Set on peaceful Look's Pond in the heart of West Tisbury village, with views over stone walls and old farm fields, this is a hidden treasure tucked away off of Music Street. The grounds are surrounded by mature trees and plantings offering total privacy. Walk down to your dock on the pond to watch the abundant wildlife. Remove the 1957 house to redefine the property and create your dream. This could be combined with an abutting property to create a truly special family compound. $1,695,000

Vineyard voters will weigh in on races at the federal, state and local level, some of which are hotly contested. Islanders have requested absentee ballots in unusually high numbers, town clerks said. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Candidates running for nine open seats on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission reflect a wide range of priorities for the Island’s regional planning and review agency, but only two are newcomers. All the candidates acknowledge the need for better public understanding of the commission’s role in the community.

Their regular season ended Wednesday with a win before a home crowd, but the Vineyard soccer boys are hoping to keep the wins coming as they enter the postseason. Games begin next week.

As elected officials up-Island balk at the prospect of offshore sand mining, Oak Bluffs is voicing support for the venture. At a selectmen’s meeting early this week, town administrator Robert L. Whritenour said town beaches stand to benefit from new information laid out recently in the draft state Ocean Management Plan.

In a time of flux for Vineyard public schools, a race is underway to determine the makeup of the Up-Island Regional School Committee. Six candidates are competing for five spots on the committee, half of whom are first-timers. The majority are running as write-in candidates.

Sandplain grasslands are extensive on the Cape and Islands and include a variety of grasses, wildflowers and shrubs. But it is the native grass little bluestem that creates the ochre hues in fall, and helps sustain the diversity of the grassland ecosystem.

Midterm elections have a reputation for being lackluster, but with a dead-heat gubernatorial race and other key issues drawing debate among voters, this year promises to be different.

The Island is justifiably proud of its public schools, which consistently turn in impressive scores on standardized tests and turn out successful, well-rounded graduates.

Four months after its first meeting, the committee on Squibnocket has shifted gears and is evaluating various proposals and considerations collected from the public.

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