A chimney fire on Pennywise Path in Edgartown last Tuesday destroyed a bedroom and has forced a family out of their home for the next month. The fire broke out in between the chimney and wall of Lisa and Herb Tilton’s home around 3 a.m., engulfing the house in smoke.

The American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands chapter, will hold an Adult CPR/AED and First Aid class on Jan. 8 at the YMCA.

The Adult CPR/AED portion will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and costs $55. The first aid class portion of the class will then continue until 3:30 p.m. Cost for both the CPR/AED and first aid is $65.

Stela Arrives

Ena Thulin and Plamen Dunchev of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Stela Plamenova Duncheva, born on Jan. 1, 2011, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Stela weighed 7 pounds at birth.

West Tisbury Police

The West Tisbury police station planning and siting committee will hold a public meeting to present its work so far and to get public reaction to the sites and building needs identified for a new police station.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 11 at the Howes House in West Tisbury.

The committee will make a presentation and then take questions and record comments which will be included in their deliberations and final report which will be sent to the selectmen in early February.

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue has directed the town of Oak Bluffs to slash spending nearly $240,000 in the current budget in order to reduce a deficit that has plagued the town for two years. The town will schedule a special town meeting in the coming weeks to decide where it will trim the already strained budget.

Correction

Both the headline and text in a story in the Dec. 31 Gazette about two Aquinnah scallopers cited for possible violations contained inaccuracies. Wilde Whitcomb was not fishing without a license and in fact has a commercial scallop license issued by the town; the question to be decided by town counsel centers on Mr. Whitcomb’s residency status. The Gazette regrets the errors.

On the Thursday before New Year’s Eve giant sword maker Michael Craughwell spoke at the West Tisbury Library before an audience of more than 40 people. He wore a long-sleeved, black and white striped shirt and immaculate khakis with a smart phone strapped to his belt. His hair is a yard-length tumble of brown ringlets. He also wears a bushy, full beard making him look every bit the ancient Celtic warrior.

Find Your Voice

Through Song

Nick Page believes that we make the world a better place through our singing and he is not afraid to talk the talk.

Mr. Page is the author of three books for teachers including the songbooks Sing with Us (Hal Leonard) and Sing and Shine (World Music Press). His articles have appeared in numerous music journals and he has more than 65 published choral pieces.

Cold Winter, Hot Hips

It’s cold outside but instead of turning up the thermostat go green by heating up on the dance floor with Island salsa as it begins a new round of classes.

On Wednesdays at 7 p.m. it’s the beginners level one class where dancers will learn solid lead and follow techniques along with salsa basics.

On Fridays at 7 p.m. there is the beginners level two series for people who have sound CBLs. Don’t know what a CBL is? Perhaps level one is for you then.

Make Your Future

Another year is upon us and perhaps it is time to take stock. What better way to look forward than by identifying your personal and/or career goals for this year and beyond.