***For best viewing experience, scroll all the way up in email and click Read Online***

Burlington's got a bit of everything coming our way this weekend, weather wise. Today started dry but clouds rolled in after sunrise and they're settling in for the long haul. Rain's moving in late this afternoon, potentially mixed with some mountain snow up high. We're looking at upper 40s to low 50s today, though those gusty winds will make it feel cooler, with some spots in the Champlain Valley potentially seeing 45 mph gusts this evening. The bulk of tonight's rain clears out by Saturday morning, leaving us with what looks to be the weekend's golden child: Saturday afternoon brings partial clearing, actual sunshine, and temperatures climbing into the low 50s. Sunday's a different story, starting with possible morning snow showers even in the higher elevations, transitioning to rain by afternoon. Monday and Tuesday keep the unsettled pattern going with temperatures stuck in the 30s, and Veterans Day could bring Burlington its first proper snow of the season.

Tonight's lineup stays strong despite incoming weather. The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery on Pine Street is holding its annual 'Small Works' opening reception tonight from 5-9 pm. The show, which runs through December 21st, features over 400 pieces by 108 local artists, with the opening reception including free drinks, snacks, and music. Radio Bean's 25th Birthday Bash kicks off at 7 PM with "Legacy Night" featuring musicians who've been playing Burlington for 30 to 40 years, continuing Saturday with 100+ acts, free coffee all day, and free pancakes from 10 AM to noon. First Friday Fam' style at Green Door Studio runs until midnight with potluck vibes and dream installations. The BFC Calcutta fundraiser at Pizza 44 runs 6 to 9 PM offering a chance at $1,500 through their number drawing game, with $80 tickets including dinner for two. Start Making Sense, the Talking Heads tribute, hits Higher Ground at 8:30 PM. Plus, the West African Dance & Drum Festival continues through Saturday at Contois Auditorium with classes from artists from Guinea, Senegal and Mali, and the REI Kids Hat Design Contest starts today through November 16th, with winning designs made locally and sold all winter.

Saturday's sunshine makes it perfect for the Burlington Winter Farmers Market from 10 AM to 1 PM at Burlington Beer Company with 40 vendors. Vermont Public's Curious Kids Day runs 9 AM to 2:30 PM featuring But Why podcast taping and Clifford appearances. The Annual Tibet Festival offers free admission 10 AM to 5 PM at O.N.E. Community Center. Next System Teach-In Community Reflection happens at Fletcher Free Library from 10 AM to 1 PM with UVM students and faculty discussing Alternatives Beyond Capitalism. American Cancer Society Relay for Life runs noon to 6 PM at UVM's Andrew Harris Commons. Faith United Methodist's Holiday Bazaar in South Burlington runs 9 AM to 1 PM with their 100+ dozen cookie walk. FCCEJ Craft Fest & Toy Drive in Essex Junction goes 9 AM to 3 PM with silent auction and luncheon. South Burlington's Family Fun Fest at Rick Marcotte Central School runs 1 to 4 PM, completely free with mini golf and face painting.

Saturday evening keeps momentum going with Pearl Street Pub's Dart Tournament starting at 1:30 PM for the competitive crowd. Annie in the Water brings Americana indie rock to Higher Ground at 7:30 PM. Vermont Swings' 25th Anniversary Dance celebrates at 7 PM on Crowley Street. McMaple Band returns to Sparky's at 8 PM with new tunes. The Ray Vega Quartet plays all original compositions at The Venetian Soda Lounge at 8 PM. Sunday brings the 4th Annual Northern Nosh Jewish Food Festival at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue at 11:15 AM, featuring the Bagel Challenge and foods from community members and professionals.

Quick note: UVM Field Hockey plays their American Eat Championship game at home at 7pm today. The UVM women’s soccer teams plays their American East Championship game on Sunday at 1pm. Both of those are amazing accomplishments, here’s to hoping we come out victorious! Also noteworthy, Seven Days Burger Week starts today. It’s spread throughout VT but I decided to collect all the ones in Burlington, or surrounding Burlington. Check out my webpage where I listed every single unique burger, their location, and organized it by price, all for us Burlingtionians that love our burgers. Burger Week Burlington Participants

Share this newsletter with everyone you know that’s interested in all things Burlington! 5 referrals gets you your own shoutout on the newsletter.

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! 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.

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

Have you taken any beautiful photos of Burlington? Show them off in front of thousands of email subscribers + Instagram followers! Reply to this email with the photos and your name.

Vermont's electric plane maker takes off in $1 billion initial stock offering

Beta Technologies exceeded expectations with its public offering, selling 34 million shares at $34 each, above the projected 25 million shares at $27-$33. The South Burlington-based company, which employs over 800 people and designs electric aircraft, saw its stock price climb 6% to $36 by market close. Despite losing a $1.8 million Department of Energy grant earlier this month, Clark remains bullish on Vermont operations, noting they've turned down "hundreds of millions of dollars" to relocate to Texas or Arkansas. Market reports estimate Beta's value at around $7.6 billion, with the influx positioning them for further commercialization.

Causing a Scene: 25 Years of the Radio Bean

The tiny Burlington venue that started on maxed out credit cards in November 2000 has become the beating heart of the local music scene, hosting multiple daily shows across every imaginable genre. Anderson originally planned to run it for only five years and considered pulling a "Bilbo Baggins" disappearing act at the fifth birthday party. Now celebrating 25 years with over 100 acts performing this weekend, Anderson credits survival to his "people motive before profit motive" philosophy. He's optimistic about Burlington's music scene, noting more active and talented UVM bands than ever before and predicting the next two years will be "really awesome" as the scene mutates following recent venue closures.

Vermont troopers begin voluntary patrols in downtown Burlington

Troopers can sign up for voluntary overtime shifts Monday through Sunday from noon to 4 PM or 4 PM to 8 PM, working alongside Burlington police to free up city officers for other calls. This is one of 14 points in Governor Phil Scott's short-term action plan for the city. Local businesses welcome the increased presence, with Vermont Pub and Brewery's Tammie Brownell noting "we need law and order in the city" after witnessing open drug dealing and mental health crises. City Council President Ben Traverse emphasized the goal isn't just feeling safer but actually being safer, with Burlington police committing to better enforcement of ordinance violations. The voluntary program runs through December 31, with costs split between state and city.

Burlington International Airport sees some delays and cancellation due to air traffic reduction

The FAA announced 10% cuts in air traffic to maintain safety as air traffic controllers show signs of strain during the 37-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. Airport officials are asking passengers to arrive two hours early and stay in contact with airlines, though they don't yet know the full impact. Travel advisor Robin Bentley reports people are already reconsidering non-essential travel, with many calling to explore options or purchase travel insurance. The airport is supporting TSA agents working without pay, though staffing concerns loom if the shutdown continues.

UVM Students Pressure Officials to Improve Campus Housing

The UVM Student Tenant Union presented photographic evidence to Burlington City Council, including fungi in bathrooms, perpetually leaky ceilings, and silverfish infestations. Unlike traditional apartments, college dorms are exempt from routine city inspections, and UVM hasn't filed required annual housing compliance paperwork for at least 15 years. UVM houses over 6,000 students in 41 residence halls, with many forced into "triples" designed for two. The university claims it addresses maintenance promptly, completing 94% of 2,000+ work orders on time last year, but students say talks are going nowhere. Councilor Marek Broderick, himself a UVM student, plans to introduce a resolution this month calling for accountability, noting forced triples likely violate city code requiring 350 square feet for three occupants.

Big city credit boost: Weinberger's phantom still walks

From fiscal 2023 to 2024, Burlington's revenues swelled by nearly $12 million while outstanding debt shrank by $6 million, with reserves now exceeding 20% of operating revenues. Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak credited "structurally balanced budgets," though the upgrade caps a redemption arc begun under former Mayor Miro Weinberger. Burlington's rating had plummeted to near-junk status in 2012 after the Burlington Telecom scandal diverted $17 million in taxpayer funds. Weinberger methodically rebuilt the city's finances through voter-approved bonds, the 2019 sale of BT for $89 million, and conservative policies that stabilized debt service at 8-10% of revenues while keeping tax hikes under 2% annually.

The northern lights are possible tonight with a strong solar storm expected

Tonight's solar storm is forecast to have a K-index of 7.33 at maximum strength, classifying it as a G3-strength geomagnetic storm. Best viewing chances will be just after sundown and especially between 7 PM and 10 PM, with another possible window between 4 AM and 7 AM. Despite favorable solar conditions, clouds filtering in and out plus the waning full moon may hinder visibility. To improve chances, camp out in darker rural areas looking north, and use a smartphone with long exposure settings to maximize spotting potential.

Will new public art help revitalize Burlington's Main Street?

The 11-foot-tall archway features dried flowers preserved in sunset-colored resin inspired by Lake Champlain's sky, with community flowers and items collected over a month embedded within. Burlington City Arts selected Kern's vision from 165 submissions for its accessibility and complexity, with the piece leading pedestrians from Main Street into City Hall Park. Construction flagger Bob Robidoux notes dozens of tourists stop daily for photos, calling it "really cool." Kern, recently relocated to New York City, isn't worried about vandalism thanks to special graffiti-resistant finishing, saying she's "more concerned about other things in our city, and people's needs not being met."

Tasting New Versions of Five Chittenden County Eateries

At Majestic, new chef Micah Tavelli (2024 James Beard semifinalist) has brought more formally plated entrées despite owner Sam Tolstoi's initial "no tweezers" decree, with standouts including lobster spaghetti and brandy-peppercorn pork loin. Mr. Creemee opened its sherbet-colored Pine Street parlor in late October, expanding from Little Gordo with housemade doughnuts and the ultimate doughnut ice cream sandwich. Big Spruce's new owner Christian Kruse keeps the creemee window open year-round while serving comfort classics like smash burgers and mac and cheese. Thingz From Yaad Kitchen moved to South Burlington, where owner Shaneall Ferron has built a following for authentic Jamaican dishes without outside financing, taking "a gamble on myself." Citizen Cider's relocated Press House Pub on Flynn Avenue features 100 seats and apple aromas from the on-site cider press, with a food truck permanently parked inside serving Classic Smash burgers and Dirty Brussels.

Comedy Club Serves Free Meals During SNAP Uncertainty - Vermont Comedy Club offers free breakfast sandwiches (8 AM-noon) and lunch (noon-3 PM) Wed-Sun, no questions asked. Just order the "happy place meal." Those who can afford it can add a meal's cost to their bill or Venmo the club to keep it going.

Clover Café Coming to South Burlington - Siblings Amaya and Wolf Baustert target December opening at 510 Shelburne Road with Brio Coffeeworks espresso, local pastries from Sweet Alchemy and Klinger's. The high-visibility spot promises those big, bright windows everyone loves.

UPS Holiday Hiring Blitz - Looking for seasonal cash? UPS needs 50+ workers for their "Super Bowl season," paying $21-$35/hour with sign-on bonuses. Many seasonal hires stay on permanently after January.

It was a dominant week for UVM athletics, as multiple teams punched their tickets to championship games and basketball season kicked off with resounding victories at Patrick Gym.

The UVM men's basketball team opened its season with a 2-0 start at home. On Monday, the Catamounts secured a 75-68 win over Western New England, led by TJ Long's 18-point performance. They followed it up on Wednesday with an offensive explosion, routing Plattsburgh State 113-62. Long once again led all scorers with 18 points, while Lucas Mari flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. Not to be outdone, the women's basketball team began its season on Tuesday with a historic 137-31 blowout victory over Dean College, shattering records in a dominant display.

On the tournament front, the UVM field hockey team is headed back to the America East Championship after a thrilling semifinal against #5 Maine. The two teams battled through 80 minutes of scoreless play, including two overtimes, before the Catamounts triumphed 3-1 in a dramatic shootout.

The women's soccer team also secured its spot in the conference final, defeating #6 Bryant 3-1 in the America East Semifinal. After falling behind early, Lauren DeGroot provided a massive spark, scoring the equalizer with just 10 seconds remaining in the first half. DeGroot found the net again in the 52nd minute for the game-winner, sending the Catamounts to the championship.

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

Put out the newest Wednesday edition! Let me know what you think and if I should adjust. 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.

Stay warm out there this weekend, and maybe keep an umbrella handy. Whether you're hitting the farmers market, catching some live music, or just enjoying the last gasps of fall before Tuesday's potential snow, there's plenty happening around town.

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.

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