The Edgrtown fire department will set fire to an unoccupied home in Katama on Saturday, Feb. 19 as part of a training exercise. The drill will occur between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Edgartown fire chief Peter Shemeth said the house was slated to be demolished, but the homeowner instead allowed the department to use it for training purposes. Firefighters will conduct several drills before eventually allowing the house to burn. The emergency communications center has been notified of the drill, said Chief Shemeth.

ArtFarm Enterprises has teamed up with the West Tisbury School’s fourth grade class to create a unique adaptation of Aesop’s Fables. The performances take place tonight, Feb. 18, at 4 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center.

The performances are a mixture of live theatre, film, music, and dance. And it’s free.

For Vineyard veterans seeking on-Island access to health care, a long wait is getting longer.

Despite word in January that a contract for health care should be in place by late February, the process has been delayed by administrative roadblocks.

The Veterans Administration is “still shooting for springtime,” for a contract to be in place, said Tom Antonaccio, public affairs officer at the Providence VA center. “I’m still optimistic,” he said.

The West Tisbury selectmen are now considering reversing an order to destroy two Akitas on condition that the owners agree to turn over the dogs to new owners.

Elects Officers

Vineyard House, a public charity that provides housing for Islanders in early recovery from substance abuse, held its annual general meeting and officer elections Jan. 23. Mark Jenkins will remain in place as president of the board of directors, and will serve alongside co-vice presidents Beth Toomey and John Early, treasurer Brian Mackey and clerk Pat Gregory. Tim Dobel, Janina Kean and Sheila Shapiro will continue as additional board directors for 2012.