It’s Monday and we’re back with the schedule of events for Thanksgiving week. Here are the town government meetings, and cultural, recreational, and athletics events that caught our eye for this week. Have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving!

Local Historic District Commission – Monday

The Local Historic District Commission will hold a public hearing for the following property changes: 328 Lincoln Avenue (11C-54) – Requests to remove wood siding and trim to install housewrap and vinyl siding and any other additional changes as needed; 133 Fearing Street (11C-48) – Requests approval for installation of new front porch and any other additional changes as needed; and 38 North Prospect Street (11C-215) – Requests to conduct rear window and door replacement and any other additional changes as needed. Monday, 3:00-5:00 pm via Zoom. MORE

Amherst Housing Authority Board of Commissioners – Monday

The Amherst Housing Authority Board of Commissioner will hold a regular meeting from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM at the Jean Elder Community Room, 22 Kelllog Avenue in Amherst. MORE

Joint Policy Subcommittee of ARPS – Monday

The Amherst Joint Policy Subcommittee of ARPS will meet to discuss regular business. Monday, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the ARMS Library. MORE

Historical Commission – Monday

The Amherst Historical Commission will hold a Public Hearing on the property at 72 Curtis Place (18D-5) for Larry Hansen, regarding a Request to demolish a ca. 1885 farmhouse and additions, including an attached garage. Monday at 7:05 pm via Zoom. MORE

Cultural Council – Monday

The Amherst Cultural Council will reconvene to deliberate the FY 2025 grants. 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm via Zoom. MORE

ARPS Hurricanes Fall Sports Concludes

The ARPS Hurricanes Fall sports programs have concluded and the Winter sports information night was last Thursday . . . but looking back, look at the amazing accomplishments achieved this past Fall:

Community Resources Committee – Tuesday

The CRC of the Town Council will hold a Special Meeting to discuss a motion to continue the Public Hearing on the Zoning Bylaw Article 17 – University Drive Overlay District, with the next hearing proposed December 3rd. Tuesday 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm via Zoom. MORE

Housing Subcommittee of the Planning Board – Tuesday

The Housing Subcommittee will meet to continue discussions on housing and rental properties in Amherst, including changes to the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw (adding a definition for student homes), zoning overlay for existing apartments, housing types, unit sizes and density (footnote M and subdividable dwellings). Tuesday, 7:00-8:00 pm via Zoom. MORE

The Noirvember Series concludes at Amherst Cinema – Tuesday

See the 2nd showing of Odds Against Tomorrow at the Amherst Cinema, directed by Robert Wise. This film is about a fallen former cop that recruits a hard-bitten, bigoted ex-con (Robert Ryan) and a debt-ridden nightclub singer (Harry Belafonte) to pull off a bank job. But as the animosity between them boils over, the entire plan threatens to implode. Tuesday at 7:00 pm, runs 96 min. Also showing this week at Amherst Cinema are A Real Pain, Anora, Blitz, Conclave and High Tide. The operatic Maria with Angelina Jolie opens Wednesday.

Valley Green Energy Working Group – Wednesday

The Valley Green Energy Working Group will meet to discuss MA Power Choice regarding utility pricing. Wednesday, 10:00 am -11:00 am via Zoom. MORE

Town Offices Closed for Thanksgiving – Thursday & Friday

In recognition of Thanksgiving, the Town Offices, including the Jones Library, will be Closed on Thursday and Friday.

Saw-whet Owl Banding Demonstration by Kestrel Land Trust – Friday

The pint-sized Northern Saw-whet Owl will be featured by two of Kestrel’s naturalists, who will explain the bird banding process and equipment as they try to capture the owl as they pass over the Mount Holyoke Range during the new moon phase that will occur Friday night. Registration is required. Friday at 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Kestrel Land Trust House at 37 Bay Road, Amherst. $ MORE

Shop Small Businesses in Downtown Amherst – Saturday

The Amherst Business Improvement District invites everyone to choose to shop local this holiday season and help the unique and boutique retailers in downtown Amherst thrive. Kick off your holiday shopping this Saturday in Downtown Amherst from 8 AM till closing . . . also, mark your calendars for the following week for Friday, December 6th, 3 pm – 6 pm for the Annual Lighting of the Merry Maple.

Free to Be . . . You and Me Sing-along Spectactular! at the Eric Carle Museum – Saturday

A fully interactive and participatory show entitled “Free to Be . . . You and Me Sing-along Spectacular!” will be offered. Join local pianist and song leader Joshua Sitron (Nickelodeon, Disney) and Myka Plunkett (actor, director, educator). Get ready to laugh, move, and sing your heart out with other Free to Be lovers as we go through the groundbreaking 1972 children’s album of songs and stories. All voices and ages welcome. Lyrics & text will be projected for all to see to sing and read-along. On Saturday, 11:30 am -12:00 pm at the Auditorium. $ MORE

Honeycomb with Michael Wilbur & Drunken Doja Monkey at The Drake – Saturday

Saturday evening at the Drake will have full slate with the Honeycomb, a world renown beatboxer, will be bringing his multiple synths, drum machines, loopers, talkbox, and the gadgets required to produce live beats on the fly and with his mouth. Michael Wilbur is a multi-instrumentalist and composer from Brockton, MA, known for his virtuosity on the Bass and Tenor Saxophones. Drunken Doja Monkey is a Boston-based DJ/Drum duo that will make you feel the right way again on the dance floor. This Saturday at The Drake – doors open at 7:00 PM with an 8:00 PM start. $ MORE

Special Storytime: Mk Smith Despres and Julie Benbassat at the Eric Carle Museum – Sunday

Being a child can feel like being buffeted along by a huge force out of your control. At any moment, something incredible could happen—but so could something scary, or sad, or hard—and everything is always changing. Learning to cope means learning the cycles, the things you can depend on. There’s That Sun Again illuminates that cycle for all to better appreciate. Mk Smith Despres’s poetic text soars and dips, and Julie Benbassat’s artwork is unforgettable. There’s That Sun Again is cut from the best cloth of fantasy: the kind whose magic reflects the world exactly as it feels. This Sunday 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm. Free with museum admission. MORE.

Visual Arts Exhibits at the UMass Fine Arts Center – through early December

Breach: Logbook 24 | Staccato, by Courtney M. Leonard, at the University Museum of Contemporary Art, Open through December 6. MORE

Abundant in Drift, by Maggie Nowinski, at the University Museum of Contemporary Art, open through December 6. MORE

Imaginary Homelands, by Daisy Patton and Alicia Brown, at the Augusta Savage Gallery, open through December 4. MORE

Gucci Forever, by Miles Warner, at the Hampden Gallery, open through December 10. MORE

Last Sequoia on Earth, by Kerry St. Laurent and Adam Michael Kozak, at the Hampden Gallery, open through December 10. MORE

---

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.