Dr. Peter Capelotti, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Penn State Abington will present an illustrated lecture titled, “The Whaling Expedition of the Ulysses 1937–38,” on Thursday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cook Memorial Theater, New Bedford Whaling Museum.

Writer, editor and member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, Dr. Capelotti will relate a remarkable turning point in early 20th century whaling. In the spring of 1937, U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Quentin Robert Walsh received a special assignment aboard the whaling factory ship, Ulysses: to monitor the commercial operation’s compliance with international agreements protecting marine life. This extraordinary adventure in which Walsh played diplomat, international inspector and military policeman permitted him to witness an unprecedented slaughter of whales. His report became the most detailed account on the actual hunting and killing of pelagic whales.

The Ulysses flew the American flag, but Walsh quickly realized that the venture was a foreign affair intent on harvesting whales of illegal size and importing the resulting whale oil duty-free into the U.S. market. This behemoth floating “factory” killed with appalling efficiency in order to reap tremendous profits. Over 3,600 whales were butchered during the ship’s ten-month cruise.

Dr. Capelotti edited Lt. Walsh’s report and turned it into an extraordinary book, which was published in 2010. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

Dr. Capelotti is the third of 12 distinguished speakers scheduled through May 10 – part of the Whaling Museum’s three signature lecture series: the Sailors’ Series, Man and Whales, and the Old Dartmouth Lyceum. Held on Thursday evenings, all programs include a reception at 6:30 p.m. in the Jacobs Family Gallery followed by the lecture at 7:30 p.m. in the Cook Memorial Theater.

Admission: $15 members; $20 non-members. For tickets, call (508) 997-0046 Ext. 100.

Sailors’ Series presents noted individuals with lifelong commitments to sailing, boats, and the sea (March 22, April 12 and 19). Man and Whales examines our changing views of marine mammals with science-themed lectures by experts on whale conservation (March 1, 15 and 29). Old Dartmouth Lyceum focuses on historical themes in the fine and decorative arts by examining significant holdings in the Museum collection, including 19th century painting, ceramics and glassware (April 5 and 26, May 3 and 10).

Upcoming lectures:

• March 15 – Dr. Stephen Godfrey: “When Whales Walked the Earth: Fossil Whales and Olfactory Evolution”
• March 22 – Douglas Adkins: “Dorade; the History of an Ocean Racing Yacht.”
• March 29 – Capt. Stacy Pedrozo, USN, C.O., Naval Justice School, and Capt. Tom Fetherston, USN Retired, “Whose Homeland Security? Protecting Marine Mammals While Protecting National Security”
• April 5 – Stuart P. Feld, Hirschl & Adler Galleries: “Museum acquisitions during the tenure of Director and Curator Richard Kugler”
• April 12 – Capt. Sean S. Bercaw: “Full Sail into Cuba on the Amistad”
• April 19 – Rich Wilson: “Race France to France, Leave Antarctica to Starboard: An American in the Vendee Globe”
• April 26 – Kirk J. Nelson: “New Bedford Glass and Its Context”
• May 3 – Keith Kauppila: “Visual Culture of the Civil War Era”
• May 10 – Chris Gustin: “Finding Form”

The 2012 lecture series is presented by BayCoast Bank, and sponsored in part by C.E. Beckman, and Hampton Inn Fairhaven/New Bedford.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the world’s most comprehensive museum devoted to the global story of whales, whaling and the cultural history of the region. The cornerstone of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Museum is located at 18 Johnny Cake Hill in the heart of the city’s historic downtown. For events: www.whalingmuseum.org.

Mayor Jon Mitchell announced today that he will host the first of three public meetings to hear directly from parents, teachers and others who are concerned about the state of New Bedford’s public schools.

“At a time when our schools are facing serious challenges, a healthy public discussion about their condition is absolutely vital.  We all have a stake in what is happening in our schools, and so it is important right now for as many people as possible to have opportunities, like these meetings, to get engaged,” said Mayor Mitchell.

Mitchell added, “I encourage everyone to share their observations, concerns, as well as positive ideas for change. The only thing I ask of participants is that those who offer a criticism also pledge themselves to be part of a solution.  It can be big or small, easy or difficult, but each of us—whether parents, teachers, principals, or others in the community—needs to offer something constructive.”

The series of open community meetings will be held over the next several weeks at each of the three middle schools.  Each of the scheduled meetings will be held from 6:30-8:00 p.m.:

• Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at the Roosevelt Middle School, 119 Frederick Street
• Thursday, March 1, 2012 at the Keith Middle School, 225 Hathaway Boulevard
• Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at the Normandin Middle School, 81 Felton Street

Translators will be on hand to assist with the Spanish, Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole languages.  Parents unable to attend one of the meetings are encouraged to send their observations about and recommendations for our schools by email to Jon.Mitchell@newbedford-ma.gov or by regular mail to:

Mayor’s Office, Room 311, City Hall
133 William Street
New Bedford, MA 02740

The Schwartz Center for Children announced today its second annual Fishing For a Cause recreational tournament will feature a chance for registered anglers to win one million dollars. The center’s staff, volunteers and event organizers were joined by Mayor Jon Mitchell and State Senator Mark Montigny and community leaders at a press conference detailing the tournament, which will take place out of the port city of New Bedford, Massachusetts on the weekend of June 15-16, 2012, with the city’s Pope’s Island Marina serving as home base. Proceeds from the charity tournament will benefit the Schwartz Center for Children. Register online at www.fishing4acause.org; deadline is June 1, 2012.

The Fishing for a Cause tournament is open to all anglers on recreational fishing boats and fishing kayaks. Last year the tournament raised $55,232 for The Schwartz Center for Children in Dartmouth. Trophies and prizes will be awarded for anglers bringing in the highest weight total in the bluefish, striped bass, and fluke categories.  All registered anglers, over the age of 18, will be eligible to win a million dollar prize, provided by Odds On Promotions.  A complete list of rules can be found on the website. The tournament also features a Seaside Dinner on Friday evening and a Awards BBQ on Saturday; both take place under a tent at Pope’s Island.  The Seaside Dinner and Awards BBQ are open to the public with the purchase of a ticket.

Tournament organizers are seeking sponsors, supporters, volunteers and donations for the silent and live auction. Interested parties can contact the Fishing For A Cause organizers by email at ffac@schwartzcenter.org or by phone at (508) 996-3391 ext. 392.  More information can be found at www.schwartzcenter.org.

The Schwartz Center for Children is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.  The Center is Southeastern Massachusetts’ only independent, community-based provider of diagnostic, therapeutic, educational and social services to children and young adults with complex medical and developmental needs. Founded in 1947, the Schwartz Center for Children is a recognized leader in addressing the diverse needs of families dealing with wide range of special needs including autism spectrum disorders, and other sensory and social limitations.  The Center provides individualized support tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and family. The Schwartz Center is located at One Posa Place, Dartmouth, MA 02747.

Let me preface this review by noting an observation I have made when it comes to horror movies.  All people are scared by different things.  Some people find the psychological aspect of mankind most bone chilling, while others need the guts and gore to really be convinced.  As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of the horror genre, my favorites range from the grotesque Dawn of the Dead, to the classic works of Alfred Hitchcock.  That being said, I found The Woman in Black had me jumping quite a bit.

Set during Victorian England, the scenery is sufficiently somber throughout as we follow Aruther Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a windowed lawyer who is sent to a village to take care of sorting out the paperwork of a wealthy woman who recently passed away.  Needless to say, during his time there he begins to discover a deadly secret that has long plagued the village, whilst witnessing horrific supernatural occurrences.

The plot is fairly typical of a ghost movie; a terrible buried secret stirs up the vengeance of a scorned ghost who seeks redemption in taking her hostility out on the towns people (and most anyone with the misfortune of setting eyes upon her).  However, what made this movie exceptionally scary to me wasn’t the story, but the way it was filmed.  The dark, morbid setting kept audience members on the edge of their seats, and the pervasive silence through much of the film made people jump more than a few times.  This movie was masterful in taking its time to have things pop out at just the right moment, and artful in its skill at finding camera angles that left you feeling uncomfortable and anxious.  Needless to say, the film was rewarded by quite a few screams from members of the audience throughout the night.

I’m sure there are a few Harry Potter fans out there wondering how Daniel Radcliffe did with his first major role since the end of the epic Harry Potter series.  In my opinion, Radcliffe showed that he may just have the versatility to escape a life of typecast roles.  He believably fit into the time period, and seemed to take a “less is more” approach, filling the role of mourning husband and single father without bringing unneeded drama to the screen.  Since seeing the movie, friends have asked me, “was it hard not to think of him as Harry Potter?” I’m glad to say it was not.   This is mostly due to his side burns and the time period clothing that made him look more like an adult lawyer and less like a wizard boy wonder.  I also think it’s because Radcliffe effectively stepped into a different role very well, and nothing about Arthur Kipps charter could remind you of Harry Potter.

If you are a fan of the horror genre and have not gotten the chance to see The Woman in Black yet, I recommend you see it.  It’s opening night was Friday, February 3rd, so it’s still quite new in the box office.  But just as a warning, you may find yourself having trouble sleeping that night!

The Woman in Black Trailer

The City of New Bedford and the New Bedford Economic Development Council, today announced plans to host an open house to update the public on the results of the first phase of the Acushnet Avenue International Marketplace project.  The Acushnet Avenue International Marketplace project is an initiative to redesign a section of Acushnet Avenue from Coggeshall Street to Sawyer Street in Phase 1, in a way that enhances the vibrancy of this key business district.

As a result of community support, planning and public input, the Acushnet Avenue International Marketplace is moving forward.  The Open House will offer an opportunity for residents and business owners to see how their input, ideas and vision have been incorporated in the newly designed destination experience.

Join us on Wednesday, February 15^th at 6:30 pm at Cotali Mar Restaurant, 1178 Acushnet Avenue.  For more information, contact the City Planning Office at (508) 979-1488 or email anne.louro@newbedford-ma.gov.

If translation is needed, please RSVP to the Office of Community Services at 508-961-3136 by Monday, February 13^th.

Portuguese:  Se precisa dum tradutor, por favor de reservar com o Departamento de Serviços Comunitários ao número 508-961-3136 antes de Segunda-Feira, dia 13 de Fevereiro.

Spanish:  Si necesita un traductor, por favor de reservar con el Departamento de Servicios Comunitarios al numero 508-961-3136 antes de lunes, dia 13 de febrero.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, men around New Bedford will be squirming to satisfy their lady’s need to be loved on 14 February. There is a good chance that some men will forget Valentine’s Day and suffer the consequence of sleeping on the couch. Most men will make a feeble attempt at declaring their love by simply going through the motions by taking their lady out to dinner at the same tired places.

Guys, here are eight great date ideas to ensure your Valentine’s Day not only goes smoothly, but ensures your lady throws you into bed instead of the couch.

1. Carabiners Indoor Rock Climbing (website) – Rock climbing can be fun date. Since opening in 2004, Carabiners has been offering New Bedford residents a fun way to exercise. It also provides a great venue for an active date.

2. Ice Skating – Ice skating can be a fun, romantic time. The only problem is Hetland Ice Skating Rink in New Bedford (310 Hathaway Blvd, 508-999-9051) is only open to the public from 12:30 to 2:30pm on 14 February. If you are having a lunch date this may be the place for you.

3. Spend the day Downtown for AHA! – AHA! (Art • History • Architecture) is one of the best events each month in New Bedford, and this month’s “Ha Ha on AHA!” falls on Valentine’s Day. Their full schedule of events can be found at: http://ahanewbedford.org/calendar.html.

4. Visit a Museum or Art Gallery – New Bedford offers outstanding museums and galleries. Here are the places you should consider:

• Gallery X – 169 William Street – (508) 992-2675
• Artworks! – 384 Acushnet Avenue, (508) 984-1588 ‎
• Arthur Moniz Art Gallery – 22 William Street, (508) 997-8644 ‎
• Judith Klein Art Gallery – 752 A Purchase Street, (508) 965-7396 ‎
• New Bedford Museum of Glass – 61 Wamsutta Street, (508) 984-1666
• TL6 the Gallery – 100 William Street, (508) 992-8100
• UGLYgallery – 246 Union Street, (508) 264-5747
• Crowell’s Fine Art – 382 Acushnet Avenue, (508) 992-5231‎

5. Couples Massage – You can’t go wrong with a couples massage. The best location for a couple massage is Gloria and Company on 211 Alden Road in Fairhaven. It costs $160 per couple for 1 hour.

6. Wine Tasting at Crush Fine Wines – Enjoy a FREE wine tasting and discount on your wine orders at Crush Fine Wines on 801 Purchase Street! The “Battle of the Sexy’s” Wine Tasting is from 6-7:30 pm. You must be 21 years old to attend and RSVP at events@crushfinewine.com.

7. Chocolate Primer & Sampling at the New Bedford Whaling Museum – It’s no secret that women love chocolate, even more so on Valentine’s Day! The event is from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m at the Whaling Museum on 18 Johny Cake Hill. The free public event will feature talks by two chocolate historians and sampling of authentic colonial chocolate beverage recipes. Full details here.

8. Dinner at a Nice Restaurant – If you don’t have a reservation at one of these restaurant, you may be too late. These places offer some fine dining and the perfect atmosphere for your date.

• The Candleworks Restaurant – Outstanding atmosphere and quality food.
• Cork Wine and Tapas Bar – Romantic atmosphere and unique menu items.
• The Waterfront Grille – Outstanding atmosphere and quality food.
• Cafe Balena (24 North Water Street) – Romantic atmosphere
• The Pasta House (Fairhaven) – Outstanding atmosphere and quality food.
• The Urban Grille – 774 Purchase Street, New Bedford- Ken Richards will be playing live.

9. Charter a Private Scenic Air Tour – Guys trying to pull out all the stops can charter a scenic flight with Atlantic Aviation at the New Bedford Airport. The cost is $195/hour or $135 per 1/2 hour. They offer three tours:

• Route # 1. Newport Mansions – Newport Bridge
• Route # 2: Cape Cod Bridges – Woods Hole
• Route # 3. Gillette Stadium – Boston – Providence

Contact info: (508) 979-7878, (774) 226-5189 or (774) 226-6434 (Mobile) ‎

10. Make a Reservation at a Nice Hotel – Here is a list of excellent hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area:

• Fairfield Inn & Suites New Bedford
• Hampton Inn Fairhaven
• Davenport House Bed & Breakfast
• Orchard Street Manor
• Captain Haskell’s Octagon House
• Melville House Bed And Breakfast
• Wayfarer Bed & Breakfast
• Baggins End Guest House
• The Mattapoisett Inn
• Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast

Extra Credit: Order Your Netflix or Redbox Movie Early – Don’t be a buffoon and wait until the last minute to order a romantic movie. I recommend Shakespeare in Love, The Notebook, Moulin Rouge, Casablanca, Ghost or Sixteen Candles. Here is a good Top 50 list.

Plan your Valentine’s day early and take your date out somewhere special. It’s up to you whether Cupid’s arrow strikes your lady in the heart…or you in the groin.

Quite a few people recently asked me if I read the New York Times article, “How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body.” As a yoga instructor and practitioner, it was a tough article to ignore. In the wake of this article many people have written about its inaccuracy. Although it does give some over the top examples of yoga related injuries, it also brings up a good question: when is yoga harmful?

The article discussed various injuries that people suffered while doing yoga, but like all physical activities the risk of injury is real. In fact, walking into my living room is a risk when the light is off and if I forgot where I left my shoes (whoops). The point being, with mindfulness I won’t trip over my shoes. In a yoga class we ask students to be mindful; every day brings different thoughts, ideas, and even different levels of flexibility and strength.

In yoga philosophy, the term “ahimsa” means “non-violence” and is part of the 8-limbs of yoga in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Ahisma can be interpreted in many ways including non-violence to animals, the environment, others, and/or one’s self. You should bring the idea of not harming yourself into every one of your practices. Listening to the cues that your body is signaling to you is a way to keep yourself safe. While in a yoga class wanting to take the pose to the next level can be overwhelming, but with mindfulness and the thought of ahimsa you can take it to a place that can be a challenge, while at the same time keeping you from pain or injury. Looking inward and really defining your practice is a healthy way to keep you on your mat and advancing. Yoga is not just about getting into arm balances and crazy twists, but creating a healthy balance physically and mentally.

The most important part of a yoga class, for me, is to have a fun and safe practice. A yoga practice is something that is on going, so enjoy the journey and have fun. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Please join me for classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:45pm at Synergy Physical Therapy (17 Sarahs Way, Fairhaven), and for more details please check out www.southcoastyoga.net.

The Dock-u-mentaries film series continues Friday, February 17th at 7 PM with two silent films. The Sailor’s Sacrifice is a short (13 minute) romance drama by the Vitagraph Company shot in 1909 southern Maine. A sailor leaves his family to go to sea and is thought lost when his boat sinks. The family loses its home and the young woman has to dig clams with her dog Jean. Our evening feature is the ever popular Down to the Sea in Ships (83 minutes long). This whaling drama is most famous as the screen debut of Clara Bow. Besides that, it is also solid entertainment, offering both the best (documentary-like scenes of a whale being gutted) and the worst (some scenery-devouring histrionics) that silent film had to offer. Shot on location in New Bedford and New England in 1922, the intertitles are sprinkled with quotes from Moby Dick and other whaling books.

Dock-U-Mentaries is a co-production of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the Working Waterfront Festival. Films about the working waterfront will be 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.

On Sunday, February 12, from 1 – 4pm, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park will mark the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with a day of talks on the Stone Fleet, discussion of Melville’s poem on the Stone Fleet, and a special appearance by the park’s 1850s ladies. 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. The program is as follows:

1:00 PM – In December of 1861, the federal government purchased twenty-one New Bedford whaling ships with the purpose of sinking them and blockading Charleston and Savannah Harbors. The project, now known as the ―”Stone Fleet”, has been called a debacle and a failure. But was it truly a failure? Find out the full story when graduate student, librarian and former park ranger George Ripley V provides the details about this story that bring it to life.

2:00-3:00 PM – Dr. Mary K. Bercaw-Edwards will give a talk entitled, ―Herman Melville, the Stone Fleet, and the Judgment of History.‖ Dr. Mary K. Bercaw Edwards is an Associate Professor of English and Maritime Studies Faculty at the University of Connecticut. A Herman Melville scholar, she spends a great deal of time in New Bedford, where the Melville Society Archive is located. She also works at Mystic Seaport, where she spends her days climbing aloft on the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. In addition, she holds a Coast Guard captain’s license and has accumulated 58,000 miles at sea, all under sail.

3:00 -4:00 PM – Ruth and Abby, the 1850s ladies, will discuss the Lincoln-Douglass debates. Hear out what made these debates so important to our country over 150 years ago, and discover how these issues resonate with us to this today. Their presentation is a part of an entire schedule of events leading up to the stage performance of The Rivalry at the Zeiterion Theater, New Bedford, on Sunday, February 12 at 8:00 PM. The Rivalry is a riveting depiction of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, using dialogue from the original debate transcripts to bring to life the fierce competition between the future President and the incumbent Senator as they tackled the day’s most controversial issues. The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, The New Bedford Civil War Round Table, The Fort Tabor Military Museum, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick together commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War.

For more information on other Civil War related events, visit www.nps.gov/nebe or www.nbhistoricalsociety.org.

Have you ever wondered what the Seamen’s Bethel really is? Have you wondered why it was built to begin with? The Port Society, in conjunction with New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, is proud to announce special Seamen’s Bethel tours each Monday afternoon.

The tours start at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park visitor center, 33 William Street, downtown New Bedford, where, beginning promptly at 1:00pm, a Port Society volunteer will offer a guided tour of this historic and much-photographed New Bedford building. No tickets are required, and admission is free.

You can also read more about the Seamen’s Bethel here.