Dylan Thomas
The birds of the winged trees flying my name Above the farms and the white horses I rose in rainy autumn And walked abroad in a shower of all my days. – Dylan Thomas
April 24, 2015
In Latest Skirmish With Airport, County Responds to Open Meeting Law Complaint
At a special meeting marked by bitter acrimony Thursday, county commissioners recast their controversial votes from last month when they ousted two airport commissioners and appointed three new ones.
West Tisbury Resumes Town Meeting Tuesday
The up-Island regional school district is expected to amend its budget after voters in West Tisbury rejected the town’s first tax override in 10 years last week. Following the vote, town officials and school district committee members alike struggled to determine next steps.
Chilmark Voters Take Up Islandwide Questions at Town Meeting Monday
Chilmark voters will weigh in on whether to fund a new Center for Living building for Island seniors at their annual town meeting tonight. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center, which also is the subject of funding requests this year.
Tisbury Heads to Polls; Spending, Selectmen’s Race Leads Ballot
Tisbury voters go to the polls Tuesday to choose a new selectman and decide whether to override the state tax cap for a number of spending projects.
No Toking: Two Years in and Still No Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
More than two years after Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved a medical marijuana law, no dispensaries or cultivation farms are open for business, and Dukes County is one of seven counties sent back to the beginning of the licensing process.
Norton Point Breach Closing Benefits Birds, Shellfish
The closure of the Norton Point breach on Chappaquiddick after eight years will likely benefit oyster farms and shorebirds in one of the Island’s most pristine natural environments, several experts said this week.
Lease Expirations Could Pose Issues for Woods Hole Parking Lots
Uncertainty over a future parking lot lease between the Steamship Authority and the town of Falmouth has led to a change in billing for Islanders who hold annual parking permits this year.
Surveillance Camera Leads to Arrest
A Vineyard Haven woman was arraigned April 10 on several counts of breaking and entering a building and larceny from a building.
Where the Sun Doesn’t Shine
On a bright, chilly Saturday earlier this month, a large contingent of Islanders turned out to participate in a walk to promote awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence.
For Farmers, Nothing Is Lost in Translation
The farmer invited us inside his home to join his wife and cat. We sat on fold-out chairs around a fold-out aluminum table next to a wood stove.
Many Pieces to Affordable Housing Puzzle
Chilmark has long recognized the importance of affordable housing to the well-being of the town.
Bob and the Beanstalk: a Life’s Journey
I became a gardener one fine spring day in 1961. I was sitting in Miss Cherry’s first grade class.
Ecology, Economics and Aesthetics: The Big Three of Beach Replenishment
The Oak Bluffs citizens beach committee was formed to advocate for attractive, high quality beaches and to represent human and economic needs.
Bottoms Up
Much interest centers, these days, around the issuance of licenses to sell beer in the various Island towns.
A Better Way
A recent article about the Island’s housing crisis stressed the need for more affordable housing.
Deteriorating Airport
The physical appearance of the airport buildings and grounds continues to deteriorate and is a disgrace to the Island.
Duplicative Government
Why are there six towns on Martha’s Vineyard, each with its own administrative costs?
Resource Recovery: Get on Board
My wife and I arrived at the Steamship Authority last Thursday morning, just as the excavator took the first bite out of the weather structure.
Channel to Pond Health
We understand that the Little Bridge channel at Sengekontacket Pond is being dredged this June.
Candidate Qualifications
As a candidate for Oak Bluffs selectman, I would like to thank both the local newspapers for bringing this election to the attention of the voters.
Real Estate Transactions: April 13 to April 19
New Red Hat LLC purchased 6 Trails End in Chilmark from Patricia Shulte TRS and SSK 2006 Nominee Trust for $950,000 on April 17.
Shearing Day at Island Alpaca
Shearing Day at Island Alpaca will take place on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
New Rental Division Director at Vineyard Open House
Kristin Zern has been named director of the rental division at Vineyard Open House Real Estate.
Medicare Planning Seminar
The Tisbury Council on Aging will sponsor a free seminar entitled Planning for Medicare Before You Turn 65 on May 6, at 3:30 p.m.
Jo Ann Murphy Cited for Meritorious Service
The Vineyard’s much-decorated county veterans agent, Jo Ann Murphy, has won another accolade.
Ribbon Cutting for West Tisbury Solar Panel
The Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative will hold a ribbon-cutting celebration next week to inaugurate the new solar photovoltaic project on the West Tisbury capped landfill.
Women Entrepreneurs Panel Discussion
Women Entrepreneurs of MV: Revitalization panel discussion is from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28.
Public Narrative Workshop
ACE MV is teaming up with Island Housing Trust to offer a workshop on community organizing and collective power.
Garden Center Lectures Begin
It’s planting season and this Saturday, April 25, Vineyard Gardens will be holding at talk at 10 a.m. on how to grow your own vegetables.
Herbs of Middletown
Middletown Nursery will be holding its first lecture of the growing season this Saturday, April 25, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Felix Neck Volunteer Day
Felix Neck wants you to help out with its ninth annual volunteer day on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Singing for the Radio and the Playhouse
Amy Fairchild will headline a benefit concert on May 1 for the Friends of mvyradio and the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse.
Venus and Jupiter Get Closer
Tomorrow night’s first quarter moon appears to the west of the bright planet Jupiter. The two are high in the southern sky, and easy to spot. Both are near the zodiacal constellation Leo. We saw these two celestial objects together a month ago. There is one significant difference with this astronomical event compared to an…
On Chappy: April 24
The trouble with sharing weekly column duties (beside the obvious issues of ego) is that one can’t depend on one’s colleague not to hog all the good stories. What more can be said about the closing of the breach or the ferry that hasn’t already been written by Peter? Not much. And without those two…
Road Rage: Uber Tests Vineyard Waters, Riling Cab Companies
Ride-sharing service Uber is testing the waters on Martha’s Vineyard. While there are no firm plans to expand Uber service to the Island, the company began advertising for drivers this week. Local cab companies said they fear Uber would quickly put them out of business.
Aquinnah Town Column: April 24
Spring is getting better by the day, with temperatures in the 60s most of the week. Families are arriving for the school vacation to open their summer homes, a few are vacationing elsewhere while school is out. More restaurants and businesses are opening. Josh Aronie and his food truck continue serving lunch each day at…
Taylor Hughes and Nicolas Nelson Announce Engagement
Philip and Alleyne Hughes of Oak Bluffs are delighted to announce the engagement of their daugher, Taylor Alleyne Hughes, to Nicolas Carl Nelson, son of Peter and Kathleen Nelson of Mattapoisett.
Retiring Superintendent to Make Farewell Speaking Tour
In the months leading up to his retirement, the Vineyard schools superintendent will be appearing around the Island to deliver parting words and share a look at the state of the schools. Dr. James H. Weiss will be retiring June 30 after about 10 years as superintendent.
Please Adopt Us
Everyone in the room got choked up upon meeting Coco, a gentle Saluki mix who needs a new home.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: April 24
There is so much to celebrate this last week of April. A big hurrah for better weather!
Everything Is Happening in Garden World
When it comes to birds, what I don’t know is a lot. I keep promising myself that I will take up bird watching when I’m old.
After Rough Winter, Trees Feel the Heat
Some of our evergreens are struggling. Notice the yellow, brown or red leaves on normally green plants, and the dead-looking limbs on the trees and shrubs in your yard.
Heralding Hummingbirds and the Return of the Robins
A species has arrived for the summer season, but its arrival has really been ignored to date.
Chilmark Town Column: April 24
Chilmark is celebrating Earth Day today as I write and with some extra gratitude this year … we can now see the earth! And, as it always does at this time of year, earth is producing many blooms. Even the skunk cabbage growth is welcome to our eyes.
Edgartown Town Column: April 24
Sun, rain, sun, rain, each day is a surprise. Warm, cold, warm, cold, we don’t know how to dress. But the sun helps keep our spirits up as many people still are talking about the winter weather and how happy they are that the sun is shining. I think most of us are happy we…
West Tisbury Town Column: April 24
Spring flowers are in bloom most everywhere, even though the weather, up until last weekend, was unseasonably cold and damp. The baseball field on Sunday hosted a youth baseball game and the tennis courts were also busy. Short-sleeved shirts and shorts were clothing of choice. My thanks to son Sam for sorting the mail at…
Oak Bluffs Town Column: April 24
A tourists’ guide published in Boston on June 1, 1897 unabashedly praised our favorite town. “It is probable that the great majority of people who make reference by voice or pen to Martha’s Vineyard are thinking when they do so, only of Cottage City, that place being the grand centre of attractions and interests for…
Vineyard License Plate Available to Order
Vineyard motorists with a bent for specialty license plates have a new choice thanks to a recent project by Martha’s Vineyard Community Services to create a plate with a Martha’s Vineyard design. The plate and design were recently approved by the state Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Edgartown Set to Review Candidates for Police Chief
Edgartown selectmen have tentatively called a meeting for May 4 to consider candidates for the town’s next police chief, when interim police chief Jack Collins is expected to make his recommendations.
Land Bank Revenues: April 17
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $154,750 for the business week ending on Friday, April 17, 2015.
Regional High School Tightens Security
As part of new security measures, visitors to Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School are now asked to present identification which is scanned into a computer, and to wear a name tag with their picture printed on it when walking the halls.
Still on a Mission; Blues Sister Helps Keep the Flame Burning
Nearly 40 years after John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd created The Blues Brothers, the music and spirit of the mission continue. Mr. Aykroyd and Judy Belushi Pisano recently announced Blues Brothers Records, a new label dedicated to blues artists.
Failed Override in West Tisbury Sends School Committee Back to Drawing Board on Budget
The up-Island regional school district may need to amend its budget after voters in West Tisbury rejected the town’s first tax override in 10 years Thursday.
