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 and recreational events that caught our eye.
Town Council – Monday
At its meeting on Monday, the Town Council will review and vote on Town Manager appointments to four committees, including Community Development Block Grant, Community Preservation Act, Department of Public Works Building, and the Jones Library Building committees. The Council also will vote on its appointment to the Budget Coordinating Group and will consider a vote to not carryover two items into the new Council term (legislative process and appointments to the Charter Review Committee). Monday, 6:30-10:30 pm in Town Hall and on Zoom. MORE
Amherst School Committee – Tuesday
At its meeting on Tuesday, the Amherst SC will get an update on the restructuring work related to the new school building opening and the 6th grade move. They’ll also discuss and potentially vote on naming the new school and on moving the 6th grade to a location other than the middle school. Additionally, the SC will review an initial draft of the FY27 operating budget; the initial draft projects an increase of $2.8 million (9.8%) to maintain level services in the district. (The Town Council’s guidelines for the FY27 budget include an operating budget increase of $2.5 million for the all town departments, including approximately $700K increase for elementary schools.) Tuesday, 6:30 pm in the library at ARHS and on Amherst Media. MORE
Charter Review Committee Public Forum – Tuesday
The 2024 Charter Review Committee recently completed their Preliminary Report and will hold its final Public Forum in hybrid format to hear residents’ input on the report and its recommendations. Tuesday, 7:00-9:00 pm in Town Hall and on Zoom. MORE
Nature Within: Modern Life and the Ecosystem of the Human Body – Tuesday
It may sound surprising, but science suggests that the same principles that sustain healthy forests also sustain healthy bodies. Join Kestrel Land Trust for a special presentation at their office in Amherst on Tuesday to learn how caring for our microbes is an act of caring for the planet with Dr. Margaret “Peg” Riley, Professor of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst author of The Human Microbiome in Health and Disease: An Introduction (Princeton University Press, 2025). Tuesday, 6:30-7:30 pm at the Kestrel Land Trust headquarters. MORE
Planning Board Public Hearings & Meeting – Wednesday
The Planning Board hosts public hearings on Wednesday about a preliminary subdivision plan proposed by W.D. Cowls for property on Shutesbury Rd., and a site plan review for work proposed by Amherst College on property at 40 Dickinson St. Wednesday, 6:30-9:00 pm on Zoom. MORE
Conservation Commission Public Hearings & Meeting – Wednesday
The Conservation Commission hosts public hearings on Wednesday about proposed work at properties on Shutesbury Rd., South East St., Belchertown Rd., and West St. Wednesday, 7:00-10:00 pm on Zoom. MORE
Karrin Allyson & The Northampton Jazz Workshop – Wednesday
Head to The Drake on Wednesday to hear 5-‐time Grammy nominated jazz vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Karrin Allyson, with the Northampton Jazz Workshop. Allyson 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. Wednesday, 7:30 pm at The Drake. MORE
Community Development Block Grant Public Hearing – Thursday
The CDBG advisory committee hosts a public hearing on Thursday about community priorities for the FY26 application process and a community development strategy. The hearing also will include updates on current activities on past CDBG grants. Read more about the Community Development Block Grants and the priorities for 2026, here. Thursday, 7:00-9:00 pm on Zoom. MORE
ARHS Varsity Athletics at Home – Friday and Saturday
Catch ARHS varsity athletes in action at home this week! Girls basketball vs. Monson on Friday at 6:00 pm and Boys hockey vs. McCann on Saturday at 3:00 pm (Orr rink). MORE
Free Parking Saturdays – Saturday
Take your time exploring shops and sampling local flavors across downtown Amherst this holiday season! Catch a show at The Drake or a movie at Amherst Cinema! The Town of Amherst is suspending parking enforcement in all metered spaces and public lots in downtown Amherst on Saturdays through the end of December. Saturdays, Nov 29-Dec27. MORE
$5 Family Film: Jingle Jangle–A Christmas Journey – Saturday
Head to Amherst Cinema on Saturday for a special $5 family screening of Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. An imaginary world comes to life in this joyous holiday tale of an eccentric toymaker (Forest Whitaker), his adventurous granddaughter (Madalen Mills), and a magical invention. Saturday, 12:45 pm at Amherst Cinema. MORE
Winter Solstice Candlelight Stroll – Sunday
Wildwood Cemetery hosts a winter solstice candlelight stroll on Sunday. Come and toast to the winter, to the living and to those who have passed. Walk a loop (with candles) in the cemetery or stay and socialize in the Farmhouse. Hot chocolate and cookies provided. Free, but donations gladly accepted! RSVP if you can, but if not, just come! Sunday, 4:00-5:00 pm at Wildwood Cemetery. 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.
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