Expert: David Beckett - 8/17/2009

Question
Hi David, I am a novelist and I am currently finishing a book due out in May 2010 from Penguin. I have a couple that retires from Burlington to Santa Barbara, CA to buy an avocado ranch. I need a few facts about what might be happening in Burlington just before Christmas, 2007 -- public events such as lighting ceremonies, events at the university (where they teach), weather, as well as quirkier things at, say, a bookstore or bakery. Any thoughts?

Answer
Hi Jennie -

Please forgive the delay - I've been away and I'm catching up slowly. I'm happy to help.

Your couple might have attended "the lighting ceremony" on The Church Street Marketplace at which the decorative lights on Church Street are turned on. They might also have enjoyed a concert at "The Lane Series" (formally "The George Bishop Lane Series") up on campus at The UVM Recital Hall, or at "The Flynn", (The Flynn Center For The Performing Arts) right downtown. They'd have enjoyed dinner or a drink at Leunigs Bistro afterwards.

The bookstore would be The Crow Bookshop, which is right downtown and specializes in antiquaran and second hand books. The bakery could be Mirabelle's, a lovely little patisserie on Main Street. Also, one of the more interesting cafes in town is called Muddy Waters, and they always have excellent and unusual world music, and/or singer songwriters playing...they sell baked goods too.

I hope that helps!

David