Noteworthy
Musical benefit for Federated Church
Join the benefit for the Organ Restoration Fund of the Federated Church during the second annual Evening of Music on the Lagoon on Sunday, Sept. 6, from 6 to 9 pm. The event is at the home of Jim and Pam Butterick, located at 359 Barnes Road in Oak Bluffs. Wine and appetizers will be served, and jazz players John Alaimo and Michael Tinus will provide musical entertainment. Admission is a donation in any amount, as the organization strives to meet their final goal of $25,000. For more information, call 508-693-6871.
Jazz duo John Alaimo (right) and Michael Tinus will play at the Oak Bluffs home of Jim and Pam Butterick.
Sunday's benefit will raise money to restore the organ in Edgartown's Federated Church.Food for thought
The Edgartown Public Library is holding a town-wide picnic at the Katama Airfield on Monday, Sept. 7. The Edgartown Library Foundation (ELF) is in the process of fundraising for the expansion of the library.
"This is not a fundraising event, it's more just to educate everyone about what's going on, and have a good time doing it," said Anne Vose, a director of ELF. "We want to educate residents about the project and where we currently stand with it."
The picnic is from 4 to 7 pm and offers pony rides, a rock climbing wall, bi-plane demonstration, face painting, games, food, and much more. Tickets are $12, or $8 for children. For more information, call 508-627-7077.
Hob Knob Inn and PIKNIK team up for fashion show
The Hob Knob Inn in Edgartown and PIKNIK Art & Apparel in Oak Bluffs recently collaborated on a fashion show with local and national artists, designers, and models. The show last Thursday featured unique clothing and accessories modeled by Island residents such as Kimberly Cartwright, Patricia Mark, Jesse Miller, and others. The themed "runway" was set up in the Hob Knob garden, with models acting out beach scenes while showing off their outfits. The clothing was donated for the show by designers Vivian Westwood, Beatrez, Woolrich Woolen Mills Boutique, KZO from Japan, and Byron Lars.
Jesse Miller is sporting a cotton shirt by Eairth, cargo shorts by Armand Basi, and high-top deck boots by Rogues Gallery. Photos by Mary Baker
Kimberly Cartwright models in the garden of the Hob Knob Inn during the fashion show on Thursday, August 27. Shawl and dress by Eairth, Steiff Teddy bear fur hat, necklace by Miriam Haskell. Book discussion
Alan Brigish, a West Tisbury photojournalist, will hold a discussion on his recent book, "Breathing in the Buddha" on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 5:30 pm at the Chilmark Library. The book is based on Mr. Brigish's recent travels in Indochina. Since 1997 he has also traveled to Brazil, Cambodia, China, Cuba, England, Ethiopia, and Ireland. The discussion will include a slideshow and music video clips from his travels. For more information, call 508-645-3360.
Night kayaking
The Trustees of Reservations offer "Paddle Into the Night," a guided kayak trip on Tisbury Great Pond. It begins at 6 pm tonight, and costs $45, $40 for Trustees members. Reservations are recommended due to limited space. For more information, call 508-693-7392.
Russ Baker speaks at Vineyard Haven Library
The Vineyard Haven Library hosts Russ Baker, author and award-winning investigator, who will speak about investigative reporting and his recent book "Family of Secrets: The Bush Dynasty, The Powerful Forces that Put it in the White House, and What Their Influence means for America." The event is on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 pm. "Family of Secrets" deals with national security, half a century of hidden U.S. history, and explains how the Bush family came to power. Mr. Baker has written for The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, The Nation, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Mr. Baker is also the founder of WhoWhatWhy/the Real News Project, an investigative news organization. For more information, call 508-696-4211.
Flamenco dance
Beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 9, flamenco dance classes will be offered weekly at the Tisbury Senior Center in Vineyard Haven. Classes will be taught by Alicia Tineo Lazaro, a professional dance instructor from Valencia, Spain. They start at 2 pm and cost $10. For more information, or to register, call 508-696-4205.
The cover of the Agricultural Society's 2010 Calendar.Local calendar
Poet and photographer Julian K. Robinson of Oak Bluffs contributed photographs of Vineyard farm scenes and the Fair to the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society's 2010 Calendar. The calendar is currently available at Alley's General Store or from the Agricultural Society. The calendar includes photographs of animals such as cows, pigmy goats, Nubian goats, and scenes from the Fair, such as the oxen pull competition, the Dale Perkins Horse Show, and the merry-go-round.
Course credits
The Adult and Community Education Program of Martha's Vineyard (ACE MV) is collaborating with Northeastern University to provide the Island community with an opportunity to take college courses for undergraduate and graduate college credit. Starting October 5, a range of 50 courses and seminars will be offered. A representative from Northeastern or some of the instructors will attend ACE MV's Course Sampling Fair on September 22 at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS), from 5:30 to 7 pm.
On Sept. 23, register for classes at the MVRHS lobby from 5:30 to 7 pm. For more information, visit acemv.org, or call 508-627-8373.
Photo by Lynn Christoffers Proud to be chemical-free
From left: Cynthia Rigs, mystery writer and owner of the Cleaveland House, Kaysea Hart, communications and development coordinator for Vineyard Conservation Society (VCS), and David Nash, VCS board member, erect a Vineyard Lawn sign, which certifies that Ms. Riggs's lawn is chemical free. The Vineyard Lawn sign project is part of VCS's effort to increase awareness about the harmful effects of chemical lawn fertilizers on Island ponds. To receive a sign, contact Ms. Hart at 508-693-9588, or email her at khart@vineyardconservation.org
Construction continues at YMCA
Construction of the YMCA of Martha's Vineyard is moving right along, with enough steel framing now in place to make out the eventual shape of the building. The public is invited to tour the site on Saturdays between 11 am and 2 pm.
The YMCA celebrated yesterday, Wednesday, Sept. 2, with a topping off ceremony as the last and highest piece of steel was added to the building's frame.
The shape of things to come, as of Saturday, August 29. The outline of the teen center is at left, and the pool at right. Photos by Ralph Stewart 
Among the many forces behind the new Y are, from left: Christine Todd, development director; Judy Crawford, vice president and chairman of the development committee; Cindy Doyle, on the board of directors; Emily Wash, marketing and membership director; and Peg Regan, interim executive director. In front is Tony Lombardi, assistant director of the Alexandra Gagnon Teen Center.Church celebration
The Grace Church community invites all to join them in the second annual Sunday Celebration and Cookout in honor of Labor Day and the upcoming fall season. The event begins with worship at 11 am on Sunday, Sept. 6, at the Grace Church in Vineyard Haven. Special guest musicians, barbeque food, drinks, and ice cream follow. For more information, call 508-693-0332.
Stone Soup tribute
The Stone Soup Leadership Institute is hosting a tribute to the late Walter Cronkite, a broadcast journalist best known for his 19 years as anchorman for the CBS Evening News. In July 2000, Walter Cronkite attended The Celebration of Heroes Awards Ceremony at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs. He received the Community Hero Award for his support for Sail Martha's Vineyard. The ceremony will be re-broadcasted today, September 3, at 8 pm on MVTV, channel 13. The Stone Soup Leadership Institute is an educational organization founded on the Vineyard in 1997. For more information, call 415-912-6957.
Legion Post dinner
The American Legion Post in Vineyard Haven is hosting a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 5 to 7 pm. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12. All proceeds from the dinner benefit the Legion/Bethel building fund. For more information, call 508-693-4030.
One last performance
The Fabulists: Theater for Children, a troupe from The Vineyard Playhouse, has extended their summer season for one more week, performing a new show called "Sally Jean, The Bicycle Queen." The performance is on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 10 am at the Tisbury Amphitheater in Vineyard Haven. The play is adapted from the children's book by award-winning author Cari Best. The performance is approximately 50 minutes in length and is appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $7 at the door; children under two are free. For more information, call 508-696-6300.
Finding funds
The Grant Resource Network: Martha's Vineyard (GRNMV) is holding a grant funding workshop at the Oak Bluffs Library for grant seekers on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 6 to 7:30 pm. The workshop is open to the public and teaches you how to identify, approach, and communicate with funding organizations. The workshop will be run by Judith Margolin, the vice president for Planning and Evaluation at the Foundation Center. Due to limited space, registration is required. For more information, call 508-693-9433.
