Chilmark joins the rest of the world in sending good wishes to the injured, condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed and a plea for peace for us all, after the dreadful bombing in Boston.

JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks2004@yahoo.com)

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the tragedy in Boston on Monday. A very sad ending to what is usually a very joyous event for those participating in the marathon as well as the spectators.

Lieut. Col. Sean M. Smith of the United States Army was promoted to his present rank on April 5. The promotion ceremony was officiated by Maj. Gen. Genaro J. Dellarocco, the Commanding General of the United States Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard is happy to feature a very special cat this week. Her name is Rosie and she is a beautiful black and white tuxedo cat. Rosie needs a home badly. She was the companion of an elderly lady who loved her dearly. She is an indoor cat and needs to be an only cat. She is quite shy but craves attention and purrs beautifully when given any attention. The shelter is confident that Rosie will blossom when she is adopted into a loving home.

The crowds that gather in Menemsha to watch the sunset will have the added company of a film crew come May.

At their meeting Tuesday, the Chilmark selectmen approved filming dates for the ABC Family reality TV show The Vineyard to film on the public beach. The filming will take place on May 11, 18, 23 and 30, and June 5 and 10 between 4 and 8 p.m. The beach will remain open to the public.

Kia Minor of Edgartown was named a member of the 2012-2013 State Collegiate Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball All-Conference First Team last week. Kia, a senior at Framingham State University, is captain of the women’s basketball team. She has been chosen twice this year as the MASCAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, and is the eighth Framingham State women’s basketball player to pass 1,000 career points.

Dr. Steven W. Atwood of Animal Heath Care Associates in West Tisbury was recently elected chairman of the Veterinary Medicine Academy of the prestigious National Academies of Practice at the NAP’s annual meeting and spring forum in Washington, D.C. The NAP is comprised of 10 health care academies whose members include top individuals in their field. Becoming a fellow of the NAP is considered a high honor; only the most distinguished professionals are considered for nomination and election.

Andrew Larsen of Chilmark was named to the dean’s list at the New England Institute of Art in Brookline for the winter quarter. Andrew is a senior studying recording arts and audio engineering.

A recently-formed environmental group called 350 Martha’s Vineyard will present a movie about climate change on Sunday, April 21. The 42-minute educational film Do the Math will be shown at 7 p.m. at Howes House in West Tisbury. Admission is free. The group has partnered with the international group 350.org. For information, call 508-560-6111.

Lately I’ve been thinking about Island hearts. With the opportunity to write this, my first Gazette article and the launch of what I hope will become a regular column about nutrition, I’d like to focus on our community of hearts.

What can we as individuals do nutritionally to protect and strengthen them? There are dozens of foods known to help fight heart disease, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. What follows are a few of my favorites, with some tips on how to include them in your diet.