Every Monday, we spotlight the town government meetings, and cultural, recreational, and athletics events that caught our eye. Read on and mark your calendars!

Jones Library Board of Trustees – Monday

The Trustees of the Jones Library meet on Monday morning and will discuss an update on the building project among other topics. Monday, 9:00-11:00 am on Zoom. MORE 

ARHS Varsity Sports at Home – Monday through Saturday

Catch the varsity action at home. Girls Softball Monday at 7:00 pm vs. Northampton, Tuesday at 4:30 pm vs. Westfield Tech, and Wednesday at 4:30 pm vs. Lenox; Girls Lacrosse Monday at 7:00 pm vs. Lee and Wednesday at 7:00 pm vs. S. Hadley; Boys Lacrosse Tuesday at 4:30 pm vs. W. Springfield and Thursday at 7:00 pm vs. Northampton; Boys Baseball Tuesday at 7:00 pm vs. Northampton, Wednesday at 4:30 pm vs. Ludlow, and Thursday at 4:30 pm vs. Wahconah; Girls Tennis Thursday at 4:15 pm vs. Northampton and Friday at 5:00 pm vs. Minnechaug. MORE

Listening Session: Heatherstone Rd Concept – Monday

The Town Services & Outreach Committee of the Town Council is holding a listening session Monday about a concept for road and sidewalk improvements to Heatherstone Road. Monday, 6:30-8:30 pm on Zoom. MORE

Community Resources Committee – Tuesday

At its meeting on Tuesday, the Town Council’s Community Resources Committee (CRC) will discuss the proposed draft solar bylaw as well as the nuisance bylaw. A working group of residents developed a draft bylaw to guide solar energy development in Amherst and presented it to the Town Council last November. The CRC will discuss a report on regulations vs. the bylaw as well as workflow and rollout. Tuesday, 6:30-8:30 pm on Zoom. MORE

Judy Brooks Conversation Series: Jacqueline Wallace – Tuesday

The Racial Justice Committee of the League of Women Voters Amherst hosts an online conversation series named for Judy Brooks, long-time member of LWV Amherst and active citizen of the Town of Amherst. Tuesday’s conversation is with Jacqueline Wallace, Black woman leader for Amherst’s racial justice and equity. Wallace is a clinical social worker and therapist, and is the director of the Amherst Area Gospel Choir. Tuesday, 7:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

Planning Board – Wednesday

At its meeting on Wednesday, the Planning Board will continue its public hearing on the proposed building plans at the Emily Dickinson Museum. They’ll also discuss a potential housing overlay zone for the University Drive area to allow more housing with a mix of apartment buildings and mixed-use buildings and ideas for streetscape design. Wednesday, 6:30-9:30 pm on Zoom. MORE

Project Drawdown Roadmap Film Screening & Discussion – Thursday

The Hitchcock Center presents a screening of a film about the Drawdown Roadmap, a science-based global strategy for accelerating climate solutions. The Drawdown Roadmap points to which climate actions we should prioritize to make the most of our efforts to stop climate change and charts a path to accelerate climate solutions before it’s too late. The short film will be followed by a discussion of what this looks like locally. Thursday 6:00-8:00 pm at the Hitchcock Center. MORE

Ribbon Cutting: Wildwood elementary playground – Friday

In 2022, then Wildwood Principal Nick Yaffe had a vision to give students more creative options for outdoor play. That vision is coming to fruition with two new installations at the school playground that can be moved to the new elementary school when it opens: a gaga ball pit (a dodgeball-like game that is popular among school-age children); and a set of accessible handmade outdoor instruments by Jim Doble of Elemental Design in Maine. Doble’s instruments include two “whale drums” made from repurposed propane tanks and an “amadinda,” a wooden marimba-type instrument for 2-4 players. A ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday will officially open the accessible instrument area. Friday, 3:30 pm at the playground at Wildwood elementary school. MORE

Celebrate Spring with Art at Amethyst Brook – Saturday

To celebrate the beauty of each season, Kestrel Land Trust and the Amherst Plein Air Society are partnering to offer a 4-part Plein Air Landscape Painting series. This year’s theme focuses on landscapes along the Robert Frost Trail (RFT) in honor of the 150th birthday-anniversary of the four-time Pulitzer Prize winning American poet who taught at Amherst College. It’s also a celebration of Kestrel’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the long-distance trail that bears his name.

The spring event will be held at Amethyst Brook in Amherst. Painters are invited to gather outside and capture on canvas the various picturesque views of the landscape as the RFT traverses the woods and brook. The event is open to artists of all levels, as well as spectators. Saturday, 12:00-4:00 pm at Amethyst Brook. Artists arrive at 12:00 pm; public spectators are invited beginning at 1:30 pm. Advanced registration is requested. MORE 

Asian-American & Pacific-Islander Heritage Month Festival – Sunday

In honor of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Amherst’s Human Rights Commission will host a family friendly day of live entertainment, food and activities on Sunday on the Common. Performances by Shaolin Hung Gar Chiu Mo Kwoon, Filipino Dance Group, East Culture, Inc and more. Craft vendors and activities presented by Casa De Pinta, Grace Li, face painting by Jane Iin, and craft activities by the Chinese Association of Western Massachusetts and Amherst Recreation. Free. MORE

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Want more? We’ve gathered the event and program calendars from the many organizations and committees in Amherst onto Community Calendars. Check it out to find even more upcoming events.

Have an event you’d like us to spotlight? Email us TheAmherstCurrent@gmail.com.

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