Noteworthy
Benefit for D'Arcys
Fortunately, no one was harmed in the devastating house fire. Photo by Steve Myrick
On September 28, a fire consumed the home of the D'Arcy family - Jack, Kimberly, and their young children, Callahan and Teagan - of Oak Bluffs. Over the past few weeks, friends of the family have organized a fundraiser, to be held this Friday at Nectar's, starting at 6 pm. There'll be music by Joanne Cassidy and Sultans of Swing, as well as Mike Benjamin, food by Pat Toomey, and both a live and silent auction. Pre-event tickets ($30) are available at Mocha Mott's in Vineyard Haven, Jim's Package Store, Contemporary Landscapes, Hurd Publishing, and the Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Charter schools. Tickets are $40 at the door.
"Batty Benefit" at Sharky's
Last week, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and Sharky's Cantina co-hosted an event to benefit the sanctuary. The "Batty Benefit" educated supporters about bats and how they pollinate cactus and agave plants, which is where tequila comes from.
For the next year, $1 from each Felix Neckarita (an elderberry margarita) sold at Sharky's will be donated to Felix Neck.
From left: JB Blau, owner of Sharky's; Susie Bowman, Felix Neck teacher/naturalist; and Justen Walker, Felix Neck education coordinator, at the benefit at Sharky's on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Photos by Ralph Stewart
Michael DelloRusso holds a container of agave plants, which are pollinated by bats and produce tequila.
M.V. Peace Council hosts author
The Martha's Vineyard Peace Council welcomes author and activist David Swanson and invites participation in a discussion on his latest book, "Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union." The discussion is on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 4 to 6 pm, at the Tisbury Senior Center.
David Swanson talks politics at the Tisbury Senior Center this Saturday. Photo courtesy of Chris Fried
Mr. Swanson holds a master's degree in philosophy, has worked as a newspaper reporter, and also as a communications director. His book is a guide and analysis on the power of presidency.
The topic covers questions such as "What powers were stripped from Congress and handed to the White House while George W. Bush lived there?" "What would it take to restore them?" and "Which of these powers is Barack Obama making use of?" For more information, call 508-693-7741.
Veterans Day events
Flag Set-Up 7:30 am, Oak Grove Cemetery, Vineyard Haven. Volunteers needed. 508-693-9257.
Veterans Day Parade 10:45 am, Our Market, Oak Bluffs.
Veterans Day Ceremony 1:45 pm, Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Oak Bluffs. For veterans at Windemere.
Flag Take-Down 3 pm, Oak Grove Cemetery, Vineyard Haven. Volunteers needed. 508-693-9257.
Coffeehouse debuts
Grab a bite, listen to live entertainment, settle in and have a good time. The Vineyard Playhouse announces the opening of Spoon in the Moon, its new, once-a-month community coffeehouse that debuts tomorrow evening, Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 pm. Islanders will find an intimate setting, a place to converse, and good music.
Friday's entertainment is being provided by local performer Sarah Black, a singer-songwriter whose voice has been described as a blend of Joni Mitchell and Ella Fitzgerald.
The $10 admission includes coffee. Baked goods from Scottish Bakehouse will be sold. For additional information or to volunteer assistance, call 508-696-6300.
Geek Girl game
The Martha's Vineyard Women's Network (MVWN) presents a special workshop November 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm called Geek Girl Camp: Social Media Scavenger Hunt.
The workshop is led by Leslie Fishlock and Julie Roads. The Social Media Scavenger Hunt is an interactive online game. The interactive workshop, neither a lecture nor a discussion, will be held at Espresso Love in Edgartown. The group will be divided into teams with one laptop per group. Each team receives a list of questions that can only be answered by visiting social networking websites.
The cost is $25 for MVWN members; $35 for nonmembers and walk-ins. For pre-registration, or for more information, email nevette@previdconsulting.com, or visit mvwomensnetwork.org.
From left: Christina Montoya, Patty Gallardo, Maribel Umpierrez Adams, Lynn Ditchfield, and Lorena Crespo, on the Harvard University campus on Saturday, Oct. 31, after performing their play. Photo courtesy of Lynn Ditchfield
Islanders perform at Harvard
On Halloween, five members of an adult education conversational English class taught by Lynn Ditchfield performed their play, "Nightmares and Dreams: Immigrant Voices" during a conference hosted by the Harvard Graduate School of Education "Arts in Education" program. The students, all from Latin American countries and who now live on the Island, also showed a power point presentation and led a discussion. The play, choreographed by Ms. Montoya, was created during class using theater exercises, music, and literature as learning tools.
Oz dinner theater
It's show time at the Edgartown School this weekend, as the students present L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz." Celebrating the musical's 70th anniversary, the performance is directed by Donna Swift and Beth Carr, and includes guest performances by principal John Stevens as Uncle Henry, and assistant principal Anne Fligor as Aunt Em. The cast includes more than 25 students in grades five through eight.
Performances are Friday at Saturday at 7 pm. On Saturday only, enjoy a pre-performance dinner, served by teachers and parents of actors, beginning at 6 pm. Admission for dinner theater is $15; $10 for children, and reservations are required. Friday's show is $8; $6 children; $25 family. For more information, call 508-939-9368.
Soirée Française
Island Co-Housing is hosting Soirée Française, a potluck dinner at the Common House this Saturday, Nov. 7, starting at 6:30 pm. The dinner is for French speakers only. For more information, call 508-696-8440.
Spirits abound on the Island
Spirits were high Saturday all around the Island as Halloween brought out princesses, witches, and the trendiest pop culture characters. In a devilish display of creativity storefronts and houses welcomed trick-or-treaters with scarecrows and jack-o-lanterns. Even businesses such as banks and restaurants got into the spirit. Schools and libraries, various organizations, and even the Ice Arena held costumed events. Bags held by little hands were filled with all manner of sweets as children began their trick-or-treating at 2 pm on Main Street in Vineyard Haven. In West Tisbury, at the Ag Hall, hay wagons carried celebrating families around the grounds as ghoulish music floated into the night air from the Halloween festivities going on inside. All in all, it was fun for all ages throughout the Island community.
Looks as if Wyatt Thornton might be preparing to rustle some cattle, as his mother, Greer Thornton watches. Photos by Ralph Stewart
Lobsterman Corban Buchwald of Vineyard Haven might be bringing home dinner.
Stories of pirating were going on at Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank in Oak Bluffs, thanks to Phaedra Ben David (left) and Kevin Ryan.
With a boost from her mother, Scarlet Jarrell, even a little princess like Gwendolyn Jarrell couldn't resist colorful balloons.
Alpacas visit Windemere
Island Alpaca Co. visited Windemere on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Phoenix Russell greeted the residents with two of the alpacas, Moshup and Bruno, who mingled among the appreciative audience.
Phoenix Russell of Island Alpaca introduces the animals to Windemere residents, from left, Dorothy Kelley, Jessica Weaver, Charlene Corrigan, Joyce L'Heureux, and Peg McCarter.
Peg McCarter feels Moshup's fleece, while Joyce L'Heureux looks on. Photos courtesy of Barbara Ronchetti
Second hand swap
Some of your old clothes might still have some use for others. Join some of the Island PTO groups for a kids' clothing swap this Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 am to 3 pm at the West Tisbury School. Everyone is invited to swap clothing and sporting gear.
Women coming together
The Chilmark Community Center is holding the 24th Women's Symposium this Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 am to 12 noon. Women's Symposium is a group of women who speak on discuss on personal topics. In the past, the Community Center has been filled to capacity. Over time it has become an anticipated event. This event is limited to women.
Peace Corps dinner
All ex-Peace Corps Volunteers on the Vineyard are invited to a potluck dinner and get-together next Saturday, Nov. 14. If you were a Peace Corps volunteer, or know someone who once was, call 508-693-6610 for a location and time.
