The nearly $1 million in state grants awarded to Island towns last week to upgrade their wastewater systems will be a boon for planned affordable housing developments and potentially other large regional projects.

Robert Sanford Brustein, a titan of the theatre world who launched two seminal institutions, the Yale Repertory Theatre and the American Repertory Theater, nurtured numerous careers and was honored with the National Medal of Arts, died on Oct. 29. He was 96.

On Thursday, Nov. 2, the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School will receive national banner recognition from Special Olympics.

On Saturday, the tree stewards of Oak Bluffs hosted an inaugural tree planting at Niantic, Nashawena and Wesleyan parks, planting 10 trees with the help of 26 volunteers.

The Vineyarders won the Island Cup for the second year in a row, with a dynamic 24-21 win over the Whalers. The boys and girls soccer teams were also victorious Saturday, each winning an inaugural Golden Anchor trophy.

A town policy calls for a 10 per cent increase in the mooring permit fees every other year and the harbor master is asking for higher docking and dinghy fees.

The Chilmark Community Church and the overarching United Methodist Church organization it has been part of for years are scheduled to meet with a mediator in December to discuss the dispute over the church grounds on Menemsha Crossroad.

The Oak Bluffs planning board is weighing its recommendation on a recently filed citizen petition that would allow marijuana stores downtown. 

Tomorrow night's full moon, the Pumpkin Moon, appears within a few degrees of the brilliant planet Jupiter. The two are in the zodiacal constellation Aries, one of the smallest constellations in the zodiac.

Early in the evening the two are only 3 1/2 degrees apart. It is possible you might miss seeing Jupiter, as it is so close.

Astronomers report that if you are up late at night, the two celestial objects will get even closer. Their closest approach will be at 2:13 a.m., Sunday morning. Their predicted closeness will be 2 1/2 degrees.

On Sunday, Nov. 12, the Martha's Vineyard Film Society will screen Mending the Line in honor of Veterans Day and as a fundraiser for new affordable housing for Island veterans.