The Edey Foundation, founded by the late Maitland Edey of Seven Gates Farm, announces funds available for grants to Island nonprofit organizations.

The purpose of the foundation is to provide money for conservation and environmental programs on Martha’s Vineyard. Submissions that relate to ongoing conservation, energy, education and scientific studies are welcome. The foundation does not fund construction or building projects.

The Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living will hold its second in a series of winter cultural luncheons on Saturday, Jan. 29, from noon to 2 p.m. at The Grill on Main in Edgartown. The cultural influence of African Americans on Martha’s Vineyard will be highlighted in a two-part program presented by author Tom Dresser, who will speak about his book African Americans on Martha’s Vineyard, and Elaine Weintraub, cofounder of the African American Heritage Trail on Martha’s Vineyard.

Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School students Emma Hallbilsback and Delmont Araujo were sworn in on Friday by Gov. Deval Patrick to serve on the Governor’s Statewide Youth Council. They will hold their positions for a two-year term.

Community Grants

The Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard is accepting applications for its spring grant cycle. Through its grants program, the endowment seeks to raise awareness of Vineyard issues, respond to community needs, foster collaboration among nonprofit organizations and support innovative approaches to improving the quality of life on the Island.

Island nonprofit organizations with IRS 501 (c)(3) status may apply for funding for new projects as well as continuing programs that benefit the Vineyard community.

Contract negotiations between Martha’s Vineyard’s six towns and Comcast for the provision of cable services to the Island were thrown into confusion this week after Tisbury’s negotiator appeared to suggest the town would pull out of MVTV, the local cable access channel.

Under the terms of a franchise agreement reached between the towns and Comcast 10 years ago, Comcast pays five per cent of the gross revenue it receives from Island subscribers to MVTV. That equates to about $400,000 per year.

Most people use social media sites on the Internet to share stories with friends, post pictures of their vacations with family or a night on the town or check up on a long lost friend.

Others use these sites to taunt, harass and bully people who are different from them.