T here are many bird-watchers on the Vineyard. They come from all walks of life from architects to zookeepers. Some are liberals, some conservatives and maybe some are even Tea Party members. They have different ideas on what the definitions of conservation, ecology and green living are. The issue of turbines for the generation of electricity has caused some discomfort among the ranks.

Affordable Housing’s Changing Landscape

Robert Burns, the bard of Scotland, would have had a pleasant evening at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown on Saturday night. More than 100 Vineyarders turned out for the 24th annual Robert Burns Nicht Supper. There were toasts. Members of the Scottish Society of Martha’s Vineyard recited the poet’s words and sang his lyrics. They shared in the humor of a good Scottish story.

Artful Laughter

When discussing her art, Patricia Carlet speaks clearly about what she intends.

“My art is created to evoke smiles and encourage laughter. If it captures the pleasure and irony of the everyday for the viewer, then I feel that I have succeeded as an artist.”

As cabin fever sets in on the Island, and here comes February, Ms. Carlet’s art sounds like just the antidote for all those gray, wintry days.

She was an Oak Bluffs selectman and I was a cub reporter for the New Bedford Standard Times. The year was 1973. Geraldyne DeBettencourt had recently been elected as the first woman selectman on the Vineyard. It was quite a milestone when you think about it now, especially placed in the context of nearly four decades ago when Island government was a dyed-in-the-wool, old-boy network. My professional world too was heavily populated by men, most of them kindly, small-town newspapermen who were willing to take me under their wing.

Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is expanding its citizen science program to protect coastal birds and wildlife by involving citizens, working side by side with scientists, to protect the nature of Martha’s Vineyard.

For the second consecutive year the Boathouse Foundation, a philanthropic unit of the Boathouse Club of Edgartown, presented a check for $25,000 to the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard. Presenting the check on behalf of the Club’s members, employees and owners, were Scott Anderson (general manager) and Sydney Mullen (club manager).

It may have been the coldest day on the Vineyard in five years, but the warmest place to be on Monday afternoon was the pool inside the new YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard in Oak Bluffs. The heated aquatics center was an echo chamber of energy as the Vineyard high school swim team took to the blocks for the first home meet in 40 years.

Many considered it a historic moment as the first swimmers hit the pool for the first event — 25-yard freestyle — against the Blue Hills Technical School from Canton.

Democratic Delegates

To elect delegates to the state Democratic convention in June the West Tisbury Democratic town committee will be having a caucus on Saturday, Feb. 12th at 10 a.m. at the Up-Island Council on Aging, 1042 State Road, West Tisbury.

In order to vote and/or run for delegate, you must be both a registered Democrat and reside in town as of Dec. 31, 2010.

Elections will include three delegates and three alternates.

For more information, call Rufus Peebles at 508-693-5100.

Valentine’s Weekend

Spend a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend with your loved one at Hob Knob in Edgartown this year and enjoy a romantic culinary experience for two, courtesy of the Island master chef Jaime Hamlin. See a live demonstration, share a toast with the chefs, and enjoy a menu of custom food and wine pairings. The demonstration and toast with the chefs is at 2 p.m., champagne and hors d’oeuvre at 7 p.m. and dinner is served at 7:45, on Saturday, Feb. 12.