Milo Arrives

Emily Fischer and Doug Brush of West Tisbury announce the birth of a baby boy, Milo Francis Brush, on June 8 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Milo weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces at birth.

Welcome Eliza

Nell Coogan and Anthony Carestia of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a baby girl, Eliza Belliveau Carestia, on June 4 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Eliza weighed 6 pounds, 13.2 ounces at birth.

Emergency Film Group of Edgartown announces an open casting call on Wednesday, June 17, for extras needed for an upcoming film to be shot in Oak Bluffs. Actors are being sought to play the roles of teenagers, teachers, and criminals. No experience necessary. The film shoot will take place in late June.

For an appointment, call Joyce Lee at 508-627-8844. Appointments will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

By LYNNE IRONS

The grass is always greener ... except when it is blue and not grass at all.

Blue-eyed grass is opening its eyes at a field near you. Delicate, subtle and not as it seems is an apt description of this pleasing plant.

Ellen, aka Lefty, Leverenz e-mailed me and attached two photos of downy woodpeckers that she had seen at her Chilmark feeders. She did so because the bellies of the birds visiting her feeders were not that lovely stark white we normally expect on these little woodpeckers. Instead the bellies of these birds were a dirty tannish color. Several days later I visited Larry Hepler and Alice Early at their Quansoo home and they mentioned that they had some dirty-bellied birds as well. I was able to see an Early-Hepler woodpecker and it had the usual black and white back but a decidedly tan belly.

New legislation will be filed in the state house this month making way for a state recreational saltwater fishing license. State Representative Tim Madden said he plans to cosponsor the legislation and that is a good idea for all local fishermen.

“The federal government is mandating that there be a recreational saltwater license. This one, a state version is better, because it keeps the money here,” Mr. Madden said.

Friday, June 5: Rain. Rosa rugosa flowers decorate the edge of the Beach Road in Vineyard Haven. Rhododendrons are in full bloom all around the Vineyard, from Polly Hill Arboretum to Chappaquiddick. Rain showers in the evening, some are heavy.

Saturday, June 6: Overcast breezy morning. A catboat tries to beat the current in Edgartown harbor. Overhead, clouds start to break. The wind lightens in the afternoon. Light breeze in afternoon. Blue skies in the late afternoon.

Food Distribution

The Serving Hands Food Distribution will be distributing food this summer. The service will be open on the Friday following the second Wednesday of the month (Friday, June 12, July 10 and August 14). For details, call Betty Burton 508-693-5339 or e-mail burtonsundman@hotmail.com.

Oak Bluffs Safety Day

The Oak Bluffs Police Department will host Public Safety Day on Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Waban Park in Oak Bluffs, on Sea View avenue.

Besides a wide range of free food provided by local merchants, this community policing family event allows community members to meet public safety professionals and view their exhibits and equipment.