Looking for talented line cooks to join our team! We have opportunities at The Sail Loft, Cisco Kitchen and Bar, Joe’s Original and The Black Whale.

Culinary folks, come join us for food and fun on the Roof Deck at Cisco Kitchen and Bar! From 9am to 3pm this Saturday June 18th on the Roof Deck!

Here’s the best part: Qualified applicants will receive a $50 Servedwell Gift card~
Can’t attend but still wanna work for this great company? Apply online: https://www.ciscokitchenbar.com/jobs/

Cisco Kitchen + Bar
https://www.ciscokitchenbar.com/
1482 East Rodney French blvd New Bedford, MA 02744

On Friday June 10, 2022 New Bedford Creative introduced the “Art is Everywhere” grant recipients for arts and culture projects in the City of New Bedford this year.

Seven compelling applicants have been selected to share $70,000 in funding to realize their vision and bring their projects to life in the city. This is the third year “Art is Everywhere,” administered by New Bedford Creative on behalf of MassDevelopment and the Barr Foundation, has supported projects that seek to define and enlarge the scope of creativity in the city.

Reflecting an expanding pool of talent and vision, this year four of the seven are first time recipients of New Bedford Creative funding, and six are new to Art is Everywhere. Five are receiving full funding for their projects. Additionally, five represent the impact the city’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities have made and are making today in the city.

“The recipients in this round of the ‘Art is Everywhere’ Grant Program showcase the breadth of what New Bedford’s creative community has to offer,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, who serves as chair of MassDevelopment’s Board of Directors. “From a bilingual Yoga Series focused on serving underrepresented youth, to honoring the legacy of Frederick Douglass, these projects have the power to catalyze the local arts-based creative economy in a way that creates deep impact in the community.”

New to “Art is Everywhere” this year is Dil ba Dil Rah Dhara (From One Heart to Another): The Afghan Women’s Art Project which will be presented in partnership with the South Coast Afghan Welcome Network (SAWN) and the New Bedford Free Public Library with the support of $11,600.

Meanwhile, La Soul Renaissance will celebrate its 20th anniversary with special programming to celebrate the local Cape Verdean, Black, Indigenous, Caribbean, Immigrant and wider community about the value of the cultural memory at Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall with $13,000.

The bilingual Yoga series, Ease into Summer Kids, will be launched by Tahais Real-Martins of Yoga Es Vida at New Bedford Parks with $6,000. David Andrews and The Communal Space will host Kids Open Art Week with a $3,400 award.

The heritage of New Bedford’s Abolition movement is recognized by two projects. The Massachusetts Design Art, & Technology Institute (known as DATMA) project will use $6,000 to place “Safe Station: New Bedford’s Underground Railroad” at the New Bedford YMCA. And, the New Bedford Historical Society’s Abolition Row Park will dedicate $20,000 towards its Frederick Douglass Memorial at the park.

Finally, the appetizing pairing of food and creativity will be showcased by Coastal Foodshed at farmers markets throughout the city with $10,000 in seed money.

“These projects add to the richness of our shared cultural experiences,” comments Margo Saulnier, Creative Strategist for New Bedford Creative. “Collectively, these ‘Art is Everywhere’ projects propel New Bedford into a more equitable future by expressing the creativity of our entire community.”

The importance of arts and culture in the City of New Bedford is reflected by the “Art is Everywhere” investment and other recent initiatives. In May 2022, Mayor Jon A. Mitchell announced that $1.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding was also being made available to support local artists and art-related organizations.

He remarked at the time, “The artists that comprise New Bedford’s thriving arts community are themselves small businesses. (This) represents a timely investment in our economy and will energize our cultural scene.”

The ARPA funds will be awarded later this year through New Bedford Creative’s grant programs – even as “Art is Everywhere” catalyzes the New Bedford cultural landscape. Updates, further information and monthly news about all programs can be found at newbedfordcreative.org.

New Bedford Creative photo.

“On Saturday, Special Olympics Massachusetts held its annual Summer Games on the campus of Harvard University.

Law enforcement agencies from across the Commonwealth conducted a “Cruiser Convoy” from Danvers to Harvard Stadium to highlight the opening of Saturday’s events and competitions. Law Enforcement is a major sponsor and contributor to Special Olympics, and conducts the Law Enforcement Torch Run each year to raise funds to support the games. Police departments were asked to donate $100 per participating cruiser, with funds going directly to the athletes.

This year’s Convoy netted $17,518 and included officers from the Berkshires to Provincetown, and the North Shore to New Bedford.

Officer Julianna King with K9 Freya, and Special Sheriff William Gerke represented the ECSD. Over 230 cruisers participated in the Convoy, after which officers visited with athletes and their families, and participated with the presentation of award medals at event ceremonies.

Officer King and Special Sheriff Gerke were honored to present medals in track and field.” -Essex County Sheriff’s Department.

Video by the Lawrence Police Department:

All photos by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department:

“ANNOUNCEMENT: The Vault Music Hall will be closing down effective immediately.

We’re working with the agents for all of the bands that were scheduled over the next several months to see if we can get the shows moved to other venues within the region, so keep an eye out for announcements regarding that. All tickets for future shows will be refunded over the next few days.

The Pub side will be closing down as well, with tentative plans to reopen under a new concept. Further details will be released as that progresses along with time frames on when we plan to reopen. Gift cards will still be honored upon reopening.

We want to thank everybody who has supported us as a live music venue featuring some of the best entertainment that has ever been brought to this city. It’s been a fun ride!” -The Vault Music Hall & Pub.

“On Friday, June 4th, 2021, Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia responded to a 9-1-1 call for a drowning 14-year-old boy, Troy Love, in Green Hill Pond, Worcester.

Unfortunately, Officer Familia and Troy Love did not make it out of the water alive.

The Manny 267 Foundation was created by Officer Familia’s family to spread awareness of the hazards of drowning and how essential it is for first responders and the community to know how to swim safely.

On Friday, Officer Familia’s brother, Elvin, and his niece Alani, representing the Manny 267 Foundation, donated ten “Manny Tubes” – bright yellow flotation devices for use by first responders during water rescues, to the Salem Police Department. The Department will keep the Manny Tubes in cruisers for rapid deployment when officers are called to respond to incidents on the water.

For information on the Manny 267 Foundation, see: http://267foundation.org/” -Salem MA Police.

Officer Familia’s brother, Elvin, and his niece Alani. Salem MA Police Department photo.

Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia who lost his life trying to save 14-year old Troy Love. Salem MA Police Department photo.

Officer Familia’s brother, Elvin, and his niece Alani. Salem MA Police Department photo.

Salem MA Police Department photo.

Mayor Jon Mitchell awarded the top 10 academically ranked seniors in New Bedford High School’s Class of 2022 today in the school’s auditorium.

Today’s ceremony was the 10th annual Mayor’s List Awards, in celebration of the students’ extraordinary academic achievements. The ceremony also was an opportunity to learn more about and celebrate the students’ high school activities, higher education destinations, potential fields of study, and career goals.

Valedictorian Phillip Tran, for example, was a member of the high school’s Science Olympiad team and the Mayor’s Youth Council. He’ll be attending in Brown University and plans to major in computer science. Salutatorian Tari Pereira was captain of the high school’s varsity soccer and lacrosse teams, and plans to major in kinesiology on a pre-med track at UMass Amherst.

“This is an outstanding group of students who exemplify dedication and character, inside the classroom and outside,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “We’re very proud of them and all they’ve accomplished.”

The graduates and their higher education destinations are:

01: Valedictorian: Phillip Tran, Brown University.

02: Salutatorian: Tari Pereira, UMass Amherst.

03: Abigail Perry, Emmanuel College.

04: Lillian Gray, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
.

05: Angel Cruz, UMass Amherst.

06: Daija Nunes, UMass Dartmouth.

07: Sydni Colson, Gordon College.

08: Diego Serra, Emmanuel College.

09: Dona Bonnie, Boston University.

10: Saige Amaral, Bridgewater State University.

Friday evenings are about to get a lot more festive in downtown New Bedford. The City’s massive, dance-fueled, biggest-ever Summer Sound Series begins June 17 and offers a free concert every week, alternating between Purchase Street and lower Union Street, with block party events featuring a variety of musical genres and participation from local restaurants every Friday through Sept. 16.

“This year’s Summer Sound Series is bigger than ever,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “The block party format on Union and Purchase streets will support downtown businesses, and will energize the City’s emergence from the pandemic.”

Downtown New Bedford is home to destination attractions such as the New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, New Bedford Art Museum, and the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center.

“As a parent of two young children, I fully appreciate the value of free or low-cost community events for which families can get together, enjoy some local entertainment, and make lifelong memories,” City Council President Ian Abreu said. “City-sponsored events like the ‘Summer Sound Series’ not only bring our residents together, but also provide a much-needed economic boost to our downtown restaurants, retailers and museums.”

The Summer Sound Series will be in the heart of it all, with streets blocked off for the Friday concerts from 6 to 8 p.m. Concert attendees can purchase a beverage from participating establishments and watch the concerts on the street.

This summer’s lineup features an eclectic variety of artists. “This year we are pulling out all the stops and offering free concerts for 14 weeks of the summer season, and each week features a different artist,” said Amy DesRosiers, marketing manager for the City’s Tourism and Marketing Department. “There’s funk, reggae, blues, roots rock, jazz, genre fusion bands and more. There’s something for everyone and plenty of opportunity to dance.”

City of New Bedford photo.

PURCHASE STREET

(between Union and William streets):

• June 17: The Dope Lotus (funk / soul / groove)
• July 1: Candida Rose (“KabuJazz” – Cape Verdean musical roots combined with American jazz influences)
• July 15:Adam Lufkin’s Mid-Summah Night’s Jam (guitar-driven, multi-genre)
• July 29: Craig DeMelo Band (guitar-driven singer/songwriter, spoken word poetry)
• August 12: JAMMIN’: A Tribute to Bob Marley (reggae)
• August 19: World Premier Band (funk / dance / throwbacks and originals)
• September 2: Hip Shot Band (upbeat dance / multiple genres / high-energy event band)

____________________________________________________________________________________________

UNION STREET

(between N. Water St. and Route 18):

• June 24: Colby James & The Ramblers (ensemble rock’n’roll)
• July 8: TBD*
• July 22: TBD*
• August 5: The Silks (blues-based rock ‘n’ roll from Providence)
• August 26: TBD*
• September 9: The Rosie Show (singer / songwriter rock)
• September 16: Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish (bluesy dance music)

*TBDs indicate preliminary agreements with musicians whose contracts have not yet been finalized.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Participating Restaurants:

PURCHASE STREET: No Problemo, The Pour Farm Tavern, dNB Craft Kitchen
UNION STREET: PLAY Arcade, Moby Dick Brewing Co., Cultivator Shoals, Union Flats Seafood Co., Cork Wine and Tapas, Rose Alley Ale House

All concerts are weather permitting. Learn more at: destinationnewbedford.org.

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.

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

Saturday, June 11:

• Former Fire Station 11 (754 Brock Ave.) – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, vaccines and boosters for children and adults
• Junta Mon Music Festival at the Cape Verdean Cultural Center / Island Park (1157 Acushnet Ave.) – 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J & J, vaccines and boosters for children and adults

Monday, June 13:

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

Wednesday, June 15:

• Community Economic Development Center (1501 Acushnet Ave.) – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, vaccines and boosters for children and adults

Friday, June 17:

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

Saturday, June 18:

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

Monday, June 20:

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

Wednesday, June 22:

• Community Economic Development Center (1501 Acushnet Ave.) – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, vaccines and boosters for children and adults

Friday, June 24:

• Brooklawn Park (1997 Acushnet Ave.) – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, vaccines and boosters for children and adults
• PAACA (360 Coggeshall St.) – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, vaccines and boosters for children and adults

Reminder on the importance of vaccinations:

Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is not only about protecting yourself – it’s also about protecting your family, friends, and community. Vaccination is critically important to consider ahead of 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/.

Project Beacon’s appointment-based COVID-19 testing at New Bedford Regional Airport—part of the state’s Stop the Spread program—is offering testing on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Appointments for free COVID-19 tests can be made at beacontesting.com. Airport officials ask that people reach the site via the airport’s side entrance on Downey Street.

Contact Project Beacon by email at help@beacontesting.com; or by calling 617-741-7310.

The federal government is offering free at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits online, at COVIDtests.gov. Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order a third round of free at-home tests. Each order includes eight rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.

If you test positive with a rapid test, isolate for at least five days and notify close contacts. State guidance on isolation and quarantining can be found here.

If you test negative, re-testing a day or more later is advised, particularly if you have symptoms or a known exposure to the virus.

Testing sites in New Bedford and surrounding towns can be found on the state’s Stop the Spread website, www.mass.gov/info-details/find-a-covid-19-test.

Upcoming testing locations in New Bedford include:

Tuesday, June 14:

• Project Beacon at New Bedford Regional Airport (1569 Airport Road) – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday, June 16:

• Project Beacon at New Bedford Regional Airport (1569 Airport Road) – 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 19:

• Project Beacon at New Bedford Regional Airport (1569 Airport Road) – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday, June 21:

• Project Beacon at New Bedford Regional Airport (1569 Airport Road) – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday, June 23:

• Project Beacon at New Bedford Regional Airport (1569 Airport Road) – 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 26:

• Project Beacon at New Bedford Regional Airport (1569 Airport Road) – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LifeStream and Bridgewater State University (BSU) recently launched The Assistive Technology Academy, an Assistive Technology (AT) Training Certificate program for direct support professionals in southeastern Massachusetts.

The program format is a combination of online and in-person/classroom options. It includes classroom/lab activities at the BSU campus and in-context learning activities. The program is completed over a ten-week period, at approximately 1.5 hours per week.

Melissa Pepin, LifeSteam’s Director of AT and Therapy Services, oversees the program with Dr. James Feeney, Assistant Professor at BSU. “Assistive Technology has become a critical element in support services for individuals with disabilities, helping to increase independence and socialization,” said Ms. Pepin. “The program helps direct support professionals develop and implement a customized AT plan, provides access to training materials and other resources, and offers up to date information on a wide range of AT tools.”

Classes focus on topics including “What is AT?” and “Augmentative Communication,” as well as instructions on completing a screening assessment and developing a support plan. All classes are geared towards helping participants increase independence for those they support. At the end of each ten-week session, each participant presents a project related to AT and the support provided to an individual based on what they learned during the class.

The pilot program has been a huge success, with participants actively demonstrating the knowledge and skills they have utilized with the individuals they support. “One of the most rewarding aspects of this program is seeing how attendees are applying what they’ve learned to real-life situations,” said Dr. Feeney. “Many of them have noted how surprised they were with the abundance of available AT services, and how much they have learned from the program.”

For additional information please contact Melissa Pepin at mpepin@lifestreaminc.com.
Want to work for this amazing organization? They’re hiring: https://www.lifestreaminc.com/careers/