Belated birthday greetings to Rhoda Diamond. She celebrated her 95th birthday yesterday.
Spring is trying to show its face. It is amazing that the tiny little tip of a soft green leaf can pierce the heavy soil surface to reach for the sun. The delicate tip of a bud somehow makes its way through all that dirt. Is that really the same dirt that seems difficult to dig when I am planting bulbs? This is one of our daily miracles on this earth.
You can help set foreign policy. You can also learn more about what is truly happening in our world. The Great Decisions Discussion Group runs from April 7 to May 26 at 7 pm on Thursdays at the Vineyard Haven library. The Foreign Policy Association (FPA) has compiled a briefing book covering eight global topics to be read by participants, and a DVD will be played at the start of each session. Moderated discussions will cover one topic each week. Books are available at the desk. You must register online.
On Tuesday, the library presents “Danish Girl” at 7 pm. This film was nominated for four Oscars this year, including Best Actor for Eddie Redmayne.
Quick, painless, and free: Shakespeare for the Masses begins this weekend at the Vineyard Playhouse, Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at noon. It’s the Triple Crown: “Richard II” and “Henry IV, Parts I and II.” Free, although donations are welcome.
Arnie Reisman hosts the Poetry Café on Tuesday at 7:30 pm at the Playhouse, with Justen Ahren, Peter Ledermann, Fan Ogilvie, and Claudia Taylor. $10, cash only, at the door, includes beverage and a slice of Pie Chicks pie.
Also, at the Vineyard Playhouse on Wednesday will be the Berklee College of Music African Club, performing at 7:30 pm. This is a special concert of African music. $15 cash or check, students $10, at the door. The concert highlights the music of East and West Africa and Southern Africa. Audience members will be encouraged to participate and sing along.
The African Club will be at the high school on Thursday morning, and also holding a workshop open to the community and students in the evening from 6 to 8:30. More: Call Roberta Kirn at 774-563-0318.
Music is in the air. There is still space for you to go to the Boston Symphony. The Tisbury Travel Club, which is organized by the Tisbury Senior Center, has tickets available for the day trip on Friday, April 22, to a Boston Symphony Orchestra matinee concert at Symphony Hall. The dynamic BSO music director Andris Nelsons will be conducting. Call Sandy at 508-696-4205 if you would like to join the group going to the symphony.
Martha’s Vineyard Museum docent Myra Stark will present “Museum Conversations” on Thursday, April 14, at 10 am. Myra will share all kinds of information available at the museum, such as oral histories, artifacts, and beautiful reproductions. I’ve been told this program, which will take place at the Tisbury Senior Center, will have you guessing the answer to an intriguing question.
Next Thursday at 4 pm, learn more about the Martha’s Vineyard Museum collection from Ann DuCharme, education director at the Museum. She will be speaking at the Oak Bluffs library. She will tell you about some of the items in the collection which were described in last year’s book “Island Stories.” Want to know more? The program is free, and copies of the book will be available.
While you are making notes on your calendar, remember that your vote may decide your taxes for next year at the town meeting on April 12. That is only a week from next Tuesday.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out on Saturday to Tom Zinno. Birthday greetings to Janet Holladay, who parties next Wednesday.
Heard on Main Street: “Believe the best of everybody. It saves so much trouble.” —Kipling
