Massachusetts is in the midst of a blood shortage due to a decline in blood donations, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross said Monday. Meanwhile, officials at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital said demand for blood on the Vineyard has increased with the summer swell in population.

Those involved with blood supply agree the current situation makes a high turnout critical for this Thursday’s Martha’s Vineyard Community Blood Drive.

While many nonprofits across the nation are cutting staff and programs due to the weak economy and rising operational costs, the Vineyard Nursing Association over the past six months has gone in a different direction, nearly doubling the number of patients under its care while hiring new staff and expanding its programs.

By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL

The commercial striped bass season began this week with a whimper. The fishermen are out hunting for this highly prized fish, but their landings are off.

Striped bass are local and one of the few species that are plentiful and available at fish markets and restaurants to sell. Bluefish comes a close second as a local fish and are landed daily.

Holmes Hole Sailors Race

In Vineyard Haven Waters

The Holmes Hole Sailing Association continued its Thursday evening series of handicap sailboat racing from Vineyard Haven harbor with a 6 p.m. race on July 10. 

It was a warm, hazy evening with a fresh southwest wind of 10 to 15 knots. Ten boats posted for the start at red nun 6 outside of the Vineyard Haven breakwater.

The Vineyard Haven Yacht Club will celebrate its 80th anniversary this Saturday with fun activities and races all day and a big party at night. The celebration will be a bit of a farewell party. Plans have been approved to tear the clubhouse down this winter and build a new and more functional one in its place.

Yesterday the East Coast Junior Windsurfing Championships began. Nevin Sayre, former World Champion, is running the event along with several other members of the United States Sailing Windsurfing Task Force.