Amherst Briefs

Published on September 29, 2006

New zoning would allow more retail

A proposal to rezone eight properties on Main Street just east of the Emily Dickinson Homestead will go to Town Meeting this fall.

Some of them are zoned for commercial use, while others have residential zoning. Under the plan, all would have Village Center Business zoning.

The change would allow a wider range of business activities in the properties that currently have residential zoning, said Planning Director Jonathan Tucker. The proposal would avoid inappropriately intensive uses in those properties now zoned commercial, he said.

For example, lumber yards, car washes, kennels and drive-up restaurants are possible in commercial districts, but would not be under the new zoning. Retail stores, restaurants and professional offices are not allowed in the General Residence zone, but could be allowed under the new zoning.

The proposed new zoning is a 'low-level mixed-use district,' Tucker said. Many of the current uses do not conform to the existing zoning, and the change would bring them into conformity, he said.

The properties affected are: 321 Main St., a karate studio and two vacant spaces, one of which is due to become a grocery; 446 Main St., the Center for Cross-Cultural Study; 462 Main St., offices for real estate agents, builders, and attorney and a state housing agency; 502 Main St., a frame shop and arts center; the VFW building, which would be allowed in any zoning; three residential properties, including 502 Main St. and 13 and 15 High St.

Volunteers sought for planning talks

About 60 facilitators are needed for five mid-October meetings designed to gather opinions about Amherst's future.

The public-participation phase of the comprehensive plan will begin on Oct. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon in the auditorium of the Amherst Regional Middle School.

The other meetings will be Oct. 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Jones Library and from 7 to 9 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, and Oct. 20 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Franklin Patterson Hall at Hampshire College.

Participants will be randomly assigned to groups of 10 to 12, which will meet to brainstorm ideas and articulate Amherst's strengths and weaknesses.

Each group will have a trained facilitator who will read instructions to the group, collect their ideas, and manage a mapping exercise.

Training for the facilitators has been scheduled for Oct. 4 from noon to 2 p.m. Teachers, high school students and University of Massachusetts students enrolled in the Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Program are being recruited.

Those interested in being facilitators should call Niels la Cour at 259-3040 or e-mail lacourn@amherstma.gov.

Film fest, parade eyed for 250th fest

Art, music, lectures, films and a parade are all being planned now to celebrate Amherst's 250th anniversary in 2009.

'It's such a monumental effort we need to work hard to get organized. We want to do a good job. While Pat (Wagne) is focusing on the parade, we want events throughout the year,' said Barry Roberts, who chairs the 250th Anniversary Committee.

Adrienne Terrizzi agreed. 'We have to start now to get the venues and performers lined up and local arts groups invovled,' said Terrizzi, who chairs the Arts and Literature Subcommittee. In the works are a permanent piece of art, a film fest of local film makers and performances to showcase local talent. 'We want to honor Amherst's strong curtural history and to recognize the richness and diverse culture through visual and performing arts. We want to collaborate with area colleges and arts groups on the celebration,' Terrizzi said.

Donations will be needed to support the activities. 'We don't see town funding with the state of the town's finances,' Roberts said.

The first fund-raiser for the anniversary to support the parade will be Oct. 5 at Rafters. The social hour begins at 6 p.m. followed by buffet dinner at 7. Besides the auction, there will be history trivia games with prizes.

Tickets are $20 and available at A.J. Hastings, the Pub, the Jones Library, Rafters, Atkins Farm Country Market, Cowls Building Supply and Kelly's Restaurant.

Donations, made payable to the Town of Amherst, noted for the 250th Anniversary can be sent to Town Hall.

Other subcommittees include History, Fundraising, Promotion and Marketing and New Year's Kickoff and all could use volunteers. For information call Wagner at 549-0948 or Terrizzi 253-5039.

Library teaching computers, ebay

The Jones Library is offering a variety of computer classes this fall.

'Introduction to Computers' is a low-stress, hands-on class designed especially for novices. The class will teach residents how to use a mouse, keyboard, set up a computer and printer. The four-sesson class begins Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. and is repeated at 3 p.m. The fee is $10.

'Introduction to the Internet,' a five-session class, begins Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. and is repeated at 3 p.m. The class will describe how to find information from search engines, the library's online catalog, magazines and newspaper databases, plus how to set up and use email accounts. The fee is $10.

'eBay - Buying and Selling' is for those who want to find out how to open an account, how to bid and buy from an online auction and how to list items for sale. The two-session class will be held Dec. 7 and 14 at 1 p.m. and at 3 p.m.

The fee is $10 for both sessions.

Space is limited to 8 per class. Pre-registration is required. To register for any or all classes call the Reference Desk at 259-3090 or see the reference librarian. Visit www.joneslibrary.org for information.

Residents share experience in Iran

Amherst residents Eleanor Manire-Gatti and Frank Gatti will present 'A View From Iran' Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Grace Episcopal Church Parish Hall. The program, which will include slides and Iranian music, is free and open to the public.

The couple were part of a 23-member Fellowship of Reconciliation delegation that visited Iran last spring and were met with hospitality, generosity and curiosity, according to a release.

The delegation's purpose was to provide person-to-person contact with the people of Iran, to bring a message of peace and friendship and that conversation rather than confrontation was preferred.

The group spoke to minority religious leaders, young women at an orphanage, women at a theological school and poison gas victims at a rehabilitation center. The delegation also visited many historial sites, humble dwellings, palaces, an Armenian Orthodox church, a Zoroastrian temple and a Jewish synagogue.

The trip was a positive interchange bewteen two different cultures.

For information call 256-4937 or email at fmgatti@comcast.net.

Library inviting work from artists

Applications are now available for artists in either two or three-dimensional media, to apply for a month-long show at the Jones Library's Burnett Gallery.

The deadline for submissions is Oct. 16. The exhibition cycle runs from June 2007 through May 2008.

Applications may be submitted by individuals, pairs or groups from Amherst and surrounding towns. Applications are available across from the circulation desk at the library or online: joneslibrary.org.

For information call Adele Gladstone-Gilbert at 253-2786 or email at gilbert@oit.umass.edu.

Japanese visitors take in tourist sites

Students from Kanegasaki, Japan, Amherst's Sister City, and the city's retired mayor, Norio Takahashi, were in Amherst last week to visit Amherst College, the Emily Dickinson Museum, the Jones Library and the University of Massachusetts.

They are particularly interested in William Smith Clark, the first president of the Massachusetts Agricultural College now UMass, who went to Japan to found the Imperial College of Agriculture at Sapporo, now Hokkaido University.

'Our town is interested in having John Maki, who is 97, a scholar with a lot of familairty with our connection with Japan on the tour,' Select Board member Hwei-Ling Greeney said.

The Institute of East Asian Study at UMass hosted a wine tasting that was followed by a dinner at the UMass University Club.

'Every stop we make here there will be something special to showcase the institutions and highlight the connection between Amherst and Kanegasaki,' Greeney said.

Foliage Walk aids local ABC program

The 35th annual ABC Fall Foliage Walk will be held Oct. 14 to benefit the A Better Chance program.

Walkers can choose to hike the entire 20 kilometers or end at one of the checkpoints along the way. Walkers can register and begin at the Mill River Recreation Area from 8 to 11 a.m. or at the Amethyst Brook Conservation Area from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The walk ends at the ABC House on North Prospect Street where a community celebration will be held beginning at 4 p.m. Several ABC alumni are expected to attend the reception.

Walkers can pay a registration fee or solicit sponsors. Pledge cards are available at the Jones Library and in the public schools.

ABC is a national high school program for academically talented students of color from educationally underserved communities. Locally, the students attend Amherst Regional High School. There are eight ABC scholars this year.

For information or to make a donation visit amherstabetterchance.org or call 687-3383. Donations can be sent to Box 1922, Station 2, Amherst 01002.

Museum talk explores farming

James A. Smith will present an Overview of the History of Agriculture in Amherst in the 'History for Lunch' series Oct. 19. The talk will be held at noon in the Amherst History Museum Gallery at 67 Amity St.

The 'History for Lunch' series, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Amherst Historical Society and the Amherst Historical Commission. Residents may bring lunch.

The series continues Nov. 16, when former Amherst Conservation Director Peter Westover will discuss farm buildings and life on the farm during the 18th- to 20th-century in Amherst. The location has yet to be announced.

League offering breastfeeding talks

The La Leche League will sponsor a talk, 'Milk Supply and Demand,' Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. at the Jones Library.

The talk is part of a series held the second Wednesday of the month. The schedule includes: Nov. 8: 'Avoiding Common Difficulties' and Dec. 13: 'Natural Weaning.'

In addition, a series of enrichment meetings will be held at 6 p.m. at the library. The series includes: 'Baby Wearing: Slings and Carriers,' Oct. 24; 'Child Development,' Birth to Age 7,' Nov. 30.

Mother-to-mother support is the heart of the La Leche League, which was started in the 1950s by a group of new moms and has since grown into a huge international organization. At LLL meetings, moms share tips and techniques and find a continuing source of information, inspiration and support. Accredited Leaders, volunteers who are experienced breastfeeding mothers themselves, guide discussions, answer questions and provide phone help.

Expecting mothers, babies, and children are always welcome at meetings, as are health care providers and others interested in breastfeeding. Leaders are always available by phone to answer breastfeeding questions and make referrals. For information call Beth Anne at 253-3100, Ilene at 256-5998, or Maria at 253-1030.