The Buzzards Bay Coalition will present the first Buzzards Bay Film Festival (BBFF) on Sunday, November 11, 2012, at the Zeiterion Theater in New Bedford.
The BBFF will consider entries from all film makers, from first-timers, professionals, students and hobbyists. All film types are eligible, including features, shorts, dramas, documentaries, animation, and smartphone videos, as long as some portion of them were shot on the Bay or in its watershed, have the Bay as their subject, or promote the Bay’s preservation and restoration.
The Festival will feature a crowd-sourced film, “The People’s History of Buzzards Bay,” assembled from the public’s contributions of pictures, slides, and videos that depict important historic or personal places and events in the Bay’s history. Video submissions must be between thirty seconds and three minutes long. Festival editors will assemble the entries into a film that will premier at the Festival.
“The Festival is part of our year-long celebration of the Coalition’s 25th anniversary, and ‘The People’s History’ will ensure this will be a festival about Buzzards Bay, by the people of Buzzards Bay,” said Festival Director Tom Gidwitz. “Entries can be serious or funny, and the potential subjects are virtually limitless. For example, a film maker could describe the disappearance of the glaciers, the arrival of Bartholomew Gosnold or places and events in their own families’ lives.”
Festival judges will award a cash prize for Best Film of the Festival and for the best films by college, high school and middle school students.
The BBFF is also holding a cash prize contest for the best 30-second Public Service Announcement about nitrogen pollution. “Nitrogen pollution is an insidious threat to our bays and coves, but people’s eyes often glaze over when they hear about it. We’re looking for new, inventive ways to get the message out,” Gidwitz said.
Festival sponsors include New Bedford’s Jay Lanagan’s restaurants, mediumstudio, and First Priority Media of Cranston, Rhode Island.
Submissions to “The People’s History of Buzzards Bay” are free, but for all other films submitted there is a $10 entry fee. All entrants will receive a membership in the Buzzards Bay Coalition and a link on the film festival’s website to their own website or Facebook page.
Last March, New Bedford Guide featured a bone marrow drive for Baby Chloe, who at 4-months years-old was the youngest child in the state of Massachusetts with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia (ALL). By April a bone marrow match was found, thanks to thousands of people registering with the bone marrow registry. Now there is another young girl that needs our help.
On April 14, 2008, Somerset’s Scarlett Isidoro was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Scarlett spent the last three years in remission, but unfortunately relapsed on January 5th, 2011 and immediately began chemotherapy on January 7th, 2012. She currently resides in the hospital at the Tuff Floating Hospital for Children, and her only hope for a cure is a bone marrow transplant. Please join us in the fight to help the thousands of patients like Scarlett. You have the power to heal the power to save a life by joining the bone marrow registry.
On Feb 4th, 2012 there is a Bone Marrow Drive at St. Louis de France Parish, Church Hall (56 Buffington Street, Swansea, MA) from 10am-2pm to register to become a donor, or visit BETHEMATCH.org to receive your free home kit. Registering is painless and is a simple cotton swab rubbed against the inside of a cheek.
Please feel free to stay update with Scarlett at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/scarlett
There is also a bone marrow drive from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at:
Dartmouth Town High School
555 Bakerville Rd
South Dartmouth MA, 02748
Frederick Douglass’ Birthday Celebration
On Saturday, February 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park will celebrate the 194th birthday of New Bedford’s most famous orator and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass. The park will celebrate Douglass and his legacy, from Civil War to civil rights, by showing films, hosting a panel discussion, and showcasing a poetry slam and live music . All of the day’s activities are free and take place at the Corson Maritime Learning Center located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts. For a complete schedule of activities, stop by the National Park Visitor Center or visit the park on the web at www.nps.gov/nebe.
10:00 a.m – 12:00 noon – Exploring the Home Port: The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, and videos by YAP! (Youth Ambassador Program)
1:00-2:00 PM: Satellite Panel Discussion on Frederick Douglass hosted by Dr. Edna Medford of Howard University with representatives from New Bedford and Maryland, in collaboration with Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Maryland.
2:30 – Poetry Slam featuring Jibreel Khazan, Erik Andrade, Raena Camacho, and Frederick Douglass-Knowles II, Live music by Afrika Rainbow and YAP! (Youth Ambassador Program)
Frederick Douglass escaped slavery and made his first home in freedom in New Bedford. He was one 300-700 escaped slaves who called New Bedford home between 1840 and 1860. To learn more about New Bedford’s Underground Railroad history visit www.nps.gov/nebe or www.nbhistoricalsociety.org.
Best Places to Watch the Super Bowl
by Michael Silvia
On Sunday, February 5th at 6:20pm EST, the New England Patriots will take on the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Indiana. New Bedford bars are gearing up to provide patrons the best experience possible. Here is a list of the best bars in New Bedford to watch the Super Bowl based on HD TV inventory, food/drink specials and capacity.
Rose Alley Ale House | 94 Front St. | New Bedford MA 02740 | (508) 858-5123
Number of TV’s: 9 HD
Food Specials: All-you-can-tenders for $6.50 per person
Drink Specials: Beer Pitcher Specials
Capacity: 149
Win a $100 Rose Ally Gift card by playing our Super Bowl contest.
Knucklehead’s Bar & Grill | 85 MacArthur Dr New Bedford MA 02740 | (508) 984-8149
Number of TV’s: 15 HD, 5 Big Screen
Food Specials: Half Time Buffet, prizes and give-aways. 9-12pm late night pub menu: 25 cents wings, 50 cents flavored, $2 Cup of Chili with Chips, $1.50 Homemade Onion Rings, $3 Bacon Cheese Fries, two Chili Cheese Dogs for $3, and one topping pizza for $4, two topping pizza for $5.
Drink Specials: Bucket of beer and cheese pizza: Domestic: $16, Foreign: $19. 50 cents extra toppings. Absolute Vodka Mountain Due for $3.
Capacity: 95
Strikers Sports Bar and Grille (Wonder Bowl) | 66 Hathaway Road New Bedford, MA 02746 | 508-993-1746
Number of TV’s: 14 HD, including 115” Projection
Food Specials: Daily specials
Drink Specials: Beer specials every month
Capacity: 120
Hibernia Irish Pub | 109 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02746 | (508) 984-4423
Number of TV’s: 16 HD
Food Specials: 25 Cent wings, all-you-can-eat
Capacity: 99
Pier 37 | 37 Union Street, New Bedford, MA 02746 | (508) 990-0117
Number of TV’s: 4 HD
Food Specials: FREE half-time buffet
Capacity: 90
Super Bowl XLVI starts at 6:20PM EST.
Endzone Sports Pub | 218 Coggeshall St. New Bedford, MA 02746 | (508) 997-7309
Number of TV’s: 7 HD
Capacity: 100
Miller’s Homeport | 24 Cove Rd New Bedford MA 02744 | (508) 992-1311
Number of TV’s: 12 HD
Capacity: 99
Other Cities:
Ice Chest Bar & Grille | 136 Huttleston Ave. Fairhaven MA 02719 | (508) 992-BEER.
Number of TV’s: 6 HD
Capacity: 196
Rasputin’s Tavern | 122 Main St. Fairhaven MA 02719 | (508) 858-5490
Number of TV’s: 8 HD
Food Specials: Scallops and Steak $15
Drink Specials: $1 drafts, $3 shots
Capacity: 99
City of New Bedford To Host Credit Workshop
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell announced that the City of New Bedford Office of Housing and Community Development and the Fall River / New Bedford Housing Partnership, will host a no-cost, Credit 101 Workshop. This workshop will provide valuable tips for setting goals and planning for your financial future. It will offer guidance on such topics as the meaning of a credit report to your financial future, how to obtain and re-establish credit, and the amount of debt you can comfortably afford. Mayor Mitchell said, “I encourage area residents to take advantage of the opportunity to become more effective managers of their personal finances. The skills they will gain at the workshop can make a huge difference to their financial security over time.”
The workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 1st at the Fort Taber Community Center at 1000 Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford, MA 02744. Registration begins at 5:00 pm and a presentation will be held at 5:30 pm. In addition, Credit counselors will be on hand beginning at 5:00 pm to meet one on one with individuals until 7:00 pm. Informational packages will also be available for anyone who attends.
Prior to the event, anyone attending is asked to obtain a “Free” annual credit report from https://www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228.
Participating agencies for the Fall River/New Bedford Housing Partnership include BankFive; BayCoast Bank, Bristol County Savings Bank; Bristol Elder Services; Catholic Social Services; Fall River Affordable Housing Corporation;
Fall River Community Development Agency; Fannie Mae; First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union; MassHousing; Mechanics Cooperative Bank; Money Management International; Neighborhood Housing Services of the South Shore; City of New Bedford Office of Housing & Community Development; Rockland Trust; South Coastal Counties Legal Services; South Shore Housing; and St. Anne’s Credit Union.
The Fall River/New Bedford Housing Partnership, founded in 2007, was formed to address the housing and foreclosure crisis. The partnership looks to provide assistance to individuals and families facing a risk of foreclosure by providing foreclosure prevention counseling, as well as educate consumers about financial literacy, credit worthiness and innovative loan products, including purchase and rehabilitation programs.
To pre-register for the Credit Workshop please call 800-643-2272 or for additional information, please contact the City of New Bedford Office of Housing and Community Development at 508-979-1500.
New Bedford Event Calendar System
NewBedfordGuide.com is pleased to offer a community events (http://www.newbedfordguide.com/calendar) for the New Bedford area. You can also access the calendar at eventsnb.com. Approved registered users of New Bedford Guide will be able to submit events to the calendar. To gain permissions to add events to this calendar you must register with New Bedford Guide and e-mail us at info@newbedfordguide.com. This is a free service to promote events in the New Bedford area.
Send us an email at info@newbedfordguide.com. Let us know what types of events you will be adding.
Go to the event calendar and at the top left click add event.
Single click on the date you want to add an event.
Fill out the form and click save.
Want to get extra promotion? Get a leader board ad on the calendar! Full details here.
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Add an event to the calendar. Yellow areas are mandatory.
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New Bedford Guide Super Bowl Contest
On Sunday, February 5th at 6:20pm EST, Eli Manning and the Giants will take on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Indiana. We gave away a Wes Welker signed mini-helmet when the Patriots took on Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. This time we are giving away a $100 Rose Alley Ale House gift card!
The $100 gift card will go to the person who can guess the combined score of the New York Giants and New England Patriots match-up. For example, if the Patriots win 26-10, the combined score (36). The person that comes the closest combined total will win the $100 gift card. For a tie-breaker also post how many passing yards Tom Brady and Eli manning will throw. Your guess must be posted by 5:30pm EST on February 5th, 2012 on this Facebook photo or in a comment in this article.
A sample guess would be, “33 combined score and 500 combined passing yards.”
How to Participate
Post your combined prediction (total combined game score + total combined Eli Manning and Tom Brady passing yards) in a comment to this Facebook photo and “Like” the Photo.
To gain an extra 3 points (plus or minus) on the combined game score total, share this article or photo on your Facebook wall. For example, if you guess 30 and the final point total is 33, you will be the winner (or go to the tie break if more than person wins). Post in your response that you shared the article. You will need to prove that you shared the article. This extra 3 points does not count towards Tom Brady/Eli Manning combined passing yard total. To confirm these points, we must be able to publicly see that you shared the article on Facebook or see proof in person.
Your guess must be posted by 5:30pm EST on February 5th, 2012.
There is only one winner.
If you can’t pick up the prize, we will mail the item with delivery confirmation, but we are not responsible for it being lost in the mail. If the delivery confirmation shows it was delivered to the address, we will not be responsible for any lost or damaged prize.
Participation in this contest confirms you have read the rules.
If there is till a tie after both both phases of this contest, we will invite the contestants to Rose Alley Ale House and have one of the staff pull a name out of a hat, or the winners can decide to split the winnings.
The Oko Arts Experience
by John Collins
OKO Arts is located on 528 Pleasant Street in culturally diverse and historic downtown New Bedford. The space is perched above Tip Top Nail Salon, directly adjacent to the Used Book Store. OKO Arts has many defining characteristics that make it both unique and pleasurable to visit. It serves as a space for creative expression as well as a thrift store for books, records, and pieces of art. Owner Hilary Burkitt strives to provide a diverse place for artists and musicians to display their work. She hosts small shows for local musicians. Musicians that have performed at OKO are; Anthony Savino, Aaron Alves, Nick Leblanc & The Pink Beans, Divorcees, Jenna Legge, Shelley Cardoos, Ethan Weiss, Brittny Kouta and Sarah Dickow.
I talked to Hilary about her plans, goals, and background in art in this interview.
Please explain your reasons for starting OKO.
Hilary Burkitt: “OKO Arts was the product of my unrest after I graduated from Umass Dartmouth with a degree in Photography. I wanted to explore my options in New Bedford, as I tried to figure out what direction I wanted to take with my work. I worked for almost a year and a half as a nanny and found myself feeling disconnected from my community. After everyone I’d gone to college with had moved away, It felt like I no longer had a creative outlet or group of people that I could talk to critically about my work, goals and ambitions. I opened OKO with the desire to create an environment that would bring artists, musicians and writers out of the woodwork. I knew there were a lot of like-minded people in the community, but I found myself going out only to drink. I felt like no one was really present or engaging in meaningful conversations like I had experienced in school. The New Bedford art scene, as much as it is well received in the media, felt static to me and that it was more about the politics of art as a way to bring money and tourism into the city.”
What goals do you set out to accomplish with OKO?
Hilary Burkitt: “I wanted to create a place that promoted cultural awareness and supported working artists, providing a safe and open environment to form connections within the community, provoke people and provide an outlet for artists making contemporary work.”
How did you expect to pay for the space and what is your job history?
Hilary Burkitt: “I expected to generate some income selling locally hand-crafted jewelry, zines, art books and supplies to students, and by increasing my exposure to get jobs as a photographer. Instead, I took other part-time jobs, like working for a professional photographer in Newport as a photo-editor, doing layouts and submissions for magazines. This has given me time to work on my own projects, but I’m still looking for part-time work.”
A view of Oko Arts in New Bedford, MA
What have you accomplished with OKO so far?
“My personal accomplishments at OKO were having the opportunity to show work of friends, lesser known artists and the works of my family – notably wall reliefs by my Uncle, Richard Perry, my mother, a Cape Cod print-maker, and my sister, Mass. Art graduate Katrine Burkitt, a painter and video artist. I also had a solo show for the New Bedford Studios. I would say that our biggest accomplishments at OKO have been our music events, exposing young and local talents.”
How did you come about the idea of hosting small shows?
Hilary Burkitt: “After pairing up with my friend and housemate Aaron Alves, we worked to organize events that would benefit from the intimate setting that OKO provided. Lit mostly by streetlamps, local musicians filled the space with their acoustics and vocals, as friends and passerby’s quietly gathered and took the time to really listen. These events highlighting the original mission of OKO.”
What are your current plans with the space?
Hilary Burkitt: “Our current goal is to keep the space running with a few more art shows and music events, until the lease is up at the end of April. In order to sustain OKO, I’ve realized I need to team up with other artists and musicians to share the costs. I’m also looking to find a street-level location that is more suitable to the crowds that we were getting at our events. This will also provide us with a storefront and more visibility. I really want the space to be accessible to all people, particularly those that are handicapped or in wheelchairs, which is another downside to our 2nd floor location. We also plan to look for grants and funding for community-based projects like recording music with kids to keep them active and involved. It was an idea shared among some of the local musicians we met at OKO, and is still in the planning stages. We are exploring our options and hope something begins to blossom soon.”
What are the benefits of owning OKO?
Kazimierz Proszynski
Hilary Burkitt: “One of the most beneficial things for me in having the space is the opportunity to organize monthly art critiques with a small groups of photographers. It’s been really encouraging and I plan to continue with more meetings and groups like these at the space in coming months.”
The name of the art space is derived from the Polish word “oko” which means “eye”. Hilary chose this name to honor her great-grandfather, Kazimierz Proszynski, who was also a photographer. He named his popular camera/projector that he developed in 1912 “oko”, as well as his film company.
OKO Arts is currently hibernating for the Winter of 2011-2012. It is open by appointment only. You can keep up-to-date on Oko Arts on their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/okoarts
Some significant Art shows: First Solo Exhibit of works by Phillip J. Mellen, Solo Exhibit for Cape Cod Printmaker Ann Guiliani, Oko Kids Fair and Zine release for 9 year old Malcom X. Monteiro, New Bedford Open Studios, OKO Art & Flea Market.
Other artists frequently shown at OKO: Andy Anello, Jose Falconi, Vincent Martin, Tim Graham, Works by Nick Ferreira and Kerry Cardoza of Amigos publishing.
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New Bedford Lifeguard Training Program
The City of New Bedford Parks Recreation & Beaches has announced it will offer a lifeguard training program in partnership with the Friends of Fall River Heritage State Park and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
The program will train participants in American Red Cross lifeguarding, first aid, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for the professional lifeguard, and automatic external defibrillation (AED). The program will consist of in-class lessons as well as water-based training. Classroom hours will be held at New Bedford’s Fort Taber Community Center and pool hours will be held at the New Bedford High School pool.
All youth must be 15 years of age or older prior to April 15, 2012 to participate in the lifeguard training. There is a $225 registration fee to participate. A pre-requisite swim test will be held on Sunday, March 4th at 12:30pm at the New Bedford High School pool. This swim test will test participant’s endurance, strength and ability to swim underwater. Upon successfully completing the pre-requisite swim test, participants will be invited to register for the training program.
Lifeguard Training Program Schedule
Classroom Sessions/Pool Sessions
March 4 (pre-requisite swim test)
March 10/March 11
March 17/March 18
March 24/March 25
March 31/April 1
April 14/April 15
*All sessions are 12:30pm-3:30pm
For more information, please contact the City of New Bedford Parks, Recreation & Beaches at (508) 961-3015.
Ring in the Year of the Dragon
by Marilyn Watts
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
January 23rd, 2012 rings in the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese New Year. This is the most important of Chinese holidays celebrated by more than a billion people worldwide. The festivities begin on the new moon and last 15 days culminating with the Lantern Festival on the full moon.
Before the arrival of the Chinese New Year, homes are thoroughly cleaned to sweep away ill fortune and welcome good luck. Families will gather on New Year’s Eve to begin the celebration with sumptuous feasts and greet the year with fireworks at midnight. It is also customary to open all doors and windows at midnight to let out any bad spirits left over from the previous year.
In the days that follow, there are festive dance parades and children receive money in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which, according to legend, can drive away bad luck. Food is symbolic also, and in the first five days long noodles are eaten to symbolize long life. On the 15th day, round dumplings shaped like full moons are shared as a sign of family unity and perfection. Oranges and tangerines are also featured as symbols of abundance and happiness.
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha called all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve animals came and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that people born in each animal year would have some of that animal’s personality. The Chinese believe that the animal that rules the year you were born will influence your life. Dragon years are greeted with some trepidation and generally thought to be exciting but unpredictable. The dragon is a symbol of big things to come.
Those born under the sign of the dragon are thought to be colorful and confident. They are innovative, brave and passionate. Some famous people born under the Year of the Dragon are Joan of Arc, John Lennon, Sandra Bullock, Salvador Dali and Mr. Rogers.
Locally, for those of you wanting to celebrate Chinese New Year, head to Chinatown in Boston on Sunday, January 29th from 11am-5pm for the Chinese New Year Parade and enjoy the festivities and maybe some dim sum. Oh, and if you don’t know what to wear, I’d suggest something red!
The Buzzards Bay Coalition will present the first Buzzards Bay Film Festival (BBFF) on Sunday, November 11, 2012, at the Zeiterion Theater in New Bedford.
