Plum Martha's Vineyard

Benefit Concert for Maynard Silva

gmcallister — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:54:19 -0400

Martha's Vineyard holds a special night at the Outerland for island blues legend Maynard Silva. Island musicians are interviewed about Silva and a rare performance of Silva at The OysterBarGrill is presented.

This Week on the Vineyard: Dr. Patrick MacManaway, healing practitioner

pryan — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:53:09 -0400

Healing practitioner Dr. Patrick MacManaway talks about using earth acupuncture to create healthier living and working spaces. May 2008.

This Week on the Vineyard: Sharky's owners JB Blau and Josh Aronie

pryan — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:49:34 -0400

JB Blau and Josh Aronie talk about the new Sharky's Cantina in Edgartown. Same great food, new entertainment and other surprises. May 2008.

Island Affordable Housing Fund - Join us this summer!

pryan — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:42:39 -0400

The Island Affordable Housing Fund invites you to join the cause this summer at the second annual Housing on the Tube telethon and premiere party. July 25th -July 27th.

This Week on the Vineyard: Ornithologist Robert Culbert

pryan — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:55:51 -0400

Local bird tour leader Robert Culbert talks to Tina Miller about birding on the island and his summer bird tours. May 2008.

This Week on the Vineyard: Liz Strawn from NMSS

pryan — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:13:25 -0400

Liz Strawn from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, NE chapter, discusses a Vineyard bike tour to raise money for a cure for MS. April 2008.

This Week on the Vineyard: Ask Paul 4/24/08

pryan — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:10:23 -0400

Paul Mahoney of Jardin Mahoney answers your gardening questions on This Week on the Vineyard. What should you do about moss in your garden, and when should you prune hydrangeas?

This Week on the Vineyard: Interview with Alan Schweikert 04/24/08

pryan — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:53:05 -0400

Ocean Park Realty's Alan Schweikert talks about the state of the real estate market nationwide and on the vineyard. Will spring make a difference? April 2008.

2008 Vineyard Streetball Classic

pryan — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:37:45 -0400

Martha's Vineyard get ready it's time for the 6th annual Vineyard Streetball Classic! It's time to ball! July 5th, 10am at Niantic park in Oak Bluffs . Calling all vendors,local business, and ball players come support your local vineyard streetball classic. Don't miss out be a vendor, player or sponsor. For more info visit us on the web at vineyardstreetballclassic.com.

Oyster Bar Mixology - Mojito

pryan — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:24:28 -0400

Matt, the beverage director from the Oyster Bar and Grill in Oak Bluffs demonstrates how to make a tasty mojito.

Oyster Bar Mixology - Spice is nice!

pryan — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:16:09 -0400

Matt, the beverage director of the Oyster Bar and Grill in Oak Bluffs shows us how to make one of his signature cocktails.

Oyster Bar Mixology - Martini

pryan — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:05:50 -0400

Matt from the Oyster Bar walks us through the making of a perfect martini.

Kids' Stuff

pryan — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:58:04 -0400

It’s no wonder you hear adults reminiscing about childhood vacations spent on Martha’s Vineyard all the time - the island is a wonderful place for kids. We'll help you plan a Vineyard vacation that will leave your children with memories to last a lifetime.

Get Outside:

Two things Martha’s Vineyard has in no short supply are fresh air and energy burning activities. A great spot to bring kids is State Beach on Beach Road between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. The five mile stretch features calm water, sand bars, lots of parking, and a snack truck with stellar frozen lemonade.

The FARM Institute at Katama Farms in Edgartown is another great stop for the wee little farmers of tomorrow. An educational farm that teaches children and adults about sustainable agriculture, the FARM regularly hosts morning chores, and has summer camp programs for all ages.

Also look into Nip'n Tuck Farms for hay rides, Polly Hill Arboretum for budding horticulturists, Island Alpaca Company for fuzzy fun, or Mini-Golf at Island Cove on State Road.

Babysitters Club:

If you’re looking for a little time to yourself to do big kid things – call Martha’s Vineyard Concierge Service Let Me Do That! to get connected with excellent childcare providers - whether you’re interested in having your kids go for a special outing with the sitter or someone to come by your hotel or residence.

In addition to being a baby equipment rental service, the folks at Bear Baby Equipment Rentals are also a resource for qualified babysitters.

Singing in the Rain:

If you find your family caught in the rain during your visit, be sure to step into the Flying Horses in Oak Bluffs for a very special ride. The Flying Horses Carousel is the oldest operating platform carousel in the world,and one lucky person each ride will catch the brass ring, and win a free ride for next time.

Oak Bluffs is also home to the Ryan Family Amusements arcade and six ice cream parlors.

Other great rainy day activities include taking a dip at the Mansion House's indoor pool on Main Street, Vineyard Haven and creating jewelry at Beadniks in Vineyard Haven.

Live and Learn:

Martha’s Vineyard offers a spoonful of sugar to help the learning go down when it comes to educational activities. For starters, Gus Ben David’s World of Reptiles and Birds off the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road is a dream for junior animal-lovers. Gus is always ready to talk about his amazing animal collection and throw in some life lessons.

Children also have a space of their own at the MV Museum on School Street in Edgartown. Every year a gallery is dedicated to the artwork and research projects of Island kids.

Kids' Menu

In Edgartown the Main Street Diner features 50s kitch and retro comfort food. For family fare at a reasonable price The Wharf on Lower Main Street is spacious and has a reliable kids’ menu.

Linda Jean’s in Oak Bluffs is another straightforward, good family restaurant.

The famous Black Dog Tavern on the harbor in Vineyard Haven is world- renowned for a reason; the relaxing family-oriented restaurant (oddly enough, it’s not a bar) has great food.

Kid-Friendly Hotels

Right across from Lighthouse Beach in Edgartown, the Harbor View Hotel & Resort offers children’s programs with activities that range from arts and crafts to field trips.

Young guests at the Winnetu have it made with South Beach only steps away and a children’s program running June through August. Heated outdoor pools, a playground, and volleyball and basketball courts give kids plenty of options for independent activities.

Offering the only indoor pool on Martha's Vineyard, Mansion House in Vineyard Haven also has a full-service health club and spa, and offers suites for any size family.

Regardless of where you stay, or what you eat - the most important part of your Vineyard family vacation is just spending the time with your kids. We hope you have a fun, tantrum-free trip.

Fast Facts

pryan — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:27:12 -0400

Martha's Vineyard is an Island roughly shaped like a triangle seven miles off the Massachusetts coast. The Island covers 87 square miles, and has a year-round population of 15,000 which swells closer to 100,000 in the summer.

When To Visit

One of the first decisions to make about your trip to Martha’s Vineyard is when you want to visit - and the answer depends on what you’re looking for.

Most Islanders will be quick to let you know that August is the busiest month of the year, but July isn’t exactly slow either. June and September are less crowded, but you might run into trouble booking rooms since both are popular months for Island weddings. Be sure to book in advance during any of these months.

From October to May you can enjoy off-season rates at many places, but also keep in mind that many businesses will be closed during these months. Edgartown has the most dramatic shift between winter’s closed doors and summer’s bustle, while Vineyard Haven is the winter hub of the Island with most businesses staying open year-round.

Weather

The Vineyard's coastal location tends to keep the Island a little cooler than the mainland in the summer and warmer in the winter. It snows occasionally, but we usually miss the big winter storms that hit the rest of New England.

Here are the monthly highs, lows, and precipitation records:
January: High - 37F, Low - 22F, 3.92 inches precipitation
February: High - 39F, Low - 24F, 3.30 inches precipitation
March: High - 46F, Low - 32F, 3.85 inches precipitation
April: High - 56F, Low - 40F, 3.60 inches precipitation
May: High - 67F, Low - 50F, 3.24 inches precipitation
June: High - 77F, Low - 59F, 3.22 inches precipitation
July: High - 82F, Low - 66F, 3.06 inches precipitation
August: High - 80F, Low - 65F, 3.37 inches precipitation
September: High - 73F, Low - 57F, 3.47 inches precipitation
October: High - 62F, Low - 46F, 3.79 inches precipitation
November: High - 52F, Low - 38F, 3.98 inches precipitation
December: High - 43F, Low - 28F, 3.73 inches precipitation

Transportation

Bringing your own car to the Island is useful, but not imperative. The Vineyard Transit Authority is a great way to get around, or you can have a guided tour of the Island with Martha's Vineyard Sightseeing. If you do decide to bring over your own wheels – remember that you must have a car reservation for the boat in advance. You can book this online through the Steamship Authority.

TAXI SERVICES

Adam Cab: 508-627-4462
All Island Taxi: 508-693-2929
Atlantic Cab: 508-693-7110
Bluefish Taxi: 08-627-7373
Harbor Taxi: 508-693-9611; 800-693-TAXI(8294)
Mario's Taxi: 508-693-8399; 877-627-6972
Martha's Vineyard Taxi: 508-693-8660; 866-MV TAXIS (688-2947)
Patti's Taxi: 508-693-1663
Tisbury Taxi: 508-693-7660
Your Taxi: 508-693-0003; 800-396-0003

CAR RENTALS

AAA Island Auto Rentals: 800-627-6333
Adventure Rentals: 508-693-1959
Auto Rentals of Edgartown: 508-627-7241
Budget: 508-693-1911
Hertz: 508-693-2402
Thrifty: 508-696-0909
Sun 'N' Fun Jeep Rentals: 508-693-5457
Harley-Davidson Rentals: 508-693-3379

BIKE RENTALS

Anderson's Bike Rentals: (OB) 508-693-9346
Craig's Bicycles: (VH) 508-693-8693
RW Cutler Bikes: (Edg) 508-627-4052
Cycle Works: (VH) 508-693-6966
Edgartown Bicycles: 508-627-9008
Martha's Bike Rentals: (VH) 508-693-6593
Wheel Happy: (Edg) 508-627-5928

MOPED RENTALS

Adventure Rentals: (VH) 508-693-1959
Harbor Rentals: (OB) 508-693-1300
King's Rental, Inc: (OB) 508-693-1887
Ride-On Mopeds & Bikes: (OB) 508-693-2076

Beach Basics

Martha's Vineyard is known for its beaches - and when you get here and see them there will be no question why. Although many of these sandy wonders are private, there are still plenty of beaches open to the public. Here's a list of spots where anyone can work on their tan:

VINEYARD HAVEN

- Eastville Beach: At the drawbridge on the way from Vineyard Haven to Oak Bluffs.
- Lake Tashmoo Town Beach: End of Herring Creek Road (which is a long and bumpy dirt one - don't lose heart) on Lake Tashmoo in Vineyard Haven.
- Owen Park Beach: Small beach off Main Street on Vineyard Haven Harbor,
- Tisbury Town Beach: Off Owen Little Way near the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club.

EDGARTOWN

- East Beach (Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge and Wasque Reservation): Currently only accessible from the Dike Bridge - this Chappaquiddick beach is open to all, but there is a fee if you aren't a member of The Trustees of Reservations.
- Fuller Street Beach: Watch the boats come in and out of the Harbor at this beach near the Edgartown Lighthouse. Find it at the end of Fuller Street.
- Joseph Sylvia State Beach: Small waves and family friendly, this two mile beach along Beach Road lies between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. There's free on-road parking and the Edgartown end has lifeguards in season.
- Lighthouse Beach: Located off North Water Street at Starbuck's neck, this beach is centrally located in Edgartown.
- South Beach State Park: Popular beach with bigger waves than most, South beach is about one mile and lies between Herring Creek Road and Katama Road. Free parking lot and lifeguards in the summer season.
- Long Point Wildlife Refuge Beach: Managed by The Trustees of Reservations, there is a parking and beach fee for non-members. Summer access is from Waldron's Bottom Road, and in the winter you can use Deep Bottom Rd. Popular with families because of the option of either the ocean-water beach or freshwater swimming in Long Cove Pond.
- Norton Point: This barrier beach is accessible from the end of Katama Road, and has the Atlantic on one side and Edgartown Harbor on the other. Formerly Norton Point beach connected Chappaquiddick to the rest of the Island, but a storm in April, 2007 created a breach making Chappy a true island.

OAK BLUFFS

- Joseph Sylvia State Beach: Small waves and family friendly, this two mile beach along Beach Road lies between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. Lemonade and hot-dog stand on Oak Bluffs end.
- Oak Bluffs Town Beach: Directly across from Ocean Park is the only beach with a snack bar and showers. Lifeguards in season. Adjacent Inkwell beach has a longstanding tradition as a gathering place for African-American beachgoers.

WEST TISBURY

Sorry... make friends with a West Tisbury resident if you want to check out these beaches.

CHILMARK

- Menemsha Public Beach: Menemsha beach, aside from its appeal for sunset viewing, is just a teriffic beach for families, fishermen, or anyone (except for people who hate the beach).

AQUINNAH

- Aquinnah Public Beach (Moshup Beach): Under the cliffs of Gayhead is a gorgeous beach world reknowned for its wild beauty, as well as nude sun-bathing at the furthermost end. The shore is somewhat rocky, and the water tends to be cold - but the view of the Cliffs makes up for the $15 parking fee.

Restaurant Details

One of the more surprising things about Martha’s Vineyard is that while the rest of the United States repealed prohibition in 1933, most Island towns are still dry. Edgartown and Oak Bluffs are the only towns where you can buy alcohol - most restaurants elsewhere are BYOB - but even in the non-dry towns some restaurants have only a beer and wine license. Call ahead and check if you have your heart set on a margarita.

On the subject of restaurants, also be aware that because the bars on MV close at 12:30am everything gets pushed back a little - and so maybe consider eating a little earlier than you might in the city.

Some popular smaller restaurants do not accept reservations, and all but a handful of restaurants - no matter what the price - have a casual dress code.

Fun Fact:

As we mentioned earlier - June and September are big months for Island weddings. So big in fact that Martha's Vineyard is the second most popular place to get married in the US. Behind who, you ask? Vegas.

Those are the basics for you, and we hope they help - be sure to write to us below if you feel there are other helpful hints for Vineyard visitors that we have left out.

Hastings in the Alley

pryan — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:27:30 -0400

Liz Strawn from the National M.S. Society

pryan — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:06:59 -0400

Liz Strawn from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society North East Chapter discusses a Vineyard bike tour to raise money to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. To learn more about the May 3rd event click here.

Alan Schweikert of Ocean Park Realty - April 24

pryan — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:36:29 -0400

Ocean Park Realty's Alan Schweikert talks about the state of the real estate market nationwide and on the vineyard. Will spring make a difference on the island?

Ask Paul - April 24th

pryan — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:21:52 -0400

Paul Mahoney of Jardin Mahoney will be answering your gardening questions all summer long on Plum's morning shows. This week Paul addresses what should you do about moss in your garden, and when should you prune hydrangeas. To submit your questions - drop him a line at askpaul@plumtv.com.

Same View, New Outlook

gmcallister — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:12:31 -0400

Watching the sun set over Edgartown harbor as you enjoy dinner for two in a private dining room (inside a lighthouse!); could your Martha's Vineyard evening get any more romantic? Now, thanks to the MV Historical Society and the Harbor View Hotel & Resort, this evening of a lifetime is a reality. The museum recently opened the Edgartown lighthouse to the public and the Harbor View is offering the opportunity to hold an intimate dinner inside the observation deck with a chef preparing your meal at the table for the ultimate spoil-someone-you-love night on the Vineyard.

And that's just the kind of unique and memorable dining experience that the new owners of the Harbor View Hotel and Resort are hoping to provide their guests of the new restaurant Water Street and newly expanded, more casual bar Henry's. According to Alexandra Zullo, the Director of Marketing, "We are enhancing our resort to reflect the casual elegance that is the history of Harbor View." Both venues will offer innovative "grazing" menus with a focus on local ingredients and a reliance literally on the catch or the pick of the day for the freshest, healthiest options outside of hooking or growing your own.

While the view remains one of the best on the island, the winter renovation has focused on playing up the hotel's namesake even more. New floor to ceiling windows in the restaurant will allow maximum light and exposure while the eye-level panels are pane-less for an uninterrupted view. The decor will be a natural extension of the view with soft light colors and a contemporary nautical theme that will blend seamlessly with the similarly refreshed look of the lobby.

On May 18th Water Street opens for their popular brunch buffet, and then on the 25th will open for breakfast and dinner. Water Street will also continue to do The Famed Sunday Brunch Buffet on June 1st. Henry's will open May 18th with an all day menu, a lighter, brighter look, and the option of moving out to the deck for some sea air.

Vineyard Resident Carly Simon to Release New Album

pryan — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:43:09 -0400

Longtime Island resident Carly Simon will be releasing her first album with original material in eight years this Tuesday. When the Washington Post gave her a call to talk about the album and what's new in general, she cited laying down new gravel and deciding whether or not to put down an ailing sheep as top concerns. House maintenance and farm animals over glitz and glamour? Very Vineyard of you, Carly. More from the Washington Post.