For this week's Patch Picks column, Melrose Patch asked you what was your favorite movie of the year, whether it was nominated for an Oscar or not.  These were your picks:  Editor Daniel DeMaina jumped in with "The Tree of Life," though he said the ending ruined the rest of Terrence Malick's film for him.  Jamie McDougal suggested the last Harry Potter movie, which she saw in 3D.  Charles Christiansen said he didn't see many movies in the theater this year, but still had a few nominations. "My favorite was definitely "Hesher" with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Natalie Portman & Rainn Wilson," he …

Are you still searching for a florist to put together a bouquet for your significant other for Valentine's Day- or any day? Here are the best flower shops in and around Melrose, according to Melrose Patch readers.  Pepperberry Florist Where: 539 Main St, Melrose, MA 02176 | Get Directions » Hours: Sat and Mon, 9am - 3pm; Tue - Fri, 9am - 5pm; Sun, closed Why Go: Michelle Carson nominated the full-service floral shop "hands down." Arrangements range from a dozen roses to wedding bouquets and displays. The shop also sells decorative pottery, wall hangings, candles and gift baskets. Affairs to …

The Super Bowl is this Sunday, and we wanted to make sure that there was something entertaining for football and non-football fans alike to go out and do. Given that restaurants and bars are having food and drink specials- and even entertainment for the kids- it's a little more tempting to get out this weekend for the big game.  John Brewer's Tavern, 7 Highland Ave, Malden; the party starts at 6 p.m., with the bar serving a cheeseburger with fries, along with four, 5-ounce samples of beer, for $10.  Dockside Restaurant and Bar, in Malden at 229 Centre Street (Route 60), or in Wakefield at …

(Editor's note: This article was updated on Feb. 7 to reflect the cancellation of the Melrose Winter Festival at Mount Hood.) February school vacation runs from Feb. 20 to the 24, but registration for programs often begins earlier, and parents can be scrambling to find something for their kids to do. So for this week's Patch Picks, we asked: What are the best activities for February vacation? Here's a roundup of things to do: Kidcasso Art Studio classes: Amy suggested this kid-centric art studio, with locations in Wakefield and in Arlington, saying that prices are "very reasonable, 1-2 hour …

Last week, an astounding number of people told us where they get what they believe is the best coffee in Melrose. Thank you to everyone who contributed to that story.  This week, we asked where can you find the frothiest, creamiest, most chocolately hot cocoa. Because sometimes we need something heavier than joe. Here's what you told us: Bruegger's Bagel Bakery, 496 Main St, Melrose: Cheryl Ringen said, "I like Bruegger's.. it's really yummy... and keeps me warm." Starbucks Coffee, 521 Main St, Melrose: Anne Clark said, "I like Starbucks because it's a nice dark chocolate but honestly, I …

Wow. You folks really love your coffee. Not since we asked for your Patch Picks of the best hair salons in Melrose have we had an outpouring of responses for our weekly Patch Picks column. This week we asked: Which Melrose cafe serves the best coffee? While two local bakeries—Busy Bee Bakery, 1 Hurd St., and D'Amici's, 462 Main St.—both were mentioned briefly, two coffeehouses dominated the discussion: Coffee Tea and Me, 421 Main St., and Bohemian Coffeehouse, 132 West Emerson St. Of course, even though we were looking for the best coffee, other considerations came into play as well, as …

Finding vegetarian and vegan food at restaurants and grocery stores has become easier over the last decade, but the best stuff can be difficult to find if you don't know where to look.  So to help out your neighbors who don't eat meat or meat products, we asked for your tips for the best vegetarian and vegan options in Melrose (or nearby). Here's what you told us, mostly through our Facebook Page: Green Street Natural Foods, 164 Green St., Melrose: Amie said, "The health food store on Green Street is awesome!" Spice Thai Kitchen, 454 Franklin St., Melrose: John told us via Twitter, "Spice …

Last week, Melrose Patch asked if there's a particularly quick, funny, creative or attentive bartender in the city (or nearby) who you'd like to give kudos to. Here's what you told us: Staff, Stearns & Hill's Bistro, 505 Main St., Melrose: June Martin nominated everyone behind the bar at this Main Street restaurant: "The staff at Stearns & Hill's are the greatest. They always have a smile and laugh to share." Carla, J.J. Grimsby's, 1 Lynn Fells Parkway, Stoneham: Ellen Hordon Dugas said, "Carla at Grimsby's is the best! She's super fun, inventive and makes great drinks. Technically yes, it's …

Last week, we asked you if knew someone who has spent hours working for free at a local non-profit organization, mentoring children after work or picking up trash—and to nominate that person as a Melrose Patch Volunteer of the Year. Here are the nominations we received: Preston Johnson Mary said, "Should be Preston Johnson of F.I.S.H. He is driving people to medical appointments daily. He is the head of it and coordinates all volunteer callers and drives." April Kiley J. Dwyer said, "I like many people volunteer here and there for a few hours at a time, but April Kiley is a women with a huge …

Beloved, thou hast brought me many flowers     Plucked in the garden, all the summer through     And winter, and it seemed as if they grew... The holiday season is a good reason to buy some flowers for a loved one. Or, maybe you want the dinner table to look spectacular and the only thing missing is a floral arrangement at the center (maybe flanked by a candle or two). For this week's Patch Picks, we asked: Who are your favorite florists in Melrose? Here's what you told us: Affairs to Remember, 202a Green St., Melrose: Michele nominated this Green Street shop owned by Lori Kunian. Check out …

Christmas trees are the centerpiece of the holiday celebrations for many people, and each year, families go to tree farms to cut down their own evergreen, pick one up from a school sale or dig out their trusty fake from the basement.  So for this week's Patch Picks, we asked for the best places in Melrose or nearby to get a Christmas tree. Here's what you told us: Northeast Nursery, Peabody: Chris suggested this Route 1 South botanical center north of Melrose. "Slightly high priced but really nice, fresh trees that last a long time and are arranged in stands so they're easy to browse. This …

Thanksgiving is one of the few times of the year that capable home cooks get to put on a show for their extended family and friends and inexperienced cooks have to dust off their cookware and try their hardest to.  No matter your culinary aptitude, you're probably going to be searching through magazines and your social network for a way to refine your Thanksgiving Day feast.  So for this week's Patch Picks, we asked you to share with your neighbors your best tip for cooking a perfect Thanksgiving turkey. Here's what you told us: Rebecca from Beacon Hill Wine and Gourmet said via Twitter, "…

Food banks across the country are struggling every day to gather enough food to feed the poor, according to NPR, and even more so during the holidays.  So for this week's Patch Picks, we asked which ones, along with soup kitchens and other non-profit organizations, need donations from the community. Here's what you told us: Housing Families This Malden-based non-profit, which assists families in Melrose and Greater Boston, is holding a gift drive seeking toys and gift cards for homeless and at-risk families, according to Patty Kelly, community outreach coordinator for Housing Families. To …

Turkey Day is just around the corner, and sure, you could spend hours in the kitchen whipping up gravy, stuffing and yams. Or you could have someone else do the cooking for you. So for this week's Patch Picks, we asked: What are the best Melrose restaurants where you can celebrate Thanksgiving? (Nearby is OK, too.) Also, we asked best places to pick up prepared foods—cakes, chicken pies, etc.—for your Thanksgiving Day dinner. Here's what you told us: Summer Shack, 149 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge: Jasper White's take on a traditional New England clam shack is best known for its seafood, …

It's a challenge to finish homework, practice sports and then stay awake through the school day. But there are plenty of student-athletes who do it successfully, and Patch has featured many of their academic and athletic accomplishments in the Friday "Whiz Kid" column.  However, there are young athletes we haven't yet discovered, so for this week's Patch Picks, we asked: Who are the top student-athletes in Melrose? Here are the nominations we received and any additional information provided by the nominators: Brittany Adelman Sarah McGowan Rachel Johnson Sydney Doherty

It's a challenge to finish homework, practice sports and then stay awake through the school day. But there are plenty of student-athletes who do it successfully, and Patch has featured many of their academic and athletic accomplishments in the Friday "Whiz Kid" column.  However, there are young athletes we haven't yet discovered, and we need your help in letting the community know who they are.  Give us your nomination with a brief explanation. How do you know this person? What impresses you about their student-athlete life? Does he or she have an important game coming up?  In the comments …

Olé! Mexican cuisine has become as much a staple of American culture as apple pie. And like America, Mexico's cuisine is largely influenced by the mismash of indigenous cultures and the arrival of Europeans. For this week's Patch Picks, we asked: What's your favorite Mexican restaurant nearby? Here's what you said: Mexico Lindo, 449 Main St., Melrose: No surprise here—Mexico Lindo shows up on favorite Melrose restaurant lists even when Mexican cuisine isn't the theme. Several people cited Mexico Lindo's mole dishes specifically, and Beth added, "I have a love/hate relationship with the chips …

Autumn is in the air, so for this week's Patch Picks, asked: What are your favorite places to go apple picking? Here's what you told us: Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Stow: Eric tweeted that "Honey Pot in Stow (is) hands down the best!" Smolak Farms, North Andover: The guys over at Erik's Barber Shop recommended this 300-acre farm. Russell Orchards, Ipswich: Jorge Pazos, Melrose IT Director, nominated this spot, which he said has "a bakery, cider donuts and a winery." Marlene also nominated Russell Orchards, writing: "Beautiful spot, great donuts." Cider Hill Farm, Amesbury: Betsey said of Cider …

We try to put the spotlight on some deserving Melrose kids each week with our Whiz Kid series. This week, however, we're swinging that spotlight around and pointing it back in the other direction. For this week's Patch Picks, we asked: Who is your best/favorite teacher in Melrose? We received two nominations. Here they are: Marlene Joslin—Lincoln School Nominated by Katherine Kennedy, who said: "Marlene Joslin, a kindergarten teacher at the Lincoln School is one of the most creative, innovative and caring teachers in the Melrose Public School System. She is not only a leading educator who …

For this week's Patch Picks, we asked: What are five great meals in Melrose for under $25? Here's what you said: Gerry's Pizza—Chicken Kabob Dinner: Nancy said her money's on this plate that comes with 4-5 large marinated breast portions, served on a bed of rice and with a salad on the side. "Easily feeds two, and possibly a child for under $10. If you look in the right phone book, or have Gerry's menu, you can get this for $2 less, as a special (though it may be a smaller portion)! YUMMY!" D'Amici's—Breakfast Sandwich: Elaine said, "Lately, I've been loving the breakfast sandwiches at D'…