Jesse Sylvia took second place in the 2012 World Series Poker Wednesday morning after a marathon all-night session. The 26-year-old West Tisbury native won $5.29 million in prize money. Throughout the contest Mr. Sylvia stayed within striking distance of the eventual winner and new world champion, Greg Merson.

A large group of friends and fans traveled to Las Vegas to watch the match, including his family. Marlene DiStefano, Mr. Sylvia’s mother, lost her voice after the nearly 12-hour event.

Yesterday Vineyarder Jesse Sylvia secured a spot as one of the three finalists in the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event and will be contending for the $8.53 million jackpot when play resumes tonight at 9 p.m. He is assured of winning at least $3,799,073.

The world series tournament began in early July, initially narrowing the field of 6,598 players down to nine, with Mr. Sylvia in the lead when the tournament took a two-month hiatus. On Oct. 29 play resumed.

Husband and wife, yogi and yogini, Robert and Sherry Sidoti are both helping to expand the yoga experience by training teachers at their new studio, Yoga Haven.

In November, Sherry will begin her third teacher training course conducted on the Island under the auspices of her Fly Yoga program. The course is a 200-hour certification that begins on Nov. 5.

On Oct. 14, Robert began his first teacher training course; a 25 hour, four-day, certificate program in Broga, a brand of yoga tailored for men.

It was not as ambitious as Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition to find a route to the Spice Islands in 1522, and certainly not as dangerous. But Dana Gaines of Edgartown and his two friends, John Karoff from Milton and Tucker Lindquist from Ipswich can nevertheless be credited with plenty of pluck and explorers’ ambition for completing a circumnavigation of the Vineyard in kayaks in a single day last Saturday.