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Weather & Monday Update:
Oof, tough day to be a Patriots fan, fun game though! Anyway, brace yourself for one more round of the deep freeze before things start to ease up. This morning's wind chills are running 20 to 30 below zero across the Champlain Valley, and WCAX has extended their First Alert Weather Day through the early hours. Tonight will be another brutal one with lows dropping into the single digits and teens below zero under mostly clear skies. The good news: Monday afternoon brings sunshine and a slow climb into the teens, and by Tuesday we'll finally start clawing our way back toward 30. That said, Tuesday also brings a clipper system rolling in by the afternoon with steady snow likely through the evening commute, so plan accordingly. Expect a general 2 to 4 inches of accumulation before things taper to snow showers Wednesday. The back half of the week looks much more agreeable, with partly sunny skies and highs creeping into the upper 20s and low 30s heading into Valentine's Day weekend.
Despite the cold, Burlington's event calendar this week is absolutely loaded. Tonight, the Burlington Friends Meeting House hosts a Meditation Class [MEETUP] at 6:30 with Buddhist teacher Laura McPeake, focusing on a "blue sky mind" practice to quiet mental chatter ($10). Over in Essex Junction, the Crafting Night for The Cupid Project [MEETUP] runs 6:30 to 8:30 at the Ladies Social Group space on Pearl Street, where you can make Valentine's cards for nursing home residents (free, with a suggested $5 to $10 donation for materials). Tuesday is stacked: the Knot Knite event at Queen City Brewery from 6 to 8 PM brings local knitters together to craft red hats benefiting AALV, the Burlington organization supporting immigrants and new Americans (drinks from the brewery, food from Pizza 44). If you'd rather eat your way to a good cause, American Flatbread's Benefit Bake for Local Motion runs 4 to 10 PM, with a portion of every flatbread sold going to support biking, walking, and rolling across Vermont. Also Tuesday evening, the Moth StorySLAM lands at Burlington Beer Company at 7 PM with the theme "Love Hurts," covering everything from unrequited love to bad romances (doors at 6:15, advance tickets strongly recommended). Before the show, runners can meet up for the 5K Run at BBCO [MEETUP] starting at 5:30 in the taproom. Meanwhile, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra hosts Carmen on the Rocks at the Venetian Soda Lounge at 7 PM, a casual listening party with Music Director Andrew Crust breaking down Bizet's Carmen ahead of the VSO's Love Notes concert at the Flynn (from $15, nibbles included). Over at The Guild Hall on Pine Street, Dad Guild welcomes gender expert Kate Mangino for a town hall on raising boys in the age of the manosphere, running 7 to 8:30. And if you need something lower key, Super Smash Tuesdays at RiRa has free Smash Bros on the Switch all evening with $10 smash burgers and $10 beer pitchers. Don't forget the free yoga class at the South Burlington Senior Center from 6 to 7 PM (bring a mat if you have one), and Switchback's Global Winter Games Trivia Night at 7 PM for those who know their curling from their biathlon. Over in Colchester, Broadway Rocks: A Vintage Valentine Evening brings vocal chameleon John Anthony, Susie Pepper, and Kingston Trio alum Bill Zorn to the Colchester Theatre at CHS at 7 PM.
Wednesday offers plenty of ways to shake off the midweek snow showers. Rock Point Commons is holding a public feedback session from 1 to 2 PM on their upcoming trail signage improvements (treats provided, registration requested). The VTW Biz Buzz Burlington Meetup gathers at Deep City on Lake Street from 9:45 to 11:30 AM for casual networking with coffee and light breakfast ($13). In the afternoon, the Sip & Stem bouquet building event at The 126 on College Street runs 5:30 to 7:30 ($35 for a 10 stem bouquet and a signature cocktail), perfect timing if you need a Valentine's Day arrangement. Cribbage night [MEETUP] at The Boardroom on Mill Street runs 6 to 9 ($6 table fee), and Girl's Night Out at Earth & Salt [MEETUP] on Maple Street from 6:30 to 8:30 offers a private browsing and education session on sexual wellness with owner and sex educator Beth Hankes (free). Old Spokes Home hosts the RAR Deep Dive Series in Advanced Bicycle Care from 6 to 8 PM on North Winooski Avenue, a hands on class for women, trans, and nonbinary students diving into disc brakes, bearings, and wheel truing. DragonHeart Vermont holds a virtual prospective member meeting at 6 PM for anyone curious about dragon boating. At 7 PM, Phoenix Books welcomes Vermont Poet Laureate Bianca Stone to celebrate her new collection The Near and Distant Future (doors at 6:30). Also at 7, a donation based Yoga Asana and Buddhist Meditation series begins, and the Burnham Memorial Library Valentine's Escape Room for adults runs 5:30 to 6:30 in Colchester (free, with prizes). And for the late night crowd, Compa, Cotter, Chuck brings Rob Compa of Dopapod and Neighbor, Cotter Ellis of Goose, and Chuck Jones of Dopapod to the Radio Bean stage at 8:30 for funky improv jams ($10, 21+, doors at 8).
Thursday rounds out the week with some heavy hitters. Stavros Halkias brings his Dreamboat Tour to the Flynn's Main Stage at 8 PM, fresh off his Netflix special Fat Rascal. The Galentine's Eve Comedy Show at Vermont Comedy Club kicks off at 6:30 (cocktails in the lounge at 6, $12 general admission) with local standup, improv, and sketch celebrating female friendship a night early. Foam Brewers on Lake Street hosts a family friendly Books and Music Adventure at 6:30 PM featuring authors Linda Bassick and Kee Kee Buckley alongside world renowned musician Eric Troyer. UVM's OLLI program offers a fascinating session on decoding the Iliad and Odyssey through narrative science from 1:30 to 3. For a pre Valentine's date night, the Colchester Milton Rotary Club is hosting a Wine and Chocolate evening at Snow Farm Winery in South Hero from 5:30 to 8, with curated pairings, artisan chocolates from Birnn, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction ($75 per person, $135 per couple, limited to 100 guests). And if you've ever been curious about roller derby, Green Mountain Roller Derby's Learn to Skate session runs 8 to 9:30 PM at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction ($20/month, loaner gear available, bring your own mouthguard). Finally, on Friday, the Burnham Memorial Library in Colchester offers a free Adult Craft workshop on sustainable Valentine's Day cardmaking from 3 to 4 PM, covering homemade stamps, natural materials, and collage techniques.
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"This money literally put wind in our sails at a time when we were really struggling to figure out how we were going to pay for this," per Seven Days.
The big story here is the South End Coordinated Redevelopment project, which just got an $8 million boost from State Treasurer Pieciak's housing investment program. The first phase alone is a $100 million undertaking: two six story buildings with nearly 200 units on what's currently a parking lot at 125 Lakeside Avenue, with 20% designated as affordable. Future phases could add over 1,100 more units and transform that stretch of the South End into a mixed use, transit oriented neighborhood. Cambrian Rise, the development going up on the former St. Joseph's Orphanage site on North Avenue, also picked up $484,000 for an additional 70 units.
"Jordan makes a screamin' wine dish," per Seven Days.
Seven Days' latest restaurant feature highlights three local spots worth booking for date night, Valentine's or otherwise. Salt & Bubbles in Essex has quietly leveled up under executive chef Jordan Atwood and beverage director Logan Patnaude, turning out dishes like a caramelized cabbage plate with chorizo and mushrooms from a cooking line squeezed behind the bar. Fig in Shelburne is finding its stride with creative cocktails and a growing food menu. And Pascolo Ristorante has returned to its original basement home at 83 Church Street, bringing back the cozy atmosphere that regulars had been missing during its three year stint in the larger space up the block.
"We called them right out in that same meeting. We were like, 'It's Beta.' And that's when they said they couldn't say anything because of a confidentiality agreement," per The Other Paper.
Beta Technologies' rapid expansion in South Burlington is reshaping the commercial landscape along Williston Road, and not everyone is cheering. The Auto Shoppe, which had operated on Gregory Drive since at least 2003, and neighboring Next Generation Auto were both given roughly a month's notice to vacate after their landlords signaled deals with the aerospace company. Beta has already purchased three surrounding properties for over $10 million and has said it plans to add nearly 1,000 employees in the next 18 months. For the displaced shop owners, the frustration is real: body shop ready commercial space is extremely scarce, and the duo had to downsize from 6,000 square feet to 1,700. It's a tension that will likely keep surfacing as Beta's footprint grows.
"When language or imagery targets individuals or groups in ways that are harmful, threatening, or demeaning, it becomes a safety and community issue — not a rivalry issue," per the Shelburne News.
Students from both CVU and Rice Memorial were banned from attending a boys' basketball game last week after social media posts between the two schools crossed from competitive trash talk into what the Vermont Principals' Association classified as hate speech. Lauren Young, who oversees high school athletics for the VPA, noted that while fan restrictions aren't unprecedented (roughly once a year), the rise of AI generated hate imagery in digital spaces is a growing and "deeply concerning" trend. Both districts are working together on the response, and CVU administrators conducted a full dialogue with their student body while urging families to talk with their kids about responsible online behavior.
"What Vermonters actually need is stability and autonomy and greater financial access to healthy foods, not restrictions that suggest that they can't be trusted to feed their own families or make their own decisions," per Seven Days.
Gov. Scott has directed the Agency of Human Services to seek a federal waiver that would restrict certain food purchases under Vermont's 3SquaresVT program, joining roughly a dozen other states considering similar moves under the Trump administration's Make America Healthy Again campaign. The specifics of what would be banned haven't been determined yet, and the state plans public meetings this spring before submitting an application. Anti hunger advocates argue the restrictions are paternalistic and lack evidence of improving health outcomes, while retailers worry about the burden of policing purchases at checkout. Notably, Vermont's application to the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund, which scored applicants partly on alignment with federal health priorities, netted the state nearly $200 million, far more than expected.
"Detentions are already happening, and they are going to happen. The best thing we can do is be as prepared as possible to support people leading up to, and in the event of, a detention occurring," per Seven Days.
The scope of preparation here is striking. Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak met with Burlington's police and fire chiefs last week to game out a response to a potential large scale ICE operation, while Migrant Justice has built a rapid response network of roughly 2,000 people and tallied 107 immigration detentions statewide in 2025, up from just 10 the year before. Meanwhile, state lawmakers are weighing bills that would ban masked law enforcement agents, prohibit civil arrests at schools and shelters, and create a state fund for legal representation of detainees. The question of what actually passes will likely come down to Gov. Scott, who condemned the Minneapolis violence but has been cautious about directly challenging the federal administration.
"We definitely see that scale impacts a district's ability to do that," per VTDigger.
The numbers tell a complicated story for Vermont's education system. Overall student enrollment is shrinking, but the share of students on individualized education programs has been climbing faster than the national average since 2019. Total special education costs have surged by more than $76 million since fiscal year 2018, hitting $473 million in 2024. Perhaps most puzzling: Vermont leads the nation in placing IEP students in regular classrooms, yet sends them to costly out of district schools at more than double the national rate. Larger districts tend to manage better because they can build therapeutic programming in house, which is part of what makes the state's ongoing Act 73 education reform so critical for smaller schools.
"Local businesses are fighting so hard against these big businesses and trying to stay open. That's just going to increase demand for people working at these big businesses instead of local businesses," per VT Community News Service.
H.713 would bump the minimum wage for fast food workers at chains with more than 60 locations nationwide to $20 an hour, modeled after a similar California law. The bill's sponsors frame it as leveling the playing field, but local restaurant workers are raising the counterpoint that it could actually widen the gap between chain and independent employers, since Vermont's current minimum wage sits at $14.42. The bill would also create a state council to study and recommend future wages for fast food workers. Rep. William Greer has acknowledged the $20 figure is a placeholder and could shift as the committee takes testimony.
"It was time to refocus on what we did best: pizza," per Seven Days.
After nearly three years running a 120 seat, full menu Italian restaurant in Montpelier, the Penzo family has scaled back and returned to Essex Junction, where they originally launched as a food truck in 2021. The new spot at 3 Maple Street (formerly Nomad Coffee) is a 20 seat counter service operation focused on Neapolitan style pizza from an oven imported from Italy. Dave Penzo and his sons Luke and Tyler are running the kitchen, with a third son, Max, potentially joining soon. Montpelier flooding challenges factored into the decision to come home.
"Most all of us, almost, are retired. We know that people driving by — they're working, they have kids in school. They're busy, and they can't do this, so we're doing it for them," per The Citizen.
Hinesburg Resists has been holding weekly "visibility brigades" along Route 116 since March, and the group has become something of a model for sustained, hyperlocal organizing. Beyond the sidewalk presence, they run a weekly newsletter and have been hosting speakers including State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, who spoke about the Vermont Immigrant Legal Defense Fund's push to raise $1 million by May. The group's consistency sets it apart from one off demonstrations, turning protest into an ongoing community practice rather than a single moment of outrage.
"I have so much to learn and so much room to grow. It makes me excited for the future because this is just the beginning," per VT Community News Service.
Summer Lamont is 19 years old, a freshman at VTSU Castleton, and already a credentialed professional sports photographer whose work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, CBS News, and FOX Sports. She got her start after a knee injury sidelined her from soccer, and a family connection to veteran photographer Fred Kfoury led to her first camera and eventually a contract with Icon Sportswire. She's shot the Patriots, Bruins, and Revolution, and covered a Lionel Messi match solo. It's a genuinely impressive trajectory for someone still in her first year of college.
"Everyone has reached this milestone in their own particular way," per Seven Days.
With Valentine's Day approaching, Seven Days' Love & Marriage Issue spotlights some unconventional spots to tie the knot around Vermont. The lineup includes the Forever Young Treehouse at Burlington's Oakledge Park (free but unreservable, so bring your sense of adventure), ECHO on the waterfront for the fish enthusiasts, the Ticonderoga steamboat at Shelburne Museum (capacity: 150 for a ceremony), and even the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour in Ticonderoga, N.Y., where William Shatner has reportedly dropped in on a wedding or two. It's a fun roundup that goes well beyond the classic barn setting.
"The essence of art is to have the freedom to create whatever you want, with whatever tools you want. This is all too often overlooked by gear and brand snobs," per The Vermont Cynic.
This UVM student op ed makes a case that social media trends and YouTuber culture are flattening photography into a uniform, algorithm friendly product at the expense of genuine artistic expression. Author Robert Stark, a published wildlife photographer, argues that beginners are being funneled into buying expensive gear and copying popular presets rather than developing their own style. He got his start with a broken Minolta rangefinder at age 13 and urges new photographers to experiment freely rather than chase trends. It's an interesting read, especially the closing plea to stop color grading everything teal.
Quick Hits
Gov. Phil Scott holds a 74% approval rating in the latest Morning Consult poll, marking his 14th consecutive quarter as the most popular governor in the country. Only 19% of Vermonters disapprove. For context, Iowa's Kim Reynolds and Alaska's Michael Dunleavy sit at the bottom with 49% disapproval ratings each.
Four Vermont natives are headed to the 2026 Milan Cortina Games: Jack Young (Jay) and Ben Ogden (Landgrove) in cross country skiing, Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro) in alpine skiing, and Mac Forehand (Winhall) in freestyle skiing. NBC5 put together a handy interactive map tracking where each athlete grew up.
Dean Kamen, the New Hampshire inventor who served as a director at South Burlington's Beta Technologies, has been placed on indefinite leave from the company after newly released DOJ documents showed multiple interactions with Jeffrey Epstein, including a 2013 invitation to Epstein's island. Medical tech company Sequel and science competition group XPRIZE have also distanced themselves. Kamen has not been accused of wrongdoing and has previously denied knowledge of Epstein's actions.
State Treasurer Pieciak's bill (H.577) to create a free drug discount card for all Vermonters cleared the House Health Care committee unanimously. The program would join Vermont with the ArrayRx multistate partnership to negotiate lower prices, offering up to 80% off generics and 20% off name brand medications. The bill heads to House Ways and Means next. Especially significant as ACA subsidies expire and Medicaid cuts take effect.
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UVM Athletics: Skiing Wins Carnival; Basketball Sweeps UNH; Lacrosse Wins Opener; Men's Hockey Splits Top-Ranked Road Trip
The Nordic team secured a comeback victory at the UVM Carnival, placing first overall with 846 points. Tabor Greenberg led the men's squad with a first-place finish in the 10k FR Int., followed by Fin Bailey and Ruben Kretzschmar to complete a podium sweep. On the women's side, Haley Brewster captured her third consecutive EISA victory to help the team climb to the top of the standings.
At Patrick Gym, Ben Johnson poured in a season-high 26 points, including seven three-pointers, to power the Catamounts past New Hampshire 80-57. Gus Yalden added 16 points and eight rebounds, while TJ Hurley and Sean Blake also reached double figures. The team shot 45.2 percent from the field and maintained a commanding lead throughout the second half.
The women's basketball team also dominated New Hampshire, cruising to a 60-35 win. Nikola Priede led the way with 23 points, five rebounds, and two blocks. Malia Lenz recorded a double-double with 10 points and a team-high 12 rebounds as the defense stifled the Wildcats, holding them to just 22 percent shooting from the field.
The Women's Lacrosse team opened their season with an explosive 21-10 road victory over Charlotte. Lydia Doraz tallied a career-high seven points on four goals and three assists, while Jane Trauger also netted four goals. First-year Ali Cabot scored a hat trick in her collegiate debut, and the team controlled 23 draws compared to Charlotte's eight.
The Men's Ice Hockey team stunned No. 11 Boston College with a 6-1 victory on Friday. Colin Kessler and Ethan Burroughs scored early goals, and Matteo Michels added a shorthanded tally. However, the weekend split as the team fell to #7 Providence 6-1 on Saturday, with Kessler scoring the lone goal for Vermont.
In front of a "Pack the Gut" crowd, Rose-Marie Brochu scored with 27 seconds remaining to force overtime against Northeastern. Despite the late heroics and an earlier goal from Josie Hemp, the Huskies claimed a 3-2 victory in the extra period.
Ryleigh Garrow highlighted the weekend at the IC4A Championships with a top-five finish in the 60m hurdles, moving to fourth all-time in program history. Earlier at the River Hawk Invitational, Erin Carty won the 200m dash with a time of 25.47 seconds.
Feb 12: 2025-26 Women's Basketball vs. Binghamton (Thu ⦁ 6:00pm)
Feb 13: 2025-26 Men's Hockey vs. UMass Lowell (Fri ⦁ 7:00pm)
Feb 14: 2025-26 Men's Basketball vs. Bryant (Sat ⦁ 2:00pm)
Feb 14: 2025-26 Men's Hockey vs. UMass Lowell (Sat ⦁ 6:00pm)
Feb 15: 2025-26 Women's Hockey vs Merrimack (Sun ⦁ 2:00pm)
Events:
Monday, February 9, 2026
General Events
(All Week) The Great Vermont Coat Drive: Week Four @ 84 Pine St & 275 Kennedy Drive
10:30 AM: Recycling Plastic Films Info Session at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall (Free)
4:00 PM: Fighting Game Community Biweekly at Lumière Hall (Burlington Beer Co), Burlington ($5)
4:30 PM: Monday Night Bingo at Burlington Elks Lodge (Various prices)
6:00 PM: Monday Night Line Up Beginner Level @ On Tap Bar & Grill
6:00 PM: Inclusion and Belonging Commission Meeting at Winooski City Hall (Free)
6:00 PM: Open Mic Night with Kyle Stevens @ Pearl Street Pub (Free)
6:00 PM: Trivia Monday at Black Flannel Brewing, Essex (Free)
6:30 PM: Meditations for a Clear Mind [MEETUP] at Burlington Friends Meeting House ($10)
6:30 PM: Crafting Night for The Cupid Project [MEETUP] at 11 Pearl Street, Suite 206 ($5–10 Donation)
6:30 PM: Colchester Republicans "Bring a Friend" Night at Colchester Police Department (Free)
7:00 PM: Community of Poets Sharing Circle [MEETUP] (Location TBD, Free)
7:00 PM: Spanish Chat Mondays at Three Needs, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Monday at McKee's Original, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia with Craig Mitchell at Monkey House, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Monday Night Live (Meditation) at Outright Vermont, Burlington (Free; donations accepted)
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
General Events
9:00 AM: PeopleReady Hiring Event @ 138 North Winooski Avenue
9:00 AM: Burlington Bitcoin Meetup [MEETUP] at Zero Gravity Brewery (Free)
10:00 AM: Library Outreach Specialist Office Hours at Main Reading Room NORTH, Main Library
11:00 AM: Hiring Event @ Burlington International Airport (Poster online says Wednesday though)
11:30 AM: Benefit Bake at Flatbread BTV: Local Motion @ American Flatbread Burlington Hearth
12:00 PM: Graduate School Fair @ UVM Campus (Davis Center)
12:30 PM: New North End Drop-In Tech Support at Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch (Free)
1:00 PM: Afternoon Tech Help at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall (Free)
3:00 PM: Insight Yin: 4-Week Series @ Chace Mill
4:00 PM: Benefit Bake at American Flatbread @ American Flatbread Burlington Hearth
5:00 PM: Super Smash Tuesdays at Rí Rá Irish Pub
5:00 PM: Trivia Night: Olympic Edition at Switchback Beer Garden, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Finding Housing Workshop at CVOEO, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Pause-Café Mardi – French Conversation at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
5:15 PM: Community Meditation at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington (Free; donations accepted)
5:30 PM: 5K Run @ BBCO [MEETUP] at Burlington Beer Company (Free)
5:30 PM: Spanish Class (SCREEN) at Fletcher Free Library, Community Room
6:00 PM: February – Lindy 1 @ Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall
6:00 PM: Free Yoga Class @ South Burlington Public Library (180 Market St)
6:00 PM: Free Gentle & Restorative Yoga at South Burlington Senior Center (Free)
6:00 PM: Creative Cards with Noreen at Essex Free Library (Free)
6:00 PM: Knot Knite: Red Hats to Benefit AALV at Queen City Brewery (Free/Donation)
6:00 PM: Joint Finance/SHCP Commission Meeting at Winooski City Hall (Free)
6:00 PM: Crafters Drop-In at Main Reading Room, Main Library
6:00 PM: Essentials of Camera Operation at The Media Factory, Burlington (Free; donations accepted)
6:15 PM: Colchester Selectboard Meeting at Colchester Town Offices (Free)
6:30 PM: Book Swap! [ODD HOUR] @ Queen City Lodge Oddfellows Hall
6:30 PM: Three Rivers District Roundtable @ First Congregational Church of Essex Junction
6:30 PM: Spanish Conversation Group at Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center (Free)
7:00 PM: All That Jazz Open Mic Comedy at The 126, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Open Gym Basketball for Dads at Mater Christi School, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Raising Boys: A Conversation with Author Kate Mangino at The Guild Hall (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Tuesdays @ 4 Park St
7:00 PM: Caribbean Tuesdays • Salsa & Bachata Dance Classes @ South End Studio
7:00 PM: February Balboa – Building on the Basics @ Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall
7:00 PM: February – Beginning Swing @ Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall
7:00 PM: Trivia Night: Global Winter Games @ Switchback Brewing Company
7:00 PM: Nervous System Reset: 4 Week Breathwork Immersion @ 100 Dorset Street, Suite 5
7:00 PM: Carmen on the Rocks: A Pre-Concert Listening Party at The Venetian Soda Lounge (From $15.66)
7:30 PM: Tuesday Trivia at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Tuesday at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
7:30 PM: East Coast Swing for Beginners! @ Lines Vermont Dance Studio
Performances
7:00 PM: "Daughters of the Dust" (Film) at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: February MOTH StorySLAM @ Burlington Beer Company
7:00 PM: Broadway Rocks: A Vintage Valentine Evening at Colchester Theatre at CHS
Live Music/DJ
6:00 PM: Bashment Tuesday (DJ) at Akes' Place, Burlington (Free)
6:30 PM: Interplay Jazz Jam North at Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Luis Betancourt, Olivia Deschenes, and Kiley Latham & Band @ The Monkey House
8:00 PM: Dead Is Alive (Grateful Dead Tribute) at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington ($15)
9:00 PM: Big Easy Tuesdays (Jazz) at The 126, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Honky Tonk Tuesday at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
General Events
9:30 AM: Green Mountain Embroiderers' Guild at Holy Family Parish Hall, Essex Junction (Free)
9:45 AM: VTW Biz Buzz Burlington February Meetup at Deep City Brunch & Events ($10–$13)
10:30 AM: Current Events Discussion Group at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston (Free)
12:30 PM: Library Outreach Specialist Office Hours at Main Reading Room NORTH, Main Library
1:00 PM: Help Shape Rock Point's Trail Signage at Rock Point Center, Burlington (Free)
2:00 PM: Community Partners Desk: Steps to End Domestic Violence at Main Reading Room, Main Library
4:00 PM: Friends & Family Weekly Takeout Dinner @ The Mill Market
5:00 PM: LOGOS Kid's Night @ College Street Congregational Church
5:00 PM: DAMVT Meetup at the Fleming's Spring 2026 Kickoff Party! @ Fleming Museum of Art (Free)
5:00 PM: "Memory Fields" & "Photo-Secession" Receptions at Fleming Museum of Art, Burlington
5:30 PM: Garden Planning Workshop – 4 Part Series @ Gardener's Supply, Williston
5:30 PM: Pick-up Basketball [MEETUP] at Gutterson Fieldhouse ($10)
5:30 PM: Valentine's Escape Room for Adults at Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester (Free)
5:30 PM: Sip & Stem at The 126 ($35)
6:00 PM: Bob's Burgers @ Hotel Champlain
6:00 PM: Cribbage [MEETUP] at The Boardroom – Board Game Cafe ($6 table fee)
6:00 PM: Midweek Boot Scoot High Beginner Level @ On Tap Bar & Grill
6:00 PM: Valentine's Workshop: Learn Couples Massage @ Earth and Salt
6:00 PM: Toastmasters of Greater Burlington at Generator Makerspace, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Screening "From Earth to Earth" @ South Burlington Public Library (180 Market St) (Free)
6:00 PM: RAR Deep Dive Series in Advanced Bicycle Care (Women/Trans/Non-binary) at Old Spokes Home, Burlington (Check admission price)
6:00 PM: Scrabble Night @ The Boardroom [MEETUP] at The Boardroom – Board Game Cafe (Free)
6:00 PM: Dragonheart Vermont Prospective Member Meeting – Virtual Event (Free)
6:30 PM: Trivia Night @ Burlington Beer Company
6:30 PM: Girl's Night Out – Sexual Wellness, Learning about Pleasure and Toys @ Earth and Salt (Free) [MEETUP]
6:30 PM: Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly at Friends Meeting House, Burlington (Free)
6:45 PM: February Westie Wednesday Lessons & Social @ Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall
7:00 PM: Trivia Night at Rí Rá Irish Pub (Free)
7:00 PM: An Evening with Vermont Poet Laureate Bianca Stone at Phoenix Books, Burlington ($3–$4)
7:00 PM: House Trivia Night @ Venetian Soda Lounge
7:00 PM: Break Free from Hibernation Trivia Event @ 4 Lincoln Place, Essex Junction
7:00 PM: Traditional Mead Night with Man Made Mead @ 56 Main Street, Essex Junction
7:00 PM: Yoga Asana + Buddhist Meditation – Check link for location (Donation)
8:30 PM: Standup Open Mic at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington (Free)
Performances
2:00 PM: Murder on the Orient Express @ Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center
6:30 PM: VCA: $5 Improv Night! at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($5, Free for Students)
Live Music/DJ
6:00 PM: Paddy Reagan Trio at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
6:00 PM: Groove Is In The Hearth: Cooie Sings @ American Flatbread Burlington Hearth
8:00 PM: Can't Help Falling in Love With WRUV Karaoke at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington (Free)
8:00 PM: Karaoke Night at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
8:30 PM: Compa, Cotter, & Chuck @ Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
8:30 PM: Jazz Night with Ray Vega at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Jazz Sessions at The 126, Burlington (Free)
Thursday, February 12, 2026
General Events
8:15 AM: Shut Up & Write!® at Vivid Coffee Roasters [MEETUP] (Free)
8:30 AM: Monthly Meeting @ Williston Central School
10:00 AM: Rock Point's Trailside Visitor Center Open Hours at Rock Point Center, Burlington (Free)
10:00 AM: Library Outreach Specialist Office Hours at Main Reading Room NORTH, Main Library
12:00 PM: Italian Conversation Group at Fletcher Room, Main Library
1:30 PM: UVM OLLI: The Science of Story and Translation – Check link for location (Check admission price)
3:00 PM: Community Partners Desk: Burlington Electric at Main Reading Room, Main Library
3:30 PM: A Sustainable Approach to Exercise in Midlife at 11 Pearl Street, Suite 206, Essex Junction ($0–$23)
4:30 PM: Spanish Conversation at Pickering Room, Main Library
5:30 PM: Beginning Aerial Silks | 5-Week Series for Adults @ Lines Vermont Dance Studio
5:30 PM: A Pre-Valentine's Date Night at Snow Farm Vineyard & Distillery, South Hero ($75)
6:00 PM: Vermont: Intro to Tools (February) @ New Frameworks Natural Design/Build
6:00 PM: Fat Thursday – Guided Group Rides @ Catamount Outdoor Family Center
6:00 PM: Deep Dive Series in Advanced Bicycle Care (Open to All) at Old Spokes Home, Burlington (Check admission price)
6:00 PM: UVM Women's Basketball vs. Binghamton
6:00 PM: Wingspan Lovers Unite [MEETUP] at The Boardroom – Board Game Cafe (Free)
6:00 PM: Galentines Event [MEETUP] at VT Comedy Club (Check admission price)
6:30 PM: Book & Music Adventure for Kids and Adults @ Foam Brewers
6:30 PM: TFCB Feb Meeting – Pizza Party, Birthday Bash @ Essex Junction VFW Post 6689
6:45 PM: Kizomba Thursdays • Beginner & Intermediate Dance Classes @ South End Studio
7:00 PM: Women's Pick-Up Basketball at Allen Brook Middle School, Williston (Free)
7:00 PM: Thursday Night Figure Drawing at Queen City Oddfellows Lodge, Burlington ($15–$20 Donation)
7:30 PM: South Burlington Rotary Club Meeting at South Burlington Senior Center (Free)
8:00 PM: TRIVIA NIGHT at Einstein's @ Einstein's Tap House
8:00 PM: Learn to Skate with Green Mountain Roller Derby @ Champlain Valley Exposition
Performances
6:30 PM: Galentine's Eve Comedy Show! at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($10, $5 Students)
8:00 PM: Stavros Halkias: The Dreamboat Tour at The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
Live Music/DJ
7:30 PM: Sweet Tooth w/ Ides of Marge @ The Monkey House
10:00 PM: Karaoke Night at Rí Rá Irish Pub, Burlington (Free)
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
Full list of restaurant reviews here.
View the full list of food & drink deals here.
That’s All, Burlington!
That wraps up your Monday morning Btown Brief. Stay warm out there today, take it slow on the roads Tuesday evening, and soak up what's shaping up to be a wildly busy week of community events as we roll into Valentine's Day. If any of these stories or events caught your eye, give the linked articles a read and show up for the things that matter to you.
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.
