Understanding Zionism

Zionist Thought Then and Now, is a new class being led by Rabbi Caryn Broitman. The class will focus on the many different understandings of Zionism in the past 100 years, through reading thinkers both religious and secular, both left and right.

There will be 4 sessions: Oct. 12, 19 and 26 and Nov. 2. All classes will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The Chilmark selectmen will award bottom grants next month for 15 acres of north shore water to shellfishermen who want to grow blue mussels in Vineyard Sound.

The selectmen will hold a public hearing on the grants on Oct. 5. The current site has been used for an experimental mussel program supported by the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, the Chilmark shellfish committee and the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole.

Featherstone Center for the Arts, the nonprofit arts campus on a hilltop in Oak Bluffs, has a new executive director, after its board appointed Ann Smith to replace Francine Kelly at its annual general meeting last Wednesday.

Ms. Kelly, who has vastly expanded Featherstone’s programs and fundraising since arriving in 2003, asked the 18-member board in August for retirement effective Labor Day. She will stay on as a consultant to plan events to promote the center’s 15th anniversary next year.

When and If, the 63-foot John G. Alden schooner built in 1939 for the late Gen. George S. Patton that has been a familiar presence in waters from the Vineyard to Maine and beyond, is for sale.

The historic schooner was recently appraised at $680,000.

Owner Candace Ruitenberg confirmed that the boat has been placed on the market due to an impending divorce.

Mrs. Ruitenberg said she hopes someone else will now step in to give as much love and attention as she and others have already given the When and If.

Standing on an Andean peak, looking down a 5,000-foot drop, marvelling at what nature can produce at its fullest capacity, Elliott Bennett was thinking about her students at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.

The following letter was sent to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.

I am writing on behalf of the many, many Island residents and visitors who are familiar with the pure pleasure of wetting a line in the hopes of catching a fish, on behalf of every little kid who is fascinated by the ocean and its inhabitants and may develop a lifelong passion, and on behalf of every grandparent whose greatest enjoyment is spending what’s known as quality time with his or her grandchildren, especially in a teaching situation.

Do you have any idea what it feels like to be in Brazil during election time? Well, it’s pretty insane.

There are two programs on the Internet that most people of my generation do not generally use. Facebook and YouTube are used by the younger generations to cultivate friendship and inspire wonder. But because my three children and three granddaughters are all computer literate, I have been cajoled into using them both, occasionally. And sometimes they can provide surprise, delight and awe.

The death of Sam Leighton certainly marks a sad moment for the people who grew up in Edgartown during his tenure as director of the boys’ and girls’ club, including myself. Sam’s influence helped so many to navigate those teenage years which can often be troubled times. Sam knew what it was like growing up here — long, harsh, winters that saw families struggle just to get by, followed by summers when both parents took maximum advantage of income opportunities, often working multiple jobs.

SCIENCE HIGH HONORS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Congratulations to the entire eighth grade and Karl Nelson, their eighth grade science teacher, on bringing honor and distinction to the West Tisbury School.

The Boston Globe on Sept. 15 ranked West Tisbury School’s eighth grade as the highest performers in the entire state of Massachusetts on the MCAS science test.