What’s in This Issue?

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ANALYTICS
Analytics are back!
Numbers in parentheses indicate change from the previous week.

Number of Unique Page Views:
Last 30 days: 63,505 (+1199)
Last Week: 14,535 (-3074)
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 days: 36,117 (+875)
Last Week : 7,888 (-1986)

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Plans to Complete Jones Library Historic Preservation Review Remain Murky. Capital Campaign Again Fails to Submit Report by Maura Keene
2. Amherst Sets Townwide Speed Limit at 25 MPH by Amherst Indy
3. School Committees Respond to Anonymous Accusations Against Superintendent by Maura Keene
4. UMass Advises International Students to Return to U.S. Before Inauguration by Art Keene
5. Opinion: The Coming Trumpocalypse and the Jones Library Expansion Project by Art Keene

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?

ARTS

• Annual Holiday Show and Sale at Gallery A3
• What’s Happening in Amherst? by Art and Maura Keene
• Photo Essay:  Amherst College Art Students Get Active in Amherst  by Hetty Startup

BUDGET

• Finance Committee Recommends Increase to School Budget Base and No Change to CRESS Funding by Maura Keene
• Budget Discussion Focuses on School Funding by Maura. Keene
• Town Council Hears About Four Ways to Pay for Amherst’s Major Capital Projects by Maura Keene

CAMPUS

• UMass Advises International Students to Return to U.S. Before Inauguration
• Third Annual Ellsberg Lecture with Bill McKibben, December 2 at UMass
• Photo Essay:  Amherst College Art Students Get Active in Amherst  by Hetty Startup

DEMOCRACY

• Opinion: Why We Lost the Future by Lou Conover

EVENTS

• Third Annual Ellsberg Lecture with Bill McKibben, December 2 at UMass
• Annual Holiday Show and Sale at Gallery A3
• What’s Happening in Amherst? by Art and Maura Keene

CLIMATE / ENERGY / ENVIRONMENT / NATURE

• Critical Drought Condition Declared for Connecticut Valley
• Third Annual Ellsberg Lecture with Bill McKibben, December 2 at UMass
• Letter: Legislature Adopts New Solar Siting Act by Michael Pill
• Opinion: Why We Lost the Future by Lou Conover
• Opinion: Not Giving up on the Climate by Russ Vernon-Jones
• Census of Amherst’s 6000 Public Trees Will Enhance Management of Our Urban Forest by Henry Lappen
• Saving Money on Clean Energy for Schools by Nick Grabbe
• Photo of the Week: Holiday Parade by Art Keene

FEATURES

• Census of Amherst’s 6000 Public Trees Will Enhance Management of Our Urban Forest by Henry Lappen
• Saving Money on Clean Energy for Schools by Nick Grabbe
• Resources for Women and LGBTQ+ People in Uncertain Times by Dede Wilson and Robin Jaffin
• Photo Essay:  Amherst College Art Students Get Active in Amherst  by Hetty Startup
• Photo of the Week: Holiday Parade by Art Keene

HOUSING

• Planning Board Continues to Discuss University Drive Overlay District and ADU Guidelines by Maura Keene

HISTORY / HISTORIC PRESERVATION

• Jones Library Project Proposes No Further Changes to Design in Response to Historic Preservation Review by Art Keene

LIBRARY

• Jones Library Project Proposes No Further Changes to Design in Response to Historic Preservation Review by Art Keene
• Extension Requested for Start of Library Renovation by Art Keene
• Letter: Town Council Has an Obligation to Investigate Financial Viability of Jones Expansion by Mickey Rathbun
• Letter: Finance Committee Is Obligated to Provide Residents with an Up-To-Date Fiscal Analysis of Jones Project by Ira Bryck
• Letter: Town Needs Accurate Accounting of Jones Library Project Financials by Sarah McKee

OPINION

• Letter: Town Council Has an Obligation to Investigate Financial Viability of Jones Expansion by Mickey Rathbun
• Letter: Finance Committee Is Obligated to Provide Residents with an Up-To-Date Fiscal Analysis of Jones Project by Ira Bryck
• Letter: Town Needs Accurate Accounting of Jones Library Project Financials by Sarah McKee
• Letter: Legislature Adopts New Solar Siting Act by Michael Pill
• Opinion: Charter Review – Public Take Notice.  It Will Be Ten Years Before You Have Another Chance to Weigh In. by Anita Sarro
• Opinion: Why We Lost the Future by Lou Conover
• Opinion: Not Giving up on the Climate by Russ Vernon-Jones

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY

• Mental Health Needs in Amherst Schools Are Growing.  Family Center Services Will Be Expanded. by Art Keene
• Safety Zones Coming to Streets Near Middle School and High School by. Maura Keene
• Amherst Sets Townwide Speed Limit at 25 MPH
• Fort River Elementary Students Petition for Safe, Separated Bike Lanes
• Resources for Women and LGBTQ+ People in Uncertain Times by Dede Wilson and Robin Jaffin

RESOURCES

• Resources for Women and LGBTQ+ People in Uncertain Times by Dede Wilson and Robin Jaffin

SCHOOLS

• Mental Health Needs in Amherst Schools Are Growing.  Family Center Services Will Be Expanded by Art Keene
• Finance Committee Recommends Increase to School Budget Base and No Change to CRESS Funding by Maura Keene
• Budget Discussion Focuses on School Funding by Maura Keene
• Safety Zones Coming to Streets Near Middle School and High School by. Maura Keene
• Fort River Elementary Students Petition for Safe, Separated Bike Lanes
• Saving Money on Clean Energy for Schools by Nick Grabbe

TOWN GOVERNMENT

• Jones Library Project Proposes No Further Changes to Design in Response to Historic Preservation Review by Art Keene
• Extension Requested for Start of Library Renovation by Art Keene
• Planning Board Continues to Discuss University Drive Overlay District and ADU Guidelines by Maura Keene
• Finance Committee Recommends Increase to School Budget Base and No Change to CRESS Funding by Maura Keene
• Budget Discussion Focuses on School Funding by Maura Keene
• Town Council Hears About Four Ways to Pay for Amherst’s Major Capital Projects by Maura Keene
• Safety Zones Coming to Streets Near Middle School and High School by Maura Keene
• Amherst Sets Townwide Speed Limit at 25 MPH
• Letter: Town Council Has an Obligation to Investigate Financial Viability of Jones Expansion by. Mickey Rathbun
• Letter: Finance Committee Is Obligated to Provide Residents with an Up-To-Date Fiscal Analysis of Jones Project by Ira Bryck
• Letter: Town Needs Accurate Accounting of Jones Library Project Financials by Sarah McKee
• Letter: Legislature Adopts New Solar Siting Act by Michael Pill
• Opinion: Charter Review – Public Take Notice.  It Will Be Ten Years Before You Have Another Chance to Weigh In. by Anita Sarro
• Census of Amherst’s 6000 Public Trees Will Enhance Management of Our Urban Forest by Henry Lappen