There will be a pretty scene early in the morning this weekend, for those who rise and can watch dawn. The thin crescent moon will pass by two of our brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter.

Anybody who knows Nelson Jones knows what a stickler for details he is. But you have to ask yourself what he was thinking about while cutting hay in the roadside field at Pimpneymouse Farm. He left that uncut half standing intentionally to provide habitat for bobolinks and grasshopper sparrows. During mating season the male bobolink has a white back and a black underside which is unique in the American bird world. He also wears a fuzzy yellow hat. I guess the bobolink ladies like goofy-looking guys. Google bobolink and see for yourself. The grasshopper sparrow is equally interesting. This bird is so secretive that its migratory patterns are not thoroughly understood and its song is so shrill that humans often miss hearing it during bird counts.

We could not ask for better weather than we have had this past week. Warm days and cool nights is something we all pray for. But from a garden person’s view, we do need some rain to help the plants grow.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Parker Ben David, who celebrated his day July 7; Matthew Fish and Emily Gilley, who celebrated July 9; and to Madeline Chronister, who celebrates her day today, July 13.

Eudilene and Marcos Barros of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Gabriela Menengazzo Barros, born on July 4, 2012 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Gabriela weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces at birth. She joins big sister Lorrayne.

Cera Monique Garvin and Wesley Jared Gilpin of Aquinnah announce the birth of a daughter, Madelyn Elizabeth Garvin, born on July 6, 2012 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Madelyn weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces at birth.

Vineyard House

The Vineyard House, a safe and sober living environment for Vineyarders in early recovery, has announced the addition of Jack Shea to its all-volunteer board.

Mr. Shea is a native of South Boston and a graduate of Stonehill College. He has spent more than 40 years in the communications industry as a reporter, editor and in marketing and managing publishing properties. He also is a founding partner of a full-service advertising and market research agency.

Boy Scout Troop 91 will be collecting worn, frayed and unserviceable U.S. flags so that they may be properly and honorably retired.

Flags may be deposited in the storage containers located outside of the following locations: American Legion Post 186, Edgartown; Chilmark Fire Department; American Legion Post 257, Vineyard Haven; Aquinnah Fire Department; Chappaquiddick Community Center; West Tisbury Fire Department; Oak Bluffs Fire Department.

Growing up on a ranch in Wyoming, Barbara Erickson received an early education in the importance of open space.

“You get an appreciation for nature that sticks with you,” the newly-appointed president of The Trustees of Reservations said on Friday during a sun-splashed walk through Long Point Reservation in West Tisbury. “Then you come to a place like Massachusetts which is 10 times smaller and I really think it’s a call to action to preserve as much as we can. I think the Trustees has been a trailblazer in that effort.”

On July 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Library, there will be both a screening and discussion relating to the issues of returning soldiers.

On July 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Library, there will be both a screening and discussion relating to the issues of returning soldiers.

Two short films begin the evening. American Standard, written and directed by David Henry Gerson, follows a troubled veteran returning home from Afghanistan to his waiting undocumented immigrant girlfriend. The film stars and is based in part on the experience of Sgt. Marco Reininger, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.

Shipwrecks, although awful in their reality, become through the ages mythical events. Majestic storms, pirates, the mysterious cargo forever lost at the bottom of the sea, combined with the individual narratives, so many strands of stories played out both on deck and at home where widows walk; there’s a reason movies and books abound with shipwreck stories.