It's been almost a month since school started, and already our calendars on our iphones, ipads or droids seem to be full with soccer, music lessons, dance, gymnastics and such. We need an App to make sure we know when to be where. As a mom, Deborah D'Onofrio, Reiki Master Teacher, and Intuitive Counselor said "We need to insert sanity and peace in our day."    D'Onofrio offers Reiki and Intuitive sessions at Serenity Massage, 43 High St., Fridays and Saturdays by appointment. She said she can even offer moms a half hour session while their children are at soccer or at piano lessons.  …

Celebrating milestones whether it is birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, can be enjoyable, and a great escape from our normal routine. We look forward to it, although sometimes we stress about what to wear. All North Andover Patch Readers have been invited to an anniversary party on Friday, Sept. 23. Chuckles Comedy Club at the China Blossom, 946 Osgood St., will be celebrating the one year anniversary of the North Andover Patch. The deal is that all Patch readers get $5 off admission when they call to make a reservation and mention they are attending the Patch party. Chris Flahive, co-owner …

Laughter is said to be the best medicine and a great escape from stress. Now that your kids have returned to school, you find yourself running back and forth from school to soccer to dance to music lessons, etc. You definitely deserve a night out. Patch has heard that Chuckles Comedy Club at the China Blossom is presenting a School's IN...Mom's Out...Mom's Weekend at Chuckles!!! on Friday, Sept. 16, at 9 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 17, at 9:30 p.m.  The deal is all that moms will receive a special $5 off discount, and any mom with three or more kids will be entered into a drawing for a special …

Comedy, which can make us laugh, and donating to a cause, which can make us feel good, are both great escapes. Combine them, and you will have one really enjoyable evening. The Chuckles Comedy Club at the China Blossom, 946 Osgood St., is holding a Rescue Me Finale/September 11th Comedy Fundraiser on Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 5 to 11 p.m. A special night of comedy, culminating with the viewing of the series finale of Rescue Me on FX, will benefit the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund, according to organizers. The evening will headline comedians Johnny Pizzi, Tony V and Kenny Rogerson.  Chuckles Co-owner…

Laughing out loud (LOL) is a great escape from stress. Watching funny comedians will certainly make you laugh. Patch heard that the Wicked Funny Comedy Tour is coming to the Stoneham Theatre, 395 Main Street, on Friday, Aug. 26 and Saturday, Aug. 27 at 8pm.  The tour is presented by the Stoneham Theatre in conjunction with Loretta LaRoche Productions (LLP). Erik Christensen, executive producer LLP, said, "We created this tour to embrace and showcase Boston comedy in the hottest venues throughout New England. Our lineup of Wicked Funny comedians will have the audiences rolling in the aisles …

Here's a Great Escape for just two of you or the whole family. Every Sunday night from July 10 to Aug. 28 at 6 p.m., you can enjoy a musical performance as part of the Summer Band Concert Series on the Town Common. This weekend, Four Guys in Tuxes will not only entertain you with a repertoire of instrumental and vocals, but will ask for requests. Having played on the Common for the past 20 years, the band has become a regular fixture in town. Located in Boston, the Cape, and Newport, R.I., Four Guys in Tuxes provides entertainment for non-profit, private and corporate events. According to …

You do not have to go to Williamsburg, Va., to dine in Colonial fashion. The Windham Restaurant Food and Spirits, 59 Range Road in Windham, N.H., can offer you historic ambience, maybe some real spirits, and it is only 15 miles from North Andover. The Restaurant is located in a Colonial-style house originally built in 1812. Although, recently restored at the turn of this century, the restaurant's Web site states that "it has elements that are rustic and romantic including working fireplaces in the bar and first floor dining area. The decor also complements the historic character with some …

The Harold Parker State Forest is a state resource that is right in our backyard. Spanning three thousand acres with 35 miles of walking and biking trails, as well as opportunities for fishing, non-motorized boating and swimming provide those who live nearby, the perfect occasion to enjoy the outdoors. Exercise in any form is a known way to stay in shape, increase one's well-being and helps to relieve stress. But there is something about being outside and experiencing nature that is energizing and wakes up the senses. Every Wednesday, from 10am-12 noon, the Harold Parker State Forest …

Trying out a new restaurant is like embarking on an adventure. You may have heard the reviews, but there is still mystery and suspense until you have completed the experience. A Haute Dish, 4 Johnson St., is a new cafe that opened this week on the first floor of the Hay Scales Exchange Building. It is not only an establishment serving breakfast and lunch, but they offer full service catering or pickup from the bistro. North Andover resident and chef/owner Jennifer Broberg is a Johnson and Wales Culinary School graduate who developed her passion for cooking when she was 13. Her catering …

I often go for long walks to clear my head from all the clutter in my mind. I get monthly massages and work out at the gym to improve my body, and I meditate or pray to get in touch with my spiritual side. But finding the time, making appointments and traveling can create added stress. Patch heard that Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center, 660 Great Pond Road, offers programs and services to nurture and relax the mind, body and spirit, all in one location. Situated on the shores of Lake Cochichewick, with 38 acres of woods, the 40 room Georgian Manor, since 1950's, been a retreat …

Sushi, sashimi, or maki can all be fun to share with a spouse or friend. Once a rare treat, the Japanese delicacy has become very popular in Chinese as well as Asian Fusion restaurants. Where you can find it locally as well as how they differ will be answered in today's column. There are so many combinations and mouth-watering choices that will keep you coming back to the same restaurant or explore a new one. Some have sushi bars where you can sit, watch it being made by the sushi chef, then enjoy it with some sake. The seafood, fish and meat are usually raw except for Maki tempura.   Sushi …

When looking to go out on a Saturday night, there are many fine choices of local restaurants, movies and the occasional plays and concerts. This weekend you can escape by attending a fund raiser where you can enjoy an night out while supporting a local cause. The Patch has learned of two that are being held on Saturday night, June 11, and both will feature wine. 1.The 6th annual Food and Wine Festival held to benefit the North Andover Little League and the 1,000 kids that participate each year is is being held at the Stevens Estate, 723 Osgood St., at 6:00pm. According to organizers, the …

Close your eyes and imagine yourself in England, Victoria, British Columbia or even on a cruise ship sipping tea with a raspberry scone or finger sandwiches. Mmm, not a care in the world. Now open your eyes, and you are still enjoying a herbal or green tea and savoring home made quiche, meat pie or salad because you are relaxing at Leah Mae's Tea Room, 179 Rosemont St., Haverhill. With Victorian decor your grandmother would love, owner and chef Sharon Tripp decided five years ago to turn a long time consignment shop into a tea room serving breakfast and lunch. Daily home made specials are …

The weather is finally changing for the better, and soon it will be summer. Having lunch or dinner at an outside cafe is relaxing, and it can feel like a virtual vacation to a European country. Now, you don't even have to leave North Andover because Smolak Farms, 315 South Bradford St., will be featuring some of the best chefs in Boston at its new weekly Summer outdoor restaurant. Whim Restaurant will host dinners every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. starting June 29 and will continue on through Aug. 24.   "Our guests are going to walk away with a memory from this experience and feel as if they…

Listening to a live concert can be an escape from everyday stresses. It is great way to let your thoughts vanish, as you feel the rhythm and beat of the music. This Sunday, the New England Tenors will perform a Spring Concert at the North Parish Church at 4pm. The concert is a fund raiser to support the music program at the Unitarian-Universalist church. Church Music Director and North Andover resident John Middleton-Cox is one of the three tenors performing. He explained that the 350 member church was "the first meeting house in town, and it has deep roots in the community." The monies …

Exercise is a great way to relieve mom stress and taking classes is particularly motivating. But taking a Zumba class is one of the the most electrifying, high energy way to burn calories while having fun. According to the official Web site,"Zumba Fitness is the Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music and contagious steps to form a fitness party that is downright addictive." Although it seems like the phenomena recently sprouted in local gyms and dance schools, the company Zumba Fitness been around since 2001. According to the website, it was accidentally …

It's Mother's Day this Sunday and taking your mom or wife to brunch is a great way to show your appreciation. Patch heard that Burton's Grill has a special Mother's Day Brunch. Beginning at 11am until 3pm, two items from the brunch menu, the popular Filet Benedict and the Chef's Frittata will be available along with the full dinner menu and monthly specials. May's special features include Citrus and Arugula Salad, Spring Chicken, Grilled Lamb Porterhouse, Mascarpone Stuffed Peas, Tangerita martini, Negro Modelo beer and Lander Jenkins Chardonnay. The specials, alongside the full menu will …

Mother's Day is soon approaching. Stumped about what to get your mom or wife? A gift certificate to her favorite spa to get a manicure, pedicure, facial or massage is a gift she would certainly love and will definitely not return. Patch found a couple of deals on local spa websites. 1. Cari's Skin Care Centre, 451 Andover St., is offering moms a free decollete treatment (neck and shoulder massage) and eyebrow shaping ($39 value) or 50 percent off a pedicure with any facial of her choice. A facial is a relaxing way to exfoliate, hydrate and restore balance to the skin. Owner Cari Hernandez …

Vacation and the holidays will soon be over, and it will be back to school for the kids and work for you. The expression "I need a vacation from my vacation" may apply here. So pick a night when you can leave the children and head to Andover for a really romantic evening. Brasserie 28, formerly Bin 28 Wine Bar, 2 Elm Square, has been co-owned by Chef Matt Morella and his wife Alison since 2010. According to its website, Brasserie 28 is the first restaurant in Massachusetts to have a napa technology wine station behind their bar. "It's the first intelligence-based, automatic, temperature-…

Sometimes getting away is easier during the week especially when your children have early evening activities. Restaurants are less crowded, and the service is usually better.   Here's the Deal. Orzo's Trattoria, 1085 Osgood St., offers a selection of ten $10 dinner specials on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 3 to 10:30 p.m. Their offerings include variety of Italian specialties. If you can eat on the early side, then on Friday, April 15, Orzo's Lounge will kick off  a $4 to $6 small plates menu which includes fried calamari, stuffed mushrooms and eggplant rollatini and more. The…