It’s arguably the loveliest event in the summer season. For 14 years now, Vineyard House, the only substance abuse safe haven on the Island, holds a fundraiser consisting of “designer” waters to sip and sumptuous food to eat provided by Tea Lane Caterers. The venue is always breathtaking, but this one may be the topper — the Allen Farm in Chilmark, where sweeping views over sheep-shorn fields give over to the sparkling expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.

African American Festival

The seventh annual African American Cultural Festival takes place on July 28 and 29 at Hartford Park in Oak Bluffs, with daily activities from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

On Thursday at 6 p.m., broadcast news journalist Carol Simpson reads from her new book. From 9:30 to midnight there will be a teen dance party.

On Friday at 6 p.m. Jessica Harris discusses her book.

The festival is free.

Helping Habitat

Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard is in urgent need of volunteers to help build its house in West Tisbury this weekend.

Work will be needed, Friday, July 29, and Saturday, July 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The directions are as follows: Take Old County Road to Great Plains Road. Go 2/10th of a mile to Bailey Park Road and turn left. Go to the end of the road to the site.

All are welcome to enjoy a 3-D evening — desserts, dancing and donations — plus music by Mike Benjamin and auctions (live and silent) of one-of-a-kind items on Saturday, July 23, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center.

Up for grabs are a James Taylor-signed guitar, Joan Nathan cooking class, Guy Webster photograph, Cuttyhunk boat and breakfast trip and a one-on-one basketball lesson with Junior Farrell.

The YMCA has a fantastic pool. All year long Islanders have enjoyed this new and incredible gift to the community. No need, really, to head south during February vacation now that we can escape the late winter blues with a simple trip to the Y. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but not much.