The New Bedford municipal elections will be held on November 8th, 2011. A list of the candidates can be found here. New Bedford Guide does not endorse candidates and we offer our site for any candidate to publish articles. Articles can be submitted to info@newbedfordguide.com. Here is an article submitted by Denis Lawrence, Jr. who is running for City Council At-large. 

My name is Denis Lawrence, Jr. You have allowed me he honor and privilege to serve as YOUR Councillor At Large for the past fourteen years. This is a job that I don’t take lightly. Committing to the city of New Bedford as a public servant has long been instilled in me as a child. My grandparents settled in New Bedford, and committed to the city, establishing the Lawrence’s Greenhouses, on Hathaway Road. My father, a former City Councilor and State Representative, inspired me to seek the position of Councillor-At-Large.

People constantly ask me why I do it. Why do I continue serve the people of New Bedford? Why do I like being YOUR Councillor At Large? My answer is a simple one. I do what I do because it’s about families, community involvement, public safety, improving the quality of life for our people and bettering our city.

I have had the honor to continuously provide our homeowners with the lowest tax rate possible while at the same time supporting initiatives for businesses large and small, which has helped to create or retain over 4000 jobs for our residents. I have over my years of service secured $1.8 million in funding to place a water pumping station in the far north end that has led to finally increasing the water pressure for its residents. I have been fortunate enough to secure $260,000 to build the city’s first ever handicap accessible playground. I have secured $200,000 to purchase and install surveillance cameras in our city, adding to the ability to take back our streets. These cameras are making a difference in protecting our neighborhoods from crime and unwanted elements.

I have had the pleasure in sponsoring and securing additional tax breaks for our senior citizens, so that they can keep the homes they’ve worked a lifetime for. Over the years it has been a privilege to work with neighborhood associations to help better the areas they represent, increasing lighting, working for larger police presence when needed.

I have always believed myself to be a public servant and not a politician. Politicians are motivated by what is in it for them, and public servants are motivated by those he or she can help. This is why I do what I do; to serve the public. It is about creating opportunities for our children and grandchildren so that they too will want to stay in our city and as we are continuing together to make New Bedford a better place to work, live and raise a family in.

It has not been an easy process, but I can confidently say that the City of New Bedford has moved forward during my 14 years of service. Our business park is filled and our Downtown is revitalized. There is so much more to do; reinstate the neighborhood police program, work to keep our children in school, improve our neighborhoods and create additional jobs for our residents. I’m certain that, block-by-block and step-by-step, we will continue to point our city in a positive direction.

This is our city, we are its people, and it is what we make it. Over the next two years New Bedford will be faced with more challenges with a new mayor.  Now more than ever I feel we will need an experienced, reasonable and rational Councillor At Large representing you. I’m humbled that over the past 14 years you have recognized these qualities in me and I always keep this in mind with every vote I take.

This is why I do what I do. This is why I enjoy being your Public Servant. This is why I enjoy being Your Councillor-At-Large. In short, it’s about getting things done, it’s about moving New Bedford forward, and it’s about leadership making changes.

On Tuesday November 8th, I humbly as that you re-elect me, Denis Lawrence, Jr., as YOUR Councillor-At-Large.

The New Bedford municipal elections will be held on November 8th, 2011. A list of the candidates can be found here. New Bedford Guide does not endorse candidates and we offer our site for any candidate to publish articles. Articles can be submitted to info@newbedfordguide.com. Here is an interview and background piece on Jon Mitchell who is running for mayor. Learn more about him on his website and Facebook page.

I’ll admit, I knew little about Jon Mitchell before he decided to run for Mayor of New Bedford. He is best known for being a tough federal prosecutor, but I wanted to know more about the man who could be our next mayor. What are his ties to New Bedford? What kind of upbringing did he have? What are his views on a New Bedford casino, property taxes and other important issues that concern New Bedford residents? I wanted information that wasn’t common knowledge. Fortunately, Jon Mitchell was accessible for a full one-hour interview over coffee at the Celtic Coffee house in downtown New Bedford.

The first impression you get of Jon Mitchell is that he is a nice, approachable guy that puts you at ease with genuine qualities. A little research yields that his path up to this point is one of a husband, father, military man (both enlisted and officer), prosecutor and mayoral candidate. All of these experiences give voters some broad insight on how the man would lead the city over the next two years. To provide some refined knowledge about the man, I started with his family history and childhood.

Mitchell has roots in New Bedford and the the fishing industry that date back to his grandfather Alexander Mitchell, who was the only one of 18 children that immigrated to New Bedford.  He was lost at sea aboard the Anna C. Perry in the dangerously shallow waters off the Nantucket Shoals in 1952 along with an entire crew of six.  His name is enshrined at the world famous Seamen’s Bethel located on Johnny Cake Hill. This history is why Mitchell announced his run for mayor on the New Bedford wharf.

As the child of two school teachers, Jon gained a unique perspective into the world of teaching. I asked him what it was like growing up with two educators.

“It gave me some insight of what school teachers go through day-to-day, both the joys and the disappointments, and an understanding of the pressures teachers go through.” Mitchell explained. “I learned that if you are going to get ahead and do better than your parents you have to buckle down and hit the books.”

His father was a major influence on his educational path.

“My father always felt that the path to success is through education. I was the first of many grandchildren from my family to go to college.”

Before being a Harvard graduate, Mitchell went through the New Bedford and Dartmouth school systems. After asking about what he reads to stay current, it was clear that reading frequently is a ingrained into his fiber.

“I think it is important to read, to be a life-long learner and to be in a habit of learning. That is what I cultivate in my kids. I think I’m succeeding because they like to read. It’s not just for recreation and self-education. If you are a professional you need to read to improve yourself to broaden and deepen your view. People who don’t read have a tough time keeping up with the times.”

We talked about fixing the biggest issue facing the New Bedford school system today; the low graduation rate. A quick visit to the education plan on his website, reveals the ideas of home visits and graduation coaches. I asked him to explain the reasoning behind them.

“We need to get the school system to change their relationship and foster communication with parents. The idea of the home visit program is to get parents on the same page as teachers,” Mitchell explained. “Graduation coaches facilitate communication and ensure continuity from grade-to-grade, and facilitate early identification of at-risk kids. Studies show that kids hit a point around the 4^th grade when they are expected not to just learn to read, but to read to learn. They have to be self-starters and learn more independently. If they don’t, they inevitably fall behind as they approach middle school. Graduation coaches will help with this.”

It became obvious that he feels the government can only do so much and parents are a major part of a child’s education.

“The government, through the school system, can only take it so far. Parents need to step up at some point. Government can tear down the barriers, open up communication and get involved in homes, but government can only do so much.”

I brought up the fact that while New Bedford’s graduation rate has declined over the past three years to a dismal 53%, Fall River has increased their graduation rate over that same period.  These were similar cities with different results when it came to students dropping out. He agreed that we need to look at success stories and quickly pointed out the success of Brockton as a case study.

“Brockton has succeeded very well at reducing their drop-out rate with early literacy programs by focusing on the increased development of vocabulary with the focus on grammar at a very early age.”

Continuing the discussion on education, we talked about the role of the mayor.

“There is a role for the mayor to make the public realize education is important. Everyone needs to help, not just those with kids. We are all affected by a low drop-out rate. The mayor needs to be active in our school system. All of our efforts from public safety to economic development are tied to education. The mayor is in the best position to build a vision for education and get buy in across the board.”

He emphasized the importance of an education summit that involves parents, educators and all those with an investment in the New Bedford school system.

Regarding economic development and the finances of the city, Mitchell had some clear points on not relying on outside funds and how to improve the cities financial standing.

“The city needs to get its financial house in order for the long run.” Mitchel started off saying. “We rely too much on federal and state aid. We need to do more on growing our local tax base. We need to reduce overlap in city services and collect uncollected property taxes. There are $13 million in uncollected property taxes. The city needs to put more effort into collecting these taxes and It would fund itself.”

He also believes taxes are too high in New Bedford and a minority of non-paying property owners hurt the majority tax base.

“The vast majority of residents are paying their taxes on time and end up picking up the slack for the other 5%. To ensure tax fairness we need to put more resources into tax collection so others aren’t punished [with higher taxes]. We can also assist those that have trouble paying their taxes by putting them on a plan.”

I changed the subject to another important, yet hot topic in New Bedford and Massachusetts; the issue of a casino.  I researched the subject deeply and wanted to know as the potential chief executive of New Bedford, what were his thoughts on the subject. I asked him if he was for or against a casino in New Bedford.

“It depends on the proposal. If it is good for New Bedford I’ll support. The question is where do you look for guidance? The Atlantic City experience is something to look at as a fellow sea-side city, which really hasn’t been a success.  I’d want to see real job projections [for New Bedford residents].  I’d want to see real revenue projections [for the city]. It concerns me that in the current legislation that a Boston area casino will be created. The idea of a New Bedford casino is to bring people from Boston and the surrounding areas. People tend to gamble close to home. If there is one near Boston, one in Rhode Island and two mega-casinos in Connecticut, where are the people going to come from to gamble in a New Bedford casino?”

The conversation quickly turned to the protection of local business.

“Casinos by nature are designed to retain people, so you have to consider whether a casino will mesh well with the rest of the community. Traditionally, casinos haven’t been designed to integrate well with communities. A New Bedford casino would have to be designed differently than other casinos. You can’t have a set of [corporate] restaurants coming in and taking business from the rest of the city. Also, crime is an issue and a real risk. I know this as a former federal prosecutor. You can mitigate some of it, but not all of it. Also, what happens if congress legalizes internet gambling? If that happens people may just stay at home.”

I turned to the subject of absentee landlords, those that own property in New Bedford, but do little to maintain or improve their properties.

“The absentee landlord problem centers around landlords that own dozens of properties and are unwilling to put money into them. People are coming to New Bedford from Boston and Brockton for cheaper properties. This puts a strain on city resources to include the school system, police and firemen. The city needs to enforce the codes to ensure the properties don’t fall into disrepair.”

His solution?

“The city should put together a task force to include a police officer, fireman and code inspector to go out and start to aggressively enforce the existing codes. Also, some properties are beyond repair and need to be cleaned up. These single properties bring down the value of all the properties on that block.”

Moving on, I asked Mitchell about the Buttonwood Park Zoo expansion, which has become a hot topic in New Bedford over the past few years.  He is a board member of the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society and has some clear ideas on the subject.

“The zoo needs to change to remain viable. Attendance and revenue are dropping because the Zoo doesn’t have new exhibits. The zoo has to look at ways improve attendance by getting more charismatic animals. We have Ruthy and Emily, but these are the same attractions since my grandparents took me to the zoo. A minor expansion or compromise is needed. Generally, I agree with what Mayor Lang is proposing.”

Next, we talked about improving the city’s communication with the residents.

“We need to re-establish the tourism and marketing director position. Also, the city’s website contains a lot of good content, but is tough to navigate. I’d look at other cities that do it well and make our website user friendly.”

Finally, I asked who inspires him the most. With little thought, the answer seemed obvious to him.

“I gain a lot of inspiration from the World War II generation. People who went off to war after struggling through the Great Depression. They served the war, came back and made the most of their opportunities.  They built up businesses and started families.”

He shared a personal story with me.

“I was visiting the Taber Street Nursing home a few months ago while campaigning and I met a World War II veteran named John. I walked into his room and noticed he was on oxygen. He sat right up in bed. He was a big, burly guy who conveyed strength though he was sick. He sat up and shook my hand with a strong grip. The first thing he said was, “are you hear to get my vote?”  I replied, “As a matter of fact, I am.”

John passed away the shortly before the interview and it was obvious the meeting was a positive memory for Mitchell.

The interview concluded after an hour of discussion. I came away with a deeper understanding of Jon Mitchell’s background and his policies on important topics like education, the economy, Buttonwood Park and a possible casino in New Bedford. Hopefully, you’ve learned something new about the man who just may be our next mayor. Please take a moment to leave a comment!

New Bedford Guide doesn’t back any candidate for mayor or other public office. Interviews were offered to all mayoral candidates to include Tony Cabral and Linda Morad (during the previous election). The idea behind candidate interviews is to provide a unique perspective for New Bedford voters.  Read up or watch videos on all the candidates here and don’t forget to vote on November 8th!

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Do you have a special memory of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park? New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, and wants to collect stories from some of the many people who have strong connections to this historic place. The park is producing a video of one-minute stories about visitors, volunteers, employees, and anybody else who has had a special experience or story they’d like to tell about the park. There will one more drop in day on November 5, between 12 noon and 5 PM, to come to the visitor center at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford, to share a one-minute story.

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park invites the public to see the finished video on Saturday, November 12, when the park will hold a birthday party from 12 noon to 4:00 PM to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the creation of the park in 1996. The party will include music, a specially made birthday cake, storytelling, crafts and games. All attendees will receive a New Bedford Whaling NHP 15th anniversary commemorative coin. Admission is free for all events.

The New Bedford municipal elections will be held on November 8th, 2011. A list of the candidates can be found here. New Bedford Guide does not endorse candidates and we offer our site for any candidate to publish articles. Articles can be submitted to info@newbedfordguide.com. Here is an article submitted by Tony Cabral who is running for mayor. Learn more about him on his website and Facebook page.

My name is Tony Cabral, and I am running for Mayor of New Bedford, because I love our city.

I have been involved in this community for nearly forty years. For the past twenty years, I have been serving and fighting to bring new jobs and dollars to our city.

In the legislature I passed tax credits that help grow jobs in this city. I have met with corporate CEOs, business leaders, and developers to discuss expansion. Just last month I secured $2 million for a new market on Acushnet Avenue.

As Mayor, I will use my experience and contacts to grow jobs in New Bedford; to cut red tape, so new and existing employers can expand and grow jobs quickly. I will continue to fight for our fishermen and hold NOAA accountable. And I will pursue new, innovative industries – including green energy and marine science.

But we must remember that education is the DNA of economic development. I’ve been in the classroom, and I understand the challenges we face.

In the legislature, I supported education reform, brought additional funds to New Bedford, and fought to expand full day kindergarten.

As Mayor, I will reform our public schools.

I will identify best practices from successful schools and adapt them for New Bedford. I will focus new funds on reducing class size for grades K-3. And we will promote changes that engage students and keep them on the path to graduation.

I will also fight to improve public safety.

In the legislature, I wrote and led passage of the bill that helps our district attorney keep dangerous gun offenders off our streets, and I sponsored successful legislation that protects our kids from bullying.

As Mayor, I will reestablish community policing in our neighborhoods. I will work with our district attorney to clear more than 10,000 outstanding warrants in our city, and bring all our public safety agencies together to address the problems of guns, drugs, and gangs.

I also understand that our residents are struggling, and they need some help. That’s why I have introduced a plan to cut property taxes for 95% of New Bedford homeowners by introducing a residential property tax exemption. This exemption already exists in 13 Massachusetts communities, including Boston, Somerville, Everett, Chelsea, Somerset, and Malden. Congressman Mike Capuano, the former Mayor of Somerville, called the proposal, “a winner for every city.” I believe it will be a winner for New Bedford, encouraging home ownership in our city and offering tax relief to our residents.

New Bedford is a city of first-class residents, and I am running to be Mayor of all our people. I am absolutely convinced that our city is poised for a new era of prosperity, and I hope that you will join me in this campaign to build a better, stronger New Bedford.

Thank you, and I ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 8.

On November 8th, the residents of New Bedford will decide the next mayor, and the members of the City Council and School Committee.  A preview of the election can be found here.

Any time I vote, there are two quotes that come to mind:

“Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.” – James Garfield

“Should things go wrong at any time, the people will set them to rights by the peaceable exercise of their elective rights. ” – Thomas Jefferson

James Garfield’s words are spot on and I think Thomas Jefferson was a bit too optimistic. Too few Americans vote at a national level and the vast majority stay home during local elections. While U.S. citizens have the option to set things right, too many choose not to.

On October 4th, 2011 only 28% of those registered to vote in New Bedford showed up to the polls.  The numbers are expected to be similar for the final municipal elections held on November 8th.  This means roughly 1/4 of registered voters, or 15% of the residents will decide our city’s leadership for the next two years.

One of the easiest ways to increase voter turn-out is to get more people to vote by absentee ballot.  It’s simple, easy and ensures everyone, not just the military, is provided the opportunity to vote.  According the the City of New Bedford’s website, 12pm on November 7th is the last chance to file for an absentee ballot application. You can download the voting absentee ballot application here.  If you need a family member to request a form for you you can use this form.  If you have any questions contact the New Bedford Election Commission at (508) 979-1421.

There is no excuse for not voting on November 8th.  Show up to the vote, or request an absentee ballot to ensure your voice is heard.  Let’s not let a minority of our residents decide our future.

The New Bedford municipal elections will be held on November 8th, 2011.  A list of the candidates can be found here.   New Bedford Guide does not endorse candidates and we offer our site for any candidate to publish articles.  Articles can be submitted to info@newbedfordguide.com.  Here is an article submitted by the James Roy campaign.  James is running for Ward 5 City Council against incumbent Jane Gonsalves.  Learn more about him on his website and Facebook page.

James Roy is an aspiring lawyer, loyal husband, dedicated city servant, and part of a growing generation of young New Bedford residents who are stepping up to take an active role in the city’s continued renewal.

Despite a challenging upbringing in the city – marked by financial hardship, an often unstable home life, and the loss of his parents (Kathy Roy and Michael MacMullen)- James found direction and a sense of hope through a transformative experience at New Bedford High School. There, he immersed himself in the school’s award-winning music and theatre arts programs. The surrogate family he formed through the drama club and chorus gave him a sense of belonging and kept him off the streets.

Unfortunately, not having parents around or anyone in his family that attended college, James found it difficult navigating the college application/financial aid process. So, he went to work. In his late teens and early twenties, James manufactured circuit boards in a factory, audited orthopedic implants across the United States, managed restaurants, and sold air -time for our local radio stations. However, as time passed and James matured, his thirst for knowledge grew. He had questions; he craved answers, so he enrolled at Bristol Community College (BCC).

James received his associate’s degree from BCC and was awarded a full tuition, merit based scholarship to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMD). He then graduated number one in his class from UMD, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science. Currently, James is pursuing graduate studies at Roger Williams University School of Law. There, he has been recognized as a Leadership Scholar – a testament to his service in the community and his achievement. James will earn his Juris Doctorate in the Spring of 2012.

It was during his time at UMD that James realized his calling to public service. He was inspired by the brave patriots that founded our republic, the social movements of the 1960’s, and a generation once thought to be the most apathetic, unite to elect the first African American president. After receiving his undergraduate degree, James landed a great job working for the City of New Bedford. As the program director for the city’s Community Alcohol Prevention Program, James worked with a tight budget to successfully develop strategies to keep the youth of our community safe and healthy. There, he learned the power of community organizing and volunteerism and gained invaluable insight into New Bedford’s daunting problems and incredible potential.

James is active in the community: He serves his hometown through community service, leading by example in his work with organizations ranging from the Hunger Commission of Southeastern Massachusetts to Operation Clean Sweep. He sings with the Occasion Singers at fundraiser events like Relay for Life and is a member of the Little Theatre of Fall River. He is also a member of Roger William University’s Pro Bono Collaborative.

Today, James is proud to call Ward 5 home – a place where he has chosen to start a family with his wife Cynthia (herself a public school teacher). He continues to be an advocate for public education, youth empowerment, and the economic and environmental health of our city. Like our great city, James Roy has faced a number of challenges throughout his life. He has shown that he can persevere – and he believes that our city can as well. His wealth of experience, his youthful energy and creativity, and his passion for New Bedford and its people make him an ideal candidate for Ward 5 City Councilor.

James will move New Bedford forward by:

• Fostering a Climate that Attracts Businesses: The City Council sets the tone that investors listen to. In order to attract investors, increase our tax base, and create jobs, the Council must compliment the Economic Development Council, support aggressive job creation efforts like Tiff agreements, and foster a pro-business climate by being cooperative, professional, and reliable.
• UtilizingTechnology: Technology-like smart phone apps, text messaging, and a well-developed website, can bridge the divide between government and the people. For example, technology can be used to educate and inform the community regarding city matters (like the Buttonwood Park Zoo expansion) and get feedback from the community before voting. Additionally, technology should be utilized to expedite the repair of city sidewalks and streets and allow constituents to report problems and track the status of their request/inquiry.
• Promoting “Walkability:” Walkable neighborhoods offer enormous benefits to our health, our environment, our finances, and our community. Therefore, James will increase the number of crosswalks, repair damaged lights and sidewalks, construct foot paths and bike lanes, plant trees, create an official dog park, and push for community policing to create a safe, walkable ward.
• ActivatingtheCommunity: By activating and mobilizing the community to volunteer and get involved in issues that are meaningful and important to them James knows we can work within the city’s budget and do more with less. Moreover, fostering civic engagement creates a sustainable government and enables the residents of New Bedford to feel personally responsible for the success of our great city.

Please know, James has been working hard to connect with the residents of Ward 5 since he first announced plans to run for the New Bedford City Council seat. He’s thrown successful fundraisers, held meet and greets on AHA! in downtown New Bedford, and held coffee hours throughout the ward. Also, James’ door-to-door campaign is underway, as of late October he knocked on an estimated 4,000 doors. James intends to knock on every door in Ward 5 to share with residents his abilities, vision, and commitment to the City of New Bedford. Most importantly, however, he wants the people of Ward 5 to know they have a choice this election year; after all, his opponent has held the Ward 5 City Council seat for a very long time: nearly two decades.

Please check out votejamesroy.com to read more about ways James plans to move our city forward and to see campaign event photos. Also, don’t hesitate to email James at jamesmichaelroy@gmail.com with any questions. He would love to hear from you.

The New Bedford municipal elections will be held on November 8th, 2011.  A list of the candidates can be found here.   New Bedford Guide does not endorse candidates and we offer our site for any candidate to publish articles.  Articles can be submitted to info@newbedfordguide.com.  Here is an article submitted by Jon Mitchell who is running for mayor.  Learn more about him on his website and Facebook page.

Several months ago I decided to run for Mayor of New Bedford because I believed New Bedford is at a pivotal point. We can keep up the positive momentum we’ve built up over the past several years, or we can slip back and lose the progress we’ve worked hard to achieve. I don’t want us to slip back, and neither do you.

Here is what I offer as a candidate:

For almost ten years, I was a federal prosecutor, pursuing drug dealers, white collar criminals, and corporations that broke the rules.

I went after the polluters responsible for the Buzzards Bay Oil Spill, and I was the prosecutor on the team that hunted mobster Whitey Bulger. Over the years, I led teams of federal agents in many complicated investigations, including several right here in New Bedford. In all these cases, my job was to sort out complex problems, to exercise sound judgment, and to make decisions.

I believe New Bedford needs a Mayor with precisely those skills.

As Mayor, I will make to you the following commitments:

First, I will fight at every point to bring jobs to New Bedford. In my previous job, I sat across the table from corporate executives on multi-million dollar issues and fought successfully to reach agreements. I didn’t back down then, and I won’t back down as Mayor.

Second, I won’t rest until today’s deep, pervasive problems in our schools are a thing of the past.

As the son of two public school teachers, I want the children in our school system, including my own children, to receive an education that puts them on a path to success. To do that, we need to restore confidence and accountability throughout our school system, and it is long past the time for talking about our drop-out problem. We need to become much better at identifying at-risk kids at an early age and giving them the help they need to stay in school.

We won’t get far in growing our economy or improving our schools if we don’t have safe streets. No one wants to live or come to a place where they feel insecure. As someone who has spent a career in law enforcement, believe me: I am the last person the criminals want to see in the Mayor’s Office.

The citizens of New Bedford should know this: New Bedford means a great deal to me. This City is not only my home. It is where my roots are. My family’s story is the same story as thousands of others who worked hard in the mills and on fishing boats, sacrificed for their children, and helped make New Bedford the great place it is today.

This is where my wife Ann and I are raising our three girls. As a father, I want a future for my children where they hold good jobs and live happy, full lives right here in New Bedford. I am committed to being the kind of Mayor that makes that same future a reality for all the children of our City. To do it, I am going to need your help. That is why I am asking for your vote on November 8th.

Stay tuned for our interview with Jon Mitchell next week!

Herman Melville’s classic American tale, Moby-Dick, comes alive this Saturday, with a lecture and two walking tours at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. The lecture will start at 10am, and the walking tours will start at 1pm and 4pm.  The lecture will take place in the New Bedford Whaling National Park visitor center at 33 William Street, downtown New Bedford, and both tours will begin in the lobby.  Admission is free for all events.

“Demystifying Melville and Moby,” a talk by Irene Duprey-Gutierrez, will take place at the visitor center theater at 10:00 AM. Duprey-Gutierrez, who holds a doctorate in educational leadership, is a writer and retired English and journalism teacher.

The 1pm walking tour, offered by educator and park volunteer Diane Duprey, will follow Ishmael from his arrival in New Bedford until he takes the schooner to Nantucket where he signs on as a crew member on the “Pequod.”  Along the way the tour will visit sites that Ishmael visited and others similar to ones mentioned in Melville’s Moby Dick.

The 4pm walking tour, offered by park volunteer Peter Hacunda, will give visitors a sense of the New Bedford that Herman Melville would have seen and experienced during his time here in New Bedford.

Moby-Dick has become a part of popular culture throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, popping up in everything from a Led Zeppelin song to The Simpsons to Star Trek. There are many different adaptations of Moby-Dick in a variety of genres. This year, to mark the 160th anniversary of its publication, the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park all come together to celebrate the iconic tale of the great whale in art, on screen, in community and on stage. For more information on these events, go to www.zeiterion.org, www.whalingmusuem.org, and www.nps.gov/nebe.

The Ocean Explorium has installed a new Sea Scallop Touch Tank, part of the growing Living Laboratory of aquaria and live exhibits.

The Ocean Explorium’s newest exhibit allows visitors to actually hold a live scallop in their hand.  “People are drawn to life,” said Explorium Director Mark Smith.  “Zoos and aquariums have come to understand this natural inclination, and live exhibits are designed to allow the public as much access as can safely be permitted.”

“Sea Scallops are an important animal to the citizens of New Bedford. Now, they can see and even touch a live Sea Scallop,” Smith said.  “What a great way to learn about this fascinating animal.”

Dedicated to the memory of Ernest and Mary Dalzell, the tank houses several sea scallops, ranging in size from three inches in diameter to over seven inches in diameter.

Warren Gibbons, Exhibit Curator, installed the Sea Scallop exhibit with assistance from volunteer Greg Clear.  The new exhibit joins the Rocky Shore touch tank, opposite the Ray and Shark touch tank which opened in July.

The Ocean Explorium, located at 174 Union Street in Downtown New Bedford, is open Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, and is handicap accessible through the building’s rear entrance.

The J.Kelley Band wants YOU to come out and be an extra for their “Shake You” music video that will be shot in downtown New Bedford! There are several minor and extra rolls for the videos still open to include a “hot” mom, yoga girls, shake you dancers and of course extras for the bar scenes at The Candleworks Restaurant (Monday, 24 Oct, 2-10 PM), Rose alley Ale House (Wednesday, 26 Oct, 7-11 AM) and The Waterfront Grille (Wednesday, 26 Oct, 5-11:30 PM). The ultimate goal is to get 500,000+ view on YouTube.com, so join us and get your few minutes of fame!

The music video will be shot between the 24-26th of October and extras are needed for all three days.  Interested people should e-mail jkelleyband@gmail.com and like our fan page dedicated to the Music Video production: http://www.facebook.com/pages/JKelley-Shake-You-Music-Video-Extras/299290783420513. We will post updates and changes on that fan page!

The music video is written and produced by yours truly and directed by acclaimed director Jay Burke of Whaling City.  The story of the video is simple; boy meets beautiful, crazy girl, crazy girl chases boy around New Bedford with boy escaping crazy girl to play a concert on the waterfront of New Bedford. Full details of the video can be found here.

Extras Timeline

Extras are broken down into core extras (those willing to stay for long durations) and mass extras (those staying for large audience shots, but for short durations).  Extras will be need for the following days and times:

Monday, October 24th (Candleworks Restaurant – 72 N Water St # 4, New Bedford, MA)

Synopsis: extras will be at the bar and around the restaurant mingling. This is where J.Kelley meets Lauren. Some minor dialogue. Extras should dress like they are going to see live music at a nice bar/restaurant.

4:30-8:30 PM – Mass and Core Extras (Mass extras released at 6:30 PM)

6:30-8:30 PM – Core extras only

Tuesday, October 25^th (Rose Alley Ale House – 94 Front Street, New Bedford, MA)

Synopsis: extras will be at the bar and around the restaurant mingling. Extras should dress like they are going to see live music at a sports bar.

11:15 AM – 12:45 PM – Mass and Core Extras (Mass extras released at 12:45 PM)

12:45 – 2:45 PM – Core Extras only

Wednesday, October 26^th (Waterfront Grille – 36 Homers Wharf, New Bedford, MA)

Synopsis: extras will be at the bar and around the restaurant mingling. Extras should dress like they are going to see live music at an outdoor bar. Dress warm.

6-7:30 PM – Mass and Core Extras (Mass extras released at 7:30 PM)

7:30 PM – 10:30 PM – Core Extras only