Forum coming up on three of November’s ballot questions
NORTHAMPTON — Area voters have a chance to learn about three of the nine questions that will appear on November’s ballots at a forum, “What’s On Your Ballot? Learn About Ballot Questions 3, 5, and 7.”
The forum is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Northampton High School auditorium. Presenters for and against each ballot question will share their views and respond to audience questions.
The forum is free and open to the public. To register and submit a question for the panel, visit bit.ly/357RSVP. The forum will also be livestreamed by Northampton Open Media and Easthampton Media.
The forum is co-sponsored by the Northampton Democratic City Committee, Southampton Democratic Town Committee, Northampton Youth Commission, Indivisible Easthampton, Indivisible Northampton and the Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership.
Question 3 proposes changes to the state’s primary elections. Should Massachusetts replace party primaries with a single primary where all candidates appear on one ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election regardless of party? John Griffin, executive director of Partners In Democracy, will present the case in support of this question. Jordan Berg Powers of the No on 3 Campaign will represent the opponents of the proposed change.
Question 5 addresses state revenue and spending limits. Should Massachusetts change how it calculates the state’s tax revenue limit, including counting income tax revenue from the “Fair Share” surtax (the additional tax on income over $1 million) toward that limit, thereby reducing state revenue? Chris Keohan of CK Strategies will present the supporters’ arguments in favor. Shanique Rodriguez of MA Voter Table will argue in opposition to the question.
Question 7 addresses the issue of land use. Should cities and towns be required to allow single-family homes on residential lots that meet minimum standards (at least 5,000 square feet, at least 50 feet of street frontage, and access to public sewer and water) Andrew Mikula of Legalize Starter Homes will present the arguments in favor of this question. Adrienne Nunez, senior legislative analyst for Massachusetts Municipal Association, will present the case against this question.
For more information, contact Catherine Kay at 413-563-1318 or Elizabeth Silver at 413-531-9937.
Northampton Education Foundation seeks Spelling Bee teams, sponsors
NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Education Foundation (NEF) seeks team sponsors and teams for the 24th Annual Adult Spelling Bee taking place Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity, 130 Pine St.
The NEF Spelling Bee is well-attended by an enthusiastic audience of community members and NEF supporters. Up to 40 teams composed of three adults, most in costume, vie for awards in spelling, costume and humor. The Bee will be broadcast live by WHMP and recorded and shared for replay by Northampton Open Media.
Spelling Bee teams can also opt in to peer-to-peer fundraising, raising additional funds from friends and family. Prizes will be awarded to the Honey Bees — the teams that bring in the highest amounts.
Funds raised by the NEF Spelling Bee support the organization’s Small Grants for Teachers program. These grants are particularly essential to schools in the face of rising costs for educators to implement creative initiatives.
In the 2025-26 school year, NEF awarded 22 grants totaling $66,772. Projects funded by the grants included a Farm-to-Table Culinary Lab at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School; a Holocaust education program at Northampton High School entitled Four Winters: Youth, Resistance, and Moral Courage; multimedia production equipment and training for all the elementary schools, allowing them to produce high-quality digital projects that enhance classroom learning, storytelling, and community connection; and professional development for teacher well-being at JFK Middle School.
Community members can be a part of the Spelling Bee as sponsors and participants. Businesses, organizations and community members are invited to register a Spelling Bee team for $300. Those who want to sponsor without organizing a team can be matched to a team, and those who want to form a team can be matched with a sponsor.
Sponsors and teams can register on NEF’s website at northamptoneducation.org/community-events/adult-spelling-bee.
Bank to host financial skills workshop for youth
Greenfield / Northampton Cooperative Bank is hosting “Fuel Your Future: Financial Skills for Young Adults,” a complimentary workshop geared toward young adults looking to build smart financial habits.
Joanna O’Leary, branch manager, and Jimmy Rosario, assistant branch manager, are inviting young adults to stop by the bank’s South Hadley branch during business hours Sept. 14-18 to discuss topics like creating a budget, building up savings and financial safety.
O’Leary and Rosario will guide attendees through a range of banking tips like fraud awareness and building a financial safety net, while also answering questions about finances. Attendees will have the chance to learn about different types of deposit accounts, like free checking and vibe bundle accounts, plus the co-op’s online tools and resources.
The South Hadley branch is located at 487 Newton St., South Hadley and is open between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. There is no registration necessary.
UMass Libraries to toasts new Du Bois film
AMHERST — The University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries will celebrate the recent PBS documentary “W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With A Cause” at its Annual Fall Reception, Friday, Sept. 18, at 6 p.m., in the Bromery Center for the Arts.
The film’s director, Rita Coburn, will join scholars and collaborators Karida Brown and Whitney Battle-Baptiste to discuss how archival discoveries and scholarship — developed in partnership with UMass’ Robert S. Cox Special Collections & University Archives Research Center (SCUA) — shaped the film’s portrait of Du Bois’ life and legacy. The event is free and open to the public, though registration is required.
“We are honored to have Rita Coburn and Dr. Brown join Dr. Battle-Baptiste and the Libraries on stage to celebrate the film and the extraordinary life and legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois,” said Curtis Brundy, dean of UMass Amherst Libraries. “Their groundbreaking work, scholarship, and dedication have made significant contributions to our understanding of Du Bois and his enduring impact.”
The event is presented by University Libraries in partnership with SCUA and the W.E.B. Du Bois Center, and is sponsored by the UMass Amherst Foundation and the Fine Arts Center. More information is available on the UMass Amherst Libraries website.