In the ever-shifting face of our Main Street my sources say the Waterside Market building will be a Chinese restaurant. Downtown is changing for the better. It will be interesting to see how the vote on spirits goes in our old Pirate Town.

On Sunday, April 9, our Martha’s Vineyard Community Services organization, Connect to End the Violence, is sponsoring its fifth annual march to raise awareness about sexual assault. Pre-registration at ibrito@mvcommunityservices.com or call 774-549-9667 extension 106. The money raised will help those in need.

Meanwhile, the MVCS Family Center on North William street is having its coffee on the subject of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 8. Look what else started up this week; Thursdays at an outdoor playground segment offered by MVCS will meet you and your kids at an outdoor playground every Thursday from April 6 to late November. Check the Family Center Facebook page to get the name of each playground and any weather cancellation news. Playground runs from 10 to 11 a.m., not too stressful for anyone.

Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center suggests if you would like to join the second Seder community dinner on Tuesday, April 11, call or write the office now to see if any spaces are left.

Judith Campbell’s kitty photo bombed her picture of her pink pussy caps on the sofa. Busy Judith has done a great job of keeping us warm, noticed, and resisting. All this and a chef and writer, too!

Betty Burton is still our dynamo at the library. She would like to remind you that the Great Decisions Discussion Group began on April 6 and will run every Thursday night through May 26. This always popular free program draws a crowd. You need to preregister so the correct amount of materials are available. Betty, just curious, how many years have we run the Great Decisions group?

The movie in the program room at the library on Tuesday, April 11 is an Oscar-award winner with Denzel Washington. All are invited.

Here is the paragraph I did not want to write. Our dear Tisburian Anna Duarte died on Saturday, April 1. Anna was a real go-getter and yet, a loyal and sweet person. She took time for the things she knew mattered, family, friends, her clubs, passions and church. I met Anna at Legion Auxiliary post meetings years ago on Martin Toad. Anna was always delightful to run into, visit with and discuss everything family and all things pets. Anna served as Poppy Girl for 15 years in our auxiliary, and she had the corner on the poppy donation jar down at Cumby’s. Anna perfected her wonderful hard sell but you-don’t-even-know-I’m-luring-you technique to collect the most donations for our veterans. She was also an energetic stringer for this column. She shared so much great news with us. Our condolences to all who knew and loved Anna Duarte.

It is sad but so many of my friends are facing sicknesses and big decisions about their family members. And by that I mean the pets, because who is closer family to you than your pet? Please pray for and offer assistance to these friends of ours who are busy taking care of their pets: Katie Oskan’s doggie, Delores Borza’s cat Louie is in treatments, Doug and Barbara Peckham’s dog Andy is having aging problems, David, Gaia, and Gracie Whitmon’s Bonnie dog is having treatments, Jeri Wentz’s Tabitha has just come through surgery, so far, so good. Condolences to Paul Gagnon whose dog Lobo passed last weekend. Don’t think if I haven’t mentioned you and your pet it isn’t that I’m not thinking about you all.

Get well wishes and prayers please to my good friend Herman Dudley Haughton. We need Mr. Green Hands back soon to create his beautiful gardens.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Muriel Gerhard on April 7. This Renaissance woman has just published another book. April 8 is claimed by Simon Goldberg. April 9 is for Laura Daly, Nick Weyl, and April Cimeno. April 10 belongs to Jason Murphy. April 11 is a party for Jennifer Kuehne, Suzanne Cory-Warren, and Zachary Atumick.

April 12 shines on Siobhan Francis, Elmer Silva, and Danielle Ewart. And on April 13 Barbara Kunzelman and Taylor Gramkowski take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.