Noteworthy
Published: September 17, 2009
Shucking for a cause
An enthusiastic crowd gathered along Oak Bluffs harbor on Sunday for Coop deVille's third annual oyster shucking contest. Photos by Ralph Stewart Coop deVille's third annual oyster shucking contest to benefit Island Affordable Housing was held this past Sunday afternoon on the Oak Bluffs harbor. The event raised close to $600 for the nonprofit organization, according to organizers. Local bluegrass band Squash Meadow entertained the crowd of nearly 200 that gathered outside the Oak Bluffs restaurant to watch the expert shuckers. Ted Karalekas, owner of the nearby restaurant Shipwreck, finished in first place; second place went to Tony Simoes, Coop deVille's head chef; Mike Zappala placed third. The contest was sponsored by Sam Adams Brewing Company and Plum TV.
Expert shucking was on display at a contest that raised money for Island Affordable Housing. From left are Pete Berndt, Garry Metters, and Mike Zappala.
Shucking champ Ted Karalekas celebrates victory with all fingers intact.Tech disposal
Clear some space in your house, garage, or storage by disposing of old computers, monitors, televisions, printers, copiers, scanners, air conditioners, and other electronics at the sixth biannual Electronics Disposal Day, Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 am to 2 pm at Martha's Vineyard Community Services (MVCS). Disposal fees range from $1 to $30, and all proceeds go towards technology upgrades for MVCS, located across from the regional high school on the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road. Hours are 9 am to 2 pm. For more information, call 508-693-7900.
Symphony fans
The Tisbury Travel Club, a nonprofit group that offers affordable day trips to Vineyarders, welcomes participants on a trip to Boston to see a performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The club has concert tickets available for the October 9 and 23 performances. To purchase bus and concert tickets, call 508-696-4205.
Ursula Ferro. File photo by Ben ScottOnce upon a time...
Mother Goose on the Loose story time for children continues at the West Tisbury Public Library on Monday, Sept. 21, at 10:30 am, with Nelia Decker. After the reading, Island author Ursula Ferro will talk about child development. She has written many children's books such as "Tanny's Meow," "Wishing For Kittens," and "A Pet of My Own." For more information, call 508-693-3366.
Family dance nights
Nectar's continues to offer Family Dance-O-Rama discos and dinner this fall. For all ages, the fun will take place on Sundays from 5:30 to 7:30 pm with free admission. Dance tunes will play nonstop and disco lighting and bubbles adds to the fun on the dance floor. There is a children's dinner menu available for $7, and an open bar for parents.
Nectar's is also now available for private parties, special events, fundraisers, and kids' birthday parties. For more information, call 508-693-1137.
Photo by Sam DeckerNote from the President
Wayne Wright of Oak Bluffs stands with his White House Communications Agency Certificate of Appreciation. A native of Jamaica, Mr. Wright was working at the Edgartown Stop and Shop when he unknowingly waited on Secret Service agents in the Seafood Department. A few days later, the agents returned to award him the certificate from the White House Communications Agency that noted his "unique abilities, coupled with your superb attitude and professionalism..."
"What Makes the Vineyard Work?"
A panel chaired by John Abrams, a builder and activist who lives in West Tisbury, will discuss permaculture on Martha's Vineyard. It will focus on how people and institutions can help bring people together, arrange for funds and support, and attract people and organizations to promote sustainability on Martha's Vineyard. Mr. Abrams will lead the discussion, which will also cover topics such as local agriculture, business, and banking. The discussion is on Sunday, Sept. 20, 7 to 9 pm at the Martha's Vineyard Hostel in West Tisbury. For more information, call 512-992-8858.
The powwow attracted large crowds to the Gay Head Circle on Saturday and Sunday. Photos by M.C. Wallo Powwow at the Cliffs
Despite Saturday's inclement weather, the fifth annual Aquinnah Wampanoag Powwow drew enthusiastic crowds to the Gay Head Circle over the weekend. Unlike some modern powwows that feature dance contests, it was a non-competitive event, serving primarily as a social gathering. The two-day powwow featured ceremonies, a variety of traditional dances, and performances from four different drum groups, including the Rez Dogs, who traveled from Maine to participate for the fifth time. Each of the Wampanoag tribe's departments had booths where they shared information about their work.
The weekend's festivities were dedicated to the Aquinnah tribe's late Medicine Man, Luther Madison, who died earlier this year at the age of 84. The tribe also honored the youth who revived the powwow traditions, and the tribe's past chairmen.
"We got a lot of positive feedback from the people who attended," said Bettina Washington, the Aquinnah Wampanoag's tribal historic preservation officer. "We hadn't got quite that enthusiastic response before. There was great positive energy."
The Red Hawk drummers from Mashpee performed during the Aquinnah Wampanoag Powwow last weekend. 
From left: Missesu Garcia of Narragansett, Rachaya Lane of Aquinnah, Samantha Maltais of Aquinnah as lady head dancer, Mae Alice Weekanashk Baird (front) of Aquinnah and Mashpee, and Tobias Vanderhoop, the Aquinnah Wampanoag's tribal administrator, as man head dancer. Photo by Tim Johnson New IMPers
Whether you're a beginner or an advanced actor, IMP, a nonprofit improv theater group, offers new classes and performances for young performers of all levels. Children ages 7 to 18 are welcome to join IMP's new class, Let's Put on a Show, which this fall will produce a new version of "Bears Beware," a show about the fabled character Goldilocks. Actors who prefer working without scripts can join Story Theater Touring Ensemble or other improv classes offered. People who like short-form improv have the option to audition for IMPact, IMP's pre-professional improv troupe. Others who would like to participate in writing, directing, or acting their own show can audition for "Sketchy Teens." For more information, call 508-939-9368.
Pedaling challenge
Cyclists are encouraged to participate in Pan-Martha Challenge, a 40-mile bike ride that raises money for the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC), a two-day, 190-mile bike-a-thon that takes place annually in August and benefits the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
The Pan-Martha Challenge, sponsored by Vineyard Pedicab, will start at the Flying Horses in Oak Bluffs at 9 am on Sunday, Oct. 4. The minimum fundraising requirement for each cycler is $500. For more information, call 978-270-0652.
Got an idea?
The Martha's Vineyard Cultural Council (MVCC) is calling for funding proposals from individuals, organizations, and schools. Grants support projects that promote or enhance excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretative sciences for the purpose of improving the quality of life for Vineyard residents. To help applicants prepare an effective funding proposal, MVCC will hold a grant-writing workshop on Monday, Sept. 21, at 7 pm, at the Howes House in West Tisbury. This year's grant applications are due October 15. Instructions, guidelines, and forms are available at massculturalcouncil.org. For more information, call 508-693-1551.
Community dancing
Learn some new moves during free community salsa classes at Island Co-Housing in West Tisbury starting Friday, Sept. 18. Classes, both for beginners and advanced beginners, continue on October 2, 9, 16, 22, or 30. Classes include a student dance performance at 7 pm, followed by a beginner class. Advanced beginner class starts at 8 pm. The costs are on a sliding scale, ranging from $7.50 to $12.50. For more information, call 508-645-2008.
Holiday services
The Martha's Vineyard Hebrew Center welcomes guests to its Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur celebrations. The Erev Rosh Hashanah service is on Friday, Sept. 18, starting at 6 pm. The first day of Rosh Hashanah will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 9:30 am, and the second day of service is Sunday, Sept. 20, also at 9:30 am. Advance reservations are suggested. For schedules and Yom Kippur Service times, call 508-693-0745.
