The way of the kei

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Winter storm alert: the National Weather Service expects 4 to 6 inches of snow over Saturday night into early Sunday morning, with more possibly falling towards the middle of the Island. There are no threats of coastal erosion or heavy winds, so this could be a nice little snowstorm. Get your sleds ready.

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**What's a kei-jidōsha?**

You’ve undoubtedly seen them — short, compact pickup trucks that zoom around the Island at low speeds. They are the kei, short for kei-jidōsha, or “light vehicle.” The trucks are from Japan and there’s a niche group of Islanders, chronicled in today's story, that embrace them for their versatility, durability, and coolness. Read more

No more lye here

Researchers with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are shifting their plans for an experiment originally planned for waters off the Island. The idea was to use lye to absorb carbon from the atmosphere as a way of slowing climate change. They are looking elsewhere because of wind turbines. Read more

High school reno would risk reimbursement

Officials confirmed Tuesday that choosing only to renovate the Island's high school would risk a roughly 30-percent reimbursement, effectively ruling out the option for some officials. This would leave either a renovation-and-addition project or an entirely new construction. Officials are also narrowing down preliminary designs. Read more

Next step, sectionals

The boys swimming team is headed to a big state tournament this weekend. To get ready, they took on some of the best of the best of Vineyard swimmers, including a few former collegiate athletes. We won’t give it away, but will say that the swim team is looking good. Read more

AT A GLANCE

Man airlifted from Waban Park

COMMUNITY

Sit 2B Fit is a hit

Sit 2B Fit classes are showing Island seniors that when it comes to physical fitness, you can take it sitting down. Forty-five-minute sessions start with stretching and go on to cover a range of exercises with the option of holding onto a chair for support. Instructor Denise Guy says it's all about staying mobile and being social. Read more

HAPPENINGS

Today

Card players of all skill levels are welcome to attend the Oak Bluffs library's Magic: The Gathering club. Children under 14 should be accompanied by an adult. It's from 6 pm to 9 pm at Oak Bluffs Public Library, 56R School Street, Oak Bluffs. Read more

Tomorrow

The Brazilian film "I'm Still Here" is showing at the M.V. Film Center, followed by a discussion with Brazilian journalist and professor Rafael de Luna Freire. Read our interview with an Island Brazilian educator about the film's significance here. Film Center details are here. Read more

Sunday

Everything must go at Free Book Weekend. Get books for all ages from 10 am to 2 pm at the Landmarks Building, 15 Church Street, Vineyard Haven. Do not park in the 15 Church Street lot. Read more

Movies

View the lineup of feature films and documentaries at Island theaters and libraries here.

Concerts

Check out musical events around the Island here.

MEETINGS

The Edgartown select board meets at 4 pm on Monday. Agenda here.

Real News For Real Islanders

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Quote of the Day

“It’s a tin can ... It’s not super-comfortable, but it’s hyper-functional.”

—Thomas Smith swears by a kei-style truck, and he's not the only one on the Vineyard.

Name This Islander

Name this sculptor! We'll throw all winning answers into a pot at the end of the month and someone will win a free MV Times T-shirt.

Email your answer to newsletters@mvtimes.com, and let us know which day you are guessing about. For a previous Name This Islander, see our archive.

Thursday's contest answer:

Mike Valente

We sent you The Minute because you signed up with your email address. The Minute will arrive Monday through Friday by the end of the workday. It features the day's news, community articles, important meetings, events, and even some Island trivia and insider tips. We may produce special weekend editions and occasionally send you special offers from select advertisers.

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