signBy SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Locally grown produce, cheese, cut flowers, herbs and prepared foods will be available as the Amherst Farmers Market begins its 50th season Saturday.
The market, which again will be on the Town Common instead of in the Spring Street parking lot, runs from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays each week through Nov. 20.
Though COVID-19 protocols are still in place, with masks required and social distancing used to keep people safe, the market is able to start on time this year, unlike last year when it was delayed until after Memorial Day.
Market manager David Machowski said the market will be held every week, rain or shine.
About 36 vendors are registered to participate during the course of the spring, summer and fall, including Sunset Farm, Apex Orchards and Twin Oaks Farm, along with Bread Euphoria, Sam’s Wooden Bowls and Crooked Stick Pops.
Plans to improve the Pomeroy village center, possibly with a rebuilt intersection, will be the focus of a pop-up event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.
At the parking lot at 445 West St., Town Manager Paul Bockelman, Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek and Planning Director Chris Brestrup will lead an informal discussion and walking tour of the project area to be paid for using a $1.5 million MassWorks Infrastructure grant.
People are welcome to drop by to share thoughts on pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular safety, and to offer creative ideas for growing the village center. Those who attend are reminded to adhere to COVID-19 era safety protocols such as mask-wearing and social distancing.
For more information, send email to planning@amherstma.gov.
The Town Council celebrated the University of Massachusetts hockey national championship this week by issuing a proclamation that will be delivered to head coach Greg Carvel and Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy.
The procalamation, drafted by District 4 Councilor Evan Ross, observes that “sports bring communities together and help us develop and strengthen social bonds” and credits the players, coaches and staff for “dedication and devotion to their sport.”
“We acknowledge the historic significance of UMass hockey’s championship victory for the team, UMass and for our town,” the proclamation reads.
Ross said that it’s important for the town, as the host community, to celebrate alongside UMass for its good work.
Three new restaurants are in the process of coming to downtown Amherst.
Garcia’s is being planned for the former Bertucci’s and Porta space on East Pleasant Street, and is to be run by Federico Mendiola, who operates Frontera Grill Mexican restaurants in Chicopee and Springfield.
Mexcalito has signs posted on the doors at the former Rao’s Coffee space at 17 Kellogg Ave., while Vic’s would be on the street level of the One East Pleasant building.
UMass recently announced two leaders who will handle matters of equity and inclusion and equal opportunity.
Nefertiti Walker will be the vice chancellor for equity and inclusion, an office created by Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy in 2017, and also the chief diversity officer. A faculty member in the Isenberg School of Management, Walker has been serving in a similar capacity on an interim basis.
Walker’s work will include forming and strengthening socially just learning and working environments that foster a culture of excellence through diverse people, ideas and perspectives. In addition, Walker will oversee the implementation of the Diversity Strategic Plan and nurture a positive campus climate for students, staff and faculty.
“UMass has an abundance of people deeply entrenched in the work of diversity, equity and inclusion, and there has been impressive progress toward our goals,” Walker said in a statement. “In this role, I hope to continue the momentum towards inclusive excellence, while being responsive to the needs of our climate and community.”
Kerri Thompson Tillett will be the associate vice chancellor for equal opportunity beginning May 17.
Tillett most recently was associate vice president for the Division of Inclusive Excellence at The College of New Jersey and has more than 15 years of experience in the equal opportunity space in large public organizations, including in the federal government and at the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The new position will allow Tillett, serving as the Title IX, VI and VII and ADA coordinators, to lead implementation of university policies concerning prohibited discrimination and harassment.
WEDNESDAY: Elenentary School Building Committee, 7:30 a.m., virtual meeting via Zoom.