Tennis Benefit Time

For the third year in a row, Farm Neck Golf Club is hosting an action-packed tennis extravaganza in Oak Bluffs this weekend — and once again all proceeds will go to the Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group which is dedicated to assisting people with cancer.

Techno-Personal Training

Curves for Women fitness club has introduced the technical version of a personal trainer. Called the Curves-Smart personal coaching system, the new technology offers a precision designed workout with moment-to-moment feedback. See it at open houses on August 26 and 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. with healthy snacks and door prizes. Curves is located off State Road in Vineyard Haven at the Woodland Center, lower level. For details, call 508-696-3030.

Color photographer Paulette Wexler and Impressionist painter Bettie Eubanks met in an exercise class on Martha’s Vineyard several years ago and quickly discovered they shared a passion for color, texture, reflected light and beauty.

They will present their work at the Weekend Garden Gallery at 106 County Road, Oak Bluffs (one mile from the hospital) receptions today and Saturday, August 23, from 3 to 6 p.m.

Boat Safe Martha’s Vineyard was recently reaccredited by the United States Coast Guard and the National Association of Boating Law Administrators for the boating basics course taught on Island by Ron Walsh.

Women’s Rights

On Monday the Democratic National Convention begins in Denver, and before it ends history will be made.

Senator Hillary Clinton, an Island icon after years so many stays here as First Lady, and the former presidential candidate who gave the presumptive nominee, Senator Barack Obama, his biggest challenge yet, is scheduled to speak on Tuesday.

E.B. Collins: 1925-2008

He was a consummate gentleman, a man firm in his beliefs, soft spoken in expression, sensitive to the views of others and deeply committed to the vital interests of the Vineyard. The death of E.B. Collins last Sunday recalls a period of political civility in a time of rising contention at the Steamship Authority.

PUBLIC, PRIVATE VIEWS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette

We live on Sengekontacket Pond, on property that has been in our family for decades and is sentimental to us. Over the years we have removed pine trees from our property on Sengekontacket and a parcel across the street, by request of neighbors, to open up their views. One neighbor offered and we received compensation in the form of refinished oak floors in my dad’s house and the other neighbor, well, never even offered a thank you.

What I didn’t tell you as you waved to me from the ferry that early September morning and left me, literally, watching from the pier, was that I was overwhelmed with a wave of grief the likes of which I first felt only after my mother died.

Before he was Dr. Terrence Roberts, the boy Terrence and eight of his classmates turned into the Little Rock Nine, a group of young African Americans who in 1957 inspired the world and the modern civil rights movement.

In a recent piece published in this newspaper, Glenn Wattley made misleading statements about wind power and Cape Wind that I would like to address. Mr. Wattley is chief executive officer of the organization that formed solely to oppose Cape Wind, he has a background working in the coal industry, and he incorrectly argues that wind cannot help reduce our use of oil.