A short-term land deal cut by the regional high school committee
Monday night has flung open the starting gates on an ambitious
$6-million plan to build an addition to Martha's Vineyard
Community Services (MVCS), doubling the space at the social services
agency.

The Herring Creek Farm Trust has filed a new lawsuit against the Martha's Vineyard Commission, appealing a recent decision by the commission to eliminate a private beach association from a development plan for the farm. The 32-lot luxury home development plan for the farm was approved by the commission in November. The approval was accompanied by some 22 conditions. One condition eliminated a 250-member private beach association from the plan.

"Today and tomorrow were supposed to be my days off. I got
here at 5:30 this morning. My last days off were last year," Mr.
Silva said, smiling even as he predicted he'd work until 9
o'clock that night.

The trees have been cleared, the land smoothed over; the contours of a new 18-hole golf course in Edgartown are taking shape. While it is months before grass seed takes root, the landscape already presents vistas never seen before. The Vineyard Golf Club project is well under way.

A formidable Islandwide transportation planning project and a slew
of fresh development proposals are expected to keep the newly configured
Martha's Vineyard Commission busy in the months ahead.

Moped accident victims need more training - most have never driven a motorized two-wheeler before, and the average customer gets seven minutes of training at the rental shop. Moped crash victims tend to be short-term visitors to the Island, and they crash most frequently in August. More bicyclists are hurt each summer than moped drivers, but victims of moped accidents tend to be hurt far more seriously.

Island Ice Arena Fights Financial Crisis; Seeks Help to Secure
Future of Facility

By Mark Alan Lovewell

The Martha's Vineyard Arena is hurting. The arena is a
bustling recreational center, drawing hundreds of skaters daily
throughout the winter. Kurt Mundt, manager of the ice arena, said this
week there is a misperception that the arena is thriving financially
when it is not.

This New Year's Eve, many Islanders brought in 2001 without
champagne toasts and elegant balls. Instead, they celebrated with ghost
tours, sea chanteys and contra dancing as part of Martha's
Vineyard First Night.

The waiting list for English as a second language classes on the
Island has more than 80 names, and has left Island educators scrambling
for teachers and funds.

Purple Gallinule Lands on Island From the South

By E. Vernon Laux

At noon on New Year's Day, Stephen Carlson of Oak Bluffs made
a remarkable discovery.

Mr. Carlson had just left his home on a dirt road when, upon
reaching the pavement, he noticed an object in the road. Dazed and
confused, walking and standing in the middle of the road, was a very odd
bird. As if recovering from a celebratory New Year's Eve, this
bird was bobbing and weaving.