 Colchester Ave) starts with free tarot readings at 5:45, a beginner lesson at 6:45, and dancing at 7 with live music by Grebe Philosophy. Wear your starriest outfit. The Hotel Vermont Ice Bar returns for its 14th year with a "hoedown on the harbor" theme tonight and Saturday (cowboy boots encouraged, prize for best dressed), featuring ice sculptures, outdoor ice bars, DJ Cre8, and Chef Doug's snacks. Friday tickets are $55, Saturday $75. At Higher Ground, Badfish, the Sublime Tribute, plays at 7:30 PM. The Vermont Sports Card & Collectible Show takes over University Mall (10 AM to 6 PM, free admission) with 35+ dealer tables. The Blind Draw Dart Tournament at Pearl Street Pub in Essex Junction starts at 1 PM ($15, all skill levels). The Venetian Noir Jazz Experience at the Venetian Soda Lounge on Pine Street (8 to 10 PM) promises slow tempos and cold cocktails. Vermont Rep Theatre continues its run of Uncle Vanya at the Black Box Theatre on Lake Street at 7:30 PM (also Sunday and Tuesday). And over in Winooski, you can Meet Your School Board at Scout Coffee (2 to 3 PM) and enter to win a $50 gift card to a local Winooski business.

Don't forget: Saturday morning also brings The Black Experience featuring Dr. Ibram X. Kendi at the Flynn (153 Main St.). BX26 is a holistic celebration of Vermont's Black lived experience and a welcome addition to Burlington's Black History Month programming. Dr. Kendi, the National Book Award winning author of "Stamped from the Beginning" and a MacArthur Fellow, is one of the most prominent voices in American discussions about race and antiracism.

Sunday's cold snap doesn't have to keep you inside. The Worth Fighting For monthly gathering at the Fletcher Free Library (1 to 3 PM) spotlights local mutual aid projects including People's Kitchen, Food Not Cops, Street Cats, and more. There's a potluck at 1, program at 1:30, and childcare is available. The South Burlington Public Library has a double header: a screening of Lord of the Rings: Return of the King for teens (11 AM to 2 PM) followed by a discussion of masculinity on screen and a free book, and Ireland's Fight for Independence, a talk by Liam McKone at 1 PM covering 800 years of history with a Vermont connection through the Fenian Brotherhood's use of the state as a base for raids into Canada. At 3 PM, more than 20 local clergy from across Chittenden County and beyond gather at Temple Sinai in South Burlington for an Interfaith Service for Immigrant Dignity, calling for humane and lawful treatment of immigrants and refugees. Board game fans can head to Mix & Mingle [MEETUP] at The Boardroom on Mill Street (noon to 5 PM), and the Indoor Public Skating [MEETUP] event at Essex High School (2 to 4 PM, $5 admission) offers a family-friendly afternoon on the ice with optional food and drinks afterward. Sunday evening, bundle up for the Tour De Moon at Catamount Outdoor Family Center in Williston (7 to 8:30 PM, $25), a guided night ski or snowshoe through the winter woods by moonlight. Bring a headlamp and warm layers.

Take a step back in time. We’ve officially passed the one-year mark! To celebrate, I created a digital archive where you can browse past news stories and photos from our first year. See what Burlington has been up to this year by checking out the randomizer:

[View the Btown Brief Archive]

Can’t get enough of the Brief? If you want the news before I even post it, I’ve got you covered. Swap the doomscroll for a productive scroll with these three Vermont-focused RSS feeds. It’s unlimited local content, minus the algorithm.

VT News (Focused): This feed keeps its finger on the pulse, narrowing it down to 7 local news sources.

VT Podcasts: This feed is for the listeners, it gathers all the best Vermont-made audio stories and deep dives into one place for you to scroll through.

Broader Local News & Podcasts: This is the 'mega-feed.' It’s a combined, expanded view that pulls in even more local stations (more than the original 7), plus the VT podcasts for the ultimate Vermont news junkie.

Why support? Every week, I scan 24+ local sources: 12 event calendars, some of those being Seven Days, Front Porch Forum, Facebook events, plus 9 others and 12 news stations, from VTDigger to WCAX to Vermont Public to Community News Service, plus 8 others, to keep you connected. If this lengthy newsletter saves you time, or has introduced you to new experiences in Burlington, then definitely consider chipping in!

About Me

The Btown Brief IRL We’re now seeing 15–30 people at our weekly events! Be sure to stop by for our weekly Saturday Coffee meetup at Zero Gravity at 10am. Everyone is welcome! Come find things to do this weekend together:

Have you taken any beautiful photos of Burlington? Show them off in front of thousands of email subscribers + Instagram followers! Reply to this email with the photos and your name.

Town Meeting TV Gears Up for Its Election Results Show

With Town Meeting Day landing on March 3, the public access station formerly known as Channel 17 is gearing up for its annual live election night results show, a charmingly scrappy affair that has become one of the most reliable sources of local election coverage in the greater Burlington area. The station's everybody's welcome approach to candidate forums and its army of volunteer poll watchers have helped fill gaps left by shrinking newsrooms over the past two decades. Bobby Lussier and former state senator Debbie Ingram will host this year's show, which goes live at 7 PM when polls close.

Champlain College Announces Kyle Clark as 2026 Commencement Speaker

BETA Technologies founder and CEO Kyle Clark, an Essex native, will deliver the keynote at Champlain College's May 9 commencement and receive an honorary doctorate. The choice is a natural fit given BETA's deep ties to Vermont higher education, including its co-op program with UVM and its retention of dozens of local interns. Clark's selection also comes at a moment of heightened visibility for the company following its IPO last year.

An Inside Look at BETA Technologies' Big Plans for Vermont

BETA plans to roughly double its Vermont workforce over the next 18 months, adding about 1,000 positions at its South Burlington manufacturing facility near the airport. The company is already producing planes from its high capacity factory, something analysts say puts it ahead of competitors like Joby and Archer Aviation. That said, BETA faces real headwinds: its stock has fallen nearly 50% since November, it reported a $452 million net loss last quarter, and it's still awaiting FAA certification for most of its designs. A federal pilot program decision expected in March could give the company a significant boost if selected.

BTV Crime Stats and Budget Gaps (802 News Podcast)

In an interview with Mark Johnson, the mayor discussed Burlington's 2025 crime statistics, which show decreases in violent crime, homicides, burglaries, retail theft, and car break-ins, though domestic assaults rose. Sworn officer counts remain a challenge: the department started the year at 64 and currently sits at 60, with another 12 out for various leave and investigation reasons. Mulvaney-Stanak also pointed to increased foot patrols as one reason overall incident counts appear higher, since each point of community engagement gets logged. The conversation also touched on the city's looming budget gap ahead of Town Meeting Day. The Mayor sat down with Joanna and Andy on their podcast last week, and made another podcast appearance again this week but with Mark Johnson’s 802 News. This one’s also worth the listen.

Ryder Manske Is a Burlington Line Cook With a Serious Online Following

The 22 year old Hen of the Wood line cook has built roughly 60,000 followers on both Instagram and TikTok with his low-key, self-produced recipe videos, enough to land him an agent and sponsored posts. Manske's appeal lies in his unpolished authenticity: he films on his phone in his New North End kitchen with a slightly melted ring light, and his content feels more like hanging out with a friend than watching a production. He's adamant about staying in professional kitchens rather than going the full-time influencer route.

Church Street Marketplace Seeks New Food and Drink Kiosk Tenant

The 135 square foot city-owned kiosk at the corner of Church and College streets needs a new tenant after Leunig's Petit Bijou decided not to renew its lease. Applications are due today (Friday, Feb. 27) at 4 PM. The new lease requires at least six hours a day, six days a week, year round, a notable shift from the previous arrangement that left operating hours up to the business. Co-owner Amy Bernhardt cited stiff coffee shop competition downtown, staffing challenges, and the impact of the area's "struggling population" on outdoor business as reasons for stepping away.

As Winters Get Warmer, Maple Farmers Are Learning to Adapt

Warmer winters and midseason thaws are disrupting the delicate freeze/thaw cycle that sugar maples depend on, pushing prime sugaring season earlier into February and March. Producers are turning to reverse osmosis machines and modern tubing systems to offset erratic conditions, but those investments are costly. Federal grants secured by former Senator Leahy have helped, with $475,000 going directly to producers for equipment, though that funding expires in October 2027 with no clear replacement in sight. Maple Open House Weekend is March 21 and 22 for anyone looking to support local sugarmakers firsthand.

Vermont Signature Events Award Winners Announced

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Tourism and Marketing named 12 events to the 2026/27 Signature Events program, ranging from the Vermont City Marathon in Burlington (May 22–24) to the wonderfully Vermont-sounding Hardwick State (April 17–19), where the entire town becomes a DIY university for a weekend. The program highlights events that draw visitors into communities and generate economic impact across the state. Check them out by clicking the link.

Former New York Cop Starts New Job as Hinesburg Chief

Romance, 54, previously led a 58 officer department in Rockville Centre on Long Island and began his new role on Feb. 17, overseeing a much smaller team of three officers in Hinesburg. He started under an employment offer of $112,000 annually while his contract is finalized and will continue collecting his New York retirement income. He's already met with local school principals and plans to replicate a daily school visit program he ran in New York, which he sees as especially relevant given that Hinesburg hosts the largest high school in the state with what's likely the smallest police department in the county.

National Environmental Scorecard Shows Vermont's Delegation Held the Line

The League of Conservation Voters' 2025 scorecard gave Rep. Becca Balint a perfect 100%, Sen. Peter Welch 97%, and Sen. Bernie Sanders 94%. The scores come in the context of what LCV called a record 66 votes in Congress that undermined environmental protections and democratic safeguards. Vermont Conservation Voters noted that the delegation's strong showing contrasts sharply with congressional Republicans who, in their view, prioritized fossil fuel interests over constituents.

"Memory Fields": Fleming Museum Introduces New Installation Curated by UVM Students

Students in Professor Jennifer Dickinson's Museum Anthropology course collaborated with Fleming staff to curate a 20 piece installation exploring how memories and narratives shape our understanding of the past. Pieces range from Ming Dynasty carving replicas to a dress worn by a UVM student at her 1878 graduation. The museum also opened a traveling exhibit on early 1900s Photo-Secession photography, featuring works that helped redefine photography as fine art rather than mere documentation.

Growth Up, Emissions Down, Goals Still Distant in South Burlington

South Burlington has cut greenhouse gas emissions by 10% since 2019 despite adding over 850 new homes in 2022 and 2023 alone, but the city's goal of a 60% reduction by 2030 remains a steep climb. Updated modeling now suggests transportation and building heating each account for roughly 50% of citywide emissions. Encouraging signs include a 21% decrease in building sector emissions and roughly 600 heat pump installations in 2024 alone, but vehicle miles traveled have actually increased 4%, meaning residents are driving just as much, just in more efficient cars. The city hired Vermont's first municipal climate manager last year to help sharpen its strategy.

CSWD Awarded a $111,323 Grant from the Vermont DEC

The Chittenden Solid Waste District received the grant from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to support its hazardous waste collection program, which includes the year-round Environmental Depot in South Burlington and the mobile Rover collection service. The funding will primarily help cover the nearly $275,000 in disposal costs expected this fiscal year. CSWD also generates some revenue through product stewardship reimbursements and sales of Local Color paint, which staff produce from recycled latex paint brought in by residents.

Permanent Vermont Corrections Commissioner Appointed — Jon Murad, who has served as interim Corrections Commissioner since last August, has been named the permanent commissioner by Gov. Phil Scott. Murad is a former NYPD assistant commissioner and former Burlington police chief. His appointment is effective immediately. (WAMC)

Marie Curie's Whole Life Is Part of Vermont Stage Play — Vermont Stage is producing "The Half-Life of Marie Curie" for Women's History Month, running March 19 through April 5 at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington. The play centers on Curie's friendship with engineer and suffragette Hertha Ayrton during one of the most turbulent periods of Curie's life. Tickets are $34 to $59. (Stowe Today)

Six Events Coming to Milton This Week — Highlights include an Abstract Paint and Sip at Milton Artists Guild tonight (6 to 8 PM, $35/$45), HAM-CON ham radio convention Saturday morning at the Hampton Inn, and a Pressed Flower Arrangements workshop at the Milton Grange on Saturday. (Milton Independent)

I got to watch the UVM’s Men’s basketball game first hand this week, check out the breakdown of the incredible game that went right down to the buzzer. Read about in the UVM Athletics section below this":

How good of a reader are you? Think you’re keeping up with Burlington news? It's time to prove it. Every Monday and Friday, we're dropping a quick 5-question quiz covering the local news you just finished reading. You've got just 60 seconds to answer them all. No looking back allowed. Use the same unique name each time you play so everyone can track your stats in our Hall of Fame, where you'll compete for titles like Sharpshooter (highest accuracy), Speed Demon (fastest average time), and Streak Leader (most consistent player). Make your name (or cool nickname) known to Btown!

And yes, there are PRIZES. Each month, we'll reward the top performers based on the best combination of Total Score and Average Score. That means playing consistently AND playing well will pay off. The more quizzes you complete with high scores, the better your chances of winning. I mean, who doesn’t want cool Btown Merch gear sent to them?

Ready to play? Click the link below, enter your name, and show us what you've got. Btown Brief Quiz

View the potential prizes on the Btown Brief Merch Store

At Patrick Gym on Thursday evening, the Vermont Catamounts men’s basketball team earned a thrilling 66-64 victory over UMass Lowell, with Noah Barnett securing the win on a last-minute put-back. UVM led 34-30 at the half, but fell behind 54-49 in the second half. St. Mike's transfer Darrel Yepdo helped hand the Riverhawks a five-point advantage down the stretch. A dramatic sequence unfolded with just over two minutes to play when TJ Hurley was bumped during a three-point attempt. Following his missed free throw, Gus Yalden drained a crucial three-pointer to edge the Catamounts ahead 64-63. After Angel Montas Jr. tied the game with a free throw, Hurley drove to the glass in the closing seconds. Though his shot missed, Barnett swooped in for the game-winning tip-in jumper. The Riverhawks had one last chance, but Xavier Spencer lost his handle and Yepdo missed a shot at the buzzer, literally. Yalden recorded a double-double with a team-high 21 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks, while Hurley finished with 19 points. Sean Blake also contributed a team-high three steals for the Catamounts. The victory secures the season sweep and tiebreaker over Lowell, moving Vermont to 19-11 overall and 11-4 in America East play. The men's basketball team will host UAlbany on Tuesday, March 3 at 7 p.m. for their final regular season game.

The Vermont women’s basketball team captured their first outright regular season title since 2002 after defeating UMass Lowell 68-37 on the road. The victory secured the Catamounts the number one seed for the America East Playoffs. Nikola Priede reached the 20-point mark for the 11th time this season, adding five rebounds and five assists. Keira Hanson contributed 16 points and five rebounds, while Emma Haan shot 4-for-6 from three-point range to finish with a career-high 15 points. Head Coach Alisa Kresge commended her team for sharing the ball and making plays on both sides of the court as Vermont improved to 24-7 overall and 13-3 in conference action. The Catamounts will host the eight-seed on Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m. in the America East Quarterfinals.

The Vermont women’s lacrosse team fell 12-10 to Siena on Wednesday afternoon despite a strong finish. The Catamounts opened the game with a 3-0 lead behind goals from Lydia Doraz, Jane Trauger, and Lauren Lefebvre. However, Siena answered to tie the game and eventually took a 7-6 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, Siena scored five unanswered goals to extend their advantage to 12-6. Vermont mounted a fourth-quarter rally, holding Siena scoreless while scoring four goals of their own, but ultimately came up short. Doraz and Ava Wilde each led the team with four points, and goalie Ayla Shea recorded a career-high 10 saves. Head Coach Sarah Dalton Graddock noted the team needs to value possession after the third-quarter lapse. The Catamounts will return home to host LIU on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.

Upcoming Home Games

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

Full list of 202+ activities to do at anytime is always waiting here when you need a plan: 202+ Things to Do

Full list of restaurant reviews here.

View the full list of food & drink deals here.

That's a wrap on this week's Btown Brief. Whether you're braving the wind tonight, soaking up Saturday's warm spell, or bundling up for Sunday's cold return, there's no shortage of things to do and reasons to get out there. Give those linked articles a read when you get a chance, and support the local journalists and organizations keeping Burlington informed.

If you like what I do, help support the newsletter by buying me a coffee using the link below. Or, right to our Venmo @btownbrief. Or, buy an advertising spot for your business.