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Soak up today, because Monday is the warmest day of the week, sunny with a high near 62 and a light south breeze, and a perfect day for one more look at the foliage even with color past peak in a lot of places. A dry cold front slides through tonight without a drop of rain, so Tuesday turns mostly sunny and cooler with a high near 56 and a north wind. Wednesday stays sunny with a high near 55, and Thursday is mostly sunny near 57, while the nights drop to around 34 midweek with a few frosty mornings. There's no rain anywhere in the forecast, and the brush fire risk may climb as the week goes on. Track it all week, with patio, swim, and sunset scores, at Burlington Right Now.

Monday

Also Monday, local writer Spencer Wilkins hosts The Hive Writing Collective at Wild Meadows Books & Café in Williston at 4, a free workshop where wordsmiths of all stripes share feedback and sharpen their craft, and DJ Craig Mitchell runs weekly trivia at the Monkey House in Winooski at 7, where you play on a phone or a computer, alone or with a group.

Tuesday

Also Tuesday, Mesmer Kava's Traditional Tuesday shares one big bowl of kava from 4:30 to 8, and you can drink as much as you like for a $20 flat fee. Fletcher Free Library has two drop ins, French conversation at Pause-Café Mardi at 5 and the Crafters Drop-In at 6, so bring whatever knitting, crochet, mending or embroidery you're working on. Runners can join the Getting Active in Burlington group's 5K run [MEETUP] from Burlington Beer Company at 5:30, the Vermont Figure Drawing Collective draws a rotating cast of models at Karma Bird House from 6 to 8 ($20 cash, all skill levels), and Dad Guild's dads meet at Petra Cliffs at 6:30 for a free night of rock climbing (RSVP required).

South Florida indie rock band Rehash plays an all ages show in Higher Ground's Showcase Lounge (doors at 7), and the Monkey House has a free 7 PM bill of Faul Durand, Maggie Lawrence, and Josh Linker & Evan Lynch. Vermont Swings holds its weekly DJ dance from 8 to 9:30, Dead Is Alive with Dobbs' Dead brings its weekly Grateful Dead tribute to Einstein's at 8 ($15), and Queen City Brewery hosts its October trivia night with food, drinks and prizes.

Wednesday

Also Wednesday, Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak holds her South District Mayor Meetup at Zero Gravity from 8 to 9 AM, and the Intervale needs volunteers from 9 to noon to help plant hundreds of native trees on the Winooski River floodplain before the ground freezes (sign up first). The Ward 8 NPA's Zine Potluck at Fletcher Free Library starts at 5 with Folino's pizza and a pile of zines to flip through, then a talk from the UVM Zine Club and an update from the Overdose Prevention Center's director, and Brownell Library in Essex Junction hosts Stories from the Vermont Queer Archives at 6, where curator Meg Tamulonis talks about the banners, T-shirts and buttons that mark milestones in Vermont's LGBTQ+ community.

Foam's free Bluegrass Nights jam starts at 6, and at 6:30 Phoenix Books brings Green Mountain Book Award nominees Ryan La Sala and Don Martin to Champlain College's Morgan Room to read and answer questions (free, RSVP). Vermont Comedy Arts' spooky $5 Improv Night at the Vermont Comedy Club at 6:30 ends in an improv jam where anyone can jump onstage, Standing Stone Wines in Winooski holds a Poetry Open Mic at 7, and Lily's Pad on North Avenue hosts The Ribbit Review, a free open mic and song circle with a community potluck, from 7 to 10. Later, the Monkey House has Beatrice Anne & Odin Scott Coleman with Danny and the Parts at 8 (21+, $10), and Jazz Night with Ray Vega plays Hotel Vermont at 8:30.

Thursday

Also Thursday, Shelburne Farms screens the free documentary 'Seeding Change: Farming Beyond Neonics' in the Coach Barn (doors at 5:30, film at 6, registration required), following farmers and researchers from Quebec farms to Cornell field trials as they imagine farming without neonic treated seeds. At 7, Melissa H. Cronin launches her memoir The Peach at Phoenix Books with readings, a Q&A and a few tunes from Irish folk musician John Cronin (free, RSVP), jazz duo Dana and Alden bring saxophone and drums to Higher Ground's Showcase Lounge (doors at 7), and Outdoor Gear Exchange screens Matchstick Productions' 34th annual ski film, The Way Out, with drinks from Four Quarters Brewing and all proceeds going to the Catamount Trail Association (doors at 7, $10). Green Mountain Roller Derby also holds a learn to skate session at the Champlain Valley Expo, with loaner gear available (bring a mouthguard), and The 126's weekly Funk Jam runs 9 to 11, where anyone is welcome to join in or just listen.

Scroll down to Events Section for full list of events. Or check my events page.

We’re now seeing 20–30 people at our weekly events! Thanks to everyone helping host events with me. And thanks to those that show up to make it worth it. Be sure to stop by for our weekly Saturday Coffee meetup at Zero Gravity at 10am. It’s a great place to talk about weekend events too, along with news and life updates. So come find things to do this weekend together:

This Coming Week:

Meet All Day, a number of beautiful, curated feeds that I’ve been building for Burlington, and I’m pretty proud of it. It’s nine tabs packed with the stuff I’d check every day. The Wire gathers every local headline as it breaks, plus the big national stories, with local photos and a neighborhood Square for what people around town are talking about. Pulling from ALL those pesky sites like Reddit, X, Facebook, Instagram to give you the short-list of stuff worth reading, locally and nationally. The Watch tab has tonight’s nearby showtimes and what’s worth streaming. Food has deals, late night spots and what r/burlington is recommending right now. People helps you find run clubs, game nights and new friends. What Now spins up something to do when you can’t decide, and the Top 100+ gives you a list to work through. Vintage maps every thrift shop in greater Burlington. On Air has local TV, videos sorted by how much time you have, and each edition of this newsletter read out loud. Habits grows a tree for every habit you keep that you can also show off to others doing it, because accountability is that little push you need, and Games is a whole arcade of Burlington games plus the weekly news quiz. Plus way more that I didn’t mention, because this is too long already. Anyway, no ads, nothing to pay, no nothing. Just me trying to filter out the noise and giving you a better way to use your phone. Find it at guide.btownbrief.com/all-day and tell me what you’d add by replying to this email.

And the updates will keep coming and coming, because I’m using it!

Why support? Every week, I sort through TONS of local sources: Seven Days events, Front Porch Forum calendar, Facebook events, Hello Burlington, Meetup.com, Eventbrite, Church St Marketplace calendar, Flynn, Higher Ground, Vermont Comedy Club, and then news stations like VTDigger, Seven Days, WCAX, WPTZ, Vermont Public, Community News Service, VT Cynic, The Other Paper, Vermont Business Magazine, Williston Observer, MyChamplainValley, The Charlotte News, to keep you connected. It takes a long time to curate and write about all this local content, so if this lengthy newsletter saves you time, or has introduced you to new experiences in Burlington, then definitely consider chipping in!

About Me

Vermont celebrates its first Vermont Libraries Day

Today is the first Vermont Libraries Day, a new annual statewide observance the Legislature created this spring as Act 127. State Librarian Catherine Delneo says the best way to mark it is to go, whether that means signing up for a library card, checking out a book, taking part in a program or borrowing a museum or state park pass. Public libraries are free to everyone, and many let you check out gear for gardening, sports, home repair or cooking, plus science and nature kits for families.

Vermont will restore fire towers on Spruce and Elmore mountains using helicopters this fall

The state is replacing the steep and sometimes rickety wooden staircases on the Elmore and Spruce fire towers with metal steps and railings like the ones at Allis State Park, and because both summits are so high and remote, a helicopter will carry up roughly 3,000 pounds of materials. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the Elmore tower in 1939, and Spruce's steel tower was moved there from St. Albans in 1943, and each restoration costs almost $250,000. Both towers are expected to stay closed through the end of October, though hikers can still reach the Spruce Mountain vista except during helicopter landings.

OnLogic to Be Acquired for $675 Million by Omron, a Japanese Firm

Omron, a Kyoto automation company with 26,000 employees, is buying the South Burlington computer hardware maker that Roland and Lisa Groeneveld started at their kitchen table in 2003 as Logic Supply, and the deal is expected to close in January. OnLogic will keep its leadership, brand and local workforce, which includes 160 people in Vermont, and every employee gets a thank you bonus of $1,500 for each month they've worked there, which comes to $90,000 for a five year employee. The company builds hardware that can survive tough environments for clients that have included NASA, Amazon and General Motors.

Vermont’s ‘diverging diamond’ receives positive reviews

A month after Vermont's first diverging diamond opened in Colchester on Sept. 17, the overall message from drivers is positive, though some say the new signals have made their commute worse and the cones are still out. Crews are installing curbing, sidewalks and permanent traffic signals before winter, VTrans may adjust the light cycles soon, and the hope is to wrap up by mid November. Paving on the far north and south ends along Routes 2 and 7 comes next spring.

The Burlington-Area Mexican Food Scene Grows in Unexpected Places

Seven Days found two of the area's best new Mexican spots in unlikely places. Doña Esa, Ada Martínez's family business, now serves dine in dinner Tuesday through Saturday at Doma Bar on Pine Street, with homestyle regional dishes like guisados, chiles en nogada and a mole rosa that gets its pink from beets and hibiscus, and Doma is displaying a Día de los Muertos altar from mid October through early November. In the University Mall food court, Taquería Don Richard has built a big TikTok following on tacos made with handmade tortillas. The combo plates are the best deal on the menu.

Vermont cannabis event permits could bring legal sales to community events

A pilot program would let licensed cannabis retailers sell from a sanctioned area at events like concerts, farmers markets and sporting events, though nobody could consume on site. Growers and shops say it would help in a market made up of some 300 small cultivators, where a storefront is often too expensive and strict advertising rules make it hard to get the word out. The Cannabis Control Board is expected to give final approval at its meeting this Friday, Oct. 23.

Man Claims Winooski Police Fractured His Neck, Ankle, Hand and Fingers During Arrest

A lawsuit filed this month in Chittenden Superior Court says two Winooski officers broke Marc White's neck, ankle, hand and two fingers while taking him down in his apartment building's vestibule in February 2025, then told EMTs the blood on his face came from a fall on the sidewalk. White has paranoid schizophrenia that was well known to the department, and the suit says the officers chased him over a call that turned out to involve a thrown plastic cup, the opposite of what the state's use of force policy asks for with people in mental health crisis. Winooski's city manager and police chief declined to comment.

Engaged young voters across Vermont aim to get their peers to the polls

Students at UVM and Middlebury are running voter registration drives ahead of the Nov. 3 election, with UVM's helping classmates request absentee ballots, and UVM's nonpartisan Political Science Club says attendance is picking up again after falling off following 2024. Young voters usually turn out the least of any age group, 25.7% in Vermont in the 2022 midterms, but a national CIRCLE survey this year found 56% of young people say they're extremely likely to vote. Phil Scott has been governor since this year's young voters were 8 to 19, and some, like UVM student government's Cameron Laychak of Milton, say they're voting for Amanda Janoo this time.

Vermonters Will Vote on Two Constitutional Amendments This Fall

On Nov. 3, Vermonters get the final say on two constitutional amendments, confusingly numbered Proposal 3 and Proposal 4, after two rounds of lawmakers signed off. Proposal 3 would guarantee workers the right to join a union and block any future right to work law, which Rep. Conor Casey calls largely a defensive measure, while the Right for Vermont Foundation argues it takes away union shop workers' freedom to decline paying dues. Proposal 4 guarantees equal protection under the law regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and national origin. A recent UNH poll found about two thirds of likely voters support both.

QUICK HITS

Busy Burlington road to close for 3 days — Main Street closes between South Prospect and South Willard from Tuesday at 7 a.m. until about 5 p.m. Friday for the Summit Street water main project, with a detour through College or Maple streets and no parking. Northbound traffic can still use Summit Street but can't turn onto Main.

Breeze Airways adds new routes from Burlington airport — Breeze is adding flights from Burlington to Myrtle Beach, with a BreezeThru on to Fort Lauderdale without getting off the plane, starting at the end of May next year. The airport says 50 to 70 local passengers a day want that Myrtle Beach flight, and it's teasing a new warm weather international destination to be announced before the end of October.

UVM expands tuition-free program for Vermonters — Starting in fall 2027, UVM Promise covers tuition for every admitted Vermont student from a household earning up to $125,000 a year, up from $100,000 in 2025 and $60,000 when it started in fall 2023. UVM says that means most Vermont families can now send a student to the flagship with tuition and fees fully covered.

Colchester girl earns Scout's highest rank with Little Free Library project — Colchester High 10th grader Juliet Wager is the first girl in her troop to reach Eagle Scout, for building the Snack and Books pantry, a Little Free Library near Mallets Bay School stocked with canned goods and books. She says it gives people a second option if they feel awkward signing up for a food shelf.

Burlington City Arts Announces New Grants for Visual Arts — BCA's new Verge Artist Fund, backed by the Andy Warhol Foundation, will give out $60,000 a year in 10 to 15 grants of $2,500 to $7,000 for artist led projects outside traditional arts venues. Artists in Chittenden, Addison, Franklin and Grand Isle counties can apply starting Jan. 8, and the deadline is April 16.

Vermont seeks shelter for homeless residents with complex medical needs — The state wants to open at least one shelter for up to 25 homeless Vermonters with the most complex medical needs, run with a health care provider offering care like wound care and medication management, and hopes to have it running in the new year. It's part of reforms moving people out of motels and into shelters and treatment.

Burlington history museum seeks community support — The Burlington History and Culture Center is working toward a city history museum, backed by a Vermont Humanities grant of $10,000 a year for three years, and is still looking for a location and funding. Planned exhibits include the Black owned barbershops that lined Church Street and the Lebanese immigrant "Icemen," and organizer Elise Guyette wants your ideas (her email is in the story).

Burlyaxe Throwing closes Burlington space — Burlyaxe Throwing announced on Oct. 15 that it has closed its North Winooski Avenue location after seven years, a pandemic shutdown and, in its words, hundreds of thousands of axes thrown. Its mobile axe trailer is still available for event bookings.

Vermont replaces decades-old unemployment computer system — The Department of Labor launched a new online unemployment system, built with $30 million in federal relief money, to replace the 56 year old mainframe that crashed under the 2020 COVID layoffs. Labor Commissioner Kendal Smith says the system doesn't use AI to decide eligibility or appeals.

Firefighters to bring Christmas cheer at UVM children's hospital: where to donate — Burlington firefighters kicked off the 16th annual toy drive for patients at Golisano Children's Hospital. New toys and gift cards can go to drop off spots like Burlington Fire Stations 1 and 2, Burlington Police, Burlington Electric, and the fire departments in South Burlington, Winooski, Colchester and Essex Junction, and toys should be in by Dec. 16.

UVM launches ‘Vermont Listens’ civic engagement series — UVM's new Vermont Listens series, where neighbors hear from people with opposite points of view, starts tonight in Bennington. The Burlington session on Nov. 4 is for UVM community members, per UVM's event page.

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!

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

Men's hockey handed No. 11 Boston University its first loss of the season 2-1 on Friday in the TD Home Opener on Zach Filak's goal 8:10 into the third, and Jacob Oster made 24 saves for his first career win. The Terriers took Saturday's rematch 2-1 in overtime after Jonah Aegerter gave Vermont a second period lead, with Ryder Ritchie tying it with 56 seconds left in regulation and scoring again in overtime. Vermont blocked a season high 25 shots Saturday. The Cats (1-2-0, 1-1-0 Hockey East) start a home and home series with Clarkson at Gutterson on Friday at 7, then play at Cheel Arena in Potsdam on Sunday at 4, with both games on ESPN+ and WVMT.

No. 16 men's soccer came back to beat New Hampshire 3-2 on Saturday at Virtue Field. Vermont trailed 2-1 at halftime before Philipp Schmidtke equalized in the 70th minute and David Ismail scored the winner in the 84th, his second brace of the season. The Cats (9-1-3, 3-0-1 America East) play at UAlbany on Saturday at 6 on ESPN+. Women's soccer played NJIT to a 0-0 draw on Sunday and at 4-4-6 (2-0-3 America East) is still unbeaten in conference play, allowing only 2 goals in 5 matches. They host UAlbany on Thursday at 6 for Rally Against Cancer, with a free lavender beanie for fans.

No. 15 women's hockey fell 3-2 at No. 14 Cornell on Friday, the first time this season Vermont trailed, with Linnéa Misner scoring her first goal as a Catamount and Hilary Wilkin adding her team high third. Tara Bach made a career high 37 saves on Saturday, but Cornell scored on a 5 on 3 power play in the third to win 1-0. The Cats (3-3-0) are off until a series at Boston College on October 30 and 31, and former players are invited back for an Alumnae Weekend around Pack the Gut on November 6 and 7.

Field hockey lost 3-1 at UAlbany on Friday, with Gabby Santini scoring Vermont's only goal, then fell 5-4 in a shootout to No. 13 Yale on Sunday after Isi McMahon tied it 1-1 with her fifth goal of the season and Ila Gunner made 7 saves. Vermont (10-4, 1-2 America East) hosts Bryant on Friday at 3 for Senior Day, honoring its 8 seniors, and the Alumni Association is handing out free pom poms.

Men's basketball beat Holy Cross 90-80 in its first exhibition, led by Will Davies with 24 points and Darrel Yepdo with 20. The Cats host Stonehill on Saturday at 2. At the Fall Foliage Invite in St. Albans, Siena Stanley won the women's 5k in 17:46.40 and the women won the meet while the men finished second. Both teams run the America East Championship in Albany on October 30. Swimming and diving lost 164-136 at New Hampshire despite 2 wins from Anastazja Szukala, and hosts Maine on October 31 for its Rally Against Cancer meet. Women's basketball opens with a Saint Michael's exhibition on October 28.

Upcoming Home Games

This is the curated cut. The full calendar, 25 sources refreshed twice a day, lives at Burlington events.

General Events

Live Music/DJ

General Events

Live Music/DJ

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

The full list of things to do around town, always waiting for you when you need a plan: Things To Do in Burlington

Every restaurant and bar in town, with their real hours, so you can see what's actually open right now: Open Right Now

Every happy hour, daily special and cheap-night I've gathered so far: Food & Drink Deals

And if you'd rather just have one link for all of it: the guide, the arcade, the whole lot hub.btownbrief.com

Looking for your people? Clubs & Groups lists run clubs, board games, book clubs, and pickup sports around town.

That's the week. Get outside and enjoy all this sunshine, and maybe grab an extra layer for those frosty mornings. If the Btown Brief makes your week a little easier, you can support it at ko-fi or on Venmo (@btownbrief), and it genuinely helps keep this thing running. Got a tip, a favorite haunt, or an event we should have on our radar? Send it our way, we are always listening.

See you later, Burlington.

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