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: 23,764 (-1192)
Last Week: 5087-(-132).
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 Days: 11,410 (-455)
Last Week: 2453 (-98)

LOOK HERE FOR OUR YEAR-END 2021 SUMMARY STATS

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY
1.Letter: Is There Really “No Room” For New Businesses In Downtown Amherst?  by Ira Bryck
2. Board Of Health Hears Wild Claims From Anti-Vaxxers Amidst Omicron Surge by Maura Keene
3. Opinion: Petition Seeks To Force Revote On Parking Lot Rezoning by Ira Bryck
4. “Major Equity Issue” May Not Be Resolved In New School Building Project by Toni Cunningham
5. Local Historic District Commission Approves Renovations At 77 McClellan. Continues Public Hearing For Town Houses At Sunset & Fearing by Hilda Greenbaum

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Jones Library Building Committee Chooses Officers, Recommends Field Trip by Jeff Lee
2. Letter: Is There Really “No Room” For New Businesses In Downtown Amherst?  by Ira Bryck
3. Opinion: Just Because You Say It Does Not Make It So by Maura Keene
4. CRC Endorses Temporary Solar Moratorium by Art Keene
5. A Few Questions For Town Manager Paul Bockelman. Destination Amherst, What Is It? by Kitty Axelson-Berry

WHAT”S IN THIS ISSUE

NEW BREAKING
Opinion: Love Justice and Climate Change. Tips for Stepping Up Our Action On Climate Change by Russ Vernon-Jones
Siting Of Geothermal Wells Easier At Fort River By Toni Cunningham
Almanac: Diamonds and Pearls by Stephen Braun
CRESS Program Launches Web Site by Art Keene
Public Comment:  Amherst’s Required “Share” Of Ground-Mounted Solar Is Not 300 Acres by Michael Lipinski
An Urgent Peace Rally Outside Congressman McGovern’s Office in Northampton -No War With Russia! Abolish NATO! by Yoav Elinevsky
COVID-19 Update For The Week Of February 9, 2022 by Art and Maura Keene
Letter: Public Urged To Speak Out Against Harmful Aerial Mosquito Spraying by John Root

ARTS
Amherst To Participate In Public Art Training
Safe and Convenient – Local Online Music Opportunities Continue by Jeff Lee
Photo Of The Week: Morning Hike To The Top Of Skinner Mountain By Vira Douangmany Cage

CLIMATE / ENERGY / NATURE
Opinion: Love Justice and Climate Change. Tips for Stepping Up Our Action On Climate Change by Russ Vernon-Jones
Almanac: Diamonds and Pearls by Stephen Braun
Opinion: Capitalism Is Killing The Planet – It’s Time To Stop Buying Into Our Own Destruction by George Monbiot (for The Guardian)

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
Issues and Analyses: Are Amenities Frivolous Or Essential For Successful Economic Development? by Gerald Friedman
Issues & Analyses: What’s Up With All Those Empty Commercial Storefronts In New Mixed-use Developments? by Rachel Quednau (for Strong Towns)

EVENTS
Safe and Convenient – Local Online Music Opportunities Continue by Jeff Lee
Brown Bag On The Future Of Amherst Schools
Town Lunar New Year Celebration On Zoom,  February 9
Town Offers COVID Vaccine Clinic Every Thursday

FEATURES
Almanac: Diamonds and Pearls by Stephen Braun
Becoming Human: Amherst’s Common Share Food Co-op by Boone Shear
Photo Of The Week: Morning Hike To The Top Of Skinner Mountain By Vira Douangmany Cage

HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Letter: Library Trustees’ Failure To Comply With State Preservation Law Threatens Construction Grant by Molly Turner and Sarah McKee

ISSUES &. ANALYSES
Issues and Analyses: Are Amenities Frivolous Or Essential For Successful Economic Development? by Gerald Friedman
Issues & Analyses: What’s Up With All Those Empty Commercial Storefronts In New Mixed-use Developments? by Rachel Quednau (for Strong Towns)

LIBRARY
Progress On Preservation And Solar Bylaws by Maura Keene
Letter: Library Trustees’ Failure To Comply With State Preservation Law Threatens Construction Grant by Molly Turner and Sarah McKee

LOCAL BUSINESSES
Issues and Analyses: Are Amenities Frivolous Or Essential For Successful Economic Development? by Gerald Friedman
Issues & Analyses: What’s Up With All Those Empty Commercial Storefronts In New Mixed-use Developments? by Rachel Quednau (for Strong Towns)
Becoming Human: Amherst’s Common Share Food Co-op by Boone Shear

OPINION
Opinion: Love Justice and Climate Change. Tips for Stepping Up Our Action On Climate Change by Russ Vernon-Jones
Public Comment:  Amherst’s Required “Share” Of Ground-Mounted Solar Is Not 300 Acres by Michael Lipinski
Letter: Public Urged To Speak Out Against Harmful Aerial Mosquito Spraying by John Root
Letter: Library Trustees’ Failure To Comply With State Preservation Law Threatens Construction Grant by Molly Turner and Sarah McKee
Letter: Available Data Suggest COVID Transmission In Amherst Schools Is Minimal:  A Response To Maura Keene’s Question by Kate Queeney
Opinion: Dreaming About An Elementary School Performance Space by Michael Greenebaum
Opinion: Jennifer Shiao’s School Committee Blog. Most Of The Principals Who Have Left The District Have Been Women by Jennifer Shiao
Opinion: Capitalism Is Killing The Planet – It’s Time To Stop Buying Into Our Own Destruction by George Monbiot (for The Guardian)

PARKING
TSO Mulls Parking Permit Fee Increases by Art Keene

PUBLIC HEALTH
COVID-19 Update For The Week Of February 9, 2022 by Art and Maura Keene
Letter: Public Urged To Speak Out Against Harmful Aerial Mosquito Spraying by John Root
COVID-19 Update For The Week Of February 2, 2022 by Art and Maura Keene
Town Offers COVID Vaccine Clinic Every Thursday
Letter: Available Data Suggest COVID Transmission In Amherst Schools Is Minimal:  A Response To Maura Keene’s Question by Kate Queeney

SCHOOLS
Siting Of Geothermal Wells Easier At Fort River by Toni Cunningham
Brown Bag On The Future Of Amherst Schools
Opinion: Dreaming About An Elementary School Performance Space by Michael Greenebaum
Opinion: Jennifer Shiao’s School Committee Blog. Most Of The Principals Who Have Left The District Have Been Women by Jennifer Shiao

SOCIAL JUSTICE
CRESS Program Launches Web Site by Art Keene
An Urgent Peace Rally Outside Congressman McGovern’s Office in Northampton -No War With Russia! Abolish NATO! by Yoav Elinevksy

SOLAR
Public Comment:  Amherst’s Required “Share” Of Ground-Mounted Solar Is Not 300 Acres by Michael Lipinski
Progress On Preservation And Solar Bylaws by Maura Keene

SENIORS
Aging In Amherst Forums Now Available On Video by Art Keene

TOWN GOVERNMENT
Progress On Preservation And Solar Bylaws by Maura Keene
TSO Mulls Parking Permit Fee Increases by Art Keene
Amherst To Participate In Public Art Training
Town Manager Seeks Members For Boards & Committees