Oak Bluffs

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To me, music has always been the perfect introduction to the Christmas/holiday season and last Sunday afternoon was a wonderful start. Along with many other people, I enjoyed the beautiful concert by the M.V. Community Chorus. How very fortunate we are to have so many talented musicians on this island who are willing to devote so many hours to bring us such a production. Thank you.

Come by and visit the Oak Bluffs School Holiday Shop where you will find tee-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and more. The shop is located in the School lobby and reception area and will be open Mondays through Fridays from 7:45 am to 3:30 pm through December 20. The proceeds will benefit the Student Council and the Oak Bluffs Class of 2013.

On Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 6 pm at the Oak Bluffs School gym, Craig Yuhas and Heather Neal of B-Strong will lead a Fitness Workshop for staff and families to benefit the school garden and wellness initiatives. Child care will be provided. Suggested donation is $5 per person. Pre-register by emailing hhall@mvyps.org before December 10.

Red Stocking week at the school is December 10th through the 14th. More than ever before, a growing number of families are in need and will rely on the Red Stocking Fund. As a school we want to foster the true spirit of giving. For the last several years the Oak Bluffs School has helped the Red Stocking Fund. Each year contributions have totaled hundreds of dollars. The schoolchildren are asked to bring in donations large and small. The whole week is designated as Red Stocking week. No donation is too small.

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services will host “Holiday Blues,” a talk about seasonal depression, by Dr. Dominic Maxwell. MVCS clinicians will be available for private screenings. The program will be held on Thursday, Dec.13, from 5:30 to 7 pm in the culinary arts room at the regional high school.

There will be a Holiday Open House on Friday, Dec. 14 from 2 to 4 pm at the Oak Bluffs Public Library. Children’s crafts with Sondra. Holiday food, music and grab bag gifts for kids.

Meet Santa at 3 pm. Bring the entire family to this annual community event presented by the Library Friends of Oak Bluffs.

On Friday, Dec. 14, The Sultans of Swing, featuring Joanne Cassidy and Erika Van Pelt of American Idol Fame, will play at a benefit for Media Voices For Children at Dreamland in Oak Bluffs. Doors at open at 8 pm, live music at 9 pm. Tickets available at the door. The event’s proceeds will benefit Media Voices for Children, the Internet news agency for children’s rights.

Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 6 pm, the Oak Bluffs Library will host a program called: eReaders vs. Tablets: Which one is right for you? in the Library’s Meeting Room. This class is intended to give people an overview of eReaders and tablets, to help with purchasing decisions. This is not a class on how to use eReaders or tablets (those classes will be coming soon!)

Come one, come all! The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury is looking for children to participate in their Christmas Pageant at the Agricultural Hall on Dec. 24 at 5 pm. Children from ages 5-13 are needed to play several roles. Children who wish to participate need to attend a casting meeting with their parents on December 16 at 11 am at the church. Please contact Libby Fielder at 508-684-8086,or libby.david@gmail.com to volunteer and for more info. All faiths are welcome.

The Oak Bluffs Senior Center is always abuzz with interesting activities. After a very successful Bazaar on December 1, they are looking forward to the Senior luncheon on December 19, featuring Rose’s delicious lasagna. All are welcome, but please call Rose to register. On December 13, the Friends of the Center will hold their meeting and extend an invitation to anyone interested in becoming a volunteer, to come to the meeting.

The annual Hospice Concert will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Oak Bluffs on Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 7:30 to 9 pm. Always a beautiful to start the holiday season, the concert features a variety of singers and instrumentalists under the direction of Peter Boak. Your ticket makes a donation to the caring work of Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard.

Debbie Dean is supervising the circulation of petitions requesting that the selectmen place an article at the annual town meeting in April 2012, regarding the shark tournament. Basically the petition requests that all shark tournaments in Oak Bluffs be catch and release only. There need 370 signatures, which they are close to, but they need a few more signatures to move the petition.

We send birthday smiles to Mary MacDonald, Lynn Rebello, Francis Bernard, and Rose Cogliano on the 7th, Vamp Campbell on the 8th, followed by Tyler Araujo the next day. Tony Maseda and Patrick Parker party on the 10th, and Janna Gossen, Chuck Lehman, and my great-grandson Isaiah Geddis on the 12th. Happy Birthday to those I might have messed and great well wishes to those who need a healing smile.Enjoy your week.Peace.