The Massachusetts Society of Genealogists now has a chapter on the Vineyard. Meetings are usually held at the Family History Center in Vineyard Haven on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Officers of the chapter are president Marna Waller, vice-president Mary Jane Carpenter, treasurer Patricia Johnson, secretary June Manning and membership secretary Brenda Welch. Meetings usually feature a speaker on topics of genealogical or historical interest, but time is also set aside for general discussion and sharing of information.

Historic Renovation

Boston-based blues rock outfit Ernie and the Automatics will perform at Nectar’s on July 8. The show is a benefit for the Island Affordable Housing Fund in partnership with the Music Drives Foundation, headed up by the band’s guitarist Ernie Boch.

Runaway With Me, You Beauty

Ever wonder what Pleiades are? Nymphs of course, daughters of God’s strong man, Atlas, and mama nymph, Pleione. Beginning this weekend, and running until July 17, they’ll be helping everyone get in touch with their inner rock goddess at the new musical, Runaway Beauty Queen or The Lost Pleiad, at the Vineyard Playhouse on 24 Church street in Vineyard Haven.

The Summer Institute at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center opens its six-week speaker series on Thursday, July 8, with a pair of panelists whose authority on matters of global politics is considered unmatched. Martin Indyk is vice president and director of the Foreign Policy Program at the Brookings Institution. Previously, he was founding director of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings and a Brookings senior fellow. He served as U.S. ambassador to Israel from 1995 to 1997 and from 2000 to 2001.

By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL

Gallery owners are talented. Like the artists whose work they show, they hold their craft within and they can take it to new and different places. Carol Craven is one such talented gallery owner. For 15 years she has built a well-deserved reputation, thanks to her keen eye for landscapes, portraits and even cartoons. Her gallery has had three different locations, and the newest one is a perfect fit.

By LIZ DURKEE

LIFE LESSON, The Verses of D.A.W., Volume 3. By Daniel Waters. The Indian Hill Press, Martha’s Vineyard, 2010. 35 pages. $15, in paperback.

Honestly, what’s not to love about the verses of Daniel Waters? He takes a passing thought, an offhand observation, a grand world view, and cooks up four or more lines of hilariously insightful poetry.

Cases in point:

Valentine’s Day

“The more you ignore it,

The Vineyard Haven Public Library Summer Reading Program for children of all ages begins July 1 and continues through August 31. This year, the statewide theme is Go Green at Your Library. Children are encouraged to visit the library, sign up, keep a log of books read and attend programs, which will include story times, crafts, chess club, teen time, teen night and several film showings.

COOLER HEADS. By William Harlan Richter. Small Fry Books, Santa Monica, Calif. 2010. 333 pages. $14.95, softcover.

By LIZ DURKEE

NIGHTTIDE ON A VINEYARD FARM. Lyric by Patty Schaal, Illustrations by Margot Datz. Vineyard Stories, Edgartown, 2010. $21.95, hardcover.

Sadly, I am no longer a child. Far from it. I may act like one at inappropriate times, but that’s a skill that probably hinders rather than helps write a children’s book review.

But I’ll have at it. Reviewing other people’s artistic creations is far easier than creating one’s own.