NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

It’s not too early in the school season to kvetch about homework. I am sick and tired of it. This is the new kind of homework I find particularly offensive: when I watch the evening news, and no, not on a computer, now almost every story ends with: “You can learn more about this by visiting www.blahblah.com.” To me, this is an insidious form of homework. If I wanted to be sitting in front of a computer, why would I be watching television? Heck, I still remember the days when Walter Cronkite came on the evening news for 15 minutes! I expect to find television news edited, as I have other things to do in my life, and I do not expect to have to investigate further. Same thing with magazines today. I did enjoy reading Vanity Fair, especially when my favorite, Dominick Dunne, was alive and writing, may he rest in peace. Vanity Fair was particularly thick and heavy, a lot of glossy ads but many long stories. I notice lately it is thinner. And that’s because nearly every (shorter) story ends with: for more on this story go to www.wearesavingonprint.com. More homework! If I’m reading a magazine, that’s what I want to be doing, no computer screen. No more homework from the entertainment industry, thank you very much.

The seasonal flu clinic will be held at the high school on Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to noon. Please note this is a seasonal flu shot, not swine flu. A big change this year is that for some reason do not drive directly to the high school. Two staging areas, the former Waban (now Dennis Alley) Park in Oak Bluffs and the Agricultural Hall grounds in West Tisbury are the places to drive to. From there you will be sent to the high school. Sounds convoluted to me, but that’s the plan.

Speaking of swine flu, who do you think I saw on national news a few weeks back speaking in a short segment on how schools across the country were prepared to deal with flu season? Kriner Cash, now superintendent of the Memphis public school system, our former superintendent.

Tuesday is a big day. Teresa LaSala welcomes all to a free presentation at the public charter school from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the subject of parenting with positive discipline. At 7 p.m. the Vineyard Haven library hosts a talk by famed water scientist William E. Marks, the founder of our first state certified water testing laboratory on the Vineyard. The whole evening is devoted to water stories. Join us!

Tuesday is also the day of a luncheon at the Baylies Room in the Old Whaling Church from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Women’s Network. There will be a presentation on social networking. Pay online today to get a discount. Visit mvwomensnetwork.com. I’m aggravated all over again, not only by the use of the word “visit” in this respect, but by the fact that more and more information comes to me with only a Web site or e-mail contact, no telephone number or snail mail address. I suppose the younger generation, the really hip boomers, and the techies among the senior set are just waiting for the rest of us dinosaurs to die out so all people do all day is “visit” each other via computer.

The American Legion Auxiliary meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Legion Hall. New members are always welcome.

Serving Hands food distribution at the First Baptist Parish House is canceled today and rescheduled for 2 p.m. next Wednesday. Tell your friends who use this service.

Good library news. The library is now open Sunday afternoons from noon to 4 p.m. The Friends are baking cookies to welcome you back to their winter schedule. Tomorrow is the monthly mini-book sale at the library from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. In honor of the Sunday opening, the sale will continue that day as well. I’ll see you there.

Condolences to Joyce and Helen Staruk and their family on the death of their sister and daughter, Susan. Susan was a lovely, considerate and caring woman. Her devotion to her family and her pets was legendary. She will be missed.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Steffie Elliott today. Tomorrow is a party for Margery Howes, Sue Zonino and Hannah Berman. Oct. 18 honors Noel Macy, Zach Pepper, Shawn Goodwin, Jermaine Campbell and Jim Pringle Sr. Oct. 19 is shared by Maggie Greely and Benjamin Cotton. Oct. 20 is claimed by Bridget Slomka. Oct. 21 is for Allison Brown. And on Oct. 22 Robin Bailey and Isabella Bennett take the cake. Many happy returns.