“Never let a good crisis go to waste,” was first said by Winston Churchill and repeated recently by James Carville, the Democratic Party consultant. The statement seems well-timed this summer as convention officials scramble to restart this vitally important campaign.

A policy shift is taking place here at home and some objections may be expected at a meeting Wednesday, July 31 at 4:30 p.m. at the Howes House. The selectmen and assessors are considering a major change to the town’s tax structure. The suggestion is for a two-tiered tax base: full-time residents of West Tisbury pay one rate and owners of all other properties pick up the slack. Tisbury has been doing something similar for decades. Town officials will be on hand to explain the system and respond to questions and concerns.

A family of otters has been seen—and they are hard to miss—crossing the road from the Garden Club to the Mill Pond. Drive carefully.

The Algricultural Fair committee is looking for people who know how to tie knots and are willing to teach and demonstrate their skills at a new booth at the Agricultural Fair. If you were a Boy Scout, a sailor, farmer or fisherman and you are skilled at clove hitching or the bowline, knowledgable about the square knot, the sheet bend or the half-hitch and are willing to serve, contact Adam Moore at 508-280-7883 or Bill Haynes at 508-338-2153.

Happy Birthday today, Friday, to Fran Bradley and Joan LeLacheur. A big Happy Birthday to Jacob Freeman on Saturday, July 27. It is his very first one. Happy Birthday to the artist Max Decker, also on Saturday. Happy Birthday to Amanda Lobb on Monday, July 29. And, Happy Birthday to Ryan Uva on Wednesday, July 31.

Jeff and Nancy Smith are here from Vienna, Va. hoping to see many friends.

Meg D’Incecco, her husband John and son Leslie are here from Manhattan visiting Meg’s cousin Sara Rosenthal and Julie Prazich.

Give Me Shelter is an art exhibit and sale to benefit Harbor Homes’ programs to prevent homelessness on the Vineyard. Two dozen professional local artists have contributed works for this urgent need. The two-day event takes place as at the Grange. Hours are 12 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 31.

Art from the Heart is an exhibit of works by the Vineyard Independence Program disabled artists and from Zambian artists in a program sponsored by Marsha Winsryg. The show is Monday, July 29, 3 to 5 p.m. at the former Chilmark Chocolates, 19 State Road, Chilmark.

David Barton Smith will give a talk and a reading from his new book Malicious Intent: Murder and the Perpetuation of Jim Crow Health Care. The author is professor emeritus at Temple University and a specialist in the country’s unequal and shameful health care system. It will be held at the library, Wednesday, July 31 at 4:30 p.m.

Town clerk Tara Whiting-Wells reports that vote-by-mail ballots for the primary election will be sent this week.

Lori Erickson Francoise is here from Salt Lake City to visit her sister Lynne Whiting. With Lori is her son Louis, now known as Father Basil, who will officiate at the memorial for Prudy Whiting on Friday. He and Prudy were close friends when he lived here some years ago. The tribute to Prudy takes place this afternoon, Friday, July 26, at the Agricultural Hall, 4 to 6 p.m. Prudy was one of the least pretentious people I have ever known. Her humor was wry, dry and deadpan. I know she had nerves of steel because, many years ago, Prudy taught me how to drive. Don’t hold it against her.