By TESSA PERMAR

Just a year ago, we had what President Obama called a “teachable moment” in race relations. That was in the wake of the arrest of Henry Louis (Skip) Gates Jr., a well known Vineyard summer resident.

You remember it, of course. Professor Gates, probably the nation’s foremost black academic, was arrested in his own home after Cambridge police responded to a suspected break-in.

NOISE AT FIELD CLUB

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

When the Field Club in Katama sought approval from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, the owners offered up many conditions in addition to those set by the commission in their final decision to approve the project. From that point forward, compliance with those permit conditions largely becomes voluntary with any enforcement typically left to town authorities. Unfortunately, this is the case with many of the more challenging MVC decisions.

Ah, the book sale of the West Tisbury library! It’s an annual feast for bibliophiles. This year I’ve got to be there right when the doors open. There was no telling what treasures I had missed out on last summer when, 10 or so minutes late, I joined the horde of book lovers. That’s the diverse species of individuals engaged in a balancing act between the civility befitting men of letters, and aggressiveness in capturing that long sought-after author or book title of cult status.

A Dream to Bridge the Gap

He was a shrewd charmer, the late Art Buchwald. A compelling raconteur and writer, he became renowned worldwide. This gave him enormous social capital, capital he was not afraid to use at home on the Vineyard, most notably every year as auctioneer for the Possible Dreams Auction that raises money for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. The auction will take place without him again on Monday, settling in at its splendid new location in Ocean Park.

Sure, Mozart created some of the most beautiful music ever written, but he also was a master of comic theatre. New York City Opera dramaturg Cori Ellison will talk about the composer’s collaborations with some of the funniest guys in the (18th century) business when she presents All Things Mozart, a lecture and discussion at The Yard, on Tuesday, August 3, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Fair Entries Ready?

The Agricultural Hall will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon beginning Monday, August 2 to accept entry forms for the 2010 fair. Also, members of the community who would like to volunteer or work at the fair may come to sign up to do so during these hours.

Fair books will be available at the Ag Hall.

Accompanying the Fish and Wildlife Service, guardians of the island, on a visit to Noman's Land Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Walk into a public meeting space at random this summer and you are likely to find Paul Pimentel evangelizing the good news of Vineyard Power. As the public face of the Island’s fledgling energy cooperative, Mr. Pimentel has waged a tireless campaign to recruit new members, barnstorming road and homeowners associations, private residences, coffee shops and beyond.

Have you ever wanted to meet a real-life spy and ask her about the most dangerous situations she’s been in? Maybe you always wanted to drive an Indianapolis 500 race car? Or maybe all you’ve ever wanted is to be able to have a magical pass that gets you on to any beach on the Vineyard? These dreams will become realities for the lucky few on Monday evening as Martha’s Vineyard Community services hosts the 32nd annual Possible Dreams auction.