The Aquinnah Select Board is looking for people willing to volunteer for service on any of the 23 committees that advise or govern various aspects of our community life. If you are a registered voter here in Aquinnah, please email townadministrator@aquihhah-ma.gov to get a list of vacancies, and then apply by June 20.
On Tuesday, June 17, at 5 pm at the Town Hall, the Aquinnah climate and energy committee offers you a chance to learn about the possibility of getting our town buildings hooked together onto a microgrid. This microgrid would keep the police and fire departments, the town offices, and Town Hall functional, even if the main grid goes down during emergencies. Go and learn more, ask questions, express any concerns.
Neva Goldstein is again offering Vinyasa Yoga at the Town Hall. Sessions will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 am. All levels are welcome, and the fee is $20.
If you’ve ever wondered about joining the League of Women Voters, here is your chance. It is having its annual meeting on Saturday, June 7, at 9 am at the Howes House, and you are invited to attend. If you have any questions, call Carole Early at 202-550-0820.
On Friday, June 13, at 7:30 pm, Circuit Arts is presenting an evening of readings and conversation with Nancy Slonim Aronie and 10 of the writers who appear in her book “Seven Secrets to the Perfect Personal Essay.” It’s a pay-what-you-can event, but they request/suggest $20 for a ticket if you can afford it. If you have ever thought about getting your thoughts onto paper, this is the book and the event for you. Included in the presentation is Aquinnah’s own many-talented Kate Taylor.
Birthdays this week include Emily Vanderhoop on June 4, Emmett Taylor on June 5, Charley Hoye on June 8, and Allen Carney on June 9.
As the current administration continues to erode democratic norms and human rights, our Island continues to show up with compassion and courage. I was moved and impressed by our Vineyard police officer who stood there calmly stating that the citizen protesting a deportation arrest taking place was exercising a constitutionally protected right. He was a powerful symbol of patriotism, in contrast to the face-masked bully who stood beside him, threatening the protester. That Vineyard officer, and those who held signs or worked to protect frightened neighbors, are proof that decency and care and respect for law still matters. I proudly join with them by speaking up whenever I can. I urge you to do the same. On June 10 at 7 pm, the American Civil Liberties Union is offering a Zoom session on knowing what your rights are when responding in defense of civil liberties. You can find out more, or sign up for the training, by writing to them at info@peoplepower.org.
If you have any Aquinnah Town Column suggestions, email Kathie Olson, aquinnahcolumn@gmail.com.