Chappaquiddick’s own Edwina Rissland will be showing her photographic work in the 10th annual abstract art exhibition: Abstract Spaces and Places at Louisa Gould’s Gallery in Vineyard Haven from August 24 through Sept. 10. The opening reception will be on Saturday, August 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit showcases the work of seven other Vineyard artists as well. Edwina will be showing her more abstract images rather than those of Chappy which she recently published in Morning Shore – A Turn of the Year on Chappaquiddick.

The final offering by the CCC foreign film Fridays completes a sampling of productions from around the world with Tashi and the Monk on August 25 at 8 p.m. This is a semi-documentary about an orphanage nestled deep within the foothills of the Himalayas. The leader of this extraordinary and inspiring community is Buddhist Monk Lobsang who works to create an atmosphere of love and acceptance for children who have been abused or orphaned. Tashi is the newest and youngest resident. She is originally ill-tempered and aggressive toward the other children but is transformed by her interaction with the monk and 80 other adolescent cohabitants. The setting is beautifully filmed and accompanied by an appealing musical score.

If you missed the previous Chappy tick talks, don’t despair! There is another planned for Thursday August 31 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the CCC. Both Dick Johnson and Dr. Kathy Murray Leisure will be on hand to enlighten you to the many threats posed by tick borne diseases and how to begin to deal with them.

Make sure during the upcoming Labor Day weekend to leave the evening of Saturday, Sept. 2 free to enjoy a concert by local summer kid Ben Yarmolinsky at the CCC from 7 to 8 p.m. Ben is a classically trained composer and guitarist. This guy has been busy. He has composed operas and musical theater pieces, including a docu-opera based on the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings (Clarence & Anita), a television news broadcast in song (Blind Witness News) and a Letterman-inspired talk show (The Lenny Paschen Show). His The Constitution: a secular oratorio showcases large portions of the U.S. Constitution. He also wrote the book, lyrics and music for April 15th Blues, a musical theatre piece about taxes. He is a founding member of Friends & Enemies of New Music, and his music is often performed in New York and occasionally elsewhere in the world. In addition to theatre music, he has also composed chamber music, choral music and set to music poems by American poets from Ashbery to Zukofsky. He has recorded three CDs of his solo guitar compositions: Music for Guitar, Album for the Young & Not-So-Young, and Playing with the Big Boys, and recently released a CD of his chamber music with piano, strings and winds: Dark Eyes. On top of all of that he is performing for free. You are welcome to make a donation.

The beach is still way too narrow at the southeast corner of Chappaquiddick to drive into town. It was passable for only a couple of years during the last decade so it’s nothing new for dedicated fishermen. The Martha’s Vineyard Bass and Bluefish derby begins on Sunday, Sept. 17. At the moment nesting shorebirds still occupy the tip of the gut but should be fledged by the start of the derby. Dial 508-627-8390 day or night to hear Will Geresy talk really fast in relaying a whole lot of up-to-date information about over-sand vehicle access to the Chappy beaches.

Send Chappy news to peterchappyferry@gmail.com.