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After a stretch of active weather that kept umbrellas and winter coats in constant rotation, Burlington is settling into a quieter but chillier pattern as we head into the weekend. Friday stays relatively dry with mostly cloudy skies and temperatures hovering in the upper 30s to low 40s, though don't be surprised if a few flurries drift down from the mountains this evening. Saturday follows suit with similar conditions and partial sunshine possible during the morning before clouds thicken again by afternoon. The real action arrives Saturday evening when a wintry mix pushes in from the east, bringing freezing rain to the Champlain Valley overnight before transitioning to snow Sunday morning. While Burlington proper will likely see only a coating to two inches, the mountain passes could receive up to a foot, making Sunday afternoon travel particularly dicey for anyone heading to the slopes. Monday brings leftover upslope snow showers before quieter conditions return midweek.

Given the relatively calm conditions tonight and tomorrow, it's prime time to catch some stellar local entertainment before Sunday's snow keeps everyone indoors. The Fletcher Free Library comes alive this afternoon from 12:30 to 2 PM with a panel discussion about reducing alcohol use disorder in Vermont, hosted by UVM Health Sciences students. Later this afternoon at 2 PM, Bess O'Brien presents a talk on storytelling and creating change with documentary film at Faith United Methodist Church in South Burlington. Tonight at 7 PM, Phoenix Books Burlington welcomes Ben Passmore, the Eisner Award-nominated cartoonist behind "Your Black Friend," as part of the Non-Fiction Comics Festival. For those seeking live music, Nightrain celebrates their 20th anniversary at Higher Ground at 7:30 PM, while Dead to the Core featuring Cotter Ellis rocks Einstein's Tap House at 8 PM with what looks like a rager, and Phantom Suns and Morning Giants take over Foam Brewers at 8 PM.

Saturday's lineup kicks off early with multiple events worth bundling up for, starting with North End legislators hosting coffee hours at Scout & Co. from 8 to 9 AM, where Representative Abbey Duke and Senator Martine Larocque Gulick will discuss healthcare, education reform, and other pressing issues as the legislative session approaches. The Heineberg Community Senior Center's annual Holiday Bazaar runs from 9 AM to 2 PM, featuring homemade quilts, vintage treasures, Puerto Rican pigeon peas and rice, and their famous mac and cheese. Meanwhile, crafters can hit the United Church of Colchester's annual fair from 9 AM to 3 PM, the 2nd Annual Robert Miller Center Craft Fair from 9 AM to 3:30 PM, or Schoolhouse Learning Center's craft fair in South Burlington from 10 AM to 2 PM for unique holiday gifts. The Pop's Pickleball Challenge from 9 AM to 1 PM for intermediate players looking to improve their game, while Style Encore in Williston releases athletic wear from brands like Lululemon and Athleta at up to 90% off starting at 10 AM.

Saturday's midday offerings include Old Spokes Home's Cranksgiving alleycat-style bike ride starting at 10 AM, where riders collect food donations for Feeding Champlain Valley while navigating checkpoint challenges around town. The Vermont Genealogy Library offers a primer class from 10:15 AM to noon on navigating their 5,000-book collection ($10 fee). At 11 AM, the Winooski School Performing Arts Center hosts Loretta Claiborne, Special Olympics' Chief Inspiration Officer, for a free "Inspiration Hour.” Born partially blind and with an intellectual disability, Loretta overcame early barriers to become a world-class runner, completing more than 25 marathons and inspiring the Disney film The Loretta Claiborne Story (first-come, first-served tickets.) The Non-Fiction Comics Festival at Fletcher Free Library runs from 11 AM to 6 PM, where they will feature panel discussions, workshops, and exhibiting cartoonists creating non-fiction and autobiographical work. The Old North End Repair Cafe at Laboratory B operates from 11 AM to 3 PM, where volunteer fixers resurrect broken items for free. Glass enthusiasts can learn stained glass basics at Burlington Community Glass Studio from 11 AM to 5 PM ($325 includes materials). Your Chittenden-8 Rep holds office hours at Barnes & Noble Cafe from 2 to 4 PM.

Saturday evening brings three more great events: DRINK bar hosts DJ David Chief and friends from 10 PM to 1 AM with no cover. Also the emotional Goodbye Pine celebration at Sangha Studio from 8 PM to 11 PM combines ecstatic dance, community potluck, and fundraising to help the beloved space close gracefully after years of hosting Burlington's wellness community. Those seeking something different can check out the Glow Up & Dance blacklight party at Davis Studio at 7:30 PM for silent disco dancing with UV body art. Sunday morning features a community walk at Airport Park in Colchester at 9 AM (weather permitting), the VT Sauna Social at Red Rocks Park is sure to be a blast where you can experience three unique mobile saunas, then take a brisk, restorative dip in Lake Champlain. It's the ultimate Vermont-style wellness cycle. Tickets ($30) include 75 minutes of access and support the SB Rec & Parks Scholarship Fund. This event sold out last time. Then, of course, we have the UVM’s mens soccer team taking on Bryant at the Viture Field at 1:00 PM for their second straight Championship game. Or, if you want to stay warm and couldn’t score a ticket there’s SB3C Tailgate & Watch Party at Delta Hotel at noon for the America East Men's Soccer Championship (again, let’s go UVM!!), and a free monthly lecture at Ethan Allen Homestead at 2 PM where Professor Douglas Slaybaugh explores Vermont's transformation from farming to high-tech.

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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, especially with around ~20 folks last time! 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.

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Federal Food Assistance Returns to Vermont as Shutdown Ends

After weeks of uncertainty during the federal government shutdown, USDA confirmed Thursday that full SNAP benefits will arrive Friday for over 63,000 Vermonters who rely on 3SquaresVT. The state's Emergency Board had approved $6.3 million in stopgap funding to cover 15 days of benefits during the shutdown, with Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles reporting some pantries saw four times their usual traffic. While federal reimbursement for the state's emergency provisions remains uncertain, Governor Scott acknowledged they went in "with our eyes wide open" about potential losses.

Burlington Police and Mayor Collaborate on Community Safety Strategy

Downtown Burlington's safety metrics are showing meaningful improvement, with violent crime trending downward and gunfire incidents dropping significantly from their 2022 peak, according to interim Police Chief Shawn Burke's October report to the Police Commission. The city's innovative Situation Table initiative has emerged as a cornerstone of this progress, convening 40 social service agencies weekly to collaboratively address the complex intersection of homelessness, mental health, and substance use disorders that often underlies public safety challenges. This holistic approach gained additional momentum with Governor Scott's October announcement of a comprehensive Short-Term Action Plan, which includes appointing a special prosecutor to address Chittenden County's case backlog and establishing a new Community Accountability Court focused on rehabilitation and victim support. Meanwhile, the BPD's enhanced recruitment strategy, including a $15,000 signing bonus and targeted outreach at regional colleges, has already generated more applications in 2025 than the entire previous year. To top that off, we also have Vermont State Police taking shifts patrolling Church St. These coordinated efforts between city leadership, state government, and community organizations represent a fundamental shift toward addressing root causes rather than symptoms, suggesting Burlington is building a sustainable model for urban safety that balances accountability with compassion, all in Vermont’s biggest city. All this to say, there’s finally real change happening in Burlington. What are your thoughts? Reply to this email with your thoughts.

Icy Roads Halt I-89 Traffic, Cause Regional Delays

Tuesday evening's commute turned treacherous as icy conditions brought traffic to a standstill on Interstate 89 south between Williston and Richmond, with vehicles stopped from the Williston Rest Area to Richmond's Exit 12. Additional disruptions hit Route 15 in Essex heading toward Underhill, while Route 100 in Waterbury near the Stowe line became temporarily impassable. Franklin County, which received up to nine inches of snow, saw slow-moving traffic on I-89, with difficult conditions also reported on Route 104 around Fairfax and East Georgia. Let this be your reminder to get those winter tires put on before you’re late to work (like me).

Seth Neary's Analog Art Exhibition Opens at Safe and Sound Gallery

Former pro snowboarder and Driven Studio co-founder Seth Neary presents "Fall Down, Get Up," his first solo exhibition featuring over 50 collages made from shipping labels, Polaroid borders, and decades-old Letraset type. The Burlington graphic designer, whose commercial work appears on Ben & Jerry's packaging and Vermont Creamery materials, began creating analog art after a 2019 health crisis prompted reflection on mortality and physicality. The show includes collaborations benefiting the Harold Hunter Foundation and special-edition Burton snowboards supporting the Chill Foundation, running through November 22.

City Hall Park Voices Highlight Burlington's Homelessness Crisis

Vermont's homelessness rates have increased 200% since 2020, with the state now holding the nation's fourth-highest per capita rate of unhoused individuals. The crisis intensified after Governor Scott vetoed a bill extending the hotel-motel voucher program, leading to hundreds of evictions earlier this year. Burlington's Sarah Russell, special assistant to end homelessness, pushes back against framing the issue primarily as public safety, noting that people sleeping outside face far greater risks of assault and theft than housed residents, while City Council President Ben Traverse emphasizes Burlington cannot solve the crisis alone without state support for affordable housing.

Burlington Prepares for Winter Without Drop-In Shelter

For the first time in eleven years, Burlington will have no drop-in shelter for people who aren't sober this winter, leaving approximately 200-plus people sleeping rough to face freezing temperatures with limited options. While COTS opened its expanded 56-bed Waystation shelter and CVOEO plans to add 26 beds at Champlain Place, demand far exceeds capacity. On the coldest nights reaching minus 10 degrees with wind chill, CVOEO will operate a pop-up shelter at the Robert Miller Community Center as part of a new $1.1 million state program, but advocates worry about those who will resort to tenting through winter using donated sleeping bags and ice shanties.

Vermont Man Plans 6,000-Mile Motorcycle Journey for Recovery

Alexander Zolotas, founder of Riding for Recovery, will motorcycle from Vermont to Panama this spring to raise $50,000 for the Turning Point Center of Chittenden County and awareness for addiction recovery. After a decade of active addiction that ended with a coma in 2018, Zolotas completed UVM's Sustainable Innovation MBA program and discovered his passion for motorcycling while celebrating in Guatemala. The 6,000-mile journey along the east coast through Tennessee and Texas will chronicle his transformation from street-level user to recovery advocate.

Vermont Comedy Club Celebrates 10 Years, Launches Nonprofit

Nathan Hartswick and Natalie Miller mark a decade of transforming Burlington's comedy scene with the launch of Vermont Comedy Arts, a 501c3 nonprofit that will handle all educational programming while the for-profit club continues hosting performances. The couple estimates over 1,000 students have taken classes at the venue, which helped launch nationally touring comics including Tina Friml and Carmen Lagala. Anniversary celebrations include the "Fruits of Our Loins" homecoming show November 20 and the Vermont's Funniest Comedian contest this weekend.

Generator Makerspace Organizes Shower Bag Workshop for Cancer Patients

Two-time breast cancer survivor Lyn Coupal leads a community sewing workshop December 13-14 at Generator Makerspace to produce shower bags for UVM Medical Center oncology patients recovering from surgery. The free workshops welcome volunteers of any experience level to help create bags that allow patients to shower hands-free while managing post-surgical drains. April Cornell has provided materials support, with additional donations of 100% cotton fabric, thread, and ribbon needed through December 12.

Seven Winter Events to Brighten Vermont's Dark Season

Vermont's winter calendar bursts with activities from Shelburne Museum's Winter Lights installation running through January 4, featuring circus performances every Saturday, to the Grand Kyiv Ballet's Nutcracker at Lyndon Institute December 10-11. Middlebury College hosts the Isaiah J. Thompson Trio performing Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas classics December 3, while Burlington's Highlight celebration fills downtown with art and music on New Year's Eve. February's Penguin Plunge sees brave souls diving into Lake Champlain to raise funds for Special Olympics Vermont.

Burlington Considers Property Tax Changes Affecting Business, Wealthy Homeowners

The City Charter Change Committee paused Monday on Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak's proposal for a $50,000 homestead property value exemption that would shift tax burden to commercial properties and homes valued above $800,000, which would see bills rise 4-6%. Burlington Business Association's Kelly Devine warns higher taxes could push businesses off Church Street where operating costs already strain merchants. The committee also considered allowing the city to borrow up to $10 million without voter referendum by 2031, up from the current $2 million limit, though officials opted for further study before formal action.

It was a week of high-stakes drama for UVM Athletics, headlined by a signature "Cardiac Cats" performance from the men's soccer team to advance to the America East Final.

The No. 2 ranked men's soccer team is heading to the conference championship after securing a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory against rival New Hampshire on Wednesday night. The Catamounts found themselves in a rare trailing position after a UNH goal in the ninth minute. Despite dominating the match and outshooting the Wildcats 29-7, UVM was held scoreless until the 85th minute, when David Ismail headed home a pass from Maximilian Kissel to send the game to overtime. In the 98th minute, the pair reversed roles as Ismail fed Kissel for the golden-goal winner, sending Virtue Field into a frenzy.

The thrilling win came just one day after the program dominated the America East major awards. Niklas Herceg was named Goalkeeper of the Year, Nick Lockermann earned Defender of the Year, and Nico Loebus was crowned Rookie of the Year. For their leadership of the powerhouse program, Head Coach Robby Dow and his staff were also honored as the Coaching Staff of the Year.

On the basketball court, the women's team moved to a perfect 3-0 on the season with a 73-55 victory over Buffalo at Patrick Gym on Wednesday. Keira Hanson led all scorers with a season-high 20 points, while Nikola Priede posted a powerful double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

In other news, UVM Athletics and Learfield announced a 10-year partnership renewal this week. The long-standing collaboration will continue to have Learfield manage UVM's multimedia rights and services.

Friday, November 14

Saturday, November 15

Sunday, November 16

I hope you’re enjoying those Wednedays 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

Full list of restaurant reviews here.

Soon to be updated with even more Burlington food deals. View the full list of food & drink deals here.

Thanks for reading this evening's Brief. As the weekend weather roller coaster approaches, remember that Saturday's your window for holiday shopping at those craft fairs before Sunday's snow sends us all into hibernation mode. Stay warm, stay safe, and we'll see you Monday with more of what matters in the Queen City.

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