What’s In This Issue?

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ANALYTICS  .
(numbers in parentheses reflect the + or – change compared with the previous week.
Number of Unique Page Views:
Last 30 days: 25,338 (-1737)
Last Week: 5731 (-523).
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 Days: 12,847 (-275)
Last Week: 3046 (-22)

LOOK HERE FOR OUR YEAR-END 2021 SUMMARY STATS

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Shabazz Resigns From Board Of Registrars by Art Keene
2. Sunset–Fearing Townhouse Project Moves Forward by Maura Keene
3. Opinion: Why Can’t Amherst Have What Littleton, Massachusetts Has? by Ira Bryck
4. New Preservation Restriction For Jones Library Only Requires Preservation Of Building’s Exterior by Hilda Greenbaum
5. Town Of Amherst Finalizes Purchase Of Former Hickory Ridge Golf Course

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?
NEW/BREAKING
Opinion: Amherst School Committee Restores Art And Technology Specials Teachers For FY23 Budget – But How?  by Jennifer Shiao
Almanac: Warm Blood In A Cold Swamp. by Stephen Braun
COVID-19 Weekly Update For The Week Of March 30, 2022 by Art and Maura Keene
Public Comment: Budget Should Prioritize Educational Programs and Educators’ Salaries by Marisol Pierce Bonifaz
Letter: A Plea To Save Amherst’s Old Trees by Rani Parker

CAMPUS
UMass Study Implicates Drought In Viking Abandonment Of Greenland 
Brooke Hauser To Speak On Women, COVID, And  The Meaning Of Work
UMass Panel To Explore “Telling The Truth About History”
Issues and Analyses: Colleges See Untapped Potential In Geothermal District Energy Systems

CLIMATE / ENVRONMENT / NATURE
Update On Amherst’s Family Of Bears
Opinion: Love Justice, And Climate Change. Climate Change And The War In Ukraine  by Russ Vernon-Jones
Photos Of The Week: A Light Dusting Of Snow By John Root

ENERGY / NET ZERO
Net Zero Aspects of School Project To Be Discussed March 29 by Toni Cunningham
Local Energy Advocates Western Mass Launches First Project To Promote Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction
Net Zero Subcommittee Will Hear Presentation On HVAC Systems
Issues and Analyses: Colleges See Untapped Potential In Geothermal District Energy Systems

EVENTS
Net Zero Subcommittee Will Hear Presentation On HVAC Systems
Brooke Hauser To Speak On Women, COVID, And  The Meaning Of Work
UMass Panel To Explore “Telling The Truth About History”

FEATURES
Beyond The Fog Of War: Books To Help Us Understand The Invasion Of Ukraine by Oliver Bullough (for the Guardian)
A Better World Is Possible: Closing The Digital Divide. How Communities Are Addressing The Digital Divide Equitably And Quickly by Isabella Garcia (for Yes Magazine)
Photos Of The Week: A Light Dusting Of Snow By John Root
Town Manager Report For March 21, 2022

HOUSING
TSO Considers Raising Rental Permit Fees. Rejects Proposal To Close North Pleasant Street To Vehicular Traffic In Summer by Art Keene
Council Debates CPAC Allocations by Maura Keene
Councilors Consider Revising Rental Permit Regulations by Maura Keene
Letter: Amherst Community Land Trust Looks To Purchase Single Family Home by Linda Slakey

HISTORY
Council Debates CPAC Allocations by Maura Keene
UMass Study Implicates Drought In Viking Abandonment Of Greenland 
Brooke Hauser To Speak On Women, COVID, And  The Meaning Of Work
UMass Panel To Explore “Telling The Truth About History”

LIBRARY
Library Looks To Add New Department; Building Committee To Seek Ideas From Public by Jeff Lee

OPINION
Public Comment: Sunset / Fearing Neighborhood Trees Should Be Preserved by Paige Wilder
Letter: Amherst Community Land Trust Looks To Purchase Single Family Home by Linda Slakey
Opinion: Why Amherst Needs A Food Coop by Alex Kent
Opinion: Love Justice, And Climate Change. Climate Change And The War In Ukraine  by Russ Vernon-Jones

PUBLIC HEALTH
COVID-19 Weekly Update For The Week Of March 23, 2022 by Art and Maura Keene

SCHOOLS
Net Zero Aspects of School Project To Be Discussed March 29 by Toni Cunningham
Net Zero Subcommittee Will Hear Presentation On HVAC Systems

SENIORS
Public Encouraged To Respond To Senior Survey. Second Mailing Sent This Week by Maura Keene

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Amherst Ceremony Calls For End To War In Ukraine by Art Keene
UMass Panel To Explore “Telling The Truth About History”
Letter: Amherst Community Land Trust Looks To Purchase Single Family Home by Linda Slakey
Opinion: Why Amherst Needs A Food Coop by Alex Kent
A Better World Is Possible: Closing The Digital Divide. How Communities Are Addressing The Digital Divide Equitably And Quickly by Isabella Garcia (for Yes Magazine)

TOWN GOVERNMENT
Library Looks To Add New Department; Building Committee To Seek Ideas From Public by Jeff Lee
TSO Considers Raising Rental Permit Fees. Rejects Proposal To Close North Pleasant Street To Vehicular Traffic In Summer by Art Keene
Public Encouraged To Respond To Senior Survey. Second Mailing Sent This Week by Maura Keene
Amherst Ceremony Calls For End To War In Ukraine by Art Keene
Town Clerk Recommends Polling Places For New Precincts. Council Hears First Presentation On Historic Preservation Bylaw by Maura Keene
Council Debates CPAC Allocations by Maura Keene
Councilors Consider Revising Rental Permit Regulations by Maura Keene
Public Comment: Sunset / Fearing Neighborhood Trees Should Be Preserved by Paige Wilder
Town Manager Report For March 21, 2022

VOTING
Town Clerk Recommends Polling Places For New Precincts. Council Hears First Presentation On Historic Preservation Bylaw by Maura Keene

WAR / WORLD NEWS
Amherst Ceremony Calls For End To War In Ukraine by Art Keene
Opinion: Love Justice, And Climate Change. Climate Change And The War In Ukraine  by Russ Vernon-Jones
Beyond The Fog Of War: Books To Help Us Understand The Invasion Of Ukraine by Oliver Bullough (for the Guardian)