Follow us on IG & FB @BtownBrief

Table of Contents

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

Weather & Weekend Rundown:

If you've been outside today you've noticed the warmth rolling in, with temps now in the 40s after a chilly start this morning. That warmth comes with a strong southerly breeze, so expect gusty conditions through the evening with gusts around 40 mph. Rain showers are moving in this afternoon and will stick around through the evening. Saturday starts dry but clouds build before snow and mixed precipitation arrive late in the evening. Sunday morning looks sloppy with some rain and mix in the Champlain Valley before temperatures drop and everything shifts back to snow showers, leaving us with an inch or two of accumulation. Expect slick conditions on untreated surfaces through the weekend.

Tonight offers a nice mix of ways to shake off the work week. If you're craving some high caliber classical music, the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival kicks off its Beethoven String Trios series at 7:30 PM at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul on Cherry Street. The program features the Serenade in D Major and String Trio in E-flat Major, with a second concert on Sunday at 4 PM covering the remaining Op. 9 trios. For those seeking something more restorative, SoulShine Power Yoga Downtown is hosting a New Year Sound Bath with Kirk Jones from 7 to 8:15 PM on Church Street. Expect Tibetan singing bowls, gemstone crystal bowls, and planetary gongs to help you set intentions for the year ahead. Meanwhile, over at Radio Bean on North Winooski, Three Piece Meal and The Lara Cass Band take the stage at 9 PM with organ funk, jazz, and genre bending improvisation. It's $10 at the door and 21 plus. And if you want to start your weekend early with some dancing, Foam Brewers on Lake Street is hosting GAYBAR, a free show at 7 PM featuring the queer Burlington based DJ spinning house, drum and bass, and electronic beats. Green Door Studio is also throwing a First Friday members show starting at 5 PM on Howard Street with art from resident artists, music by DJ Kanganade, and the usual colorful vibes. BYOB applies.

Saturday is absolutely packed with options before the weather turns. Coffee lovers and politically engaged folks have some overlap at Zero Gravity on Pine Street. State Reps Bram Kranichfeld and Tiff Bluemle will be holding office hours from 8 to 10 AM to discuss the upcoming legislative session and hear constituent concerns. Then, in the same spot, Zero Gravity, I have my BTown Coffee Club from 10 to 12 AM, with its low key weekly meetup for anyone looking to start their Saturday with good conversation. From 9 to 10 AM, SoBo City Councilors Ann Pugh and Tim Doherty will be at Chamberlin School on White Street in South Burlington for a casual chat session. The Burlington Winter Farmers Market runs from 10 AM to 2 PM at Lumière Hall inside Burlington Beer Company on Flynn Avenue, featuring around 40 vendors with local produce, artisan crafts, and prepared foods. While you're there, be sure to stop by Ukrainian Kitchen, where Valeriia will be serving homemade Ukrainian comfort food from traditional family recipes. For the artistically inclined, the Burlington Community Glass Studio on Pine Street has a few spots left in their fused glass workshop from noon to 2 PM where you can make earrings and a pendant for $75, no experience needed. And if you've been curious about martial arts, Aikido of Champlain Valley on Pine Street is offering free intro workshops at 10 AM for youth and families and 1 PM for adults.

The afternoon and evening on Saturday bring even more variety. Cuban dance enthusiasts should head to Snowmotion Dance at 696 Pine Street starting at 1 PM for workshops with visiting instructor Julián Mejia from SALSAtlanta, covering beginner through intermediate Casino style and Rueda, with a party from 7 to 10 PM. If you prefer hiking boots to dancing shoes, there's a group hike at Indian Brook Park(MEETUP) in Essex Junction starting at 10:30 AM, a 3.5 mile easy trail followed by food and beers at Black Flannel Brewery. Bring crampons or spikes given the conditions. Over in Essex Junction, Brownell Library is kicking off its 100th anniversary year with a party at 2:30 PM featuring snacks, games, and activities for all ages. Rock fans can catch Back in Black, the AC/DC tribute band, at Higher Ground at 8:30 PM for an all ages show. Board Game Night(MEETUP) runs from 6 to 10 PM at The Boardroom on Mill Street. And for something more mellow, Collin Cope and Michael Hartigan perform at Shelburne Vineyard starting at 6 PM with bluesy, soulful sounds. There's also a political rally to note: ICE Out For Good is gathering from noon to 1:30 PM at the intersection of Shelburne Road and Hannaford Drive in South Burlington, organized by Champlain Valley Indivisible and Queen City Indivisible. I don’t usually highlight political rallies, but this week’s events call for it. For pool players, or those wanting to watch some really great pool games, the GMAPA 9-Ball Scotch Doubles Las Vegas Qualifier starts at 1 PM at Vermont Pool and Bar.

Sunday brings a slightly quieter slate as the weather clears. The Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival continues with its second Beethoven String Trios concert at 4 PM at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, featuring the three Op. 9 trios. Folk music fans should head to Essex Junction for Tracy Grammer at First Congregational Church at 3 PM, part of the Community Concerts series. She's been called "a musician and singer of dazzling versatility" by No Depression and has performed with Joan Baez and Mary Chapin Carpenter. At Burlington Beer Company, catch the Burlington premiere of Still Excited to Ski at 6:30 PM, a film documenting Noah Dines' world record 3.5 million human powered feet skied in 2024, followed by a Q&A. If you're looking for a more intimate outing, The Boardroom is hosting an LGBTQIA+ Mixer(MEETUP) from noon to 5 PM for games and community connections. And for those wanting to get outside before the snow flies, Catamount Outdoor Family Center in Williston is running a Beginner Nordic Ski Clinic from 10 AM to noon for $75, equipment rentals available. Singer songwriter Neko Case plays The Flynn at 7:30 PM, and given her legendary status this is definitely one to grab tickets for if you haven't already.

The Btown Brief merch store is live with 15 Burlington inspired designs, each with 3–7 color options and your choice of front or back print. T-shirts, long sleeves, and cropped tees. Printed on a personal favorite, Comfort Colors, for that vintage, lived-in feel.

The designs are subtle nods to the places and things that make this city what it is: Church Street, lakefront sunsets, and yes, even those invasive little zebra mussels. Steering away from the typical "I ❤️ Burlington" stuff. If you've ever wanted to rep the city without looking like a tourist, and support your very own Burlington city guide (me!), this is the easiest way to do it! Every purchase helps keep this thing going.

Donate here: [Donate]

Click the photo!

Share this newsletter with everyone you know that’s interested in all things Burlington! 5 referrals gets you your own shoutout on the newsletter.

We’ve got an official Meetup group for Burlington! The city’s packed with things to do. Btown Brief highlights it, and Btown Brief IRL gets you out experiencing it with people.

Always a great turn out, ranging anywhere from 7-10 people each week! Another coffee meetup this Saturday at 10am at Zero Gravity. It’s always great seeing familiar faces, and even better meeting new ones each week. We’ll chat about Vermont living, touch on a bit of local news, and share what’s worth checking out around town this weekend. Come hang, have a coffee, and join the conversation.

If you want to connect outside of coffee meet-ups, join the Telegram chat. It’s the easiest place to see what others are up to, share ideas, and make casual plans while I keep improving how these events run. Feedback is always welcome! It’s just a one-man team so any sounding boards are great.

Holy macaroni

There’s a new 60 second Btown Brief News Quiz! Win monthly Btown merch by reading with intention.

"Since October, the special court or 'docket,' which focuses on lower-level offenses, has resolved almost 400 cases of the nearly 900 under its purview," per VTDigger.

The pilot program, proposed by Gov. Phil Scott last fall, dedicated court time and staff to expediting hearings for defendants with five or more pending criminal cases. State leaders told lawmakers the model has been successful, with one observer noting that while regular courtrooms schedule hearings three months out, the accountability docket's judge meets weekly with defendants. The program is set to phase out in early February, with Rutland County mentioned as a possible next location. Statewide, cases involving people with five or more pending dockets make up 28% of all dockets, suggesting the model could have broad application.

"He knows the neighborhood, he knows his neighbors, he knows the community. We're really excited to have him," per Seven Days.

That's party chair Ryan Addario talking about Ryan Nick, the sole Democratic challenger nominated to take on a Progressive incumbent this cycle. Nick will face Progressive Councilor Marek Broderick in Ward 8, a college student heavy area that has historically swung between the two parties. All four Democratic incumbents ran unopposed at Thursday's caucus, and unless independents or Republicans enter by the January 26 petition deadline, Ward 8 will be the only contested seat on the ballot. Democrats currently hold a council majority and are all but certain to keep it, though a Ward 8 win would give them veto proof control.

"I play everything in this room. Everything. But I don't play the washing machines," per WCAX.

Herb Leff, an 81 year old retired UVM psychology professor, has converted three rooms of his Burlington condo into recording studios where he creates what he calls "free form art music" nearly every night. His instruments include traditional gear alongside pots, pans, and even a rubber chicken that "likes to play the gong." He's been making music this way since the 1980s and posts his creations on Bandcamp. His wife Ellen has maintained control of the living room, but otherwise the place is a sonic playground. Check out the video on WCAX by clicking the link.

"Nearly 70,000 Vermonters rely on SNAP for vital hunger assistance, so it's essential this program accurately captures the financial reality of those who need it," per Vermont Business Magazine.

Senator Peter Welch has joined Rep. Gwen Moore in reintroducing the COLAs Don't Count Act, which would prevent Social Security cost of living adjustments from counting as income when calculating SNAP eligibility. Currently, when a household's income rises due to a COLA, beneficiaries can see their food assistance reduced or eliminated entirely. In 2023, an estimated 28,000 SNAP households lost eligibility nationwide because of this quirk, and 36% of recipients saw an average $32 monthly decrease in benefits. Vermont SNAP recipients currently receive an average of $184.48 per month.

"Donald Trump's use of ICE as an army to keep people in line has been in line with what every administration has done before him," per WCAX.

Hundreds gathered at Burlington City Hall Thursday evening before marching up Church Street to the federal courthouse, joining nationwide demonstrations over the fatal shooting of 37 year old Renee Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Federal officials called the shooting self defense while Minneapolis's mayor called it "reckless." Protesters also raised concerns about ICE's expanded budget and a new data center in Williston. State lawmakers say they plan to introduce a bill requiring ICE agents to remove their masks during enforcement operations in Vermont.

"Explain to me how democracy is working in the state of Vermont when a community cannot take something that is so fundamental to public safety into their own hands," per Seven Days.

That's Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak on the frustration of watching voter approved charter changes stall in Montpelier. Since 2021, Burlington voters have overwhelmingly approved measures to ban guns from bars, protect renters from no cause evictions, and adopt a new police oversight model, but none have taken effect. Rep. Matt Birong, chair of the House Government Operations committee, says he doesn't have the votes to move the gun bill and is reluctant to dedicate committee time to legislation the governor has vowed to veto. Of five pending charter changes, only one, allowing the city to draw its own voting maps, is likely to pass this session.

"Beyond dollars, VHFA helped 381 Vermonters purchase homes in 2025, 93% of whom were first-time homebuyers," per Vermont Business Magazine.

The Vermont Housing Finance Agency's annual report highlights a year of significant investment in affordable housing. VHFA awarded tax credits generating an estimated $63 million in equity for new construction, closed over $80 million in construction loans, and invested $48 million through the state's 10% for Vermont program to rehabilitate roughly 1,100 homes. The agency also distributed nearly $2 million in First Generation Homebuyer Grants to 132 Vermonters so far. For those tracking the housing crisis, the full report is available at vhfa.org.

"There are a lot of things that are behind the walls of our buildings that are included in this $13 million — electrical upgrades, HVAC upgrades, fire alarm system upgrades," per the Shelburne News.

Champlain Valley School District is putting forward $13 million in building bonds for voter approval on Town Meeting Day, separate from its $107.8 million operations budget. The bonds would fund 16 projects across every school in the district over 2027 and 2028, including $3.2 million for heating and electrical upgrades at Hinesburg Community School and $2 million for an elevator at Charlotte Central School. District officials note the aging buildings need roughly $48 million in work over the next six years, with additional bond requests planned for 2029 through 2032.

"The interesting part for me is that there is a library over there, and you see a lot of children coming and seeing the works," per the Other Paper.

Maedeh Asgharpour, South Burlington's new public art gallery curator, brings an international background to the role, with degrees from the University of Tehran and UT Dallas. Her first curation, "The World in Our Minds," features roughly 40 pieces from eight Vermont based illustrators exploring themes of imagination, memory, and emotion. She hopes to bring more contemporary and mixed media work to the gallery in the coming year, and is particularly drawn to experimental practices that engage with social, cultural, and environmental themes.

Quick Hits

Dear Lucy to close Burlington location — The popular shoe and handbag boutique on Church Street is closing its doors in the coming weeks. Owner Melissa Desautels cited "challenges that have reshaped what's sustainable." A closing sale with 50-75% off starts immediately. The store will continue online and at its South Carolina location.

Burlington Telecom names new president — Mike Callahan, previously the company's controller, has been appointed president and general manager following Mike Loucy's retirement on December 31. Callahan has been with Burlington Telecom since 2019 and will oversee continued expansion of its Flight Fiber services.

Champlain College offers free financial literacy course — Middle and high school educators in New England and New York can apply for one of 20 scholarships to take a free online graduate course through Champlain's Center for Financial Literacy. The eight week course runs March 2 through April 24, with applications due February 19.

Burlington officials renew push for gun ban in bars — Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak, Senate Pro Tem Phil Baruth, and City Council President Ben Traverse held a press conference Wednesday urging the House to act on S.131, which passed the Senate last April but has stalled in committee. The charter change received nearly 87% voter support in March.

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

UVM Athletics: Skiing Takes Carnival Lead; Basketball Splits Conference Matchups

The Vermont Nordic ski team surged to the top of the St. Lawrence Carnival standings following a dominant performance in Lake Placid. After finishing second on day one behind podium finishes from Tabor Greenberg and Ruben Kretzschmar in the 10k classic, the Catamounts overtook Dartmouth on day two. The men’s squad swept the EISA freestyle sprint podium with Owen Young claiming victory, followed by Fin Bailey and Greenberg. On the women’s side, Haley Brewster earned a second-place EISA finish, while first-years Hanna Koch and Lena Poduska advanced to the junior national heats.

In a thrilling finish at Patrick Gymnasium, the men’s basketball team erased a halftime deficit to defeat Binghamton 60-59. Gus Yalden led the offense with 15 points, while the defense clamped down in the second half. Momo Nkugwa sank the deciding free throws, and TJ Hurley secured the win with a crucial block in the final seconds to keep the Catamounts perfect in conference play.

The women’s basketball team dropped its first America East contest of the season, falling 71-67 to Binghamton on the road. Despite a career-high 21 points from Malia Lenz and a double-double performance by Nikola Priede, the Catamounts could not overcome the Bearcats' bench production. Vermont briefly held a lead in the fourth quarter but was outpaced in the final minutes.

  • (Fri ⦁ 7:00pm) Jan 9: 2025-26 Men's Hockey vs Northeastern

  • (Sat ⦁ 7:00pm) Jan 10: 2025-26 Men's Hockey vs. Northeastern

Events:

Friday, January 9

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

Saturday, January 10

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

  • 5:00 PM: Tim Brick at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)

  • 5:30 PM: Radio Cowboy at Switchback Brewing Co. (Free)

  • 6:00 PM: Mr Cheng, DJ Chaston, DJ Aras at Red Square (Free)

  • 6:00 PM: Paul Webb (Piano) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge (Free)

  • 6:00 PM: Collin Cope & Michael Hartigan at Shelburne Vineyard (Free)

  • 6:30 PM: Local Music Showcase (Fifth World, Bullzeye & More) at Odd Fellows Hall ($10 suggested)

  • 7:00 PM: Ted Perry Trio (Jazz) at The 126 (Free)

  • 7:00 PM: Venetian Karaoke at The Venetian Soda Lounge (Free)

  • 8:00 PM: Dave Grippo-Bruce Sklar Quintet (Jazz) at Foam Brewers (Free)

  • 8:00 PM: Back in Black (AC/DC Tribute) at Higher Ground Ballroom ($20-25)

  • 8:00 PM: YY Zeppelin at The Old Post, South Burlington (Free)

  • 8:00 PM: Repelican w/ Remi Russin (Indie) at Monkey House, Winooski ($10)

  • 8:00 PM: Kyle Erickson & the Burnout (Americana) at Einstein's Tap House ($10)

  • 8:00 PM: FĂBO & Friends! at Radio Bean

  • 9:00 PM: Nickel & Dime at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction

  • 9:00 PM: Rap Night Burlington at Drink ($5)

  • 9:00 PM: Queeraoke with Goddess at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: Zalewski Quartet (Jazz) at The 126 (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: A Very Kate Kush Birthday Party (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop ($10)

  • 9:00 PM: Rhythm & Noise ft. No Chain, Corrupt World, Casper Electronics & more at Light Club Lamp Shop

  • 10:00 PM: DJ Chaston at Rí Rá Irish Pub (Free)

  • 10:00 PM: Matt Payne, DJ Raul at Red Square Blue Room (Free)

  • 11:00 PM: Ethan Snyder Plays Tuff Tunes at Radio Bean

Sunday, January 11

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

Watch for Wednesday Editions!

I hope you’re enjoying those Wednesdays editions! I have plans for a rotation of Food Deal highlights, Poll Questions, Top Reddit Posts, Volunteer Opportunities, Reader Photos, Restaurant Spotlights, Small Business Features, and Btown Explained (quick local deep dive). Or Dine Out Review, Podcast Pick, Pet of the Week (adoptable to user submitted), new local Job Highlights, a Burlington Throwback Photo or Fact, and a quick Burlington Game like “Spot That Location”, VT crossword, or unscramble popular Burlington terms.

Here are some of my favorite btownbrief links:

Full list of 202+ activities to do at anytime is 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.

That’s All, Burlington!

Thanks for reading this week's edition. The legislative session kicks off tomorrow, snow is on the way, and there's no shortage of ways to stay busy and connected this weekend. If any of the linked stories caught your attention, give them a full read and support the local journalists doing the work.

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.