New Bedford sand pick up locations

The Department of Public Infrastructure has made sand available to city residents at many locations throughout the city. Residents are advised to bring their own small container to collect the sand at any of the following locations:

  • Norfolk St & Acushnet Ave
  • Toby St & Acushnet Ave
  • Manila St & Acushnet Ave
  • Fire Station #5 –Acushnet Ave
  • Phillips Rd & Pine Hill Dr
  • Welby Rd, North Side, Between Two Buildings
  • Essex St & Phillips Rd, Campbell School
  • Saint Theresa’s Church – Acushnet Ave
  • Balls Corner, Mill Rd & Belleville Ave
  • Saint Mary’s School/Church –Illinois St
  • Tarkiln Hill Rd & Acushnet Ave
  • Police Station #3 – Ashley Blvd
  • Wilks Library –Acushnet Ave & Princeton St
  • Ashley Blvd & Princeton St
  • Belleville Rd & Hope St
  • Mount Pleasant St on Nash Rd Side (in place)
  • Fire Station –Davis St & Acushnet Ave
  • Deane St & Ashley Blvd
  • Bullard St & Acushnet Ave
  • Shawmut Diner, Between the Driveway
  • Acushnet Ave & Sawyer St
  • Sawyer St & Mount Pleasant St
  • Beetle St & North Front St
  • Beetle St & N. Front St
  • Coggeshall St & Ashley Blvd
  • Coggeshall & Purchase St
  • 10 Kilburn St
  • Purchase St & Logan St
  • Rockdale Ave & Granit St
  • Linden St & County St, South Side of Linden St
  • Fire Station #7 –Durfee St & Cottage St
  • Durfee St & Shawmut Ave
  • Red Cross, Rockdale Ave & Durfee St
  • Purchase St & Wamsutta Ave
  • Sacred Heart Nursing Home, Studley St & Summer St, On West Side
  • Merrimac St & County St
  • 1554 Purchase St, Fire Repair
  • Pleasant St & Pope St
  • Parker St & County St, East Side of County St
  • Parker St & Rockdale Ave
  • Pleasant St & Pearl St
  • Purchase St & Campbell St
  • Cottage St & Campbell St
  • Sycamore St & State St
  • County St & Sycamore St
  • Pleasant St, Rear Lot of Fire Prevention
  • Maxfield St & Pleasant St
  • E.M.T.S. Chancery St, Inside Parking Area
  • S.E.C. Summer St & Hillman St
  • Ash St & Hillman St
  • Fire Station #2 –Pleasant St
  • County St & North St
  • Pope’s Island Marina
  • Third District Court, North Side of Kempton St
  • Liberty St & Kempton St
  • Pleasant St & Middle St
  • South Sixth St & Middle St
  • County St & Middle St
  • Elm St Garage, On Acushnet Ave
  • Buttonwood Library
  • Pier 3 –Visitors Center
  • South Water & Hamilton St
  • William St & Acushnet Ave, Custom House Square
  • City Hall, Pleasant St SideCentre St & Front St
  • Market St & Sixth St
  • Second St & Union St
  • Union St & Acushnet Ave
  • Purchase St & Union St
  • Eighth St and Union St
  • County St & Union St
  • Spring St & Pleasant St
  • Zeiterion Garage, Acushnet Ave Entrance
  • School St & Purchase St
  • School St & Sixth St
  • School St & County St
  • Walnut St & Acushnet Ave
  • Maple St & Atlantic St
  • Maple St & Reed St
  • Madison St & County St
  • Fire Museum, Bedford St & Sixth St
  • Page St & Bedford St
  • Wing St & Acushnet Ave
  • Wing St & County St
  • Fair St & County St
  • Fire Station #6, Purchase St
  • Thompson St & Crapo St
  • County St & Rivet St
  • Bonney St & Rivet St
  • Bolton St & Rivet St
  • Delano St & South First St
  • Jouvette St & Bonney St
  • Howland Green Library, Driveway, Rodney French Blvd
  • Rockdale Ave & Dartmouth St
  • Fire Station #11, Brock Ave & Mott St
  • Willard St & West Rodney French Blvd
  • Clegg Field, Brock Ave
  • Brock Ave & Portland St
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant, Community Center
  • South Rodney French Blvd, Cable Access Building



New Bedford Prepares for Blizzard, Announces Parking Ban and more

The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for Southern Bristol County including the City of New Bedford from 7:00 P.M. today, Monday, January 26, 2015 until Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 1:00 A.M. A crippling and potentially historic blizzard will impact the area mainly from late today into Tuesday and lingering into early Wednesday.

The forecast calls for heavy snow, strong winds and blizzard conditions beginning late today and lingering into early Wednesday. The most severe portion of the storm will be tonight through Tuesday afternoon. Snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches an hour are possible at times. A total of 20 to 30 inches of snow accumulation with locally higher amounts is predicted for the New Bedford area.

Sustained winds from the North/Northeast of 15-25mph with gusts of 65-75MPH are likely. Heavy snow and strong winds will result in white-out or blizzard conditions with near zero visibility.

The National Weather Service issues a blizzard warning when sustained winds or frequent gusts over 35 mph are expected with considerable falling and/or blowing and drifting snow. Visibilities will become poor with whiteout conditions at times. Those venturing outdoors may become lost or disoriented, so persons in the warning area are advised to stay indoors.

All unnecessary travel is discouraged beginning Monday afternoon to allow people already on the road to safely reach their destination before the heavy snow begins and to allow snow removal equipment to begin to treat and clear the roadways.

Citywide Snow Emergency Parking Ban as of 6 P.M. Today, Monday, January 26, 2015
The City of New Bedford has announced a citywide snow emergency parking ban to take effect today (Monday, January 26, 2015) as of 6:00 P.M. The parking ban will remain in effect for 48-hours thereafter, unless lifted or further extended by City officials. The parking ban is designed to allow City workers to efficiently remove snow from New Bedford roadways to allow public safety vehicles and residents to travel safely.

While the snow emergency parking ban is in effect, parking is permitted on the side of the street that is opposite the fire hydrants. No vehicle should be parked on the same side of the street as a fire hydrant, except on streets that are regularly posted for parking on one side of the street only. In posted areas, residents are to obey the signs as usual.

The citywide parking ban will be double-sided in both the Acushnet Avenue Business District and the Downtown Business District. Downtown parking is available at no charge in the Elm Street and the Zeiterion Parking Garages.

Violations of this parking regulation will be subject to ticketing at $50 per ticket and towing at full cost to the owner of the vehicle towed. The vehicle owner is also responsible for the full cost of storage for any towed vehicle.

The City of New Bedford has designated the following areas as preferred parking areas for those residents in need of off-street parking while the emergency snow parking ban is in effect:

· Victory Park – Brock Avenue
· Hazelwood Park – Brock Avenue
· Roosevelt Middle School – Brock Avenue and Dennis Street
· Cove Street Parking Lot – Cove Street and Morton Court
· Orchard Street at Camara Soccer Field
· Congdon School – Thompson and Hemlock Street
· Buttonwood Park Parking Area – Hawthorn Street Side and Lake Street Side
· Former St. Mary’s Home – Entrance on Mill Street
· Coggeshall Street Parking Lot – Coggeshall Street and Acushnet Avenue
· Sawyer Street Parking Lot – Between Sawyer Street and Beetle Street
· Brooklawn Park Parking Area – Brooklawn Street (South Side)
· Normandin Middle School – Tarkiln Hill Road
· Jireh Swift School – Tarkiln Hill Road
· Campbell School – Phillips Road
· Riverside Park Lot – Coffin Avenue
· Coffin Avenue Lot- Across from Taber Mills Apartments
· Alma del Mar Charter School (former Ottiwell School) – 26 Madeira Avenue
· Former AVX site on Bellville Avenue at Hadley Street
· Philips Avenue School – 249 Phillips Avenue
· DeValles School – 120 Katherine Street
· Parker School – 705 County Street
· Elm Street Garage
· Zeiterion Garage – 688 Purchase Street

Pilgrim United Church to Open for Residents in Need of Shelter
Pilgrim United Church (634 Purchase Street) will open as of 7PM for unsheltered residents. The church will be equipped with staff, food and cots. The church will remain open throughout the day on Tuesday, January 27, 2015.

New Bedford Public Schools-Closed Tuesday, January 27, 2015
All New Bedford Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, 2015. Please monitor local media and the New Bedford Public Schools website www.newbedfordschools.org for updates.

New Bedford City Offices-Closed Tuesday, January 27, 2015
City offices will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, 2015 including City Hall, the public libraries, senior centers and the Buttonwood Park Zoo. New Bedford Regional Airport will remain in operation for as long as it remains safe. Passengers should contact their air carriers directly to confirm their flight status because widespread cancellations are expected. Only City employees designated as essential should report to work.

SRTA Services Suspended as of 7PM Tonight, Delayed Tomorrow
The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority will suspend service as of 7:00PM tonight, weather dependant. Riders should anticipate service for Tuesday, January 27, 2015 will be delayed and should call 508-999-5211 for information about the status of SRTA services.

Changes to Residential Trash Collection
There will be no residential trash collection on Tuesday, January 27, 2015. Therefore, residents whose normal trash collection day is Tuesday should not put their trash out curbside for collection tomorrow. An update regarding the trash collection schedule will be made later today.

Sand Available to City Residents at Various Locations
The Department of Public Infrastructure has made sand available to city residents at many locations throughout the city. Residents are advised to bring their own small container to collect the sand at any of the following locations:

  • Norfolk St & Acushnet Ave
  • Toby St & Acushnet Ave
  • Manila St & Acushnet Ave
  • Fire Station #5 –Acushnet Ave
  • Phillips Rd & Pine Hill Dr
  • Welby Rd, North Side, Between Two Buildings
  • Essex St & Phillips Rd, Campbell School
  • Saint Theresa’s Church – Acushnet Ave
  • Balls Corner, Mill Rd & Belleville Ave
  • Saint Mary’s School/Church –Illinois St
  • Tarkiln Hill Rd & Acushnet Ave
  • Police Station #3 – Ashley Blvd
  • Wilks Library –Acushnet Ave & Princeton St
  • Ashley Blvd & Princeton St
  • Belleville Rd & Hope St
  • Mount Pleasant St on Nash Rd Side (in place)
  • Fire Station –Davis St & Acushnet Ave
  • Deane St & Ashley Blvd
  • Bullard St & Acushnet Ave
  • Shawmut Diner, Between the Driveway
  • Acushnet Ave & Sawyer St
  • Sawyer St & Mount Pleasant St
  • Beetle St & North Front St
  • Beetle St & N. Front St
  • Coggeshall St & Ashley Blvd
  • Coggeshall & Purchase St
  • 10 Kilburn St
  • Purchase St & Logan St
  • Rockdale Ave & Granit St
  • Linden St & County St, South Side of Linden St
  • Fire Station #7 –Durfee St & Cottage St
  • Durfee St & Shawmut Ave
  • Red Cross, Rockdale Ave & Durfee St
  • Purchase St & Wamsutta Ave
  • Sacred Heart Nursing Home, Studley St & Summer St, On West Side
  • Merrimac St & County St
  • 1554 Purchase St, Fire Repair
  • Pleasant St & Pope St
  • Parker St & County St, East Side of County St
  • Parker St & Rockdale Ave
  • Pleasant St & Pearl St
  • Purchase St & Campbell St
  • Cottage St & Campbell St
  • Sycamore St & State St
  • County St & Sycamore St
  • Pleasant St, Rear Lot of Fire Prevention
  • Maxfield St & Pleasant St
  • E.M.T.S. Chancery St, Inside Parking Area
  • S.E.C. Summer St & Hillman St
  • Ash St & Hillman St
  • Fire Station #2 –Pleasant St
  • County St & North St
  • Pope’s Island Marina
  • Third District Court, North Side of Kempton St
  • Liberty St & Kempton St
  • Pleasant St & Middle St
  • South Sixth St & Middle St
  • County St & Middle St
  • Elm St Garage, On Acushnet Ave
  • Buttonwood Library
  • Pier 3 –Visitors Center
  • South Water & Hamilton St
  • William St & Acushnet Ave, Custom House Square
  • City Hall, Pleasant St SideCentre St & Front St
  • Market St & Sixth St
  • Second St & Union St
  • Union St & Acushnet Ave
  • Purchase St & Union St
  • Eighth St and Union St
  • County St & Union St
  • Spring St & Pleasant St
  • Zeiterion Garage, Acushnet Ave Entrance
  • School St & Purchase St
  • School St & Sixth St
  • School St & County St
  • Walnut St & Acushnet Ave
  • Maple St & Atlantic St
  • Maple St & Reed St
  • Madison St & County St
  • Fire Museum, Bedford St & Sixth St
  • Page St & Bedford St
  • Wing St & Acushnet Ave
  • Wing St & County St
  • Fair St & County St
  • Fire Station #6, Purchase St
  • Thompson St & Crapo St
  • County St & Rivet St
  • Bonney St & Rivet St
  • Bolton St & Rivet St
  • Delano St & South First St
  • Jouvette St & Bonney St
  • Howland Green Library, Driveway, Rodney French Blvd
  • Rockdale Ave & Dartmouth St
  • Fire Station #11, Brock Ave & Mott St
  • Willard St & West Rodney French Blvd
  • Clegg Field, Brock Ave
  • Brock Ave & Portland St
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant, Community Center
  • South Rodney French Blvd, Cable Access Building

New Bedford Harbor Hurricane Barrier Navigation Gate
The Army Corps of Engineers has no present intention to close the navigation gate at this time. Tuesday’s high tides are at 1:10 AM and 1:34 PM. The Army Corps is monitoring conditions. If conditions require the gate to be closed, the closure will be announced to Mariners on Channel 16, 60 to 90 minutes before closing.

Winter Weather Preparedness Tips for Residents and Business Owners
Residents and business owners are advised to review the Winter Weather Tips available on the City webpage http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/emergency-management/winter-storms/ and to take proactive steps to prepare for the major winter storm.

Important Emergency Contact Numbers
· To report a downed power line, medical, fire or other emergencies please dial 911.
· NSTAR is prepared to address and damage and outages resulting from the storm and encourages customers whose electric service is affected to call 1-800-592-2000. NSTAR strongly urges people to stay away from all down wires and to report them immediately.
· To report snow removal issues on city streets, residents may contact the Department of Public Infrastructure at (508) 991-6150
· New Bedford Police Department may also be reached on its Non-emergency line at (508) 991-6350
· Please visit the City’s website at www.newbedford-ma.gov for more information and
updates from the City of New Bedford regarding the snowstorm.




New Bedford snow emergency designated parking areas

As longtime residents of New Bedford know, parking bans occur before snow storms arrive. It allows city crews to crew streets properly. Here are the designated parking areas during snow emergencies:

  • Victory Park – Brock Avenue
  • Hazelwood Park – Brock Avenue
  • Roosevelt Middle School – Brock Avenue and Dennis Street
  • Cove Street Parking Lot – Cove Street and Morton Court
  • Orchard Street at Camara Soccer Field
  • Congdon School – Thompson and Hemlock Street
  • Buttonwood Park Parking Area – Hawthorn Street Side and Lake Street Side
  • Coggeshall Street Parking Lot – Coggeshall Street and Acushnet Avenue
  • Sawyer Street Parking Lot – Between Sawyer Street and Beetle Street
  • Brooklawn Park Parking Area – Brooklawn Street (South Side)
  • Normandin Middle School – Tarkiln Hill Road
  • Jireh Swift School – Tarkiln Hill Road
  • Campbell School – Phillips Road
  • Alma del Mar Charter School (former Ottiwell School) – 26 Madeira Avenue
  • Philips Avenue School – 249 Phillips Avenue
  • DeValles School – 120 Katherine Street
  • Parker School – 705 County Street
  • Elm Street Garage
  • Zeiterion Garage – 688 Purchase Street

Source: http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/emergency-management/winter-storms/storm-guide/




Important snow storm information for New Bedford residents

Here are some important phone numbers and information to have handy during a winter storm.

  • To report a downed power line, medical, fire or other emergencies please dial 911.
  • NSTAR is prepared to address and damage and outages resulting from the storm and encourages customers whose electric service is affected to call 1-800-592-2000. NSTAR strongly urges people to stay away from all down wires and to report them immediately.
  • To report an outage to NStar online: http://www.nstar.com/residential/outage_reports/default.asp?browser=d. Outage map: http://www.nstar.com/outage/OutageMap.aspx
  • To report snow removal issues on city streets, residents may contact the Department of Public Infrastructure:
    • Residents North of Rt. 195 –Dept. of Public Infrastructure 508-991-6150
    • Residents South of Rt. 195 – Dept. of Public Facilities 508-991-6133
  • New Bedford Police Department may also be reached on its Non-emergency line at (508) 991-6350.
  • During freezing temperatures or snow storms/blizzards the emergency cold weather shelter is open on 634 Purchase Street. Shelter and food is provided at no cost.

Notice any corrections that need to be made or have some useful information? Send it to info@newbedfordguide.com.




Cork Wine & Tapas offers something unique and a focus on food, wine and details

The gorgeous front of Cork’s Joseph Taber building at 90 Front Street, built in 1836.

Being a foodie – OK, foodie junkie – one of my favorite aspects of writing is sharing some of the best eateries in the south coast, Massachusetts area. Nay, the planet – because we DO have some of the best restaurants on earth. I’m not talking about the “personal waitstaff a half dozen strong, you are served 18 thimble sized courses, and take out a small bank loan to pay for it. Oh, yeah – what was the food even like?” kind of place. I’m talking about places where food is the central focus and everything else revolves around it in a complimentary fashion.

Those fancy-schmancy places may be fabulous, but I was raised in this blue-collar city and don’t want that type of unnecessary flair. I’m a Yankee at heart. It’s not about the fireworks, bells and whistles. Let’s focus. It’s about the food in terms of something unique or original. The knowledge and personality of your waiter: efficient, attentive, knowledgeable…friendly, but not overbearing.

Chef John Bentley showing off the Local Littlenecks – Steamed with chorizo, hot peppers, and diced tomato in a lemon, garlic, and beer sauce.

Cork Wine and Tapas is an easy place for me to write about. It’s a place I frequent often. It’s a place I go to for the food, the atmosphere, the locals. To blow off steam and unwind. Besides, it’s the only place around that you can get tapas or small plates of food served while drinking.

Tapas is of Spanish origin and is a sort of lifestyle in Spain. Everyone does it. The concept is this: you want to head out with the special someone or a group of good folks. Your objective? Great conversation and fun. You need fuel for this, but you don’t want to eat heavy. You don’t want to eat in the standard fashion of appetizer, entree and dessert. Small plates of food mean that you can pace yourself while enjoying wine and company. You don’t want that stuffed feeling or any of the drowsiness that comes with being stuffed – if you are..ahem…wiser in age, like I am.

Small plates don’t mean thimbles. Read appetizer sized, not entree sized. In Spain, they are very tiny portions – but as always, America is a melting pot of cultures. We have no problem adopting someone else’s idea, but we always make it our own. Cork serves more generous portions than you will find in Spain – their way. They take the basic concept of portions, but match the ingredients with the concept of terroir – the French culinary concept of using the local geography, geology and climate in your ingredients. Chef John Bentley has batted it – smashed it – out of the park, by perfectly marrying the Spanish import with America and the element of terroir.

Cork breaks their tapas down into two types: cold and hot. Some of the cold tapas: there is a variety of salads, tuna tartare, crostinis, marinated peppers, and even a yet to try panko-encrusted goat cheese.

Cork backs up their local, domestic and international wine with well-versed and knowledgeable waitstaff.

My two favorites that cure my daily ails: the Cheese Platter – the chef’s selection of local and international cheeses; served with grilled crostini, infused honey, and fresh fruits and the Ceviche – Shrimp and scallop marinated with jalapeno, tomato, cucumber, and citrus juices; served with tortilla crisps.

I’ll be honest. When Mike and I get the cheese platter, I’m counting. Did he just take three extra protons worth of cheese and slather his cracker with them? Does he think I’m not watching? Well, let’s see how he likes it when I eat an extra crostini! Uh-oh – they gave us an odd number of figs and grapes? Did we not tip properly when we were last here? Maybe he didn’t notice. Do I take the extra or will I get German Suplexed?

The warm tapas menu is a bit larger in terms of offerings, standard and original: pan seared New Bedford scallops, littlenecks, Philly cheesesteak spring rolls, empanadas, truffled fritas, nori rolls and one that Mike and I get every single time we go, without exception: grilled flatbread. The flatbread changes from day to day and the server will announce that days selection when you are seated. Whatever the choice is, is irrelevant. Cut her/him off and say “I don’t care what the flatbread is today. Put it in my belly.”

Of course, there are many more tapas offerings on the menu which changes with the seasons, than I can mention. There are, of course, soup and desserts. Sticking with the theme of originality and terroir there is clam & corn chowder, wild mushroom & roasted garlic bisque (insanely good) and the delectable chorizo & sweet potato soup. In terms of dessert there is a flourless chocolate cake, Crème Brulee, sorbet and house-made cheesecake.

One of my favorite dishes EVER: Cheese platter: Blue cheese, New England Camembert, cave -ged New York Cheddar, New England Chevre, fruit and then some.

Earlier I mentioned that the idea was to focus on the fare and no taparia worth its salt would be without wine, beer and spirits. Cork excels in this area. They have one of the most attractive bars I’ve ever been in. The stone and timber backdrop makes me feel like I am in the 19th century – one of my favorite time periods. What a great atmosphere and tone it sets. One of the many subtle touches that the people at Cork have worked hard on to perfect.

Cork is one of the premier destinations on the South Coast that has a staff that is clearly trained to be as knowledgeable as they are with the wine and pairing it. I wouldn’t say that I am a wine oenophile, but wine is my choice of libation over beer and spirits. I’ve been drinking wine for two decades and am not a wine snob by any stretch of the imagination, but I am particular about what I like. I like bitter, heavy red wines. I like loads of tannins. I prefer complexity and intense mouthfeel. There is nothing more disappointing than poring over a wine list, unfamiliar with some of the offerings, and getting a stunned look on a waitperson face when you begin to inquire.

Even more frustrating is the waitperson that “wings it.” Either poorly with a “Oh, that’s really delicious!” or craftily with “It’s a red wine with lots of tannins.” – only to get a sweet wine with no tannins.” Grrr. In the four years that I have been going to Cork, I have never had a waitperson stumped about the wine or give me a dishonest answer. I consistently get solid descriptions of the wine I am asking about. Every glass of wine I’ve ever gotten has matched their descriptions to a “t” and the only way that can happen is for the waitstaff to be tasting the wines on a regular basis. I’m a big fan of the abundancy philosophy when it comes to business and this clearly comes from the top from someone that practices this. Well done.

The people responsible for one of the area’s best eateries.

Don’t take my word for it, give your waiter or waitress a go!

Lastly, one of the aspects of Cork Wine and Tapas that brought me in the door initially was the live entertainment – original Spanish classical and neo-Flamenco music. The only place I know of anywhere, but Boston. You want to talk about ambiance! The music is a perfect setting for a romantic dinner. It compliments your experience, but being quiet enough to be there, but not force you to yell to converse with company. Yet, another thoughtful subtlety that is a theme at Cork. If you don’t particularly care for this style of music, don’t fret, there are plenty of other styles of music and local acts. Subscribe to their social media accounts to get updates on future entertainment.

Cork’s Facebook is frequently updated with glorious images of tasty additions that will draw you in. You’ll also find out about the entertainment, specials and any events. The YouTube channel gives you a visual sneak peek and the website lets you make reservations online, supplies the seasonal menu, and information on the entertainment, directions, promotions and private parties.

Worried about parking downtown? Cork has a parking valet – simply pull up, hand the keys over and enjoy.

Cork has recently undergone rather large renovations, so if you haven’t been in a while, you should revisit and see what they’ve done. If you have never been, you are missing out on something unique, original and special.


Don’t stare too long. May induce drooling like a babe.


Cork Wine and Tapas
90 Front St.
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Phone: 508-994-WINE (9463)
Open 7 days a week 11:30am-2am
Facebook: facebook.com/CorkNewBedford
Website: corkwineandtapas.com/
Videos: youtube.com/user/corkwineandtapas


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New Bedford Guide’s “I am New Bedford High School” Program

nbhslogoIt seems to be human nature in the media to cover the negative stories. 10,000 airplanes could take off successfully, but the media only pays attention to the one that crashes or disappears. Humans tend to be interested and even drawn to negative news.

Last year, a New Bedford High School student threw a chair at a teacher and was expelled. Too many kids at New Bedford High School get grouped in with the trouble makers – unfairly so. The students getting straight As, winning science fairs and excelling at sports don’t seem to get the same coverage as the students that fight or throw chairs at teachers. New Bedford Guide is going to change that.

We are starting a program called, “I’m New Bedford High School.” It will showcase the GOOD young men and women at the school; the real students that deserve recognition. The teachers, volunteers or anyone that is a positive influence on the school. Each article or video will spotlight a student by telling our city a little bit about them and spotlight their accomplishments. For example, a video of them showcasing their talent, some poetry, writing or something else that spotlights them.

We are looking for local businesses to sponsor this program. If you are interested in sponsoring this program contact info@newbedfordguide.com.





Citizen’s National Bank Building: From Longmeadow, through fires, to present day

Any early photo showing the building with its original third floor – not the NB Business College sign and attached structure to the West. (Spinner Publications)

The Citizen’s National Bank building is a structure with quite a bit of history. Not the “gasp,” or “What a crazy story!” type of history, but the slow and steady “Hmmm, interesting.” kind of history. While the building was erected in 1877, its story goes back a few years earlier.

The building’s story begins with a partnership between like-minded individuals – Joseph Arthur Beauvais of South Dartmouth and Thomas B. Fuller of Fairhaven. Born in 1824 of French immigrants (his father was conscripted in Napoleon’s army), Mr. Beauvais was a salty veteran of James B. Wood’s counting room – which was the room where the accountants kept their books and records of transactions. It was said that New Bedford was the richest city in the world in 1853, so two decades on you would find that many people were employed in some fashion or other in the whaling industry. Those with a knack for accounting found themselves in a counting room or house somewhere within the city.

1897 advert for Citizen’s National Bank – the bank would liquidate and merge with Mechanic’s Bank two years later. (Whalingcity.net)

After twenty one years in the employ of James B. Wood, Mr. Beauvais wished to strike out on his own and started Beauvais & Company, specializing in private banking or what we would call today “Financial Planning.” His office was on the northeast corner of Water and Centre Streets – what is today the Tatlock Gallery.

His head cashier was a one Thomas B. Fuller (1849-1886) who would eventually become his partner in 1874. I can’t seem to find any record of how a cashier rose to become a partner – perhaps it was his extraordinary skill with numbers, a strong friendship with Beauvias, substantial personal savings or an act of loyalty on Beauvais’ part. Perhaps, I misunderstand the position of head cashier and confuse it with the contemporary term. By all means, if someone is in the know and can shine some light on the matter, please do.

A year later, the Citizen’s National Bank was organized and Beauvais and Fuller combined their assets when their business was transferred to it. What the records do show is that the bank was not welcomed by other banking institutes because of its private banking nature. However, what Beauvais and Fuller did, they did well. In short order, they gained the full support of the community at large.

They enjoyed substantial success enough that they relocated in 1891 to the building we know as Freestones – whose facade still declares “Citizen’s National Bank.” The facade is comprised of Long-Meadow red freestones which is a type of red sandstone that made up part of the bedrock of Longmeadow, Massachusetts – the name which would eventually be adopted for today’s restaurant.

Very early photo showing horse-drawn carriages. Circa 1885. (Spinner Publications)

The bank was on a stretch called the Robeson Business Block that included all of the buildings on William St. from Acushnet Ave. to N. Second St. While the bank already owned the building which it built and ran out of in 1877, it was occupied by the Automatic Telephone Company headed by F.T. Akin and L.B. Bates. They had a running ad “We Want to Supply You with Telephone Service. We offer lowest prices. Unlimited Service. Private metallic lines. Long distance phones. Modern construction and guarantee satisfaction. Use the AUTOMATIC toll line when talking to Fall River. CALL LONG DISTANCE.”

Ah….I pine for the days of metallic lines and when a call to Fall River was long distance. Today a call to a martian lander is considered long distance!

Anyhow, the bank printed 9 different denominations to the tune of $1,488,720 dollars worth of national currency, and if you are a collector of sorts you may come across what is left of this $1.4 million dollars on auction sites or dusty cellars.

By 1899 Mechanic’s Bank was a powerhouse in the area and the Citizen’s National Bank was liquidated. Seems like yesteryear differed little from today when it comes to banks. This year it has one name, and the next year it’s someone else. Sticking with this theme, after it was liquidated and merged with the Mechanic’s Bank, lo and behold the New Bedford/Acushnet Cooperative Bank moved on in.

This is where the building’s first of two fires takes place in 1934. This fire destroyed the third floor which was never replaced.

At this point in the building’s history things get a bit hazy. It seems it is easier to find a detailed history of the 19th century than it is to find historical information from the 1940s onward. Most of what is available from this time on is accessed by anecdotes. It’s not that there aren’t documents and images of this era, it’s just that not a lot is available for public access. It’s primarily an oral history.

A later incarnation, Pequod’s bar prior to the second fire to the building.

So while history shows that the building had enough of banks and became a “cafe,” the official documents offer little more. Anthony DiPiro, son of Fay DiPiro who started Fay’s Knotty Pine opened Haskell’s in the mid to late 40s. I’m sure there is someone alive today that recalls this place and more exact dates.

Oral history states that Haskell’s Cafe was a bar/restaurant that was pretty “sketchy.” It had a reputation as a “hard” place. In 1951, a cigarette left unknowingly burning by a patron set the building afire again. The scorch marks can still be seen today on the pillars in the main dining room.

Haskell’s eventually re-opened after licking their wounds, but would eventually rename and become Pequod’s Lounge. I’m unsure if it passed hands or just took on a new name, to breath some new life into the venture. I haven’t heard much about Pequod’s or the typical clientele. My good friend Earl mentioned that his dad told him that it was a Go-Go bar with women dancing in cages hanging from the ceiling. What have you heard?

In 1979 the building would be taking over the fantastic Freestone’s City Grill (their Freestone’s Pasta is one of my favorite dishes on earth) which it is still today. The next time you walk by this iconic New Bedford building you can look at it in a different light – perhaps show up to your guests how knowledgeable you are about the historic district!

The building as we know it today with its facade of Long-meadow red freestones quarried from Longmeadow, Massachusetts.


Citizen’s Bank Building Timeline
1824 – James Arthur Beauvais born in South Dartmouth.
1849 – Thomas B. Fuller born in Fairhaven.
1853 – New Bedford declared “World’s Richest City.” Riddled with banks.
1874 – James Arthur Beauvais and Thomas B. Fuller become partners.
1875 – Citizen’s National Bank organized.
1877 – Long-meadow red freestone facade structure built by Citizen’s bank.
1891 – Beauvais and Fuller move into the building under Citizen’s National Bank.
1892 – Mural designed (or it was 1942).
1899 – Citizen’s National Bank merged into Mechanic’s Bank.
1934 – Fire at New Bedford/Acushnet Bank.
1951 – Fire at Haskell’s Cafe.
1979 – Freestones City Grill opens its doors.





Professor David Blight lectures on Civil War in New Bedford

“Living a New Life’: Frederick Douglass Finds Freedom and His Voice in New Bedford”

Professor David Blight of Yale University will present a lecture entitled “Living a New Life: Frederick Douglass Finds Freedom and His Voice in New Bedford” at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s theater on Saturday, February 7, 2015, from 2:00-4:00 PM. The park is located at 33 William Street, downtown New Bedford. Professor Blight is the Class of 1954 Professor of American History and Director of the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition at Yale. Admission is free. This event is sponsored by New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the New Bedford Historical Society.

Professor Blight is an Organization of American Historians (OAH) Distinguished Lecturer, a program that facilitates the partnership between local communities and historians to understand the meaning and cause of the Civil War. Dr. Blight just returned from a one year appointment at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, where he served as William Pitt Professor of American History and Institutions. He is completing his new biography of Frederick Douglass and is the author of more than eight books on the Civil War, Race and Relations in America, and the Underground Railroad. Dr. Blight’s book, Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory received eight book awards, including the Bancroft Prize, the Abraham Lincoln Prize and the Frederick Douglass Prize, as well as awards from the Organization of American Historians. He has been a consultant to many documentary films, including the 1998 PBS series, “Africans in America” and “The Reconstruction Era” in 2004. Dr. Blight earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his undergraduate degree at Michigan State University.





12 Things to do this Weekend (Jan 16- Jan 18)

Welcome to the world of yo-yo weather. This weekend’s weather will be all over “the place,” in terms of temperature and precipitation. We’ll experience a low of 8 degrees and a high of 47 degrees and we’ll range for partly sunny to possible rain. If weatherpersons get the weather this weekend correctly, we’ll be donning t-shirts one day and thermals and scarves the next!

new-bedford-weather

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


Friday, January 16th

Guided stargazing walk (Mattapoisett) (7:00-8:00pm)
Winter skies can often make for clear views of the stars. Take a walk to places with less light pollution allowing you to appreciate the natural beauty of our solar system and beyond. Free, registration required, to RSVP visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org//BayAdventures or email bayadventures@savebuzzardsbay.org. The Bogs 137 Acushnet Rd. Mattapoisett, Mass.

Watch the 1933 classic FREE in the theater of the Corson Maritime Learning Center.

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

Dock-U-Mentaries FREE movie: 1933 classic “Tugboat Annie” (7:00-8:00pm)
A monthly film series, presented by Working Waterfront Festival and the National Park, will take the third Friday of each month. Films will be shown in the theater of the Corson Maritime Learning Center. Screenings will be drawn from the WWF’s sizeable collection of documentary films on all aspects of the working port. Corson Maritime Learning Center.


Saturday, January 17th

Dollar-a-Bag book sale (Fairhaven) (9:00am-1:00pm)
Huge selection of good books and a large selection of used books sold at reasonable prices-most are 50 cents. Computer and Wifi available to the public. Help with our on-going puzzle, or join in a game of Scrabble. Coffee and desserts available. Church of the Good Shepherd 357 Main St. Fairhaven. Email: andreat120@comcast.net.

New Bedford Fitness Challenge (12:00pm-3:00pm)
Join us January 17th for the Kick-off to the New Bedford Fitness Challenge! At this event you can register for the challenge, receive free health screenings, learn about class offerings, and have a great time. For a one-time $5 fee, you will gain access to twice-weekly fitness classes around New Bedford. Join our supportive community, get healthy, and have a great time! If you cannot make it to the kick-off and registration, you can register for the fitness challenge online. Email: infoPRB@newbedford-ma.gov. Andrea McCoy Recreation Center 181 Hillman Street, New Bedford.

NASA Astronaut Steve Bowen at Battleship Cove (Fall River) (1:00pm-3:00pm)
NASA Astronaut Steve Bowen to visit Battleship Cove. He will be on hand to discuss his missions and sign autographs 1-3 p.m. Event commemorates 50 years sing the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. was involved in the Gemini space capsule recovery program. $5 funshops for kids. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, $17 $15 seniors, veterans and AAA members, $10.50 children 6-12, free for children under 6 and active military personnel in uniform. Battleship Cove features the world’s largest collection of historic naval ships.

Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam at the “Z” (8:00pm)
Dave Mason is a living rock legend! Join the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, backed by a full band, as he performs hits such as “Dear Mr. Fantasy” and “Feelin’ Alright,” while relating behind-the-scenes insights on the band’s heyday – a must see retrospective of his band, Traffic! TICKETS

Painting with a Splash: Moon Rise, Quiet Time, Orange Sky light house & Couple’s Night Special (3:00 (Moon Rise) & 7:00pm)
Welcome to Painting with a Splash Where you are the artist! Painting with a Splash is the newest addition to Historic Whaling City Downtown New Bedford. Bringing you an experience of art as entertainment. Add a little wine (BYOB) that will surely tap into your creative side. With step by step instruction and a little music, you and your friends will create the evenings featured painting with a splash of your own uniqueness. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Just a desire to have fun.

Your Theatre, Inc.: “Italian American Reconciliation” (8:00 pm)
The play follows Huey Maximilian Bonfigliano, who has a problem: While he is safely divorced from his shrewish first wife, Janice, who shot his dog and even took a bead on him, he feels he cannot regain his “manhood” until he woos and wins her one more time. He enlists the aid of his lifelong buddy, Aldo Scalicki, a confirmed bachelor who tries, without apparent success, to convince Huey that he would be better off sticking with his new lady friend, Teresa, a usually placid young waitress whose indignation flares when she learns what Huey is up to. In a moonlit balcony scene (hilariously reminiscent of Cyrano de Bergerac) Aldo pleads his lovesick friend’s case and, to his astonishment, Janice capitulates. Finally, he learns “the greatest – and only – success is to be able to love”. For information or tickets email info@yourtheatre.org or call (508) 993-0772.


Sunday, January 18th

Sister Act at the “Z” (2:00pm)
Direct from Broadway, Sister Act is the musical comedy smash that the New York Post calls “RIDICULOUSLY FUN” Featuring music by Tony® and Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast), Sister Act tells the story of Deloris, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look—a convent! Infectious song and joyous dance are the hallmarks of this feel-good production, guaranteed to get you singing hymns of praise!Tickets: https://ticketing.zeiterion.org/public/Default.asp

Have fun painting “Sunflower” with Blain at Painting w/ a Splash!

Painting with a Splash: Sunflower w/ Blaine (2:00pm)
Welcome to Painting with a Splash Where you are the artist! Painting with a Splash is the newest addition to Historic Whaling City Downtown New Bedford. Bringing you an experience of art as entertainment. Add a little wine (BYOB) that will surely tap into your creative side. With step by step instruction and a little music, you and your friends will create the evenings featured painting with a splash of your own uniqueness. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Just a desire to have fun.

Your Theatre, Inc.: “Italian American Reconciliation” (2:30 pm)
The play follows Huey Maximilian Bonfigliano, who has a problem: While he is safely divorced from his shrewish first wife, Janice, who shot his dog and even took a bead on him, he feels he cannot regain his “manhood” until he woos and wins her one more time. He enlists the aid of his lifelong buddy, Aldo Scalicki, a confirmed bachelor who tries, without apparent success, to convince Huey that he would be better off sticking with his new lady friend, Teresa, a usually placid young waitress whose indignation flares when she learns what Huey is up to. In a moonlit balcony scene (hilariously reminiscent of Cyrano de Bergerac) Aldo pleads his lovesick friend’s case and, to his astonishment, Janice capitulates. Finally, he learns “the greatest – and only – success is to be able to love”. For information or tickets email info@yourtheatre.org or call (508) 993-0772.


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





Jesse Dee’s Solo Performance at The Zeiterion’s “Stage Door Live! Series

Tickets for The Zeiterion’s Stage Door Live! performance by Jesse Dee $20 can be purchased at www.zeiterion.org, 508-994-2900 or at The Z Box office located at 684 Purchase Street in downtown New Bedford.

On Thursday, February 5th, Boston’s own Jesse Dee will be in New Bedford MA for a solo performance at The Zeiterion Theatre’s Stage Door Live event. At the Stage Door Live performances, the audience sits right on stage with the performer for an intimate cafe style experience.

Jesse Dee’s latest album On My Mind/In My Heart came out in 2013. It didn’t take long after I started playing this album for his voice and rhythms to get stuck on my mind and in my heart. I was smiling wide, tapping my feet, shaking my hips in my seat and attempting to sing along just a few minutes into listening to the first track which is the title track of the album.

The influences of such artists as Sam Cooke and the Shirelles are very prominent in his music. Jesse doesn’t try to hide these inspirations, he embraces and embellishes these old familiar sounds of the 1950’s and 1960’s and converts them into his own foot-tapping heart-thumping style.

Jesse was around 7 years old when he started listening to oldies radio stations. I was curious to hear what other types of music Jesse listens to.

Jesse Dee’s latest album On My Mind/In My Heart came out in 2013.

“I listen to a lot of different stuff. There’s a band I like called Little Dragon. That’s more of an electro pop band. Soul, older soul, and R&B hits the hardest for me, speaks to me the most. But I think good music is good music and the qualities in music people gravitate to I think are found in all different forms of it. I guess I’m drawn to it from all over the place but soul and R&B is kind of where most of my taste is rooted in.”

Jesse Dee creates a contemporary feel for older soul in his music and also brings a great element of visual art from that time period into his posters, website, and albums that he designs. With an education from MassArt in Boston in both Visual and Performing Art, Jesse is able to combine his skills to create a modern sound and feel that bring you back to the good old days.

Jesse Dee’s upcoming performance at The Zeiterion isn’t his first time appearing on that stage. He opened with his band for Al Green in August 2012. He mentioned that it was a special experience for him, being able to perform in the beautiful venue with someone whose music he admires very much.

I could see on Jesse’s list of tour dates that his venues really varied so I asked “I see that you are playing at the Sinclair, and by listening to your music, I would think that you’d get a dancing crowd. A show like this is going to be more of a listening crowd, how does that change the set that you choose?”

“There’s definitely material that I’d be more inclined to play in a listening environment as opposed to, you know, a sold out show at the Sinclair type of scenario, only because I think some of the material doesn’t translate as well in those settings. There’s also a lot of songs that can function in either setting, I’ve found. I think, when I play solo, you have to approach it as a different thing, because it is a different thing. But it’s something that I very much enjoy. It’s how I learned to play, solo, as a performer. It’s fun to jump back and forth between playing with a bigger band and playing all by myself.”

Tickets for The Zeiterion’s Stage Door Live! performance by Jesse Dee $20 can be purchased at www.zeiterion.org, 508-994-2900 or at The Z Box office located at 684 Purchase Street in downtown New Bedford. 02740. Box office hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:00am-5:00pm, and Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm. For more information, visit www.zeiterion.org.