A panel discussion featuring the founders of the Israeli-Palestinian Negotiating Partners, moderated by Shula Gilad, is set for Sunday, Sept. 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center, 130 Centre street in Vineyard Haven.

On the panel will be Nisreen Haj-Ahmed Abbas from the Kennedy School of Government, who holds a law degree from the University of Edinburgh and is on leave from her position with the economic advisor to the president of the Palestinian Authority.

You have to crawl before you learn to fly if you are a tussock moth.

Don’t have a hairy fit if you find one of these creepy, crawly, furry caterpillars. In the Island world of caterpillars, finding a tussock moth caterpillar should not ruin your day. At least, it isn’t a winter moth caterpillar and won’t be raining insect debris on your head during a jaunt in the woods or in your yard.

Nineteen Martha’s Vineyard artists> have been working outside this week, en plein air, to take full advantage of the exquisite September light and crowd-free vistas. The artists’ media range from oil and acrylic to pastel, watercolor and pen and ink. Each artist will exhibit views of Menemsha, the Edgartown Lighthouse and the Tisbury Waterworks as well as other favorite Island locations. The work will be exhibited concurrently at Dragonfly, Periwinkle and Pik-Nik galleries in Oak Bluffs.

Stephen DiRado's photographs taken on the Vineyard have hung in galleries in New York city, Houston and London and belong to prestigious museum collections in Boston, Berlin and Toledo, Ohio. There was even a play inspired by his summers photographing on the Vineyard, performed at the New Jersey Repertory Company in 2003.

Yet here on the Island, Mr. DiRado's work is conspicuously absent. The Martha's Vineyard Museum has five of his pieces in its archives, but no galleries here exhibit his work.

Remember to pick up Tuesday’s Gazette for the latest on the fishing derby and other weekend events.xxxxx x xxxxx xxx xx xx xxxxxxx x xxxxxxxxx x

Receives Degree

Cadet First Class Benjamin Hannigan of Vineyard Haven graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in June with a bachelor of science degree in marine engineering.

JUNE MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

The Aquinnah Community Programs Committee will be sponsoring a flea market and bazaar on Sunday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the town hall. There will be vendors with antiques, artwork, books, clothing, collectibles, a giant free box, handcrafted items, jewelry, Native American arts and crafts, pottery, and a vast array of items for sale. Stop by and enjoy the fun and adventure throughout the day. For vendor space, please call Betty Joslow at 508-645-3340.

MARGARET KNIGHT

508-627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

This past Monday I started to hear occasional little animal scrambling sounds from inside our chimney. I couldn’t, or didn’t want to, imagine what kind of critter it could be, and I hoped it would go away on its own.

JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Chilmark’s weather remains summery and dry in spite of some threats of rainy days . . . still no real amount of rainfall. One day of showers can’t make up for the long dry summer. However, the derby fishermen are hard at work and the late vacationers are enjoying the sunshine.

Announcing Anina

Ninon and David Garvin of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Anina Marie Garvin, born on Sept. 11 at the Martha’s Vineyard Community Hospital.