Early Detection Curve

Get a mammogram and pay no fee for fitness. That’s the theme at Curves in Vineyard Haven for the month of October. In recognition of breast cancer awareness month and to raise awareness about the importance of early detection, the women’s fitness center will waive the joining fee for members who show proof of a mammogram within the last year or make a $25 donation to breast cancer research.

For more information call 508-696-3030, or visit curves.com.

KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencaese@comcast.net)

October is here and who can believe that it is Columbus Day weekend already? This is the last weekend for Dairy Queen, so it is now officially fall.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Jade Carrell, who celebrated Oct. 1, Julia Gomes, Oct. 4, Jayden Coyle and Jordan Coyle, Oct. 6, and to Taylor Blair, who celebrates today, Oct. 7.

Sengekontacket Pond remains closed to clamming but open to recreational bay scalloping, shellfish constables in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs confirmed yesterday. The constables said they are awaiting word this morning on the state’s latest sampling of the pond done this week. If the results are positive, the pond could be opened to shellfishing today. Both towns will post information on their Web sites as it becomes available.

Seastreak Family Deal

Seastreak Martha’s Vineyard is offering a family deal in which two children under the age of 12 can ride free for each paying adult on the high-speed ferry, from now through the end of November. Parents, grandparents and kids can enjoy the one-hour ferry service between Martha’s Vineyard and New Bedford.

BRAD WOODGER

508-627-4216

(ibwsgolf@aol.com)

I owe Peter Wells an apology. In last week’s column I reported that he allegedly misappropriated the use of a bicycle. Unfortunately, I may have left out the allegedly. My further error was not in thoroughly vetting the reliability of my source (who will remain unnamed. Let’s just call him Bob. Gilkes.) So I offer the following from Peter himself in the form of a retraction/correction:

From Peter:

Cochlodinium, the rust-colored algae bloom that has turned up in Cape Pogue and Sengekontacket Ponds, has now invaded Lagoon Pond, Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group director Rick Karney confirmed this week. The algae was found in the west arm of the Lagoon.

Massachusetts commercial striped bass fishermen exceeded their quota this summer by over 100,000 pounds. Fishermen landed 1,163,666 pounds or 109.6 per cent above their quota of 1,061,898 pounds.

Welcome Quinlan

JoEllen and Mark Meuse of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Quinlan Joseph Meuse, born on Sept. 27 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Quinlan weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces at birth.

Last month was the harvest moon, and now another full moon comes on Tuesday. If the weather cooperates, the moon will rise in the east at sunset looking like this season’s favorite jack-o’-lantern. The moon appears in the zodiacal constellation Pisces, not far from the brilliant planet Jupiter, also rising in the east.

Flag Football Begins

The Martha’s Vineyard Boys’ and Girls’ Club held its preseason Flag Football League Skills Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Nunes Field in Edgartown. More than 50 of the leagues players, ages 8 to 13, competed in four skills challenges including: passing, field goal kicking, 40-yard dash, and an obstacle course.