Passover greetings to our Jewish neighbors and friends.

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Garden report: the crocus have bloomed. The lettuce seeds I planted indoors have sprouted.

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Tuesday, April 15 is the deadline to file federal and state income tax returns. We don’t get the extra day in Massachusetts since Patriots Day is celebrated April 21 this year.

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Tree Warden Alan Snow attracted quite a crowd when he was the guest at the monthly coffee with Paul Bockleman awhile back. Many expressed interest in helping with tree planting. Now is the time. The Amherst Shade Tree Committee begins its monthly tree planting Sat., April 12 from 9 a.m. - noon on the Town Common. Look for the people with shovels. It’s free!

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After planting trees reward yourself with the Downtown Dessert Crawl Saturday, April 12 from 3-6 p.m. at various venues. In addition there is a scavenger hunt and prizes. Tickets are at the Visitor’s Center, which is also the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce and BID office.

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The League of Women Voters, of which I am a member, continues its Judy Brooks Conversation Series Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. via Zoom with a focus on how the Amherst Mobile Market fills a gap in access to fresh produce while also building community and promoting local economic development. According to an email from Bonnie Isman of Amherst, Rossana Salazar, Rani Parker, Isabel Ramirez Balderas and Elizabeth Castro Sanchez, from market, will explain how their mobile markets bring fresh, healthy, and affordable food to underserved neighborhoods. Visit: lwvamherst.org to register.

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Kathy Lanza sent me an email about a Call for Artists for the next round of virtual exhibits in the Burnett Gallery at the Jones Library that begins August 2025 and ends July 2026.

She wrote the goal is a variety of media styles, cultural viewpoints, and levels of artist expression. The deadline is May 9. For information visit:joneslibrary.org/galleryapplication.

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I saw several people I haven’t seen in years at various event this weekend. It was wonderful catching up.

I had the clam chowder at the Amherst Survival Center’s Empty Bowl fundraiser. It was good.

The Hands Off rally downtown had a crowd that ringed both sides of the common.

Many thanks to all those who picked up trash on the Round Up Day Sunday. As I was driving around town, I saw lots of areas and neighborhoods were being cleaned up.

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