Hillside Hires Manager

Leslie Digby Rizza has been appointed site manager at Hillside Village, a unit of Island Elderly Housing. Leslie previously worked in the legal and educational fields in New York and Boston. Leslie and her family, Alistair and Jack, summered on the Island for several years before moving here in 2007. They came to the Vineyard mainly for the quality of life and the schools. Leslie has been active at both the Tisbury and charter schools. She recently helped launch the Laura Jernegan Web site for the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.

The state has responded to Island road maintenance concerns in a rather unusual way: it wants to hand the work over to the Vineyard.

At a meeting Wednesday night, Skip McCourt, district highway director for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT), met with town officials to persuade them to take over the routine maintenance of state roads in their jurisdiction.

Last week the Oak Bluffs police department received a $275,058 grant from the Department of Justice to rehire for three years an officer who was let go in July due to town budget cuts. The grant is part of the Department of Justice’s COPS hiring program which seeks to maintain adequate policing resources in communities that face budget shortfalls and layoffs.

In a press release Oak Bluffs town administrator Michael Dutton lauded the efforts of police chief Erik Blake in acquiring the funding.

Announcing Helena

Renata Goncalves and Gilmar Goncalves Barbosa of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Helena da Silva Goncalves, born on Sept. 28 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Helena weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces at birth, and joins sister Taynara and brother Lucas.

Fire When Ready

On Saturday, Oct. 9, the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club will hold its 2010 large and small caliber pistol club championships on the club’s firing range. This event is open to club members and the public; members will receive the pistol champion’s trophy. Nonmembers will also be eligible for prizes. There will be a small entry fee. Refreshments will be available.

The public is invited to watch all the action and excitement for free. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.

On Wednesday afternoon, nine students with the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center religious school helped deliver 113 bags of groceries to the Island Food Pantry. Using three vehicles and plenty of lifting, the youngsters aged 8 to 12 got a lesson in community spirit and service, according to Nicole Cabot.

“We are trying to take part in doing good things for others, not just for the Jewish community but beyond,” she said.

Last year Island Food Pantry director Armen Hanjian had, in his own words, “one really good idea.” And on Sunday, Oct. 17, Vineyarders will be able to see the results of that idea at the Capawock Theatre, when 14-year-old Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School student Joshua Bernstein premieres his mitzvah project, a short, year-in-the-making documentary movie about the Island Food Pantry.

Last year Island Food Pantry director Armen Hanjian had, in his own words, “one really good idea.”

And on Sunday, Oct. 17, Vineyarders will be able to see the results of that idea at the Capawock Theatre, when 14-year-old Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School student Joshua Bernstein premieres his mitzvah project, a short, year-in-the-making documentary movie about the Island Food Pantry.

Correction

In a story about last week’s Oak Bluffs selectmen’s meeting a quote about the prospect of installing parking meters along Ocean Park was incorrectly attributed to Bill McGrath. It should have been attributed to Steve Auerbach. Additionally, a quote criticizing Oak Bluffs’ budget shortfall was attributed to Steve Auerbach. It should have been attributed to Bill McGrath. The Gazette regrets the error.

The Vineyard Gazette’s circulation fell slightly in 2010, following the trend seen in newspapers around the country.

Total average paid circulation for the Gazette this year was 8,648, a drop of 2.7 per cent from last year. Circulation had increased slightly in 2008 and again in 2009.

First Aid Class

The American Red Cross, will hold an adult and child CPR/AED and first aid class on Oct. 9, at the YMCA. The CPR class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and costs $60. First aid class continues to 4 p.m. The cost is $70 for both. You may register at 508-775-1540.