After a chilly start with widespread frost this morning, Burlington's warming up nicely for what looks to be a gorgeous fall weekend ahead. We're climbing into the upper 50s and low 60s this afternoon with plenty of sunshine, setting the stage for even milder conditions over the next few days. Saturday's looking particularly spectacular with abundant sunshine and temperatures reaching the mid 60s, while Sunday brings increasing clouds but still pleasant warmth. That coastal storm system everyone's tracking will mostly miss us, though southern Vermont might catch some gusty east winds and a few showers late Sunday into Monday. Given we're dealing with extreme drought conditions across much of Vermont, any moisture would be welcome, but it looks like the heaviest rain will stay south of us.

Tonight's absolutely stacked with entertainment options across town. Comedy legend Margaret Cho brings her "Choligarchy" tour to the Flynn at 7:30 PM, while Geese rocks Higher Ground at 8 PM with their restless new sound. The hardcore crowd can catch Blossom and Black Axe at Community of Sound starting at 7 PM for just ten bucks cash. Wine lovers should head to Shelburne Vineyard for Wit & Wine comedy at 7 PM, featuring four of Vermont's great comedians. Late night revelers have Untapped October Edition at the Monkey House at 8 PM with cabaret performances, or catch Lee Ross's one man party band at Orlando's starting at 9:30 PM and going until 1:45 AM. Earlier in the day, Director Nicolas Longo shares aviation stories at Faith United Methodist Church from 2 to 3 PM, while the massive Smugglers' Notch Ski & Snowboard swap continues at St. Michael's through Sunday.

Saturday's perfect weather practically demands you get outside. Start early with your state reps' education reform coffee hour at Zero Gravity from 8 to 10 AM, then hit the Colchester Fall Market at the Recreation Center at 10 AM for local vendors and artisans. The Fall Block Party at Bobbin Mill runs 9 AM to 3 PM with a community flea market and music by Melo Grant. Families can paint pumpkins at Gardener's Supply from 10 AM to 4 PM, while Essex Junction transforms Main Street for Meet Me On Main from 4 to 8:30 PM, complete with circus acts and a Ghostbusters screening. Burlington's bringing back the Zombie Walk at 4 PM. They’re baaaaack after a 10-year hiatus. The undead will gather at City Hall between 3:30 and 4 PM for photo ops and safety tips before marching up Church Street in a slow, gory parade of fake blood and tattered costumes. It’s totally free to join. Evening entertainment includes Sage zine's Fall Fest at Bread & Butter Farm from 5 to 10 PM with bluegrass, grazing tables, and Ben & Jerry's.

Saturday night's music scene stays hot with the Climbing Film Tour at Main Street Landing at 7 PM benefiting Petra Cliffs youth programs, That 1 Guy at Higher Ground at 7:30 PM with his one of a kind musical contraptions, the legendary Violent Femmes at the Flynn at 8 PM, and Magnetic Horse at On Tap in Essex Junction at 9 PM. Sunday wraps the weekend with the free breathwork workshop at 10 AM in Williston (bring food donations), Fall Fashion Show & Brunch at Halvorson's at 11 AM supporting NAMI Vermont, Isham Family Farm's Fall Festival in Williston from 11 AM to 4 PM with corn maze and wagon rides, and the free screening of "La Liga" at Main Street Landing at 6 PM about immigrant dairy farmworkers finding community through soccer. A great, powerful film by Paul Rosen, and only 25 minutes long. Be sure to check out the trailer here.

Today is a crisp outlier, a few degrees cooler than the long-term Oct 10 climate. The next few days lean near-normal, with temps hovering roughly a degree above average.

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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.

Coffee Meet-Up tomorrow at Zero Gravity at 10am! Excited to see the crew, and hope to see even more new faces week after week. We’ll talk about Vermont living, maybe touch on recent local news, and hopefully discuss events worth going to this weekend! Come out and join the chat.

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.

More polls are coming in the newsletter soon so you can help shape what’s next.

Click here to: Join Meetup group | RSVP here

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UVM Men's Soccer Player Nash Barlow Living Lifelong Dream with Hometown Team

The Burlington native's journey from attending UVM soccer camps as a kid to joining the team represents a full circle moment for local athletics. After excelling at Burlington High School and transferring to Worcester Academy for tougher competition, Barlow earned his spot on UVM's first national championship soccer team, proving that strategic moves outside Vermont helped him return stronger.

Pride Center of Vermont Pauses Operations, Lays Off Staff

Staff received just one day's notice before most were laid off Friday, leaving Vermont's LGBTQ community without critical services including the Transgender Program, Safe Space Anti-Violence hotline, and HIV testing. The organization, founded by college students in 1999 and host of Burlington's annual Pride Parade, needs $350,000 to resume operations amid nationwide funding losses affecting LGBTQ organizations.

Sonia Sotomayor to Visit UVM to Promote New Book via Seven Days

Tickets for the event went live Thursday afternoon and sold out in about 10 minutes, the university said, per Seven Days. Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor will speak at UVM's Ira Allen Chapel on October 20, promoting her children's book while engaging with university president Marlene Tromp. The university kept the visit quiet until this week due to security concerns, initially inviting select politicians and retired journalists before opening tickets to campus community members Thursday.

Burlington Mayor and Police Chief Provide Community Safety Update

Police Chief Shawn Burke's data shows a spike in downtown drug-related incidents, while Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak reported productive meetings with Governor Scott about state partnership opportunities. The mayor announced three key administration departures by mid-October, including the Senior Advisor on Community Safety, and expressed optimism about low barrier shelters returning this fall despite ongoing funding and staffing challenges.

Burlington Has Few Strategies to Clean Up Graffiti

With police recording only 12 graffiti complaints this year compared to 160 in 2020 (though interim Chief Burke calls it "grossly underreported"), Burlington lacks comprehensive graffiti abatement despite campaign promises. Building Burlington's Future plans to launch volunteer cleanup efforts in coming weeks, but businesses like Home & Garden Vermont have spent thousands on removal without city help, while Memorial Auditorium remains the most tagged downtown structure.

Howard Center to Stop Providing Pipes to Drug Users

Days after a WCAX investigation into Clarke Street concerns, the Howard Center announced it will end pipe distribution at its Safe Recovery Center this month due to state funding cuts, though needle exchange programs will continue. The decision won't affect Burlington's future overdose prevention center plans.

Voices from City Hall Park: Being Homeless in Burlington

Vermont's homelessness has increased 200% since 2020, making it the nation's fourth highest per capita. City Hall Park residents report increased "no trespassing" signs and police scrutiny following August's council resolution enforcing overnight camping bans and curfews, while advocates stress that unsheltered individuals face greater danger than they pose to others.

Burlington Council Debates Financial Disclosure Rules

A proposal in Burlington that would require local candidates to disclose their personal finances is now headed to a committee for more debate. The measure's sponsor, Councilor Carter Neubieser, argues it's a common-sense move for transparency. However, some Democrats and the city's School Board worry it's a "burdensome" rule that could discourage people from running for office. In the same meeting, the council also reviewed early plans to make property taxes fairer for homeowners.

Apple and Peach Picking Season Remains Fruitful Despite Drought

Shelburne Orchards thrives despite extreme drought conditions, with pick-your-own operations now comprising 95% of business after a strategic pivot from wholesale in 2000. Owner Nick Cowles, who's operated the orchard for 50 years, has adapted to climate change by planting cold-hardy peaches and making brandy from dropped apples, while maintaining traditions like sending cider doughnuts to customers' college-bound kids.

South Burlington Food Shelf Sees Record Number as Needs Grow

The shelf expects to serve over 4,000 customers this year, triple its 2019-2020 numbers, with 75% being full-time employed workers struggling with grocery costs Carmolli calls "gouging." Federal SNAP cuts affecting 1,600 asylum seekers and refugees as of October 1, plus Vermont assuming $8.4 million in new program costs, intensify pressure on food assistance programs despite continued local donation support.

No. 2 Men's Soccer at Harvard Ends in 0-0 Stalemate

The Catamounts maintained their unbeaten streak at 8-0-4 despite failing to capitalize on seven corner kicks against Harvard. Goalkeeper Niklas Herceg recorded his fifth shutout of the season, leading America East in that category as UVM prepares for Saturday's Rally Against Cancer game against UMass Lowell at Virtue Field.

Mandarin to Close in Winooski

After his head chef decided to retire and Fong couldn't find a qualified replacement, he made the difficult decision to close the seven-year-old restaurant. The closure marks the end of nearly four decades of Fong family Chinese restaurants in Chittenden County, from the original Mandarin on Church Street to Joyce's Noodle House in Essex. While Fong is shifting his focus to real estate, he says another Asian restaurant will take over the space in December.

Vermont Eateries Innovate Deliciously in Tough Times

Vermont restaurants are getting creative to survive tough times. With fewer Canadian tourists, construction woes in Burlington and Montpelier, and everyone tightening their belts, local eateries are innovating with new mealtimes, special series, and experimental menus. Think Detroit-style pizza nights at Fancy's, a Cuban cafetería lunch service at Santiago's, Sunday brunch at Sotto Enoteca, and Sushi Sundays at Scrag & Roe. These spots are rolling with the punches, and serving up delicious new reasons to dine out. Read the full story in Seven Days to see how our local restaurants are adapting and thriving.

This twice-weekly deep dive into Burlington takes serious time and research, from tracking city council meetings to uncovering weekly events and meetups you won't find elsewhere. As a one-person operation, your support directly keeps this project alive. Consider becoming a Core Reader with a small monthly donation below, or send a one-time gift using that link, or straight to Venmo @BtownBrief. Every contribution helps!

General Events

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General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

Help Fight Hunger with Feeding Champlain Valley
Feeding Champlain Valley works to make sure no one in our region goes hungry; and they need volunteers to keep that mission moving. From packing groceries and stocking shelves to greeting neighbors and delivering food, there are plenty of ways to help out across their sites in Burlington, Colchester, and Middlebury. Shifts are flexible, usually around two hours on weekdays between 6:30 AM and 4 PM, and volunteers must be 18 or older. It’s hands-on, community-driven work that directly supports families across Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties.

To get started, fill out the volunteer application or email Volunteer Coordinator Ansley Laev at [email protected] with questions.

Check out this page for links to four great sites with volunteer opportunities all around Burlington.

Experimenting with my newsletter content! Planning on adding third day for the newsletter to give you even more Burlington content. In the meantime, instead of a full section normally reserved for these, here are some go-to links for you to check out:

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.

News & Public Affairs

Arts, Music & Culture

Food & Lifestyle

Special Interest & Community

From UVM Students

**Am Missing Others? Send suggestions my way by replying to this email!**

The Frequency had an interesting 10 minute round the other day where Vermont Public visited Jay Peak to see how goats are helping clear the ski slopes. They also dug into Bernie Sanders’ warning about a possible federal shutdown, a new judicial appointment from Gov. Scott, and even a Dartmouth study on whether dog or cat owners are more generous with donations. It’s a surprisingly wide-ranging look at life in and around Vermont this week.

Rocket behind Eat Vermont is incredible. I sat down recently with him and we talked about this creative space in media, the gift of having followers, and what the future might hold. Here’s to hoping we put something incredible together. We met over at Majestic, where we met, chef Micah Tavelli stunned us with his dishes. They absolutely lived up to his reputation as a semifinalist for the James Beard Award. Truly phenomenal food, great owner as well, and fantastic interior design with their vinyl section creating such an inviting and cozy vibe. Be sure to check out Rocket’s latest posts for visuals of yesterdays dinner and much, much more stunning food visuals (his post frequency is insane!)

The weekend's shaping up beautifully, with perfect fall weather and enough happenings to keep everyone busy. Whether you're hunting for ski gear, catching world class comedy, or just enjoying the sunshine at a community gathering, there's something for every taste and budget. Stay warm tonight, enjoy that weekend warmth, and maybe we'll all do a collective rain dance for those southern showers to drift our way.

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