Monday, May 19th

Tonight's cool, cloudy skies bring a chance of evening rain, setting a temperate tone for a week filled with community connection and important city discussions. We're diving into City Council's detailed strategies for revitalizing downtown, COTS's promising expansion plans for its Pearl Street shelter, and how you can join unique local events like a geologist led hike or a bookstagrammer meet up. Plus, get the scoop on the season's first Smugglers' Notch spectacle and how UVM is advancing cancer research right here at home, with Clinical Trials Awareness Day approaching.

May 19, 2025

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Table of Contents

Weather & Monday Rundown:

Good evening, Burlington! It's definitely feeling like a cool start to the week out there. Today has been mostly cloudy with temperatures that really did not want to climb out of the low 50s. If you haven't already seen it, expect some light rain making an appearance into the evening hours. The gloom is set to continue tonight, with temperatures dipping into the 40s. Tuesday looks to bring us a dry day, which will be a welcome change, but the clouds are planning to stick around, and we will see those cool highs in the low 50s once again. Looking further ahead, Wednesday might offer a slight improvement with temperatures possibly reaching near 60 degrees. Although the clouds will likely persist, we should at least stay dry that day. However, keep those umbrellas handy, because rain is forecast to return on Thursday and could linger through the end of the work week and into the beginning of your weekend, keeping our daytime highs in the mid to upper 50s. On a brighter note, for all the runners and supporters of the Vermont City Marathon next Sunday, the forecast is showing a trend towards warmer conditions in the mid to upper 60s, with the rain hopefully clearing out.

The persistent cloud cover and cool air tomorrow might make some indoor activities especially inviting. For instance, you could find a cozy corner at Phoenix Books for the Burlington Bookstagrammer & Author Meet up in the evening, a great chance for literary enthusiasts to connect. Earlier in the day, you can enjoy the talents of Chris Sargent on piano for free at the City Hall Stage at noon. If you are feeling adventurous and want to embrace the crisp air, the Hike Like a Geologist at The Salmon Hole is happening regardless of a little rain, though an extra layer would be a good idea. For those looking to practice their Spanish in a friendly setting, the Spanish Language Meetup at Taco Gordo Tuesday evening offers a warm atmosphere.

As we look toward midweek, Wednesday’s slightly milder and dry forecast seems ideal for the "Help Burlington? Here's How!!!" initiative. I found this on Front Porch Forum of someone’s idea to try to bring the community together with a regular weekly walk downtown. It’s opportunity to take an evening stroll downtown, make friends, and show some love to our local businesses, a perfect activity for a break in the rain. If you're looking to burn off some energy tonight, despite the damp weather, remember there's Pickup Dodgeball over at the Miller Center, or Pickup Basketball if that's more your speed ($5/$7). Those are weekly events at the Miller Center. And for those already planning for next weekend's big race, the registration deadline for the Vermont City Marathon, its relays, and the kids’ Mini Marathon and Two Mile events is this Saturday, May 24th. While Saturday itself might start off cool and showery, the outlook for Marathon Sunday is looking much more promising.

Today's high of 50°F is 20 degrees below the average high of 70°F for May 19. Burlington is experiencing cooler-than-average temperatures this week, with daily highs 12–20°F below the typical 70°F for mid-May. This trend continues through May 22, indicating an unseasonably cool start to late spring.

"The proposal came just about one week after more than 100 downtown businesses signed a letter to Mayor Emma Mulvaney Stanak, asking the city to do something about declining business downtown. The resolution contained four major areas of concern: traffic flow during construction, Burlington's public image, police visibility in key areas, and parking safety." (per mynbc5.com)

This resolution addresses some pressing concerns, especially with local leaders noting a 10% drop in municipal revenue over the past year. It is not just talk; the proposal sets some firm deadlines for action. For instance, the Department of Public Works has a June 15th target to figure out costs and a timeline for reopening Main Street to one way traffic. The police department is tasked with deploying Community Service Officers to boost safety in places like parking garages, and there is a push for a cost estimate to bring back two hour free parking downtown by June 1st. Even the free lunch program currently in a city garage has a proposed relocation date of June 15th. With support from all seven Democrats on the City Council, including Council President Ben Traverse, these are concrete steps, and if the resolution passes, a follow up report on these actions is expected within 45 days. Many will be watching to see how these plans unfold.

"To celebrate National Cancer Research Month and Clinical Trials Awareness Day on May 20, UVM Cancer Center is honoring the investigators, staff, and patients whose participation makes this work possible. In 2024, UVM Cancer Center participated in more than 100 clinical trials and helped thousands of patients enroll in trials involving interventional, observational and behavioral therapies that advance the leading edge cancer care the Center provides." (per Vermont Biz)

Tomorrow, May 20th, marks Clinical Trials Awareness Day, and it is impressive to see the UVM Cancer Center playing such a key role in vital research within our community. With over one hundred clinical trials active last year, their efforts ensure local access to innovative treatments. This is especially beneficial for patients in our rural areas who might otherwise face long journeys for similar care, offering hope and advancing cancer treatment for all.

"In January, the organization acquired 58 Pearl St. — the former social security building – and work has begun to create a more modern, spacious, ADA compliant night shelter there, Farrell said. The 7,361 square foot property will triple the space available in the current Waystation and provide beds for up to 56 adults, allowing COTS to expand its shelter services by 55%, according to a recent press release." (per VTDigger)

The planned expansion of COTS's Waystation shelter is very welcome news, particularly considering Vermont's ongoing challenges with homelessness. Tripling the available space and increasing bed capacity by fifty five percent at the new Pearl Street location will provide enhanced dignity and critical support. It is encouraging to witness community support, including from the Hoehl Family Foundation, but the call for public assistance highlights that more is needed to reach the two million dollar goal for this essential facility.

"Just 11 days after Route 108 through Smugglers’ Notch opened for the season, a tractor trailer got stuck on the road, blocking traffic. Troopers say just after 11 a.m., Musa Boima, 36, of Laurel, Maryland, ignored several signs saying trucks are prohibited from the road and drove around the chicanes installed to block large vehicles, before getting his rig stuck on the Stowe side of the Notch Road." (per WCAX)

Well, that certainly did not take long. The unofficial annual tradition of a truck getting stuck in Smugglers' Notch has begun, a mere eleven days after the road opened for the season. Despite numerous signs and physical barriers designed to prevent such occurrences, it appears the Notch's tricky turns continue to challenge some drivers. Fortunately, recent efforts like installed chicanes and higher fines seem to be making these incidents less common, but today served as a classic Vermont reminder.

"The floats are part of the Underwater Preservation Program, a forty year old initiative run by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum that aims to uphold the federal Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987. The museum also created composite 3D models of the wrecks from digital images taken of the sites, which can be viewed on its website from anywhere with an internet connection." (per VTDigger)

It is quite something to imagine the history resting at the bottom of Lake Champlain. The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s initiative to make these underwater historical sites more accessible to those of us who are not scuba divers is a fantastic step. Utilizing remote operated vehicles for live underwater feeds and developing 3D models for online viewing means more people can connect with and appreciate these preserved pieces of our regional past, all without needing to get their feet wet.

Events:

Monday, May 19, 2025

General Events
6:00 PM: Monday Night Line Dancing at Burlington Beer Company
6:30 PM: Platform Intuitive Group Event at The Boardroom – Board Game Cafe
6:30 PM: Classics Pace Matchplay @ The Pinball Co‑op at The Pinball Co‑op

7:00 PM – 8:15 PM: Pickup Dodgeball (Weekly, Every Monday) at Miller Center $5
7:00 PM: Open Mic at Despacito, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Monday with Top Hat Entertainment at McKee's Original, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia with Craig Mitchell at Monkey House, Winooski (Free)

8:00-10:00 PM Pickup Basketball at Miller Center $7 (Every Sunday, Monday)

Live Music/DJ
8:30 PM: Hamilton Leithauser, Johanna Samuels at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington ($35)

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

General Events
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Essentials of Audio Recording at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall (Free, donations accepted, preregister)
4:00 PM: Power of Connection: Rising Together at Hula
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Writing Circle at Pathways Vermont, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Game Night at Switchback at Switchback Brewing Company
5:15 PM – 6:00 PM: Community Meditation at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington (Free, donations accepted)
5:30 PM: Hike Like a Geologist at The Salmon Hole
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM: French Conversation Group at Burlington Bay Market & Café (Free)

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Spanish Language Meetup at Taco Gordo
6:00 PM: Queen City Trivia Night – Season Finale at Queen City Brewery
6:00 PM: Burlington Bookstagrammer & Author Meet‑up at Phoenix Books, Burlington (Free, preregister, until 7:30 PM)
6:00 PM: Tandem Charleston at Vermont Swings
6:30 PM: Open Studio – Tuesday Evenings at Lines Vermont Studio + Store
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Burlington Literature Group (discussing "Gravity's Rainbow") (Free)
6:30 PM: Folkn' Open Mic with DKR at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Beginning Swing at Vermont Swings
7:00 PM: Lindy 2: Integrating Solo Jazz into Your Lindy Hop at Vermont Swings
7:00 PM: Beginner Salsa at South End Studio
7:00 PM: Trivia: Tuesday Trivia at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Open Mic Comedy with Levi Silverstein at the 126, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: "Lost Horizon" (adventure quest) at Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Vermont's Freedom & Unity Chorus (rehearsal) at Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Michael's College, Colchester ($35 annual dues)
8:00 PM: Intermediate Salsa at South End Studio

Performances
7:00 PM: "Lost Horizon" (adventure quest) at Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington (Free)

Live Music/DJ
12:00 PM: Chris Sargent, Piano at City Hall Stage (2 Cherry St)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Alan Chiang (pianist) at Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Flint & Steale, Charlie Uffelman (singer-songwriter) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($5/$10)
8:30 PM: Grateful Tuesdays ft. Blues for Breakfast at Nectar’s, Burlington ($10)
9:00 PM: Honky Tonk Tuesday with Wild Leek River (country) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

General Events
11:15 AM: Spice Up Your Life: What’s Your Flavor Personality? at The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
11:15 AM – 1:00 PM: Queen City Business Networking International Group at BCA Center, Burlington (Free)

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Help Burlington? Here's How!!! from FPF
Come out for the weekly Burlington passeggiata—a downtown stroll to connect with neighbors, support local businesses, and enjoy Church Street’s evening energy. Bring friends or family, walk, socialize, shop, and maybe grab a bite or drink.

5:00 PM: Let’s Get Intimate: A Party for Your Peach, Your Power & Your Partner at 100 Bank Street Suite 700
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Yarn Crafters Group at Must Love Yarn, Shelburne (Free)
6:00 PM: Scrabble at The Boardroom – Board Game Cafe
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Community Cooking at Pathways Vermont, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Essentials of Camera Operation at The Media Factory, Burlington (Free, donations accepted, preregister)
6:30 PM: Lit Club presents Damont Combs at Radio Bean (Poetry open mic, Free)
6:30 PM: Lit Club (poetry open mic) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington (Free)

7:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Argentine Tango Classes & Practica
7:00 PM: May Wednesday Lessons & Social at Vermont Swings
7:00 PM: Trivia Night at Dumb Luck Pub & Grill, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: A Historically Close Hoedown with Queer Country Line Dance at the District VT, Burlington ($10.95/$16.95)
8:30 PM: Standup Open Mic (comedy open mic) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington (Free)

Performances
7:00 PM: Whiskey & Wisecracks: Free Comedy at Hotel Champlain
7:00 PM: $5 Improv Night (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($5)
7:00 PM: "The Great Gatsby Ballet" at Flynn Main Stage Burlington ($42.25–$101.25)
7:30 PM: "Title of Show" (musical) at Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington ($34–$54 sliding scale)

Live Music/DJ
6:30 PM: Bluegrass & $10 Burgers at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: The Mid Week Hump with DJs Fattie B and Craig Mitchell (DJ) at Monkey House, Winooski (Free)
8:00 PM: Knights of the Brown Table (Ween Tribute) w/ Surf Sabbath at Nectar’s
8:00 PM: Wilderado (indie folk) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington (SOLD OUT)
8:30 PM: Comatose Kids (jam) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($5/$10)
8:30 PM: Jazz Night with Ray Vega (jazz) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Jazz Sessions (jazz) at the 126, Burlington (Free)

Thursday, May 22, 2025

General Events
12:30 PM: Open Studio – Thursdays at Lines Vermont Studio + Store
4:00 PM: Dolphins Meet the Coaches Night at 1234 Williston Rd, South Burlington
5:15 PM: Total Beginner Ballet (8‑week Series) at Lines Vermont Studio + Store
6:30 PM: Craft & Skillshare Night at 1416 North Ave
6:45 PM: Beginner & Intermediate Kizomba at South End Studio

Live Music/DJ
5:00 PM: Tower of Power at Hotel Champlain
7:00 PM: Bob Wagner at Foam Brewers
8:00 PM: Thank You Scientist at Higher Ground

202+ Things to Do in Burlington (Summer Activities)

Today’s picks:

Five more to keep in your back pocket as summer rolls on. Start with a walk through the Intervale—trails, open fields, and a quiet stretch of the Winooski River just minutes from downtown. Climb the Ethan Allen Tower for a quick view of the lake and mountains, then take your time wandering the wooded paths nearby. Spend an hour at the Fleming Museum on the UVM campus if you want a quiet, air-conditioned break with a dose of art and history. Check out Citizen Cider on Pine Street for a flight and a snack, especially if you’re into trying something local but different from beer. And if you’re up early on a Saturday, hit the Burlington Farmers Market on Pine Street for produce, pastries, and people-watching. Full list’s still growing here: https://btownbrief.beehiiv.com/c/202-activites

Eating Out On A Budget (Food & Drink Deals)

This Week’s Food & Drink Picks
• Monday: ½-price burgers at Shelburne Tap House and $1 drafts at Three Needs
• Tuesday: BOGO 50% off traditional wings at Buffalo Wild Wings and $12 pasta at Gold Restaurant
• Wednesday: $5 off burgers at Daily Planet and $1 oysters at Bleu Northeast Kitchen (5–6 PM)
• Thursday: $10 for 2 pizza slices + pint at Four Quarters Brewing and $5 Zero Gravity pints at Daily Planet (5–10 PM)

View the full list of food & drink deals here: https://btownbrief.beehiiv.com/c/food-drink-deals

This Week’s Comic:

Guess I’ll borrow a neighbor’s pup.

This Week’s Restaurant Review: August First

August First Bakery & Café remains a Burlington staple, drawing regulars and newcomers alike with its light-filled, converted garage space and a lineup of fresh, scratch-made fare. The inviting, community-focused atmosphere is heightened by a long-standing laptop-free policy, which encourages genuine conversation over screen time. Standout offerings like the famous maple biscuit—beloved for its buttery, subtly sweet flavor—and the "Vermonter" sandwich continue to anchor the menu, alongside a strong lineup of artisan breads and pastries.

Since its founding by Jodi Whalen and Phil Merrick in 2009, August First has transitioned to new ownership under chef Frank Pace and Marnie Long, who have worked to maintain the bakery’s original spirit and commitment to quality. Locally roasted coffee and a menu of comforting classics, from croissants to scones, remain central, as does the lively, sometimes boisterous energy that comes with the café’s popularity. The counter-service setup and peak-hour rushes can lead to a bit of a wait or a scramble for seating, but for many, this is part of the charm.

Still, the very factors that make August First a vibrant hub can also be drawbacks for some. Prices are on the higher end for a casual café, and while vegetarian options are solid, vegan choices are somewhat limited, with a few past favorites gone from the lineup. The atmosphere—busy and screen-free—might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially for those seeking a quieter bite. Even so, August First remains a reliable choice for quality baked goods and a taste of Burlington’s local buzz.

View the full list of reviews here: https://btownbrief.beehiiv.com/c/restaurant-reviews

That’s All, Burlington!

Stay warm out there, and perhaps find some extra enjoyment in the cozy indoors this week. Keep supporting our local spots, keep exploring our beautiful area, and please keep sharing what makes Burlington the unique place it is.

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