Creating deep and positive change in our communities, that’s what the 8^th Annual Connecting for Change Conference held in Downtown New Bedford, is all about.  The conference works to achieve this by bringing together a diverse audience, which includes people of all ages, all races, all sexes, religions and creeds, over the course of three-days, to share in SOLUTIONS BASED activities and programming.

Forged in the belief that to realize the goals of creating deep and positive change, the conference, must be accessible to anyone who wants to be there to participate, this is why there are many different ways to attend including an early-bird or pay-what-you-can option. The pass includes admission to the keynote presentations, workshops, exhibition hall, evening entertainment, continental breakfast and snacks.

In addition, the Marion Institute offers a pay-what-you-can option in an effort to make the conference as accessible as possible and break down any financial barriers that may stand in the way of a person attending.  Anyone who wants to attend and help create positive change in the community is eligible for this option.

Connecting for Change Conference Director, Glenn Oliveira asserts “We realize that not everyone can pay the full registration price that is why we offer this option to pay-what-you-can. You know what you can afford to pay for this inspiring weekend better than we do, from zero to any amount, remember that every dollar counts and helps us put on the conference. If you want to be at Connecting for Change, we will do whatever we can to get you there!”

For more information or to register as an early-bird or pay-what-you–can attendee please visit connectingforchange.org or call 508.748.0816.  Connecting for Change is a SOLUTIONS BASED gathering that brings together a diverse audience to create deep and positive change in our communities.

Moms, dads and caregivers seeking free, engaging activities for their young children have added this event to their weekly calendar: Whales, Tales and Sails, a free story time each Friday morning beginning at 10:00 am. The weekly event features acclaimed professional storyteller Karen Chace, and includes crafts, stories, fingerplay, songs, music, and free play at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s Corson Maritime Learning Center. This activity is geared for children ages 0-5. The center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford.

Jen Nersesian, superintendent of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, said, “We know that there is tremendous public demand for this program and the park is so pleased to bring it back. Karen Chace is a very talented storyteller; children and adults alike enjoy her stories. We invite anyone and everyone to this entertaining and family-friendly event in our park each Friday at 10:00 AM.”

The bad news? There is an 80% chance of rain today and a 50% chance of rain tomorrow. The good news? There are lots of unique events this weekend! This weekend offers a Halloween-themed Buttonwood Park Zoo, a Zombie Night in Providence, a 5-mile run for charity and the UMass football homecoming. Make sure you checkout our event calendar where you can find hundreds of local area events each month: http://www.newbedfordguide.com/calendar. Know of another event this weekend? Post a reply!

Friday, October 19th

Boo at the Zoo (Oct 18-20, 6-9 p.m.) 

Each year the Button Park Zoo (425 Hawthorn Street) puts together an amazing Halloween themed adventure for the entire family. The event will run every weekend in October. Rides include a spoooooky train ride and a bewitching carousel ride.

Cost: Zoo Members: $8/adult; $5/child
Non-Members: $13/adult; $10/child

Women in King Philip’s War Discussion (7 p.m.)

The Fairhaven Historical Society is hosting a talk by author Edward Lodi about his latest book, Women in King Philip’s War at the Fairhaven Town Hall on 40 Center Street. From the organizers: “Though often overlooked by historians, a number of remarkable women played major roles in King Philip’s War, making history-changing decisions, performing heroic deeds, enduring hardships, chronicling their experiences and lending support. After the talk, Lodi will sign copies of his book. Donations are welcome. Handicap accessible. For information, contact Barbara Acksen at 508-993-3017.”

Saturday, October 20th

The Village 5 Miler Road Race (9:30 a.m.)

The weather has been great this week and runners will love running through Padanaram and South Dartmouth for a great cause. The race will benefit Star Kids Scholarship Program, the New Bedford Education Foundation & PBA 501C3 Fund. Sign-in begins at 9:30am in the South Wharf Parking Lot and the run begins at 11 a.m. in front of the Sail Loft (246 Elm Street). Register and number pick-up is today from 4-8 p.m. at the Sail Loft. Full details: http://www.thesailloftdartmouth.com/5miler.html and a Facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/events/154074331397396/.

The River Project Artists’ Walk (10:00am – 12:00pm)

Head over to the Slocum’s River Reserve and take a guided walk with sculptors from The River Project and learn about their creative process.

UMass Football Homecoming Game (12 p.m.) 

Yes, the UMass Minutemen football team is 0-6 and is likely going to get beat badly again this Saturday, but how often do you get to watch a game at Gillette Stadium for $10 – $25 per ticket? This Saturday the Minutemen take on a good Bowling Green team at 12 p.m. Tailgating starts at 10:30 a.m. and parking is FREE for all UMass home games. The pre-game drinking should help numb the scoreboard pain! You can order tickets here: http://umassalumni.com/homecoming/umass-football/.

Ultimate Frisbee at Buttonwood Park (1:30 p.m.)

Ultimate Frisbee is a GREAT way to have fun while working out. It’s like playing soccer, but with a frisbee. There is a core group of folks that play several times a week at Buttonwood Park. I recommend joining their Facebook group for future updates and matches: http://www.facebook.com/groups/328010116829/. Facebook event for this Saturday here: http://www.facebook.com/events/285874074857379/.

American Dreams Short Film Premiere (2:30 p.m.)

American Dreams is a short film produced by the Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) and will be shown at the New Bedford Visitor Center on 33 William Street. YAP is a partnership project between the National Park Service and Third Eye Youth Empowerment Inc. The film “provides four different stories of people seeking the American dream through different journeys.”  This is a great way to see a film produced by some of New Bedford’s youth. I highly recommend you check out their Walk with Me music video to get a taste of their amazing talent: http://youtu.be/4CP10K_KTAE. Facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/events/272716012849758/.

2012 Providence Zombie Night (7:30 p.m. – 3 a.m.)

Zombies have become mainstream thanks to shows like the Walking Dead and video games like Call of Duty Black Ops. The PVD Social Club is hosting their 6th Zombie Night this Saturday night. This is a 21 and older event. From the organizers: “The night begins with a boolesque performance and music at the Pvd Social Club…..It ends at a joint afterparty between Ri Ra & Bar Louie…What happens between is up to you…..”  Facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/events/331390860283904/.

Sunday, October 21th

Oak Grove Cemetery Civil War Guided Walking Tour (1 p.m.)

The New Bedford Preservation Society will present a cemetery tour focusing on the Civil War period. These popular tours feature historic portrayals in period costume which depict New Bedford’s famous and not-so-famous at grave sites along the tour route. New Bedford Preservation Society volunteers will provide guided walking tours leaving from the Parker Street entrance of the Oak Grove Cemetery every 15 minutes beginning at 1 p.m., with the last tour leaving at 2:30 p.m. The approximately one-hour walking tour will highlight twenty graves within the cemetery. Rain date is October 28. More details: http://nbpreservationsociety.org/cemeterytour.html.

Fairhaven Indoor Farmer’s Market (1-4 p.m.)

The Fairhaven Farmer’s Market moves indoors from the New Bedford High School front lawn to the Nemasket Gallery on 56 Bridge Street in Fairhaven. The farmer’s market is sponsored by the Fairhaven Sustainability Committee and is handicap accessible. For more info, visit http://www.greenfairhaven.com.

Westport Town Farm Harvest Festival (12-4 p.m.)

Bring your family to celebrate the third annual harvest at the Westport Town Farm’s Community Gardens. Enjoy a festive day of local food, music and activities for all ages. http://www.thetrustees.org/things-to-do/southeast-ma/harvest-fest.html

Have an event that you want to get added in future articles? Send me an e-mail at info@newbedfordguide.com. At a minimum I will get it added to our event calendar.

With the economy the way it is these days, it’s no wonder people are broke.  The 90’s and most of the 00’s brought prosperity and people were literally throwing money away (see “making it rain”), and that prosperity created a culture of leisurely addictions that people have carried over into this current period of economic downturn.

Even though these things seem like necessities, they are not.  There are alternatives.  It’s easier said than done, I know.  But knock one or two of these out of your life, and you could probably go on a short vacation or pay your rent on time this month.  Take it from me.  I’m broke and guilty of abusing everything on my list.  I’m an expert in being broke.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m not trying to hate on anyone’s hustle (Green Bean, Pour Farm Tavern, etc., I still love you!).  I just think that we are enjoying our lives a little too much sometimes, and it’s making us broke.

Here’s a list of 5 things that keep us broke.
5.  Smartphones:  There are an estimated 90 million or so smart phone users in the United States.  With an average monthly cost of around $100 (never mind the price of the phone), it’s no wonder so many people are struggling to pay the bill(s). Estimated money saved: $1,200 per year. 

4. Cable:  The mortgage crisis saw millions of homes foreclosed on, but how many of those homeowners bothered to have their cable shut off in the months leading up to their foreclosures?  It’s probably not too many.  “Miss the new episode of Son’s of Anarchy?  I don’t think so.  I have it DVR’d.”  Estimated money saved: $1,200 per year. 

3.  Coffee:  It isn’t everywhere, but in the cities and in the Northeast at least, people drink coffee, and they drink it like crazy.  Plus, there’s a coffee shop culture that’s prompting people to hang out for hours on end, caffeinating and socializing (and writing “5 things” articles).   A medium coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts costs around $2 a day, and things like lattes, espresso, and cappuccino are all extra, with drinks coming in excess of $5 at some places. Often times, we’re getting more than one a day.  Estimated money saved: $910 per year ($3.50 x 5 days x 52 weeks).

2. Booze:  It seems that these days, almost everyone has a taste for the hooch, and heavy drinking isn’t saved for Fridays and Saturdays anymore.  Now we have excruciatingly popular “Sunday Funday” that everyone seems to love so much, and with “Thirsty Thursday” easing us back into the weekend, there are less days that we don’t drink then ones we do.  (Monday Night Football $1 drafts don’t make things any easier.)  Estimated money saved: $2,600 per year ($50 per week x 52 weeks).

1. Christmas:  No one who’s reading this is likely to believe in Santa Claus, and people seem to be less religious then they were years ago, but everyone is still spending big time dough in Jesus’ name.  A family with two children is probably spending in excess of $1,000 on Christmas, and many families simply can’t afford it, but they’re pressured into purchasing to keep up with the Joneses. Estimated money saved for a single individual: $500 per Christmas.

Now I’m only a writer, but if my estimations and math are close to accurate, you could save yourself (on average) about $6,410 by throwing away your cell phone, drinking only water, watching your programs through illegal downloads, and committing heresy.  Good luck.

Today the Buttonwood Park Zoo and Mayor Jon Mitchell welcomed the return of the zoo’s harbor seals (Sandy and Yellow) to their newly renovated exhibit.  The main entrance to the Buttonwood Park Zoo is located at 425 Hawthorn Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts, 02740. To learn more about the harbor seals at the zoo: http://bpzoo.org/our-animals/mammals/harbor-seal/.

The Greater New Bedford unemployment rate is much higher than the rest of Massachusetts, but believe it or not there really are a lot of jobs available for qualified applicants. Sometimes the barrier to a new job can be the lack of information on available job openings.  To solve this, each week New Bedford Guide will be working with the New Directions Southcoast (also known as the Greater New Bedford Career Center) to inform job seekers about the hottest jobs in the area. We will define “Hot Jobs” as those jobs that need to be filled by the employer immediately. For those looking to search some large job databases, checkout my Best Job Search Resources for New Bedford Residents article. Unless noted otherwise, those interested in these positions or want more information should go to the Greater New Bedford Career Center at 618 Acushnet Avenue. Here are the Hot Jobs as of October 16th, 2012:

1. Personal Lines Insurance CSR (#1596231) – Licensed and experienced personal lines CSR. CISR or CIC needed for a local and well established Insurance company. Must have at least 5 years of experience. Designation and Applied Systems knowledge a plus.

2. Operator/Laborer (#1592599) – Seeking experienced Excavator Operators and Laborers for work in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Area on miscellaneous site development residential and commercial projects. Candidates must have valid drivers’ and hoisting license and be able to pass a drug test.

3. Driver (#1596275) – Must have at least 2 years experience working with elderly and disabled participants. Must have a clean driving record. Background check, drug screening and references. High school grad preferred. Serious applicants only. Retirees are encouraged to apply.

4. Maintenance Worker (#1598516) – This full time position requirements and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Licensed Fireman for boilers.
• Must own set of tools.
• Experience with steam piping, pneumatics and basic electricity, will also train the right candidate.
• Willingness to work overtime as needed, able to move and install equipment as required.
• Some heavy lifting required and ability to work on ladders.
• Ability to get along with co-workers, follow instructions and work as a team member.

5. Environmental Services Aide II (#1489099) – Environmental Services Aide I Category: Service & Trade Facility: Schedule: Full-time Shift: Evening shift Hours: 3p-1130p; holiday and weekend rotation Job Details: High School diploma or GED preferred. Previous housekeeping experience preferred.

6. Packaging Engineer/Structural Design Technician (#1581228) – Growing, dynamic and highly successful company located in Southeastern Massachusetts seeks a proactive, experienced Packaging Engineer to do hands-on work in our design department. This is a new position being added to our highly professional and creative design team.

Responsibilities Include but are not limited to:
 Ability to design interchangeably in multiple packaging mediums (Corrugated, folding cartons, plastics, etc)
 Application of graphics for small runs or presentation
 Ability to provide CAD’s in formats for a wide spectrum of production facilities throughout the world.
 Ability to work independently, with creativity and multi-task while being disciplined in meeting time line commitments.
 Special Projects as Required

Qualifications:
 B.S. degree in Packaging Engineering or closely related discipline Artios Cad Systems
 Experience with a Kongesberg XL Series Table

We offer a competitive compensation package that includes base salary, medical, life insurance and a 401(k) plan. Please submit salary requirements when applying for this position.

7. Machine Operator (#1536201) – This family of companies, is currently recruiting for a Machine Operator III, Family of Companies has a rich heritage of pioneering a broad range of products and solutions across the continuum of orthopedic and neurological care. These companies are unified under one vision – Never Stop Moving – to express their commitment to bring meaningful innovation, shared knowledge and quality care to patients throughout the world. We are focused on the development and marketing of products for reconstructing damaged or diseased joints; repairing and reconstructing traumatic skeletal injuries; This Company has three main locations: Warsaw, Indiana and Massachusetts in the U.S. and Leeds in the UK. *This individual will perform complex operations, set-ups, adjustments, and cleans machines, and prove-outs.*. Maintains documentation (travelers/routers and blueprints) to ensure it is orderly and updated. The individual must have completed basic production, health, safety, and environmental hazard training courses. They will follow all corporate, safety and production standard operating procedures. Responsible for ensuring personal and company compliance with all Federal, State, local, and company regulations, policies and procedures for Health, Safety, and Environmental compliance.*.

The schedule for this position will be Monday-Friday 2nd Shift 2:00PM-10:30PM. A minimum of a high School Graduate or general education degree (GED) is required. Vocational training in machine operations preferred. Ability to communicate effectively in English, to include the ability to read, write and speak is required.

8. Account Clerk (#1599124) – The functions and responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to: Maintains department accounts and payroll. Provides clerical support. Works under the general supervision of sworn Police personnel. Applies basic accounting principles in maintaining financial accounts and records; prepares and verifies accuracy of bills; checks bills against purchase orders; prepares payrolls and maintains retirement records; makes general ledger entries; accounts for receipt and disbursement of cash transactions and cash accounts; reconciles cash books and bank statements; operates adding machines and simple calculators in connection with this work. Performs clerical work of ordinary difficulty.

Recently, The Standard Times reported that several food pantries were dangerously low on food items with some even forced to close their doors to hungry visitors. The story boosted the food stocks temporarily, but more can be done for the long-term. I’m certain most of us have a few items that we can spare sitting in our cupboards. Also, the next time you go grocery shopping, you can spend a few extra dollars and pick up a few additional items. If you see some deep discount items buy a bunch and stop by the closest food pantry on our list on your way home. You can also donate money so that the pantries can purchase perishable items they need the most. Your generosity will go a long way.

I coordinated with the Mayor’s office and they provided me a list of food pantries that provide services throughout New Bedford. I also discovered a Southcoast, Massachusetts food pantries list that provides details on pantries in New Bedford and the surrounding towns. I suggest calling ahead to confirm the drop off times, what they accept and most importantly what they need the most.

City of New Bedford Provides Pantry List

Mercy Meals and More
634 Purchase Street
508-728-1489
Mon—Thurs 7-7:30am

Braz/Bean Community Center
508.979.1737
360 Coggeshall St.
Mon—Thurs 9-1 p.m. (available 1x every 30 days). ID and/or MA Health card required.

Catholic Social Services
508.997.7337
238 Bonney St. (in back of O. L. of Mt. Carmel R. C. Church)
Wed. & Thurs. 10-12 p.m. (available 1x every 30 days).  Min. 18 years-old, proofs of income & residency, pic. ID, MA Health ID required for all children. Bread, non-perishable foods and fresh produce.

Grace Episcopal Church
508.993.0547
133 School St.
Wed. & Fri. 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (available 1x per month / 12 x per yr. Photo ID required and children’s insurance cards.

MO Food = Life Pantry
508.992.5978
724 Pleasant Street Wed. 10-Noon (available 3 x every 30 days). For adults, picture ID & proof of income, ID for family members.

Mobile Loaves and Fishes
Food/clothing available at sites across the city: Sat: Salvation
Army parking lot 11:30 AM, Th: NB Main Library 12:00 PM,
Fr: PAACA 5:30 PM, Tu and Th: NB Bus Terminal 5:30 PM

P.A.C.E.
508.999.9920
166 William St.
Mon-Fri (new walk-ins or received no service w/in past yr.: 9-11, all others by appointment). Available 1x every 3 months, if PACE client, 1x per month. Referral, Picture ID & verification of dependents required.

The Salvation Army
508.997.6561
619 Purchase St.
Mon-Fri 8:30-Noon & 1-3 (available 1x every 3 months). Required: ID for household members & proof of residence for appt. 3-5 days of food / clothing vouchers for fire victims only.

St. Anthony’s Church
508.993.1611
Nye St. Entrance (enter through church basement door). Thurs. @ Noon (1x every other week) Picture. ID and MA Health.

Missionaries of Charity
508.997.7347
Appt. required. Accepting referrals from service providers only.

St. Martin’s Church
508.264.1520
136 Rivet St.
2nd and last Saturday 10-11 and last Tu 5-6, (1 x per month).

Veterans Transition House
508.991.8791
20 Willis St.
Veterans only! (1 x per month) Copy of DD214 and proof of residency required Contact: Moe Mann X 24.

St. Paul’s United Methodoist Church
884 Kempton Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Tel. 508-993-0614
Mobile Loaves Fishes is a mission of St. Paul’s Church

New Bedford Guide Facebook User Suggested Pantry List

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish
230 Bonney Street New Bedford, MA 02744
Phone: (508) 993-4704 Fax: (508) 991-5536

Shepherd’s Pantry
1215 Main St Acushnet
Saturdays from 9-11AM.
508-763-9289

St Martin’s Pantry
Open the 3rd Saturday 10-11am and the Last Tuesday 5-6pm.

Mount Carmel Church (Rivet Street)

Did I miss a food pantry? Post a reply and we’ll add it!

The Dock-U-Mentaries Film Series continues Friday, October 19th at 7 PM with the 1947 documentary Lobstertown. 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.

Lobstertown is a short documentary film from 1947 about the fishing community of Corea, Maine. Following the film, ethnographic photographer Markham Starr will present an illustrated talk about his work documenting this same community more than half a century later. Starr’s work resulted in the publication of his book, Finest Kind: The Lobstermen of Corea, Maine in 2011. Markham Starr’s photographs also appear in the 2010 publication Voices from the Waterfront: A Portrait of the New Bedford Fishing Industry. The publication is available for purchase at the park’s bookstore.

Fairhaven’s Beyond the Bicentennial campaign, a joint collaboration between the Fairhaven Bicentennial Committee and Fairhaven Sustainability Committee, is hosting an upcoming Community-Building and Visioning Forum, on Sunday, November 4, from 1:00PM – 4:00PM, at Town Hall.

The “Beyond the Bicentennial” campaign’s Community-Building and Visioning Forum concerns all residents, businesses, and organizations in Fairhaven, MA. It will be a professionally facilitated action-planning session and opportunity for community members and local businesses to have their voices heard regarding their idealized vision for Fairhaven’s future.  It represents true community participation meant to officially determine what the people of Fairhaven want and believe their town needs, and how to attain and/or preserve these necessities. From all these inquiries, idea sharing, and acknowledgment of the issues, action groups and strategies will be formed to continue effective courses of action.

“Beyond the Bicentennial” is intended to unite residents and businesses to create a healthy, prosperous, and culturally rich town where everyone feels linked in.  All fall the committees involved have been spreading word of the Town Forum through this season’s Fairhaven Farmers’ Market, as well as DIY marketing via green lawn flamingos.

Questions the campaign has been asking:

• 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 you see Fairhaven evolving in 20 years?

Beyond the Bicentennial’s goal is to have over 200 people attend the Community-Building Forum.  People wishing to attend should RSVP at our official event page,http://www.eventbrite.com/org/2792696988.  This isn’t required, but we’d like to attain a strong headcount for providing refreshments.

To learn more, we encourage people to follow the Beyond the Bicentennial campaign at http://www.greenfairhaven.com and at the Fairhaven Beyond the Bicentennial Facebook Page.

The New Bedford Board of Election Commissioners reminds registered voters that the Presidential Election will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

Absentee ballots for this election are now available through the Elections Office at New Bedford City Hall.  Any voter unable to get to the polls on Election Day may vote by absentee ballot during regular office hours or may request that an absentee ballot application be mailed to their home address.  In addition, to allow the public more time to cast an absentee ballot, the City of New Bedford Election Office will be open on Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon.

The deadline to register to vote in the Presidential Election is Wednesday, October 17, 2012.  The Elections Office will be open October 17, 2012 until 8:00 p.m.

On November 6^th, inactive voters and voters who registered through the mail will be required to show I.D. and sign the roster of inactive voters at their polling location.  The ballot is a two-page document and voters must remember to turn over the ballot to vote on Questions 2 and 3.

In addition, voters in Ward 3, Precinct F who previously voted at the Bayberry Community Center will now cast their ballots at 500 Hathaway Road, New Bedford Days Inn & Suites.

Voters can visit the City of New Bedford website at www.newbedford-ma.gov to view the official specimen ballot for their district.  Any city resident who is uncertain about their voting status, designated polling location, has changed their address since the last election or wishes to request an absentee ballot, should contact the Board of Election Commissioners at (508) 979-1420.