Noteworthy
Salsa moves
Both artistic and aerobic, salsa dancing can also be just plain fun. Photos by Ralph Stewart Dancers looking to learn some new moves can take advantage of the fall salsa season that began at Island Co-Housing in West Tisbury on Friday, Sept. 18. Both beginners and more advanced dancers are welcome at the classes, which continue on October 2, 9, 16, 22, and 30. The first evening started with a performance by student dancers at 7 pm, followed immediately by the beginners' class. The advanced beginners' class began at 8 pm. For more information, call Saskia Vanderhoop at 508-645-2008 or 774-563-0628.
From right: Lily Morris, class instructor Saskia Vanderhoop, and David Vanderhoop look ready for Dancing With the Stars.
Janet Holladay's love of dance makes it all look easy. Tivoli Day festivities
Last weekend's Tivoli Day saw Circuit Avenue filled with diners, dancers, and shoppers. Photos by Susan Safford The 32nd Tivoli Day was celebrated in Oak Bluffs on Saturday, Sept. 19. The action began at 12 noon when Circuit Avenue was closed to cars to make a safe space for pedestrians to mingle around and browse through the many booths and search for bargain items.
Food of many flavors and styles was offered by restaurants along the street, and several of them moved some tables into the street.
Diners enjoyed table-service outside at Seasons, Sharky's, and Deon's, as well as specials indoors at Oyster Bar Grill, Mocha Mott's, Sidecar, Giordano's, and others.
This year, for the first time, the entertainment was extended for three more hours to include a dance party from 6 to 8 pm.
Dancing in the street to Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish. 
Popular musician Phil DaRosa kept crowds moving to the music.
Always popular at Tivoli Day are Wheelmen Stephen Hartson and Scott Hauver, who ride their antique bikes through the crowd, offering people a chance to ride.
Bobby Love shows his skill with devil sticks, part of the day's entertainment.Windy forecast
Questions about wind energy? Peter Cabana, energy expert and Cape Light Compact's Tisbury representative, will offer answers and information on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the Vineyard Haven Library. Mr. Cabana will begin with the basics of wind-generated energy and cover progress made so far in Europe. He'll also discuss The Massachusetts Oceans Management Plan, which outlines areas to build large-scale wind farms; and the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act, which would streamline approval of land-based wind turbines in Massachusetts. Titled Wind Economics 101, the free talk begins at 7 pm. For more information, call 508-696-4211.
Ongoing support
The Vineyard Haven Public Library continues monthly breast cancer support group meetings on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 5:30 pm. The gatherings cover information about breast cancer and stories from survivors. The meetings are open to all. For more information, call 508-693-6150.
Free screenings
Beginning this month, the Chilmark Library is offering free blood pressure screening clinics on the third Wednesday of every month with town nurse Nicole Barlett from the Visiting Nurse Association. No appointment is necessary, and screenings are available from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. For more information, call 508-645-3360.
The last of the lobsters
Tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 25, is the last day to get lobster rolls at Grace Church, located in Vineyard Haven. From 4:30 to 7:30 pm, enjoy lobster rolls for $13, hot dogs and slices of pie for $3, and free chips and beverages. Call ahead for large orders: 508-693-0332.
All natural
Polly Hill Arboretum and Slow Food Martha's Vineyard offer an afternoon full of wild foods with Russ Cohen, a wild foods enthusiast and professional environmentalist. Between 12 noon on Saturday, Sept. 26 and 3 pm, Mr. Cohen will lead a guided walk with participants to find edible plants on Chappaquiddick. He will explain the plants and what parts are edible, when to harvest them, and how to prepare them. Participants are asked to meet at the Chappaquiddick Community Center. The cost is $36; $30 for Polly Hill Arboretum, Chappaquiddick Community Center, or Slow Food members. To pre-register, call 508-693-9426.
Kirtan call
Dave Russell, Robin Macks, and Island musicians Josh Montoya, and Phillipe Ezzano host their second kirtan on the Island this Friday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 pm at Island Co-housing in West Tisbury. Kirtan is a call-and-response ecstatic chanting accompanied by harmonium and drums, which is said to calm the mind and energize the body. There is no musical background necessary; bring a cushion and water. Admission is $15; free for children. For more information, call 413-374-0789 or visit daverussellkirtan.com.
At The Yard
This weekend, The Yard presents new works from its 2009 Bessie Schönberg Choreographer's Residency in which three choreographers were chosen from more than 100 applicants. They are Dana Katz of Tel Aviv, Israel; Rachael Lincoln of Venice, Calif.; and Joshua Monten of Bern, Switzerland. Guest dancers this weekend include Carol Loud and Jessica Morris; special guest Elizabeth Keen, formerly of Julliard, is participating through special invitation. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, and Sunday at 7 pm. There is a free family matinee at 4 pm on Saturday. Tickets range from $15-$50. For more information, call 508-645-9662 or visit dancetheyard.org.
Tick talk
In recent years, The Martha's Vineyard Times has reported often on the growing threat that diseases carried and transmitted by deer ticks pose to year-round and seasonal residents of Martha's Vineyard. At 6:30 pm on Monday, Sept. 28, at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury, Sam Telford, an associate professor of infectious diseases at the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and a well-known tick researcher, will speak to conservation, land use planning, and public health officials about what steps could be taken as part of a comprehensive approach to reduce deer tick numbers. Mr. Telford's presentation is co-sponsored by the Martha's Vineyard Hospital, Vineyard Golf Club Foundation, Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust, and Sheriff's Meadow Foundation as part of The Times "Newsmaker" series.
The presentation is free and open to the public.
Breathe in, breathe out
Vineyard Complementary Medicine Yoga Studio hosts a workshop this Saturday, Sept. 26. Breathing Out the Blues, with Jane Norton and Arlene Stark Prisco, focuses on breathing techniques, yoga poses, meditation, and sound that can help ease low moods, seasonal affective disorder, and depression. The workshop is from 2 to 4:30 pm and costs $30. Pre-register by calling 508-693-3800 or emailing janenortonyoga@gmail.com.
Fall dance
Vineyard Dance will begin fall classes on Monday, Sept. 28 at the Nathan Mayhew Seminars campus on North William Street in Vineyard Haven. Classes for adults and teens are offered in ballet, modern dance, modern jazz, and floorbarre. Children may enroll in creative movement, modern dance, and ballet. For more information, call 508-693-2257.
Going, going, and back again
An auction was held at the historic Lambert's Cove Church (1846) in preparation for its renovation as a living space and studio. The church and adjoining parsonage in West Tisbury, which was closed by the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1997, was the scene of a public open house this past Saturday afternoon when people came to bid on the 14 pews and 30 bibles.
West Tisbury resident Jordan Ronson carries away the church pew he won in the raffle. Photos by Lynn Christoffers 
One of the new owners, Josh Yates (center) talks with Lambert's Cove resident William Stewart (right) who brought his father to the auction. 
Kirshana Collins, left, of Bluebird Farm offers information, produce and bouquets at the Farmers Market in West Tisbury. Photo by Lynn Christoffers 
