Search
Vorpaks' Recommendations
Options for This Page
Aboveground Records
First to recommend
Description
Cool like an Islander recommendation #6
Aboveground records is one of two (?) music stores on the Vineyard unless more have opened since my high school days. It's a fun place to rummage around, chat with the manager, or see live performances. The logo is the letter a with an asterisk.
I have a feeling that since we all loved it back in the day, it may be a bit main stream now, but the gritty, not-pretty feel of the store will chase most of the more plasticky tourists away. (via Aboveground Records)
Updated May 30, 2008
List that features this:
Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society | Livestock Show and Fair
First to recommend
Description
Cool like an Islander recommendation #5
Although everyone who goes to the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Fair probably has a T-shirt, Islander and tourist alike, it doesn't make this particular shirt less cool. The Fair is the Fair -- the highlight of the summer. You have to get a shirt. Every year they have a contest and an painting/graphic (usually by a local artist) is picked and made into the official design for that year.
I couldn't find a graphic of last year's shirt on the website, but the picture displayed here is the inside of the Exhibit Hall. A beautiful building that was constructed by the community in old barn-raising style when I was in high school. I banged a few of the nails myself, and a few years later got married there. Imagine the picture decorated in fairy lights and live pine trees. Lovely. And just as wonderful in the hot, dusty summer, when the Fair is going and the Hall is filled with prize winning vegetables, quilts, and artwork.
Like the Chilmark Road Race shirt, the older the date on the shirt the cooler you are. :) 2008 will be the 147th annual Agricultural Fair. Truly an Island tradition! (via Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society)
Updated May 30, 2008
List that features this:
Larsen's Fish Market, Menemsha
First to recommend
Description
Cool Like an Islander recommendation #4
This is another one I will have to scan in later, ignore the graphic. I discovered this problem when making my craft faire list -- some of the coolest places do not have websites!
Larsen's Fish Market in Menempsha is one of the best places to get seafood on the Island. One side faces the street and the other side is the dock where the big fishing boats like the Unicorn tie up. Very fresh.
When you hear certain names on the Island you know that person is from a family who has been there for generations upon generations. Mayhew, Whiting, and Larsen are a few of these. Having a T-Shirt that says Larsen on it... there you go. Instant piece of the community.
One of the best things about the fish market (besides the people running it, who are awesome and well loved and respected in the community) is that they will cook up certain items like Lobster, Steamers, Stuffed Quahogs, or raw bar right there for you and you can take it over to the beach and watch the sunset. After that take a walk down to the Galley, across from the Homeport Restaurant, and get a softserve ice cream cone with jimmies. Life does not get much better than this. (via Trip Advisor)
Updated May 30, 2008
List that features this:
Mocha Mott's
First to recommend
2 people recommended this item
Description
Cool like an Islander recommendation #3
This one is a bit difficult because I can't find their logo online, nor do they have a website! I will have to buy something and scan it in later.
Mocha Mott's is a relaxed, wicked cool coffee shops on the Vineyard. The original is on Circuit Ave in Oak Bluffs and they have expanded to a small shop on Main Street Vineyard Haven. Mocha Mott's has added tremendously to the expanding addiction to coffee on Martha's Vineyard.
Probably the best thing about Mocha Mott's is it truly fulfills the role of a good coffee shop: as a community gathering place. Don't expect to shoot in, stressfully order your slick sophisticated coffee, and shoot out to some high powered meeting. Go in expecting to see someone you know, have a conversation or two, and mosey out to have a happy, productive day.
And the design on their cups and T-shirts aint bad either. :) (via MV Times article)
Updated May 30, 2008
List that features this:
Island Grown
First to recommend
Description
Cool like an Islander recommendation #2
One of the latest entrants on the cool shirt scene. Island Grown shirts, bags, sweatshirts, etc. can be purchased at Cronigs Market in Vineyard Haven or Up Island Cronig's in West Tisbury. They have the awesome Island Grown logo on the front and the words "Buy Local" on the back.
From the website:
"The Island Grown Initiative is a non-profit grassroots organization working to support local food and farming on Martha’s Vineyard. We are fortunate to live in a community with a vibrant family farming and growing tradition that is carried on today by our 28 local farms and by countless backyard gardeners on the island.
IGI works to increase both the supply of locally-grown foods and the demand for these foods by providing infrastructure and support to our farmers and by providing information to consumers about the importance of buying local.
On our site, you can learn more about the farms on the island and find directions to each farm. We also have forums for farmers to connect with one another, and for consumers to share information and ask questions. You can find information here about the projects IGI is engaged in, latest news about food and farming on the Vineyard, and ways to participate in our work through contributions of time and financial resources.
Please join us in supporting island agriculture, and become a part of the movement to re-localize our food today!" (via Cronig's Market)
Updated May 30, 2008
List that features this:
Chilmark Road Race
First to recommend
Description
Cool like an Islander recommendation #1
The coolest of the cool. You can only get one of these T-Shirts if you register for and attend the Chilmark Road Race. They are very strictly rationed out to make sure that everyone who registered and runs gets one.
The road race is a 5k run down beautiful Middle Road in Chilmark (my home town). My advice: don't eat anything before you run or you will puke at the end, which I have done before. There are lots of hills in this race!
You can register on the website. All proceeds go to support the Chilmark Community Center, a building that doubles as gymnasium and auditorium for the Chilmark School and supports any large community activity, social event, dance, or fundraiser. It's where kids go to camp in the summer and it's where Santa comes in the winter to give all the Chilmark kids presents. It is truly a wonderful place. (via Chilmark Road Race Org)
Updated May 30, 2008
List that features this:
PolliWalks Toys for Feet! | Gator
First to recommend
2 people recommended this item
Description
I took my son to Stride Rite the other day looking for some sandals and as soon as he spotted these he made a beeline right for them. While I pondered the pros of leather sandals vs. mesh he clomped around the store saying "RAAAAAWR!!!" Finally I took the hint, gave up my private dream of seeing him in cute mini-Tevas, and bought the monster shoes. I have to admit -- he has great taste. These shoes are AWESOME!
At first I thought they were crocs, because they look like, well, crocodiles! But they are actually from a company called PolliWalks, and they have several different styles of feet creatures. The shoes are made of soft molded foam and are very comfortable, light, and flexible. My 2 year lod son LOVES them. They are easy for him to put on himself, can be used to stomp in puddles, and wash easily. Not to mention they look cool, and can double as a toy. The shoes are often found chasing Thomas and Friends around the train table.
Since they are similar to crocs shoes I assume you have to use the same type of caution when it comes to safety. Flexible foam shoes like these can get caught in escalators so be aware when your child is wearing them in the mall or other escalator-rich environment. (via PolliWalks)
Updated May 28, 2008
List that features this:
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
First to recommend
Description
Do you Zoo?
Since becoming a mother I am rediscovering all those things I loved to do as a kid -- like go to Zoos, Children's Museums, and Aquariums! However, before you go out and buy a membership to a local zoo check and see if it is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Memberships at AZA zoos are often good at other zoos and aquariums in the area. For example, I can buy a membership at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island and that membership is good at the Franklin Park Zoo in Massachusetts and the Boston Museum of Science!
This is a great way to maximize the value of your membership. But note that even if a Zoo is an AZA member it may only offer discounts at other Zoos and Aquariums. Call and ask about the details before you decide which Zoo to buy a membership for. (via AZA.org)
Updated May 28, 2008
Lists that feature this:
Anti Monkey Butt Powder
10 people recommended this item
Description
My sister uses this for her four year old son and swears by it. He finds it such a riot that he never complains about getting powdered. The down side is that "monkey butt" is now his favorite phrase.
Great for at the beach. Put it on your sandy feet and the sand just rubs right off before you get in the car. (via suthinrx)
Updated May 22, 2008
List that features this:
Wendy Bellissimo Moses Basket
First to recommend
3 people recommended this item
Description
In order to fully spoil my niece the first thing I will need is a basket to put all her presents in.
This moses basket designed by Wendy Bellissimo is lovely. If I could have afforded it I would have decorated my son's nursery in the Wendy Bellissimo Honey Bee theme, but this starlight design was also difficult to resist. Perfect for a little girl without being too "girly."
All Wendy B products are wonderfully terry soft and are easily found at Babies R Us. (via Wendy Bellissimo)
Updated May 21, 2008
List that features this:
Lists
Cool like an Islander
Updated May 30, 2008
Many have seen the Black Dog T-Shirts from Martha's Vineyard. Cool design, great quality.. and no Islander would be caught dead...
New baby spoiler
Updated May 21, 2008
My first niece is due in Aug. '08. She will be the first girl in the family and I have told my sister that she is going to be...
Octopus... Octopi?
Updated May 28, 2008
I have a friend who told me he likes invertebrates, and now I am seeing them everywhere! It's a conspiracy! Rather than...
Mommy's little toddler
Updated May 28, 2008
A compilation of my recommendations for children's products. Mainly so I can find them easier, but I hope you enjoy them as well!
ThisNext Information
- Shopcast New!
- Retailers
- FAQ
- Blog
- About Us
- Contact ThisNext.com
- Newsletter
- ShopSafe
- Privacy Policy
- Terms of Use
Copyright ©2005-2009 ThisNext, Inc.