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Hi Burlington, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Vermont City Marathon training, Cookies and Brews, and Giselle ballet + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Development proposal under review: The Burlington Development Review Board will hold a public hearing Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 5 p.m. on an appeal of an administrative denial for fencing and added housing units — get all the details.

Training through winter woes: First-time marathoners in Burlington are gearing up for the Vermont City Marathon’s double-loop course, with cheers along the route and a Lake Champlain finish. Registration fees rise after March 14 — get all the race details.

Two-state waterfowl rulemaking: Vermont will hold hearings on the 2026 migratory game bird seasons March 10 and 12, with comments accepted through March 31 and a video on the proposal to follow — get dates, times, and details.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Dance before dark with Vermont Public
• Cheer on Vermont’s junior chef showdown
• Watch Schindler Space Architect documentary
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Burger fix, no frills: The Shopping Bag keeps it simple, with thick, in-house-ground patties, melty cheese, and gloriously messy Sizzler energy. It’s perfect for a midweek treat or post-shift reward. When the craving hits, The Shopping Bag serves a burger that makes dinner plans feel optional.

Lace up and glide: When cabin fever hits, C. Douglas Cairns Recreation Arena cures it with clean ice, easygoing public skates, and just enough rink buzz for a quick reset. Great with a friend, or for solo laps… either way, it still counts as self-care.

Waterfront science break: Been meaning to visit ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain? Take this nudge. The refreshed Into the Lake exhibit, daily animal moments, and an unexpectedly addictive 3D theater create a breezy midweek reset that feels local, not touristy, and leaves you curious for more.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Burlington for grown ups

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🏔 Women & Non-Binary Backcountry 101 @ Outdoor Gear Exchange | Thursday (3/5) at 7:00 PM – Outdoor Gear Exchange is hosting a Women & Non-Binary Backcountry 101 with Weston rider Dani Sweet, pouring free Midnight Adventures IPA while you cover gear, ethics, and New England tours. Q&A, a $5 donation giveaway for Unlikely Riders, plus meeting buddies, the old-fashioned way.

⛸ Skate by the Lake HS Figure Skating Competition @ Leddy Park Arena | Saturday (3/7) at 7:00 AM – Consider this your cue to dust off the cowbell, the high school figure skating competition is taking over the Vermont rink by the lake. Registration’s open to team members, first round limited to 20 starts per team, and if the ice cooperates, they’ll reopen spots.

🍻 Cookies and Brews @ Burlington Beer Company | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Afternoon at Burlington Beer Company means cookies with your beer, because we’re adults, and we make excellent choices. It’s their first Cookies and Brews, with a cookie-inspired brew, or a flight with cookie pairings, snacks, and an event glass if you snag tickets early. $50.

💎 Nomad Jewelry + Perimenopause Chat @ The Soda Plant | Sunday (3/8) at 12:00 PM – Perimenopause chat and bling hit the Soda Plant on International Women’s Day, where Beth leads grounding breaths, a sharing circle, then you pick Jennifer Kahn amulets for a Nomad necklace or earrings. Ticket includes $50 toward jewelry, plus snacks, oracle cards, because hormones.

🐶 Counting Huskies with Siber Sled Dogs @ Phoenix Books Burlington | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – Church Street plans: Phoenix Books hosts Milagro Amaya Turner reading her kids book, Counting Huskies, with a sled dog cameo. It’s free, family-friendly, and mercifully screen-free, so bring the littles, RSVP if you can, and snag a copy. Yes, the dog is the celebrity.

🎗 Pebble Art Fundraiser @ McGillicuddy’s on the Green | Sunday (3/8) at 2:00 PM – Trade doomscrolling for pebble art at McGillicuddy’s, then reward yourself with something fried. Once Upon a Rock teams up with Holy Walkamolies, so you can glue tiny stones, raise money for Relay For Life, and feel delightfully wholesome. Bring the kids, or your inner one.

🎭 Giselle @ The Flynn | Tuesday (3/10) at 7:00 PM – Ready to trade mud season for the spirit world? Grand Kyiv Ballet brings Giselle to The Flynn, all heartbreak, haunted forests, and goosebumps, told with real heart. A classic for a reason, and tickets start at $29, which feels almost nostalgic.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/5 Dan Parks @ On Tap Bar & Grill – 6:00 PM
• 3/6 Dave Mitchell Blues Jam @ Red Square – 2:00 PM
• 3/6 Cocktail Piano Hour @ The Venetian Soda Lounge – 6:00 PM
• 3/6 The Slocan Ramblers @ UVM Recital Hall – 7:30 PM
• 3/7 Caitlin Canty @ Higher Ground – 7:00 PM
• 3/9 Open Mic @ Pearl Street Pub – 6:00 PM
• 3/10 Giselle @ The Flynn – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Burlington report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 32°F – Low: 25°F – Precip: 6%

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. North wind 3 to 8 mph. Later: A slight chance of freezing rain between 7pm and 8pm, then a chance of sleet and a chance of freezing rain between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 25. East wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

—

Tomorrow – High: 40°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 51%

A chance of snow before 11am, then a slight chance of rain and snow between 11am and 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Southeast wind 8 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Rain likely after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. South wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This 4-bed, 2-bath Cape in Burlington’s Old North End blends classic character with an expansive layout. The updated kitchen has a built-in hutch and pass-through to a sun-filled family room. A first-floor bedroom, full bath, laundry, and dining shine. Out back, deck and fenced yard pair with 1-car garage and basement storage, near waterfront and downtown, $4,100/month rent through May.

Take a peek inside →