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New Wednesday Editions! Monday and Friday are reserved for news and events. Wednesdays are for everything else worth highlighting.
Visiting Family & Want Recent News to Chat About?
If the conversation lulls or you need to pivot away from heated political discussion, here is a cheat sheet of some of the most riveting things happening in Burlington right now to keep the table talking:
The Billion-Dollar Neighbor: Beta Technologies just had an IPO that valued the company at $7.6 billion. That electric aviation company down the road is officially a unicorn.
The UVM Dorm Horror Show: If you have a college student at the table, ask about their living conditions. The new Student Tenant Union is reporting mushrooms growing in ceilings, sewage floods, and rats in the dorms, while the admin says oversight is an "undue burden."
Strava is the New Tinder: Forget Hinge. Apparently the hot new dating strategy in Burlington is joining run clubs and sliding into DMs on Strava.
The Streak is Dead: UVM Men's Soccer went 29 games undefeated... until Sunday. They lost a gut-wrencher in overtime to Hofstra, ending the dream of defending the national title.
Government by Floppy Disk: Vermont's state agencies are currently making decisions based on computer systems built in the 1980s. If you think your laptop is slow, imagine running a state on tech older than 30 years.
The $36 Burger: If anyone complains about grocery prices, tell them about Burlington Burger Week, where options ranged from a $12 deal at Four Quarters to a $36 lobster burger at Bleu.
The 945,000 Syringe House: In a wild stat regarding the drug crisis, Ward 7 Rep Evan Litwin revealed that a single house distributed 945,000 syringes in one year.
Sandwich Superiority: If you want a low-stakes argument, bring up the "Best Lunch" debate. According to 142 locals in a recent poll, Top of the Block is the undisputed king, dethroning Poppy and Union Jacks.
RIP Nectar's: After 21 months of construction chaos on Main Street, Nectar's is officially gone for good. A true end of an era for the Phish faithful.
The "Recommend to an Enemy" List: If you want to start a fight about food, mention the recent Reddit thread where locals compiled a list of "poor quality yet expensive" restaurants specifically to recommend to their enemies.
The Heartbreaking Tree Story: The massive 40-foot pine tree on Church Street is up and being lit soon. A South Burlington couple donated it after the wife's Alzheimer's diagnosis.
Radio Bean's Disappearing Act That Never Happened: Radio Bean just celebrated 25 years, but owner Lee Anderson admitted he never expected to last past five. He originally planned to pull a "Bilbo Baggins" and vanish at the 5th birthday party. Luckily, he stuck around.
The End of Big Heavy World: After nearly 30 years of preserving Vermont music history, Big Heavy World is being forced to vacate its headquarters this week due to unpaid rent.
"Tranq" is Here: In a darker turn for the "what's happening in the city" chat, Howard Center's CEO revealed that Xylazine (aka "tranq") is complicating the drug crisis here.
The Maple Syrup Threat: If you want to scare a Vermonter, tell them about the invasive beetle news. There's a new pest on the radar that experts warn could devastate the state's maple industry.
Bernie's 1981 Blueprint: For the history buffs: VTDigger just published a piece on how Bernie Sanders' 1981 Burlington mayoral run provided the specific political language and groundwork that NYC's new democratic socialist mayor is using today.
Podcast Picks of the Week:
Sometimes you don’t want to read, you want to listen. So if you enjoy local podcasts about Vermont, you might enjoy this recent episode:
Burlington City Council President Ben Traverse joined News Talk WVMT's Morning Drive with Kurt and Dan for a wide-ranging discussion on the challenges facing Vermont's largest city. Traverse was clearly frustrated that the mayor eliminated the BTV Cares mental health crisis team without consulting the council. The program cost about $300,000 and served dozens of residents. He acknowledged that cracking down on City Hall Park has shown results, but said it's just pushed homeless encampments to the waterfront, raising questions about whether enforcement alone can solve anything. He pushed back on a proposed tax shift that would put more burden on commercial properties, saying the timing doesn't make sense given how fragile the local economy is. Downtown businesses are struggling and gross receipts are down year over year, though Traverse pointed to some wins: Main Street has reopened on nights and weekends, and a new accountability docket with Governor Scott should speed things up for repeat offenders in the court system. One caller pushed him on whether BTV Cares actually worked, and Traverse admitted the council still needs to see the data. He was more blunt about past police cuts, calling them a mistake the city is still recovering from.
Local Podcast Roundup
This week in local audio, Vermont Edition offered a welcome change of pace with two standout episodes: a rebroadcast of their "At Home" series visiting the gardens of herbalist icon Rosemary Gladstar and a nostalgic celebration of the local jingles that burrow into our brains. The Frequency kept Vermonters informed with daily updates ranging from a state health board investigation into a regional hospital's pediatric unit closure to a UVM study on early dementia detection and timely travel tips. On the cultural front, Rocket Shop Radio Hour welcomed vocalist Thea Wren for a deep dive into her jazz roots and Vermont soul, while Net Zero Energy Vermont featured a reflective conversation with Burlington Electric Department's retiring Chief Forester, Betsy Lesnikoski, on her 42-year career. For soccer fans, the United in Green Podcast hosted Vermont Green founder Patrick Infurna to discuss the role of film and social media in modern football. Finally, The morning drive on WVMT brought a parade of political guests that include State Senator Thomas Chittenden, Minority Leader Scott Beck, Burlington City Council President Ben Traverse, former Governor Jim Douglas, Attorney General Charity Clark, and GOP Chair Paul Dame; covering everything from Act 73 and school redistricting to local governance.
Find all the different podcasts by visiting this page I made of local Vermont podcasts
Volunteer Opportunities of the Week:
Volunteer Spotlight: Read with a Child in Burlington
Everybody Wins! Vermont is looking for 60 volunteers to serve as reading mentors at Edmunds Elementary, Flynn Elementary, and The Sustainability Academy in Burlington. Not a tutoring position; rather, mentors act as friends who visit for just one hour a week during lunch to read one-on-one with a child. This creates a relaxed atmosphere that research shows significantly improves a student's reading skills, social confidence, and interest in school.
To participate, volunteers must be at least 21 years old and pass a background check. The program runs through early May, and a full-year commitment is required to provide stability for the child. If you are ready to make a difference in a local student's life, you can learn more at everybodywinsvermont.org or apply online here.
Check out this volunteer page for links to find volunteer opportunities all around Burlington.
Captured this one just tonight!
“Best of” Burlington Eats:
Someone in the VT Dine-in/To go Tour FB page asked the question “Where is the best place in Williston for a cozy, casual, sit-down lunch?” and it received 58 comments. Here’s what I tallied:
Note: This particular FB group is a closed group, find it on FB to request to join!
Top Recommendations
Garden of Eatin' (at Gardener's Supply): 108 likes
Chef's Corner: 34 likes
Café at Island Homemade Ice Cream: 29 likes
Simply Divine Café: 27 likes
Aromas of India: 19 likes
The Scale: 13 likes
Williston Coffee Shop: 12 likes
Casa Grande: 11 likes
Toscano Bistro: 9 likes
The Rotisserie Restaurant: 7 likes
Do you agree? If not, send me your favorite recommendation by replying to this email!
Eating Out On A Budget (Food & Drink Deals)
This Week’s Food & Drink Picks
Monday: One-dollar drafts at Three Needs (4–6 p.m.) and $5 Fiddlehead IPA pints at El Gato Essex.
Tuesday: BOGO 50% off traditional wings at Buffalo Wild Wings and $2 tacos at Rozzi's Lakeshore Tavern.
Wednesday: 50¢ wings at The Spot and half-priced house cocktails and mocktails at Gold Restaurant.
Thursday: One-dollar beers at Rí Rá Irish Pub and $5 drafts with pub food specials at The Kitchen Table.
Friday: 90¢ wings plus a $5 burger at RJ's (4–8 p.m.) and $5 mimosa pints at The Daily Planet.
Saturday: Five dollars off takeout orders over $50 at Onion City Chicken & Oyster and $5 Switchback drafts at Shelburne Taphouse.
Sunday: A $14 brunch buffet at Shalimar and $5 hot dogs with $2 lite beers at Onion City Chicken & Oyster.
View the full list of food & drink deals here.
202+ Things to Do in Burlington
Five more to help you make the most of late fall before winter truly, truly sets in.
Try a late afternoon visit to the Ethan Allen Tower, when the chilly air makes the city view extra crisp and the sunset comes in fast. Stop by Barrio Bakery in the Old North End for a warm pastry and sit near the front windows while snowflakes drift past North Street. Take a slow walk around the Waterfront Dog Park area (even if you don’t have a dog), since the early winter shoreline is quiet and the dogs running around add some life to the gray days. Explore the Champlain College campus where the old brick buildings, hills, and pathways feel especially atmospheric once the temperature drops. Spend an evening ice skating at Leddy Arena and step outside afterward for a breath of cold air and a view of the dark winter lake.
Full list’s always waiting here when you need a plan: 202+ Things to Do
Top Recent Reddit Posts this Week:
Further Out Events To Keep on Your Radar:
Let’s look a little further out and see what events are worth keeping on your radar:
Shop While You Party Why choose between holiday shopping and happy hour? On Thursday, Dec 4th, Downtown Winooski turns into a walkable market party. From 5–9 PM, you can grab a drink, listen to live DJs (like Disco Phantom and Melo Grant), and shop local vendors stationed at spots like Autumn Records and Four Quarters Brewing and more. Check out the event page here
The Good Trade Makers Market Dec 6th & 7th | Hula, Burlington Get your holiday shopping done in style! The Good Trade is bringing over 90 independent makers from across the country to Hula for a massive two-day market. Your ticket includes a complimentary small drink (beer, cocktail, or N/A) to sip while you browse everything from jewelry to home goods. Get Tickets
Original Skiff Oysterfest Dec 4th @ 60 Battery St, Burlington Get "shuckin'" with Original Skiff and Zero Gravity. Expect oysters prepared every which way, beer specials, frozen drinks, and a high-energy party atmosphere to kick off the holidays ($60) Event Info
Sent in from a reader: Bidding for Justice: Legal Services Vermont Auction
Support justice for our neighbors this holiday season by joining Legal Services Vermont for their first-ever online fundraising auction. This is a chance to bid on unique local art, dining experiences, and collectibles, while also being an opportunity to directly fund critical legal aid for low-income Vermonters. Every dollar raised goes straight to the front lines, helping staff secure housing, safety, and financial stability for families who might otherwise face the legal system alone.
The bidding opens bright and early on November 28 and runs through the evening of December 7. It’s the perfect way to "shop for good" this season, turning your holiday gift-giving into a meaningful act of community care. You can browse the full catalog and register for a free bidding account online now to ensure you are ready to make a difference when the auction goes live. Find more information by clicking here.
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