AMHERST — Downtown Amherst sidewalks will be decorated with images of daffodils, and possibly lines of poetry, as a chalk walk kicks off the annual Daffodil Days events Saturday.
Sponsored by the Amherst Business Improvement District, residents, visitors and shoppers at the first Amherst Farmers Market of 2018, which runs from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Spring Street parking lot, are encouraged to get chalk at the BID’s tent beginning at 10 a.m.
There, they will get a map of the chalk art already completed by regional artists Nancy Haver, Jayne Rubenstein and Hampshire College student Lindsey Applegate, as well as artists curated by Lily Joy Friedling of Joy Art Space.
The BID is working with Amherst College student Helena Burgueno on the project.
Ann Tweedy, marketing director of the BID, said how many installations are completed prior to Saturday will depend on how dry the weather is in advance.
At the Jones Library, Mia Cabana, head of youth services, will lead a “make-a Minion” drawing program for children at 2 p.m., with a free screening of Despicable Me 3 at 3 p.m.
Also on Saturday, the fifth annual Dessert Crawl will benefit Reader to Reader, an Amherst nonprofit. Facilitated by the University of Massachusetts chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, visitors can get 10 desserts for $10 from restaurants from 1-4 p.m.
The following weekend will be the 8th Annual Daffodil Run 5K walk/run and 10K run for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, a program of the Center for Human Development The race begins at 10 a.m. April 29 from Kendrick Park, with same day registration starting at 8 a.m.
A forum on Amherst’s economic development strategy, the first of three planned, will be held at Town Room at Town Hall from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday.
In conjunction with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, residents, business owners and others are invited.
Geoff Kravitz, economic development director for the town, said in a statement it will be an opportunity to better understand the local economy.
“We want to engage people early in the process to ensure that the strategy reflects Amherst’s values,” Kravitz said.
Two draft reports, an economic indicators report and a retail market analysis, will be presented.
The local economic indicators report includes demographic information about Amherst residents, data on the largest industry sectors, businesses and nonprofit organizations and a snapshot of Amherst’s commercial and residential building stock.
The retail market analysis examines retail sales of Amherst businesses and spending habits of Amherst residents to identify the types of stores most likely to succeed in the community..
The economic development strategy will build on previous reports, including the 2014 UMass/Town of Amherst Housing and Economic Development Plan, the economic development chapter of the town Master Plan adopted in 2010.
Amherst received state funding for the development of the strategy through the best practices program of the state’s Community Compact Cabinet.
UMass is seeking community volunteers to assist with the May 11 undergraduate commencement, when 6,000 students and their families will celebrate graduation.
Tony Maroulis, executive director of External Relations and University Events, said commencement ambassadors help people to their seats, distribute programs and answer questions.
In addition, a few will drive golf carts that transport those with limited mobility.
Those who participate will receive a commemorative mug, a water bottle, a polo shirt and food vouchers and lunch at Berkshire Dining commons, and be entered into a raffle.
Volunteers can sign up at https://www.umass.edu/
commencement/volunteer-
registration-form
The Amherst Health Department will hold its annual rabies clinic at Hampshire Veterinary Hospital, 260 Snell St., April 28 from 10-11 a.m.
All dogs, cats and ferrets living in the state are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies.
The vaccine will be administered by Dr. Michael Katz, the town’s animal inspector
A $15 charge will be assessed for each pet.
Carol Hepburn, Amherst’s animal welfare officer, will be on hand to issue dog licenses.
For more information, call 259-3077.
MONDAY: Jones Library Budget Committee, 9:05 a.m., Goodwin Room, Jones Library; Dog Park Task Force, 6 p.m., First Floor Meeting Room, Town Hall; Select Board, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall.
TUESDAY: Amherst School Committee, 6 p.m., high school library; LSSE Commission, 6 p.m., conference room, Crocker Farm School.
WEDNESDAY: Jones Library Board of Trustees, 9:05 a.m., Goodwin Room, Jones Library.
THURSDAY: Finance Committee, 7 p.m., First Floor Meeting Room, Town Hall.
FRIDAY: Jones Library Investment Committee, 9:05 a.m., Goodwin Room, Jones Library.
