Scholarships Available

The Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard is now accepting applications for its 2012 educational scholarships.

Seventeen scholarship funds are administered by the permanent endowment, which will be awarding scholarships to both high school seniors and Vineyard students currently enrolled in college or graduate school. Last year, $144,300 in scholarships were awarded to 63 Island students, with awards ranging from $500 to $5,000.

Eat Before Swim

A shark bite never felt so good.

This weekend the YMCA is celebrating all things Mako, the local swim team, of course.

On Saturday, Feb. 4, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. the Y turns into an Italian restaurant with a benefit pasta dinner prepared by Tea Lane Caterers; you supply the Billy Joel.

The cost is $15 for individuals and $45 for a family ticket. Tickets are available at the Y in advance and on the night of the event.

Town Meating

The Farm Institute and Morning Glory Farm are teaming up to screen the film American Meat tonight, Friday, Feb. 3, starting at 6 p.m. at the Morning Glory Farm stand.

The film is a documentary about the current state of meat production in the U.S. It is not billed as a mere harangue against the meat industry but rather looks at the complex issue through the eyes of actual workers at these plants, feedlots and confinement houses. The film also introduces the current revolution developing in animal husbandry.

Artisan Festival Talk

Ever wonder how the Artisans Festival began, what they were like in the early days, and even, perhaps, where they are headed? Well, on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m., Andrea Rogers, the maestro behind what has become a Vineyard institution (and an impressive broom maker too) is giving a talk at the Vineyard Haven Public Library.

The library knows how to treat its visitors too; refreshments will be served following the talk.

For more details, call 508-696-4211.

Grants Awarded

The Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund with the Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard, has awarded $4,863 in grants to 14 Island school teachers representing seven schools on the Vineyard. Since the mini-grant program’s inception in 2010, the bank’s charitable fund has provided about $10,800 to assist and recognize teachers throughout the Vineyard and in Falmouth.

High School Science Fair

The regional high school science fair is next Saturday, Feb. 11, beginning at 9 a.m. at the high school. The fair is organized by science teacher Jackie Hermann with more than 100 students presenting their projects.

Everyone is invited, you don’t have to be a parent or a judge, to check out the great scientific minds of our not-too-distant future.

Judging takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. and includes both on and off-Island judges. The fair opens to the public at 11 a.m. Awards are announced at noon.