

Cover Story
Cash In With the Money & Retirement Issue
Seven Days disburses knowledge on everything from gray-haired rabble-rousers to a dollar oyster deal. But why do we still need banks?
Chittenden County State’s Attorney Race Is Off to a Spicy Start
Bram Kranichfeld, a Burlington resident and current top prosecutor in Franklin County, wants to unseat Sarah George, his former colleague.
Vermont Chef Paul Trombly Makes Finals of 2026 James Beard Awards
The awards known as the “Oscars of the food world” named Trombly a finalist in the regional Best Chef: Northeast category. Winners will be announced in June.
Curator Heather Ferrell Joins Fleming Museum
After nearly a decade at Burlington’s BCA Center, Ferrell will become the new curator of collections and exhibitions at the University of Vermont’s art museum.
Magnificent 7: Must-See, Must-Do Events in and Around Vermont (April 1-8)
Explore our editor’s picks for must-do events in Vermont this week, including quirky standup sensation Emo Phillips at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington.
Money & Retirement Issue
Older Vermonters Bring Time, Life Experience and a Burning Sense of Duty to Political Protests
Older Activists Bring Time and Life Experience to Protests
Burlington’s Leaders Need to Dig Out of a Budget Hole. But How?
Once again, the city’s expenses are outpacing revenues. The administration and council agree they need to trim spending.
Some Vermont Doctors Embrace the New ‘Direct Primary Care’ Model
In these practices, patients pay regular fees to their physician for access to care, cutting out the insurance companies altogether.
New Online Search Tool Finds That Item You Want at a Local Store
Vermont-based e-commerce startup Myti has released a browser extension that takes your search for a product on a national retailer’s website and finds a store that’s selling it locally.
From the Publisher: End of an Era
Seven Days’ longest-serving staffer, sales executive Michelle Brown, is retiring. Her work helped transform our edgy alt-weekly into a must-read news source.
Standup Gordon Clark Sets the Stage for Younger Comics
After decades as a political activist, the 66-year-old independent show producer is creating opportunities outside the established comedy club scene in Vermont.
WTF: Why Are There So Many Banks on Shelburne Road?
As banks in other states disappear faster than you can say “Blockbuster Video,” Vermont keeps adding them — particularly along a four-mile stretch of Route 7.
Yes! We Have No Bananas: What Should Art Cost?
Seven Days talks with a gallerist, an art collector and local artists about how to price artwork, mistakes we make doing it and why it’s hard.
Ask the Rev: I Hate Asking My Friends to Pay Me Back
Are you the “treasurer” of your friend group — the one who figures out every dinner bill? Here’s advice on splitting checks and asking for pals to pay up.
Dining Out in Vermont Has Gotten More Expensive. We’ve Got Receipts.
As the cost of running a restaurant rises, so do menu prices. We looked at two decades’ worth of tabs — and heard from a biz drawing customers with a new deal.
Dining on a Dime: Head to Burlington’s Gold for Throwback $1 Oyster Hour
The Old North End restaurant has sold almost 40,000 raw mollusks over the past 20 months. It loses money on most, but that’s OK, chef Charles Spock said.
News
Older Vermonters Bring Time, Life Experience and a Burning Sense of Duty to Political Protests
Older Activists Bring Time and Life Experience to Protests
Burlington’s Leaders Need to Dig Out of a Budget Hole. But How?
Once again, the city’s expenses are outpacing revenues. The administration and council agree they need to trim spending.
Some Vermont Doctors Embrace the New ‘Direct Primary Care’ Model
In these practices, patients pay regular fees to their physician for access to care, cutting out the insurance companies altogether.
New Online Search Tool Finds That Item You Want at a Local Store
Vermont-based e-commerce startup Myti has released a browser extension that takes your search for a product on a national retailer’s website and finds a store that’s selling it locally.
From the Publisher: End of an Era
Seven Days’ longest-serving staffer, sales executive Michelle Brown, is retiring. Her work helped transform our edgy alt-weekly into a must-read news source.
Arts+Culture
Standup Gordon Clark Sets the Stage for Younger Comics
After decades as a political activist, the 66-year-old independent show producer is creating opportunities outside the established comedy club scene in Vermont.
New Comic Recounts the History of Vermont’s First Pride Parade
‘Proud Little State,’ a short comic series, draws from the state’s rich pool of cartoonists to chronicle LGBTQ issues from Vermont’s past and present.
Vermont Youth Orchestra Association Buys Elley-Long Music Center
The VYOA purchased the 23,000-square-foot historic structure from the college for $200,000 with a gift from a single anonymous donor.
Theater Review: ‘The Children,’ Northern Stage
Two nuclear scientists have settled into retirement, but when a nuclear disaster occurs they must consider past decisions and future responsibilities.
WTF: Why Are There So Many Banks on Shelburne Road?
As banks in other states disappear faster than you can say “Blockbuster Video,” Vermont keeps adding them — particularly along a four-mile stretch of Route 7.
Yes! We Have No Bananas: What Should Art Cost?
Seven Days talks with a gallerist, an art collector and local artists about how to price artwork, mistakes we make doing it and why it’s hard.
‘Composition/Decomposition’ at the Adamant Co-op Gallery
A group show explores all meanings of both words, from the dynamic geometry of everyday scenes to bold color choices to an installation of rotting squash.
A New History Book Examines UVM’s Blackface Tradition
In ‘Darkology: Blackface and the American Way of Entertainment,’ Rhae Lynn Barnes spotlights the University of Vermont for hosting an annual Kake Walk until 1969.
Food+Drink
Dining Out in Vermont Has Gotten More Expensive. We’ve Got Receipts.
As the cost of running a restaurant rises, so do menu prices. We looked at two decades’ worth of tabs — and heard from a biz drawing customers with a new deal.
Dining on a Dime: Head to Burlington’s Gold for Throwback $1 Oyster Hour
The Old North End restaurant has sold almost 40,000 raw mollusks over the past 20 months. It loses money on most, but that’s OK, chef Charles Spock said.
Good Times Café Will Close in Hinesburg to Focus on South Burlington
After a year running two locations, Maryam and Travis Counter decided to prioritize the new Shelburne Road café, which also hosts their Matryoshka’s Bakery.
Music+Nightlife
Soundbites: New Music From Bob Wagner, Lily Seabird
A summer full of music gets an early start as several of Vermont’s best artists release singles. Plus, two mountain fests kick off a busy season of outdoor music.
Eye on the Scene: Experimental Music at Burlington’s
At a South End furniture shop last month, our intrepid photographer was transported by the ethereal sounds of Liam Grant, Sam Boston and Jeremy Kizina.
Album Review: Dana Robinson, ‘The Sound of the Word’
On his new album, Robinson pays homage to folk traditions and showcases his talent for lyrical explorations of the Vermont landscape.
On Screen
‘Project Hail Mary’ Explores the Sweet Side of Science Fiction
The adaptation of Andy Weir’s best-selling novel succeeds by making us care about its hero, a sartorially challenged teacher on a space mission.
Now Playing in Theaters, April 1-8
In addition to The Drama, here’s what is playing in Northern and Central Vermont movie theaters this week. Listings include new movies, vintage films and a directory of open theaters.
Fun Stuff
Ask the Rev: I Hate Asking My Friends to Pay Me Back
Are you the “treasurer” of your friend group — the one who figures out every dinner bill? Here’s advice on splitting checks and asking for pals to pay up.
Free Will Astrology (4/01/26)
Check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes & daily text message horoscopes: realastrology.com or 1-877-873-4888.
Life Lines
Obituary: Mindy Wall Evnin, 1945-2026
Psychotherapist in Burlington for decades was a steady presence in the community and built strong relationships across her life
Obituary: James Haff Mapes, 1930-2026
Navy veteran and lifelong Swanton resident loved reading Civil War nonfiction and had an enormous library
Obituary: James “Jim” Russell Barbour, 1938-2026
Gifted UVM lecturer known for his strong sense of social justice taught a class that earned him “celebrity status” on campus
Obituary: Harold Leitenberg, 1939-2026
Pioneer in the field of cognitive behavior therapy loved being near, on or in the water, especially the lakes and ponds of Vermont
Obituary: Niko Henry Chernyshov, 2009-2026
Eagle Scout had a gentleness, sense of humor and wisdom beyond his years, and people were drawn to him







