In the late summer of 2004, Barack Obama agreed to participate in a forum on race relations held at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.

Few people know their way around the Island links like local wunderkind Tony Grillo. As President Obama settles into a vacation in West Tisbury that is almost certain to include a few rounds, Mr. Grillo leaves for Seattle to compete in the U.S. Amateur Championship. Before leaving, though, he spoke with the Gazette at his home course, Farm Neck, about what the duffer-in-chief can expect on Vineyard fairways.

Elizabeth Morgan has become a licensed architect in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, following completion of the architectural registration exams, according to Kuhn Riddle Architects, located in Amherst.

Thomas (TJ) Mello, 49, of Tisbury is a familiar Vineyard face. For 29 years he worked as a clerk for the Steamship Authority. He would check people in as they lined up to board the boat in Vineyard Haven, always offering a smile.

He retired last May, turning his attention to his love for being on the water. “I think I’ve checked everyone in on the ferry at least once,” Mr. Mello said in an interview.

Let’s Dance!

Island Salsa will be represented at the Let’s Move Festival on August 24 in Waban Park in Oak Bluffs. From 1 to 1:15 p.m. there will be a demonstration followed by a brief introductory class with David Vanderhoop. There is no charge. The rain date is August 25. And it’s not too early to start planning for salsa classes this coming fall. Classes for beginners, advanced beginners and a salsa intensive are all planned, starting in October. An announcement with details will appear in a future edition of the Gazette.

Islanders are hard workers: when you have three or four months to make the majority of your wages, eating healthy food and exercising can easily be put on the back burner. The back burner can turn into a habit, a habit into a daily routine and one that is passed on through younger generations.

BY LYNNE IRONS

Dick Jennings sent me a photograph of a shore bird he found out on the shore of Cape Pogue Bay. The caption was “What is this, it looks like a willet, but it is the wrong color?” Dick was correct, it was a willet and his confusion was legitimate. There are two subspecies of willets found in the United States. One is the eastern (Tringa semipalmata semipalmata) and the other the western willet (Tringa semipalmata inornata).

“NO ONE ALIVE WILL EVER SEE THIS,” screamed the subject line in all capital letters.

Don’t believe the hype. Though this title sounds as if it is forecasting a very exciting occurrence, I can assureyou that it is just hoax-us pokus.

A number of beaches have been closed to swimming in Oak Bluffs and West Tisbury due to bacterial contamination.

Inkwell Beach, Pay Beach, Eastville Beach and Madeiras Cove in Oak Bluffs have all been closed to swimmers, Oak Bluffs health agent Shirley Fauteux confirmed on Wednesday. Ms. Fauteux said elevated bacterial counts were found in water samples taken on Monday.