“Free, walk-up COVID-19 clinics in New Bedford offer all CDC-approved vaccine doses and boosters, for adults and youth. Bringing your vaccination card when getting a booster shot is helpful, but not required.

Clinics provided by Seven Hills Behavioral Health, unless otherwise marked.

NOTE: The Seven Hills vaccine clinic at PAACA on Coggeshall Street and the former Fire Station 11 in the South End will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 24 and Saturday, Nov. 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday

Visit vaxnb.com for updated schedules of local COVID-19 vaccination and testing locations. Upcoming vaccine locations in New Bedford include:

• Thursday, Nov. 17:

PAACA (360 Coggeshall St.) – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, vaccines and boosters for adults, and children 5 years and older

• Saturday, Nov. 19:

Former Fire Station 11 (754 Brock Ave.) – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, vaccines and boosters for adults, and children 5 years and older

• Monday, Nov. 21:

Former Fire Station 11 (754 Brock Ave.) – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, vaccines and boosters for adults, and children 5 years and older

• Monday, Nov. 28:

Former Fire Station 11 (754 Brock Ave.) – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, vaccines and boosters for adults, and children 5 years and older

Reminder on the importance of vaccinations:

Getting vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19 is not only about protecting yourself – it’s also about protecting your family, friends, and community. Vaccination and boosters are critically important to consider ahead of travel, holidays, and large gatherings, which can lead to super-spreader events, clusters, hospitalizations, and severe illness among people who are unvaccinated.

State Resources for Vaccine Records, Locations

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has free online services to find your personal vaccine records and local vaccination locations, including many pharmacies.

Access your vaccine records at https://myvaxrecords.mass.gov/, and find local listings at https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/.” -City of New Bedford.

“GIRL’S BEST FRIEND:

Yesterday, Trooper Deshawn Brown, our Troop B Community Liaison, visited the Boys and Girls Club of Westfield to read a book to a class of preschool students. He was joined by Trooper Chad Tata of our Employee Assistance unit and his partner, crisis response dog Luna.

Before they entered the classroom, the Troopers were informed by a teacher that a girl in the class, Lorelei, had been bitten by a neighborhood dog two months ago and as a result of that traumatic event was very fearful of all animals, especially dogs. The Troopers assured the teacher that they would make sure Lorelei felt safe and comfortable throughout their visit.

After Trooper Brown read a story to the children and handed out some MSP stickers, the class learned about Luna’s role with the State Police. Trooper Brown then asked if anyone had any questions.

Lorelei raised her hand and asked if she could pet Luna. She then stood up and slowly walked toward Luna, hand-in-hand with her teacher for extra assurance. Lorelei courageously put her hand on Luna’s back and began to pet her (pictured) in what we hope is a good step in her healing process.

Troopers Brown and Tata and K9 Luna are very grateful for the hospitality of the Boys and Girls Club, and thank the teachers, students, and of course Lorelei, for their friendship.” -Massachusetts State Police.

“***CITIZEN’S ACADEMY CONCLUDES***

The NBPD Citizen’s Academy came to its conclusion last week, as Chief Oliveira handed the graduates their certificates and the coveted, special citizen’s academy challenge coin.

Over a period of 10 weeks, participants were met by a cadre of instructors who gave presentations on major crimes, narcotics, special victims, and more. Participants also took a tour of the Ash St. jail courtesy of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office and visited the police firing range.

The graduates will also ride along with members of our department out in the field in the coming weeks.

Sincerest thanks to all the participants and instructors. Stay posted for dates of further citizen academies!” -New Bedford Police Department.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

“As temperatures continue to drop, here’s a quick reminder. Please do NOT plug space heaters into extension cords or power strips!

Plug them directly into the wall outlet!

Extension cords/ Power strips are not able to handle the high current flow that a space heater can draw and can overheat causing a fire.”-Northampton Fire Rescue.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that space heaters, including both fixed and portable heaters, are associated with about 21,800 residential fires every year. About 300 people die each year in fires started by these heaters.

Northampton Fire Rescue photo.

“The joint graduation ceremony of Recruit Class 02-2022 took place in the Auditorium at Keith Middle School on Thursday, November 10th.

Recruit Class 02-2022 graduated nineteen new recruits from New Bedford, Acushnet, Berkley, Somerset & Taunton. Eleven of the new recruits will begin their careers as New Bedford Firefighters. Please join us in congratulating New Bedford’s newest recruit class graduates:

• Nathan Amado
• Alexander Andrade
• Peter Borges
• Jared Britto
• Chad Costa
• Logan Debrosse
• Luke Gioiosa
• Joshua Mattos
• Jarred Oliveira
• Keyan Penha
• Benjamin Pereira

New Bedford would like to wish all of the graduates much success in their future as firefighters!! ?”-New Bedford Fire Department.

All photo by the New Bedford Fire Department:

“The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) announced that from November 25th through December 31st SRTA’s bus and paratransit services would be free to all thanks to a grant included in the state budget and awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The program is designed to encourage new customers to “Try Transit” by offering no cost trips to shop or dine at local businesses, visit with friends and family, and commute to work during the holiday season.

SRTA applied in partnership with all the Regional Transit Authorities in the Commonwealth to expand access to transportation this holiday season. “Eliminating barriers has helped grow service in the past and this holiday season will hopefully help ease the burdens of residents in our communities,” said SRTA Administrator Erik Rousseau. “This is a great opportunity for those new to transit to give us a try.”

Although primarily designed to attract new customers by easing access to services, “Try Transit” will of course also offer a financial reprieve to current riders during these times of high inflation. It is expected that the savings and increased mobility offered by SRTA’s services will translate into increased spending at local shops and restaurants.

Questions regarding the “Try Transit” program should be directed to the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority at 508-999-5211 or info@srtabus.com. Happy Holidays!” -SRTA.

“Attorney General Maura Healey today announced that she has joined a coalition of 40 attorneys general in reaching a $391.5 million settlement with Google for misleading consumers about its location tracking practices. This is the largest multistate data privacy settlement ever reached by attorneys general in the history of the United States. Massachusetts is expected to receive $9.3 million from the settlement.

Today’s settlement concludes an investigation by the attorneys general that found that Google violated state consumer protection laws by misleading consumers about its location tracking practices since at least 2014. Specifically, Google caused users to be confused about two account settings that control data collection of the users’ location – “Location History” and “Web & App Activity” – and the extent to which consumers who use Google products and services could limit Google’s location tracking by adjusting their account and device settings.

“Technology companies need to be upfront with users about how and when their data is tracked and shared, especially when it comes to location information which can reveal personal information about people’s lives,” said AG Healey. “This unprecedented agreement holds Google accountable for these deceptive practices, requires more transparency, and ensures more consumer control over what information is used.”

Location data is a key part of Google’s digital advertising business. Google uses the personal and behavioral data it collects to build detailed user profiles and target ads on behalf of its advertising customers. Location data is among the most sensitive and valuable personal information Google collects – even a limited amount of location data can expose a person’s identity and routines. This data has the potential to reveal intimate and sensitive details, including, as Google has acknowledged, whether a person has sought reproductive health care.

The attorneys general opened the Google investigation following a 2018 Associated Press article that revealed Google “records your movements even when you explicitly tell it not to,” including when the “Location History” setting is turned off. “Web & App Activity,” a separate account setting that also tracks location, is automatically turned “on” when users set up a Google account, including all Android phone users. The attorneys general allege that consumers were confused about the scope of the “Location History” setting and did not know the “Web & App Activity” setting existed.

Today’s settlement requires Google to be more transparent with consumers about its practices, including by:

• Showing additional information to users whenever they turn a location-related account setting “on” or “off”;
• Making key information about location tracking unavoidable (i.e., not hidden);
• Giving users detailed information about the types of location data Google collects and how it’s used at an enhanced “Location Technologies” webpage;
• Giving users the ability to disable a location-related account setting and delete the location information stored by that setting without needing to navigate to separate webpages; and
• Automatically deleting location information collected through Web and App Activity after 30 days.
The settlement also limits Google’s use and storage of certain types of location information and requires Google account controls to be more user-friendly.

Joining AG Healey in filing the settlement are the attorneys general of Oregon, Nebraska, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. The final settlement was also joined by Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.”-Mass.gov.

Every year there is great anticipation of this event and this season the Ahead USA Company Store will be open the next two weekends in November and three weekends in December. Every visit is different as the stock rotates daily, but you’ll always find a great selection of clothes, hats, jackets, sportswear, golf apparel and accessories at amazing prices. The best part? All of the products are made proudly right here in New Bedford.

Here is a graphic with the store hours for the 2022 Holiday Season:

And here are directions:

Take RT. 140 to EXIT 7 – NEW BEDFORD INDUSTRIAL PARK
270 SAMUEL BARNET BLVD., NEW BEDFORD, MA.
DRIVE TO THE END OF BARNET BLVD AND ENTER THE SECOND “AHEAD” DRIVE WAY
DRIVE TO THE BACK OF THE BUILDING TO THE DOOR LABELED STORE ENTRANCE.
PLEASE NO PHONE CALLS • CASH OR CREDIT CARD

https://www.facebook.com/aheadusa

New Bedford Festival Theatre announces historic 33rd season!

New Bedford Festival Theatre and Executive Producer Wendy Hall along with Artistic Director George Charbonneau and Associate Artistic Director Elizabeth Bettencourt have announced the company’s 33rd season. Festival Theatre will now be producing shows year-round. In this historic season, Festival Theatre will move from a single summer production to a full season of three (3) major musical
productions starting in November 2022.

The Festival Theatre kicks off the holiday season with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas for 8 performances only!

Based on the classic holiday film; a song and dance duo follow two beautiful singing sisters to a Vermont inn for their Christmas show. This holiday classic features a dazzling score filled with well known standards including the Academy Award winning title song. White Christmas is an uplifting musical to celebrate the holidays.

Performances:November 26, December 1,2,& 3 at 8:00pm and November 26,27, December 3 &
4 at 2:00pm.
—–
The Broadway classic The Wiz with Music and Lyrics by Charlie Smalls will “Ease on down…” to the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center for 5 performances.
A beloved Broadway gem, The Wiz offers a dazzling mix of rock, gospel, and soul music. This timeless tale of Dorothy’s adventures through the land of Oz is a fun,
family-friendly modern musical.

Performances: April 27, 28, 29 at 8:00pm and April 28 and 30 at 2:00pm.
—–
A summer tradition returns! Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for 8 performances! One of the most enduring shows of all time. Joseph… is a reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers, and the coat of many colors. Performances: July 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 at 7:00 PM and July 23,29,and 30 at 2:00 PM.

Single Tickets: Ranging from $39-$65

Season Subscriptions: All 3 shows for one low price! Ranging from $110-$160 per person.

Single Tickets and Subscriptions are now on sale online at zeiterion.org, by phone (508)994-2900, or in person at the Zeiterion Box Office.

For more information: Please visit www.nbfestivaltheatre.com