It’s Monday and we’re back with our roundup of the week’s events. Here are this week’s town government meetings, and cultural, recreational, and athletics events that caught our eye.

ARHS Varsity Athletics at Home – Monday-Friday

ARHS athletics are back in action for the winter season! Catch them at home this week. Boys and Girls Swimming vs. Longmeadow, Monday at 4:30 pm at the middle school pool; Boys Basketball vs. Putnam, Monday at 7:00 pm; Boys Hockey vs. Greenfield, Tuesday at 8:15 pm and vs. Chicopee, Thursday at 8:00 pm, both games at Orr rink; Girls Basketball vs. Wahconah, Friday at 7:00 pm. MORE

Town Council – Monday

The Town Council will review and potentially approve guidelines for the FY26 budget development process for the town, libraries, and schools. They’ll also consider voting on the request to appropriate Free Cash for sidewalk and road repairs (postponed from a November meeting), a proposed roundabout at University Drive and Amity Street, and Town Manager goals for FY25. Monday, 6:30-9:30 pm in Town Hall and on Zoom. MORE

Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee – Monday

The CDBG Advisory Committee meets on Monday evening to finalize its request for proposals and discuss community development strategy and target areas. Monday, 7:00-9:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

Cultural Council – Monday

At its meeting on Monday evening, the Cultural Council will complete its deliberation of and take vote on its FY2025 grant awards.Monday, 6:00-7:30 pm on Zoom. MORE

Finance Committee – Tuesday

The Finance Committee meets on Tuesday afternoon to continue its discussion of the planning to fund the four major capital projects. An updated model of different funding options was presented to the Town Council in November. The Council is expected to commit to one of these models at a meeting in January. Tuesday, 3:00-5:00 pm on Zoom.  MORE

School Committees – Tuesday

On Tuesday, the Regional and the Amherst school committee will meet. The Regional committee will meet first to review new course proposals for the high school and to debrief Saturday’s Four Towns meeting about the FY26 budget. The Amherst and Pelham committees will join the Region for a joint meeting to hear a report from the superintendent about her “entry plan” findings and to approve the academic calendar for 2025-26 school year. 

The Amherst (elementary) school committee continues its solo meeting after the joint meeting and will hear updates from the superintendent on the FY26 budget work, plans for moving the 6th grade, capacity issues at Fort River, and revising the school enrollment zones for when the new building opens. Tuesday, 6:30 pm in the Library at ARHS and on Amherst Media. MORE

Community Resources Committee of the Town Council Public Hearing and Meeting – Tuesday

The Town Council’s Community Resources Committee will continue its public hearing on Tuesday on the proposed zoning overlay district to encourage significant new housing, including affordable housing, and economic development on University Drive. They’ll deliberate and potentially develop their recommendation on the proposal to the Town Council. They’ll also discuss the proposed solar bylaw. Tuesday, 6:30-8:30 pm on Zoom. MORE

Karrin Allyson with Noho Jazz Workshop – Wednesday

Karrin Allyson, 5-­‐time Grammy nominated jazz vocalist, pianist, and songwriter is widely recognized as one of the most gifted voices of her generation. She has built a mastery of The Great American Songbook, blues, pop, be-­‐bop, Brazilian, and French chansons, to name a few. She is joining the Noho Jazz Workshop at The Drake on Wednesday at 7:30 pm. $ MORE

Planning Board Public Hearing and Meeting – Wednesday

The Planning Board is hosting two continued public hearings on Wednesday. The first hearing is on the proposed zoning overlay district on University Drive; the second is on the site plan review for a plan to redevelop existing commercial space into an 85 residential unit and commercial space Mixed-use development at University Drive and Amity Street. After the hearings, the Board will discuss the proposed zoning overlay district, possibly vote on zoning amendments regarding accessory dwelling units to align with new state law, and discuss housing topics. Wednesday, 6:30-9:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

Sip ‘n’ Shop Stroll in Downtown Amherst – Thursday

Head downtown on Thursday for the Amherst Business Improvement District’s Third Annual Sip ’n’ Shop Stroll — a magical evening in Downtown Amherst filled with all the spirit of the holiday season. Take a horse-drawn carriage through town and support local shops and restaurants. Purchase the perfect gift or enjoy a special meal with loved ones. In addition, a beautifully curated Makers and Artisans Market will take place at The Drake, overflowing into the lobby of adjacent CAIA Association (11 Amity Street). Thursday, 5:00-9:00 pm. MORE

Veterans Breakfast for All – Friday

Make new friends, get to know Amherst Veterans and hear their stories. At each breakfast, a veteran or veteran ally, will tell their personal story regarding military service. Generation after generation reveals that those going to war to defend our country come back spiritually and morally wounded, regardless of the bodily consequences of combat. We want to bring veterans together for food and friendship to help coalesce a spirit of camaraderie to enable authentic, veteran-oriented communities to flourish. Open to all; bagels, donuts, and coffee provided for free. Friday, 8:00-9:00 am in the Bangs Center. MORE

Jones Library Board of Trustees – Friday

The Trustees for the Jones Library meet on Friday to review updates on the building project, including planning for interim space, as well as updates on fundraising for the Annual Fund and Capital Campaign. Friday, 4:00-6:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

Downtown Design Standards Visual Preference Survey – now through Sunday

The Town invites the community to share your vision for Amherst’s streetscape by completing the second and final Visual Preference Survey. The survey is part of the town’s development process for updated downtown design standards and is open through December 22.

---

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.