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Today's looking like classic November in Burlington, with temperatures climbing into the mid-40s under cloudy skies and some scattered light rain showers throughout the day. The weekend ahead brings quieter weather, with Saturday starting cloudy but breaking into some sunshine by afternoon, especially if you're south of the city. Sunday stays dry until late afternoon when we might see a few snowflakes mixing with rain, though nothing that'll stick. Looking ahead to Thanksgiving week, Tuesday and Wednesday bring warmer temperatures possibly reaching the 50s along with rain, perfect timing for those pre-holiday errands before cooler weather returns for Turkey Day itself.

Tonight the Burlington High School Drama Club has their production of Les Misérables at 7pm at Hunt Middle School Auditorium, bringing Victor Hugo's revolutionary tale to life despite the challenges of rehearsing in less than ideal spaces after last year's Macy's situation. Get tickets here if you want to support these resilient students. Meanwhile, the BTVGOP hosts their silent auction fundraiser from 6 to 7pm at the Elks Lodge on North Avenue, featuring gift certificates from local favorites like Papa Frank's and Pho Hong. Friday also brings Burlington's music scene to life with two distinct shows at Higher Ground. Weakened Friends brings their fuzzed-out indie rock at 7:30pm, while The Movement offers reggae vibes at the same time. For those seeking something different, consider Permanent Jewelry Weekend Promo at Gosia Meyer's studio behind American Flatbread, where bringing a friend scores you both free charms on your custom pieces. She’s awesome, so if you want permanent jewelry be sure to bring a friend take advantage of the weekend promo.

Saturday absolutely bursts with activity across the area, starting with the Burlington Winter Farmers Market from 10am to 1pm at Burlington Beer Company's Lumiere Hall. The farmer’s market doesn’t happen every weekend, so when it does, be prepared! The Winooski Community Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair runs all day from 9am to 4pm at the Winooski School District with over 100 vendors, while South Burlington councilors host a budget conversation at 9am at their library for those wanting to weigh in on city priorities. The afternoon brings holiday cheer with Santa photos for dogs at Hotel Champlain from 3 to 5pm, complete with adoptable pups from Passion 4 Paws. Saturday evening, music lovers can catch Folksgiving at Oddfellows Hall starting at 6:30pm, with proceeds supporting the North End Food Pantry, or enjoy the free Thanksgiving dinner at South Burlington City Hall with two seatings and live music from The Art of DonnCherie (but be sure to RSVP). Night owls won't want to miss drag and burlesque at the Venetian Soda Lounge at 8pm, Dexter and The Moonrocks at Higher Ground, or Last Kid Picked keeping the dance floor packed at On Tap in Essex Junction at 9:30pm. The multi-day Celebrate Craft Holiday Art Festival continues through Sunday at the DoubleTree, while Mater Christi School's Christmas Market runs 1 to 4pm featuring the Crazy Cotton Candy Lady. Don't forget Local Maverick's Holiday Market at Hotel Champlain from 10am to 2pm with 30+ Vermont businesses, or the VCC 10 year Reunion Brunch celebrating a decade of Vermont Comedy Club, plus J Skis Après Mixer from 5 to 7pm for those planning their ski season and want to meet other ski heads to hit the slopes with (RSVP). The Essex Art League Holiday Fair runs 10am to 4pm at Main Street Studios, and St Francis Xavier School hosts their 18th Annual Craft Fair all day in Winooski. Sunday wraps up the weekend nicely with the Silent Book Club meeting at Howl Bier in Winooski from noon to 2pm for those who prefer reading without the pressure of finishing the same book (this should be a really fun event), and Thanksgiving Mini Photo Sessions at Oakledge Park from noon to 3pm for anyone needing family portraits before the holidays. And, of course, we have our UVM Men’s Soccer team playing in the second round of the nationwide NCAA tournament! After winning their conference championship game they clinched the 1st seed in the big tournament. They had a first round bye, and now are playing Sunday at 1pm at our own Virtue Field! Come out and support, and if it’s too cold outside I hear that On Tap in Essex is hosting a watch party. Hopefully this is the start of an incredible journey where those guys bring home ANOTHER NCAA Tournament Championship; last year the guys won the first-ever national title by an America East team, putting Vermont back on the map.

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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.

My goodness, ~30 people last weekend, it’s turning into a mini-party every Saturday morning. So, as always, another coffee meetup this Saturday at 10am at Zero Gravity, I hope its another good turn out. 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.

Click here to: Join Meetup group | RSVP here | Support the Newsletter

Read our Full Recap of the Nov 17 Burlington City Council Meeting.

This week’s meeting ran late into the night, dominated by a tense back-and-forth between the Council and the Administration regarding the sudden decision to end the BTV Cares mental health response program. Councilors expressed frustration over the lack of prior notice and voiced concerns about potential service gaps for vulnerable residents as the work transitions to the Howard Center. The chamber also heard compelling testimony from the UVM Student Tenant Union regarding a "mold emergency" and overcrowding in dorms, leading to a unanimous vote to re-evaluate the city’s ability to enforce housing codes on campus. Looking ahead, the Mayor presented the city’s 2026 legislative priorities, which include a push for 24/7 shelter funding and a demand that the state finally vote on Burlington’s pending charter changes. Additionally, voters will officially see a question on the March ballot to permanently enshrine the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the city charter. Read the full, juicy summary by going here.

South Burlington Couple Donates Massive Tree for Church Street Lighting Ceremony

The Whitney family's 40-foot pine tree now stands at the top of Church Street after decades of growth at their South Burlington home. Raymond Whitney and Elise Charron-Whitney, who purchased the tree as a root ball in South Hero decades ago, decided this year was finally time to donate it for the annual lighting ceremony. With Elise recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, the couple hopes their prized tree can shine light in more ways than one this holiday season. The tree lighting ceremony will air live on NBC5 on November 28 at 4pm. So mark that on your calendar for next Friday! Festivities start at City Hall park at noon with a Santa Parade, while the lighting of the tree happens at 6pm sharp.

Vermont's Bold Investment in Childcare Is Largely Paying Off

Act 76, passed in 2023, has created more than 1,700 new childcare slots and enrolled 4,000 additional children in state financial assistance programs. The law directs $125 million annually through payroll taxes to expand subsidies for families and funds for providers. Families earning up to $248,000 now qualify for assistance, making Vermont the state with the highest income eligibility for childcare support. While challenges remain, including continued shortages of infant care spots and lack of health insurance for workers, advocates say Vermont has become a national model. The nonprofit Let's Grow Kids, which spearheaded the decade-long campaign, disbanded in September after achieving its primary goal of securing sustainable funding.

Burlington Officials Debate How to Preserve Mental Health Response Services

The City Council delayed voting Monday on transferring the city's CARES mental health response program to Howard Center after Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announced the program would end next month. The program has responded to 600 incidents since launching last year but struggled to hire more than two people for what was intended as a four-person team. State grant funding runs out this year. Some councilors expressed concern about the lack of transparency, with Councilor Melo Grant saying she learned about the cuts from someone receiving CARES services. The council will revisit the Howard Center agreement on December 1.

Dating on Strava and Spotify as Social Media: Hobby-Tracking and Self Surveillance

UVM students are increasingly using hobby-tracking apps like Strava and Spotify for social connection and self-quantification. While these platforms offer community, they also bring pressure. Senior Daria Falkowski called Strava "actually obsessive and a little problematic," noting that Burlington Running Club members immediately exchange Strava profiles when meeting. A 2022 study found tracking apps increased negative psychosocial implications like social comparison. Some users are even ditching dating apps for hobby-tracking platforms, creating another digital medium for filtering in-person connections. Makes me wonder, I wonder if the Btown Brief can attempt something to bring people together to enjoy good dates without the awkwardness, I’ve got ideas percolating. Reply to the email and tell me if that sounds like something worth trying.

Burlington City Council Moves to Address UVM Students' Concerns on Dorm Conditions

City councilors unanimously passed a resolution seeking accountability from UVM and Champlain College after students described mold, leaks, rodent infestations and defective heating in dorms. The resolution requires universities to share inspection data and complaint procedures within three months. UVM's Amanda Clayton argued that minimum housing standards are "outside of the scope for what can be regulated by the municipality." Councilor Evan Litwin countered that the city gives universities "a courtesy and a privilege" to conduct their own inspections. Students plan to continue pushing for an enrollment cap, gender-inclusive housing, and an end to the tiered housing system.

Historian David Blow Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

The Chittenden County Historical Society honored Burlington historian David Blow, 88, with its inaugural Lilian Baker Carlisle Lifetime Achievement Award. Blow, who has researched Burlington history since 1965 after returning from Army service in Germany, authored the three-volume Historic Guide to Burlington Neighborhoods. The modest historian declined a public ceremony, receiving the award at his apartment. J. Kevin Graffagnino called Blow "a walking encyclopedia," noting that anyone working on Burlington subjects in the last 40 years knew to seek his help.

Little Changed, Much Needed, Says Mayor on Renewed Legislative Priorities

Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak's legislative priorities for 2026 remain nearly identical to 2025's agenda after what she described as "very little progress" last session. These include authority to ban firearms in bars (approved by 87% of voters in March 2025), just-cause eviction requirements, and an independent police oversight panel. The mayor will also support continued funding for Community Justice Centers and expanded language-access services statewide.

Lois McClure Leaves Over $20 Million to Support Education and Training Pathways

Lois McClure, who passed away in January 2025 at age 98, has left more than $20 million to expand education and training pathways to Vermont's promising jobs. The foundation produces the Vermont's Most Promising Jobs resource and offers the Free Degree Promise for debt-free associate degrees. "Young people make a better Vermont, and we believe that Vermont can work better for them," said Executive Director Carolyn Weir. The McClures have become the largest-ever donors to Vermont through the Vermont Community Foundation.

Electric Airplane Alia Named 'Coolest Thing' in Vermont - Beta Technologies' sleek electric aircraft beat out Milton's Splitray Supercar and WheelPad's accessible housing suite to win the Vermont Chamber of Commerce's inaugural award. Also honored: Addison County students who built a tiny house on wheels for affordable housing.

Burlington Convention Center Could Boost Tourism by Millions - Consultants say Burlington has missed out on $63 million in tourism revenue since 2017 and could support 30,000-60,000 square feet of convention space plus 250 hotel rooms, though challenges remain with rideshare availability and airport capacity.

Molly Gray to Run for Lieutenant Governor Again - The former LG who lost her 2022 Congressional bid announces her return to politics after working with the Vermont Afghan Alliance, citing concerns about vulnerable Vermonters needing protection and support for working families.

UVM Men's Soccer NCAA Tournament Tickets Sell Out Instantly - Second round tickets disappeared in minutes and now resell for over $300 as campus excitement builds around the top-seeded Catamounts' tournament run.

Doma Bar Opens in Former Paradiso Hi-Fi Space - The South End's new late-night vinyl lounge celebrated its opening with hourlong DJ sets, disco ball and red lighting replacing the former fine-dining focus at 388 Pine Street.

The University of Vermont men’s soccer program anchored a momentous week for the Catamounts, capturing the conference crown and securing a top national ranking.

The No. 2 ranked men’s soccer team claimed their eighth America East Title with a 2-0 victory over No. 5 Bryant at Virtue Field. Omar Robbana opened the scoring in the 29th minute, followed by a strike from Championship Most Outstanding Player David Ismail. Goalkeeper Niklas Herceg made crucial saves to preserve the shutout, securing the program's second consecutive title. Following the win, the Catamounts were selected as the No. 1 Seed for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The selection grants UVM a first-round bye and the opportunity to host the winner of Syracuse versus Hofstra in the Second Round.

On the ice, the men’s hockey team earned a statement victory on the road, defeating No. 8 Maine 2-1 at Alfond Arena. Daniel Sambuco netted the game-winner early in the third period, while goaltenders Axel Mangbo and Aiden Wright combined to hold the Black Bears to a single goal. At Gutterson Fieldhouse, the women’s hockey team delivered a dominant performance with a 4-0 shutout win over New Hampshire. First-year goaltender Zoe Cliche recorded 27 saves for her first career clean sheet, backed by an offense that saw four different players find the back of the net.

On the hardwood, the men’s basketball team split a pair of road contests. They secured an 85-74 win against Northeastern in the final basketball game at Matthews Arena, led by 18 points from Gus Yalden and a career-high 16 from Sean Blake. However, the team later fell to Buffalo 94-90 in a tightly contested offensive battle, despite a 24-point performance from TJ Hurley.

The women’s basketball team extended their season-opening win streak to four with a 59-49 victory at Lehigh, fueled by 15 points from Jadyn Weltz and 10 rebounds from Malia Lenz. The squad subsequently suffered their first loss of the season against High Point, falling 71-65 despite a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double from Nikola Priede.

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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 always, support your local venues, tip your bartenders generously, and remember that showing up is half the battle when it comes to community. Got a tip or event for next week? Drop us a line.

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**Dropping tasteful merch for the Btown Brief VERY soon, stay tuned!**