Downtown Burlington was on the deserted-looking side yesterday, probably will be today.

The damp chilly weather keeps a lot of folks inside, but not these loyal antiwar troopers - the 5 p.m. peace people at the top of Church Street.

Wonder how much longer they're going to have to keep doing it?

On the Vermont political front, House Speaker Gaye Symington and Sen. President pro tempore Peter Shumlin have scheduled a joint presser for this afternoon at Phil Hoff's law office on Main Street in beautiful Burlington.

We're told they'll "review the accomplishments" of the recently completed legislative session.

What fun!

And if we have energy left after that, Progressive Mayor Bob Kiss will host an Old North End presser to address what some consider Burlington's #1 problem - graffiti!

"Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss will host a press conference to recognize and unveilthe combined efforts of the City’s Graffiti Removal Team, Burlington youthorganizations, and local youth to create a “Community Art Space” to helpcombat graffiti. The press conference will take place on Thursday May 17at 4:30 p.m. at the corner of North and North Union streets (with a raindate of Friday May 25)."

Bring your magic markers!

Just kidding.