

Cover Story
Afghan Muralists the ArtLords Leave Their Mark on Vermont
Driven into exile by the Taliban, members of the artist collective from Kabul have regrouped in Brattleboro to continue its “artivism.”
Obituary: Judith Cardinal, 1954-2025
Burlington woman was a social butterfly known for her warmth, kindness and eagerness to lend a helping hand
‘Yorkie Werewolf’ Strikes Terrier in Viewers’ Hearts
In this campy, Vermont-made horror comedy flick, a teen witch-turned-howling bitch gets drawn into a war between her town’s night creatures and the local mafia.
Obituary: Cathy Ann Pawlowski, 1949-2025
Lifetime member of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America was a talented fiber artist with a deep compassion and love of life
A New Housing Coalition Has a Familiar Face — Miro Weinberger
Private businesses, banks, hospitals and nonprofits formed Let’s Build Homes to speed up the construction of badly needed housing in Vermont.
Obituary: Ralph Harry Orth, 1930-2025
Professor at the University of Vermont for 36 years devoted his professional career to the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson
Obituary: Sergei Ushakov, 1959-2025
Beloved sound engineer, proud father and renowned fixer of all things dedicated his life to making the world sound exceptionally better
Obituary: Benjamin Meyers, 1988-2024
Compassionate and loving young man will be remembered for his infectious smile and making others laugh
Obituary: Cecile J. Auger, 1928-2025
Avid seamstress relied deeply on her Catholic faith and found comfort through prayer
Obituary: James Stephen Fry, 1947-2024
Educator with a 30-year career as a law professor and program director was also dedicated to preserving and sharing history
Obituary: John A. Spaeth, 1954-2025
Engineer found joy in spending time with his family and maintaining lifelong friendships
Nonprofit Seeks Land for New Manufactured Home Park
CDI, which creates affordable housing opportunities in New England, is looking for a site for new manufactured home park in Vermont.
Housing Authority Pulls Scores of Rent Subsidies
Hundreds of low-income Vermonters could lose their rental subsidies if Congress trims the Section 8 program. Burlington Housing Authority isn’t waiting to act.
Scott Urges Lawmakers to Address Cost-of-Living Concerns
The Republican governor addressed a legislature still controlled by a Democratic majority, but by a slimmer margin. He urged a cooperative approach this year.
Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak Will Prescreen Police Press Releases
The mayor ordered police to run any public statements by her. On Tuesday, a lawyer asked a judge to order police to stop talking about his client.
‘Winter Color’ Brings Artists’ Invented Worlds to Kishka Gallery
Jess Johnson, Edie Fake and Jessy Park each present a handful of works in exuberant colors. They have distinct visual languages yet share a close conversation.
Growing Training Program Aims to Bolster Vermont’s Workforce
The program, established in 2021, is a collaboration between four local nonprofits: ReSOURCE, Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Vermont Works for Women and Audubon Vermont
Inua Ellams’ ‘Search Party’ Comes to Dartmouth
In his unique one-man show, the Nigerian-born British poet and playwright reads from his works, based on prompts from the crowd.
Free Will Astrology (1/8/25)
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Astrologers in ancient China had the appalling view that more than two-thirds of all omens are negative, threatening or scary. I…
Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’ Gives Unsettling New Life to a Horror Classic
Filmmaker Robert Eggers’ love for the original and for the Victorian vampire mythos shines through in every carefully wrought frame of this remake.
Soundbites: Rapper R.O.D. and Rocker André Maquera Join Forces on ‘Hip Rock’
The Burlington rapper and St. Albans producer-guitarist meld rap, rock, funk, pop and blues into a heady mix of new music that shows the best of all worlds.
Now Playing in Theaters: January 8-14
In addition to Queer, 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.
On the Beat: Boomslang’s Last Record, Jim Heltz Returns, Destination SXM at Nectar’s
Montpelier hip-hop duo to release Boomslang Forever, Transitory Symphony founder keeps it in the family and Nexus Artists teams up with the SXM Festival.
Album Review: fiona Lou Armour, ‘fiona compilation’
On the Burlington electro-pop artist’s latest release of brash and unruly tracks, confessional hyper-pop flips the bird at conformity.
Decker Towers Gets Reprieve From Drug Traffic, Squatters
The high-rise apartment building for seniors and disabled tenants is safer now, residents say. But homeless people are finding other places to escape the cold.
Album Review: The Strangulators, ‘You Can’t Unmurder Someone’
Joe MacAskill leaves Vermont with a punk-noir record filled with pulpy tales of murder, lies and seedy cities — all backed by Burlington’s Rough Francis.
Waterbury Coworking and Retail Space to Open in March
A new venture by the Phoenix owner Joseph Pensak, TREEHOUSE will also offer a record store, a used bookshop, gourmet coffee, and grab-and-go sandwiches.
‘Desire Lines’ Explores Drawing With Six Diverse Artists
An exhibition at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center presents very different works by regional artists who reflect on the medium and how they use it.
A CVU Graduate Is Vermont’s First Rhodes Scholar in Years
Harvard student Lena Ashooh plans to apply political philosophy to her work in animal welfare — and raise the profile of scholarship in her oft-ignored field.
Vermont Burlesque Festival Returns, Facing an Uncertain Future
Amid rising costs, declining ticket sales and downtown safety concerns, executive producer Cory Royer says it’s the festival’s final year in its current form.
From the Publisher: Introducing ‘Ways and Means’
The Vermont legislature reconvenes this week for a new biennium. Is it governing effectively? Seven Days explores that question in a new series.
Ask the Rev: How Long Is Too Long to Keep a Christmas Tree?
Some people ditch their tree on December 26, while others believe that’s bad luck. Practical tips and yuletide lore may help you decide when to branch out.
Violinist Soovin Kim to Play Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas
The concerts in downtown Burlington offer a rare chance to see one of the country’s most accomplished violinists perform “the Himalayas of violinists.”
Letters to the Editor (1/8/25)
Great Issue Congrats on your end-of-year issue [December 25]. I always look forward to reading your journalists’ take on covering the stories I’ve read [“Backstories…
Majestic, a Casual Restaurant From Industry Pros, Opens in Burlington
Chef Maura O’Sullivan and former downtown bar owner Sam Tolstoi have created a South End bar and neighborhood eatery that feels like a lively dinner party.
VT Restaurant and Beverage News: Queen City Café, El Comal, Mad River Distillers
In Burlington, two cafés close — one temporarily. Meanwhile, Williston’s Oaxacan restaurant opens, and Mad River Distillers adds a Stowe tasting room.
VT Bake House Expands From Alburgh to St. Albans
The bakery’s second location will add doughnuts and specialty grilled cheeses to its lineup of breakfast items and sandwiches but won’t serve pizza.
Magnificent 7: Must See, Must Do, January 8-15
Explore our editor’s picks for must-do events in Vermont this week, including the annual Full Moon Ski Party at Sleepy Hollow Inn in Huntington.






