The American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, is starting a collaboration with the Medical Reserve Corps on the Island in support of local disaster relief efforts.

Jim Thomas of Oak Bluffs, staff relations manager for the Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, American Red Cross said in a statement: “I am really excited to work with these medical volunteers. Every shelter the Red Cross operates needs trained medical personnel and this will be a great step in expanding the volunteers available for local disasters and bigger events.”

The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society concludes its 39th summer season with a pair of concerts on Monday, August 17, at the Old Whaling Church, and Tuesday, August 18, at the Chilmark Community Center, featuring violinist Roger Wilkie, cellist Antonio Lysy and pianist Delores Stevens, artistic director of the music society.

The Summer Institute’s film series offers its final film of the season, Waves of Freedom, this Sunday at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. Coming to the Island from the Boston Jewish Film Festival, this is a documentary about a naval engagement on the shores of what was then Palestine on the eve of the creation of Israel.

The Haganah was a Jewish paramilitary group whose 40-year relationship with the occupying British was something of a roller-coaster ride.

Slow Fish — the pleasures of eating seafood harvested in a sustainable manner — is the topic of a Menemsha Fisheries Development Fund lecture on Wednesday, August 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Chilmark Public Library.

Development fund president Warren Doty will talk about the growing slow fish movement, an offshoot of the international Slow Food organization that originated in Italy. Like it’s counterpart, the pleasures of eating well are at the core of slow fish and it’s stated mission to educate, promote and protect.

Historic Oak Bluffs

On Thursday, August 13 the Oak Bluffs historical commission continues its summer programs with Revisiting Summer Recreation in Oak Bluffs - 1870s to 1930s. The program takes place at the Oak Bluffs Public Library Meeting Room from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A slide show will accompany information about croquet, roque, bathing, roller skating, horse racing, biking, golf, tennis, baseball and the Flying Horses. Little known facts will be shared. Refreshments will be served.

Cokie Roberts Talk

Cokie Roberts, senior news analyst for National Public Radio and ABC News political commentator, will be speaking at a brunch at the Farm Neck Golf Club Café in Oak Bluffs Friday, August 14 from 10 a.m. to noon.