I hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend and enjoyed the snow we got on Monday. There is supposed to be more coming this weekend. A belated happy birthday to Martin Luther King Jr. While I think he would be delighted to see an African American in the White House and Jim Crow laws eradicated, I think he would be incredibly disheartened by the violence against African Americans that is still so prevalent, and by the large numbers of people of color in our jails and prisons. There is still much of his dream that is not yet realized. And that’s our job now, to finish it.
At the library this week you can join in the book group conversation tonight, Thursday, Jan. 21, at 5 pm. The book being discussed is “Defending Jacob” by William Landry. On Saturday, Jan. 23, from 11 am to 3 pm, the kids’ craft is making button trees. On Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 5 pm, is adult coloring time. Next Thursday, the 28th, at 4:30 pm, there will be a screening of the Oscar-nominated film “The Martian.”
Pathways at the Chilmark Tavern has a full docket this week. On Thursday they will show “Greening Eden: An Evening with Liz Witham and Ken Wentworth” after the 21st U.N. climate summit in Paris. It starts at 6:30 pm. More info at their Greening Eden Facebook page. On Friday there will be a presentation of writers sharing works-in-progress, titled “Arts & Scripts.” Tuesday evenings is their poets and writers series. All events are 6:30 to 9 pm, with light refreshments served and free admission.
There will be a memorial service for Dr. Marianne Goldberg on Jan. 31 at 3:30 pm. The memorial will be held at the Chilmark Community Center, and people are invited to come and share their memories of Marianne. There will be music, dance, and spoken word in celebration of her life and vision. If you have photos of her that you would like to share, email them to pathwaysprojectsevents@gmail.com. You can also call them at 508-645-9098 for more information. Please bring a dish to share for after the ceremony.
The Chilmark School is holding a fundraiser for the Red Stocking Fund this Friday night at the Chilmark Community Center. It is called “Italian Night,” and it is an Italian-style family dinner with spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, and garlic bread. Tickets are $12 each or $30 for the whole family. Dinner is served from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. You can buy tickets at the door or email Meg Athearn at meggiemorrow@gmail.com.
Want to go shopping but low on funds? “Clothes to Go” will be held at the Stone Church in Vineyard Haven this Saturday, Jan. 23, from 2 to 5 pm. Martha’s Vineyard Community Services Connect to End Violence program invites you to enjoy an afternoon of selecting gently used clothes and tasty hors d’oeuvres. There will be a great selection of free gently used clothing for all ages, including shirts, hats, outerwear, and shoes. Hosted by the United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard.I know it’s down-Island, but the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse is doing some great stuff this winter if you are looking to get out of the house and get some culture. On Monday nights at 7:30 pm, they show classic movies for $5. Tuesdays there is a poetry-reading series with Arnie Reisman, and next weekend, Jan. 29 and 30, at 7:30 pm, there will be a musical revue.