The American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, will organize an extensive number of adult, infant and child review and first aid classes. They will be held at the Martha’s Vineyard YMCA at Cottager’s Corner in Oak Bluffs.

The four-hour adult CPR/AED class costs $45. The certificate is valid for one year. The class is offered on any of three Saturdays: Jan 12, Feb. 9 or March 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or on Monday, March 24, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Substance Abuse Grant

The Dukes County Health Council’s Youth Task Force is scheduled to receive a $90,297 grant. The money will be used for a program promoting environmental approaches to preventing alcohol, prescription drug and other substance abuse by youths. Attorney General Martha Coakley notified the task force of the grant.

Mature Workers

Want to get back to work? The Mature Workers Program of Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands Inc. has openings in its Bridge Back to Work Program for income-eligible people 55 and older. The program offers paid work experience and skills training. More information is available by calling 888-394-4630 or 508-394-4630, extensions 134 or 138.

Teresa Yuan Promoted

Teresa Yuan of Edgartown has received a promotion from Market America’s Unfranchise System. Ms. Yuan has moved up to the executive coordinator level as an independent distributor for Market America, a product brokerage and Internet marketing company.

Ms. Yuan’s promotion was based on success in sales, leadership and management in motivating and training other distributors to do the same during the month of October.

Island year-round business owners, canny survivors of the Ides of March (not to mention January and February), offer these practical tips about Vineyard winter business:

• Start a winter savings account in the summer. If you’re serious about staying open, put money away.

• Be consistent. Let people know your winter hours and be open when you say you will.

• Look for energy and labor savings

• Be disciplined about inventory. Use just-in-time ordering.

The Sun Dog clothing store on Main street in Edgartown has a simple door sign: “Open seven days. Year-round.”

But while more Island businesses are choosing to remain open year-round despite the winter’s long chill, it is not always simple.

Their reasons for staying open differ, but all include a degree of community service, the benefits of expanded name recognition and the desire to attract and to keep an experienced and stable workforce that maximizes their summer business.