Town Column : Oak Bluffs
By Megan Alley
Published: February 25, 2010
The sunshine and the warmer weather we had last weekend seemed to give everyone a needed lift. Even the leaves on my rhododendrons whose leaves had been drooping and looking rather woe-begone, managed to point upward and look happier. But if the various weather predictions for this week are correct, not only will the plants be drooping again, I fear that the spirits of many people will also.
Check out the Clothes To Go program at The Methodist Church (the Old Stone Church) at the corner of Church & Williams Street in Vineyard Haven where free clothes are available on Saturdays, from 9 to 11 am and Wednesdays from 2 to 4 pm.
The Oak Bluffs School Games Night is scheduled for Friday, March 12. One of the great features for this fun event is the raffle of theme baskets. Each classroom has a theme, i.e.: hair care, cooking, first aid, etc. Mark your calendars so you won't miss this great evening.
Spring parent conferences will take place right after students return from winter break, beginning Tuesday, March 2 and continuing on Thursday, March 4, and Wednesday, March 10. Dismissal for these days will be at 12 noon and lunch will be served on these days. Transportation for the Boys and Girls Club will be at 12 noon as well.
The new Y Center looks marvelous from the outside and if you would like a tour of the inside, the Y staff holds an open house once a month. March 6 is the next date for the open house, so come and check it out.
Movie Night at the Oak Bluffs Library for Thursday March 4 will star Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana in a romantic drama involving time travel. Come and enjoy this special movie presentation at 6 pm.
The children's book club at the library on Saturday, Feb. 27 for ages 4 to 5 will feature a Saturday Surprise Story time at 10:15. All ages are welcome to attend this story time. And the Teen Daughter and Mother Book Club for grades 9 through 12, will be reading A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly. This will be on Saturday, Feb. 27.
The HMV Fish Farm Haiti Project is organizing an emergency relief drive for Haiti. Specific items such as tarps, ropes, blankets, sheets, medical equipment and supplies are being collected, boxed and sent to Haiti as soon as possible. For more information or to volunteer call Patrick Hart at 508-221-2991 or go to www.fishfarmhaiti. org for details.
The Oak Bluffs Finance and Advisory Committee will host public hearings about the Town's proposed budget for next year (fiscal year 2011) on Thursday, March 4, and Saturday, March 13. Both the proposed budget and proposed override votes will be discussed. The first session will be held Thursday, March 4, in the first floor meeting room of the Oak Bluffs Library, 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. The second session will be held Saturday, March 13, at the Oak Bluffs Senior Center from 10 am to 12 noon. Two hearings have been scheduled on different dates for the convenience of residents, especially those who cannot attend an evening session during the week. The same information will be covered at both sessions.
The Finance and Advisory Committee will be proposing a balanced budget that does not rely on overrides, but does rely on new revenue sources. Requested increases that cannot be accommodated within the balanced budget will be proposed for override votes. This is serious, folks, so please try to attend one of these meetings and be an informed citizen and voter.
Speedy recovery wishes to my former neighbor Ernestine Kinnecom who is recovering from surgery at an off-island hospital. Her husband, Bob, says she is doing well and should be returning home very soon.
We send birthday smiles to Susan Christopher who celebrated on Valentine's Day, Benjamin Peters and birthday twins Wendy Macy and Linda Rice on February 25, Earl Peters on February 27, Heather Jenkinson on March 2, and Alison Ferreira and Amy Billings on March 4.
Enjoy your week.
Peace.
