Art in the Stacks: Paintings by Robert Schaefer

"Harbor Sunset" by Robert Schaefer (oil on canvas 10" x 20")

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library are pleased to present an exhibit of paintings by Bob Schaefer. "Scenes from Martha's Vineyard" will be on display during regular library hours through the month of November. "Art in the Stacks" is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art throughout the year.

Robert Schaefer is fine art painter working in oil and watercolor currently residing half time in Martha's Vineyard.  He has lived his entire life in New England, graduating from Brown University with a degree in Materials Engineering.  He recently retired from a very successful 44 year career in the aerospace industry, allowing him to now focus on his artwork.  He is involved in the community both as an active board member of a not for profit child guidance clinic and as co-chair of the All Island Art Show in Oak Bluffs.

His artistic journey has been a lifetime in the making, beginning as a simple hobby and transforming into a true passion as an award winning artist.  The precision and creativity from his engineering background along with his love of travel brings an interesting perspective to his art.  He is self taught and finds every new painting an experiment and adventure in both style and technique.  He currently favors the use of layered transparent colors in both media.  The exhibit features many of Robert's paintings depicting scenes from Martha's Vineyard along with flowers from his own island garden.

Friday October 25th: CLAMS Network Outage RESTORED

The CLAMS network is not in service today. Patrons will need their library card in order to check out materials. Patrons will not be able to search the CLAMS catalog, renew or request items through their online account, or checkout eBooks and audiobooks through Overdrive until service is restored. Thank you for your continued patience.

Public internet computers and wifi at the Vineyard Haven Library are working, but cardholders will need to get a guest pass to access library computers.

CLAMS services have been restored.

Halloween Happenings!

This Sunday, October 27th, from 1pm to 3pm, the Library will hold a Halloween party for kids, with games, crafts, and treats (of course!) We will finish up with a costume parade through the library.

To allow safer trick-or-treating, several streets in Vineyard Haven will be closed to vehicular traffic from 6 to 9 pm on October 31st, including portions of William Street, Franklin Street, and Spring Street. Center Street, Church Street and Colonial Lane will be closed off from Main Street. (Residents of closed streets will be allowed vehicular access).

The library is also open until 8pm on Halloween night, so stop in to show off your costume and pick up a treat!

Library Telephone Service Interruption Wed. October 23rd

On Wednesday, October 23rd, there may be some disruption to the library's telephone service and voicemail between the hours of 11am and 2pm. We regret any inconvenience this may cause. Library staff may be contacted by email at vhpl_questions@clamsnet.org.

Art in the Stacks: Alexia Garcia

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library are pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Alexia Garcia. The exhibit will be on display during regular library hours through the month of October. "Art in the Stacks" is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art at the library throughout the year.

Alexia Garcia, a proud 2008 graduate of Martha´s Vineyard Regional High, was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador and began her photojournalistic activities in 2010 as a co-founder and member of D´Kultura (non-profit organization that promotes culture) in New York City. For the past 10 years she has been traveling back and forth between Martha's Vineyard, New York and Ecuador, which has given her the opportunity to exchange, experience and promote historical and cultural knowledge between the three places. Alexia found her passion expressing herself through her camera during a photography class she took back in 2011 while attending college at "ESPOL" in Guayaquil which helped her realize the many ways in which she could capture the moments, experiences and images she visualized.

In 2012 Alexia won first place on an Ecuadorian photography contest called "Capturando lo bueno de la vida" and as part of her award she won a trip to the Galapagos Islands where she participated in an artistic photography workshop given by "Sony Ecuador" professional photographers. She had the chance to not only experience the beautiful views, diverse nature and landscapes but to also capture in each of her photographs the essence and unique beauty of the islands. This year she has been able to share and present her photographic exhibition called "Recuerdos del Archipiélago de Colón" a collection of pictures that showcase the fascinating nature of the Galapagos. To find more information about Alexia Garcia visit www.alegares.com.

Free Island-Wide Flu Clinic and Flu Information

An all-island seasonal flu immunization clinic will be held on Saturday, October 26th from 9am to noon. Flu vaccines will be administered at drive through clinics at Waban Park in Oak Bluffs and at the West Tisbury School. The clinic is open to adults and high school students only. Children who have not yet reached the 9th grade will not be vaccinated. Forms and additional information are available at the library or may be downloaded here. Contact your local Board of Health if you have any questions or seek further information about the clinic.

Do you have questions about the flu? Flu.gov provides one-stop access to U.S. Government information on H1N1, avian and pandemic flu. Other recommended resources are provided below.

Staying Healthy

The two most basic practices a person can do to help prevent catching and spreading germs and viruses are hand washing and covering your cough.

Hand Washing: People in the United States are being advised to be very diligent about hand washing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on their web site about when and how you should wash your hands.

Covering Your Cough : Another important way to prevent the spread of diseases is to properly cover your cough. The CDC provides information on covering your cough.

Other Healthy Practices: There are several other steps the CDC recommends as ways to prevent the spread of flu and other diseases:

• Avoid close contact with those who are sick or when you are sick
• Stay home when you are sick. Keep your children home if they are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Practice other health habits of getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, drinking plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.

Additional Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): information on the Seasonal Flu and Novovirus.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH): Flu Website includes information in English and Spanish.

Medline Plus: Flu information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Health Connector for Massachusetts

Information about the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) for Massachusetts residents can be found on the Massachusetts Health Connector website at http://bettermahealthconnector.org/

The site includes a listing of Healthcare Navigator organizations and Certified Application Counselors (CACs) that can offer in-person assistance at http://bettermahealthconnector.org/get-help/

The Navigator organization for Martha's Vineyard:

Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands, Inc.
372 North Street
Hyannis, MA  02601

Phone: 800-845-1999 or 508-771-1727
Website: cacci.cc