11 Things To Do This Weekend (July 5-7)

new-bedford-weather The weekend outlook, will be a steamy, hot one! We’ll be in the 90s all weekend long and it will be humid. Make sure to pack that sunscreen for the many activities and events. You don’t want to look like a human lobster!

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, July 5th

American and Cape Verdean Independence Day Festivities (4:00 – 8:00 pm)
The July 5th concert celebrates Cape Verdean Independence Day with performances by the John Miranda Band and the KabuJazz Ensemble featuring Candida Rose from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the museum plaza.

A photography exhibit and program titled “Cape Verdean Courage: Heroes of WWII” will take place on July 5 at 5:45 p.m. in the Jacobs Family Gallery and Cook Memorial Theater. Artist and photographer, Ron Barboza will exhibit more than 100 photographs of World War II veterans of Cape Verdean American heritage.

Tryworks Open Mike Featuring: Jo Anne Doherty  (7:00 pm-10:00 pm)
Tryworks was the oldest running coffee house on the east coast for 32 years when it closed a while back. They are currently reviving the old tradition with a new one. Open Mic is held on the First Friday of the month at the Tryworks Auditorium. Poet, singer, dancer, comic; whatever you bring come join the fun and “let your little light shine”. Featured Performer Jo anne Doherty will perform between 8-8:45 pm.

Everyone loves a parade!

Saturday, July 6th

Go Yard Sale Hunting!
The New Bedford Guide Yard Sale Portal (http://www.newbedfordguide.com/map-page#pm_yardsale_tab) has 100s of yard sales listing every weekend. Have a yard sale to list? send the details to info@newbedfordguide.com.

41st Annual Cape Verdean Recognition Parade (11:00 am – 12:00 pm)
The parade will step off at 11:00 a.m. from Buttonwood Park, down Union Street, right on Acushnet Avenue, right on Grinnell Street and right on Purchase Street. The Parade will end at the Cape Verdean Memorial Hall 561 Purchase Street.

18th Annual New Bedford Folk Festival (11:00 am – 9:00 pm)
The 2013 New Bedford Folk Festival, formerly called New Bedford Summerfest, will feature the best in contemporary, traditional and Celtic folk music from Saturday, July 6 through Sunday, July 7, 2013. Featured among the nearly fifty musical acts are Lori McKenna, Cheryl Wheeler, John Gorka, Ellis Paul, Anais Mitchell, The Grand Slambovians, Vishtèn, Kevin Burke, Antje Duvekot, Michael Johnson, Brooks Williams, Beppe Gambetta, and the John Whalen Trio.

The festival also features a high quality crafts show with over ninety juried, handmade crafts for sale at affordable prices, food including the justifiably world famous New Bedford landed fish and scallops, and a children’s activities area.

Tickets: http://www.newbedfordfolkfestival.com/ourstore.html. Advance Weekend Pass (Saturday and Sunday): $20 online or $15 in person at the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center. At the Festival: $20 a day/$25 Weekend Pass. Children under 12 are free.

Get your copy of A Picture History of New Bedford signed!

Book Signing at New Bedford Folk Festival 11:00 -2:00 pm
Authors of Spinner Publications’ new book, A Picture History of New Bedford, Volume 1, will be on hand to sign books at New Bedford Folk Festival on Saturday, July 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The five authors, Joseph D. Thomas, Alfred H. Saulniers, Natalie A. White, Marsha L. McCabe and Jay Avila, will be situated near Spinner’s booth at the corner of William and Water streets, across from the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

Bay Sox vs. Plymouth Pilgrims 6:30-9:30 pm
Nothing beats a live game and the sights, sounds and aromas! Head to the Paul Walsh Field and cheer on your New Bedford Bay Sox as they challenge the Plymouth Pilgrims! Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children 16 years and younger.

The Pourmen at the Celtic Pub (8pm)
Check out The Pourmen (acoustic music from members of the O’Tooles) and special guests.

celtic-coffee

Sunday, July 7th

Acoustic Sunrise – Morning Glory Cafe 9:30 am – 12:30 pm In what is perhaps the most unique breakfast next to Leggs ‘n Eggs, you can enjoy breakfast and live music every Sunday at Morning Glory Café, in the South End. Amanda Rae will serenade you from 9:30-12:30 while you enjoy the best breakfast in town!

18th Annual New Bedford Folk Festival (11:00 am – 9:00 pm)
The 2013 New Bedford Folk Festival, formerly called New Bedford Summerfest, will feature the best in contemporary, traditional and Celtic folk music from Saturday, July 6 through Sunday, July 7, 2013. Featured among the nearly fifty musical acts are Lori McKenna, Cheryl Wheeler, John Gorka, Ellis Paul, Anais Mitchell, The Grand Slambovians, Vishtèn, Kevin Burke, Antje Duvekot, Michael Johnson, Brooks Williams, Beppe Gambetta, and the John Whalen Trio.

World class talent and crafts at the N.B. Folk Festival!

The festival also features a high quality crafts show with over ninety juried, handmade crafts for sale at affordable prices, food including the justifiably world famous New Bedford landed fish and scallops, and a children’s activities area.

Bay Sox vs. Holyoke Blue Sox 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Nothing beats a live game and the sights, sounds and aromas! Head to the Paul Walsh Field and cheer on your New Bedford Bay Sox as they challenge the Holyoke Blue Sox! Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children 16 years and younger.

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




New Bedford Guide’s Job Search Subscription Service

Michael Silvia
by Michael Silvia

Unemployment in New Bedford always seems to be twice the state average. As of April, 2013, the Massachusetts unemployment rate was at 6.4% and New Bedford’s sat at 12.5%. It’s a sad fact that we live in a state with a low unemployment rate compared to the national average, but New Bedford seems to continuously get left behind. I can say for a fact that there are plenty of jobs out there. There are generally 8,000+ jobs within 50 miles of New Bedford on our Job Portal. Many times the issue is simply matching up a job with a qualified job seeker. This is why I created our FREE job portal and just added a subscription service that allows NewBedfordGuide.com members to get new job notifications by e-mail. Here is a quick tutorial on setting up a subscription:

1. Register with NewBedfordGuide.com. This will allow you to set up and manage your subscriptions. You can unsubscribe at anytime.

2. Go to our Job Portal.

3. Click on the E-mail Notification button just above the map.

job-result

4. Fill out the form. Separate each keyword with a comma. Check each city that you are interested in or select All Cities to cover all cities within 50 miles of New Bedford.

job-notification

 

5. You will get an e-mail each morning with details on how many new jobs have been loaded into our database based on your keyword(s) and cities.

e-mail

6. Click on the link to see the results.

results

 

7. Each numbered icon will display at least one job. Click on the Full Description link to see full details and apply for the job.

job-result

 

If you have feedback or trouble, e-mail info@newbedfordguide.com.




NBG Exclusive: Brook Williams Interview; 19 Albums and Counting


Brook Williams has jammed the world over as shown here in a show in Birmingham, England

by John Michael Bell
by John Michael Bell

The New Bedford Folk Festival will feature a number of artists whose reputations proceed them. Few, however, can match the pedigree of festival regular Brooks Williams. The Statesboro, Georgia native has a long list of critical accolades to his name (including raves from Rolling Stone and Guitar Player Magazine) in a career that has seen him release 19 albums. Williams’s 20th album, titled “New Everything”, is coming out later this year.

Williams is presently touring the United Kingdom, but will be making an appearance at the New Bedford Folk Festival on July 6 and 7. He was gracious enough to conduct an interview via email while still in the UK.


Where are you from?
I was born in Statesboro, Georgia and raised in the south.

Where did you get your start playing professionally?

I moved to Boston when I was 18 years old to go to school and it was in Boston that I got my start professionally, playing the little clubs and coffeehouses in the city and the suburbs.

Were there any guitarists at the time who particularly influenced you?
At the time I was particularly inspired by the likes of David Bromberg, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt and Mark Knopfler.

You have played in venues around the world. Are there any particular places that surprised you, that had more fans o folk and blues guitar than you expected?

I’ve played some amazing venues throughout the world. Many of them are dotted around the USA and Canada, little hotbeds of folk and blues guitar fans in the middle of what appears to be nowhere – but is actually quite somewhere! From a purely surprising point of view, I was surprised by how switched on audiences in the UK are to Americana and blues music. They know American music better than many Americans! Equally, I was stunned by the responses I got to my music in Istanbul Turkey and Nairobi Kenya. Who knew they’d be so switched on to American roots music?


Brook Williams will be playing at this year’s N.B. Folk Festival

You’re spending a lot of time in the UK this year. How has that experience been? Are there any particularly memorable towns or venues that you’ve played in the UK?

One of my favourite venues in the UK is The Green Note in London. It’s a small venue but the vibe is huge. My other favourite is The Stables, halfway between Oxford and Cambridge. It was founded many years ago by jazz singer Cleo Laine and has a great vibe. My favorite festival over here is called The Shrewsbury Festival. It happens the end of August and wherever I am in the world, I always try and get back to it, even if just for a day. It’s my UK New Bedford Folk Festival, if you know what I mean!

You have played the New Bedford Folk Festival (previously known as New Bedford Summerfest) before, correct? What brings you back to New Bedford this year? What has your past experience in the city been like?

I actually played the very first New Bedford Summerfest and have played the festival many times since, though not for a few years as I’ve been overseas so much. It’s actually my favourtie US festival. I see all my friends, hear great music, enjoy the lovely surroundings of a beautiful city. And I get to do the thing that I do, which is play my music to an appreciative audience. What’s not to love about all that! I’m back in the US quite a bit this year as I have a new CD, called NEW EVERYTHING, coming out in September. I’m doing a short New England tour the beginning of July – which includes the New Bedford Folk Festival –  to preview some of the songs. Then we’ll be back in October and November to properly launch the album….and we’ll be back again in the winter and spring of 2014 as well.

Are there any challenges you frequently come across on long stretches of touring?

The biggest challenge I encounter when on the road for long stretches of time is the toll that much touring and traveling takes on the voice. It takes a lot of work to keep the voice strong and healthy when touring.

What are you most looking forward to sharing on your upcoming album? Will the material reflect on your experiences since your last album?

I love the songs on my new album, NEW EVERYTHING. The lyrics and the melodies have come together in a way that I’m very proud of. The new album also features some of the musician/friends I have met since moving to the UK. Artists like Martin Simpson, Boo Hewerdine, Andy Seward and Neil McSweeney are at the top of the game here in the live music scene here in the UK and it was not only fun but also an honour to have them on my recording.


You can listen to music, see more photos and read more about Brook Williams on his website.




12 Things To Do This Weekend (June 28-30)

new-bedford-weather BOOOOOOOO! The weekend outlook, will start off as a wet one AGAIN. It will rain periodically throughout the day and evening. Saturday will be partly cloudy with only a 20% chance of rain. Sunday, though, has a 60% of rain with scattered thunderstorms. It will be in the 80s all weekend.

As we’ve mentioned in the past, we are hardy New Englanders and that is what raincoats and umbrellas are for. Sitting on the coach isn’t living! However, if you simply don’t like rain, there are plenty of indoor activities too! 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!


by Joyce Rowley

Your best bets for getting around New Bedford this weekend, you can’t beat the New Bedford Whaling National Park NB Line. Just a buck (yes, $1.00!) for a day pass. It runs seven days a week now till Labor Day. Free for kids and students with IDs. How cool is that?! You can find route maps at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor’s Center at 33 Williams Street or visit www.nps.org/nebe.

Friday, June 28
Friday Night at the Zoo (5:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.)
It’s Friday night at the Zoo — an after-hours event 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Close encounters with the animals, entertainment by DJ Steve of Music and Motion, and plenty of fun kid activities. Zoo members $6/adult, $3/child; non-members $10/adult, $6/child.

Proud_To_Be_Cape_VerdeanProud to be Cape Verdean: A Look at Cape Verdeans in the Golden State (7:00 p.m.)
Proud to be Cape Verdean (PTBCV): A Look at Cape Verdeans in the Golden State, a documentary about the Cape Verdean community in California, will screen on Friday, June 28 at 7:00 pm at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park theater, 33 William Street, downtown New Bedford, MA. The event is free and open to the public. PTBCV captures the essence of the Cape Verdean culture in California through an insightful look at individuals and organizations and their desire to maintain their cultural identity. The music of the Mendes Brothers, John and Ramiro, is featured. Actor/producer Michael Beach lends his voice talents as narrator.

Saturday, June 29
2013 Fairhaven Homecoming Fair (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Fairhaven’s 2013 Homecoming Fair starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. There are 175 vendors! Too many to list, but always something new! Loads of filling food, amazing amusements, arts AND crafts, and a great family fun day. What’s not to like? Just cross the bridge, hang a right, and find the crowd at 40 Center Street, Fairhaven.

new-bedford-baysoxColo Colo Gallery: “How I Eat Corn” (5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
Colo Colo Gallery: Artist reception 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. New exhibit “How I Eat Corn” by Shari Weschler. The gallery has moved to their new location on 101 W. French Blvd. Door #4. Perfect start for the summer.

New Bedford Bay Sox Vs. Laconia Muskrats (6:30pm)
If you haven’t been to a New Bedford Bay Sox game, you are missing out on a a great family outing. Tickets can be purchased here: http://pointstreaksites.com/view/nbbaysox/tickets-160.

Bill Black at the Celtic Coffee House (8-10pm)
Celtic by Candlelight features Bill Black performing Songs of Ireland/Songs of the Water folk music from 8-10 pm.

At the Z: An evening with Joan Baez (8:00 p.m.)
At the Z: An evening with Joan Baez, 8 p.m., tickets $49.50-$46.50. Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford. Vocalist extraordinaire, always on her game, Baez still has it. Winner of seven Grammies, and with a new CD coming out “Day after Tomorrow” the premiere folk vocalist will be at the Z for just one night. Tickets are still available and can be found online at www.zeiterion.org

Sunday, June 30
Acoustic Sunrise – Morning Glory Cafe (9:30 am – 12:30 pm)
In what is perhaps the most unique breakfast next to Leggs ‘n Eggs, you can enjoy breakfast and live music every Sunday at Morning Glory Café, in the South End. Amanda Rae will serenade you from 9:30-12:30 while you enjoy the best breakfast in town!

Third Annual 5k Road Race (8:00 a.m.)
Hit the road running in the Third Annual 5k Road Race, sponsored by the Kids Kickin’ Cancer! Registration opens at 8 a.m. and the race starts at 9 a.m. $25 pre-registration, $30 the day of the race. For more info and to pre-register, visit www.kidskickincancer.net. The race takes place at Bristol Community College on 777 Elsbree Street in Fall River.

feed-fish-new-bedford-ocean-exploriumFeed The Fishes at the Ocean Explorium (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Feed the fishes — and we mean that in a good way. Ocean Explorium at 174 Union Street lets you “Feed the Fish” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Sundays. $5 for sharks and rays, $3 for all other living exhibits. Your kids will love it and the fish will tank you, too.

The Quakers of Old Dartmouth (2:00 p.m.)
Learn about the founders of Dartmouth at “The Quakers of Old Dartmouth” presented by the Dartmouth Historical Society beginning at 2 p.m., Apponagansett Friends Meeting House, Russells Mills Road, Dartmouth.

Karaoke Shows (2:00 – 1:00 a.m.)
Sunday is for Karaoke: Start in Fall River at Cowboy Al’s Karaoke Show at Adagio Piano Lounge, 227 South Main Street from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., then head to Thomas E. Tuttle’s VFW post at 27 Roosevelt Street, Acushnet for karaoke at 7 p.m. then it’s on to Inner Bay at 1339 Cove Road, New Bedford where the karaoke starts at 8 p.m. and back to Fall River for karaoke with JK Music at Micky Doyle’s Sports Pub, 390 Rhode Island Ave. from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

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




5 Divine Dive Bars


Five iconic dive bars you have to check out!

In comedian Eugene Mirman’s bizarre and hilarious novel “The Will to Whatevs: A Guide to Modern Life” he offers a very apt description of what a dive bar is. Allow me to start this article by borrowing his definition: “Dive bars are the classic American bar full of all kinds of people… art students, elderly divas, atheists, others, writers, rockers, trannies, regular folk” and many other grace these establishments.

By Shonna McGrail Ryan

When I read Mirman’s definition, I found it funny but also true; dive bars are indiscriminate, laid back, and often a great place to meet diverse and interesting characters if you are open minded. I have listed five dive bars in this article that I have fond memories of. There are certainly many others in Greater NB, and I’d love to hear about them in the comments section below!


1. Knuckleheads
85 MacAuthur Drive, New Bedford, MA

Ever since I moved to NB at the age of 21, Knuckleheads has repeatedly been mentioned to me as one of the most eclectic, dive bar-esque hangouts in the city. While the quality of food and drink set Knuckleheads a bit higher than the typical dive bar standard, the prices are very reasonable and overall, Knuckleheads embodies that local vibe that “divers” cherish.

One of the things that makes a good dive a good dive is the combination of affordable drinks and affordable, fun entertainment. It’s a big check in both columns when it comes to Knuckleheads, which features live music (no cover charge!) Tuesday-Saturday as well as beer pong tournaments.

2. The Oriental Pearl
576 State Road, Westport, MA

The Oriental Pearl, or The “OP” as we regulars like to call it, looks exactly the same way it probably has since it was first built. As a result, I always get a feeling that I stepped back in time to the ‘80s when I’m there which is a simultaneously strange and interesting feeling. What I really like about The OP though, is that it isn’t pretentious. On a karaoke night you will find everyone from 21-year-old locals to 80-year-old married couples picking up the mic.

The drinks are affordable, and since it’s a Chinese food restaurant you can grab something tasty to split while you hang out. There’s a pool table if you get there early in the evening, but that is often moved aside on nights when there’s karaoke or bands playing because YES, there will be dancing. With a disco ball and other fancy lighting, the dance floor is a judgment free zone. I’ve been there on nights when elderly couples were schooling us on how to waltz, and I’ve been there nights when twenty-something year olds were jumping around to metal renditions of Britney Spears songs. You never know what you’ll find at the Oriental Pearl, and that makes it one of my favorite divine dive bars.

3. The Garden
133 Union Street, New Bedford, MA

The Garden doesn’t need a whole lot of mentioning, because it’s well known to anyone who spends time in downtown New Bedford. The Garden is a simple equation for dive bar goodness; cheap pitchers of beer, a jukebox and pool tables. It’s a magnet for locals and has a lot of regulars, so you’re always likely to see someone you know there. At the same time, its crowd is diverse, ranging from frat boys to retirees, so it’s an easy place to strike up a conversation with complete strangers (if you’re into that kind of thing).

4. Bayside Lounge
125 Sconticut Neck Road, Fairhaven, MA

The Bayside Lounge is the sort of bar where anyone and everyone feels welcome. It has a kitchen that serves delicious specials at certain hours, and the prices are always reasonable for food and drink alike. The Bayside Lounge has a fisherman’s bar sort of vibe, and there’s always plenty to do there, whether it’s ordering a pitcher of beer and playing pool with friends, going to trivia night, or checking out some of their live entertainment. I’ve seen a couple really fun bands (and one time, a great rendition of “Free Bird”) that got people up and dancing like fools.

5. Paul’s Sports Corner
19 Howland Road, Fairhaven, MA

I will always remember being at Paul’s Sports Corner one day and meeting one of the owners, simply because of how funny and down-to-Earth she was. She took pride in the fact that Paul’s is a family owned establishment and that it’s a sort of “What you see is what you get.” neighborhood bar. You can tell that it has been supported by the same local regulars for years, and as a result people are very at home there, which makes it feel like a place that’s easy to relax and unwind at. Paul’s features pool and a jukebox, as well as a decent number of TV screens for sports fans. Of course the drinks are very affordable as well!

Do you have a local dive bar that you love? Tell us about it!




16 Things To Do This Weekend (June 21-23)

new-bedford-weather The weekend outlook is a FANTASTIC one! It will be as high as 81 degrees, and as cool as 55 degrees at night. Only Sunday has the tiniest chance of rain, with a 20% chance. 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, June 21st

3rd Annual Fishing For A Cause (12:01 pm)
The third annual Fishing For a Cause® striped bass, bluefish, and fluke catch-and-release tournament is scheduled for Friday, June 21 12:01 a.m. to Saturday, June 22 at 4:00 p.m., culminating in a celebratory awards dinner on Saturday, June 22nd from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The tournament will once again be anchored at Pope’s Island Marina, located at 102 Pope’s Island, New Bedford, with fishing grounds from Cape Cod Bay to Block Island. Fishing For a Cause® is organized by and for the benefit of the Schwartz Center for Children. The Schwartz Center is a not-for-profit organization located in Dartmouth, MA that provides comprehensive medical and educational services for children with special needs. For more information about the Schwartz Center visit schwartzcenter.org.

Laughs w/ the Portuguese Kids!

South Coast Music Together, at the Padanaram Farmer’s Market (Dartmouth) (1:30 pm-5:30 pm)
South Coast Music Together will be at the Padanaram Farmer’s Markets again, this summer! Join us for some outdoor music making, and fun. Shop for local produce, baked goods, and handcrafted clothing, and more!! SCMT’s first day at the market will be Friday, June 21, from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM (the market is open until 6:00 PM). Hope to sing with you there!

The Portuguese Kids at the Seaport Inn (Fairhaven) (6:00 pm)
Looking for some medicine for the soul through laughter? The Portuguese Kids comedy act is coming to the Seaport Inn Friday evening!

New Bedford Baysox Home Game and Project Purple (6:30 pm)

project-purple

On Friday June 21st the Baysox will be taking on the first place Vermont Mountaineers at Paul Walsh Field at 6:30. Friday is Project Purple Night in support of fighting addiction in our communities. Former Boston Celtic Chris Herren will be throwing out the first pitch and all fans wearing purple will get a free gift.

Saturday, June 22nd

Go Yard Sale Hunting! (All Weekend)

NewBedfordGuide.com now has a Yard Sale Portal (http://www.newbedfordguide.com/map-page#pm_yardsale_tab) for auction hunters! The data come directly from Craigslist and New Bedford Guide users. Want to add your yard sale? E-mail info@newbedfordguide.com.

SVT Cobra, Mustang and all Ford Car Show (10am – 1pm)

For the 9th straight year Ashley Ford Sales will be hosting their SVT Cobra, Mustang and all Ford Car Show. The event is FREE and will be happening tomorrow from 10 am-1pm at Ashley Ford (395 Mt. Pleasant Street in New Bedford). Free refreshments, door prizes and entertainment. In addition, they’ll be hosting a blood drive with the American Red Cross during the event. So if you’re a mustang enthusiast, love muscle cars or just want to give back to save a life, check out this event.

“Art Marks the Spot!” (Fall River, MA) (10:05 am – 1:00 pm)
The Greater Fall River Art Association has organized a day of art making in Downtown Fall River. Discover your hidden potential by taking part in these FREE beginning workshops in drawing, painting, basket weaving, and mixed media assemblage. Create your personal “one of a kid” art masterpiece to take home!

Children’s Summer Festival (1:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Family fun including a Michael Jackson show, games and prizes, pony rides, dunk tank, crafts, moon bounce, face painting, food tent and more.

New Bedford Gay Pride (1-7 pm)

new-bedford-gay-pride

New Bedford Gay Pride runs from 1-7pm. There will be special appearances by Motown recording artist Danielle Andrews and Mahogany Lite. This event is free and will be held on Purchase Street in downtown New Bedford.

New Bedford Baysox Home Game – Subway Fitness & Wellness Night (6:30 pm)

Saturday June 22nd is Youth Fitness and Wellness Night at the Ballpark sponsored by Subway of Rockdale Ave. The Bay Sox will be taking on the Sanford Mainers and kids will be invited to participate in Fitness Focused on field activities. Bristol Community College sports massage therapy trainers will be leading stretches and giving Free Massages at the field.

Face-painting, Pony Rides, Moon Bounce, Dunk Tank and more!

Strawberry Moon Walk (Dartmouth, MA) 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Head to the Stone Barn Farm at dusk for a hike and witness the “Strawberry” Moon rising over Allen’s Pond. Experience the evening wildlife and the gorgeous night sky. Dress for an outdoor adventure and be sure to bring a water bottle. Registration is required. Audience: All (suitable for children 5 – 17 years). Members: Adult $4.00, Child $4.00. Nonmembers: Adult $6.00, Child $6.00.

Celtic featuring Eddie Dillon 8:00 pm
Head to the Celtic Coffee House for another rendition of Celtic by Candlelight, this time featuring local favorite Eddie Dillon. Sip on beer or wine while you dine on an entrée from our new menu. Free admission.

Sunday, June 23rd

Go Yard Sale Hunting! (All Weekend)

NewBedfordGuide.com now has a Yard Sale Portal (http://www.newbedfordguide.com/map-page#pm_yardsale_tab) for auction hunters! The data come directly from Craigslist and New Bedford Guide users. Want to add your yard sale? E-mail info@newbedfordguide.com.

Acoustic Sunrise – Morning Glory Cafe 9:30 am – 12:30 pm In what is perhaps the most unique breakfast next to Leggs ‘n Eggs, you can enjoy breakfast and live music every Sunday at Morning Glory Café, in the South End. Amanda Rae will serenade you from 9:30-12:30 while you enjoy the best breakfast in town!

Eddie Dillon at the Celtic!

Farmer’s Market (Fairhaven, MA) 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Sunday afternoons, June 16 through October 13 you can buy fresh local produce and other products from area farmers. Enjoy the local market with family and friends every Sunday afternoon! Entertainment will be available occasionally during market hours. Access the parking lot off Main Street to the rear of the Academy Building. Handicap parking. Free admission. Coordinated by the Fairhaven Sustainability Committee.

Family-Friendly Multilingual Karaoke 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Like to belt out tunes in the shower? Does your mom say you have the best voice that she’s ever heard? Head to “Family-Friendly Multilingual Karaoke” with dining and dancing, every Sunday from 5-9 pm. Hosted by Mariozation Karaoke. Pub 6 at The Sixth Bristol, 736 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford. 508.998.3755.

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




Southcoast Health Van announces July schedule for community screenings and vaccinations

health van may schedule 2013

The Southcoast™ Health Van announces the July schedule for community screenings and vaccinations. Free mobile health services available by the Southcoast Health Van staff include:

  • Cancer screenings & education.
  • Blood pressure screening.
  • Cholesterol screening
  • Teen resource information
  • Glucose (diabetes) screenings.
  • Nutritional information and education.
  • Health education services.
  • Medical physician referral.
  • Vaccinations.

Please note that screenings sponsored by the Southcoast Health Van are sometimes held at community locations and not always on one of the vans. Look for signs when arriving at a location if you do not see the van outside. If you plan to donate blood, please remember to bring two forms of identification.

For more information and to schedule free screenings please call Susan Oliveira, RN, at 508-679-3131 Ext. 2740 or email oliveiras@southcoast.org.

NEW BEDFORD
Wednesday, July 3
Stop & Shop
1001 Kings Highway
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

SWANSEA
Saturday, July 6
Big Lots
207 Swansea Mall Drive
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ONSET
Wednesday, July 10
Onset Pier
184 Onset Avenue
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Thursday, July 11
AHA!
Corner of Purchase and Spring Streets
Health Screenings & Vaccines
4 to 8 p.m.

FALL RIVER
Monday, July 15
Maple Gardens
Aetna Street
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Tuesday, July 16
Brickenwood
Harvard Street
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Wednesday, July 17
Bay Village/ Boa Vista Housing
134 South Second Street
Health Screenings & Vaccines
2 to 6 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Thursday, July 18
RAPPP Program
Ashley Boulevard, New Bedford
Teen Program
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

WAREHAM
Thursday, July 18
The Good Shepherd Church
74 High St, Wareham
Health Screenings
3 to 5 p.m.

SOMERSET
Saturday, July 20
Church of Our Savior
2112 County Street
Blood Drive & Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SOMERSET
Saturday, July 20
Holistic & Wellness Fair
Simcock Farms
361 Marvel Street
Health Screenings
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FALL RIVER
Monday, July 22
Pleasant View
Herman Street
Health Screenings & Vaccines
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Wednesday, July 24
Presidential Heights
Myrtle Street
Health Screenings & Vaccines
1 to 5 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD
Wednesday, July 31
Market Basket
122 Sawyer Street
Health Screenings & Vaccines
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Southcoast Health Van travels across the region bringing health screenings into the communities of Southeastern Massachusetts. Check the schedule online at www.southcoast.org/van/ or subscribe to daily notices on Twitter, Facebook and RSS feeds.




13 Things To Do This Weekend (June 14-16)

new-bedford-weather The weekend outlook,will start off as a wet one. It will rain throughout the day today, but the rest of the weekend will be better weather. Partly cloudy is better than swamped! As we’ve mentioned in the past, we are hardy New Englanders and that is what raincoats and umbrellas are for. Sitting on the coach isn’t living! However, if you simply don’t like rain, there are plenty of indoor activities too! 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, June 14th

Whaling City Expedition Harbor Tour (12:00 pm)
Ever wanted to see the harbor from another vantage point, besides a land based one? Here’s a chance to see up close, Palmer’s Island Lighthouse, Fort Phoenix, the largest Hurricane Barrier on the East Coast, the No. 1 Fishing Fleet in U.S., Schooner Ernestina, Joshua Slocum Memorial, and lots of Whaling History! Leaves daily at noon, 1:30, 3:00 & 4:30 pm.

19th Annual Clambake with Lobster Featuring: Doug Mills (5:00 pm-11:00 pm)
Who doesn’t love the sound of “Clambake with Lobster?” Well, throw in great live music by Wired, a (limited) open bar, dancing, and silent auction and you are really talking! The 19th Annual Clambake w/ Lobster is brought to you by Hygrade and United Way of Greater New Bedford.

Clambake with lobster! Yum!!

Stand-up Comedy Benefit (8:00 pm-9:00 pm)
Looking for some laughs this weekend? Comedy Central comic Dan Sally headlines this event at Gallery X called “Comedy X to Raise the Roof!” Mehra Khagani, Shawn Carter, host Doug Guertin, and musical accompaniment by the Conedy X House Ban The Dividers. Special musical guest “The Assembly of Light Women’s Choir.” All proceeds will go to help their Raise the Roof fund. The Gallery X building is an old heirloom and needs a new roof. Tickets are available at the Gallery. To reserve tickets, call Christopher Swanson at (347) 307-2934 or contact Gallery X at (508) 992-2675.

Saturday, June 15th

Yoga at the Farm (Acushnet, MA) (9:15 am – 10:15 am) How about some FREE Yoga? Saturdays from 9:15 to 10:15, SilverBrook Farm hosts a playful yoga flow in the field. This class is a vinyasa style flow, combining movement with breath. All levels are welcomed to the practice. Postures are built from the ground up, allowing each person to flow at an individual pace. Kimberly’s style speaks to the beginner with clear, concise prompts as well as the advancing practitioner with powerful modification challenges. For detailed info, click on the title of this event. [POSTPONED TO NEXT SATURDAY THE 15th]

National “Get Outdoors Day” (10:30 am – 3:30 pm) New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is offering free fun in the sun as part of National Get Outdoors Day on Saturday June, 8th. Get a head start to a healthier, happier you with yoga in the park or “burn while you learn” by taking a guided or self-guided walking tour of the historic district. HOPE Yoga Studio in Dartmouth will offer free yoga in the park garden at 2:00 PM. The garden is located outside of the National Park Visitor Center located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. Bring yoga mats, if you have one. The park has a limited supply of mats for those who don’t have one. Please RSVP (for yoga only) by calling Emily Prigot at 508-996-4095 x 6105 or via email at emily_prigot@nps.gov. The park will also offer free guided walking tours at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM. Burn While You Learn maps are available for those who would rather explore the park at their own pace. The maps provide self guided walking routes to historical destinations in the park and information about calories burned from traveling to each site.

2ns Annual Jazzfest LOADED with great live music acts, food and cash bar!

2nd Annual New Bedford Jazz Festival 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The 2nd Annual New Bedford Jazz Festival is scheduled for June 15th from 2-7 pm at Pier No. 3/Fisherman’s Wharf and will feature 6 separate acts, many new, over the course of the day. All 6 acts have a connection to UMass Dartmouth College of Visual & Performing Arts, and they are also a partner in the event. A full write up and more detail can be had by clicking here.

Teacher Appreciation Night w/ The Bay Sox 6:30 pm
The Bay Sox salute the Teachers of the Southcoast on Saturday night at 6:30 as they take on rival the Newport Gulls. All teachers get in free and will be entered into a raffle with a round trip ticket from Jet Blue as the grand prize. Teachers’ Appreciation Night is the culmination of the Bay Sox Reading Program. Bay Sox players visited the Southcoast schools to read to students the week of June 11th and now it’s time to recognize the great work of the teachers. Teachers are admitted FREE and will have the opportunity to win some neat raffle prizes.

Jazz at the Celtic: Buffalo Caliente 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Didn’t get your fill from the Jazz during the Jazzfest? Then head to the Celtic Coffee House for a special showcase by Buffalo Caliente. The Celtic is the number one source for alternate style music like Spanish Classical, Jazz, Irish Folk, and more. Come enjoy a night of spectacular jazz music with one of the best bands around. Relax while enjoying a fantastic selection of beer and wine. Pub menu and drink specials served until midnight. Admission is FREE. All are welcome!

Sunday, June 16th

Lazy Lobster Race (Wareham, MA) 7:30 am
The Lazy Lobster Race Presented by New Balance is a 10 miler, 5 miler, and Kids Fun Run. It’s going to be a fun filled event full of raffles and giveaways. Come out with the family and have a great time! Runners will recieve a tech shirt, medal, and other swag as provided by sponsors. The race is in a new race location in Wareham! Tired of running the same routes in New Bedford or Plymouth? Check us out! Like us on facebook for a chance at free prizes before race day!

Acoustic Sunrise – Morning Glory Cafe 9:30 am – 12:30 pm In what is perhaps the most unique breakfast next to Leggs ‘n Eggs, you can enjoy breakfast and live music every Sunday at Morning Glory Café, in the South End. Amanda Rae will serenade you from 9:30-12:30 while you enjoy the best breakfast in town!

Take Dad to watch a LIVE Baseball Game!

Fairhaven 39th Annual Father’s Day 10K and 5K Road Races 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Hard to believe, but the Father’s Day Road Race is on it’s 39th year! This is one of the more popular events for Fairhaven and the turnout is always massive. The 39th annual running of a 10K, TAC sanctioned course through the lovely, historical Fairhaven streets and features some of New England’s top runners. There is also a shorter 5K race. Sponsored by Fairhaven area merchants and the Fairhaven Road Race Committee.

Father’s Day Baseball w/ the Bay Sox 6:30 pm
On Father’s Day, the team welcomes the NECBL’s newest addition the Plymouth Pilgrims to Paul Walsh Field and will be giving all father’s in attendance a complimentary ticket to a future home game of their choice along with “dad focused” on the field activities and giveaways. Bay Sox play NECBL’s newest team the Plymouth Pilgrims for the first time. Happy Father’s day from the team!! All dads get a complimentary ticket to a future home game and will be honored with on the field activities and giveaways

Father’s Day Tribute to the Fab Four (Beatles) 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Love the Beatles? If not, Dad does! Take dad to watch Big Bill Reidy jam some of the best tunes from the Beatles. No cover charge, great pub food and selection of beer and wine.

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




Art Tebbetts: New Bedford’s Troubadour Emcee

by John Michael Bell
by John Michael Bell

No one personifies New Bedford’s music scene like Art Tebbetts. He is the city’s troubadour. Where there’s music, you can find him playing, emceeing, or both. He has been the master of ceremonies at New Bedford Folk Festival (formerly Summerfest) for 18 years. He has been hosting Thursday night open mics in downtown New Bedford’s Café Arpeggio for eight-and-a-half years. His roots in the local community go back to his college days, when he played music with a band at SMU, long before it was called UMass Dartmouth.

For a man who plays hundreds of gigs a year, little things like the variety of performances at open mics and the intimacy of coffeehouses still bring him a lot of pleasure as a musician.
“I like the audiences,” Tebbetts says. “They pay attention and they listen. I can talk and be myself.”

While he is a performer by trade, it is his spoken words and personality that have helped make Tebbetts such a fixture in the New Bedford music scene. His open mics at Café Arpeggio have become a destination for musicians of every level of experience. “We’ve been doing open mics for 425 weeks. I’ve got log books for every performer,” Tebbetts says. While many open mic performers are amateurs tentatively breaking out instruments in public for the first time, the talent on display on Thursday nights can often catch Tebbetts by surprise. “The local music scene is as big now as it’s ever been,” Tebbetts says. “There are so many levels to it.”

The New Bedford Folk Festival’s aim is to provide a showcase for one of those levels. It’s a showcase that Tebbetts is quite familiar with. At the first festival in 1995, Alan Korolenko, who runs the festival with his wife Helene, approached Tebbetts, asking him to introduce the next act on the main stage. Tebbetts agreed, and ended up introducing several bands that day. “He then asked me if I could come back the next day,” Tebbetts says. “That’s how I became host of the main stage. I’ve been doing that for 18 years.”

art-tebbetts

Tebbetts emcees with his trademark conversational style. As the host, he relishes in the possibility of introducing previously unknown talent, giving them their first boost on the road to wider success. “There’s as ‘unknown’ factor at the festival, where someone new comes in and blows everyone away. There’s a band called Eddie From Ohio, that in 2001 opened for the main performer. The next year they were the main performer,” he says. “The year after that, we couldn’t afford them anymore,” he adds, chuckling.

This year, the festival will feature a wide variety of major talent in the international folk music world. Music is such a prominent aspect of the festival that it will be called the New Bedford Folk Festival for the first time this year. That growth of the music scene, with both local artists and non-local artists who are drawn to New Bedford, is something Tebbetts has witnessed first hand. He can recall a time when music was just part of Summerfest, and not the main attraction.

“It took a lot of years before the music became the main draw. There used to be a carnival with rides, and it was down on the waterfront. But music is what attracts people, and then they go to the merchants and the shops.”

This year is the first that the Zeiterion Theatre will operate as the main stage, but as in years past there will be stages scattered throughout downtown New Bedford where local artists can ply their trade. “For a couple of years the locals have had their own stage,” says Tebbetts. “Along the way, they’ve gotten nicer stages and better equipment. It’s cool that our locals get the chance to show their stuff.”

For Tebbetts, the festival is the grand event for a city he loves. He has watched the city change in recent years, slowly and, he feels, for the better, calling the spread of new restaurants and bars in the downtown area a “rebirth”. “They’ve been talking about it for thirty years, and it feels like it’s finally happening. It’s not just hard drinking places for sailors anymore. I’ve been waiting for decades for that to happen.”

Regardless of what the future holds for downtown New Bedford, Tebbetts will be there, reliably performing hundreds of shows a year, always showing up at Café Arpeggio on Thursday nights, and always, reliably there to welcome us to the folk festival when it rolls around in July. For many New Bedfordians, he is the face of the festival. “People come to me saying they want to play at the festival,” Tebbetts says. “I tell them ‘I don’t organize it, I don’t run it, I’m your host.'”





The South Coast Hot Jobs List – 13 June 2013

Michael Silvia
by Michael Silvia

The Greater New Bedford unemployment rate is much higher than the rest of Massachusetts, but believe it or not there really are a lot of jobs available for qualified applicants. Sometimes the barrier to a new job can be the lack of information on available job openings. To solve this, each week New Bedford Guide will be working with the New Directions Southcoast (also known as the Greater New Bedford Career Center) and pulling jobs from our jobs database to inform job seekers about the hottest jobs in the area. We will define “Hot Jobs” as those jobs that need to be filled by the employer immediately. For those looking to search some large job databases, checkout my Best Job Search Resources for New Bedford Residents article. Unless noted otherwise, those interested in these positions or want more information should go to the Greater New Bedford Career Center at 618 Acushnet Avenue. Be sure to also check out our Job Portal to find jobs by location on a map: http://www.newbedfordguide.com/map-page#pm_jobs_tab.

If there is not a link to applying for one of the jobs listed, contact Sharon Martin, Business Services Representative at 508-990-4115 or feel free to stop by the Greater New Bedford Career Center. These positions are posted on mass.gov/jobquest.

Here are the Hot Jobs from the Greater New Bedford Career Center as of June, 13th, 2013:

1. Production Planner #2527728 – Format job bags for new orders and orders w/changes, identifying key areas concerning further production using sales order/contract/previous orders and quotations. Applicant must have one or more years of experience. High School Diploma or Equivalent required. Basic computer knowledge and typing skills are required. Applicant must also have strong math skills and detailed oriented. Prior manufacturing experience is helpful.

2. Graphic Artist #2527717 – Review contract requirements for graphics and dimensions to be used on finished product and use computer software to generate graphics to those requirements. Two years’ experience, Macintosh PC software. Must be knowledgeable in Photoshop and Illustrator, other graphic software helpful. High School diploma or equivalent.

3. Maintenance Mechanic #2527688 – Experienced maintenance mechanic wanted for food manufacturing facility. Core duties include maintenance and repair of manufacturing equipment and building equipment. Mechanical, maintenance electrical, plumbing, HVAC, hydraulics and pneumatics knowledge are desired attributes. Shift is Thursday, Friday, Saturday and every other Sunday 6:00pm to 6:00am. Shift differential is available.

4. Maintenance Supervisor #2518173 – Maintenance Supervisor needed for a local manufacturer. Responsible for installation and repair of all machinery and equipment, including mechanical, electronic and hydraulic components. Previous supervisor experience required and knowledge of computerized maintenance management system (Antero system).

5. Library Assistant I #2508754 – Assists in the daily operations of the Circulation Desk, monitors the borrowing of materials and performs related public service duties as required. Must be available some nights and Saturdays. Provides courteous public service at the circulation desk by responding promptly to patron requests according to established procedures. Promotes library service to the community by assisting in the planning and implementation of library programs. Makes the library collection accessible by following established circulation and cataloging procedures.

Contributes to the smooth operation of daily functions by completing assigned projects without ongoing supervision, and observing all policies as outlined in the staff and circulation manuals.

This position performs a variety of clerical duties, which include: assistance in opening and closing department; typing and filing; assisting in maintaining appropriate security on ground floor when reporting inappropriate patrons’ behavior to Librarian. May assist in collecting, recording and transferring all monies (cash or checks, in person or by mail) coming in, ordering supplies and calling repair services when necessary.

Prepares and checks materials being loaned; checks in materials and packs materials to be sent via the carriers. Distributes mail to appropriate departments.

High school diploma or GED required. Two years of college or appropriate public library experience with an automated library system preferred. Individual must possess working knowledge of library principles, methods and procedures; good communication skills with the ability to deal tactfully with others; attentive to detail, good judgment, good physical condition, ability to type at least twenty words per minute. Contributes to the smooth operation of daily functions by completing assigned projects without ongoing supervision. Establishes and maintains harmonious working relationships with others. Ability to speak Spanish desirable. The City of New Bedford has a Residency Requirement.

6. Service Desk Associate #2538534 – Details: Provides “World Class” Member Service by surprising and delighting our members every day. Performs daily responsibilities including, but not limited to: assisting customers, register operations, answering the phone, making P.A. announcements and completing business service transactions.

  • Ensures customer care and selling are #1 priority
  • Maintains a clean work area and replenishes required supplies
  • Monitors security alarms on front doors and logs all incidents in the Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS)

7. Driver (part-time) #2518131 – Automobile parts delivery person needed ASAP. No experience necessary, but must know the Fairhaven and New Bedford area. Must be available to work every other Saturday and the week you work the Saturday you will be working 32 hrs. CORI and drug test performed.

8. Administrative Assistant/Accounts Payable #2342310 – Greeting customers, in person or on the telephone. Charges expenses to accounts and cost centers by analyzing invoice/expense reports; recording entries.

Pays vendors by monitoring discount opportunities; verifying federal id numbers; scheduling and preparing checks; resolving purchase order, contract, invoice, or payment discrepancies and documentation; insuring credit is received for outstanding memos; issuing stop-payments.

Pays employees by receiving and verifying expense reports and requests for advances; preparing checks. Maintains accounting ledgers by verifying and posting account transactions. Verifies vendor accounts by reconciling monthly statements and related transactions. Disburses petty cash by recording entry; verifying documentation. Reports sales taxes by calculating requirements on paid invoices. Protects organization’s value by keeping information confidential. Must work well with others. Employer looking to fill position ASAP.

Here are some jobs in the New Bedford area from the NewBedfordGuide.com jobs database:

1. Teller at Citizens Financial Group – Responsibilities Accurately conducts all credit and debit transactions in compliance with established bank policies and procedures. Full details and application process here.

2. Assistant Principal at Gomes Elementary School in New Bedford – Minimum of five years of successful teaching experience at the elementary level two of which may have been as an Assistant Principal or a similar administrative position. Full details and application process here.

3. Graphic Design at Semper – Production Artist needed immediately at South Shore print facility. Full details and application process here.

4. General Manager at U-Haul – Profitably manage a U-HAUL® center according to company policies and procedures. Full details and application process here.

5. Executive Director, Women’s Fund of Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts. Full details and application process here.

6. Assistant Manager at Rent-A-Center. Full details and application process here.

Don’t see a job that interests you? There are over 8,000 jobs within 50 miles of New Bedford on our Map Portal.