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And what's for supper on Friday
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Got a minute?
Here’s what’s happening on Martha’s Vineyard today.
On this day in 1773, colonists dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor in protest of a British tax. That’s Salada tea. (See what we did there?) Today is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day and National Chocolate-Covered Everything Day. If your friend sent you this, sign up for yourself here.
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Today's Minute is sponsored by: Island Housing Trust

Watch our short film to see how we created a beautiful new kitchen out of "leftovers" from a generous donor. You can help us build the affordable housing our island needs by clicking here to donate.
Point-less
Apparently, the Edgartown Parks Department pushed the right buttons because the Trustees of Reservations will not pursue a renewal of their lease to manage Norton Point Beach. It comes as Edgartown officials went before the Dukes County Commission, owners of the beach, to ask that they be considered for the lease. The Trustees had asked for time to respond, but ultimately issued a press release instead. Reporter Abigail Rosen has this story.
Preferential treatment
Year-round residents of Oak Bluffs can get a higher tax break in the coming year. The select board approved an 8% residential exemption, which like the one provided in Tisbury, puts more of the tax burden on those who have seasonal properties in town. In other words, the property tax of a home valued at $1.135 million will pay taxes based on a value that’s $90,838 lower. Reporter Abigail Rosen has this update.

Decked the Hall
The ceremony had to be held indoors at the American Legion hall, but the Wreaths Across America ceremony was no less poignant on Friday. The ceremony included wreaths representing each branch of the military. Students from nearby Tisbury School, as they always do, joined in the celebration of the Island’s veterans with principal John Custer leading them. Reporter Rich Saltzberg has this story.
MEETINGS
The Edgartown select board meets at 4 pm Monday. Remote access. Here is the agenda.

The up-Island regional school committee meets at 6:15 pm on Monday. Remote access. Here is the agenda.

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Quote of the Day
"I just want to say the [Housing Bank Review Committee] did a great job … The only things that matter here in our view, [are] unity and speed."
–John Abrams, a member of the Coalition to Create a Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank, on the Tisbury vote to send the Housing Bank legislation to Beacon Hill


Hot Topic Comment
Ellen Sandberg commented on our story about the Steamship Authority hiring a consultant for a strategic plan. "The SSA desperately needs a strategic plan, and a shift in the culture toward ongoing planning. I hope that the development of the strategic plan includes opportunities for islanders and residents of Falmouth and Hyannis to comment. I’ve heard good ideas from our community, but the SSA doesn’t gave a clear route to suggest them."

Hot Topic Letter
Jean Tatelbaum is not happy with the decision to allow parking near the parade route in Edgartown. "Next year, please follow the past practice of banning cars on all of Main Street."
Today: I had a preview of the jazz ensembles at MVRHS and they are fantastic. Come to the Winter Jazzfest and check them out. Special guests include Island musicians Rose Guerin, Jeremy Berlin, Darby Patterson and the Jelly Roll Horns. PAC. 6:30 pm. –Connie Berry

PathwaysArts screens Ocean Films with fascinating documentary coverage of sea life, including corals, underwater art, and the Mariana Trench. 7 pm. –C.B.
This weekend: I’d love to start my weekend on Saturday with Yoga at the M.V. Museum, but who am I kidding. You go and tell me all about it. 8:30 am. Tons of holiday shopping this weekend. The Chilmark Holiday Flea Market happens at the Chilmark Community Center. 10 am to 4 pm. Then we have the Vineyard Artisans Holiday Fair at the Grange Hall. 10 am to 4 pm. Merry Farm Pottery hosts its annual Winter Kiln Opening Sale with studio tours, drinks, and free wood-fired pizza cooked on-site by Stoney Hill Pizza. 11 am to 5 pm. The Louisa Gould Gallery hosts its Huge Holiday Sale with 25 to 40 percent off on select art. 11 am to 5 pm. Jazen's Art Studio hosts a weekend of Paint Pour Parties at Mad Martha’s in Edgartown. 12 to 6 pm. The Red House recovery community offers Drop-in Conversation from noon to 2 pm, then a New-to-Recovery Drop-in at 2 pm. The Oak Bluffs library provides everything you need for this Gingerbread House Competition. Get a team together and show them what you’ve got. 2:30 to 4 pm. Our very own freelance writer Holly Nadler will sign copies of her latest book, "The Hobo Diaries: Down and Out on Martha's Vineyard," at Bunch of Grapes bookstore. She’s sure to delight you with her stories. 4 to 6 pm.
On Sunday, I might just become one with nature at Island Alpaca at their Holiday Open House, with hot cider and some furry new friends. Not that my old friends aren’t furry. 10 am to 4 pm. You can still visit the World Market Holiday Shop at the Capawock Theater. They’ve got some incredible gifts. 10 am to 6 pm. The Featherstone Holiday Gift Show is still going strong and it’s a don’t-miss event. Handmade gifts from Island artists. 12 to 4 pm. Come to the Friends of the West Tisbury Library Holiday Book Sale with lightly used recent fiction and nonfiction books, children’s books, puzzles, and games 12 to 4 pm. Santa comes to Vineyard Haven on a fire truck for Winter Wonderland with "snow" and elves on Main Street. Free. Bring the kids. 12 to 2 pm. Listen to songs of peace, hope, and light from the M.V. Family Chorus at the Milokan Cultural Center on the Native Earth Teaching Farm. 3 pm. I’ve got a great way to wrap up the weekend: Celebrate the First Night of Hanukkah with blessings, candle lighting, music and singing, and latkes. Led by Rabbi Caryn Broitman with musical accompaniment. All ages. Everyone is welcome. Tabernacle. 4:30 pm. I’m sending high hopes for a wonderful weekend. –C.B.


Movies! Check out what’s playing this weekend at Island theaters here.


Real Estate Confidential is a weekly chit chat about new listings, sales, or other insider info on the Martha’s Vineyard real estate market, by Fred Roven, Martha’s Vineyard Buyer Agents. It appears each Friday in The Minute.

Among my favorite end-of-year tasks is to take a look at 3-bedroom homes that have been on the market for longer than average and priced at below the average cost per square foot. I chose 3 and 4-bedroom homes as they comprise the bulk of homes suitable for year-round family living, and also a reasonable size for second home and investment potential. My thought is, although they have not necessarily had any price reductions, there may be incentive to negotiate a better-than-expected price.

One of the least expensive homes in this group is 67 Saddle Club Road. The home is well sited, set back from the road in a quiet neighborhood and on a spacious lot. It sits a short distance to Morning Glory Farm, Vineyard Golf Club, South Beach, and all three down-Island towns. A bit further out of town gets you to everyone’s favorite, Long Point Beach.The home is well maintained and features a bright, open layout, with skylit cathedral ceiling and a convenient first-floor bedroom. The home is surrounded by more than a hundred acres of town-owned conservation land and has some expansion possibilities.

Located in the Katama Island Grove neighborhood, 7 Whistling Swan Circle, is a well-maintained 4,218 square-foot retreat located near Morning Glory Farm, downtown Edgartown, and South Beach. The home was designed with entertaining in mind, flowing seamlessly to the outdoor living areas. The first floor features a den as well as an en suite bedroom with a large walk-in closet The lower level provides a hangout room with a gas fireplace, wet bar, and full bathroom. The home includes access to association tennis courts and air conditioning for those warm days . . .

For the rest of this Real Estate Confidential, click here. For more Real Estate Confidentials, click here.


It’s all downhill
"Atomic Module 767-207 CM downhill skis. In very good shape with Solomon 557 bindings. No poles. $100 or close. 508-627-1803."

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.

Click here for more details and specials

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?
As Christmas approaches, the question looms — what treat to leave for Santa Claus and his reindeer? Reindeer aren’t particularly picky, so some carrots or ants on a log will work just fine. But St. Nick is a discerning elf, so it’s best to include some options: hot cocoa, decorated sugar cookies, or some local treats like Salt Rock Chocolates or Murdick’s Fudge are sure to put you on the nice list. Kaylea Moore has some suggestions.

Click here for more Fast Suppers

Do you know this potter? Submit your best guess to newsletters@mvtimes.com within 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. 

Thursday’s contest answer:
Louis Larsen
A story of freedom
A new film chronicles the true story of "Whipped Peter" and the famously disturbing "Scourged Back" photograph that circulated during the Civil War to illustrate the horrors of slavery. "Emancipation," was screened at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center last weekend, with a follow-up Q & A with producers Heather Washington and Jon Mone (Mone grew up on the Island and attended MVRHS). The film stars Will Smith and Charmaine Bingwa, and is a powerful and oftentimes terrifying production. Read the story by assistant features editor Lucas Thors here.

We sent you The Minute because you gave us your email address at an Islanders Write or Islanders Read the Classics event (or at the Ag Fair), or you responded to an ad for The Minute and signed up on our website. The Minute will arrive Monday through Friday by the end of the workday, and features the day's news, important meetings and events, and even what to make for supper, along with some newsletter-only coupons and insider tips. We may produce special weekend editions and occasionally send you special offers from select advertisers. Got this forwarded from a friend? Sign up for yourself here. See past newsletters here.
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