Town Column : Tisbury
The telephone woke me out of a sound sleep at 1 am. The last time this happened, from long distance a distant policeman told me there was a fire in my daughter's college dorm. This time a mechanized voice stated that my credit card had been used by a third party.
I was sleepy enough that I couldn't understand. When the message repeated, the voice said, "Push one to speak to security at the Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank." I hung up. Be sure that you do, too. This is the scam the police have been warning us about. Even in my state of being half awake, I hope I would not have given out the numbers on the reverse of my card. Many other Islanders were called in the middle of the night. Those who told me were also careful to hang up.
The holiday season wouldn't be complete without the classic ballet of The Nutcracker at 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday at the Performing Arts Center. Witness the Prince's triumphant battle with the Mouse King. See the beauty of darting Snowflakes and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Delight in the sight of Mother Ginger, and watch Clara's dreams come true.
The cast includes 14 professional dancers of the Atlantic Coast Ballet and children from the Martha's Vineyard School of Ballet. Ethan Mendez of Tisbury will play the part of Fritz at both performances. Other young dancers from Tisbury are Megan Mendez, Garrett Hagen, Madison and Morgan Lopez-Mata, Savannah Bradshaw, Tate Buchwald, and Fatima Ronquill. Adult performers include Kristin and Drew Bradshaw, Anna Marie D'Addarie, and Christopher Mendez.
Tickets are $15 and $25 for priority seating available at the door or at Bowl and Board and other venues. A Family ticket, good only on the day of the event, is $50, for 2 adults and 3 children in the same family. Call Beth Vages at 508-939-0074 for info.
The ladies' auxiliary invites you to a Holiday Bazaar on Saturday at the American Legion on Martin Street. From 10 am to 2 pm you can choose homemade baked goods, gifts, and baskets or take a chance on a raffle. Karen Achille wants you all to know that Saturday's holiday bazaar at the Oak Bluffs senior center has been cancelled. The Maritime Art Sale at Sail Martha's Vineyard opens this Saturday at 10 am and runs until Christmas.
Saturday at the movies: see "OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies" at 7:30 pm at the Cornell Theatre, presented by the Martha's Vineyard Film Society. Comic star Jean Dujardin stars as secret agent OSS 117. In the tradition of Maxwell Smart and Inspector Clouseau, he somehow succeeds in spite of his ineptitude. This parody of spy films and the suave secret agent figure is shown in French with English subtitles.
Joanne Lambert reports that the Minnesingers auction was a huge success, with the new assistant director playing jazz tunes. The auction items were amazing, with donations from Island artists such as Allen Whiting, Jeff Serusa, Alison Shaw, and Carolyn Daniele. The popular gift certificates were for everything from propane and topsoil to flights on Cape Air and a vacation rental in the White Mountains.
Next week are the Minnesingers annual Holiday Concerts at the Old Whaling Church. The music starts at 8 pm on Friday, Dec. 12. The next day, Saturday, the performance is at 4 pm and welcomes children under 12 for free (Santa is scheduled to visit). Tickets are $10, available at 508-627-4440 and also from your favorite Minnesinger.
Don't forget to see "Zeb" at the Cornell Theatre this Friday at 8 pm for $10. If you are aged 8 to 11, you know about the Wii Games from 4 to 5 pm on Friday at the Library. Little ones aged 5 and up will enjoy a Shadow Puppet Show next Thursday at 3 pm.
Belated birthday greetings go out to Philisse Barrows. She celebrated on Monday by mailing out Christmas parcels. Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out today to Sarah Wajda. Wish the best on Sunday to Jessie Chandler. Polly Renear and Rachael Houston party on Tuesday. Happy birthday to Doug Cabral, who celebrates on Wednesday.
Heard on Main Street: Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you might not get them back.
