The New Bedford Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches has applications for its 2020 Kennedy Summer Day program for children, as well as for summer jobs, now available.

Applications now available for 2020 Kennedy Summer Day Program
Applications are available for parents to register their children to participate in the Kennedy Summer Day Program. This summer program is an opportunity for children to engage in a variety of sports, games, crafts, environmental education, and outdoor fun while making new friends. Activities include beach and swim time, special visitor programs from the Art Mobile, Buzzards Bay Coalition, and many more.

The Kennedy Summer Day Program operates out of beautiful Fort Taber Park and includes breakfast, lunch and transportation. The program is open to children who are eligible for kindergarten in September of 2020 through the age of 14.

For New Bedford residents, each two-week session is $240. Scholarships are available for those who qualify. If space allows, non-residents may register for $275 per session. This summer, the program will also offering a one-week option for $150 for residents and $175 for non-residents.

Available Sessions: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily

• Session 1 July 6 —July 17
• Session 2 July 20—July 31
• Session 3 August 3—August 14
• Session 4 August 17—August 21 (one week only)

Space is limited, so parents are encouraged to complete and submit an application as soon as possible. Registration packets are available at the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Beaches located at 181 Hillman St. in Building 3, at the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center located at 181 Hillman St and at www.newbedford-ma.gov/parks-recreation-beaches, or contact the office by phone at 508-961-3015.

Now accepting applications for more than 70 summer jobs
Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches has applications for seasonal summer jobs available. The department offers positions for New Bedford residents for 8 to 10 weeks during the summer working in a variety of programs. Many positions are entry level for youth ages 16 to 24 while others require professional experience.

There are more than 70 positions being offered for this summer for city residents seeking a summer opportunity or job-related experience. Positions offered include: Kennedy Summer Day Program staff (experience preferred), Play in the Park, and Summer Food Program positions, Lifeguards (must have proper certifications), Site Supervisors, Van Drivers, Van Aides, Beach Parking staff and Park Ambassador. Applicants must be 16 years of age by the effective date of the program.

Applications are available at the Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches at 181 Hillman St. Building 3 or under job opportunities at www.newbedford-ma.gov.

All applications must be returned to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches at 181 Hillman St. Building 3, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Applications will be accepted until March 27, 2020. Applicants must attend a mandatory training before the start of employment.

For more information interested applicants may contact the Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches at 508-961-3015 or stop by the office at 181 Hillman St., Building 3.

With recent warmer temperatures across much of Massachusetts, state officials are warning the public of the dangers associated with walking on ice over bodies of water, including lakes, ponds, reservoirs, streams, and rivers.

Public safety and recreation officials from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Massachusetts State Police (MSP), the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), and the Department of Fire Services (DFS) remind residents and visitors to be conscious of the risks associated with walking on ice, particularly after warm weather, and ask that the public refrain from doing so.

The winter season offers unique outdoor recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy, including ice fishing, ice skating, and snowmobiling; unfortunately, year after year state and local officials receive and respond to reports of individuals falling through thin ice. In a short period of time, an individual who falls into icy waters can experience hypothermia like symptoms, which can become fatal if not treated immediately. Hypothermia symptoms include shivering, dizziness, hunger, nausea, accelerated breathing, difficulty speaking, lack of coordination, fatigue, and an increase in heart rate.

Ice safety tips the public should follow when near bodies of water during the winter months include:

• Parents should supervise their children;
• Never go onto ice alone;
• Always keep your pets on a leash, and do not let them out off-leash near bodies of water that are covered by ice;
• Beware of ice covered with snow. Snow can insulate ice and keep it from freezing. It can also hide cracks as well as other weak spots;
• Ice formed overflowing water (including springs under the surface) is generally weaker than ice over still water;
• Ice seldom freezes or thaws at a uniform rate. It can be a foot thick in one spot or an inch thick in another;
• If a companion falls through the ice and you are unable to reach that person from shore, throw something to them (a rope, tree branch, even jumper cables from a car, etc.). If this does not work, go or phone for help. Get medical assistance for the victim immediately;
• If you fall in, try not to panic. Turn toward the direction you came from, and place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface, working forward by kicking your feet. Once the ice is solid enough to hold you, and you can pull yourself out, remain lying on the ice (do not stand; lying down spreads your weight across a wider area, lessening your weight on any one spot) and roll away from the hole. Crawl back the way you came, keeping your weight distributed, until you return to solid ice or ground; and,
• As the season progresses, plan accordingly and use caution, as the conditions of older ice greatly varies and is subject to rapid changes.

For further information regarding ice and winter safety tips, please visit the DFS and the MassWildlife websites. The Massachusetts State Police reminds individuals to call 911 in the event of an emergency, such as an individual falling through thin ice. Additionally, several state parks and facilities provide outdoor recreational opportunities throughout the winter season, some of which have DCR rangers and/or staff facilitating many programs. Please visit the DCR’s website for details.

Do you balk at how the idea of coming up with first, last and security – many thousands of dollars – to move into a new apartment? Many area residents complain about how difficult it is to find a good landlord and question the high amount of money they ask to move in. One landlord wanted to show why. The following opinion was shared by a landlord in one of our groups:

“People wonder why rents and security deposits are high, or why property managers and landlords require such detailed background and reference checks, well folks this is a prime example of those reasons.

I rented this apartment to a family for a short term 6-month lease, they passed the job and reference checks, I got the initial month’s rent and security deposit and then the nightmare began.

By the time I got them out they had caused upwards of 10k in damages, between that and the back rent owed we’re out 15k in 6-month’s time.

They left animals locked in bedrooms urinating for days on end to the point where urine was leaking through the ceiling of the business below them.

Every room has either animal or human poop smeared on floors shelf’s inside cupboards and walls!

Every single wall has been colored on from children running rampant, the amount of flies/fruit flies in this apartment would rival any transfer station, and the smell is so bad I don’t know if we will ever be able to get rid of it!

I would normally never post something like this, but I just want to make people aware of what landlords go through when they try and provide a nice home for people to live in. Most of the time our tenants are great! But it’s these few disgusting people who ruin it for everyone else!” -Jerry Ciro Ucci.

The New Bedford Chapter of the Prince Henry Society is accepting applications for this year’s scholarship program. Eligible candidates are all graduating seniors seeking an undergraduate or associate’s degree from an accredited college/university, a resident of the Greater New Bedford area, with an emphasis on students with interest in Portuguese culture.

“We encourage high school seniors to apply for our annual scholarship, which we are proud to offer once again to area students,” said Robert Gaspar, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. “Since 1980, the Prince Henry Society has awarded more than $997,000 in scholarships to nearly 1,000 deserving high school graduates, and we are pleased to continue our longstanding commitment to education in our community.”

Applications are available in the guidance offices of New Bedford High School, Dartmouth High School, Wareham High School, Apponequet Regional High School, Old Rochester Regional High School, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, Fairhaven High School, Old Colony Vocational High School, and Bishop Stang High School.

Applications are also available online at www.princehenrysociety.org or by calling Mr. Gaspar at 508-998-2012.

Deadline for return of all applications is April 1, 2020. The scholarships will be presented at the annual scholarship brunch to take place on Sunday, June 21, 2020.

Fans of the downtown New Bedford juice bar, People’s Pressed, will be delighted to know that the popular destination will be expanding into a second location.

Unfamiliar with People’s Pressed? Dartmouth native Amanda Desrosiers opened her doors in March of 2018 based on the many juice bars she encountered while traveling to participate in one of her favorite hobbies, rock climbing – something that requires you to pay special attention to how you fuel your body for the physicality that characterizes the activity.

The New Bedford location at 141 Union Street offers fresh-pressed juice, as well as a variety of juice cleanses, energy potions, smoothies, wellness shots, teas, Kombucha, and coffee. If you have an appetite, you will find a number of fruit bowls and in the “Slices” section saliva-inducing treats like Avocado Bacon Coconut (gluten-free toast topped with creamy avocado, greens, bacon coconut, drizzled with cashew, tomato-vinaigrette, pink salt, and pepper), Avocado and Hemp Seed toast, Avocado, tomato, and balsamic toast, and Almond Butter, Banana, and Strawberry toast.

You can check out the on the menu here.

The new location will be at the former Village Harbor Sweets on Elm Street, next-door to the popular Sail Loft eatery. The new menu will be almost identical to the old one, with the possibility of a few new ideas. You’ll just have to check them out during their grand opening to find out!

A 24-year-old New Bedford man who is alleged to have threatened violence and intimidated a New Bedford District Court prosecutor last week was apprehended this weekend and was detained yesterday pending the results of an upcoming dangerousness hearing.

Jonathan Perez-Martinez was arrested by Massachusetts State Police Troopers on Saturday and charged with witness intimidation and threats. A dangerousness hearing is scheduled to occur on February 25 in New Bedford District Court.

On February 12, while in Courtroom 3, the defendant was sitting in the audience waiting for a case involving his brother to be heard by the court when he is alleged to have told a prosecutor, “I’m going to f*ck you up.” When the prosecutor turned around, the defendant is alleged to have said, “Yeah, I’m talking to you…I’m going to f*ck you up.” The defendant then immediately left the courtroom.

Shortly thereafter, the prosecutor exited the courtroom, walked through the lobby and entered into the screening area where he was about the leave the courthouse. However, a court officer who witnessed the incident inside the courtroom, stopped the prosecutor and advised him to wait until the defendant had left the property before exiting the building. At that point, the prosecutor looked outside and observed the defendant flipping him off with his middle finger.

A State Trooper who was inside the courthouse at the time, took a report of the incident from the victim and also spoke with a court officer and probation officer who witnessed the incident. A warrant for the defendant’s arrest was issued on Friday and the defendant was apprehended hiding behind a bedroom door at a friend’s apartment on Myrtle Street on Saturday afternoon.

“Threatening a prosecutor or any court official in open court is outrageous. On top of it, the defendant was waiting for the prosecutor outside when the court proceedings concluded. I will not tolerate this type of lawlessness and contempt for the judicial system. Our office will make every attempt to hold this defendant accountable,” Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said.

The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of February 17,2020 – February 21, 2020 and they are as follows:

Eversource:

• Eversource will replace the gas mains at the following locations: There will be no services tied into the new mains until after April 1, 2020 as a precaution of the winter season.
• Fair St. from County St. to Orchard St.
• Woodlawn St. from Brock Ave. to West Rodney French Blvd.
• Clifford St. from Ashley Blvd. to Acushnet Ave.
• Myrtle St. from Cedar St. to Sawyer St.
• Summer St. from Studley to Locust St.
• Rounds St. form Arnold St. to 141 Rounds St.
• Johnathan from Arnold St. to 57-59 Johnathan St.
• Commonwealth Ave. between Kempton St.- Claredon St.
• Peckham St from Mt. Pleasant St to County St
• Highland St from 305 to 423 Highland St, Including all intersections in between
• Mulberry St from Larch St #8 Mulberry St

Other:

• Contractor working at Hazelwood Park for new power supply and upgrades to parking lot lighting.
• Contractor will continue water and sewer replacement along Cottage St between Willis St and Sycamore St. During working hours, Cottage St. may be closed to thru traffic with access by local traffic only at times. Southbound traffic will be detoured via Parker Street or Willis Street. North bound traffic will be detoured via Sycamore Street or Smith Street. Detour signage, police details and traffic controls will be in place.
• Contractor is scheduled to continue construction of the new pumping station and installation of the site utilities at the Front St./ Elm St. site. Elm St. between JFK Memorial Highway (Route 18) and Macarthur Drive will be closed to westbound traffic. Westbound traffic will be detoured via MacArthur Drive. There will be detour signage and traffic controls in place.
• Contractor will continue scheduling appointments and will have technicians visiting various locations throughout the city to replace meters and meter interface units (meter readers). There will be no traffic controls for this work.
• Department of Public Infrastructure will be filling potholes on a continuous basis throughout the city.
• Please see the City of New Bedford website for additional street closings due to Special Events.
• Department of Public Infrastructure conducting its annual street sweeping program city-wide.

The largest grant in university history will fund innovative projects between university faculty and regional partners

On Monday, February 10, 2020, UMass Dartmouth announced a $4,576,764 million grant from the United States Navy to fund research projects with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) and institutions of higher education. This funding represents the largest research award in UMass Dartmouth history.

The grant funding will be administered by the recently established Marine and UnderSea Technology research program (MUST) at UMass Dartmouth, which was formed to address needs of the United States Navy – new sources of cutting-edge research and the development of a highly trained workforce.

MUST has identified areas of focus where the expertise of faculty can have the greatest impact, including research and training in the general areas of undersea technologies addressing acoustics, signal processing, sensing, communications, and autonomous underwater vehicles. With these areas in mind, MUST has developed research projects that leverage faculty strengths to respond to critical needs of the Navy.

“This award highlights the research, talent, and expertise of the exceptional people at UMass Dartmouth. This funding will strengthen our relationship with the Navy and bolster workforce development in the marine science and technology industries that are the backbone of the Blue Economy in southern New England,” said UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Robert E. Johnson. “This would not have happened without Congressman Bill Keating, a leader in Washington D.C. that understands how this research university can support the Navy’s undersea technology needs and support a region’s economic revitalization. Thank you to Congressman Keating and to the entire Massachusetts Congressional Delegation for their critical support.”

“Southeastern New England is the hub of the Blue Economy and UMass Dartmouth is unquestionably a preeminent leader in this field,” said Congressman William R. Keating. “With the funding, UMass Dartmouth will not only be providing critical naval research but also creating the highly skilled workforce needed as we move this project – and those like it – forward. This award is a perfect example of how federal grants are supposed to work. I congratulate Chancellor Johnson and the entire UMass Dartmouth community on this deserved recognition and I look forward to our continuing partnership to secure even more grants that further the Blue Economy and our region.”

“I want to congratulate Chancellor Johnson and the faculty of UMass Dartmouth for securing this major investment in ocean technology research that will enhance national defense, create jobs, and strengthen the region as a hub of marine innovation,” University of Massachusetts President Martin T. Meehan said. “This award, made possible through the leadership of Congressman Keating and his colleagues, is a strong declaration of confidence in the quality of UMass Dartmouth research and teaching, and a prime example of the economic impact that UMass has on every region of the Commonwealth.”

This investment highlights UMass Dartmouth’s leadership in undersea technology research and training. Since 2015, UMass Dartmouth has secured 19 awards from the Navy, with a cumulative investment of nearly $5 million prior to the 2020 funding.

“UMass Dartmouth is a vital force anchoring Massachusetts’ sea blue economy. Innovation is at the heart of the collaborative partnerships between scientific leaders, like those at NUWC, to create opportunities where both the government and academia excel at solving problems. I’m proud we were able to secure this vital federal funding. I’m going to keep fighting for opportunities that grow our innovation economy and to ensure that we build upon this partnership for years to come,” said Senator Edward Markey.

“The Navy’s investment in its partnership with the Marine and UnderSea Technology research program is a testament to the Commonwealth’s ongoing leadership in research and technology,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “This new funding will allow UMass Dartmouth students and faculty to expand on their integral role in undersea research.”

“Students and researchers at UMass Dartmouth are not only building a Blue Economy for the South Coast and our Commonwealth but using their knowledge and expertise to strengthen our national security. With this well-earned grant, the MUST program will bring new opportunities for our next generation workforce,” said Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III.

“The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport has a long term collaborative relationship with UMass Dartmouth. ONR’s MUST research funding promotes the development of the southeastern New England undersea technology community and will provide additional opportunities for teamwork in the future,” said Ronald Vien, Technical Director at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

UMass Dartmouth is the second leading supplier of workforce talent to NUWC and offers the necessary program synergies to accelerate the growth of a highly-skilled science and engineering workforce in southern New England.

“This unique opportunity leverages UMass Dartmouth’s long-standing strengths in marine technologies within three colleges to expand cutting-edge research and developing highly-skilled scientists and engineers in areas of critical needs for the Navy. UMass Dartmouth and the Navy has long enjoyed a great synergistic partnership. I look forward to taking it to the next level,” said Associate Provost and Professor of Computer Science Ramprasad Balasubramanian, who leads the Marine and UnderSea Technology (MUST) research program.

The New Bedford Youth Ballet will perform an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book on Sunday, March 8 at the NBB Community Theater, 2343 Purchase Street in New Bedford. The first performance is scheduled for 1 p.m. with a second to follow at 2 p.m. All proceeds benefit the New Bedford Youth Ballet.

Published in 1894, The Jungle Book is a collection of stories written by English Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling. Kipling spent his early childhood and some of his adulthood in India, and the fables he created in this literary classic utilize animals of the Indian jungle to teach moral lessons. The best known of the stories involves the adventures of Mowgli, a child who was raised by wolves. Rebecca Waskiel-Marchesseault, artistic director of New Bedford Ballet, brings the adventures of Mowgli to life in her original rendition of this educational classic.

In keeping with its mission of community outreach, the NBB Youth Ballet will also be performing The Jungle Book for over 3,000 South Coast area elementary school children during March. This initiative will continue NBB’s tradition of merging academics with the performing arts as well as introducing young learners to the artistry of ballet. Students will have the opportunity to join members of the NBB Youth Ballet on a journey through the Indian jungle and meet Mowgli, Bagheera, and Baloo as they discover that true friendship transcends all natural boundaries.

A special additional presentation of The Jungle Book will be performed for PACE Head Start children and their families. This magical evening will include an after-performance meet and greet and photo op with all the Jungle Book characters.

The New Bedford Youth Ballet is a company of the New Bedford Ballet Foundation, Inc. Founded in 1987, the Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and present classical ballets, grant scholarships, and educate the community in the beauty of this performing art. Aided by the financial support of the Foundation, thousands of area school children and senior citizens have had the opportunity to participate in the performing arts.

Tickets: Adults $12; Seniors, Students, Children (2 to 12) $7

For more information, call the New Bedford Ballet at 508-993-1387 or visit our website www.newbedfordballet.org.

Ava Kocera-Kasem (New Bedford), Camila Paraskeva (Marion), Olivia Quintin (Fairhaven), Elizabeth Santos (New Bedford), Natalie Mitchell (New Bedford), Clara Bonney (Marion), Eva Politano (New Bedford), Front: Abbey Grundy (New Bedford), Sofia Montez (Dartmouth), John-nae Sylvia (New Bedford), Madeleine Hunt (Mattapoisett)

See more photos: https://www.newbedfordballet.org/press-releases

“Massachusetts State Police Trooper Pat McNamara, paid a birthday visit to Gabby. Gabby has been fighting a courageous battle against Neuroblastoma. Gabby’s dad, Mike, is a trainee at the State Police Academy’s 85th Recruit Training Troop and has his hands full with the live in academy in New Braintree.

In hopes of lightening Gabby’s spirits, show support for a potential new member, VP McNamara decided to bring some gifts, courtesy of State Police Association of Massachusetts. Gabby’s infectious smile tells us all we need to know; she’s a fighter and a strong and loving child. We at SPAM wish Gabby, her family, and the trainee, Mike, the best of luck in the coming weeks and years.

While not officially part of the MSP or SPAM yet, we are here to support the Atton family as they battle this terrible disease. We are all behind you Gabby, stay strong, and we are glad Trooper McNamara stopped by to hopefully brighten your day.

There is an active GoFundMe campaign to assist the Atton family offset the costs associated with battling this terrible disease. If you can, please help them and ease the burden. https://www.gofundme.com/f/gabbys-fight-to-beat-cancer

You can find more information on Gabby’s battle on her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/GabbyAttonStrong/

#GabbyStrong”