New Bedford Parks, Recreation and Beaches will host an Open House Event to welcome city residents to the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center on Hillman Street on Saturday, September 22^nd from 11am -2pm.  The Open House event will showcase the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center’s 2012 Fall Program and will feature activities and demonstrations by many of the program instructors.  The Open House is also an opportunity for city residents to register to participate in the fall programming.

The fall season begins on September 24^th and offers a variety of programs including, the “Let’s Move Beyond the Bell After School Program,” piano lessons, guitar lessons, art methods and techniques courses, soccer clinics, basketball clinics, family gym time, Zumba, yoga, and more.

Residents must register as a member of the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center to participate in any programming.  Membership is FREE for all city residents and proof of residency is required.  Programming ranges in cost from FREE for 8 weeks up to $25 dollars for 8 weeks.  A full listing of programs can be found in the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center Fall Brochure, copies of which are available at the center, in the public schools, municipal buildings, and on the City of New Bedford webpage under Parks and Recreation.

To register for fall programming in advance of the open house, visit the recreation center or the Parks, Recreation and Beaches administrative office at 181 Hillman Street in New Bedford.  During the fall season, the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center will be open Monday – Friday 1pm-8pm and Saturday 10am-3pm.  For more information please contact administrative offices of Parks, Recreation & Beaches at (508) 961-3015 or email infoPRB@newbedford-ma.gov.

This past Sunday, September 16^th over 1,000 people walked the 3.5 loop around Fort Taber in support of the Schwartz Center for Children.  The 24^th annual Walk fundraiser brought in over $100,000 that will go directly to vital programs at the Schwartz Center.

Team Noah, organized by the Fernandes family, was by far the largest team with over 150 teammates walking in green t-shirts.  The team is named in honor of Noah Fernandes who is a student at the Schwartz Center.  Team Noah has been the leader in the fundraising efforts for a couple of years, and this year again took the top fundraiser prize with over $15,000 in pledges collected.

Team Remax Right Choice, organized by Dawn and Ron Rusin, came in close behind Team Noah; raising over $12,000 in just a few short weeks.  The Rusins were moved to action after visiting the Schwartz Center for Children on the “Paris Tour” only 3 weeks ago.

“Our entire office was moved by what the Schwartz Center accomplishes on a daily basis.  We are excited about giving back to the Schwartz Center and the communities we serve. We were ecstatic that we could raise over $12,000 in 3 weeks! It was easy getting sponsors and donation when you’re dealing with a class A organization”, stated Ron and Dawn Rusin.

“We are so touched by the support from our community. Our community understands that support of events like this are what enables us to affect such change in the lives of those children most in need. We can’t say thank you enough,” said Mary Hodgson, CEO

The Schwartz Center for Children’s mission is helping children achieve their greatest potential. It is able to do this through strong community support, the United Way of Greater New Bedford, and fundraising events such as the Annual Walk.

The Schwartz Center is a not-for-profit organization serving children with a variety of developmental delays and disabilities from birth to age 22.  Services include a Day School, an Early Intervention Program, and Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, Regional Consultation Program, Pediatric Specialty Clinics and a variety of other programs.

For more information about the Schwartz Center for Children, go to: www.schwartzcenter.org or contact the Development office at (508) 996-3391 x 427 or walk@schwartzcenter.org.

Kevin Nunes has a lot to say.  He especially has a lot to say about New Bedford.

The heavily tattooed 29-year-old bassist is in a band called Weld Square. The band is named after the infamous neighborhood where Interstate 195 and Route 18 cross that is infamous for being the city’s hub for prostitution, as well as being a haven for poverty, drugs, and crime.  But Kevin isn’t trying to dwell on the negatives.

Kevin said that the name came to his bandmate and lead singer/guitarist Joe Froias when they were practicing a cover of the Ramones’ song entitled “53^rd and 3^rd,” which is about prostitution.

“We were in the middle of learning it, and we didn’t even have a name yet.  Joe was like, ‘this song is exactly like Weld Square.  We have a 53^rd and 3^rd in New Bedford, and it’s Weld Square.’ When he told me [that we should name the band Weld Square] it was like he punched me in the face.  I was like, ‘that’s it right there’.  Our other band mate Derek (Brasseur) agreed on it, and we were all just floored,” said Nunes.

Though the name would seem to refer a negative region of the city, Kevin doesn’t quite see it that way—he sees it as badge of sorts, for who he calls  “everyone else who wears the city on their sleeve.”

“I’ve always felt a certain connection with New Bedford and Downtown—growing up in the West End (he and Derek grew up both living on Ryan St.) and being able to escape to Downtown as a young teenager, we got a full-on spectrum of just how amazing the city is.  That being said, we’ve always been attracted to the dirt of the city, to the other end that no one wants to talk about, so when the whole Weld Square thing came up, it was just like, this is the name or project that we can put our selves fully behind, because we believe in what it actually is.”

Nunes claims he has a hard time describing the three piece’s sound because he doesn’t want to corner the band into a particular genre, but says, “we play heavy, we play hard, we play with a lot of passion.”

When Nunes isn’t working on music with Weld Square or working at Cork as the valet/bouncer guy, he spends some of his time taking pictures for his Instagram account.

Most or all of Kevin’s photos revolve around the city, whether it’s pictures of New Bedford’s architecture, snapshots marking the city’s history, or shots of what he calls #peopleofnewbedford (candid shots of people who daily roam the city’s streets, which seems to be catching on with many local instagram users), it can all be pretty entertaining for someone else who lives and breathes the city like Kevin does.

He says that taking photos is his “natural obsession,” and though some would say that he is objectifying those who are less fortunate through some of these pictures, he disagrees.

(Side note: While we were discussing his Instagram account, I spot one of Kevin’s subjects that I recognized from one of his posts that very morning, an odd looking woman with an unsettling amount of hair on her face.)

“Take a look at these people.  You might just drive by and not look at them, but by (me) snapping a photo of someone like Arthur (a legendary walker of the streets of New Bedford), you take a look into his face and see what he’s seeing.  These people, whether or not they made the decisions to be in their position, are obviously less fortunate than us, and there’s got to be something done about it (the poverty within the city),” said Nunes.

Some might call Kevin’s brash personality and Internet posts lewd (he regularly posts about his sex life on Facebook and Twitter), but for those who can get past some of the vulgarity and crudeness, he really has some meaningful things to say about New Bedford and the transformation of the Downtown scene that is currently underway, and he is certainly proud of what the city and especially what Downtown has become in recent years.

“There’s a few people in the city doing everything they can to make the city happening.  When the construction is finished (on Route 18), it’s going to be pretty epic.  It’s going to be our new playground,” said Nunes.

“The positives greatly outweigh the negatives of New Bedford.  We’re sitting here in this tiny little historically massive city.  You can live anywhere around here and experience the most beautiful women, the most unique artists, all types of different cuisines, and expression from all different angles.  Granted there are a lot of bad neighborhoods and bad people, but we’re (he and Weld Square) trying to let people know that we’re not pushing prostitution or anything negative about New Bedford.”

As for Weld Square, Kevin says that they are currently in the process of writing their first full-length album, entitled “Capricious Youth,” which they expect to be out sometime in the fall.

He also said that they recently took part in a recording for “Sound Check,” which is a new program on Fall River Public Access that focuses on area bands and musicians.  “We did the entire EP (La Femme De Mason, which came out earlier this year).  It was awesome,” said Nunes.

Nunes said that he hopes the future will bring bigger and better things for his band, even if that means leaving the city which he loves so much.

For those interested in following Kevin on Instagram, his handle is @kevnunes, and information on Weld Square, go to http://www.facebook.com/weldsquare.

Mayor Jon Mitchell and the City’s Office of Planning will host a public conversation on the creation of a new urban park at Custom House Square.  Join the Office of Planning, Stoss Landscape Urbanism, and CDM Consultants for the next step in the Custom House Square redesign process: a community input session intended to solicit feedback on draft designs developed by Stoss.  We need your input to make Custom House Square a vibrant space that will serve the needs of our downtown for many years to come.

The meeting will take place on Monday, September 24th at 6 p.m. at the Corson Maritime Learning Center, 33 William Street, New Bedford.

For more information, please contact Jill Maclean, Acting City Planner, jill.maclean@newbedford-ma.gov. For translation services, please contact the City of New Bedford Office of Community Services at (508) 961-3136.

Fort Taber~Fort Rodman Historical Association, Inc., (FTFRHA) will host the First Annual Autumn Revelry, a fundraiser to benefit FTFRHA and the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum.

The inaugural event will take place on Saturday, October 13, and will feature a buffet dinner catered by M&C Café. Dinner will include a fall salad, chicken with Madeira sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, a fall vegetable and rolls. The dinner will take place at the Fort Taber Park Community Center with seatings available at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., or 7 p.m.

The Fort Taber ~Fort Rodman Military Museum will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. that evening. Dinner guests are invited to visit the museum, before and after their meal to enjoy lite hors d’oeuves, cup cakes provided by Emma Jeans Cupcake & Ice Cream Shoppe, coffee and tea. A cash bar provided by Freitas Package Store will also be available to guests at the Community Center and at the Military Museum.

The Museum will also host entertainment provided by Jazz Duo Ryan Loud & Ben Moniz and a silent auction featuring a variety of unique items on which to bid.

“It was important to our organization to create an event that would showcase the Military Museum and beautiful Fort Taber Park,” said Joe Langlois, President of Fort Taber~Fort Rodman Historical Association. “We invite the community to join us for an evening of great food, good conversation and camaraderie as we celebrate the military history of New Bedford and the South Coast region. It is our hope that this fundraiser will become a yearly event that is enjoyed by all.”

Tickets for the event are $20 per person and are purchased by dinner seating time. Tickets are available at the Fort Taber ~Fort Rodman Military Museum, 1000c South Rodney French Boulevard in New Bedford, by calling 508-994-3938, or my email at spoyant@gmail.com. Reservations are recommended to ensure seating availability.

FTFRHA is an all volunteer, not-for-profit organization committed to assisting in the restoration, preservation and perpetuation of Fort Rodman and its surroundings. The association and its volunteers operate the Fort Taber~Fort Rodman Military Museum which illustrates the history of the former Fort Rodman military base and preserves the memory of area veterans from the American Revolution through to the current missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. FTFRHA is dedicated to preserving the memory and legacy of area veterans and their service to our nation.

With the funds raised from this event, FTFRHA hopes to continue to enhance and expand the exhibits and programs offered at the museum including military services and ceremonies, community lectures, and military reenactments which are all open to the public at no cost. The funding will also be used to continue to develop the landscaping around the museum and Fort Taber Park.

Centre Street photo courtesy of Spinner Publications

Welcome to our fifth installment of New Bedford Streets; A Piece of Americana. I invite you to read up on the history behind William Street, Kempton Street, Ashley Boulevard and Middle Street. As usual, I’d like to re-iterate the importance of reader feedback, correction, and contributions. In the process of exploring these streets, I try to confirm or validate statements and dates by finding multiple sources. Unfortunately, if all those sources are making their statement based on an older, incorrect source, and there isn’t any dissenting information available, there’s no way to know otherwise. So by all means, please join in!

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One of the oldest; Russell, Tallman, & Tryworks
Centre street is not only one of the oldest streets in New Bedford’s history, but one of its shortest, beat only by Rodman Street by a matter of feet. The retention of the British spelling – centre as opposed to center – alludes to the age of the street. The earliest historical mention of Centre street dates back to a time before the Revolutionary War. Centre street had always been an integral part of the commercial heart of the city, full of hustle-bustle and industry. It was a part of the city that was based in practicality and never cared much for aesthetics. It was about bringing in revenue to the city through industries, nothing more.

By 1755, Joseph Russell was already deeply involved in the oil business and within a decade owned (along with William Tallman and Caleb Russell) multiple sloops: the Nancy, Polly, Greyhound and Hannah.

These vessels and many others would use the foot of Centre Street to dock and offload their cargo. They had quick and easy access to Russell’s tryworks located on Centre street.

A tryworks was a facility where whale blubber could be boiled and the oil skimmed from the top. While sounding like an elaborate facility, in this case it merely consisted of a large pot within a shed. By having a land based tryworks, whalers could focus on harvesting whales instead of processing them. Many whalers would try out the oil on the vessel. While it would be an additional cost to use a land based facility, it would free up time to put all their attention on the harvest while out at sea.

Of Rose Alley, Enoch Horton, William Allen Wall
Also before the Revolutionary war, the first candlehouse was erected between Centre and Rose Alley, west of Front Street. This was owned by Joseph Russell and eventually burned down by the British during the war. Western Union Telegraph Company had one of its first offices at the southeast corner of Water and Centre Streets.

Enoch Horton started a bakery at 18 Centre Street circa 1819. The bakery eventually was taken over by Watson & Manchester before Samuel Watson took full ownership. By 1878 Jonathan Buttrick, an apprentice to Nathaniel Tucker began working for Samuel Watson before taking ownership of the bakery when Watson died a year later. This bakery had two brick ovens and a rotary oven. His bread was kept in air tight containers said to last up to 7 years, the perfect ship bread. 17 Centre Street was a writing and ink copying manufacturing plant owned by George H. Freeman.

In William Allen Wall’s “famous” 1805 image of the corner of Water and Williams streets is the following description:

“The road curves to the right and up the hill. At the left is a building with three smoke stacks that is the back of the blacksmith shop that faced Centre Street at this time. On the top of the hill at center is are two houses belonging to two of the most prominent families of the town – William Rotch, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth Rodman, and Samuel Rodman and his wife Elizabeth Rotch owned homes At the right, on the down-slope of the hill are two large business buildings. In the foreground are animals, men, and a horse and cart hauling a cask.”

WHALE
The Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE or WHALE project was responsible for the Centre street we see today. The oldest building on center street, the Tallman Warehouse was one of WHALE’s very first buildings in the Waterfront District to be restored in 1967. They used this building as headquarters until 1995. We would call The Caleb Spooner and Henry Beetle buildings, “Route 18” if WHALE had not relocated them. We now call them 22 and 24 Centre street respectively.

The John Harrison building on 23 Centre Street is currently Kaller Beef. It was built by its namesake in 1820 after the previous building was burnt down. At one point it was the shop of George S. Homer “manufacturer of Sperm, Whale, and Black-Fish Oils. Sperm Candles, Sperm and Whale Soaps, also pure cod liver oil, for medicinal purposes.”

25 Centre Street was the shop of “William Maxfield. House, Ship, Sign and ornamental Painter, and dealer in paints, oils, varnishes, and window glass. Also, agent for Wetterstedt’s Metallic Composition for Vessels’ bottoms. Graining and Paper Hanging executed to order.”

In the early 1970s WHALE had its eyes on the Rotch Counting House on the corner of Front and Centre street. Before the legal paperwork could be passed to prevent its demolition, the Redevelopment Authority destroyed it in the middle of the night.

As can be seen, Centre street may have been one of the city’s shortest, but oh boy was it a BUSY street. The name “Centre” was adopted because this street was smack dab in the middle of the business “mecca” of the industrious city. When whaling began to decline in the 1860s, Centre street, being the heart of the city’s business, suffered as well and many buildings fell into disrepair. The renovation project initiated by WHALE in the early 1960s began to nurse some of these buildings back to health and restored them to the glory and beauty that we see today.

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Centre Street Timeline
c1750: Warehouses, candlhouse and tryworks built.
1750: Rotch Counting House is erected on the corner of Front and Centre.
1778: Many buildings burnt down by the British.
1790: Tallman warehouse is erected at 13 Centre along with many of the streets other buildings.
c1804: Henry Beetle House is erected.
1806: Caleb Spooner House is erected.
1819: Enoch Horton starts bakery at 18 Centre.
1820: John Harrison erects his building at 23 Centre.
1822: Stone building at 26 Centre is erected.
1860: George S. Homer opens his shop at 23 Centre.
1967: WHALE restores the Tallman Warehouse.
c1973: Redevelopment Authority destroys the Rotch Counting House.
1976: Alan and Mary Scott have the first Centre Street Festival.
1995: WHALE vacates its headquarters at that Tallman Warehouse.

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Special thanks to Spinner Publications and the New Bedford Whaling Museum for the images.
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The Dock-U-Mentaries Film Series continues Friday, September 21st at 7 PM with Hollywood Comes to Vinalhaven. Dock-U-Mentaries is a co-production of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the Working Waterfront Festival. Films about the working waterfront are screened on the third Friday of each month beginning at 7:00 PM in the theater of the Corson Maritime Learning Center, located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. All programs are open to the public and presented free of charge.

This month’s feature, Hollywood Comes to Vinalhaven, looks at the making of Deep Waters, an adaptation of Ruth Moore’s Spoonhandle, which was filmed on Vinalhaven Island off the coast of Maine in 1947. Featured actors were Dana Andrews, Jean Peters, Cesar Romero and Dean Stockwell. This documentary includes behind-the-scenes anecdotes, archival photographs and home movies, and reminiscences from island residents old enough to have experienced the production and young enough to remember.

We’re starting to feel the crisp approach of fall in the air, and soon the leaves will be turning magnificent colors and autumn will be upon us.  Of course, for beer lovers worldwide, fall time means more than apple picking, pumpkin carving and scenic drives; fall time means Oktoberfest is here again!

The New Bedford Oktoberfest will be kicking off its 7th year of drinking brews and dancing to tunes on Saturday, September 22nd.  The fest takes place at Custom House Square in historic Downtown New Bedford and goes from 3-10 p.m.  Oktoberfest is not only a great time to try out some unique beers with your friends, it is also a major fundraiser for a great cause.  This year, proceeds will go to benefiting Star Kids and The Childrens Advocacy Center of Bristol County.  A fundraiser that involves drinking beer and listening to great music can’t be a bad time!

Besides the fact that Oktoberfest is for a great cause, it is also an event that should not be missed due to its selection of seasonal brews.  Everyone who can consider themselves a beer connoisseur knows that this is the best time of year when it comes to pumpkin ales, hard ciders and fall time favorites.  This year, the New Bedford Oktoberfest will be featuring Berkley Beer Company, Cisco Brewers Nantucket, Just Beer, Woodstock Inn Brewery, Sam Adams, Smuttynose and the Mayflower Brewing Company.

In addition to the brews is the food which will be sold by Pizans, Rose Alley and No Problemo.  There will also be a winegarten.  And of course, there will be the music.  The Slow Burning Nuggets will take the stage from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. with their eclectic mix of what their Facebook describes as “Space/Electronic/Rock/Pop”.

Afterwards, The Tree will take the stage.  They are a high-energy band that started from UMass Dartmouth/New Bedford that plays a fusion of hip-hop, rap, funk, reggae, rock and everything in between.  I have heard a lot about The Tree but have never seen them play, so this seems like a great addition to this year’s music line up.  The Boomcats will follow up that performance with some “good old blues fused rock and roll”.

At 6:45 p.m. the local favorite J. Kelley Band will perform and be followed up by Putnam Murdock and the Insatiables.  Putnam Murdock has an illustrious history a musician and a songwriter, so this performance promises to be an interesting one as well!

Crisscross Orchestra will perform as the final act of the night, closing out Oktoberfest at 10 p.m.  This 11 member ensemble features an interesting variety of instruments such as steel pans, the Irish pennywhistle, trumpet, electric guitar, flute and the accordion.  The result is African roots influenced music led by award winning West African Ghanian musician and composer Obuamah Laud Addy.

Needless to say, all in attendance at the NB Oktoberfest can expect a night of good food, great drinks and entertaining music.  Tickets can be purchased for $20 in advance by going to Rose Alley Ale House or Pizan’s Pizzeria.  Tickets are $25 dollars at the door.

Capitalizing on the hype and recognition from this summer’s Bicentennial celebration, the town of Fairhaven will host a special season of recreational Farmers’ Markets this autumn as part of an awareness campaign highlighting sustainable initiatives.  Dubbed “Beyond the Bicentennial,” the specially-themed schedule for Fairhaven’s Farmers’ Markets will begin Sunday, September 16, and go every Sunday until October 21.  The season will conclude on November 4 at Town Hall with the first ever Community Visioning Forum, where representatives will meet with residents to harvest strategies for Fairhaven’s future.

Sponsored by the Fairhaven Sustainability and Bicentennial Committees, “Beyond the Bicentennial” is intended to unite residents to create a healthy, resilient, and culturally rich town.  The campaign’s Community Visioning Forum will be an action-planning session and opportunity for members of the community to have their voices heard regarding their idealized vision for Fairhaven’s future.  What are the strengths and assets of Fairhaven? What are the possibilities? What are the main issues to be contended?  What are the solutions?  How do they see Fairhaven evolving in 20 years?  From all this sharing of ideas groups will be formed to determine courses of action.

To promote the Forum, each Farmers’ Market for “Beyond the Bicentennial” will carry themes significant to the town.  The first market on September 16 will carry the theme of Energy; it will feature a solar panel presentation from the Marion Institute, and participation from SouthCoast Energy Challenge, Fortress Green Building Supply, and Fairhaven Wind LLC.  In addition, the first 10 dog owners to stop by the Beyond the Bicentennial tent with their dog will receive a FREE BOX of BioBag Dog Waste Bags.

Other themes scheduled for the season include water quality, recycling, local food, and transportation.  Though meant to raise awareness amongst residents in Fairhaven, all from neighboring areas in the SouthCoast are welcome to stop by and enjoy our Farmers’ Market.

The Fairhaven Farmers’ Market is scheduled every Sunday from 1PM – 4PM and is located on the lawn of Fairhaven High School, 12 Huttleston Ave., on the corner with Main St.  A list of food and craft vendors and description of each week’s events, including the Community Visioning Forum on Sunday, November 4, will be provided on http://www.greenfairhaven.com and at the Fairhaven Beyond the Bicentennial Facebook Page.

Operation Clean Sweep, a New Bedford based anti-litter organization, will hold a neighborhood cleanup on Saturday, September 15, 2012 in Ward 4 from 8:30 am until Noon.  Headquarters for the Ward 4 cleanup will be located near Carney Academy on Morgan and Summer Streets.  The cleanup is sponsored by Barry’s Fine Wine and Spirits.

Students, individuals, families and community service groups are encouraged to volunteer with Operation Clean Sweep to earn community service hours, demonstrate support for the neighborhood, and pride in the community.

Barry’s Fine Wine and Spirits will provide breakfast for volunteers in the morning and lunch will be provided by Domino’s Pizza, “The Official Pizza” of Operation Clean Sweep.

Volunteers are encouraged to pre-register by visiting www.operationcleansweep.net  or by calling (508) 979-1493.

Pre-registration is not required but it is preferred so that organizers are better able to plan for the needs of the day.  Volunteers are asked to wear closed toe shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. Tools and gloves are provided. Walk-ups are always welcome and all volunteer names will be entered into a drawing for a covered trash barrel!

Anyone interested in hosting a cleanup is encouraged to call (508) 979-1493 for more information.