Oak Bluffs Library Plans Are Studied; October Start Seen

By CHRIS BURRELL

Groundbreaking for construction of the Island's newest and
largest library may begin sometime in October if bids - set to be
opened less than a month from now - fall within the $3.2 million
budget.

The roughly 15,000 square foot library will rise up behind town hall
on Pacific avenue in Oak Bluffs, replacing the tiny quarters on
Pennacook avenue.

Two Vineyard fishermen barely survived a boating accident south of
Noman's Land on Wednesday morning. Scott Terry, 51, a West Tisbury
artist and avid commercial rod and reel fisherman, has a black eye and a
few bruises, but is very much okay after the boat he was operating
flipped in a rogue wave. He and his crewman, 13-year-old Mitchell
Pachico of Vineyard Haven, were both in the water for a short time.

Thoughtful Night: Can Alliance of Blacks and Jews Cross Barriers?

By CHRIS BURRELL

Is George W. Bush's brand of conservatism so reprehensible
that it could create a new alliance between America's blacks and
Jews? Or is the economic gap between the two groups simply too great to
allow them to find common ground?

Art Buchwald opened last night's Possible Dreams auction with the same wit that over 24 years has helped raise $4 million dollars for Martha's Vineyard Community Services: "Despite the 250 cars waiting at the blinker light," he declared, "we're going to start."

Nearly four hours later, Mr. Buchwald ended the benefit by auctioning the hat off his head for $4,000, bringing the night's total to more than $500,000, organizers said, an auction record.

The Martha's Vineyard Commission announced yesterday that it
will join the town of Aquinnah and ask a superior court judge to
reconsider his recent ruling in favor of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head
(Aquinnah).

Two months ago the Hon. Richard F. Connon found that the tribe
cannot be sued because of sovereign immunity.

Oak Bluffs Selectmen to Check Moped Dealers' Record Books

By CHRIS BURRELL

In the years of controversy and political wrangling over the safety
of mopeds on the Vineyard, dealers have kept close guard over one vital
statistic: the actual number of mopeds they rent and set loose on Island
roads.

Charging Bigotry, Applicant Attacks Commissioner Role

By JULIA WELLS

In a tense exchange that left members of the Martha's Vineyard
Commission stunned, the developer of the Down Island Golf Club took off
the gloves last night, repeatedly calling a senior member of the
commission a bigot.

Health Survey Results in; Report Sunday

By JULIA WELLS

The people of the Vineyard are healthy - healthier, in fact,
than the general population on the mainland. They have lower rates of
obesity, they smoke less, they are conscientious about prevention and
they visit their doctors regularly.

A 55-year-old Steamship authority crew member is in Providence
Hospital, recovering from a near-drowning suffered yesterday when a
routine man-overboard drill aboard the Steamship Authority ferry
Islander went suddenly and catastrophically wrong.

The Summer the Music Stopped: Local Venues See Crowds Thin

By CHRIS BURRELL

They're all tuned up and ready to rock and roll. There's
only one problem. The dance floor's empty, and there are just
three guys standing up against the wall waiting for the music.

Not even the band can avoid commenting on the dismal turnout:
"It's a lonely night at the Ritz," says Bear, lead
singer in Bear and Company.