Commentary
Living — and Buying — Locally
Try buying a souvenir T-shirt these days and you can see through the window that it’s half off, but the store is never open. Need some watertight Wellington boots, however, and you can find them here all winter during normal business hours. There are good Island businesses committed to serving Islanders’ needs, but the state of the economy is making every retailer’s challenge greater. We are all shopping less, so we all ought to shop strategically when we do.
I’m nearing that arbitrary age when the federal government has determined I am approaching senior citizenhood, and thus entitled to benefits from the slowly and surely sinking social security administration. I should be flattered, or eager to anticipate a great new adventure, akin to getting my driver’s license or the right to vote. But turning 62 feels more like having to register for the draft or being eligible to join AARP.
On Jan. 20 Barack Obama became President. It was the first time since the election of President John Kennedy that the young people really got into the election. Last week the Edgartown sixth grade came to our global studies class. We all talked about Barack Obama and about what we hoped would happen during the next four years. It was so cool to talk to the sixth graders. I love that a younger generation are getting into politics and are excited to see where Barack leads us. It was so exciting watching the inauguration in school. So many people are excited about Barack Obama.
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission, along with the towns and other public entities, is very concerned about how to deal with the current budget crisis. Like the towns, we are getting information about the severity of the budget crisis almost daily. The MVC foresees major reductions in grants and other income, and is prepared to reconsider our budget as we get more information.
Talk of the Town
From a January, 1958 article by Colbert Smith:
One could well write a whole series of articles about the wintering gossip places for the residents of an Island town. They are legion, these places where people seem just to meet, exchange a few words, and pass on to their everyday pursuits.
E lection Day 2008: Spring out of bed early and zap e-mails to Congressman Delahunt and Senator Kennedy, humbly requesting a ticket — maybe two? — to the inauguration of No. 44. Book affordable hotel room for the nights before and after. Hope that I won’t wind up with an invitation to a ceremony for Palin and McCain. 11pm: Oh, the audacity of hope!
11/11/08: Book flights there and back. Spring for the fully refundable airfare, in case of . . . whatever.