Many know about the Hoover Dam – it’s one of our most famous landmarks and public works projects. Right on the border between Nevada and Arizona, on the Colorado River it sits funneling tons of water through itself, turning the rush of the river through its turbines into power for millions. One question you may be asking yourselves at this point though, is what does this huge amalgamation of steel and concrete on the other side of the nation has to do with Southeastern Massachusetts?

Well the short answer is, not much except for the new book written by one of UMass Dartmouth’s professors, Anthony Arrigo. The book called Imaging Hoover Dam: The Making of a Cultural Icon, currently available wherever books are sold, explores this iconic project through its images from well before it began through when it had completed and beyond. Including photos of the dam and its workers as the project progressed, as well as drawings of the dam the book in part explores the government’s use of these images as propaganda. Professor Arrigo explained to me though that it looks at more uses of these images than just as propaganda, “…from how farmers used it as promotional material through to how the dam was used for advertising everything from whiskey, to cars, to cigarettes.”

Don’t be fooled though, this book is for more than just academics and history buffs. According to Professor Arrigo, “I talk about American history and religion, and religious influences on how Americans have traditionally felt about nature. I also talk a lot about environmental issues and how the environment is represented both in photos and how people talked about and viewed the environment at the time…I talk about representations of women and minorities, I talk about American labor and how it was being squeezed out by machinery.”

Who knew that in exploring the history of the Hoover Dam one could stumble upon so many different, but important policy areas and arguments that are still being had to this day? And to think that Professor Arrigo stumbled upon this topic through chance, after all he told me that it was after someone remarking about the dam to him while on vacation that he decided to do some research and that the book organically grew out from that.

Professor Arrigo specializes in rhetoric with a focus on cultural themes and visual theory themes, and as such he wrote the book considering its applications for the still evolving field of visual rhetoric. And Professor Arrigo feels very confident about his book’s contribution to academia, stating that explores a history of the dam not many are familiar with in a new, unique, and compelling way.

As a political science student one of the aspects that most interested me was the propaganda aspect so when I asked Professor Arrigo to tell me more he told me, “The Bureau of Reclamation had professional photographers who would be sent out to photograph the dam, and then later the government would distribute them to newspapers, but in that process they would pick which items they wanted people to see and which they didn’t want people to see.”

Professor Arrigo then went on talking about how women were never photographed near machinery, and how photos documenting the various accidents at the dam were never released as some of the many examples of government censorship and the propagandistic purposes behind images taken of the dam.

All and all it sounded like a very interesting read, and I might consider picking it up myself, although if I do it’ll definitely be as a rental. Nonetheless I recommend that you check it out for yourself and see if it’s something you’re interested in.

While off to a rocky start with a bit of snow on Friday, the weekend will gradually improve in terms of temperature and precipitation. We’ll have a disparity of almost twenty degrees between Saturday and Sunday. With a high of 36 degrees on Saturday and a mixture of clouds and sun and a much warmer Sunday with a high of 55 degrees. That’s, like, t-shirt weather!

As always, click on the title for more or detailed information on the event. Most of the events were pulled from our event calendar where you can find hundreds of local area events each month. The event calendar is FREE, so if you are a local business, and not taking advantage of FREE publicity, shame on you! Are you a local business and want to sponsor this high traffic, weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. Have an event to add? Check out our tutorial. For more info, you can click on each title. Know of another event this weekend? Post a reply!

Friday, November 28th

Edaville: XMas Festival of Lights (2:00pm-9:00pm)
Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights is arguably the most-loved festival of its kind, having earned generations of loyal fans. Passengers relax comfortably in warm and dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. Kids of all ages will enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides and a visit with Santa in one of our indoor play areas. Stay for a delicious full meal or enjoy seasonal treats while roaming our sprawling and beautifully decorated grounds featuring thousands of Christmas displays. For more info and/or tickets, click on event title.

Sparkle! An outdoor family event (Bristol, R.I.) (6:00pm-8:00pm)
Festive fun for the entire family! Come, stroll through Blithewold’s illuminated gardens and Greenhouse, breathe in that crisp Christmas air, or join our carolers as they spread holiday cheer. Come, enjoy music, cocoa, and roasted marshmallows around a roaring bonfire in Blithewold’s Enclosed Garden. Carol singing begins at 6:30 p.m. around the bonfire. Hot Cocoa is free; S’mores kits will be available for $1. Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum 101 Ferry Road Bristol, R.I. 02809.

Painting with a Splash: Van Gogh City (7:00pm)
Welcome to Painting with a Splash Where you are the artist! Painting with a Splash is the newest addition to Historic Whaling City Downtown New Bedford. Bringing you an experience of art as entertainment. Add a little wine (BYOB) that will surely tap into your creative side. With step by step instruction and a little music, you and your friends will create the evenings featured painting with a splash of your own uniqueness. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Just a desire to have fun.

Saturday, November 29th

Small Business Saturday 
Numerous businesses in the region will be taking part by opening their locations that day to promote shopping local. List of businesses offering special sales, deals, and promotions: http://newbedfordchamber.com/shopsmall/

XMas Trees!!! Silverbrook ACUSHNET Country Store – Holiday pies, cakes and cookies (9:00am-4:00pm)
Get your fresh cut XMas tree today! Thinking of the holidays and don’t want to bake? Let the Pereira Bread Co. (a tasty little division of Silverbrook Farm) do the baking for you by ordering one of our famous pies, cakes and cookies. Silverbrook Country Store also has a wonderful and unique line of crafts including their popular candle/potpourri items and a great selection of handmade Amish items that truly make great gifts for any occasion.

28th Annual Christmas Bazaar (Westport) (9:00am-3:00pm)
Our Lady of Grace Parish Center: Winner-Every-Time Table, Elf’s Pot of Gold, 30 craft tables and more. Kitchen open all weekend. Pictures with Santa and Christmas music. FREE admission. 569 Sanford Road, Westport.

NB Voc-Tech Craft Fair (9:30am-4:00pm)
The 2014 Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School Annual Scholarship Craft Fair is on!!! The event is indoors and is rain or shine.

Holiday Open Studios (10:00am-5:00 pm)
Come home for the holidays with artisan handmade style and home decor. Leave the malls behind and come out for a ride to the calm of country back roads. It’s all about taking the time to live artfully and with attention! Add to your family traditions or start new ones with a harvest of handcrafted handwoven textiles from the Amy C. Lund Studio & Gallery in the historic Nonquit Grange at the Mill Pond Shops in Tiverton, R.I.

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas at the Newport Mansions (10:00am-5:00 pm)
The glitter of gold and the sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you tour three magnificent mansions decked out in Yuletide finery. Music, tours, and spectacular decorations highlight the celebration of Christmas at the Newport Mansions. For more information, click on event title.

Edaville: XMas Festival of Lights (2:00pm-9:00pm)
Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights is arguably the most-loved festival of its kind, having earned generations of loyal fans. Passengers relax comfortably in warm and dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. Kids of all ages will enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides and a visit with Santa in one of our indoor play areas. Stay for a delicious full meal or enjoy seasonal treats while roaming our sprawling and beautifully decorated grounds featuring thousands of Christmas displays. For more info and/or tickets, click on event title.

Painting with a Splash: Candle (8+), Cat On Fence, Orange Sky Lighthouse, & Moonrise (12:30pm, 3:00pm & 7:00pm)
Welcome to Painting with a Splash Where you are the artist! Painting with a Splash is the newest addition to Historic Whaling City Downtown New Bedford. Bringing you an experience of art as entertainment. Add a little wine (BYOB) that will surely tap into your creative side. With step by step instruction and a little music, you and your friends will create the evenings featured painting with a splash of your own uniqueness. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Just a desire to have fun.

Darlene Love – Love for the Holidays at the “Z” (8:00pm)
Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer, Darlene Love will rock The Z with her rendition of Christmas classics, along with her #1 hits and more. From backup singer, to girl-group diva and now a superstar vocalist, Love is at the top of her career. She starred in the Oscar®-winning documentary, “20 Feet from Stardom” and made all of Hollywood stand with applause after she burst into song while accepting her award. Read the NBG exclusive interview here.

Sunday, November 30th

28th Annual Christmas Bazaar (Westport) (9:00am-1:00pm)
Our Lady of Grace Parish Center: Winner-Every-Time Table, Elf’s Pot of Gold, 30 craft tables and more. Kitchen open all weekend. Pictures with Santa and Christmas music. FREE admission. 569 Sanford Road, Westport.

XMas Trees!!! Silverbrook ACUSHNET Country Store – Holiday pies, cakes and cookies (9:00am-4:00pm)
Get your fresh cut XMas tree today! Thinking of the holidays and don’t want to bake? Let the Pereira Bread Co. (a tasty little division of Silverbrook Farm) do the baking for you by ordering one of our famous pies, cakes and cookies. Silverbrook Country Store also has a wonderful and unique line of crafts including their popular candle/potpourri items and a great selection of handmade Amish items that truly make great gifts for any occasion.

NB Voc-Tech Craft Fair (9:30am-3:00pm)
The 2014 Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School Annual Scholarship Craft Fair is on!!! The event is indoors and is rain or shine.

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas at the Newport Mansions (10:00am-5:00 pm)
The glitter of gold and the sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you tour three magnificent mansions decked out in Yuletide finery. Music, tours, and spectacular decorations highlight the celebration of Christmas at the Newport Mansions. For more information, click on event title.

Painting with a Splash: Sunflower (12:00pm)
Welcome to Painting with a Splash Where you are the artist! Painting with a Splash is the newest addition to Historic Whaling City Downtown New Bedford. Bringing you an experience of art as entertainment. Add a little wine (BYOB) that will surely tap into your creative side. With step by step instruction and a little music, you and your friends will create the evenings featured painting with a splash of your own uniqueness. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Just a desire to have fun.

Edaville: XMas Festival of Lights & Polar Express Train Ride (2:00pm-9:00pm)
Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights is arguably the most-loved festival of its kind, having earned generations of loyal fans. Passengers relax comfortably in warm and dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. Kids of all ages will enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides and a visit with Santa in one of our indoor play areas. Stay for a delicious full meal or enjoy seasonal treats while roaming our sprawling and beautifully decorated grounds featuring thousands of Christmas displays.

Polar Express is inspired by the run-away hit movie! This holiday favorite comes to life as you and your family take a ride on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families are sure to enjoy their trip to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate and cookies served on board the train. Passengers will then be entertained by a reading of THE POLAR EXPRESS. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa will greet the children and each child will receive their own sleigh bell, just like in the movie, to those who BELIEVE.

NBSO A Thanksgiving Musical Feast (8:00 pm)
Handel’s grand oratorio, Messiah, is one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in the world. This year the NBSO has added a few twists to its South Coast tradition of performing Messiah over Thanksgiving weekend: Johann Sebastian Bach’s glorious Gloria in excelsis Deo, the majestic “Amen” from part three of Messiah, and all the ease and convenience of your favorite concert location, the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center! With guest artists Sonja Tengblad, soprano; Deborah Rentz-Moore, alto; Matthew Anderson, tenor; Andrew Garland, bass; and singers from several regional choruses.

Want to sponsor this weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details.

Here in New England and especially Massachusetts we have a closer relationship to the holiday than most others do.

As a kid I didn’t particularly like Thanksgiving. I was a picky eater, so naturally I hated almost everything put in front of me, and the only part of it I remember really enjoying was the time I got to spend with my older cousin. As I got older it just got better, especially after I went off to college for the first time. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that, plus after eating nothing but food prepared by the university’s dining services it was heavenly to taste something different and better for a change.

Now Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, due to the excitement of Christmas fading as I became older. Whereas it used to be I couldn’t wait to get my presents, now I can’t wait to get that delicious grub my dad makes.

Here in New England and especially Massachusetts, we have a closer relationship to the holiday than most others do. When people think of Thanksgiving their minds typically go to Plymouth Rock and the pilgrims who landed there as the prime example of the first Thanksgiving. It’s an integral part of both our history and our culture.

That’s why I get so puzzled when I hear about stores opening on Thanksgiving, and people missing out on dinner because they have to work or even worse because they decided to line up for “outrageously good” deals. It seems to me almost akin to something sacrilegious to have missed Thanksgiving with one’s family. As a frugal person I understand and appreciate the need and urge to find better deals on items, but to amass in giant hordes and trample others is confusing and surprising to me.

The deals one might find on Black Friday may not necessarily be that great either, depending on the item and location, so why do it? If it’s saving money, well-ordering on the internet from home will save you gas, time, and the trouble of the crowds plus there are about as many great deals to be found there as in reality. The only good reason I could think to physically go to these stores is perhaps to try clothing items on, or perhaps to be assured that what you’re buying is “as advertised”. As to businesses keeping open I can at least understand that, as repugnant and displeasing as I find it, they want to make money and this event is a way for them to do so.

People often underestimate or forget the importance of Thanksgiving, reducing it to little more than a speed bump between Halloween and Christmas. Although when the media hypes Christmas season sales as a key predictor of how our economy is doing, and with Christmas themed advertising seemingly starting earlier and earlier it’s easy to see why people forget Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving though, in my opinion, is a day to be grateful for what you have and to share a good meal alongside those closest to you.

So try to enjoy it and the long weekend that follows this year. There are a lot of historic sites in this region which could make for a particularly interesting day trip like Plymouth Rock which I mentioned earlier, and at the least, this time of year opens a good opportunity to educate yourselves and your children about the history of the state we call home.

To us citizens of southeastern Massachusetts, drone strikes couldn’t be farther from our minds and who could really blame us? It’s rare that I see an article on CNN or USAToday or a piece on the nightly news talking about drones. Usually we only see these stories when they involve either a horrible tragedy for our soldiers or the civilians of the foreign nation we’re conducting the strikes in, or alternatively when we hit an important target.

However those who work on the UMass Drone Database, or the Center for the Study of Targeted Killing as it’s now known, see these stories every day. I myself worked on the project last year as my Federal Work Study job. Even now I can remember the numerous hours spent scanning news articles, some from sites I knew like CNN, but most were from obscure news sites I’d never heard of based overseas in the very countries these strikes were happening in. And I would do this, recording information, and later editing the entries written by my peers for attack after attack.

At first I remember being surprised at how many drone strikes were conducted in so many countries, but the more I really thought about it the more the surprise wore off. With this work, even when there were articles about civilians being hit, it was hard to be invested, simply because after a while it all becomes just numbers on a screen. Only now as I look back on my experience can I see how wrong that perception is.

According to their website, which if the subject piques your interest you can access here: http://www.targetedkilling.org/, the objective of the project is to, “document all cases of cross-border incidents including targeted killings, capture operations, and other forms of aggression committed by states against non-state actors that occur outside of armed conflicts.”

Since its creation the site has been the subject of several articles as well as books, and it has been cited by countless others. According to Avery Plaw, one of the UMass Dartmouth political science professors who founded and remains involved in the project, “I was just at Boston College giving a talk this past week and the hosts were saying that they really think the database is by far the strongest, because it’s the most comprehensive and rigorous than other data sources.”

And of course, if you bother to take a look at the site you’ll see that this is no lie. Not only does it provide a full numerical summary of all the data, but also a written summary of the event pulling information from news sources which are also listed. It’s very precise and I remember being instructed by Carlos Colon, a UMass Dartmouth undergraduate student and one of the key members of the project, about the intricacies of how to record data. Everything had to be just so, listing targets as suspected militants, civilians, or unknown depending on what the news article said.

The use of drones is one of the most important policy issues facing our nation today, and though we are far from where these tools are being used there is interesting work being done at UMass Dartmouth involving them. I know my views today have been formed as a result of my work with the database, and I think that all the founders of the site deserve credit for bringing light to an area most people would like to forget about and leave alone.

After a bitter Friday morning with temperatures as low as 18 degrees, we’ll spend the rest of the weekend warming up. By Sunday afternoon we’ll have reached a balmy 51 degrees! The sun will be out through most of the weekend, and there won’t be any snow or rain. Cool weather is here to stay, so wipe the dust off of those Winter coats, thermals and stocking hats.

As always, click on the title for more or detailed information on the event. Most of the events were pulled from our event calendar where you can find hundreds of local area events each month. The event calendar is FREE, so if you are a local business, and not taking advantage of FREE publicity, shame on you! Are you a local business and want to sponsor this high traffic, weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. Have an event to add? Check out our tutorial. For more info, you can click on each title. Know of another event this weekend? Post a reply!

Friday, November 21st

Edaville: XMas Festival of Lights & Polar Express Train Ride (Military Appreciation Weekend) (2:00pm-9:00pm)
Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights is arguably the most-loved festival of its kind, having earned generations of loyal fans. Passengers relax comfortably in warm and dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. Kids of all ages will enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides and a visit with Santa in one of our indoor play areas. Stay for a delicious full meal or enjoy seasonal treats while roaming our sprawling and beautifully decorated grounds featuring thousands of Christmas displays.

Polar Express is inspired by the run-away hit movie! This holiday favorite comes to life as you and your family take a ride on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families are sure to enjoy their trip to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate and cookies served on board the train. Passengers will then be entertained by a reading of THE POLAR EXPRESS. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa will greet the children and each child will receive their own sleigh bell, just like in the movie, to those who BELIEVE.

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” Musical (For Alzheimer’s) (6:30pm)
ONE Theater Group is proud to announce its upcoming production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” The show is fun and entertaining for all ages, but it also serves a very important purpose – all of the proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. The show is being produced by ONE Theater Group, a newly formed company in Fairhaven with a vision of combining theater and philanthropy. For more info click on event title.

Painting with a Splash: Birch Tree & Cheers (7:00pm)
Welcome to Painting with a Splash Where you are the artist! Painting with a Splash is the newest addition to Historic Whaling City Downtown New Bedford. Bringing you an experience of art as entertainment. Add a little wine (BYOB) that will surely tap into your creative side. With step by step instruction and a little music, you and your friends will create the evenings featured painting with a splash of your own uniqueness. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Just a desire to have fun.

Saturday, November 22nd

Silverbrook ACUSHNET Country Store – Holiday pies, cakes and cookies (9:00am-4:00pm)
Thinking of the holidays and don’t want to bake? Let the Pereira Bread Co. (a tasty little division of Silverbrook Farm) do the baking for you by ordering one of our famous pies, cakes and cookies. Pick up date is Wednesday, November 26th from 12:00-6:00pm. To order call 774-263-8850 or email thesilverbrookfarm@gmail.com! Silverbrook Country Store also has a wonderful and unique line of crafts including their popular candle/potpourri items and a great selection of handmade Amish items that truly make great gifts for any occasion.

Gingerbread House Demonstration & Class (9:30am)
If you have always wanted to learn how to construct a gingerbread house or if you are looking to take your baking and decorating skills to the next level, you will have the opportunity to do so at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum during the Gingerbread House Demonstration. In this 1.5 hour class, Katherine Mullins will construct a house, sleigh and Santa as well as demonstrate techniques using royal icing and chocolate for “gluing.” Take home a booklet with dough, icing and cookie recipes and an assortment of patterns.

New Bedford Open Studios (10:00am-5:00 pm)
Celebrating 10 years with a weekend of arts, food and giving! Helen Granger will be one of the artists taking part. Events taking place at Hatch Street Studios, 88 Hatch St. and Ropeworks, 123 Sawyer St. For information visit www.newbedfordopenstudios.org. Hatch Street Studios and Ropeworks.

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas at the Newport Mansions (10:00am-5:00 pm)
The glitter of gold and the sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you tour three magnificent mansions decked out in Yuletide finery. Music, tours, and spectacular decorations highlight the celebration of Christmas at the Newport Mansions. For more information, click on event title.

Edaville: XMas Festival of Lights & Polar Express Train Ride (Military Appreciation Weekend) (2:00pm-9:00pm)
Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights is arguably the most-loved festival of its kind, having earned generations of loyal fans. Passengers relax comfortably in warm and dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. Kids of all ages will enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides and a visit with Santa in one of our indoor play areas. Stay for a delicious full meal or enjoy seasonal treats while roaming our sprawling and beautifully decorated grounds featuring thousands of Christmas displays.

Polar Express is inspired by the run-away hit movie! This holiday favorite comes to life as you and your family take a ride on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families are sure to enjoy their trip to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate and cookies served on board the train. Passengers will then be entertained by a reading of THE POLAR EXPRESS. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa will greet the children and each child will receive their own sleigh bell, just like in the movie, to those who BELIEVE.

Painting with a Splash: Dragonfly (15+) & 3 Glasses of Wine (3:00pm & 7:00pm)
Welcome to Painting with a Splash Where you are the artist! Painting with a Splash is the newest addition to Historic Whaling City Downtown New Bedford. Bringing you an experience of art as entertainment. Add a little wine (BYOB) that will surely tap into your creative side. With step by step instruction and a little music, you and your friends will create the evenings featured painting with a splash of your own uniqueness. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Just a desire to have fun.

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” Musical (For Alzheimer’s) (6:30pm)
ONE Theater Group is proud to announce its upcoming production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” The show is fun and entertaining for all ages, but it also serves a very important purpose – all of the proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. The show is being produced by ONE Theater Group, a newly formed company in Fairhaven with a vision of combining theater and philanthropy. For more info click on event title.

Bon Jovi Tribute Band and Comedian Pete Costello (7:30pm)
Still a fan of Bon Jovi? How about some laughs? Comedy and music join forces at the Skyroom to raise money for the Dartmouth School Music Association National Champion Marching Band and Indoor Team. National act, Bon Jovi tribute band “Living On A Bad Name” will headline with special guest, Boston comedian Pete Costello. 651 Orchard Street, New Bedford. Email: mjbcacabral@gmail.com.

Sunday, November 23rd

Lebanese food Festival & Craft Fair (Fall River) (9:00am-4:00pm)
Come and enjoy home made Lebanese foods and pastries. Eat in or take out available. Shop our local crafters for that special holiday gift. We have a limited number of name brand coats (irregulars) for sale at great prices. Come and enjoy Lebanese hospitality. Email: terrygalib@comcast.net. St. Anthony of the Desert 300 No. Eastern Ave. Fall River.

Silverbrook ACUSHNET Country Store – Holiday pies, cakes and cookies (9:00am-4:00pm)
Thinking of the holidays and don’t want to bake? Let the Pereira Bread Co. (a tasty little division of Silverbrook Farm) do the baking for you by ordering one of our famous pies, cakes and cookies. Pick up date is Wednesday, November 26th from 12:00-6:00pm. To order call 774-263-8850 or email thesilverbrookfarm@gmail.com! Silverbrook Country Store also has a wonderful and unique line of crafts including their popular candle/potpourri items and a great selection of handmade Amish items that truly make great gifts for any occasion.

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas at the Newport Mansions (10:00am-5:00 pm)
The glitter of gold and the sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you tour three magnificent mansions decked out in Yuletide finery. Music, tours, and spectacular decorations highlight the celebration of Christmas at the Newport Mansions. For more information, click on event title.

Painting with a Splash: SSunset Moon & Cabin In The Woods (11:00am & 6:00pm)
Welcome to Painting with a Splash Where you are the artist! Painting with a Splash is the newest addition to Historic Whaling City Downtown New Bedford. Bringing you an experience of art as entertainment. Add a little wine (BYOB) that will surely tap into your creative side. With step by step instruction and a little music, you and your friends will create the evenings featured painting with a splash of your own uniqueness. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Just a desire to have fun.

New Bedford Open Studios (11:00am-5:00 pm)
Celebrating 10 years with a weekend of arts, food and giving. Helen Granger will be one of the artists taking part. Events taking place at Hatch Street Studios, 88 Hatch St. and Ropeworks, 123 Sawyer St. For information visit www.newbedfordopenstudios.org. Hatch Street Studios and Ropeworks.

Edaville: XMas Festival of Lights & Polar Express Train Ride (Military Appreciation Weekend) (2:00pm-9:00pm)
Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights is arguably the most-loved festival of its kind, having earned generations of loyal fans. Passengers relax comfortably in warm and dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. Kids of all ages will enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides and a visit with Santa in one of our indoor play areas. Stay for a delicious full meal or enjoy seasonal treats while roaming our sprawling and beautifully decorated grounds featuring thousands of Christmas displays.

Polar Express is inspired by the run-away hit movie! This holiday favorite comes to life as you and your family take a ride on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families are sure to enjoy their trip to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate and cookies served on board the train. Passengers will then be entertained by a reading of THE POLAR EXPRESS. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa will greet the children and each child will receive their own sleigh bell, just like in the movie, to those who BELIEVE.

Want to sponsor this weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details.

This past week I sat down with Professor Lucas Mann, author of Class A: Baseball in the Middle of Everywhere and an upcoming book that should be out around May 12th of next year called Lord Fear: A Memoir. Professor Mann went to Dasser College in New York, where he played baseball for a brief period before becoming an English major, eventually going on to earn his MFA at the University of Iowa which is where the work on Class A began.

“The research process was really exhausting,” Mann said upon being asked about writing Class A, “I would go to this little town just an hour away from the university and I would just sort of drive and keep returning to this little town and keep showing up to these games, sitting in the bleachers and bugging people for interviews. And by the time I would be done, it would be so late at night that I had to ask people if I could crash on their couch, and it just felt like I was flying by the seat of my pants.”

When asked to summarize the book Mann said that, “I hope that it’s about people struggling to find meaning in their lives, which I think all books should be about, but also using baseball as a vehicle to talk about difficult economic conditions, difficult personal decisions, and how people can buy into an idea and try to find meaning through that.”

And this theme of people finding meaning through something as inconsequential as baseball is so important to the central point of his book that he reiterated it when talking about why this book would be appealing to an audience outside of baseball fans. It was surprising when he told me that ESPN and several sports writers had panned his book giving responses that it failed to capture the joy of baseball, but as he explained, “It wasn’t written purely for baseball people…the way people relate to baseball, and the way the characters in this book relate to baseball, you can substitute just about anything.”

This book as with all good media is meant to present identifiable characters and through their struggles allow the audience to relate with their own struggles. It creates a sense of comradery and even hope, for example that if these people could get through this difficult thing then so can I.

“What I hope that people care about is that they like the writing,” he said, “That they’re moved by it, and that there’s something resonant about finding your own humanity and emotions in someone else’s life rather than your own.”

Lord Fear however, is a much different book then Class A. In it Professor Mann explores the brief life of his troubled brother through the eyes and experiences of those who knew him.

“Originally the book looked really journalistic as more of a collection of interviews,” Mann said speaking about Lord Fear, “With this book I let it get weird and more novelistic. I rewrote interviews as third person scenes, all the while weaving my own story into these scenes.”

To aspiring writers he gives the following advice, “Embrace how difficult it is…whatever is, whether its nonfiction or fiction, you’re throwing yourself out into the unknown with everything you write and there isn’t a shortcut… the moment you are just like I want to know what happens and see where this will go. That is difficult, but it gives you the freedom that I think you need.”

As a writer I can’t agree more with these words. I know that whenever I write something for an article or a class, it is hard and I do sometimes have to push myself in order to get it done, although this lesson I learned the hard way. After reading the free chapter on the Barnes and Noble site though, I’m intrigued and next time I’m down at my local library I’ll probably be checking Class A out and I sincerely recommend you do the same both with Class A and Lord Fear.

Earlier this year I wrote about how I believe that the campus up here at UMass Dartmouth is better looking than most people give it credit for, but my opinion on that didn’t mean that there was no room for improvement. After all the food isn’t the best, and security has always been somewhat laughable even though I myself have never felt particularly unsafe here. I mention this because seemingly all semester long I’ve been seeing the results of many recent improvements by the university as well as hearing about their big Transform 2020 initiative.

One such improvement is a recent massive renovation of the university’s steam pipes, which had created a mountain of dirt in the middle of campus. In recent years the pipes, which are used to control the temperature inside the buildings, had been leaking and thus reducing their efficiency. Other projects include installing Wi-Fi and new security cameras in the dorm buildings as well as resurfacing the Elmwood dorm’s road and installing a nice fountain I now pass every day. The sight of the few flowers and the water bubbling over the rocks added a little extra something to my walk to and from classes.

In addition to these improvements UMass Dartmouth plans to initialize several other future renovations and goals as a part of the Transform 2020 project. Ultimately the university’s goal is to become recognized as a premier research university. Theoretically this could have both a lot of benefits, for example such prestige would attract more students to the area and both the college and the immediate area would certainly benefit economically. This sort of prestige may also attract higher quality professors and benefit the student body as a whole. Now in order to achieve this goal the university has a specific requirement to fulfill, namely awarding over 20 doctoral degrees (excluding professional practice degrees like an MD or a JD).

Of course the Transform 2020 project includes much more than just a more increased focus on research, although that is the primary focus of the plan. In addition to more research UMass Dartmouth plans to continue building, renovating, and in general improving the buildings and facilities on campus. Some of these improvements I’ve already mentioned, others include the renovation of classrooms and research labs as well as other various maintenance projects.

The university has planned this project meticulously through a Strategic Planning Committee, along with several work groups and task forces comprised of a mix of students, alumni, professors, and of course administration members. Additionally, UMass Dartmouth has already invested hundreds of thousands of dollars funded by donations, certain fees, and of course money from the state into this project and according to the university’s strategic plan that number is only going to increase as the project continues.

If everything continues as planned then Transform 2020 should be completed in about 6 years from now, however I remain hopefully skeptical about this due in part to its size and scope. I hope that everything will be completed in the exact amount of time that the administration has promised, but past experiences lead me to think that a few years down the line the project name will be changed to Transform 2024. Either way once it’s completed I’m sure that Dartmouth, the university, and many of the surrounding communities will benefit from this.

CEDC (Community Economic Development Center) is a non-profit, community development corporation. CEDC is affiliated with other community development centers across the state, yet the goals of each center may vary according to the needs around them, as each center works independently.

New Bedford’s CEDC office is located at 1285 Acushnet Avenue, and is currently entering its 18th year of operation. This center works with local communities to make positive changes and to revitalize neighborhoods through people-centered development. They also connect people with specific needs to existing resources or programs that would help them. If the resource does not already exist, CEDC will work to meet the need of the individual or family, although CEDC itself does have certain areas of expertise. These areas include economic development, English classes, and VITA (Volunteers in Tax Assistance).

Those at CEDC are knowledgeable about what is needed to get a small business going, which is a main part of their economic development program. They help explain the little details that have to be thought through in starting a business, the special requirements for certain businesses, what inspections may be needed, how to fill out paper work, and find available classes that are offered for starting businesses. They have experience in aiding the start of bakeries, restaurants, retail shops, minimarts, and some online businesses. They are also currently working on a program to bring broad band technology to businesses to help them with marketing, recordkeeping, social media, and website development.

English classes are also an important aspect of CEDC because of the number of people who have immigrated to New Bedford and do not know the language yet. These classes are a benefit those who are trying to learn the language for work, educational, and medical purposes.

Finally, there is VITA, which has been a huge benefit to the local community. VITA is a free program CEDC offers to low to moderate income residents who need help filing their taxes. Last tax season the volunteers for VITA helped fill out 1,500 tax returns, which reportedly poured 1.9 million dollars back into the community.

CEDC is also part of Bus Riders United whose goal is to improve public transportation in the SRTA (Southeastern Regional Transit Authority) area. They are working to restore bus services on Sundays and to get the busses directly to the New Bedford waterfront during working hours. People walking to or from work at night or early in the mornings are sometimes victims of violent crimes and assaults; busses that bring workers all the way to the waterfront would hopefully help cut down on these crimes. SRTA also recently began offering bus services at night for the first time in about 27 years. With the many people using these busses, the routes between New Bedford and Fall River have become overcrowded and they are looking into adding more busses to these routes.

Much of the other work that CEDC does is to act as a filler when existing services cannot fully meet a person’s need, especially when it comes to translation. CEDC has helped people who do not speak English fill out police reports. Often they will end up with expensive medical bills if they have been assaulted, and CEDC will either connect them to resources or talk to the hospitals on behalf of the victims. If a crime is investigated or an arrest has been made, CEDC can act as a liaison between the court and witness victim advocates to help with any language barriers. CEDC also links the victims with legal resources that may be in the area.

CEDC works a lot with the immigrant community, understanding the important role they have always played in New Bedford, and to an extent, the whole nation. Since the 1600s, when the English came here, wave after wave of immigrants have followed. It is part of the foundation that built this country and allowed it to thrive. For New Bedford specifically, during the whaling days, it was partly immigrants who brought much of the wealth into this city; it was the same during the height of the textile industry, and even now, there are many immigrant workers on New Bedford’s waterfront and in the fish houses, where a lot of the city’s economic strength still comes from. Many are hardworking individuals who are truly seeking a better life, but their rights are often abused. This is where CEDC will step in to help.

A newer project that they have begun working on is called The Great Neighborhoods. This is a replication of a similar project going on in Boston. The purpose is to bring in a wide range of people and organizations – business owners, those who live in the community, city departments – together to talk about what is going on in the neighborhood and how to change some existing issues.

In New Bedford, some concerns are basic, but important, such as how the neighborhood looks. So, beautification projects are put into place to plant more flowers or keep things cleaner by providing more waste receptacles. The more key issues are those that impact the quality of life, such as public safety. These issues can be taken care of by knowing where assaults and crimes are occurring, having better communication with the police departments, and increasing police presence to protect the neighborhood.

CEDC recently began a newer addition to The Great Neighborhoods project in New Bedford through trying to increasing the amount of public art. There is a new mural at the 7-Eleven on Coffin Ave. and another mural about AmeriCorps service on Deane St. and Acushnet Ave. CEDC is also trying to get vacant store fronts turned into public art galleries, and they are currently working on a photography exhibit highlighting the diverse immigrant community in New Bedford. (If anyone has photos they would like to submit, they can find out more information by emailing Siggy Melius at siggycdc@gmail.com.) CEDC would love to see these empty spaces fill up in the future with historical pictures of what either used to be in the store fronts or what Acushnet Avenue used to look like.

CEDC is supported by grants, private foundations, and state funding. They are participating in a new program that provides a 50 percent match for any donations over $1,000, in which a community investment tax credit could be claimed by those donating. CEDC hopes to bring more resources into the New Bedford community in order to be able to do more work. CEDC’s New Bedford location is run by Corinn Williams, the Executive Director, Brian Pastori, Deputy Director, Siggy Melius, Bus Riders United organizer, Ken Rapoza Small Business Specialist, and AmeriCorps members, Joselyn Feliciano and Sandra Belli.

After a bit of rain and snow on Friday, the sun will pop up for the rest of the weekend. However, it’ll be a bit coll with daytime temperatures in the low to mid 40s. Overnights will be chilly, dropping as low as 26 degrees on Saturday! It’s a great excuse to break out the winter clothes, if you haven’t already or better yet toss a log in the fireplace and pull that someone special close.

As always, click on the title for more or detailed information on the event. Most of the events were pulled from our event calendar where you can find hundreds of local area events each month. The event calendar is FREE, so if you are a local business, and not taking advantage of FREE publicity, shame on you! Are you a local business and want to sponsor this high traffic, weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. Have an event to add? Check out our tutorial. For more info, you can click on each title. Know of another event this weekend? Post a reply!

Friday, November 14th

Harp Soloist Eva MacFarlane at the SeaFire Grill (7-10pm)
Looking for some unique music with some amazing food and atmosphere? Head over to the SeaFire Grille on 72 N. Water Street in downtown New Bedford.

Painting with a Splash: First Snow & Van Gogh Field (7:00pm)
Welcome to Painting with a Splash Where you are the artist! Painting with a Splash is the newest addition to Historic Whaling City Downtown New Bedford. Bringing you an experience of art as entertainment. Add a little wine (BYOB) that will surely tap into your creative side. With step by step instruction and a little music, you and your friends will create the evenings featured painting with a splash of your own uniqueness. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Just a desire to have fun.

MAC: “Drinking Habits: A Farce in Two Acts” (Marion) (7:30pm)
Marion Art Center presents “Drinking Habits: A Farce in Two Acts” by Tom Smith. Tickets $12.50 members, $15 non-members. For information call (508) 748-1266 or visit www.marionartcenter.org. 80 Pleasant St.

FHSDC: “The Crucible” (Fairhaven) (8:00pm)
The FHS theatre company is proud to present their version of “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller. The Crucible is a story centering on the witch trials. They will premier their hard work tonight at 7:00pm. You can also get a chance to see the play Saturday at 7:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and $7 for children under 12. Fairhaven High School Performing Arts Center, 12 Huttleston Ave.

Saturday, November 15th

Saints Martha and Mary Christmas Bazaar (Lakeville) (8:00am-2:00pm)
Bring the whole family for a blast of Christmas cheer that will get your season in high gear. Great food, over 50 exciting raffles, all sorts of gifts, beautiful and unique crafts. Directly located on Route 18 and Route 105 across from the Assawompsett Pond. Phone: 508-947-2107. SSaints Martha and Mary Church, 354 Bedford Street, Lakeville.

Grace Episcopal Chursch 35th Annual Bittersweet Bazaar (11am – 2pm)
Head over to the Grace Episcopal Church, 133 School St (entrance on County) from 10am to 4pm for our 35th Annual Bazaar. They’ll have face painting for the kids, Grandma’s Attic and Better Bargains for deal shoppers, their famous luncheon (11am – 2p) with lobsta’ rolls, our Silent Auction, Kindle Raffle, Bake Sale, Chinese Auction and trivets and coasters with the an image of the church by local artist Arthur Moniz.

Silverbrook ACUSHNET Country Store – Holiday pies, cakes and cookies (9:00am-4:00pm)
Thinking of the holidays and don’t want to bake? Let the Pereira Bread Co. (a tasty little division of Silverbrook Farm) do the baking for you by ordering one of our famous pies, cakes and cookies. Pick up date is Wednesday, November 26th from 12:00-6:00pm. To order call 774-263-8850 or email thesilverbrookfarm@gmail.com! Silverbrook Country Store also has a wonderful and unique line of crafts including their popular candle/potpourri items and a great selection of handmade Amish items that truly make great gifts for any occasion.

Annual Lebanese Christmas Bazaar (9:00am-5:30pm)
Traditional Lebanese Foods and Pastries, games, crafts money raffle and more. All Saint’s School Gym, 115 Illinois St.

Painting with a Splash: Tropical Sunset (FAMILY!), Dragonfly (15+), & Van Gogh Field (12:30pm, 3:00pm & 7:00pm)
Welcome to Painting with a Splash Where you are the artist! Painting with a Splash is the newest addition to Historic Whaling City Downtown New Bedford. Bringing you an experience of art as entertainment. Add a little wine (BYOB) that will surely tap into your creative side. With step by step instruction and a little music, you and your friends will create the evenings featured painting with a splash of your own uniqueness. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Just a desire to have fun.

Ocean Explorium Explorer Zone Day (1:00pm-3:00pm)
Ocean Explorium Explorer Zone Days here at the Zoo are Nov 15 and Dec 13 from 1-3pm. Join us to learn a little more about the critters that call the ocean home!
Saturday Explorer Zone Themes November 15: Invertebrates!

New Bedford Symphony Orchestra: “Baroque Beauty” (Marion) (5:00pm)
New Bedford Symphony Orchestra: Baroque Beauty at the Gabriel Church, 124 Front St. Marion. $20, part of South Coast Chamber Music Series.

Martha Graham Dance Company at the “Z” (8:00 pm)
One of the oldest and most celebrated contemporary dance companies on the planet. Martha Graham Dance Company created and still embodies a timeless and uniquely American style that has influenced generations. Essential Graham brings to life Martha Graham’s revolutionary creative career with classic Graham selections as well as Echo, their latest and highly acclaimed piece. With this performance a pre-performance book club discussion of Martha Graham: A Dancer’s Life by Russell Freedman 6PM – Free and open to the public.

Sunday, November 16th

Annual Lebanese Christmas Bazaar (9:00am-1:00pm)
Traditional Lebanese Foods and Pastries, games, crafts money raffle and more. All Saint’s School Gym, 115 Illinois St.

Silverbrook ACUSHNET Country Store – Holiday pies, cakes and cookies (9:00am-4:00pm)
Thinking of the holidays and don’t want to bake? Let the Pereira Bread Co. (a tasty little division of Silverbrook Farm) do the baking for you by ordering one of our famous pies, cakes and cookies. Pick up date is Wednesday, November 26th from 12:00-6:00pm. To order call 774-263-8850 or email thesilverbrookfarm@gmail.com! Silverbrook Country Store also has a wonderful and unique line of crafts including their popular candle/potpourri items and a great selection of handmade Amish items that truly make great gifts for any occasion.

Painting with a Splash: Snowman (Kids & Family) (12:30pm)
Welcome to Painting with a Splash Where you are the artist! Painting with a Splash is the newest addition to Historic Whaling City Downtown New Bedford. Bringing you an experience of art as entertainment. Add a little wine (BYOB) that will surely tap into your creative side. With step by step instruction and a little music, you and your friends will create the evenings featured painting with a splash of your own uniqueness. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Just a desire to have fun.

SkippyJon Jones (2:00pm)
This delightful family production from Theaterworks USA brings to life the adventures of Skippyjon Jones, a little kitten with a very big imagination. After one extremely mischievous mishap, Skippyjon believes that his big ears are a sign that he is not in fact a kitten, but a Chihuahua! Daydreams become a vivid reality as Skippyjon imagines himself as the fearless Skippito Friskito, the greatest canine sword fighter in old Mexico. Watch as your child’s favorite picture book is turned into a joyous musical with Skippyjon Jones and the Los Chimichangos!

New Bedford Symphony Orchestra: “Baroque Beauty” (4:00pm)
New Bedford Symphony Orchestra: Baroque Beauty at the Grace Episcopal Church, 133 School St. New Bedford. $20, part of South Coast Chamber Music Series.

Want to sponsor this weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details.

How would it feel to have mouth watering, moist and delicious gourmet cupcakes brought right to your door for a special occasion? You can have a major event like a birthday, anniversary or corporate meeting, even a wedding…or that “major” event can simply be “I want cupcakes, before I hurt someone.”

Cupcakes are all the rage these days. Gone are the times when you had 3-4 flavors to choose from. Today there are literally hundreds to choose from and when you throw in the option of toppings and fillings, the variety is almost endless.

New Bedford based Sugar Bear Sweet Shop is a delivery based business that brings a variety of cupcakes to your doorstep. In addition to offering the classics like chocolate and yellow cake, there is Oreo, Pumpkin, Red Velvet, Orange Creamsicle, lemon raspberry, Heath Bar, Mochaccino and more. There are special flavors just for the holidays. There are even cookies: classic chocolate chip and Nutella chocolate chip. Mmmmmmmm nutella.

Owner and baker Jessica Charon’s passion for making these tasty creations started when she began baking with her mom at a young age for fun. Cupcake mania didn’t manifest itself until early 2012 when her vision for a local sweet shop came to her. She started baking, found she had a knack for it, and has been hooked ever since. She decided to make her love a part of her livelihood and opened a her own business zoned, residential kitchen.

Now her focus is to constantly improve, come up with new, interesting, unique flavor combinations, and top them off with simple, classic, and of course delicious garnishes. She’ll be baking cupcakes for the rest of her life and thankfully she is sharing with the community!

While she has her standard menu of cupcakes, she is constantly coming up with new varieties and original creations – all with the highest quality and freshest ingredients. In fact, if you are the creative type and think you have some original ideas, you can field them to her and see your idea(s) come to life!

How Sugar Bear Sweet Shop works is simple. Take a look at her menu and make your selections – there is a minimum order of $20. Place your order at least two days before you want them to arrive. Then sit back, relax….with the extra time you now have, you can twiddle your thumbs if you want.

You not only save a boatload of time, so you can focus on preparing other elements for your special occasion, but you can have confidence that you will have a household (or yard-full) of happy, happy guests. I can personally attest to destroying some of Sugar Bear’s Mochaccino and Red Velvet cupcakes in my day. Well, maybe more than some. OK, OK, a lot of them, geez.

My biggest pet peeve is a cupcake that is in essence a sponge topped with a sugar icing where flavor seems to be an afterthought. The sponge sucks every drop of moisture from your mouth and the sugary icing spikes my blood sugar into the stratosphere. The sugar hides either a poor quality cake or low level baking. Same with cupcakes that are trying to get a “Wow!” factor with its sheer, massive size.

With Sugar Bear it is quality. About freshness. About flavor profiles. Every cupcake I have eaten has been moist and rich. The icing clearly has the flavor profile in mind and the proper amount of sweetness from the sugar. The proverbial icing (and pun) on the cake is that they are gorgeously decorated. All these combine into Sugar Bear’s version of the “Wow!” factor. The sight, aroma and flavor and not the size and amount of sugar. These are the Rolls Royce of cupcakes!

Jessica chose New Bedford to base her business in spite of the fact that she has lived as far away as Los Angeles. She has returned to her roots, because she feels that the city she loves has a lot of potential and is striving to reach it. She is steeped deeply in the local community and helps out a number of local causes. From now to the end of the year she is running a promotion with local charities: 10% of Sugar Bear sales will be donated to New Bedford charities and people will be able to make additional donations through the Sugar Bear website.

What we have with Sugar Bear Sweet shop is a local whose passion for baking cupcakes and cookies translates into a benefit for foodies and those with a sweet tooth. The delivery option is a genuine convenience that is a practical element when planning major events that have many spinning parts. A relief actually! Take a load off and consider Jessica and Sugar Bear Sweet Shop.

For more reviews and testimonials, you can check out Sugar Bear’s perfect 5 stars out of 5 stars review on Facebook. However, there is no better way than to sample Jessica’s delicacies for yourself!

Sugar Bear Sweet Shop
Email: info@sugarbearsweetshop.com
Phone: (508) 322-1441
Delivery is available to New Bedford, Dartmouth, Acushnet, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion, and Rochester.

Facebook: facebook.com/sugarbearsweetshop
Website: sugarbearsweetshop.com/
Instagram: instagram.com/sugarbearsweetshop

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