News in Brief

Posted July 27, 2006

Pedestrian hit by truck at Five Corners

A pickup truck making a left turn from Lagoon Pond Road onto Beach Street struck a pedestrian in the crosswalk heading from Water Street last Wednesday around 6:30 pm.

The pedestrian, Mary Mayo, 76, a resident of Baltimore, suffered minor injuries, according to Tisbury's Acting Police Chief Tim Stobie. She was conscious and alert when the Tisbury Police and emergency medical technicians arrived within minutes of the accident. After being transported by ambulance, she arrived at Martha's Vineyard Hospital at 6:43 pm.

The truck driver, Wai Leung Chan, 42, of New York, was cited for failure to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

The accident occurred when traffic at Five Corners was heavy, but not around the time of a ferry arrival or departure. A traffic officer was not stationed at the intersection at that time. Although the police department and EMTs responded quickly, traffic around Five Corners was delayed for 30 to 45 minutes.

Hospital ER welcomes new doctor

The Martha's Vineyard Hospital emergency room has a new doctor. She is Cathy Beland, a native of Slingerlands, N.Y., and 2003 graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine.

Doctor Beland comes to Martha's Vineyard Hospital after completing her emergency medicine residency at the Albany Medical Center in June. Her interests include wilderness medicine and hiking, according to her resume.

"Cathy's stepped into the emergency department at probably our busiest time of the year, and she's done so with great poise," said Dr. Tim Tsai, hospital ER department director. "She has the support of the staff, and we're very glad to have yet another emergency medicine trained physician join the department."

Tim Walsh, hospital chief executive officer, said the addition of Dr. Beland will help fill the gap created by the expected movement of Dr. Gerry Yukevitch, long time ER doctor, to private clinical practice.

Quick-acting Oak Bluffs police officers subdue blaze

Quick action by an alert trio of Oak Bluffs police officers helped avert what could have been a major fire in a popular restaurant on Seaview Avenue early Monday morning.

Police officers Chris Oteri, Ryan Lehman, and Jeff Trudell spotted smoke coming from the Lookout Tavern about 1:30 am. Investigating, they spotted a fire in the kitchen and alerted the Oak Bluffs fire department.

Taking a fire extinguisher from his cruiser, Officer Oteri smashed a window to gain access and emptied the contents on the blaze. Firefighters soon arrived to finish the job and vent the building.

Oak Bluffs Fire Chief Dennis Alley praised the alert officers and the quick response of the fire fighters. Most grateful of all was Bob Murphy, a co-owner of the business.

Mr. Murphy said that according to a video surveillance tape the police arrived within three minutes of the start of the fire, and firefighters soon thereafter in the old wooden building. "They were just so fast and effective," said Mr. Murphy. "They helped avert what could have been a major catastrophe for us in the middle of the summer."

After some cleanup the popular sushi spot and seafood restaurant was open for business this week. According to a fire department report, the chefs deposited some cooking materials still hot with grease in a cardboard box left on a stainless steel table in the kitchen. The fire began as a result of spontaneous combustion and was ruled accidental, the report concluded.

New ferry connection to Montauk, Block Island

The Viking Fleet will start weekend passenger service between Montauk, N.Y., and New Bedford, with one special trip to Martha's Vineyard planned for a weekend in August. The 120-foot Viking Superstar, a high-speed ferry designed by Captain Paul Forsberg with seating for 225 passengers, took its maiden voyage on July 2.

The ferry will run on a limited schedule, with one departure each weekend day until September. Leaving Montauk, the ferry will make one stop on Block Island, R.I., before arriving in New Bedford and then completing the reverse route.

The Viking Superstar will also make one special trip from Montauk directly to Martha's Vineyard on Aug. 13, returning to Montauk on Aug. 15.

The Viking Ferry trips are designed to coordinate schedules with New England Fast Ferry boats leaving from New Bedford to Cuttyhunk, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard.

Monster Shark tournament barely caused a ripple

Foul weather and high spirits marked the 20th annual Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament. Despite the well-publicized opposition of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to the annual contest, fishermen and enthusiastic onlookers far outweighed the small contingent of tournament opponents.

Oak Bluffs police, who had geared up for any problems over the course of the event that began on Thursday, were pleased that although the weigh-in attracted large crowds and plenty of traffic, people were well behaved. "It was a great weekend and absolutely uneventful," said Lt. Tim Williamson.

Police made four arrests, none related to the shark tournament, according to Lieutenant Williamson.

The biggest concern for Steven James, president of the Boston Big Game Fishing Club, which sponsors the event, was the path of a tropical storm that swept up the coast on Thursday. Strong winds and high swells made fishing conditions difficult for the fishermen aboard the 268 registered boats.

A total of 26 sharks were brought to the weigh station, far fewer than the previous year.

The winning fish was a 482-pound thresher shark caught on board the Clan MacGregor owned by captain Scott MacGregor of Easton, Conn. The first prize was a 23-foot Contender boat with a 200-hp motor and trailer.

John Grandy, HSUS vice president, said that from the standpoint of the cruelty and suffering that took place, the tournament went pretty much as expected. He said he was disappointed that the society was kept so far from the water.

Oak Bluffs selectmen had asked that the society set up its informational booth by the Oak Bluffs post office, well away from the weigh station and crowds. Mr. Grandy said the society would continue its campaign to ban all shark fishing tournaments. "We are not going away," he said.

At the Oak Bluffs selectmen's meeting Tuesday night, selectmen agreed to ask voters if the town should continue to host the shark tournament in the form of a nonbinding referendum question on the April 2007 ballot.

State changes requirements to purchase hunting license

A new state law requires anyone purchasing a hunting license to have a certificate showing he or she has completed a basic hunter education course or produce proof of having had a previous hunting license from any state or province. The legislation signed by Governor Mitt Romney is effective Jan. 1, 2007.

Once the law goes into effect, in order to purchase any hunting license all minors between 15 and 17 years of age must produce a basic hunter education course certificate and a letter of consent allowing the minor to hunt from his or her parent or guardian or a letter signed by the minor's parent or guardian affirming that the minor will be accompanied at all times by a licensed adult while hunting and a letter of consent allowing the minor to hunt from his or her parent or guardian.

A free hunter education course is offered once a year in the spring at the Martha's Vineyard Rod and Gun Club.

For more information, go to: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfwrec.htm

Business Briefs

Acupuncturist joins Integrated Health Care

Acupuncturist Cathleen Vincent will begin working at Integrated Health Care in Vineyard Haven on August 1.

Ms. Vincent is certified by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Medicine, according to a press release. Integrated Health Care also provides massage therapy with Allyson Cooke and chiropractic medicine with Dr. Dardanella Slavin. For more information, call 508-696-1863.

Atria Restaurant turns to the sun for hot water

Atria Restaurant on Upper Main Street in Edgartown will celebrate the use of a new solar water heating system with a ribbon cutting ceremony in the restaurant's garden patio at 6 pm on Saturday. According to a press release, the solar system will be used to heat all of the hot water necessary for Atria's kitchen and bathroom use - over 700 gallons a day.

Staff from Nelson Mechanical Design, Inc., installer of the system, will be present Saturday to answer questions about the system's design and projected savings. Contact Brian Nelson at 508-572-4886 with any questions.

Dream Weaver trunk show features Chicago designer

Dream Weaver, the Edgartown store known for its unique collection of American couture, will feature the work of award-winning Chicago designer Mark Heister.

According to a press release, Mr. Heister, who is known for his clean lines and form-flattering silhouettes, will be previewing his classic ensembles and impeccable designs in an extraordinary array of fine silks on Friday and Saturday.

"I am more interested in a good cut and interesting patterns, than in decoration and ornamentation," said Mr. Heister of his approach to fashion.

Dream Weaver is located at the corner of South Water Street and Main Street in Edgartown. For more information, call 508-627-9683.

MV Co-op Bank funds Berklee therapy program

The Martha's Vineyard Co-operative Bank's sponsorship of Vineyard Vibes, the Island music festival that showcases the talents of Berklee College of Music alumni, faculty, and students, this year will include funding for a music therapy program.

Money raised during the sixth annual concert event, which runs from July 28 to July 30, will help fund a music-based stress reduction program, provided by representatives of Berklee's Music Therapy Department for nonprofit health-care organizations on the Island. According to a press release, not only will the college be providing a valuable service to people in need through its graduates, but students will also gain hands-on experience by working with patients on the Vineyard.

Berklee's Music Therapy Department was founded in 1996. The department offers the only undergraduate music therapy program in the Boston area, and is one of the largest undergraduate programs in the U.S., with nearly 100 students enrolled.

Sovereign Bank ATMs in CVS stores

Bank of Martha's Vineyard, a division of Sovereign Bank, recently announced that its parent, Sovereign Bank, has entered into an agreement to install more than 1,000 ATMs in CVS stores throughout the Northeastern U.S. Once installations are completed Bank of Martha's Vineyard customers will have access to more than 2,000 ATMs in the Northeast corridor according to a press statement. The Sovereign ATMs at CVS stores are cash-dispense only and are surcharge- free for Bank of Martha's Vineyard customers, according to the bank.

Hilliard's Candy is back to delight Islanders

A longtime tradition has returned to the Vineyard, a box of Hilliard's Candy. Kathleen Cowley , owner of New Moon Magick, an antique shop, and David Hilliard, who for many years operated a candy store on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs, have joined forces to offer Hilliard's Fudge, Buttercrunch, Lollipops, Holiday treats and other confections.

Hilliard's Candy is available at New Moon Magick, 4 Chapman Ave. in Oak Bluffs (across the park from Our Market on the same street as the Ocean View Restaurant) and at the Farmers' Market on Saturday.

For more information, call 506-693-8331.

Familiar face back at Wallace and Company

Wallace and Company announced that, after a brief hiatus in Chicago, Dee Moyer has returned to the company, bringing with her almost 30 years of real estate experience. Ms. Moyer is located at the company's Edgartown office.

For more information, call 508-627-3313.

Architect Bruce MacNelly pens book introduction

An essay written by Architect Bruce MacNelly, of MacNelly Cohen Architects in West Tisbury, has been published as the introduction to a recently published study of the master architect Alvar Aalto. Mr. MacNelly's essay, "Time and Landscape," addresses some of the themes examined in the book, "An Analysis of the Work of the Finnish Architect Alvar Aalto," written by Professor L. Keith Loftin of the University of Colorado at Denver and published by the Edwin Mellen Press.

The work of MacNelly Cohen Architects as well as of other Vineyard architects and designers is featured in "Vineyard Homes," an edition of Channel 5's news magazine Chronicle that will be re-broadcast tonight at 7:30 pm.