The town of Aquinnah and a group of residents have petitioned to intervene in a federal lawsuit over whether the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has the right to open a casino on the Vineyard. The court filings last week came shortly after a judge ruled that the case would be tried in federal court.

It is beyond me why I bother writing, or why you, dear reader, put up with me. I observe the same things year after year and make the same comments.

For Island's newest gallerists, the journey to the Vineyard included clogging, a band called Wet & Reckless and traveling the world working for relief organizations. CRFT SHW in Vineyard Haven is where these seemingly disparate experiences come together.

The animal shelter is currently stocked with baby animals that bring out the “aww” in any human who comes by. Four new kittens have arrived to add to the two already in residence.

Tisbury police and fire officials closed a section of the Steamship Authority parking lot following a small diesel fuel spill Wednesday morning. Fire chief John Schilling said he received a call from the Steamship Authority at 6:17 a.m. Wednesday alerting him that a truck had spilled fuel.

Growing old is a fantastic experience, full of the wonder of watching one’s skin turn from the supple surface of a Parisian handbag to the texture of burnt newspaper.

Julie Gaffey and David Gaffey of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Jackson Richard Gaffey, born on July 15 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

Aquinnah Public Library will present Phil Weinstein, the Alexander Griswold Cummins Professor of English at Swarthmore College, who will speak on Thursday, July 24, at 5 p.m. at the Aquinnah town hall.

Last Saturday, thanks to the efforts of many and the leadership of music man Phil daRosa, Oak Bluffs was feted with the first Martha’s Vineyard Sound Festival, a family-friendly celebration of the Island’s music scene.

The skies certainly opened up in the wee hours of Wednesday. One of my dogs got as close to my head on my left shoulder as she could and tried to crawl in my ear canal.