Islanders will have a say in selecting the first Martha’s Vineyard Poet Laureate.

Year-round poets must submit five poems of any genre, style or form. A jury of judges will read all submissions, and nominate five finalists. The winning five poets must be willing to participate in a public reading that will be videotaped and distributed on the Martha’s Vineyard Poetry Society’s Facebook page; MVTV; YouTube and through other Island media and agencies.

Farm Neck Looks to Give

The Farm Neck Foundation is calling for applicants for its 2011 grants, open to all Island nonprofit organizations whose goal is to improve the quality of life in the Martha’s Vineyard community.

Flu Fighters

Fall is here and although winter still looms on a distant horizon it’s never too early to think about the cold and flu season.

Vineyard Scripts on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven is ready with flu shots when you are. This week, Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the pharmacy is offering walk-in flu shots. Blood pressure readings and flu shots by appointment are also available.

Flu shots cost $25 or the appropriate insurance copay.

For more details, call 508-693-7979.

This weekend the Vineyard Arts Project is presenting a performance by Morphoses, a dance company that has been in residence at VAP s

Permaculture Farm

The Native Earth Teaching Farm in Chilmark is about to embark on a permaculture project to build a self-sustaining food garden.

The idea is to establish an edible forest by mimicking the structure and function of natural ecosystems while producing perennial food crops and many other products. The community is invited to participate through a series of spring and fall planting parties.

Pumpkin Picking

It’s fall, yes, even officially and not just in the urge to get out the duvet on these chilly nights. This means Halloween is not far away. And if it’s Halloween, it’s time to start thinking of creating a bunch of little orange demons to welcome the would-be witches and skeletons to your doorway.

We’re talking about jack-o-lanterns here.