Rosette Sullivan has been busy as a bee since February, transforming her newly acquired space on Main Street, Vineyard Haven into a little slice of heaven. Sandwiched between Mocha Mott's and Citrine Beads and Imports, Polished Salon is now open and ready for business. Although Sullivan has been in the business world for years, and has lived on the Vineyard for almost a decade, this is her first business venture on the Island. She's finally ready to share it with all of you. The Grand Opening at Polished Spa will occur this coming weekend, Saturday May 28, from noon to 4 p.m. Polished will …

With a name like Martha's Vineyard, the Island naturally conjures up images of flowing wine. (Never mind that the only vineyard, Chicama Vineyards, closed several years ago.) But next week a different sort of spirits will draw crowds for a night out on the town. Season's Eatery & Pub will host a brewery beer-tasting event on Wednesday, May 11 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The four-course dinner will be paired with four different brews from Troeg's Brewing Company, which is based out of Harrisburg, Penn. Troeg's, a featured brewer at the Philadelphia Beer Week in June, is bringing a variety of its best …

May is officially upon us! The weather for the past week has finally acted as though spring is in full swing, and that means gardens are beginning to bloom with flowers, as well as weeds. (Actually, weeds sounds like a nasty name, so let's call them "volunteers.") Whether it's something you planted there yourself, or a surprise resident who has managed to take root in your yard, now is the perfect time to get out in the great outdoors, do some dirty work and generally just revel in the mild temperatures and beautiful sights that is the Vineyard in spring.   Luckily, if you're not a dab hand …

At the end of a long day, when the time finally comes to put up your feet and relax, sometimes its hard to sit still. Whether its partaking in hobbies that keep you moving your feet, or just the mental buffer list of things still "to do," it can be a challenge to sit down and actually take a breather.   Even when you finally do, taking the afternoon to treat yourself can be expensive! Massage sessions are wonderful, but can be costly. And it's hard to rationalize spending money on a manicure that'll only be ruined in a few days times.   That's where we come in. Patch has found you a few hours…

Ah, isn't it nice to finally feel some warm sun on your face? Even though the daffodils have been singing "spring!" for the past several weeks, it hasn't felt truly like summer is on the way until now. That's put me in the mood for lighter clothes and springy colors. And guess what? We're not the only ones putting away our winter coats. The fuzzy residents of the Island Alpaca Company in Oak Bluffs are ready to get into their new spring digs as well. On Saturday, April 23 Island Alpaca will host its 4th annual Shearing Day celebration from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The alpacas are lain down to avoid …

There is a certain satisfaction that comes from making something with your hands. Whether it's the result of productivity or accomplishment, the act of creation can instill pride and happiness. Thankfully, its nearly time to start up those gardens and get our hands dirty, one of my favorite warm-weather pursuits.   Of course, it's not reliably warm yet. Instead of hemming and hawing about venturing into windy weather, why not busy yourself with a different type of earth: clay? Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs is offering a great class for beginners that will help you do just …

Right about this time in the year, the winter blues really start to get to me. Especially with all these late-season snow flurries, it seems like the palette of Martha's Vineyard is smeared with dirty whites and drab grays. Doesn't the Island know its time for spring?   Like a migratory bird, my senses begin to tingle and something tells me: Its time for a change! Luckily, Lambert's Cove Inn has something in store. On Thursday, April 7 the West Tisbury inn and restaurant will present its first-ever tapas night. The experimental idea, cooked up by executive chef Max Eagan, will feature a …

Life on the Island is different from life on the mainland in a number of ways, but none are more marked in the off-season than this one: eating out and cooking in. Drive-through windows and 24-hour french fry and burger joints are a laughable idea on Martha's Vineyard, so knowing how to cook at home is a must-have skill. That's especially true during the winter months, when many restaurants and diners are boarded up. With limited options, the same dinner options quickly become a routine.   Here's your opportunity to enjoy an evening out of the house, but in the kitchen, learning new …

For those of us living up-Island, sometimes it feels like we're in the middle of nowhere, even by Vineyard standards. The harsh weather and wet roads, not to mention the gas prices as of late, are enough to keep me inside, snug and safe in Chilmark. But as spring starts to show its face, I've found myself pacing the floor, not previously aware of how much I'd felt cooped up . . . until now! Perhaps it's time for a break from the cabin fever.   Even though you're paying an arm and a leg to fill up your gas tank these days, you won't have to worry about spending too much on a nice day away …

The proverbial dinner and a movie date just got a bit cheaper. Every Sunday, from 5 p.m. to close, Offshore Ale in Oak Bluffs will offer a complimentary movie ticket to Entertainment Cinemas in Edgartown with the purchase of two entrees. The ticket can be used anytime, which means you can turn one date night into two. Can't make it out on a Sunday night? Offshore offers two-for-one entrees on Monday night, live jazz on Tuesday and Irish music on Wednesdays. (This week, the Irish music will be postponed until Thursday, in honor of St. Patrick's Day.)   Want more ways to save money? Check out …

Martha's Vineyard is an arts paradise. We've got galleries galore, Featherstone, the Yard and the Vineyard Playhouse. What don't we have? An opera house. But we do have the Capawock.  The Vineyard Haven theater has pulled the plug on Hollywood movies for the winter, and introduced in its place its Opera Sunday series.  Sunday at 1 p.m. the Capawock Theatre will screen a performance of Georges Bizet's "Carmen." Tickets are $20, $18 for seniors and students. The price of admission won't get you an in-the-flesh appearance from Andrea Bocelli or Renée Fleming, but it will bring you the timeless, …

The grandparents volunteer to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens attend IMP class on Wednesday evening. Whenever it is that you get that moment off, whatever the reason, take the opportunity to enjoy it. Each week Patch will offer one great suggestion for you to make the most of your much deserved break. This week: head to the Chilmark Yoga Barn's community class on Friday at 6 p.m. February break is here. If you're sticking around the Island, you'll be on round-the-clock duty until March 7. Take an hour to calm yourself and prepare for the task at hand. The …