Community Shorts

Published: August 7, 2008

Market discount

Coupons for local Farmer's Markets will be available for Island residents 60 and over beginning this coming Monday. Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands are distributing the coupons as part of a first-come, first-served basis funded by a Federal Grant from the Department of Agriculture. You may pick up your $30 voucher, with proof of limited income (SSI, Section 8 Housing, Food Stamps, energy assistance, etc.), at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital between August 11 and 15.

Breach walk

The Trustees of Reservations invites you for a free morning hike this Monday, August 11, at 8:30 am. The three-mile over-sand walk begins at the Norton Point Beach entrance, located in Katama at the end of South Beach's left fork. There, you'll walk to the breach and back. For more information, call 508-627-3599.

For the love of the land

Polly Hill Arboretum's 11th annual David H. Smith Memorial Lecture is on Wednesday, August 13, with guest speaker Ellie Altman. Titled "Gardening Earth's Green Mantle," Ms. Altman focuses on gardening with conservation in mind, ecological restoration, land development, and habitat protection.

Mr. Smith, a driving force behind Island land conservation and an arboretum on Polly's property, was an early advocate of conservation science, and this lecture topic was appropriately chosen in his memory. Admission is $8; $5 for members. For more information, call 508-693-9426 or visit pollyhillarboretum.org.

Touchy feely

This Sunday, Island Alpaca welcomes you to the farm to meet five new baby alpaca. In addition to the weekly walking tours, video presentation and refreshments, there will also be a book signing from 5 to 8 pm featuring Betsy Corsiglia and Phyllis Meras' "Martha's Vineyard Quiet Pleasures." The farm is open from 1 to 8 pm.