Here’s what’s happening on Martha’s Vineyard today.
On this day in 2021, The Times published astoryabout the town of Tisbury ordering the demolition of a dilapidated 19th century home in order to house temporary classrooms for the Tisbury School building project. The pricey project (estimated at over $80 million) has run into a number of roadblocks, including significant cost overruns, and a dearth of public funding. School officials held agroundbreaking ceremony at the end of 2022 to initiate the construction. We’ll continue tracking the project and updating the community on any developments. If your friend sent you this, sign up for yourself here.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection pointed to West Tisbury Fire Station One as a source of PFAS in nearby private wells. This conclusion comes after an investigation following PFAS testing done in April. West Tisbury is hit by the news as it prepares for its annual town meeting in the spring. Reporter Eunki Seonwoo has this story.
Tisbury talks space Tisbury officials reviewed their options for securing office space for municipal employees Wednesday. During their meeting, select board members discussed both short term and long term solutions to Town Hall’s overcrowding issue. The board’s chair also offered an update on the Island’s embarkation fees for the two port towns. Reporter Abigail Rosen has this story.
“It
spread quickly over a few days” Hospital officials are working to contain an outbreak of the latest Omicron variant at Windemere Nursing Center, where 18 residents tested positive for Covid-19. That’s more than half of the total residents. The hospital says that no one has needed hospitalizations, yet. Covid cases have been dropping around the state since the holidays, but administrators at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital are urging residents to take precautions. Here's that story.
MEETINGS
No meetings on Friday. Time to celebrate the weekend and sunny weather.
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Quote of the Day “We have taxpayers who are paying more taxes because we’re giving away $75,000 worth of slip fees.” –O.B. select board member Brian Packish on harbor slips
Hot Topic Comment Jim Donovan on the MVC and the southern tier project: “The commission has outlived its original mission and has become a huge
money vacuum to all island towns. It’s time to start voting no for the ever increasing money grab.”
Hot Topic Letter Cindy
Trish from Healthy Aging M.V. writes about new affordable housing in West Tisbury: “Perhaps this development will create a blueprint that might be duplicated across the Island — small parcels of land creating safe housing with a sense of belonging for the Island’s aging adults.”
Today:This one piques my interest because I’ve got a family full of problematic gluten eaters. Whole
Grains vs. Refined Grains a virtual talk with Jeanne Schumacher via the Chilmark library. 5 pm. –Connie Berry
G Rossignol from Boston-based Masacote Dance Company joins Christina Montoya for Salsa Suelta and Salsa Partnering Dance at the Oak Bluffs library. You don’t have to bring a partner to try it out, which is good because I haven’t found a partner yet. 5:30 pm. –C.B.
Tomorrow:Those in recovery are invited to lunch at the Recovery Cafe at the Red House. Delicious food and great conversation. Noon to 2 pm. –C.B.
Movies! Check out what’s playing at Island theaters here.
Bundle up “Mens winter coats size XL. Several styles. Like new. $20-$50 each. Also vests and fleece. Call 425-999-2343. Edg. Will send pix.”
Click here for more finds in our Classifieds section.
Dining out?
The Barn Open Monday through Saturday 11:30 am to 11 pm for lunch, dinner & bowling. Text Barnmv to 508/696/9800 to receive deals & specials.
The Sweet Life Open year round! Serving dinner Wednesday through Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. Live music with Jeremy Berlin on Thursdays. @sweet_life_mv 508/696/0200 sweetlifemv.com.
Restaurant owners: Are you open? Let our readers know, and support local journalism while doing so!
Contact jenna@mvtimes.com to discuss promoting your dining specials with the MV Times.
Staying in?
Tacos are a delicious and easy meal to whip together with leftovers, and you can pretty much mix and match ingredients to create whatever flavor you prefer. Our own Nicole Jackson took a different approach to her taco Tuesday this week, deciding to skip the shell altogether and go with a taco bowl. Having your taco in bowl form allows you to mix the ingredients together, and also minimizes
messiness. Read Jackson’s story here, and try piecing together your own taco bowl for next Tuesday (or any day of the week).
Do you know this woman? Submit your best guess to newsletters@mvtimes.comwithin 24 hours and check the next Minute for the correct answer. We’ll throw all winning guesses into a pot at the end of the month and someone will win their choice of a $100 Lift certificate to an Island business or $100 to go toward an Island charity of their choice. For previous Do You Knows, see our archive. Wednesday’s contest answer: Elizabeth Eisenhauer
Naming foul-up The red-bellied (Carolina) woodpecker is a common avian species on Martha’s Vineyard, but these beautiful birds are often mistaken for their close relatives, the red-headed woodpecker. This is a long-running issue for birders who often identify bird species using trivial traits, and the red belly is a good example. Read Wild Side columnist Matt Pelikan’s recent piece on the ubiquitous woodpecker here, and break out those binoculars.
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