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: 25,321 (+1261)
Last Week: 6823 (+604).
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 Days: 13,433 (+577)
Last Week: 3645 (+261)

LOOK HERE FOR OUR YEAR-END 2021 SUMMARY STATS

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Bears Oh My!  Community Chat Explores Everything You Need To Know About Bears In Amherst  by Art Keene
2. Letter:  When Choosing Site Of New School, Consider Traffic by Ira Bryck
3. Letter: Amherst Needs More Collaboration Between Residents And BID/Chamber Of Commerce by Jay Silverstein
4. Library Project Dilemma – Reduce Costs, Raise More Funds, Or Both by Jeff Lee
5.Nine Lots In Amherst Hills Released For Sale After Funds For Road Completion Placed In Escrow by Maura Keene

WHAT”S IN THIS ISSUE?
NEW / BREAKING
COVID-19 Weekly Update For The Week Of May 18, 2022. by Art and Maura Keene
Parklets Arrive In Downtown Amherst
Public Forum Scheduled On Housing Needs Of Older Adults by Maura Keene
A Better World Is Possible: Community Land Trusts Make Housing Affordable by Alexander Thompson and Jocelyn Yang (for Yes Magazine)
Letter: In Developing Downtown Amherst,  Plan For The Future by Ira Bryck
Opinion: In A Democratic Society, The Public’s Voice Must Be Heard by Dorothy Pam
Amherst Residents Stand Out To Support Abortion Rights by Art Keene

BUDGET
Timber Construction For New Library Gets Thumbs Up by Jeff Lee
Amherst Pelham Education Association Says School Committee Offer Is A Pay Cut

CAMPUS
New UMass Poll Finds Increasing Disapproval of Supreme Court, Support For Keeping Roe On the Books
Tastes Like Summer: Winning Flavor At Annual UMass Amherst Ice Cream Contest Is Spicy Pineapple Margarita
UMass Sponsors Online Discussion: ‘The End of Roe? From The Past Of Reproductive Rights To The Future Of Reproductive Justice’
UMass Dining to Hold On-the-Spot Job Interview Event On May 16, 17

CLIMATE / ENERGY / NATURE
Understanding Geothermal Energy: An Online Presentation
A Better World Is Possible:  Creating Towns That Are Bicycle Friendly by Art Keene

EVENTS
May 14 Actions Planned Across The Country To Protest Anticipated Repeal Of Roe v Wade
UMass Sponsors Online Discussion: ‘The End of Roe? From The Past Of Reproductive Rights To The Future Of Reproductive Justice’
UMass Dining to Hold On-the-Spot Job Interview Event On May 16, 17
Understanding Geothermal Energy: An Online Presentation
Senior Center Sponsors Self-Care Week
What’s Happening In Amherst? by Art Keene

FEATURES
Dear Reader. by Art Keene
Speak Up! Share Your Comments With The Jones Library Outreach Committee by Jeff Lee
A Better World Is Possible:  Creating Towns That Are Bicycle Friendly by Art Keene
In Photos: Rallying For Roe by Michael Luong (for Yes Magazine)

LIBRARY
Timber Construction For New Library Gets Thumbs Up by Jeff Lee
Speak Up! Share Your Comments With The Jones Library Outreach Committee by Jeff Lee

OPINION
Public Comment: Yes! The Town Should Be Investing In The Vacated School Building by Toni Cunningham
Letter:  Follow The Science.  Fort River Is The Best Site For A New School by Maria Kopicki
Letter: Where Will We Park This Saturday Night? by Ken Rosenthal

PARKING
Letter: Where Will We Park This Saturday Night? by Ken Rosenthal

PROTEST
Amherst Pelham Education Association Says School Committee Offer Is A Pay Cut
May 14 Actions Planned Across The Country To Protest Anticipated Repeal Of Roe v Wade

PUBLIC HEALTH
Amherst Joins COVID Wastewater Surveillance Program
COVID-19 Weekly Update For The Week Of May 11, 2022 by Art and Maura Keene

RECREATION
ARHS Teams Dominate Amherst Invitational Tournament Again by Nancy Gonter Weld
Updates On Summer Pool Openings

ROE v. WADE
New UMass Poll Finds Increasing Disapproval of Supreme Court, Support For Keeping Roe On the Books
May 14 Actions Planned Across The Country To Protest Anticipated Repeal Of Roe v Wade
UMass Sponsors Online Discussion: ‘The End of Roe? From The Past Of Reproductive Rights To The Future Of Reproductive Justice
In Photos: Rallying For Roe by Michael Luong (for Yes Magazine)

SCHOOLS
Amherst Pelham Education Association Says School Committee Offer Is A Pay Cut
ARHS Teams Dominate Amherst Invitational Tournament Again by Nancy Gonter Weld
Public Comment: Yes! The Town Should Be Investing In The Vacated School Building by Toni Cunningham
Letter:  Follow The Science.  Fort River Is The Best Site For A New School by Maria Kopicki

SENIORS
Senior Center Sponsors Self-Care Week

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Amherst Names First Director Of Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion
New UMass Poll Finds Increasing Disapproval of Supreme Court, Support For Keeping Roe On the Books
May 14 Actions Planned Across The Country To Protest Anticipated Repeal Of Roe v Wade
UMass Sponsors Online Discussion: ‘The End of Roe? From The Past Of Reproductive Rights To The Future Of Reproductive Justice’

TOWN GOVERNMENT
Timber Construction For New Library Gets Thumbs Up by Jeff Lee
Amherst Names First Director Of Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion
Amherst Joins COVID Wastewater Surveillance Program
Public Comment: Yes! The Town Should Be Investing In The Vacated School Building by Toni Cunningham
Letter:  Follow The Science.  Fort River Is The Best Site For A New School by Maria Kopicki
Letter: Where Will We Park This Saturday Night? by Ken Rosenthal

STATE GOVERNMENT
State Senator Jo Comerford Holds Virtual Town Hall