Subscribe | Get featured

Hello Burlington! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Skate-ready rinks, Kyle Clark’s sustainable aviation keynote, and Maple Madness + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Burlington protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Skate-ready rinks to explore: This winter, five Vermont spots make ice skating easy, from Spruce Peak in Stowe to Jay Peak’s Ice Haus, plus Cairns Arena near Burlington, with lessons, snacks, and special events — get the skating rink guide.

Lessons in sustainable aviation: Champlain College announced Kyle Clark, co-founder and CEO of Vermont-based BETA Technologies, will deliver the Class of 2026 commencement keynote on May 9 at the Champlain Valley Exposition — see what he’ll cover.

Find your next boat: Colchester’s third annual Saba Marine Boat Show will run March 20 to 22, kicking off boating season on Lake Champlain. Compare boats and discuss trade-ins, financing, and ownership basics — see financing options and more.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

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:

• Discuss Last Seen with Christopher Castellani
• Restore with yoga nidra and sound bowls
• Swap activewear at Revolve Vermont
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Sweet slice, zero fuss: Mirabelles Bakery has Strawberry Key Lime Pie that hits the tart-creamy sweet spot, plus a case full of pretty tarts and cakes. A cup from their Uncommon Coffee collab turns the moment into easy self-care.

Fresh stems, zero fuss: When your counters need a little joy, Wild Lark turns errands into a mood-lifting stroll with custom bouquets, dried floral magic, and planty goodness that even laughs at February. Designers craft gifts that feel easy and personal, whether for your place or a neighbor’s doorstep.

Grip strength upgrade: Need a little vertical therapy? Petra Cliffs keeps it simple with friendly staff, fresh routes, and a welcoming crew that turns post-work sends into pure fun. Lace up, chalk up, and let your forearms do the talking while your brain finally takes five.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

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.

🎶 2nd Annual Toast & Jams Winter Concert Series @ Higher Ground (South Burlington) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Winter got you climbing the walls? Dad Guild’s Toast & Jams is your indoor sanity saver, with family-friendly concerts, free mini golf, and all-you-can-eat sourdough toast, plus homemade jams from Miss Weinerz. Register ahead, pay what you can, bring the kids, keep your dignity.

🐧 2026 Penguin Plunge @ Burlington Waterfront Boat Ramp | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Now in its 31st year, this plunge raises money for Special Olympics Vermont, and somehow convinces you to jump into icy Vermont waters. Recruit brave friends, earn bragging rights, support the athletes, and bask in that smug winter warrior glow locals secretly love.

🧩 Puzzle Palooza @ South Burlington Public Library & City Hall | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – South Burlington’s chillest showdown, a 500-piece puzzle sprint where teamwork, patience, and quiet smack talk take the crown. Form a team of up to six with only two adults, chase prizes for the fastest families, or just enjoy extra puzzles for fun, and register early.

🧼 Good Clean Fun @ Vermont Comedy Club | Saturday (3/14) at 4:30 PM – VCC is serving up Good Clean Fun, a monthly improv show that’s safe to bring the kids to, and still funny for grown-ups. VCC’s seasoned improvisers spin your random suggestions into PG-rated chaos, audience games, and the kind of laughs you can feel good about.

🎉 Josh’s House 5-Year Anniversary @ Josh’s House (Colchester) | Sunday (3/15) at 1:00 PM – Five years of Josh’s House calls for a toast to healing, community, and resilience. Expect thoughtful speakers, wellness demos, and hors d’oeuvres that vanish, then RSVP so they know how many mini quiches to deploy, and come celebrate work supporting Veterans and their families.

🍁 Maple Madness @ Church Street Marketplace | Saturday (3/21) at 12:00 PM – Downtown Burlington turns into a maple wonderland, courtesy of Runamok Maple, fire pits, and enough sugary treats to make mud season feel civilized. It’s the kickoff to sugaring season, the good kind of sticky, and an excuse to loiter with neighbors, sip, sample, and thaw.

🎬 “Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality” @ Holy Family Church (Essex Junction) | Saturday (3/21) at 6:30 PM – Movie night beats doomscrolling. Head to Holy Family Parish Center in Essex Jct. for a free screening of Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality, popcorn included, with donations benefiting the Catholic Center at UVM. Faith, tech, and a student pilgrimage make it timely and family friendly.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Burlington report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 59°F – Low: 33°F – Precip: 48%

A chance of freezing rain before 10am, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 59, with temperatures falling to around 50 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 3 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Later: Rain showers likely before 8pm, then rain. Cloudy. Low around 33, with temperatures rising to around 44 overnight. South wind 16 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

—

Tomorrow – High: 43°F – Low: 23°F – Precip: 45%

A chance of rain before 10am, then a slight chance of snow showers and a slight chance of rain between 10am and noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. West wind around 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Northwest wind 8 to 16 mph.

This house is wild

This top-floor 1,706 sq ft condo at Claire Pointe delivers treetop serenity with peeks of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. A sunlit, single-level layout features a gas fireplace and a large private deck. The primary suite adds deck access, soaking tub, and walk-in closet. Two garage spaces and elevator access simplify daily life, and a no rental cap adds flexibility.

Take a peek inside →