(3/19/07) We haven't been too successful in breaking this cycle of recaps and nuggets. One day soon, articles will return. But until then – a couple more nuggets.
Watch Out World: Hard to imagine that it has taken so long, but Larry Kelley has finally launched his own blog. Whether you agree or disagree with Larry, there's no denying that he is tapped into what's happening around town and at Town Hall. Expect news to break on his site. And expect a few mentions of golf courses and flags. Check it out at: OnlyInTheRepublicOfAmherst.blogspot.com.
GirlsEyeView: The Works-in-Progress exhibition by Amherst Regional Middle School students participating in the Youth Action Coalition's GirlsEyeView photography and creative writing program opens March 21st at the Middle School library, and runs through April 4th, during school hours. A reception will be held March 22nd from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information, call 253-2158.
Planning News: The next big step in the Master Plan process is the “Community Choices” event, which takes place Thursday, March 29th from 7:00 p.m – 9:00 p.m. in the High School cafeteria. The emerging plan will be presented and the public will be able to offer feedback to assist its further refinement. This is a mid-process update of what has developed from last October's Idea Gathering sessions, which generated thousands of thoughts and suggestions. Those ideas were cataloged (and can be searched via the “Idea Machine” on the Planning Amherst Together web site) and are being considered and prioritized by a collection of “working groups,” for recommendations to guide the creation of the Master Plan. All are encouraged to attend on March 29th.
In the News: Amherst ended up on the Drudge Report last week, and this time it had nothing to do with school plays or flag displays. With the link title “Massachusetts Minister Boycotts STRAIGHT Weddings,” Drudge linked to an AP story on Boston.com about the decision by Grace Church clergy to stop performing all marriage ceremonies in protest of the Episcopal denomination's ban on same-sex marriages.
Deadlines: This is the last full week to sign up for LSSE's spring courses before the $10 late fee kicks in. On-line registration is easy. This is also the time to get your absentee ballot for the Town's annual election, if you won't be available to vote on Tuesday, March 27th. The Town Clerk's office is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and you can e-mail them or call 259-3035 for more information.
On Budget: You read about it in the paper, but have you checked it out yet? The Guide to the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District Budget, created by the Amherst Regional High School Parent Center, presents a ton of information about where school funding comes from, how it gets spent, and how its budget process works, all in a well-designed and readable format. This is the latest addition to the plethora of Town budget information being made available on-line this year.
Help Wanted: So what are you doing on Tuesdays from 10:50 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.? Maybe you would like to help make a huge difference in the lives of local senior citizens by bringing them a hot lunch through the Highland Valley Elder Services Meals-on-Wheels program. I have been doing this for three and a half years, and it is the most rewarding volunteer experience I have ever had. Mine is the “walking route,” delivering meals via grocery cart to residents of Clark House and Ann Whalen apartments. It would be a big help to me to find someone who could do this route on Tuesdays. If you might be interested, e-mail me and I will give you more information. These are very special people receiving these meals, so you have to be an extra nice person to do this route. And if you are indeed extra nice and extra lucky, I might consider letting you take over another day as well. Maybe. The program is always looking for substitute drivers to fill in weekdays on other routes. For more information about those opportunities, call Ferne Finger at 259-3164, but if you want to do my route, contact me.
Spring Break: The colleges are on break this week. Enjoy a few days of easy left turns out of the Big Y plaza, more parking spaces available downtown and no waiting at the laundromats.
-- Stephanie O'Keeffe
