Prominent Afghan businesswoman Hassina Sherjan, who owns the textile company Boumi and is coauthor of Toughing It Out in Afghanistan, will be among the notable women speaking at Empowering Afghan Women, a panel presentation to be held on Monday, August 23, at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Pyrotechnic Storm Hits Ocean Park

Did you know fireworks date back to seventh century China when they were used to scare away evil spirits? But that was just for the wealthy. The masses didn’t get their boom-boom on until the 14th century, thanks to the Ming dynasty’s populist embrace. Fast-forward to today and a beloved dynasty of another sort, the Oak Bluffs Fire Department, which is hosting its annual fireworks blastoff at Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs.

The night Brad Tucker approached saxophonist Brian Nelson at the Ritz Cafe in Oak Bluffs, guitar slung over his shoulder, Mr. Nelson rolled his eyes. “Oh no, not another guitar player,” he thought to himself. Mr. Tucker only had to strum a few strings and sing a few bars for Mr. Nelson to understand that he meant business.

SPARE THE SERMON

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Long before writer Peter Beinart’s birth, some felt that the influx of Holocaust refugees in the 1940s threatened the enlightened goals of Israel’s founders. Then it was the waves of Jew refugees from Arab lands in the 1950s, Jews from the Soviet Union in the 1970s, and the black Jews of Ethiopia in this century — who all threatened the “unique character of the Jewish state.”

JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

Clarification

A story in Tuesday’s Gazette about changes on the board of directors for the Quansoo Beach Association did not make clear that longtime association treasurer Bonnie George’s decision to step down was unrelated to pressure over the legal dispute with the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation. Mrs. George was asked to stay on the board.

BETTYE FOSTER BAKER

508-696-9983

(bdrbaker@comcast.net)

Welcome Truman

Summer White House 2010

JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Chilmark is in the midst of midsummer madness but everyone is having a grand time and is out and about chasing fun at full speed. Several thunderstorms moved thru one night this week and managed to be gone by daytime. The roads are a challenge most hours of the day and the parking or lack of it is the subject of most conversations.