On Saturday, May 12, from 9:30 AM-12:30 PM, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park will host a Volunteer Day & All-American Cookout, a volunteer-driven initiative designed to provide our national park with the people-power to ready the park for the upcoming summer season and engage communities in the National Park experience. Following the morning’s projects will be a complimentary cookout in the National Park Visitor Center Garden for those volunteering, sponsored by the Whaling History Alliance. The event kicks off with volunteer check-in and registration at 9:30 am at the park visitor center at 33 William Street, downtown New Bedford, where participants will receive a complimentary t-shirt.

The downtown area of New Bedford draws thousands of visitors from around the country and the world each year for its history, cultural activities, concerts and dance performances, AHA! events and festivals. Said Jen Nersesian, superintendent of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, ―it will be a great day to come out, enjoy some worthwhile work in the fresh air, and re-discover your own sense of pride in the heritage displayed by our beautiful, historic downtown. She also noted that both the work and the cookout would provide ―wonderful opportunities for neighbors with a common interest in our community to connect and get to know one another.

Volunteers who have participated in past events cite the satisfaction they get from volunteering. In addition, the service activities enable volunteers to earn service-hour credits while giving something back to America’s treasures – its 397 National Parks.

National Park Service staff worked with their partners to select three major projects that will take place in and around New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Many of the projects are family friendly, while others require some technical expertise. They include a park-wide spring clean-up effort in the historic district including landscaping, indoor and outdoor projects and getting the historic Schooner Ernestina in ―ship shape‖ for the summer season, a coordinated project with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. All participants in the National Park Volunteer Day will receive a complimentary lunch and a free T-shirt. To learn more or to sign up for this worthwhile community event, call Emily Prigot at (508) 996-4095 extension 6105 or email emily_prigot@nps.gov. Drop-ins the day of the event are also welcome.

Trinidad-born, New Bedford Artist Alison Wells, captures the essence of Downtown New Bedford in her solo exhibition “COLLAGE 02740”. Her recent offerings of paper collages will be on view at Colo Colo Art Gallery, 29 Centre St. from May 3 – May 21

Wells depicts a side of Downtown New Bedford life and history that is tactile, memorable and alluring through the medium of paper collage. “DowntownNew Bedfordhas been my home away from home for the past 7 and a half years” says Wells who came to the city from Trinidad to pursue a MFA in painting at The University of Massachusetts,Dartmouthin 2004.

“I wanted to depict downtown in a way that expressed the sweet and sometimes bittersweet facets of the things that make this quaint and quirky part of the city what it was yesterday and is today.”

Wells examines how downtown New Bedfordserves as a source of inspiration throughout her career in the United States, at first subconsciously and now quite consciously. She is influenced greatly by its rich architecture, its fascinating hidden histories, its multicultural and ethnic backbone and of course the rich artistic veins that pumps the city with life and vitality.

Wells manipulates this versatile medium of collage to transform her works into mesmerizing shifts in color, value and dimension by incorporating a wide variety of cut and torn papers to her palette. Each collage forms a bridge across time and culture to express her unique artistic vision and narrative.

Alison’s paintings have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums in theUnited States, the Caribbean andEurope. Wells was selected to exhibit her work at the 2010 World Exposition inShanghai,Chinaand in 2011 she was awarded an artist grant from the Brookline Commission for the Arts, (under the Massachusetts Cultural Council). Some of her most recent shows have been at The Narrows Center for the Arts,Fall River,Massachusetts, The Brookline Art Center Gallery,Brookline,Massachusettsand Clover Fine art Gallery, BrooklynNew York.

Wells is also an Adjunct Art Professor atBristolCommunity Collegeand she teaches after school programs in downtownNew Bedfordto kids and teens. Some of these include the Historical Society’s “Hidden History” programs; The Friends of the New Bedford Free Public Library together with theNew BedfordArt Museum’s “Art in Words” program and Artworks’ Cool Kids summer programs along with Art therapy classes with war Veterans at the Veterans Transitional House.  Alison gives private lessons at her studio located in theCummingsBuilding,96 William St., Studio #3,New Bedford. Wells is also a Board Member of the New Bedford Historical Society.

Collage  02740  runs from May 3 – May 21 2012.

Opening Reception: Saturday May 5, 2012 5:00pm – 8:00pm.

Meet the Artist – Aha Night May 10, 7:00 – 9:00pm.

For further information please contact:

• Luis Villanueva, owner, Colo Colo Gallery colocologallery@gmail.com or (508) 642-6026
• Alison Wells at alisonwe@gmail.com or 774-526-6550
• Alison’s work can be viewed at www.alisonwells.com

 Collage 02740 Samples

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Frederick Douglas

Museum Cupola

Oillie Over Cummings

Red Sky at Night ... Sailors Delight.

Want to improve your health and wellness? How about for FREE?  Well, you’re in luck! Throughout the month of May, FREE fitness classes are being offered every weekend! No costs. No commitments. Each weekend, a different class will be offered to provide you with optimal choices and variety to feel great and get in shape. Even better, these classes specifically cater to women’s overall health. The YWCA’s Leading Ladies value health and wellness and have sponsored this event by partnering with local fitness instructors.  Registration is recommended as space is limited.  To sign-up, email FreeFitnessNB@gmail.com.

YOGA: Sunday May 6^th at 10:30am (90min) ——please bring mat

Yoga 101 Studio – 106 State Rd Dartmouth, MA 02747

Taught By: Vickie Smith, RYT

ZUMBA: Sunday May 13^th at 1:00pm (60min)

Cheryl McCormack Academy of Dance – 731 Tarkiln Hill Road New Bedford, MA 02745

Taught By: Beth Methia

HIP HOP YOGA: Sunday May 20^th at 2:00pm (60min) —–mats provided

Hope Yoga Studio – 250 State Road Dartmouth, Ma 02747

Taught By: Jennifer Azadnia

TAI CHI AND QIGONG: Saturday May 26^th at 1:00pm (120min)

—loose-fit clothes, socks or flat soled shoes

YWCA New Bedford – 20 South 6th Street, New Bedford, MA 02740

Taught By:  Dave Chosid (from Yoga 101 Studio)

Hosted by YWCA Leading Ladies; Hope Yoga Studio; Beth Methia Zumba Instructor; Yoga 101 Studio; and Dave Chosid Tai Chi Instruction.

ABOUT YWCA LEADING LADIES:

Leading Ladies is an initiative of YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts which provides networking and leadership development opportunities for young women. It does this through active participation in a variety of group activities, as well as philanthropic activity in the community.  The primary aim of the Leading Ladies is to empower young women by enhancing a sense of community and communication with a special emphasis on women’s professional advancement and collective leadership.  Through collaboration, outreach, and education on essential issues, Leading Ladies helps women to build success and leadership qualities, enhancing both their personal and professional lives.

Cheyenne Bayse is a coach at New Bedford Community Rowing

On Saturday April 28th and Sunday April 29th, New Bedford Community Rowing (NBCR) hosted two regattas which brought over 200 visitors to the race site at Pope’s Island Marina. Saturday’s regatta (or race) was held between two high school teams, Hingham High School from Hingham, Massachusetts and Stonington High School from Stonington, Connecticut. The beautiful day was made even better for Hingham High School as they won three out of four men’s events and another three out of four women’s events.

On Sunday April 29th Endicott College, Brandeis University, Roger William’s University, Assumption College, and Wentworth Institute competed in the New England Collegiate Rowing League Championship. The race was the third in a three race series hosted by New Bedford Community Rowing at Pope’s Island Marina. While the morning races went off without a hitch, the race was called off on account of swift winds and teams were not able to compete in any of the schedule finals events.

While races are certainly exciting, the implication of teams traveling to New Bedford for racing is even more exciting. New Bedford serves as an excellent meeting point for crews from Rhode Island, the Cape, and Boston area and features a straight course in the northern end of the Acushnet River which has ample room which is marshaled in a joint effort between New Bedford Harbor Master, New Bedford Fire, New Bedford Police, and NBCR. Due to its location, amenities, and the collaboration between NBCR and the City, New Bedford is able to offer racing opportunities which are hard to find anywhere else.

For the greater New Bedford area the rise of New Bedford as a rowing destination brings many other opportunities. Restaurants, hotels, and other tourism oriented industries can benefit from the visitors that come to row in the area. Anyone can venture out to the race course for a free day of entertainment and anyone who might be have an interest in rowing can get a first hand view of the sport in action.

The presence of multiple crews on the water also marks a turn in the New Bedford’s relationship to its waterway. With the improved water quality in the harbor the ability to use the water way for recreational sports is a testament to New Bedford’s commitment to take back its waterfront.  As rowing grows, NBCR hopes to facilitate New Bedford citizens in their effort to reclaim what was once stolen by polluters and give community members the opportunity to learn to row on the water that is rightfully theirs. To learn more about rowing in New Bedford please visit www.newbedfordcommunityrowing.org!

It’s the month of May, and that means something great for the City of New Bedford; the Taste of SouthCoast is rapidly approaching.  On Sunday May 20th it will mark the 6th year that Custom Square will be home to samplings of some of the area’s finest cuisine, and you can hear stomachs rumbling already.  This yearly tradition has become one of New Bedford’s most talked about events, and with good reason.

Taste of SouthCoast highlights something that this region does exceptionally well; food.  With great cultural variety and often fresh ingredients from both ocean and farm, the SouthCoast is a food lover’s heaven.  You simply cannot consider yourself a culinary connoisseur if you do not make your way Downtown for this event.  Currently, there are sixteen local eateries that will be doling out samples come rain or shine.  Taste of SouthCoast is still recruiting, and anticipates over twenty-five restaurant options for eager taste buds to test out.

The restaurants that have already committed to Taste of SouthCoast offer great diversity.  New Bedford favorite No Problemo’s will be present with their mouth watering Mexican food, as will the distinguished Cork Wine and Tapas Bar.  A new downtown addition, Braza Rotisserie should make for a savory newcomer (their menu of rotisserie chicken and ribs looks incredible), and there will be other participants from outside the downtown area as well.  For example, Dartmouth’s Ayur-Shri will be there with Indian cuisine, and Fairhaven’s ever eclectic and delicious Narragansett Star Cafe will have a table as well.  For those with a sweet tooth, Taste of SouthCoast has you covered with Pink Box Desserts and Dorothy Cox’s Chocolates.

Taste of SouthCoast isn’t just about the food however; there’s always the drink for those 21+.  New England crafted beers will be featured, and for the wine lover Travesia will be present with their locally grown and bottled wines.  There will also be soft drinks available from Cafe Arrpegio for the younger or non-drinking crowd.  Keep in mind that beverages are not included in the ticket price.

With great food and great drink comes a vibrant atmosphere, which is why Taste of SouthCoast has become a jam-packed event in years past.  This event is not just about sampling flavorful eats; it also offers friendly competition between these restaurants as participants cast votes for “People’s Choice” and “Best Booth Presentation”.  In addition to the fun of voting, Taste of SouthCoast really adds to the atmosphere by throwing live music into the mix.  This year two very popular local bands will be performing on stage; The Relics and The J. Kelley Band.  Both bands are upbeat and sure to get people partying throughout the day.

Taste of SouthCoast starts at noon and ends at 5pm.  As previously mentioned, this event is held at Custom Square in Downtown New Bedford.  Tickets are $15.00 for adults if purchased in advance and can be bought online at http://www.downtownnb.org/taste2012.html.  You can find tickets for children ages 6-12 at the same site, and these are only $5.00 (free for children 5 and under).  Tickets may also be purchased at many of the participating restaurants, and at Douglas Wine and Spirits, Cardoza’s, and Acme Liquors on Dartmouth Street.  If you decide to buy tickets on the day of the event it will cost you $18.00 at the door.  Tents are set up so keep in mind that this event will go on, no matter the weather!

There is a Facebook event created here: http://www.facebook.com/events/375708662468040/ Invite your friends and family!

2012 Taste of Southcoast Winners

People’s Choice Food

1. Lindsey’s Family Restaurant
2. Little Red Smoke House
3. Braza Rotissery

People’s Choice Dessert:

1. Artisan Bake Shop
2. Narragansett Star Cafe
3. Pink Box Dessert

People’s Choice Table Presentation

1. Inner Bay Cafe
2. Little Red Smoke House
3. Ying Dynasty

Taste of Southcoast Participating Restaurant List

• Artisan Bake Shop
• Ayur Shri
• Braza Rotisserie
• Cork Wine & Tapas
• Dorothy Cox Chocolates
• Freestone’ City Grill
• Inner Bay
• Lindsey’s Family Restaurant
• Little Red Smokehouse
• Mike’s Restaurant
• Morton’s Fork Catering
• Narragansett Star Cafe
• No Problemo
• Pink Box Desserts
• Tastebuds Bistro
• Ten Cousins Brick Oven
• Wicked Kickin’ Savory Cheesecakes
• Ying Dynasty
• Dublin’s Sports Bar and Grille

2011 Taste of Southcoast Gallery

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New Bedford students will join students from around the state in celebration of “Walk and Bike to School Day” on Wednesday, May 2, 2012, as part of the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program, in partnership with New Bedford Mass in Motion/CORD and the City of New Bedford.  Parents, teachers, school administrators and community leaders, at participating schools within the New Bedford school district will walk to/from school on Wednesday, May 2^nd.

At the Betsey B. Winslow Elementary School, Mayor Jon Mitchell and his daughters will join Principal Paula Bailey, Dr. Pauline, Hamel, project coordinator of New Bedford Mass in Motion/CORD, Mr. Jim Rattray, V.P. of Marketing for Southcoast Health Systems and school administrators for an organized group walk with other students and families.  The walk will begin at St. Luke’s Hospital at 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Walk to School events work to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, decreasing traffic congestion, concern for the environment and building connections between families, schools, public safety and the broader community.

There are over 300 elementary and middle schools in 111 communities across the state working with Safe Routes to School, organizing activities and events to encourage students to walk and bicycle to school. School principals will determine the time and location for their respective school’s participation in the event.  Some will walk before and/or after school, or during lunchtime.

“Safe Routes to School is a positive and collaborative effort that builds a healthier community by bringing together our schools, parents and students with city officials, public safety, health providers, and other partners,” said Dr. Pauline Hamel, project coordinator of New Bedford Mass in Motion/CORD.  “We are very grateful to Mayor Mitchell and school officials, teachers and City departments their support of this partnership with Mass DOT/Mass RIDES, and we hope to see all our schools participating  in the ‘Walk and Bike to School Day’ on May 2^nd .  However, walking activities must go far beyond single events in our schools and should continue throughout the year.  This year, we will implement the Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (CORD) project to increase physical activity throughout our communities.”

New Bedford, a Let’s Move City, in partnership with U.S. Health and Human Services joined 500 leaders across America to adopt First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign to make significant changes in community health.  In 2010, New Bedford was recognized by MA Department of Transportation/Mass RIDES at their annual conference for being the MA city to have the largest number of schools enrolled as official partners of Safe Routes to School.  A Rookie of the Year award was also granted to the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School during the conference for its efforts with the 2010 International Walk to School Day.  For additional local information, please contact Dr. Pauline Hamel, New Bedford Mass in Motion/CORD Project Coordinator at (508) 380-7775.

In the movie Dodgeball there is a saying, “If you can dodge a tool, you can dodge a ball.” That’s painfully true, but I’d prefer to say, “Regardless whether you can dodge a ball or not, you can raise money for charity.”

With a mission to raise a lot of money for Southcoast, Massachusetts charities, New Bedford Guide is organizing its 1st Annual Charity Dodgeball Tournament. We’re looking for volunteers to help organize and run the event. We’d like every penny to go to charity! We expect the tournament to be scheduled for some time in September or October.

The Concept

The tournament will feature 6-member teams in a bracket style, single elimination tournament. Each team represents a charity of their choice and raises money for that charity. Additionally, each team  pays a $100 entry fee that is put in a pool. The pool-money will be dispersed in two ways; 25% goes to the top fund raising team and 75% goes to the winning dogeball team’s charity. For example, if 100 teams enter, the pool money will be $10,000. $2,500 would go to the top fundraising team’s charity and $7,500 would go to the dodgeball tournament’s winning team’s charity. This will ensure every charity gets money (raised by the team) and the top fund raiser and winning dodgeball tournament team shares the pool money.  In my example, 100 charities would get funds donated to them.

Team Formation

Each team should come up with a fun name. Businesses and organizations should include their business name. Teams at a minimum should have team shirts made. Costumes and fun shirts are highly recommended. You don’t have to be a business or organization to form a team. We want as many teams to participate as possible. With 6 team members the cost of entry is less than $17 per person.

Our Goals:

• 100 teams providing a prize pool of $10,000 and ensuring 100 charities receive funds.
• 100 teams raise at least $500 for their charity of choice bringing in $50,000 for 100 different charities.
• 100% of all money raised goes to charity through volunteers and businesses donating their time, products and services.
• Athletic T-shirt maker(s) providing at-cost shirts for the teams. Shirts will be available for sale at the tournament with proceeds going to charity.
• Every media group in the area becomes an official partner to spread the word and recruit teams.

In a little city called New Bedford, in the State of Massachusetts strange things are happening. What was once a dilapidated city and looked at as literally the “armpit” of Massachusetts, there is now a spark.  It first started burning several years ago with a little bar and grille that falls under the initials of CW. Since that day, almost 10 years ago, this spark started growing with help from other new establishments RAAH, C, C, C, BOP, P37, GB, CCH, WG, SL, a Hotel, PFT, P, NP, HIB, an awesome historic theatre, the becoming of a National Park, CW, a college campus, nationally known Whaling Museum, UG, CA, FV, AW, B908, IS… just to name a few.

But this story isn’t about any of those places.  It’s about a new place that will soon be opening its doors for the first time, after having settled on the embers of a legendary establishment formally known as Elaine’s T-Shirts “The Black Whale”…. And from the ashes rises the 767 Exchange.

And what is the 767 Exchange? Taken directly from its Facebook page:

The 767 Exchange is a clothing store where items can be bought, sold and traded with our customers. Bring in your old favorites for trade or cash. Our inventory includes designer labels, vintage, jeans and current basics. You’ll also find brand new merchandise and accessories. We are all about supporting our local artists and musicians. We will be displaying work from local artists and promoting local events.

767 Exchange offers clothing and accessories for both men and women and is more contemporary than your regular thrift store. Our prices range widely depending on the label, style, condition and other factors. Many items average around $20.

Yes, it’s amazing… after growing up and graduating from the Saver’s revolution days of high school, and here it is, a designer thrift store. Savers for adults… ooo I think I just wee’d in my pants a little!

Located on Purchase Street, right between FV and Family Dollar and across the street from the PFT, there is now a place offering clothes for MEN & ladies (sorry ladies but there are plenty of women stores downtown, I’m focusing on this one for the guys).  Without a shred of clothing retail etched on their resumes, 767 is owned and operated by Andy “the dirty plumber” Peronne and Charli “too sexy” Aubin. Despite their lack of experience in retail, Andy the insists that, “hey it gives us more of a fresh feel.” The 767 Exchange was put together on a wing and a prayer (and a sprinkle of O’Toole-foolery). Although it will take more than that to make it, with the desire and passion that these two have, I think they’ll make it.

“Rather than being a chain retail store we can do what we want, set the store up however we want, and have a close connection with our customers,” stated Charli. I already know one customer they’ll have coming back. Andy and Charli, like many others, felt that “you shouldn’t have to go to Boston or Providence to check out cool alternative scene music/artist/clothing shops…hell, we are going to have a 24/7 open mic policy.  If you’re a local musician, and want to play, come by the shop any time we are open and set up.”

A touch of punk rock, with an alternative flair this little store plans to hold more than just clothing.  In fact retail will only be about ½ of what makes up 767 (if you haven’t gotten that impression yet).  As soon as you walk in you see a 1958 BSA in immaculate condition, a small stage for live bands in the corner, and local artists work hanging on the wall, this little space has got it all (sorry for rhyming). They are very adamant that this is not a consignment store. Customers buy, sell, and trade. If you want to get rid of something, and they want to buy it, they will,  but nothing is going to just sit on the rack to be sold.  All items that that people are willing to just leave (not worth any trade value) get donated to the local homeless shelters.

Just when you think this little store can’t fit any more onto its plate, once a month (most likely on AHA Nights) the 767 Exchange plans to hold a major music or art event to help support local artist and bring the local community together.

The grand opening of the 767 Exchange will be on May 10^th, 2012, the next AHA! Night. Hours will be Monday – Thursday from 11am-6pm; Friday and Saturday from 11am – 10pm, and are contemplating whether or not to be open on Sundays.

Make sure the next time you are downtown New Bedford, you take a moment to poke your head in the 767 Exchange. Who knows, you may end up trading the clothes on your back and walking out with a brand new outfit.

OOOO that spark is getting hot!

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The Dartmouth high school drama club proudly presents it’s annual spring musical production of Denis Lawrence Jr.’s Murder at Luigi’s. “Murder At Luigi’s” is a fun filled night of music, laughter within a murder mystery show where the audience participates throughout the show. Well over 30 Dartmouth High School students are participating in this laugh out loud production.

Presented at: Dartmouth Middle School (366 Slocum Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747)
Date: Friday, May 4th and Saturday, May 5th
Time: 7:30pm
Price per ticket: $10 / $8 for students (from any/all schools). Tickets sold at door or by calling: (508)961-2700 x402.

For additional information as it relates to this press release please call Jackie Beauregard (508)728-3735.

Join us May 4^th at 9AM-4:30PM at the New Bedford Whaling Museum (18 Johnny Cake Hill) located in downtown New Bedford, MA for a discussion of the workforce development needs of the emerging ocean renewable energy industry.  The keynote speaker will be Representative William R. Keating  U.S. House of Representatives. In Europe they are projecting hundreds of thousands of jobs will be created to support offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, and in just three years the German offshore wind deployment sites at Bremen and Cuxhaven have created over 2400 direct manufacturing jobs.

New industries create new jobs for the young, but can also allow workers displaced from older industries find new careers.  This summit will allow you to understand the challenges and the work being done to address both the needs of industry and the worker.  Come and express your ideas to the experts and policy makers who will attend.

Ocean Energy Workforce Development Summit Schedule of Events

• 10:30AM-12:00PM: What is the Experience in Europe? – Trainers involved in supporting the rapid expansion of these industries will discuss their lessons learned.
• 12:00-1:00PM: Lunch Provided
• 1:00-2:30PM: What are the needs of industry? CEO’s involved in deployment and supply chain will talk about their projected needs.
• 2:30-3:00PM: Networking and Coffee Break
• 3:00-4:30PM: What are Our Plans? – A panel of workforce developers and trainers will outline their plans to meet this emerging need.

Register at: https://webapps.umassd.edu/events/mrec/

• Early Bird (Before May 1, 2012) $35.00
• Regular     (After May, 1, 2012)   $45.00