AMHERST — A naturalization oath ceremony in which 50 candidates from 29 countries will become American citizens takes place at the hall at Munson Memorial Library on Tuesday morning,
Beginning at 11 a.m. at the 1046 South East St. site, Judge Katherine A. Robertson of the U.S. District Court in Springfield will preside over the event hosted by the Jones Library.
In recent years, Amherst has been home to two naturalization ceremonies each year, one at Bowker Auditorium at Stockbridge Hall at the University of Massachusetts, and the other at the library, typically in late summer or early fall.
Welcoming and congratulatory remarks will be offered by Lynne Weintraub, the coordinator of the library’s English as a Second Language Center, Town Council President Lynn Griesemer, state Sen. Jo Comerford, Lily Stowe-Alekman, staff director for state Rep. Mindy Domb and Koby Gardner-Levine, district representative for U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern.
The 50 individuals who are becoming citizens come from Albania, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Germany, Ghana, Guyana, India, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Kosovo, Mauritius, Moldova, Nepal, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Rwanda, Singapore, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Uruguay and Vietnam.
A lengthy process is becoming a citizen, including people learning the fundamentals of American history and government.
Block Party returns
The Amherst Business Improvement District is putting on the annual Block Party for the 11th time on Sept. 19, with North Pleasant Street to be closed between Hallock Street to the north and Amity Street to the south.
Activities will run from 5 to 9 p.m. At either end of the closed-off street will be stages, with musical and other performers, and between will be aerialists, acrobats, stilt walkers, jugglers and street performers.
Numerous booths will also line the road, with local and regional organizations and town departments handing out information, as well as restaurants selling food and others offering various services and products.
Another opportunity for people to meet town staff takes place during an open house at the Bangs Community Center Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
During the open house, the public can chat with staff at the Senior Center, Department of Public Health, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Veterans’ Services, Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service and the John P. Musante Health Center, as well as listen to music from Eli Elkus, enjoy refreshments and enter raffles.
Roger Wallace Excellence in Teaching Award
Crocker Farm School Librarian Waleska Santiago-Centeno is the recipient of this year’s Roger Wallace Excellence in Teaching award, recognizing an outstanding elementary school teacher at the Amherst and Pelham schools as chosen by peers.
Santiago-Centeno will be celebrated at a dinner at Amherst College’s Valentine Hall on Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. The award, established in 2013, is named after Roger L. Wallace, who retired in June 2012 after teaching for 39 years, 38 at Fort River School.
Tickets can be purchased in person from board members or with Venmo via QR code, or at bit.ly/WallaceTickets. People who buy tickets should indicate RLWEiT when making the purchase.
Climate event
Before Climate Preparedness Week takes place starting Sept. 24, the Jones Library is holding a discussion and presentation led by former state representative Solomon Goldstein-Rose.
Starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Woodbury Room, Goldstein-Rose, a climate activist since he was 11, will talk about solutions to climate change that can be implemented at the societal level.
Goldstein-Rose’s work in the Legislature, and outreach and analysis, turned into the book “The 100% Solution” and he has since given local, national and international presentations to activist groups, trade conferences, and public festivals.
To register for the event, contact the library’s reference desk at 413-259-3096 or send an email to [email protected].
Off-campus residential gatherings
Ongoing efforts to involve local college students in town affairs, and to meet their neighbors, are taking place as the fall semester begins.
The town’s community participation officers and public safety officials are partnering with the off-campus housing officer at the University of Massachusetts to hold three gatherings. The first took place this week on Phillips Street, with the next on Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. on Valley Lane, and the final one Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. on North Prospect Street at the Lane Pastoral Center. Each event will have food, with both students and permanent residents invited.
The idea is to have people meet and interact, as well as to learn from the town about opportunities to get involved.
Meetings
MONDAY: Public Shade Tree Committee, 5:30 p.m.
TUESDAY: Amherst School Committee, 6:30 p.m., high school library.
WEDNESDAY: Personnel Board, 10 a.m., First Floor Meeting Room, Town Hall; Planning Board, 6:30 p.m.
FRIDAY: Elementary School Building Committee, 8:30 a.m.
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Publish date : 2024-09-13 14:28:00
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