More, More and Some More Please

Seems greed, debt, overspending and the desire for bailouts did not begin with Ben Bernanke, George W. Bush or Barack Obama.

Shakespeare for the Masses is going obscure again — hands up who has heard of, let alone seen, Timon of Athens? (Yes, it’s a play). But wisely the object of their obscure performance is money, filthy lucre, the now-green stuff, the gold standard of gimme, gimme, gimme.

Red Sky at Night Sailor’s Delight

Sail Martha’s Vineyard launches another season of its winter dinner series at the Black Dog Tavern in Vineyard Haven on Wednesday, Jan. 26, with a program featuring the Island’s own globetrotting photographer, writer and sailor, Sam Low.

The Polly Hill Arboretum will host a guided garden tour of the Delaware Valley May 16 to 19. This region encompasses both Philadelphia, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., with wonderful arboreta, historic landscapes and public gardens that combine history, garden design and up-to-the-minute horticulture.

Etiquette questions abound as the 25th anniversary of the MVY Radio Big Chili Contest draws near.

There may be no sterling silver flatware (we’re guessing plastic or biodegradable) nor any silver-framed photos of the happy couple (though it was there that MVY program director PJ Finn met his wife, a multiple-time winner of the chili contest’s T-shirt design contest before winning his heart). So formalities are at a minimum. But is it really okay to make a complete mess of yourself at such an occasion?

Library Expansion

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about the West Tisbury Public Library expansion: How much bigger? How much better? How on earth will they pay for it? Preliminary drawings and floorplans, possible new features, and a state grant that could pay up to 50 per cent of the cost all will be revealed, as will a guide to the steps leading to final vote at town meeting, 2012, at a public forum on Monday, Jan. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the library. And they’re providing refreshments.

Heimlich Maneuver

Three Adult and Community Education (ACE MV) professional development opportunities begin Jan. 29. The three courses are either for college credit, or certification, or work towards certification: English Composition 102-49 taught by Peg Regan through Cape Cod Community College, EKG and CPR training towards a medical certificate taught by Nancy Phillips, M.S.N., A.P.R.N. through Health Training Center, ServSafe Food Sanitation Training taught by Alice Robinson.

Island chefs and healthy cooking experts soon will be offering classes through Adult and Community Education (ACE MV).

On Jan. 25 MJ Delekta, director of the Sacred Circle of Yoga, will be teaching The Yoga of Food Cooking Workshop.

On Feb. 2 especially (but not exclusively) for Valentine’s Day, Christian Thornton, owner and chef of Atria Restaurant, will be guiding would-be lovers of all ages to cook a simple dinner for those you love, a meal sure to impress with minimal time in the kitchen.

I am happy in the winter. I love the slowed pace, don’t mind the snow, and appreciate the time indoors to regroup. However, the icy working conditions are too much.

It was warm and foggy all day, but the 51st annual Christmas Bird Count held on Jan. 2 was a great success. There were 77 observers — 48 in the field divided into 11 teams, each covering a different part of the Island, and 29 more at home watching their bird feeders.