Pets are now prohibited from visiting Joseph A. Sylvia State Beach, Dukes County officials announced this week. The prohibition, which went into effect April 1, is intended to protect endangered native bird species, including least terns, piping plovers and oyster catchers, during their nesting season. Violations may result in a $50 fine.

During the summer months, the lines between indoor and outdoor living seem to disappear. That’s the concept of the new Martha’s Vineyard Magazine Home & Garden issue, available on newsstands now.

Martha’s Vineyard Magazine has been named a finalist for the 2013 National City and Regional Magazine Awards, cosponsored by the Missouri School of Journalism. The magazine was nominated in the category of General Excellence. In addition, the Fall–Winter Home & Garden 2012–2013 issue was nominated for best Ancillary Publication.

The winners will be announced at the CRMA annual conference in May in Atlanta.

I would have loved to have known Stuart MacMackin; you probably would have, too. Born Oct. 2, 1914, he died 30 years ago at his Edgartown home on March 27, 1983. Edgartown was his winter home; his summer home was at Sumner Park in East Chop — but he grew up during the summer on Circuit avenue on the second floor of the building then called Greene’s block, which today houses Craftworks, Sanctuary, The Lazy Frog and B Tru.

Happy belated birthday to Harold Zadeh, who turned 65 on March 26. Sadly, that day also marks his retirement from firefighting duty in the Edgartown Fire Department. Harold has been a firefighter for nearly a quarter of a century, and for the last eight years served as the Lieutenant of Chappy’s Fire Pumper #3.

As I sit here tonight I can only say one thing: Brrrr! I think we all have a pact that April 1 is when the heat goes off in the house and we turn it on only to take the chill off. Well, that is not the case this year. I think we are all ready to have some warm weather.

People are beginning the task of cleaning up the yard after the long winter, throwing away the Christmas tree that is beginning to turn rust color out in the back yard, and raking the lawn and flower beds. Some folks have already begun planting peas and other hearty vegetables in their garden. Businesses are re-opening for the season ­— Middletown Nursery and 7a Foods, to name just two. Last Sunday was the last of the discount gas until after Christmas. We want to thank Pat and Joan Jenkinson for making it available to all of us.

Chilmark has a whole new look with bright daffodils nodding in the wind all over town. What a lift to our winter-numbed spirits the flowers are. There are many other colors nestled in the groundcover in sheltered yards and fat buds on many trees. Welcome, spring!

The Aquinnah Public Library will assist you in obtaining your new CLAMS card, which may be used at all Vineyard libraries. Stop by to obtain your new library card. Spring programs are continuing at the library, including story hour on Thursday afternoons.

Voter registration will be held at the Aquinnah town hall on Wednesday, April 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m.

Vineyard Haven has been named number four on the list of America’s small-town ArtPlaces for 2013. This distinction is reserved specifically for small towns with the highest concentration of arts non-profits, core arts-oriented businesses and workers in creative occupations according to data analyzed by Impresa, Inc., a Portland-based firm specializing in the study of regional economies.