It’s Monday, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, 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.

Second Annual Community Food Drive – Monday

The Second Annual Light and Love Amherst Community Food Drive, organized
by State Representative Mindy Domb (D-Amherst), is being held today to benefit the Amherst Survival Center. The food drive is inspired by Dr. King’s words: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
The food drive will collect food donations at the Amherst Survival Center, in a drive-by fashion,
on Monday, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. MORE

Finance Committee – Tuesday

The Finance Committee meets on Tuesday and will review the FY27 budget guidelines and a report on FY26 first quarter actuals. Tuesday, 2:00-4:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

ARHS Varsity Athletics at Home – Tuesday-Thursday

Catch ARHS varsity athletes in action at home this week! Boys & Girls Swimming vs. Belchertown on Tuesday at 4:30 pm. Girls Basketball vs. Pope Francis on Tuesday at 6:00 pm and vs. Palmer on Thursday at 6:00 pm. MORE

National Day of Racial Healing Community Conversation – Tuesday

Join the Town of Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for a community conversation recognizing the 10th annual National Day of Racial Healing! This is the next installment in the ongoing Becoming Beloved Community series. Food and refreshments will be provided. Registration is strongly encouraged. Tuesday, 5:00-7:00 pm in the Bangs Community Center. MORE

Amherst School Committee – Tuesday

The Amherst elementary school committee meets Tuesday to review and discuss the plans for restructuring the district to close Wildwood and Fort River schools, open the new Amethyst Brook school, and move the 6th grade to the middle school. Tuesday, 6:30 pm in the library at ARHS and on Amherst Media. MORE

Local Author Book Launch & Reading – Tuesday

Amherst author Jill Margaret Shulman presents her new book, College Essay Confidence, at a launch event Tuesday at Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley. In the book, Shulman combines her experience as a teacher, writer, admissions insider, and empathetic parent to ease anxiety for students and families about the college application personal essay. Tuesday, 7:00 pm at Odyssey Bookshop (South Hadley). MORE

Historical Commission Public Hearing – Tuesday

The Historical Commission holds a public hearing on Tuesday on the proposed demolition of a building at 80 South East St. The Commission heard the proposal at its hearing held on December 15 and expressed concern about the plan given the building is located within a proposed, but not-yet-approved, local historic district (East Amherst Village). The Commission requested additional information about the property to be presented at Tuesday’s hearing. Tuesday, 7:00-9:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

DPW Building Committee – Wednesday

The recently-formed Department of Public Works Building Committee meets on Wednesday and will elect a chair and vice chair, discuss the procurement process and hear about options for an owner’s project manager. Wednesday, 8:30-10:00 am in the Town Room in Town Hall. MORE

Planning Board – Wednesday

The Planning Board meets on Wednesday to discuss zoning priorities and Town Manager goals with the town’s Planning & Economic Development Director, Jeff Bagg. The Board also will discuss a proposed Housing Production Plan “implementation matrix” that outlines the proposed priority, complexity, and timeline for the Plan’s different recommendations. Wednesday, 6:30-9:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

Community Preservation Act Committee – Thursday

The CPA Committee meets on Thursday to discuss and vote on its recommendation to the Town Council about projects for FY27 CPA funding. Thursday, 6:00-8:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

ACT’s Wizard of Oz – Thursday through Sunday

Click your heels and follow the Yellow Brick Road to UMass Bowker Auditorium for Amherst Community Theater’s production of The Wizard of Oz! Join the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy on their musical journey to the Emerald City. Featuring favorite songs from the MGM film like “Over the Rainbow” and “If I only Had a Brain,” L. Frank Baum’s timeless tale continues to thrill audiences worldwide. With dazzling costumes, stunning effects, and a full orchestra, this heartwarming story of friendship and courage will remind everyone that there truly is no place like home. Read a review of the performance, here! 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.