Noteworthy events

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Book club for kids

Children aged 9 to 11 are invited to participate in a book club at the West Tisbury Free Public Library. On Thursday, August 12, those interested can come to the library to choose a book. A book discussion will take place two weeks later on Thursday, August 26 at 4 pm also at the library. For more information contact the West Tisbury Library at 508-693-3366. The library is located at 1042 State Road in Vineyard Haven.

Fun at the Edgartown Light

Vineyard Stories (a book publishing company on the Island) and the Martha’s Vineyard Museum will collaborate to host a unique program this Friday, August 13, at the Edgartown Lighthouse. “Ships and Sailors” will run from 6 to 8 pm and will include a tour of the lighthouse, music, and grog and hardtack (snacks, for the non-seaworthy) for the young children. Authors of two Vineyard Stories books will be on hand to sign books and answer questions about their works. “Thirty Dirty Sailors and the Little Girl Who Went a-Whaling” tells the true story of an Edgartown child who lived on a whaling ship for three years in the 1860s. The tale is currently the centerpiece of a new display at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. “Schooner: Building a Wooden Boat on Martha’s Vineyard” is the saga of the construction of the largest boat on Martha’s Vineyard since the election of President Lincoln.

Book signing is free. Lighthouse tour is $5 for adults, free for children under 12 when accompanied by an adult. The lighthouse tour is from 5 to 8 pm. In the case of rain, the book signing will be canceled.

Native plants of Chappy

On Saturday, August 14, Polly Hill Arboretum (PHA) staff will visit Chappaquiddick to explore native plants along the trails near the Chappy Community Center. Come learn about the natural and cultural history of a variety of plants, and how their presence may indicate past uses of the land. A selection of plants, chosen for their adaptability, will also be brought for sale. The event will take place from 10 am to 12 noon and will meet at the Chappy Community Center. For questions or to carpool from the Chappy ferry call 508-693-9426. Tickets are $24; $20 for PHA, Chappy Island Association, and members of the Chappy Community Center.

YardArts! Opera for two weeks

For the past two years, The Yard has dazzled audience members with impressive opera performances in its cozy backyard stage. The YardArts! Opera continues this year for the next two weeks with “Mozart’s Impresario,” directed by Wendy Taucher and “Archy and Mehitabel: A Back Alley Opera,” directed by Claudia Weill. Performance schedule is as follows: Friday, August 13, 8 pm; Saturday, August 14, 4 pm (family matinee) and 8 pm, and Sunday, August 15, 6 pm.

In honor of WCAI, the local NPR station, please join the station hosts and staff as well as The Yard cast for a dessert and champagne party following Friday’s performance. For more information and to purchase tickets visit The Yard at dancetheyard.org or call them at 508-645-9662.

Columbia Professor on universities

The Chilmark Community Center welcomes Jonathan Cole to speak this Thursday on his new book, “The Great American University: It’s Rise to Preeminence, Its Indispensable National Role & Why It Must Be Protected.”

Mr. Cole’s book explores the role of America’s research universities as engines of technological and economic growth. He also examines the role they play defining daily lives and American society as well as the challenges universities face today. Jonathan Cole is the John Mitchell Mason Professor at Columbia University. He was the Provost and Dean of Faculties of Columbia University from 1989 to 2003, the second longest tenure in the university’s long history.