Don’t forget to vote! The polls open at 7 am on Tuesday. Your vote may choose the deciding vote on national health care. I expect to see you at the Legion Hall.
Want to work for the 2010 Census? They say it is good pay for temporary part-time jobs and flexible hours. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen. Non-citizens will need working papers.
If you are interested, you should first call the U.S. Census at 866-861-2010. After you type in your ZIP code, you will be connected with the Hyannis office. The people there will tell you what you need to know and sign you up for an upcoming test on the Island. You must sign up through Hyannis. You should also check out the practice test online at 2010censusjobs.gov.
Congratulations to Maria Gaskill. She was formerly a neighbor in our town, but she now lives in New York. She won the Vineyard Holiday Gift Shop basket packed with wonderful items made by the artisans at the shop. The basket was raffled off to benefit the Island Food Pantry. Penny Uhlendorf says $441 went to the pantry.
Some people say that winter is the best time to visit museums. You can get discount museum passes from the Vineyard Haven Library circulation desk. Director Amy Ryan says that the library passes have been made possible by generous donations from the community.
The passes to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston are available through next November. Each pass admits two visitors at a reduced price of $5 per person, payable at the museum. The MFA is free for children under 7, and also free for children ages 7 to 17 on weekdays after 3 pm, weekends, and school holidays. Regular admission is $20 for adults and $18 for seniors or students.
Also, passes to the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Boston are available through next September. Each pass admits two visitors at a reduced price of $5 per person, payable at the museum. Passes must be used during month specified. The ICA is always free to children 17 and under. Regular admission at the ICA is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors or students.
The library’s monthly book sale will be this Saturday from 1 to 3 pm. Proceeds support library programs.
While we are on the topic of the library, you should know that the Superintendent of Schools will offer Professional Development Points to all Island teachers who attend Jim Norton’s programs on “Three Cups of Tea.” The students are studying this book and discussing the author’s concepts of saving the world, one school at a time.
What else is there to learn? In cooking classes at A.C.E. MV at the high school you can learn how to make frugal soups and Korean dishes. I already told you about hula hoop dancing. You can study world religions, guitar, blogging, or even fencing. Other choices include understanding Medicare, ceramics, and social dancing. Check in with Lynn Ditchfield [lynn@ acemv.org].
How about a film on Saturday night? “The New Year Parade” is the story of two teenagers struggling to make sense of their family life after their mother and father decide to separate. Sixteen-year-old Kat wants her parents to work things out. Jack is trying to keep track of their fragmented finances. Complicating matters is the fact that Jack plays in the string band his father leads in Philadelphia’s annual Mummer’s Parade. See it at 7:30 pm at the Cornell Theatre.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out today to Tyler Paulson and Harry B. Jones. Sunday belongs to Chuck Downing. On Monday wish the best to Steve Soriano. Patricia Neal and Mev Good share a special day on Wednesday.
Heard on Main Street: Do you share the dream? Celebrate on Monday in memory of Martin Luther King Jr.
