Women Empowered is proud to announce the first Empowered Woman of the Year Award. Nominations are now being accepted for the woman whose attributes and activities improve the lot of others on the Vineyard, either by her deeds or character.

ArtFarm Enterprises will be holding auditions for their inaugural production of Kim & Delia, an original full length play by Islander and ArtFarm co-founder Brian Ditchfield, on Sunday, April 26, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Farm Institute. Most of the roles have already been cast, but producers are still looking for an actress between the ages of 10 and 12 to play the lead role of Kim, and a non-Equity actress to play several ensemble roles.

Audition sides are available online at artfarmenterprises.com.

Hello, João

Janaina and Rafael DeSousa of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, João Victor Freire DeSousa, born on March 29, 2009, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. João weighed 6 pounds, 13.8 ounces at birth.

Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School principal Stephen Nixon has announced the honor roll for the second quarter of the 2008-2009 academic year.

Earning highest honors in grade 12 are: Kimberly Carlomagno, Katharine Clarke, Emma Frizzell, Loren Gibson, Eliza Gowell, Margaretta Hehre, Haley Koorse, Ryan Marinelli, Bethany Pennington, Mark Reppert and Anastasia Sargent.

Earning highest honors in grade 11 are: Katherine Cecilio, Gail Herman, Shaelah Huntington, Tessa Permar, Meghan Pettit, Hayley Pierce and Julie Pringle.

Opinion Matters

The West Tisbury selectmen, finance committee and treasurer will host a public forum for voters on town finances at Howes House on April 4 at 10 a.m. All are invited to come share coffee and opinions with the town leaders.

On Saturday, April 4. between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Martha’s Vineyard Community Services will host their 5th Electronics Disposal Day in the agency’s parking lot at 111 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. This event provides residents of Martha’s Vineyard with a location where they can safely get rid off their old computers, monitors, televisions and other “e-waste.” For a small, tax deductible fee, the items are collected and disposed of, with Community Services receiving a portion of proceeds.