Coastal communities, including those on the Vineyard, are struggling with plastics on the beach. Animals are killed, which is visually unpleasant and bad for tourism. But while a clean environment is important, it’s also important to make prudent decisions on how we tackle a problem. There are some surprises in what we know and don’t know about plastics, and many unanswered questions about their true impact on our environment.

Sacrifices are not in vain, they pay off in the end.” This was one of the poignant remarks of Gabriel (Gabby) Douglas, who this year became the first African American woman to win the Olympic individual all-around gymnastics title in an explosive performance. She is only the fourth American woman to achieve this distinction. In spite of perceived slights of omission by a leading newspaper which excluded Gabby from the team picture, and coverage by the contracted networks which excluded Gabby from the initial shot after team U.S.A.

It all started when I ran into Inner Vision Ocean Swimming instructor and visionary Bob MacLean, in Reliable Market. Bob’s got just about the best guru-ship going because he focuses all his energy on getting folks to jump in the water and splash around. He also teaches about the breath and endurance and how to improve your stroke, and a bunch of philosophical stuff — but the jump and splash is the basic protocol.

A daily jump and splash will save you from all your demons, and more people saved from their demons will save the world.

From the Sept. 6, 1894 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:

Give attention, kind friends,

and harken good neighbors.

And for a brief time

abstain from your labors,

For our Fair is approaching,

and whate’er your vocation,

We entreat your heartiest

co-operation;

But first of all, farmers,

(We trust you will note it.)

The part most important

will be what you make it.

This is the month when the Vineyard finds itself barely afloat in a sea of events — endless fundraisers for nonprofits large and small, clambakes for politicians (large and small), art shows, jazz concerts, off-Broadway-quality theatre, Jacob’s Pillow-quality dance, Sundance-quality film and the more traditional summer events of the Agricultural Fair, Illumination Night and the annual Oak Bluffs fireworks display. It’s our summer kaleidoscope: colorful, fascinating and a little dizzying.

Chilmark enjoyed its share of hot summer days and heavy rains that came along to save the vegetable gardens and ornamental foliage that were needing the water. Now we are in gear for the fair; weather never seems important when we can go to the fair. See you there, rain or shine.

Today at the Vanderhoop homestead, there will be house tours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. New exhibits this year include framed David Vanderhoop paintings and items from Nestle Nook and the Nottoway Inn from old Gay Head. There are also newly-donated pottery pieces from the Gay Head Cliffs by Gladys Widdiss.

Michael San Soucie

In memory of Michael A. San Soucie, who died May 18, 2010, family and friends are invited to gather at Menemsha Harbor Beach for a celebration of life potluck picnic on Sunday, August 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Bishop Gayle Harris, suffragan bishop of the diocese of Massachusetts, will be the preacher and celebrant at Trinity Episcopal Church on August 19.

A native of Cleveland, Bishop Harris was ordained to the priesthood in 1982 in the diocese of Newark. Prior to her consecration, she served most recently as rector of St. Luke and St. Simon Cyrene Church in Rochester, N.Y., where she was also an adjunct professor at Colgate Rochester Divinity School.

Well, the weather bureau reports that July was hottest month on record in the contiguous U.S. since record keeping began in 1895 and you won’t find any argument here. Last Friday a tornado watch was listed for this area. I don’t recall that ever happening before. We had some torrential downpours over the weekend, all much needed for the gardens.