Life-changing group
Are you beginning a new chapter in your life? The Tisbury Senior Center's New Chapter Group will begin to meet monthly. Karen Meeks is the facilitator, and is seeking those who are facing changes, whether you have just retired, just moved to the Island, or experienced any other life change. For more information, call Joyce at 508-696-4205.
Testing for radon
January is National Radon Month - a good time to test your home for the invisible but dangerous gas. Elder Services' Senior Environment Corps has a limited number of home test kits for sale for $15, including confidential lab results that are mailed to your home. Over the past ten years, the Corps has tested approximately 2,000 homes on Cape Cod and M.V. and found that over 25 percent of them contained higher than normal amounts of radon. Once detected, it is easy to vent. For more information, call Mary Carchrie at 800-244-4630 or 508-244-2630.
Italy, via India and Jamaica
Some 60 adventurous diners turned out at the Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown last Saturday night to enjoy Indian cuisine, thanks to the students, staff, and friends of the Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School. Along with another dinner on Saturday, Jan. 26 that will feature food from Jamaica, the event raises money for the school's annual trip to Italy.
Fifteen eighth-grade and high school students will spend the first night of the 10-day trip in Rome, where they will have a tour of the Vatican, among other cultural delights. Then they will move on the San Giovanni Val d'Arno, a small city just south of Florence, where they will connect with pen pals from the charter school's "sister school," spend one night with an Italian family, and take day trips to Orvieto, Siena, Florence, and San Gimignano.
Shop the winter away
Marking 154 days until summer, Saturday's Chase the Winter Blues Away Flea and Antique Mart is at the Chilmark Community Center from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Find antiques, jewelry, Ethel's jams, attic treasures, furniture, Island books, and rare Island memorabilia. For more information, call 508-645-3414. The center is located on South Road near Beetlebung Corner.
Under the Burqa continues
In its third week, the Vineyard Haven library's lecture series "Under the Burqa" continues this Sunday, Jan. 20, with a film inspired by real events. The lecture series, which focuses on the lives of women in the Middle East, is showing a film about an Afghan journalist trying to get to her sister who is threatening to commit suicide. Taking advantage of traditional Islamic culture, the journalist hides under a full-length burqa and travels from Canada to Iran. The film is at 4 pm at the library, which is located on Main Street. You do not have to be registered for the lecture series to attend. For more information, call 508-696-4211, ext. 16.
Lend a helping hand
A fund has been set up to help Heather Jardin, who is currently undergoing treatment for leukemia in Boston. Heather is the herb garden manager at Morning Glory Farm where she has worked for the past ten years.
To contribute to the Heather Jardin Medical Fund, send donations to the Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank, P.O. Box 1069, Edgartown, MA 02539. To send get-well wishes to Heather in Boston write to: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Heather Jardin, Dana Farber Floor, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115. For more information, contact Debbie Athearn at 508-627-8782 or e-mail her at morninggloryfarm@verizon.net.
Intuitive youth
Beginning this month is a class with Lynn Dwane for Intuitive Youth. For children age 10-18, the class is a place where children can talk about their spiritual experiences amongst others, play intuition games, and learn about energy and other factors of intuition. Mr. Dwane assures it will be a comfortable group setting where children can share knowledge and learn from one another. The classes begin on Monday, Jan. 21, run from 7 to 8:30 pm, and cost $10. To register or for more information, call 774-563-0468.
Walk to the Brickyard
On Sunday, Jan. 20, join The Trustees of Reservations for a guided walk to the old brickyard near the Menemsha Hills reservation. P.G. Harris will be on hand to share stories about this historic site. Mr. Harris is the grandson of Nathanial Harris, one of the men who ran the brickworks. The hike is free for members or $15 for non-members, but you must call first to register.
For more information, call 508-693-7662, ext. 16.
