AMHERST — A youth empowerment initiative for Amherst students attending the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, in which they will also learn entrepreneurial skills, will take place for two weeks in July.
Supported by the town’s American Rescue Plan Act money, the town’s Recreation Department is partnering with the nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship on what is being called BizCamp, designed to empower local students with the tools and mindsets necessary to navigate and succeed in a dynamic economy.
The free program, facilitated by University of Massachusetts student Junoon Giridhar and Amherst School Committee member Irv Rhodes will run Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 14 to July 24, at Amherst Regional High School.
The program will culminate in a Youth Entrepreneurship Pitch Challenge, providing students with the opportunity to present their business ideas to a panel of local business leaders and community members, who could be potential mentors and resources in their endeavors.
To apply to the program, go to bit.ly/Amherst-BizCamp-2025 The program is limited to 15 participants.
The town is seeking local entrepreneurs and business leaders to share their expertise with the participants as guest speakers or business plan coaches.
For more information, contact Amherst Recreation Outreach Director Becky Demling at demlingb@amherstma.gov.
Amherst will be celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks, food vendors, live entertainment and family-friendly activities on the evening of July 3, with set up on the South Lawn next to McGuirk Alumni Stadium at the University of Massachusetts.
The event runs from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be pushed back to July 6.
On Independence Day, a traditional bicycle parade and other activities will take place on the South Amherst Common.
Residents interested in running for elective office in November, with all positions open on various boards including the Town Council and School Committee, can begin getting nomination forms from the town clerk’s office on Tuesday.
At a recent Town Council meeting, District 1 Councilor Cathy Schoen, who has served since the inaugural council was formed in 2018, said she will not be seeking reelection, even though she had joy and privilege to chair the Elementary School Building Committee and also led the Finance Committee.
“I’ve tried to serve the whole town well, as well as my district well,” Schoen said.
“I hope to be able to continue to stay involved by serving as a resident member of the Finance Committee,” Schoen said.
The Amherst Woman’s Club is hosting a Speakeasy-themed fundraiser Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at its clubhouse at 35 Triangle St.
Open to the public, guests will use a secret entrance, and need to know the password to enter for the 1920s-style evening where wine and appetizers will be served and people will be encouraged to dress in appropriate period attire.
Ask Me Now, a local jazz band, will provide live music.
Half of the money raised is going to community organizations, including scholarships and grants to local food agencies, with the remainder for maintaining the historic Hills Memorial Clubhouse.
To register for or sponsor the event, go to amherstwomansclub.org, send email to Hello@AmherstWomansClub.org or or call 805-886-9291.
Amherst recently was awarded $218,820 grant to buy land that will help protect the safety and quality of the drinking water supply.
Coming from the Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant Program coordinated by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the wooded land being purchased is more than 50 acres in Pelham, next to designated watershed protection land already held by the town.
This strategic purchase will help preserve designated Zone A surface water that feeds into the Pelham Reservoir System — a vital source that supplies approximately one-third of Amherst’s drinking water.
MONDAY: Charter Review Committee listening session, 7 p.m., Large Activity Room, Bangs Community Center.