The health of the historic resort community is not in doubt. But a streetscape master plan project begun in January wants to identify parts of the downtown that can be improved. And planners want more public opinion.

A newly formed Vineyard philanthropy group with a core mission to support Island youth and an innovative funding model will commit $4 million over the next four years to an array of youth causes. Founders include a number of first-generation summer homeowners.

After seeing the northern states for the first time in 1951 during a summer with his aunt and uncle in Buffalo, N.Y., Cong. John Lewis began questioning the quality of life that many around him took for granted.

On Saturday morning, a total of 1,600 people will run the Chilmark Road Race. On Friday and Sunday, kids and adults will take part in the Alex Cohen Memorial Basketball Marathon at the community center.

Military helicopters flew over the Island this week as the Vineyard prepared for what is becoming a familiar August event: the arrival Saturday of President Barack Obama for a summer vacation on the Island.

When President Obama and his family arrives for a two-week stay this weekend, it will mark the 10th time in the past 20 years that the Vineyard has hosted a summer White House.