Now it is on to climate change, and if you had been paying attention the last few decades you would have noticed. I am so glad we had a gathering at Five Corners last Saturday. For so many of us to be out protecting, protesting and demonstrating on subjects important to us shows our needs are not being met by government. I think back to my first personal encounter with this problem as Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was released in 1962. I shall never forget the phrase Mni Wiconi passed on by our water protectors. I am in awe of the young people suing the government for their rights to a current and future clean and livable earth. Neil DeGrasse Tyson, a pillar of the scientific community, says: “Show me a nation with a science-hostile government and I’ll show you a society with failing health, wealth, and security.” Follow him. Check all the writings and quotes coming out from Noam Chomsky. Read Silent Spring if you have not already. We must immediately end this foolishness about drilling and selling off any areas of our National Parks. So much to do, so little time. Let’s get organized for the summer.

The Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council had a reception Tuesday night at our MV Film Society downtown. Thanks to the many people and shops that provided free refreshments. Liz Witham and Ken Wentworth’s special preview of scenes from their new documentary, Keepers of the Light: The History of the Gay Head Lighthous” was featured. I think we all followed the moving of the lighthouse a few years ago, now you can put the whole tale in perspective. The MV Cultural Council accepts grants for projects Islanders from now until Oct. 16. If you need an application go to massculturalcouncil.org. This terrific program is run state-wide. We need your input.

A reminder now to collect your outdated, broken, or too-well-used electronics for our annual disposal day. It will be on Saturday, May 20 at the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services campus from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. I have not received any more news at this time whether bulk furniture collection might also be that day. Many of you, and rightly so, have expressed dismay over the many sofas and mattresses and other bulk items left on streets.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Jim MacDonald, Sarah Francis and Joey Murphy on May 6; May 7 shines on Ellen Dubraska; May 9 is a party for Chris Collins, Matheus des Santos and Whitney Kelly; and on May 11 Tristan Klein and Mary Anne D’Alessandro take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.