By Chantelle Pavao

Rochester, MA- On Saturday, November 2, 2013 from 11:00am-4:00pm “It’s All About the Animals”, a local 501c3 no-kill cat shelter, will be kicking off the holiday season with their 3rd annual Kitty Christmas Open House and Holiday Event. Along with the holiday cheer they will also be celebrating their newly obtained 501c3 non profit public charity status. Located at 103 Marion Road in Rochester MA, everyone is invited to attend this FREE event!

Bring the kids for hay rides, face painting and book signings with trilogy author Pat Perry and children’s author and illustrator Carla Marrero. Capt’n Dave from Island Time Pet Toys will be there to demonstrate his toy making skills and come listen to the unique sounds of Celtic music by Jay & Abbey Michaels “The Harper and the Minstrel” from 1-3pm. There will even be a special visit from Santa Claus.

You can also get some shopping done in the Kitty Christmas Closet which houses unique hand made gifts such as ornaments, jewelry, scarves and much more. There will also be a silent auction held. Hot cider and refreshments will be served along with tastings of butternut bisque soup samples from Matt’s Blackboard of Rochester.

Come and tour this unique shelter and visit with kittens and cats available for adoption. Applications for people interested in adoptions will also be accepted at that time. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the care of all the cats in the shelter.

About It’s All About The Animals
It’s All About The Animals, a no-kill cat shelter, was founded by Pam and Orion Robinson to give homeless adult cats and kittens an opportunity to receive the love, care and shelter they need until they find the loving homes they deserve. The shelter also serves as a means of rescuing adult cats and kittens from premature euthanasia. The shelter is free-roaming with access to a safe, enclosed outdoor area. They are a 501c3 non profit public charity and the shelter pays for it’s overhead through generous donations.

For more information, please visit www.itsallabouttheanimalsinc.com. To learn more about this event, please contact:

Pam Robinson, President and Founder
103 Marion Rd. Rochester MA
Phone: (508) 763-2035
ohnokitty1@gmail.com

New Bedford Guide is growing and expanding! We’re looking to start an on-going relationship with a company to do the printing for a variety of products; clothing apparel, mouse-pads, and coffee mugs, etc.

We are looking for a local company to do all the printing for the various Guides, i.e. New Bedford Guide, Fairhaven Guide, Dartmouth Guide, and for Rotten Scallop. In addition to paying for the services, we would be open to offering some barter for advertising space and even a share in the profits for the right folks. If you can think outside the box, want regular on-going business, and have a passion for printing, we’re interested!

Please contact us at info@newbedfordguide.com.

The weekend’s weather, can be described as a cool one. Friday will have a low close to freezing at 33 degrees. GULP. Otherwise we’ll experience temperatures in the mid to upper 50s. Some of you will have to break out the flannels, sweatshirts, and thermals! Of course, there are the die-hards who will wear shorts through December!

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, October 25th

The Bioneers Conference – Connecting for Change: Day 1 (8:30 am-9:00 p.m.)
The Bioneers Conference is a leading-edge forum where you can see tomorrow today: a future environment of hope. Social and scientific innovators focus on breakthrough solutions inspired by nature and human ingenuity. These visionaries are already creating the healthy, diverse, equitable and beautiful world we want to live in—our legacy for future generations and the web of life on which our lives depend.

A remarkable three days of live keynote presentations, afternoon workshops, a inclusive family program, an extensive Youth Initiative program, a downlink of the 24th Annual Bioneers Conference in California, an exhibition hall featuring sustainable businesses and organizations, a community action center, films, music, art installations, a farmers’ market and local & organic food.

Whales, Tales and Sails Story Hour (10:00 a.m.)
Moms, dads and caregivers seeking free, engaging activities for their young children should check out this event: the return of Whales, Tales and Sails, a free, one-hour story hour each Friday morning through October at 10:00 AM. The weekly event features professional storytellers Jackson Gillman and Karen Chace, and includes stories, fingerplay, songs, music, crafts and free play at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s Corson Maritime Learning Center. This activity is geared for children ages 0-5. The center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. This is the LAST Story Hour for the year!

Boo at the Zoo: Day 1 (6:00-9:00 p.m.)
There’s enough thrills and chills for everyone at Boo at the Zoo! Check out all the frights and sights this October! Join the Boo at the Zoo for an evening of Halloween fun! Rides are now included in the price. Climb aboard for a spoooooky train ride or take a bewitching carousel ride! Activities and slightly scary fun for all ages! Walk through the Witches’ Lair or go through the hay maze. Looking for something a little less merry and a little more scary? Dare to walk the Haunted Trail (Ages 12+)!

Saturday,October 26th

The Bioneers Conference – Connecting for Change: Day 2 (8:00 am-8:00 p.m.)
The Bioneers Conference is a leading-edge forum where you can see tomorrow today: a future environment of hope. Social and scientific innovators focus on breakthrough solutions inspired by nature and human ingenuity. These visionaries are already creating the healthy, diverse, equitable and beautiful world we want to live in—our legacy for future generations and the web of life on which our lives depend.

A remarkable three days of live keynote presentations, afternoon workshops, a inclusive family program, an extensive Youth Initiative program, a downlink of the 24th Annual Bioneers Conference in California, an exhibition hall featuring sustainable businesses and organizations, a community action center, films, music, art installations, a farmers’ market and local & organic food.

Silverbrook Farm Harvest Festival: Day 1 (Acushnet) (10:00 am)
Silverbrook Farm is proud to offer the 5th Annual Great Pumpkin Festival benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This event offers all of the great unlimited attractions of the Silverbrook Harvest Festival with the added events such as The Spunky The Clown Show, Trick or Treating, The Wacky Witch and even a Live Broadcast from FUN 107 FM! Miss New Bedford Jillian Zucco will be attending and making an appearance!

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). For more information, and how you can contribute, go to www.cff.org.

Families Around the Bay – Beach Exploration: “Beach Exploration” at East Beach (10:30-11:30 am)
Get your whole family exploring and learning in the outdoors during Families Around the Bay, a series of three free outings on Saturdays in October and November. Through fun games and hands-on activities, your whole family can learn about Buzzards Bay’s animals, plants and habitats. Recommended for families with elementary school-aged children. This event is free and reservations are required. For more information and to RSVP, contact Gracie Mullen-Thompson at mullen-thompson@savebuzzardsbay.org or (508) 999-6363 ext. 230.

“The Haunted Whale Ship” a family-friendly Halloween event! (10:00-2:00 pm)
Set sail on “The Haunted Whale Ship,” the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s family-friendly Halloween event, geared for children 12 and under and their parents on Saturday, October 26, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. See the century-old museum in a new (dim) light and meet ghosts from New Bedford’s seafaring past. The not-too scary fun includes a costume contest, haunted scavenger hunt, arts & crafts activities, spooky stories & tours, refreshments, and more!

Westport Rivers Hayrides (Middleboro, MA) (12:00 pm-4:30 pm)
Hayrides are back and taking place Saturdays noon-4:30 p.m. Ride time is approximately 30 minutes, weather permitting. $5 per person, children under two free. (508) 636-3423.

Halloween Carnival (3:00 pm-7:00 pm)
In the Halloween Spirit? Get your costume on and head to the family oriented Halloween Carnival with games & prizes, face painting, pumpkin decorating, a Spooky Walk, Zombies doing a musical number, costume parade and wandering ghouls and goblins! Pony rides and bouncey slide too!

Boo at the Zoo: Day 2 (6:00-9:00 p.m.)
There’s enough thrills and chills for everyone at Boo at the Zoo! Check out all the frights and sights this October! Join the Boo at the Zoo for an evening of Halloween fun! Rides are now included in the price. Climb aboard for a spoooooky train ride or take a bewitching carousel ride! Activities and slightly scary fun for all ages! Walk through the Witches’ Lair or go through the hay maze. Looking for something a little less merry and a little more scary? Dare to walk the Haunted Trail Ages 12+!

Sunday, October 27th

The Bioneers Conference – Connecting for Change: Day 3 (8:00 am-3:00 p.m.)
The Bioneers Conference is a leading-edge forum where you can see tomorrow today: a future environment of hope. Social and scientific innovators focus on breakthrough solutions inspired by nature and human ingenuity. These visionaries are already creating the healthy, diverse, equitable and beautiful world we want to live in—our legacy for future generations and the web of life on which our lives depend.

A remarkable three days of live keynote presentations, afternoon workshops, a inclusive family program, an extensive Youth Initiative program, a downlink of the 24th Annual Bioneers Conference in California, an exhibition hall featuring sustainable businesses and organizations, a community action center, films, music, art installations, a farmers’ market and local & organic food.

Silverbrook Farm Harvest Festival (Acushnet) (10:00 am)
Silverbrook Farm is proud to offer the 5th Annual Great Pumpkin Festival benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This event offers all of the great unlimited attractions of the Silverbrook Harvest Festival with the added events such as The Spunky The Clown Show, Trick or Treating, The Wacky Witch and even a Live Broadcast from FUN 107 FM! Miss New Bedford Jillian Zucco will be attending and making an appearance!

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). For more information, and how you can contribute, go to www.cff.org.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch (12:00-3:00 pm)
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is having its first pumpkin patch! Swing by and buy a pumpkin from through October 28th. Grown on Navajo tribal land near Farmington, N.M. Proceeds to benefit the Pumpkin Patch and Navajo Agricultural Products Industry and to sponsor Laetitia, a school girl in Rwanda. Sales sponsored by United Methodist Women. For more information, call (508) 993-0614 or click on event title.

Boo at the Zoo: Day 3 (6:00-9:00 p.m.)
There’s enough thrills and chills for everyone at Boo at the Zoo! Check out all the frights and sights this October! Join the Boo at the Zoo for an evening of Halloween fun! Rides are now included in the price. Climb aboard for a spoooooky train ride or take a bewitching carousel ride! Activities and slightly scary fun for all ages! Walk through the Witches’ Lair or go through the hay maze. Looking for something a little less merry and a little more scary? Dare to walk the Haunted Trail (Ages 12+)!

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

Whether you have little ones and are looking for a family friendly fall time celebration, or you are an adult looking for an excuse to dress up and party, Greater New Bedford has a lot going on.  Below is a list we’ve compiled of those events that have shared information with us about their upcoming festivities.  If we’ve missed something please share in the comments section below!

 Family Friendly Events:

1. The Haunted Whale Ship at the New Bedford Whaling Museum

This not-too-scary event takes place on Saturday October 26th from 4:30- 7:30 PM and is geared towards children 12 and under and their parents.  Participants will get to meet ghosts from seafaring history and join in on fun activities such as a costume contest, a haunted scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, refreshments and more!  Tickets are $3 for children twelve and under, and $5 for all others.

For more information, go to: http://www.newbedfordguide.com/the-haunted-whale-ship-a-family-friendly-halloween-event/2013/10/13

2. Halloween Hayride and Party at the Mattapoisett YMCA

This event takes place Friday October 25th at 6 PM and features a halloween hayride and family fun activities for kids of all ages!  Refreshments will be available and there will also be a costume contest.  Tickets are $5 per child.

For more information, go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/215182075324889/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

3. Audubon Halloween Family Spooktacular at Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary

This event takes place on Sunday October 20th from 2-4:00 PM and includes a kid-friendly spooky trail hike and special Halloween crafts and activities in the Stone Barn.  Costumes are encouraged!  Tickets are $10 for both children and adult Audubon Member, and $12 for others.

For more information, go to: http://www.massaudubon.org/catalog/listing.php?program_code=238-AP13FA1

4. Fall Fest at Journey Church

This family friendly event is geared towards both having fun and helping the needy!  On October 31st from 5-8:00 PM Journey Church in Fall River will feature games, candy giveaways, music, a bouncy house and a photobooth while gathering donations to help the homeless and needy in the area. For more information about the activities and the types of donations being requested go to: http://journeychurch.ma/fallfest/

5.  All Treats, No Tricks Downtown New Bedford

Trick-or-treating in Downtown New Bedford?  That’s right!  Parents can take their children to participating businesses in the Downtown area on October 26th between the hours of 11 AM and 2 PM for some trick-or-treating fun!

For more information and a list of participating businesses, go to: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=623377567698826&set=p.623377567698826&type=1&theater

 21+ Halloween Parties

1. Halloween Party at the American Legion in Fairhaven

Rock Kings and Caution will be teaming up to provide a night of dancing on October 19th, starting at 9 PM.  Costumes are highly encouraged and there is no cover charge!

For more information go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/521080354628463/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

2. CD Release Party for The Pourmen at The Inn on Shipyard Park

The Pourmen and special guests The O’Tooles will be performing at The Inn on Shipyard Park in Mattapoisett on October 25th, starting at 9 PM.

For more information, go to : https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=733764616650342&set=oa.640369815994449&type=1&theater

3. Silent Disco Halloween Party at Cork

On October 26th from 9 PM from 1:30 AM the upstairs level of Cork will be jamming with a Halloween themed Silent Disco dance party.  Silent Discos are an exciting new way of experiencing music; each participant is given a wireless headphone set that allows them to adjust the volume and choose between two DJed stations.  It should be said that Silent Discos ALWAYS result in dancing and good times.  Costumes are highly encouraged.  Tickets are $20.  If you enter the promo code “treatsNbeats” you will get $5 off your ticket! (limited availability).

For more information, go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/346450332167370/

4. The Great Pumpkin Beer Fest at Pour Farm Tavern

Pour Farm’s annual Great Pumpkin Beer fest is a wonderful time of year for both beer connoisseurs and Halloween lovers alike.  The festival will be held in Pour Farm and Wings Court on Sunday October 27th from 11 AM- 6:00 PM.  Festivities will include; live music by Viennagram starting at 5, Halloween costume contests, a pumpkin carving contest (come with your pumpkin already carved), a beard and mustache contest (proceeds go to charity) and of course pumpkin and fall beers will be featured!  In addition to all this, Plaga Zombie in America (the zombie film being filmed in New Bedford) will be present with raffles, prizes, chances to win role in the film, Zombie makeup painting and chance to meet the actors!

For more information go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/566465493400846/

5. Hollerween Ball at Gallery X

The Dancing Dogs and Kowalski will be performing live music at this halloween party/ fundraiser on October 26th from 9-11:00 PM.  There will be prizes for best costumes and light refreshments/ appetizers.  The suggested donation amount is $10.

For more information go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/1378146702424267

6.  Vampires Ball 2013 at Leplace

South Coast Equality will be presenting its annual Halloween party on Saturday October 26th from 9 PM to 2 AM at Leplace in New Bedford.  There will be a mini-show at 10 PM and a costume contest with a $100 prize!  The cover charge is $5.

For more information, go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/164050740467110/

7. Homeport Halloween Bash

Miller’s Homeport will be hosting it’s annual Halloween party on October 26th and they expect this to be the biggest one yet!  There will be costume contests, insane Halloween decorations, special Halloween cocktails, giveaways, a raffle and DJ JDubbs will be keeping the music going all night.

For more information, go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/178954602297804/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

 Other Events:

1. Halloween Dog Costume Parade

Pretty Paws Bakery is organizing a Dog Costume Parade on Saturday October 19th at 11 AM in Fairhaven.  Owners are encouraged to dress up as well!

For more information, go to: https://www.facebook.com/prettypawsbakery

2. Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Zeiterion

On October 31st at 10 PM you can view the Rocky Horror Picture Show film with a live “shadow cast” performance.  Dressing up is encouraged and props are allowed excluding open flames and food products.  Tickets are $15 and can be bought here: https://ticketing.zeiterion.org/public/daily_events_list.asp.

For more information go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/545631232173978/

 3. 20th Annual Rocky Horror Picture Show at UMass Dartmouth

This annual tradition is still going strong at UMass Dartmouth will be showing the audience participation film, Rocky Horror Picture show in the main auditorium.  The showings will be on October 31st at 8 PM, November 1st at 8 PM and November 2nd at 11:59 PM.  Dry props only!  Tickets are $10 for general admission, $7 for UMD faculty, staff and alumni, and $5 for current students.

For more information go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/216425165191400/?ref=3&ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

The weekend’s weather, can be described as pleasantly mild. Neither hot, nor cold. The largest chance for rain is 20% on Friday, but it will be almost 70 degrees. Another great weekend for activities.

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, October 18th

Whales, Tales and Sails Story Hour (10:00 a.m.)
Moms, dads and caregivers seeking free, engaging activities for their young children should check out this event: the return of Whales, Tales and Sails, a free, one-hour story hour each Friday morning through October at 10:00 AM. The weekly event features professional storytellers Jackson Gillman and Karen Chace, and includes stories, fingerplay, songs, music, crafts and free play at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s Corson Maritime Learning Center. This activity is geared for children ages 0-5. The center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford.

5th Annual Gleason Family YMCA Wine and Beer Tasting (Marion) (6:00-9:00 p.m.)
Entertainment includes Tarot Card and Tea Leaf Readers, music and more. Costumes are optional but encouraged. Tickets are $50 advance and $55 at the door. At Marion Music Hall. For information or tickets click on event title.

Boo at the Zoo (6:00-9:00 p.m.)
There’s enough thrills and chills for everyone at Boo at the Zoo! Check out all the frights and sights this October! Join the Boo at the Zoo for an evening of Halloween fun! Rides are now included in the price. Climb aboard for a spoooooky train ride or take a bewitching carousel ride! Activities and slightly scary fun for all ages! Walk through the Witches’ Lair or go through the hay maze. Looking for something a little less merry and a little more scary? Dare to walk the Haunted Trail (Ages 12+)!

Dock-U-Mentaries Film Series: “The Salt of the Sea” (POSTPONED) (7:00 p.m.)
When passion for fishing intersects with the power of politics, a century’s old way of life is at stake. Producer Tom Garber captures the unique personalities, politics, and dangers of groundfishing in New England in this 2012 documentary. Salt of the Sea provides a rare look at what happens when independent traditions clash with bureaucracy and corruption. For more detailed info, click on the event title. UPDATE: POSTPONED DUE TO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN!

Saturday,October 19th

New Bedford Whaling Museum’s 37th Whaling History Symposium (9:00-4:00 pm)
The New Bedford Whaling Museum is pleased to announce the program for its 37th Whaling History Symposium, to be held at the Museum on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20, 2013. The Whaling History Symposium, first established in 1975, brings scholars, collectors, armchair historians, and interested nautical enthusiasts to New Bedford from all over the country and abroad, to share interests in maritime history, nautical lore, and the many intriguing facets of whaling heritage worldwide. This time around, our own Home Port is the focus which, backed by sumptuous new exhibitions at the Museum, we find timely and compelling.

Silverbrook Farm Harvest Festival (Acushnet) (10:00 am)
Horse drawn & tractor rides, Mother Goose Story Time, Pumpkin Painting, Barrel Rides, Pony Rides, face painting, and a whole lot more! Every weekend through October! Saturday AND Sunday!

Westport Lions Ninth Annual Arts and Crafts Show: Day 1 (Westport) (10:00-4:00 pm)
Westport Lions sponsors its Ninth Annual Arts and Crafts Show. Door prizes, food, raffles and more among the numerous crafters and artisans showcasing their wares at the fair. Region: Westport. Phone: (508) 636-5426.

South Coast Slam: Freestyle Motorcycle Show (Fairhaven, MA) (10:00-2:00 pm)
Fan of motorcycles? This Saturday is the South Coast Slam, a motorcycle show to benefit the Salvation Army featuring riders from Northeast Chill and a special music performance by Christina Rivera. Children welcome! Admission $10 per person, includes a light lunch. For more information, call 508-997-6561.

King Richard’s Faire – Last Chance! (Carver) (10:30 am-6:00 am)
“Entertainment, exciting rides and skilled games abound on the enchanting 80-acre site of King Richard’s Faire. Hundreds of talented entertainers perform non-stop throughout the day. Visit any of our eight vibrant stages and be enthralled by acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, minstrels, dancers, fire eaters, puppeteers and exotic tigers. Enjoy our beautiful white lion and cute tiger cubs.” Runs through October 20th.

Westport Rivers Hayrides (Middleboro, MA) (12:00 pm-4:30 pm)
Hayrides are back and taking place Saturdays noon-4:30 p.m. Ride time is approximately 30 minutes, weather permitting. $5 per person, children under two free. (508) 636-3423.

Boo at the Zoo (6:00-9:00 p.m.)
There’s enough thrills and chills for everyone at Boo at the Zoo! Check out all the frights and sights this October! Join the Boo at the Zoo for an evening of Halloween fun! Rides are now included in the price. Climb aboard for a spoooooky train ride or take a bewitching carousel ride! Activities and slightly scary fun for all ages! Walk through the Witches’ Lair or go through the hay maze. Looking for something a little less merry and a little more scary? Dare to walk the Haunted Trail Ages 12+!

Sunday, October 20th

Silverbrook Farm Harvest Festival (Acushnet) (10:00 am)
Horse drawn & tractor rides, Mother Goose Story Time, Pumpkin Painting, Barrel Rides, Pony Rides, face painting, and a whole lot more! Every weekend through October! Saturday AND Sunday!

Westport Lions Ninth Annual Arts and Crafts Show: Day 2 (Westport) (10:00-4:00 pm)
Westport Lions sponsors its Ninth Annual Arts and Crafts Show. Door prizes, food, raffles and more among the numerous crafters and artisans showcasing their wares at the fair. Region: Westport. Phone: (508) 636-5426.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch (12:00-3:00 pm)
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is having its first pumpkin patch! Swing by and buy a pumpkin from through October 28th. Grown on Navajo tribal land near Farmington, N.M. Proceeds to benefit the Pumpkin Patch and Navajo Agricultural Products Industry and to sponsor Laetitia, a school girl in Rwanda. Sales sponsored by United Methodist Women. For more information, call (508) 993-0614 or click on event title.

Boo at the Zoo (6:00-9:00 p.m.)
There’s enough thrills and chills for everyone at Boo at the Zoo! Check out all the frights and sights this October! Join the Boo at the Zoo for an evening of Halloween fun! Rides are now included in the price. Climb aboard for a spoooooky train ride or take a bewitching carousel ride! Activities and slightly scary fun for all ages! Walk through the Witches’ Lair or go through the hay maze. Looking for something a little less merry and a little more scary? Dare to walk the Haunted Trail (Ages 12+)!

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

This year marks the 40th anniversary of The Women’s Center. Hard to even imagine, just 40 years ago, women faced barriers in nearly every facet of life – career, safety, healthcare, and so on. Today, many of these challenges have been mitigated thanks to the determination of those before us persistent on seeking change.

Knowing that grassroots efforts were the source of its success, I wanted to delve into the very founding of the The Women’s Center – How did it form? Why? By whom?! What dynamic women chose to spend their energy fighting for women’s rights?! This month, I was fortunate enough to interview one of those crusaders. Lee Blake, one of the original founders of The Women’s Center, shares her story as a player in the women’s movement and how The Women’s Center came to exist. In fact, the earliest goals were not to improve services for battered women, but rather to fight for women’s rights on a broad scale.

With a vision for change, in 1972 at around the age of 20, Lee teamed up with a small group of friends and began hosting “consciousness-raising groups.” She says, “We were a mix of working career women, college students, and single mothers raising young children alone. We met on a regular basis discussing ‘women’s issues’ until we decided to organize other women and found the Women’s Center.”

Thanks to Blake and that group of friends, The Women’s Center exists today, providing 24/7 access to resources and programs that serve women in need. In fact, The Women’s Center has the distinction of being one of the first centers organized by working-class women on the East Coast.

The early days:

“It probably seems trite now, but all we were aiming for was fair and equitable treatment. We wanted to bring attention to the way women were discriminated against across the country and in the City. We were pushing for changes in standard practice that discriminated against women” adding that at the time, both work opportunities and access to healthcare were extremely limited.

“As single women, we had difficulty finding adequate information on birth control from area doctors. We had to face the attitudes of many that sexually active single women should suffer the consequences of their sexual choices. We were active during the Roe vs. Wade debates around abortion rights and rights to knowledge and control about our own bodies.”

As a result, “Our whole initial work was on birth control. We hoped to begin to tackle one major issue affecting all women and to create a foundation to grow into other issues that women would identify as a priority. We wanted to develop a strong understanding of the issues and challenges facing women that would have to be undertaken to move forward.”

Despite great determination, Lee and her friends faced a number of challenges. “The ideas of the Women’s Movement weren’t welcomed at the time and the movement was seen as a middle-class movement that didn’t have much in common with working women.” According to Lee, common ground, however, was found surrounding issues of women’s health.

Calling her group “a pretty egalitarian bunch” Lee says their objectives were to collaborate to run a Women’s Health Hotline and to access the attitudes of local gynecologists regarding contraception for single women and gain access to abortion rights. Over time, Lee worked on outreach in the community, started up more consciousness-raising groups, and eventually helped research funding and development opportunities to open the doors of The Women’s Center.

An ‘attitude evolution’:

“Changing the attitudes on the role of women and advocating for our human rights was a legal process as well as an attitude evolution. For many of us, the issue of domestic violence stemmed from a belief that women actually had few rights once they were married or lived with a male partner.”

“Family violence and violence toward women was seen by the larger and law enforcement community as a private affair, a place where people felt they should not intrude even when the lives of women and children were threatened.”

“There really was no framework to discuss it or to help women who were trapped. The Women’s Center helped to change that dynamic in the city and the women’s movement changed the hands-off attitude across the country.”

Making strides:

While today The Women’s Center primarily serves victims of violence and assault, Lee says her earliest goals were to change practices that barred women’s access to birth control as well as enhance work opportunities for women. “We wanted to bring attention to the limited career choices women had. As single mothers worked to raise and care for their families, real options for jobs that paid a living wage were in short supply,” says Lee. “Equal pay for equal work gets a fairer hearing now than it did 40 years ago,” noting that women’s career roles have also greatly evolved.

“I worked on opening the doors for women in nontraditional occupations like construction, police, engineering, etc.,” – jobs which Lee says offered quick training and manageable hours for women to work and still raise a family. “My concern was about the discrimination that women faced in traditionally man’s occupations, but also I was working to create a pathway to economic stability for single women with children.”

With hard work, innovation, perseverance, and dedication to the women’s movement, Lee notes the many successes that resulted, including better jobs, equal access to education, and nontraditional employment opportunities. “Women’s issues are certainly paid more attention to now and there is an understanding that women’s issues are often family issues and impact our entire society.”

Broad change:

Lee notes that the women’s movement also created success on a national level. “There is an acknowledgement now in the U.S. that limiting the role of women limits our democracy. The understanding of the importance in development of our human capital across gender, culture, and race is a success of the civil rights and women’s movement.”
When asked about safety and security for women who have been assaulted and abused, Lee adds, “Although we still have a way to go to, we really have achieved a safer world for women here in the U.S. The issues of rape and sexual violence are much better addressed than in the past. Laws and practices of police departments and other social service institutions have evolved. When the Center was forming initially, women felt little to no support in reporting sexual violence.”

Engage for change:

Despite great success, there is still more to be done. Lee says, “We have to remain vigilant and keep up the good fight. I firmly believe that people need to get involved at a greater level. Communities do not move forward without a vision and others pushing and poking the system to move forward. It’s the ability of those who provide the “vision” or the “alternate vision” to collaborate with others and organize people to implement that vision.”

As we may look to women like Lee for inspiration, Lee also refers to the success of others who had ‘visions’ of change. “I go back to quotes from others who have managed to push our society forward toward greater democracy for all. Towards the end of a long life as a progressive, Frederick Douglass was asked how to keep forward movement on a progressive agenda. I hold his words dear to my heart and have followed them most of my years as a community organizer as he was heard to whisper “Agitate, agitate, agitate.”

The weekend outlook, is that will be a bit windier (10-16 mph) than it has been and overcast. There is a slight chance (30%) of a few showers today (Friday). This is a cake walk for New Englanders and no way going to stop us from heading out and being active!

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, October 11th

6th annual Women’s Fund Leadership Breakfast (Dartmouth, MA) (8:30-10:30 am)
The program will feature a panel of three women leaders who recently took the helm at Southcoast educational institutions: Dr. Pia Durkin, Superintendent, New Bedford Public Schools; Dr. Divina Grossman, Chancellor, UMass Dartmouth; and Sarah Herman, Head of School, Our Sisters’ School. This extraordinary panel will be moderated by Representative Patricia A. Haddad, Speaker Pro Tempore of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. For more info, click on the thread title.

Whales, Tales and Sails Story Hour (10:00 a.m.)
Moms, dads and caregivers seeking free, engaging activities for their young children should check out this event: the return of Whales, Tales and Sails, a free, one-hour story hour each Friday morning through October at 10:00 AM. The weekly event features professional storytellers Jackson Gillman and Karen Chace, and includes stories, fingerplay, songs, music, crafts and free play at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s Corson Maritime Learning Center. This activity is geared for children ages 0-5. The center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford.

Lunchtime Jazz Series At The Custom House Square (12:30 p.m.)
Love some jazz or live music? Mayor Jon Mitchell announced that the newly opened Custom House Square will be home to a four-week “Lunchtime Jazz Series” beginning on Friday, September 20th at 12:30 pm. Additional concerts will be held on September 27th, October 4th, and October 11th. The concerts, presented by the Office of the Mayor, will feature acclaimed local saxophonist Marcus Monteiro with a different accompanying musician each week. Custom House Square is nestled in downtown New Bedford steps from galleries, shopping, dining, museums and the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

Boo at the Zoo (6:00-9:00 p.m.)
There’s enough thrills and chills for everyone at Boo at the Zoo! Check out all the frights and sights this October! Join the Boo at the Zoo for an evening of Halloween fun! Rides are now included in the price. Climb aboard for a spoooooky train ride or take a bewitching carousel ride! Activities and slightly scary fun for all ages! Walk through the Witches’ Lair or go through the hay maze. Looking for something a little less merry and a little more scary? Dare to walk the Haunted Trail (Ages 12+)!

Saturday,October 12th

Fairhaven Harvest Fun Day! (Fairhaven) (9:00-3:00 pm)
Harvest Fun Day is a new event sponsored by the Fairhaven Office of Tourism offering family fun in conjunction with the annual Harvest Scarecrow Contest. The event will feature children’s activities and games, booths from local non-profit groups and businesses, yummy treats including homemade breads and pies, arts and crafts, pottery wheel demonstrations, antiques appraisals, fire engine rides, a bounce house, face painting, ongoing showing of the film “The American Scream,” and great music. In the front driveway of Fairhaven High School the school’s Honor Society will be holding a car wash from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For information click on the event title, call (508) 979-4085 or email FairhavenTours@aol.com.

Silverbrook Farm Harvest Festival (Acushnet) (10:00 am)
Horse drawn & tractor rides, Mother Goose Story Time, Pumpkin Painting, Barrel Rides, Pony Rides, face painting, and a whole lot more! Every weekend through October! Saturday AND Sunday!

King Richard’s Faire (Carver) (10:30 am-6:00 am)
“Entertainment, exciting rides and skilled games abound on the enchanting 80-acre site of King Richard’s Faire. Hundreds of talented entertainers perform non-stop throughout the day. Visit any of our eight vibrant stages and be enthralled by acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, minstrels, dancers, fire eaters, puppeteers and exotic tigers. Enjoy our beautiful white lion and cute tiger cubs.” Runs through October 20th.

Westport Rivers Hayrides (Middleboro, MA) (12:00 pm-4:30 pm)
Hayrides are back and taking place Saturdays noon-4:30 p.m. Ride time is approximately 30 minutes, weather permitting. $5 per person, children under two free. (508) 636-3423.

Gallery X Book Signing & Reading: The Cat, the Sun and the Mirror (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
The Cat, the Sun and the Mirror is a private-detective story like no other. Its basis is twofold. First, the ancient Japanese myth of the Sun Goddess who disappears, thus casting the world in darkness. Second, the American myth of the loner hero. It’s an enchanting mixture of fantasy, film-noir atmospherics, romance, and socially conscious messaging.

Boo at the Zoo (6:00-9:00 p.m.)
There’s enough thrills and chills for everyone at Boo at the Zoo! Check out all the frights and sights this October! Join the Boo at the Zoo for an evening of Halloween fun! Rides are now included in the price. Climb aboard for a spoooooky train ride or take a bewitching carousel ride! Activities and slightly scary fun for all ages! Walk through the Witches’ Lair or go through the hay maze. Looking for something a little less merry and a little more scary? Dare to walk the Haunted Trail Ages 12+!

Sunday, October 13th

Silverbrook Farm Harvest Festival (Acushnet) (10:00 am)
Horse drawn & tractor rides, Mother Goose Story Time, Pumpkin Painting, Barrel Rides, Pony Rides, face painting, and a whole lot more! Every weekend through October! Saturday AND Sunday!

10th annual Cranberry Harvest Festival (Wareham) (10:00 am-4:00 pm)
Taking place at the A.D. Makepeace Company. Listed as one of the top six fall food festivals in “Yankee” magazine. Featuring old-fashioned activities and demonstrations and cranberry activities. Admission $10, $5 for seniors and children under 7 free.

5th Annual Psychic Fair (Acushnet) (10:00 am-4:00 pm)
Acushnet Police Association’s 5th Annual Psychic Fair. Over 14 mediums, readers, animal communicators and aura photography. Chair massage and mini facials available while you wait. $20/15 minutes or $35/30 minutes. Kitchen open for lunch. Event to be held at the Acushnet Senior Center, 59 1/2 South Main Street, Acushnet. Plenty of free parking in lot. Call (508-998-0280) for complete list of readers or to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins welcome.

Fall Riverside Cemetery Walking Tour (Fairhaven, MA) (2:00-3:00 pm)
Curious about some of the historical figures interred at Riverside Cemetery? You can sate your curiosity during the fall Riverside Cemetery Walking Tour!

8th Annual New Bedford Seaport Chowder Festival (5:00 pm)
If the idea of taste testing dozens of seafood chowder, kale soup, stuffed quahog and clam chowder samples sounds like something you’d enjoy, then you’ll love the New Bedford Seaport Chowder Festival! 25 Local Eateries, Lobster Races, Craig DeMelo! Get more details and info by clicking on the event title.

Boo at the Zoo (6:00-9:00 p.m.)
There’s enough thrills and chills for everyone at Boo at the Zoo! Check out all the frights and sights this October! Join the Boo at the Zoo for an evening of Halloween fun! Rides are now included in the price. Climb aboard for a spoooooky train ride or take a bewitching carousel ride! Activities and slightly scary fun for all ages! Walk through the Witches’ Lair or go through the hay maze. Looking for something a little less merry and a little more scary? Dare to walk the Haunted Trail (Ages 12+)!

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

Fire crew cleaning a steam engine (Spinner Publications)

Welcome to the fifth installment of the series “Historical Personages of New Bedford.” The first being pharmacist Robert H. Carter III, the second being photographer James E. Reed, the third was businessman and contractor Dudley Davenport and the fourth was blacksmith extraordinaire, and innovator Lewis Temple.

My intention with this series is to shine some light on the lesser known names and figures of New Bedford’s past. I won’t focus on the more popular and well-known figures since they have not only been covered in substantial depth, but information about these figures is something most people already have a cursory knowledge of. Though redundant to say, if any more information is desired, it is readily available and easily accessible.

Some of these great and popular figures got to be well known, wealthy, or famous on the shoulders of names vaguely recalled or ne’er heard. I don’t want to swing all the way to the other side and overcompensate by saying that these great figures would be no one without those you haven’t heard of. Perhaps they would have, but I think since history has traditionally ignored the lesser known figures, let’s give them their due!

Edward Dahill (1862-1950) was one of those guys who no one has heard of, but has left an indelible mark on the city itself, and even the nation as a whole. He has saved many lives and in an indirect way, continued to save countless lives after his passing.

Mr. Dahill, was born here in New Bedford and spent his childhood growing up at 772 County Street. His first job in the city was as the owner of a modest Boot and Shoe dealership at 667 Purchase Street just few blocks down the street. Selling shoes, however, is not what Edward Dahill was known for. He certainly saved no lives selling shoes. At least there is no historical mention of a miracle of this sort.

What made Edward Dahill important enough to be discussed a century later, is his service as a fireman for the city and as an innovator. The first semblance of firefighting in New Bedford was a citizen’s brigade of bucket passers, that was finally assisted by the purchase of the city’s first fire engine in 1772. It wouldn’t be until circa 1832 that a “Protecting Society” – the precursor to a genuine fire department – was founded to officially handle the breakout of fire in the city. It consisted of seven fire engines, and a sole hook and ladder company, all manned by volunteers.

Of course, at this point in time, all the engines were horse drawn. Slowly but surely motorized engines began to replace the horse-drawn engines. By 1850 a value was seen in a highly trained, motivated force to battle outbreaks and the volunteers became regular city employees by 1850. Mr. Dahill climbed through the ranks of the Fire Department at a rapid pace and by 1901 he was the 1st assistant engineer with an annual salary of $649.26. By 1904 he was Chief Engineer with a substantial raise to $1500.00. Within a year after that he would be Fire Chief until retirement.

Where Dahill enters the history books in general, and specifically New Bedford, is his contribution to firefighting technology. Up until the turn of the 20th century spring mechanisms were used to extend the engine ladders. In 1902, Dahill invented an air-hoist aerial ladder to be used on the fire trucks. Instead of manually turning a crank, compressed air would do the work easier and faster. Within 7 seconds a 70 foot ladder could be extended. So ahead of it’s time was the air-hoist that it would not find something more efficient with hydraulics, until more than 30 years later.

Edward F. Dahill gave New Bedford over 50 years of service in the Fire Department and his innovation not only saved lives in the city, but countless lives all over he world.

Do you have customer service or sales experience? New Bedford Guide is growing and we’re looking to the community for mutual benefit . We are obviously big fans of supporting the local economy, and are looking for a customer service representative who grew up in the area and knows it well.

Position: Customer Service Representative

Function: The rep will help current customers with their objective and follow leads to see how NBG and local businesses can benefit one another.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Answer inquiries, use leads to gain new customers, contact local businesses to develop customer base, help and support existing customers, attend local community events and business partner events.

Education and Experience: 3-5 years in the sales or customer service industry, but will waive for the right person. No college degree needed, just sales experience and a passion for the greater New Bedford area.

Special Requirements: must have your own vehicle and a valid driver’s license. Generally travel is within New Bedford, but at times may go into Fairhaven or Dartmouth.

NBG is a community based organization that covers events, things-to-do, news and important community issues. People, businesses, and organizations all need to market and promote to the community. The Facebook Page, Twitter, Guides (New Bedford, Fairhaven, Dartmouth, Fall River, etc.), Website, Rotten Scallop Satire site, and event calendar provide a way to reach 250,000+ people a week and can have a marked effect on their promotion. This is done through services like article spotlights, ad space, “shout-outs”, sponsorship, and general networking. The salesperson will get to know the customer’s objectives intimately and prescribe the right services to help them reach those objectives.

We are not seeking an overbearing or pushy sales person. We want to provide a genuine service by building a relationship with the customer and assisting in their goals. By being in tune with the customers promotions, events, milestones, the rep can help in a timely fashion.

While there will be sales which will consist of visiting local businesses, making phone calls and sending e-mails, part of the day will be spent working with existing customers who may also provide leads.

Compensation: This is a part-time commission only job. Commissions are 25% for most services sold.

Send e-mail and/or resume to info@newbedfordguide.com.

Halloween is probably my favorite holiday. Nights and mornings are cooler making it easier to slumber. Light winds blow colorful leaves across the ground making a distinct, rustling sound. Kids get to dress up and act like their favorite character, hero, monster, or princess. Candy, candy, candy. Haunted houses. Pumpkin latte, muffin, and donuts. Yeah, I like Halloween.

It’s also one of the easiest times of the year to get involved in activities with our children. They are eager to do things with their parents. In a world, where kids would rather be on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, watching cartoons, texting, etc. it’s getting increasingly difficult to get them participating in family time, for long periods of time.

One of the easiest activities to pull everyone together is pumpkin carving. The wrong way to go about it is to cut two holes for eyes, a triangle for a nose, and a jagged opening for a mouth! That’s so unhip! Uncool! Unrad! Who can update their status with a plain pumpkin? When your kids see these pumpkins, they will WANT to update their statuses with the whole family creating them.

So here are some creative ideas on how to think outside the box. None are incredibly difficult, and while they may not come out exactly like the images, they can come very close! None require you to print out a template, a template which never seems to look remotely the same. You don’t have to be a Da Vinci.

Some are creepy, some are funny, some are gross. Some are mature and NOT for kids. All are fun to make! Some I have done over the years, others I have come across from friends, family and strangers on the internet. At a bare minimum they will get the creative juices flowing and anyone who visits your house Trick or Treating will be in for an extra treat! If you have done some of these, please share your tips. If you have an idea that is not here, please share those too! These images are not the property of by NBG unless noted otherwise.

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Bullying Pumpkins
These pumpkins are cruel, ill-mannered bullies. Simply carve a pumpkin-like normal, but make the mouth lopsided and larger on one size. Now you have something to do with all those little pumpkins that accumulate besides making them a holiday knick-knack!

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Zombie Pumkins
Who doesn’t love Zombies!? Simply take an old pair of pants and socks, and borrow a show. Voila! Zombie attack pumpkin.

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Princess Carriage Pumpkin
Not all pumpkins have to be creepy! This one makes use of all those gourds that seem to gather. You can use the windows and door from a doll house or toys, or simply carve them out.

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Zombie Snowman
This one combines Christmas with Halloween. People will really get a kick out of this one!

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Witch Pumpkin
This one is fast and easy to make. Instead of the traditional way of carving the face on an upright pumpkin, turn it on its side and use the stem as a nasty nose like this one from ExtremePumpkins.com!

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Blown Out Brains Pumpkin
This pumpkin was brutally murdered or committed suicide. This is also one of the quicker, faster pumpkins.

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Preggers Pumpkin
This one will require a bit of work, but will certainly delight many.

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Honey Bear Pumpkin
This is another that will require some work, but will pay dividends in smiles!

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Hungover Pumpkins
Too much candy or too much booze? These guys are lightweights and have puked everywhere!

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Flashing Couple
This rude and lewd couple is flashing everyone. Pervs!

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Full Moon Flasher
Who knew there was more than one moon out on Halloween?!

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Decorated With Candy
This one takes advantage of all that extra candy or let the kids have the fun of eating their pumpkins when Hallow’s Eve ends!

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Miner Pumpkin
Don’t have a heck of a lot of time? Carve the pumpkin or use a magic marker. Slap a hardhat and some boots and you’re done. Want to make him less friendly? Combine him with one of the above pumpkins. Make him vomit or put an ax in his head.

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