Inherent dignity, equal and inalienable rights, freedom, justice and peace in the world. Whichever religious traditions we may or may not have grown up with, we are taught that these morals are the highest to live by.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights resonates in many forms of religious traditions without mentioning any higher being in its text, and this was cause for celebration last Friday night of the 62nd anniversary of its signing at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center.

With West Tisbury footing the majority of the bill, the up-Island Regional School District committee voted on Monday night to certify an $8.35 million budget for next year, a 2.1 per cent increase over last year.

Discussion centered on the possibility of a new kindergarten-first grade class at the Chilmark School and the resulting 4.53 per cent increase in West Tisbury’s $5.8 million assessment compared with a decrease in assessments for Aquinnah and Chilmark. Even without the additional class, West Tisbury’s assessment would still be up 3.99 per cent.

Emily Bramhall, a longtime business owner on Main street in Vineyard Haven, and for an equal number of years a hardworking volunteer with a number of Island nonprofits, is this year’s recipient of the Spirit of the Vineyard Award, given annually by Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard.

A quiet announcement about a key staff change at the top and a large deficit marked the holiday newsletter that went out this week from the Yard, the Chilmark summer performing arts colony founded by the late Patricia Nanon.

Food Pantry Donation

Armen Hanjian of the Island Food Pantry received a generous donation of nourishing food from the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormon). It was picked up at the Bishop’s Storehouse in Worcester, delivered Saturday evening to the food pantry by Jim Powell and Donna Maurice.

Helpers unloading the truck included students from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, Kyle Altieri, Zach Lamni, Corey Perotta, Dylan Rice and Kevin Walsh, as well as Ray Bilodeau, Brent Brown and Elders Gallegos and Morales.

Teen Volleyball

Serve, set, spike: the Martha’s Vineyard Boys’ and Girl’s Club will kick off its teen volleyball league, open to all players from grades eight to twelve, in January.

There will be separate boys’ and girls’ leagues; a coed league will be formed if numbers are not large enough for two separate leagues.

Registration is Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club next to the Edgartown School. The fee is $75.

Christmas Decorations

With an Ulterior Motive

Back to the drawing board again.

The Edgartown Library building committee voted yesterday to abandon plans for a new North Water street site in favor of demolishing the old Edgartown School and starting anew.

The Field Gallery’s shapely alabaster lawn figures may in the future be dancing for new owners. Tim and Eileen Maley announced at the West Tisbury selectmen’s meeting on Wednesday that they are in talks to sell the landmark gallery and sculpture garden to the town. The sale would ensure the gallery remains in operation while offering a possible solution to parking problems associated with plans to expand the West Tisbury Free Library next door.

A new book detailing all the resources available to the elderly and those who care for them on the Island is now available. The Dukes County Health Council has released an updated edition of the Caregivers Home Journal: A Resource Guide for Caregivers and Elders on Martha’s Vineyard.