Our Island Club members soon can enjoy savings when traveling to Cape Cod.

Benefits will be extended through the Cape Cod Community Club, a new Buy Local First program that begins Nov. 17.

Similar to Our Island Club, the program will provide savings on products and services while benefiting local charities. Any locally owned retail store, restaurant or service business can join. It is expected that there will be more than 100 participating businesses by the end of the month.

Safe Rides Begins

This year’s Safe Rides program will begin this weekend. The student-run program offers free rides to Island teenagers on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The program will continue until May. The Safe Rides phone number is 508-939-9100.

Mature Workers

The Mature Workers Program of Elder Services and the Islands, Inc. offers a bridge back to work program for anyone 55 or older, on limited income, who wants to get back to work. Paid work experience and/or skills training opportunities are available in or near your community. For information, call Gloria or Mary at 508-394-4630 or 1-888-394-4630, extension 135 or 134.

Although the matchup between the Vineyard football team and visiting Cape Cod Tech team last Friday under the lights at the regional high school was billed as the most important game of the season, in the end it wasn’t even close.

The Vineyarders scored early and often against their conference rival, and won easily 35-8, in the process taking one step closer to punching their ticket to the playoffs.

Twenty-two skateboarders, ranging in age from six to 23 competed last Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Martha’s Vineyard Skate Park Association’s fifth skate competition at the park across from the high school.

Over 50 friends and family members were there to show their support, and the association was able to raise $457 towards the maintenance of the skate park.

The Gazette congratulates the following winners:

10 and under division:

1st Place: Miles Jordi.

2nd Place: Mike O’Brien, Mercer Kelly.

The the fuel assistance program is open for applications from now through April 30, 2009, the South Shore Community Action Council Inc. has advised.

Applicants under 60 years of age may fill out applications by scheduling an appointment with Susan Von Steiger, Monday through Thursday at the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging at 508-693-4509. Alternatively, phone calls to the main office in Plymouth via a live operator are accepted between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 508-746-6707. Senior citizens may also call their local councils on aging to apply.

The American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter is organizing a number of CPR, AED and first aid classes in November for residents of the Vineyard. All classes will be held at the YMCA at Cottager’s Corner, 57 Pequot avenue in Oak Bluffs.

Registration is available online via capecodandislandsredcross.org or by calling toll-free 1-508-775-1540.

An adult CPR/AED class will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $50.

Yesterday Robert W. Kelley> celebrated his 90th birthday with friends and relatives at his home in Edgartown. Mr. Kelley’s grip when he shakes hands is just as firm as it was when years ago he headed the Edgartown National Bank. For 30 years Mr. Kelley worked as executive vice president of the bank. Many will remember visiting Mr. Kelley to apply for a mortgage and concluding the deal with his firm handshake.

As a part of the Vineyard Conservation Society’s Clean Water Initiative in partnership with the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, this season’s program will focus on the health of Vineyard waters. On Sunday Nov. 9, Islanders of all ages are invited to the come to Crow Hollow Farm (located off of New Lane in West Tisbury). This family-friendly walk will proceed around the farm and out to the pretty Pear Tree Point on the Tisbury Great Pond. Participants and kids will have the chance to meet and learn about the ponies, land and water.

The best fishing of October may have happened after the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby ended on Oct. 18. Steve Purcell, of Larry’s Tackle Shop, said that the 70 anglers participating in his month-long fishing contest called Octoberfish did well, though some found the fishing better after the derby was over. The awards ceremony for the contest was held at the tackle shop on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 1.