Here’s what’s happening on Martha’s Vineyard today.
Today groundhog Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means we’ve got at least six more weeks of winter. (If you believe in legendary rodents, that is.) So what happens if a groundhog dies just before Feb. 2? Today is also National Tater Tot Day and National Heavenly Hash Day. Sounds like a great doubleheader to celebrate those cold wintry days ahead. If your friend sent you this, sign up for yourself here.
We’ve written a lot about the need for housing stock on the Island. Well, a new report analyzing Census data shows Martha’s Vineyard’s housing stock has only increased slightly while at the same time the Island’s population shot up. And for the first time in 50 years, there is now more year-round housing than seasonal on the Island. Reporter Brian Dowd has this story with a
handy-dandy chart.
On the water Chilmark is hiring a company very familiar with the Island’s harbors to do a top-to-bottom review of the town’s commercial wharf at Menemsha. The town hired Childs Engineering, which has done projects in Edgartown with Memorial Wharf and in Vineyard Haven. Reporter Rich Saltzberg has this update.
Multitasker He’s a jack of all trades and a master of many. We’re talking about Andrew Kahl, who has added coffee bean roaster to his considerable set of skills. Kahl has his own Mill City Roaster, and while he previously only made coffee for himself, he now has commercial clients as well. Writer Geoff Currier explores the many talents of Kahl in this profile.
MEETINGS The Martha’s Vineyard Commission meets at 7 pm Thursday. Remote access. Here is the agenda.
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Quote of the Day "Only inert or, in limited usage conventional, ordnance was used during training exercises on the island. Since then cleanup actions have taken place to remove unexploded ordnance to ensure public safety." –Navy Environmental Coordinator Dave Barney on whether bombs using nuclear components were used during training at Nomans Land
Hot Topic Comment Don Keller commented on the decision by the Navy not to do more cleanup at Nomans Land. "I used to watch that island being bombed in the late 80s. I’m sure they spent more than $31 million to pollute it. But, I guess all that bombing kept us all safe. Not a single killer rabbit ever swam to the Vineyard and attacked anyone. Money well spent."
Hot Topic Letter Harriet Bernstein wrote about her good fortune of getting plowed out during Saturday’s blizzard. "I snowshoed to meet him on the way out my drive and asked what I could pay him as I delved into my pocket. From way above me in his tractor throne, with a warm smile he said, ‘Nah, you don’t owe me a thing.’ I was so speechless, I hope I was able to thank him. So goes the kindness of strangers on Martha’s Vineyard."
Today:Join a couple of fun gals, Jenny Allen and Mona Hennessy, for Show Biz Trivia Night online via the M.V. Playhouse. It’s free, one of my criteria for a fun time. 6 pm. –Connie Berry
"Parallel Mothers" with Penelope Cruz is playing at the M.V. Film Center. Sounds like a film full of twists and turns, my kind of movie. 7:30 pm. –C.B.
Tomorrow:Grab a Craft Kit for Kids at the Chilmark library. You literally always need something for those little guys to do, right? If I were you, I’d save this and break it out on the weekend. Or save it for school break. 11 am. –C.B.
Movies! Check out what’s playing this weekend at Island theaters here.
Framed "Picture frames for sale, various sizes. $5-$25. Call 774-563-0071 after 11 am."
Click here for more finds in our Classifieds section.
Dining out?
The Barn Open for lunch & dinner Tuesday through Saturday 11:30 am to 9:30 pm. Bowling available Tuesday through Saturday at 5 pm. Text Barnmv to 508/696/9800 to receive deals & specials.
The Sweet LifeOpen year round! Serving dinner Wednesday through Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. Featuring a pre-fixe 3 course dinner for $50 on Wednesdays! @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?
A few years ago Jenna Lambert got savvy with her Super Bowl snacks and shared the recipes with us. You won’t find any chicken wings in this story, but you will find some truly tasty dishes you can try out before the big day. Our personal favorite is an
easy Eggplant Baba Ganoush recipe. (Times tip: Skip the grill by cutting the eggplant in half, roast it flesh side down in the oven and then scoop it out when it’s done.)
Do you know this cat-loving woman? We'll throw all winning answers into a pot at the end of the month and
someone will win their choice of a $100 gift certificate to an Island business or charity. Email your answer to newsletters@mvtimes.com,and let us know which day you are guessing about. For
previous Do You Knows? see our archive.
Believing in ‘After Life’ There’s nothing like melting away on a couch on a cold winter’s day — especially with buckets of snow falling outside — and binging on a show on one of the streaming services. Features editor Connie Berry writes about one that’s very near and dear to our hearts because it features Ricky Gervais as a community newspaper reporter. You can check out Connie’s recommendation for this binge-worthy series here.
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