New Bedford Guide is a major lover and supporter of animals in the Greater New Bedford area. We help reunite over a dozen lost pets each month with their owners through our popular New Bedford Guide (facebook.com/NewBedfordGuide) and New Bedford Pet Detective (facebook.com/nbpetdetective) Facebook Pages. We are also a strong advocate for dogs living in local animal shelters, so we have developed our Pet Portal (newbedfordguide.com/map-page#pm_pet_tab) to help reduce the time animals spend in the shelters.

Our pet portal pulls data from 45 animal shelters within 60 miles of New Bedford and presents the shelter data and pets available at the shelters in a list or map view. We also offer a search and subscription service for people looking for a specific animal. The Pet Portal is FREE of charge with the hope of reducing the amount of dogs in each shelter. We are looking for local sponsors to support this portal by purchasing a large banner on the Pet Portal for $100 per month. You help support a great cause and also get your business in front of 10s of thousands of people that use our pet portal.

There are two banner options:

720 x 90 example:

160 x 600 example:

Interested in purchasing a banner? Banners are $100 per month or $900 per year. Contact info@newbedfordguide.com.

by Joyce Rowley

When the Department of Infrastructure painted all the electrical boxes black last summer, Councilor Joe Lopes couldn’t believe it.

Lopes had commissioned artists to paint two boxes, one on Rte. 18 and one in front of the Portuguese Club in the South End of New Bedford, based on a similar project downtown—and paid $250 each. The one on Rte. 18 was painted over, the other “survived” Lopes said due to the protection of club members when the DPI crew went after it.

Commissioner Ron Labelle denied it had anything to do with the “third floor” of City Hall as Lopes had claimed, though.

“I was given the task to remove graffiti,” said Labelle Wednesday at the City Council Appointments and Briefings Committee. “I take full responsibility.”

Calling graffiti a “scourge on the City,” Labelle said he went after it with a vengeance. In July he ordered his crews to paint all the City-owned electrical boxes black, a neutral color that wouldn’t stand out. “The men did a good job,” Labelle said.

One of the painted-over boxes was at the corner of Williams and Purchase opposite Café Arpeggio. That, however, was not graffiti but was painted by an artist-led teen program out of ArtWorks!, the local artist cooperative on Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford.

The painting had been part of a weeks-long outreach program, said Noelle Foye, New Bedford Art Museum/ ArtWorks! director. The project cost about $9,000 all told, but that included designing the project, creating a prototype, and painting the electrical box. It also included $500 for a graffiti-proof coating.

“Getting the kids involved gets them invested in it and the word gets out—don’t mess with that, it’s our art, we did that,” Foye told the Council. She said the program had been paid for with some of the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, and if they were available again, ArtWorks! would sponsor another outreach class painting project this summer.

Labelle apologized to the artists and the groups involved in the projects. Still, Labelle was not convinced it was a good idea.

“The arbitrary way young men and young women paint something that doesn’t belong to them is inappropriate,” Labelle said. “My concern is that by allowing this, it can send the wrong message. One person’s view of artistry may encourage vandalism. I appreciate what they’re doing. I hope it doesn’t promote something we aren’t happy with later on.”

But the Council agreed with Lopes that involving the City’s youth helped rather than caused a problem.

Councilor-at-large Linda Morad pointed to the Campbell School mural performed by students with ArtWorks! six years ago. “That mural has not been targeted once,” Morad said. Councilor-at-large Carny agreed.

“Now it’s time to get the kids involved in the community,” Carney said. “I think it’s going to beautify the City.”

The Council voted 11-0 to request that Director Pat Sullivan, Office of Housing and Community Development , seek CDBG funds for a similar ArtWorks! youth engagement project in FY2015.

by Joyce Rowley

Ken Blanchard, Director of Facilities and Fleet Services and Marissa Perez-Dormitzer, the City’s recycling coordinator, were on hand at the Appointments and Briefings Committee meeting to show City Council the new roll-out carts for residents. New Bedford residents received notification on the new carts in their February water bills.

55,000 new roll-out carts will be distributed starting in May, Blanchard said, for the new automated residential curbside pickup that begins June 23, 2014. Blue-lid carts will be for trash, and orange lid for recycling. Recycling will now be “single stream” all in one container—no more separating out the paper, plastic, and metals.

Carts will be put curbside in the same location that trash barrels are placed now. The new ABC Disposal trucks have arms that reach out and pick up the carts, then lift and empty them into the truck.

Homes with less than three units will receive carts at no cost; buildings with four or more units will pay a one-time fee per cart. A 65-gallon cart costs $59.18 and a 95-gallon cart costs $66.82 for the life of the cart. Extra recycling carts of either variety can be purchased if they’re needed, Blanchard said.

One- and two-family dwellings will receive one each trash and recycling 65-gallon cart. Three-family and four-family dwellings will receive two 95-gallon trash and two 95-gallon recycling carts. Five- and six-unit properties will receive three 95-gallon trash carts and two 95-gallon recycling carts.

And in case any of the carts get swiped, they’ll be traceable by a bar-code that gives the correct address for each cart. Not quite GPS track-able, said Blanchard, but close. They’ll also have a white strip for residents to write their address on their cart.

ABC Disposal has begun using roll-out carts in Fall River and Plymouth successfully. The benefits are many, said Blanchard. No bags, no sea gulls picking them apart, means cleaner streets.

But Councilor-at-large Linda Morad questioned why four-family houses had to pay, and why three-family houses did not. Blanchard said that one- through three-family houses typically were owner occupied, whereas the larger houses were more likely to be income-producing property and so could afford the carts.

Morad said she’d received a number of questions on the carts already.

“Is an elderly person going to be able to push it down a seven-foot driveway?” Morad asked. Perez-Dormitzer said that she had used the carts through her four pregnancies, and it was no problem.

Blanchard said the carts were designed for ease in movement, even on stairs, as Councilor Joseph Lopes also asked how elderly in his ward often have stairs to navigate.

Councilor Henry Bousquet of Ward 3 also questioned how some of the commercial restaurants downtown would use the carts, particularly where there were either stairs or no alleyway to store the carts.

“People are going to have to find a way to store them,” Blanchard said. “People used to put their garbage cans in a coop and lock it.” He pointed out that people can find a way to get a Christmas tree to their house, but going the other way…

Bousquet asked that Perez-Dormitzer work on a way to make food waste composting a possibility for the City’s restaurants.

“How can we make that a reality? We could have a really valuable soil for community gardens and parks that we wouldn’t have to pay for,” Bousquet said.

Scott Alfonse, executive director of the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District, said that high-volume generators of food waste were going to have to find other disposal means. A statewide ban will taking effect in July will be implemented by October of this year.

The District is collaborating on an anaerobic digester being built at the landfill which will take food waste and convert it to methane gas. The existing 3.3 megawatt landfill-gas-to-energy plant will use the methane to generate electricity.

Premiere of “The North Star Journey” a Reality Documentary by YAP! Experience “The North Star Journey” premiere on Friday, February 28, 2014 from 6:00-7:00 pm at the Cook Memorial Theater at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill. Doors will open at 5:30 pm.

The free screening is part of New Bedford Celebrates Frederick Douglass: And his Journey from Slavery to the Heights of the Abolitionist Movement, a program series presented by The New Bedford Historical Society, The New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center highlighting Douglass’ remarkable life throughout the month of February 2014.

After being invited to D.C. during the summer of 2013 for a week-long experience, the Youth Ambassadors took on every opportunity and challenge they encountered. The impact of what they felt, saw, learned and did is evident throughout “The North Star Journey” and in every verse of their newest song, “North Star.” As they became more immersed in the world of the Underground Railroad and in particular the stories of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, it seemed they could find the courage and energy to do anything. From learning to kayak, completing a challenging bike ride and simply finding a renewed appreciation for opportunities they might pursue thanks to the work of others; inspiration was in the air.

Production assistant Bianca Johnson summed up the experience: “In just one week I watched four talented individuals take the torch and use their skills to tell a story of our past while seeing a new future for themselves.” The experiences coordinated by NPS sites and partners inspired the ambassadors’ creativity and allowed them to live many of YAP!’s core values such as moving outside, knowing your history, living sustainable, experiencing America, and inspiring others. The at-risk youth that are part of the Youth Ambassador Program have developed into a team of researchers, historians, writers, explorers, lyricists, musicians, polished performers and ambassadors for the National Park Service.

The trip was made possible by a grant from the National Park Foundation through the generous support of ARAMARK through the Yawkey Foundation and the Fernandez Pave Partners for the “North Star Journey” included the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, Greenbelt Park, Harriet Tubman National Monument, Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program and 3rd EyE Youth Empowerment.

View the reality doc trailer here:

For more information on YAP! go to www.nps.gov/nebe/forkids/yap.htm
View YAP! videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/NewBedfordYAP
Connect on Facebook www.facebook.com/YouthAmbassadorProgram
Download the free YAP! App http://www.reverbnation.com/newbedfordyap/app
Download YAP! The Teacher’s Online Resource Guide http://www.nps.gov/nebe/forkids/upload/YAP-Teachers-Guide.pdf companion to YAP’s debut album, Edutainment Movement

When: Wednesday March 19th, 2014 – 1:30pm-6:30pm
Where: Fairhaven Rec Center, 227 Huttleston Ave, Fairhaven, MA 02719

Fairhaven, MA: The George H. Taber Masonic Lodge and the Red Cross are teaming up for another blood drive at the Fairhaven Rec Center. It will take place on Wednesday, March 19th 2014, from 1:30pm to 6:30pm.

With your participation we can all help the Red Cross to fulfill its mission of ensuring the availability of a safe and reliable blood supply to area hospitals.

Future Dates:
Wed May 21st
Sat July 19th
Mon Sept 15th

OK, not sure what to make of these temperatures. I thought I had entered the wrong zip code. Guess what? You’re not seeing things – these are the real temperatures for this weekend. It will be in the 50s!!! This is great news for those of you who love the outdoors and like to partake in the many goings-on in the region. Since, you can’t have everything, there will be rain and a possible thunderstorm on Friday. Sunday morning will be the only time all weekend long that we get into freezing temperatures. This may make for some icy road conditions when you head out Sunday, so be careful!

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, February 21st

Buttonwood Zoo: Wild Winter: Day 1 (10:00 am-2:00 pm)
Have a hootin’ & a howlin’ time during winter vacation week! Each day will feature special activities to keep your little critters busy. At 10:30: Cat Chat at Bobcats, 11:00am Keeper Chat at the Aquatic Environment Center, 12:00pm Keeper Chat at Harbor Seals, 2:00pm River Otter Enrichment, 3:00pm Keeper Chat at Harbor Seals. Activities are free with zoo admission.

SHARKS! Shark week at Mystic Aquarium (Mystic) (10:00-3:00pm)
It’s all about SHARKS this February vacation at Mystic Aquarium. Join us ALL WEEKEND and discover what makes sharks so cool. See sharks of all shapes and sizes (including some you may not even realize are sharks!). How does your sense of smell compare to a shark’s, which sharks have the biggest teeth, what do sharks eat? These are just some of the fun things you’ll discover as you enjoy the SHARKS activities. Take part in a shark scavenger hunt and stop by the Shark Encounter exhibit where you can reach in and actually touch a shark as it swims by. Activities are free with admission or membership.

Painting with a Splash: “Kid’s Class “Princess or Prince” & “Wine on the Beach” w/ Richa (3:30 & 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 Film: ‘Dad I Wanna Go Fishin’ (7:30 pm)
“Sometimes we were in seas like mountains. We were fishermen, we worked hard, we loved it, we hated it. The romance ends when you leave the dock. That’s the way it is. It’s in the blood.” Dad I Wanna Go Fishin’ is an intimate portrait of commercial fishing on the F/V Little Infant out of Provincetown. The 90 minute film combines footage from the 1950s, 1960’s and 1970’s with expert narration by retired fisherman, Peter R. Cook.

Saturday, February 22nd

Buttonwood Zoo: Wild Winter: Day 2 (10:00 am-2:00 pm)
Have a hootin’ & a howlin’ time during winter vacation week! Each day will feature special activities to keep your little critters busy. At 10:30: Cat Chat at Bobcats, 11:00am Keeper Chat at the Aquatic Environment Center, 12:00pm Keeper Chat at Harbor Seals, 2:00pm River Otter Enrichment, 3:00pm Keeper Chat at Harbor Seals. Activities are free with zoo admission.

Health and Wellness Fair (12:00-5:00 pm)
Health and Wellness Fair sponsored by Rare Disease Awareness Network takes place at Greater New Bedford Vocational at 1121 Ashley Blvd. Rare Disease Awareness Network, Corp. began as a small group of people who combined forces to ensure that one rare disease patient would receive their life-saving medicine. Admission is FREE for all ages.

Big Brother Big Sister Open House (1-3:00 pm)
This is a casual, fun and FREE event open to anyone wanting to learn more about their program. You’ll get to meet the “Bigs” and “Littles” and see first hand the impact that mentoring can have!

Westport Land Conservation Trust: Wild Winter Talks (2-4:00 pm)
Wildlife in Your Back Lot: Balancing Appreciation and Conflict Prevention – The last in the Series of Wild Winter Talks will cover how to co-exist with common backyard wildlife, appreciating wildlife from a distance, and keeping wildlife wild.

Painting with a Splash: “At the Beach” & “Hut” w/ Ann (3:30 & 7:00 pm)
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.

“Psychic Saturday” Benefit for 16 month old Aythn Sousa (12:00-8:00 pm)
The Hollywood Scoop Family along with Miss Susan Swanbeck will be hosting a Psychic Saturday Event to Benefit 16 month old Athyn Sousa battling Stage 4 Neuroblastoma and his family with their financial hardship so that his parents may be with him at all times. Miss Susan will be conducting 15 minute psychic readings at a cost of $20 at The Hollywood Scoopand will be donating its full portion of the proceeds directly to Athyn and his family, which will be half. Items for sale and a Chinese auction. Anyone wishing to donate may contact Lori L. Truehart at 508-287-1907 or Jamie Nunes at 774-263-5335. For more info, click on the event title.

Sunday, February 23rd

Bus Trip to Foxwoods (Dartmouth) (8:00 am-4:00 pm)
Win millions at Foxwood! Or at least get rich in spirit for having fun at Foxwoods. The trip features the bus trip a buffet or $10 meal ticket, and $15 for Keno. A continental breakfast at 7:15 will start the day. Proceeds to benefit the Humane Society, at 31 Venture Drive in Dartmouth. For further details, click on the event title.

Buttonwood Zoo: Wild Winter: Day 3 (10:00 am-2:00 pm)
Have a hootin’ & a howlin’ time during winter vacation week! Each day will feature special activities to keep your little critters busy. At 10:30: Cat Chat at Bobcats, 11:00am Keeper Chat at the Aquatic Environment Center, 12:00pm Keeper Chat at Harbor Seals, 2:00pm River Otter Enrichment, 3:00pm Keeper Chat at Harbor Seals. Activities are free with zoo admission.

Writers Block Poe-etry at Gallery X (1:00 pm-3:00 pm)
Gallery X will host the “Big Read” and the GNB Writers Block Poe-etry Reading. Bring two poems or one short story if you wish to read. Sign up begins are 12:30 p.m. Free and open to public. (508) 992-2675, info@galleryx.org or www.galleryx.org.

An Old House On An Old Road in Old Dartmouth” (Dartmouth) (2:00 pm-4:00 pm)
Dartmouth Historical and Arts Society presents “An Old House On An Old Road in Old Dartmouth. Robert Harding’s recollections about the Other Almy House.” Harding directed a project to acquire and restore the historic Slater/Almy Mill property in Slatersville, RI, saving it from total destruction. Harding’s talk affords a unique opportunity not only to learn about one of Dartmouth’s oldest homes, but to experience the thrill of unveiling secrets of the families who lived there. Admission free to members, $5 for non-members. Taking place at the Dartmouth Historical and Arts Society at 1205 Russells Mills Road.

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

Mass in Motion New Bedford announced today that it will join with local neighborhood markets in the city to launch a new program of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) designed to improve access to healthy eating. The “Healthy Market Initiative,” is an MDPH program that encourages and supports local neighborhood market and convenience store owners to make healthy food and drink options available to customers and to meet Healthy Market recommendations.

Officials will launch the Healthy Market initiative in New Bedford on Monday, February 24, 2014 at 12 noon at The Butcher Shop, located at 123 Dartmouth Street. Mayor Jon Mitchell will recognize each of the five New Bedford markets that have already signed on and committed to stocking healthy and affordable food items for their customers. These include: Amaral’s Fish Market, DeMello’s Market, Giammalvo’s Market, The Butcher Shop, and Xavier’s Market. Healthy Market items will be showcased and reusable shopping “goodie bags” will be available.

Mass in Motion New Bedford will work with local store owners to make healthy food and drink options available and help them meet Healthy Market recommendations (e.g. offering whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy items). Participation is easy, and in many cases, stores simply have to reorganize and more prominently feature healthy foods they already carry. By promoting healthy options, the local markets are making healthy choices easier for customers in New Bedford.

Healthy Market initiative participants will receive a window decal, informational materials for customers, recognition on the Mass in Motion New Bedford website and Facebook as well as other promotional/incentive items. Stores may also receive assistance in obtaining fresh fruits and vegetables, requesting healthier products from distributors, and accessing small business funding and services.

For more information about the Healthy Markets Initiative and/or how you can locate a Healthy Market in New Bedford, please visit massinmotionnewbedford.org/healthy-markets-initiative. A direct download of the informational .pdf: massinmotionnewbedford.org/wp-content/uploads/1-MIM-NB-Healthy-Markets-Guidelines.pdf

If you are interested in becoming a Healthy Market in New Bedford contact, Kim Ferreira, Coordinator, Mass in Motion New Bedford at (508) 979-1500 or kim.ferreira@newbedford-ma.gov.

Charles W. Morgan, built at the foot of Maxfield (now Hillman) Street in 1841 (Spinner Pub.)

The Charles W. Morgan is scheduled to sail into New Bedford Harbor on Wednesday, June 25, at approximately 3:30pm. Homecoming ceremony is Saturday, June 28 at 10am. The vessel will open to the public on Saturday, June 28 at 1pm.

What’s the big deal about the sea vessel, Charles W. Morgan? Why all the hoopla? It seems like locals are going bananas over the upcoming visit of the vessel to New Bedford this summer. Why is that? Here is our guide for the layperson, or average Joe without all the historic fluff to make you drowsy. We’ll keep it interesting, and place some wonderful historic photos that you all love.

Just the -not so boring- facts, ma’am.
The Charles W. Morgan was built in July 1841 right here in New Bedford. Indeed, at Jethro and Zachariah Hillman’s Shipyard at the bottom of Maxfield Street – which “turns into” Hillman Street until it runs into the harbor. Hillman Street was named after their father, Zachariah who was the commander of the first uniformed militia in New Bedford in the 1820s. The War of 1812 wasn’t even over for a decade and there was yet to be an official police force. These Hillman’s were the same fellows who tried to stifle the mob violence that revolved around New Bedford’s “brothel in a ship,” the Ark.

The 113′ foot long, 351 ton ship would one of many to be owned by New Bedford whaling mogul, Quaker, and Pennsylvania native, Charles Waln Morgan. It took more than 30 craftsmen, a total of 7 months at the cost of $26,877 to build her. Her main truck or mast for you landlubbers, stood 110′ above the deck. Her masts held a whopping 13,000 square feet of sails and was one of a few ships, that had a tryworks* on deck, as opposed to paying someone else to do it. Because of this she had a rather large crew of approximately 30-35.

She would serve the Morgan family on many voyages until America’s largest whaling firm, New Bedford based J.&W.R. Wing Company, purchased her in the middle of the Civil War in 1863. She continued as a whaler through 1921, making 37 voyages, totaling exactly 80 years. She also had a part-time career as an “actor” in three movies from 1916-1923.

While sitting in the harbor on the night of June 30, 1924, a steamer called the Sankaty caught fire and drifted into the Morgan and set her afire as well. Poor gal. Here she was with no industry to ply her trade for, looking forward to retirement and she gets nearly burnt down. She would have certainly been destined to be trashed if it wasn’t for one of the world’s richest men, Col. Edward Howland Robinson Green, son of the “Witch of Wall Street,” Hetty Green. He tossed lots of money at her, then brought her to his Round Hill Estate, embedded her in the sand, then exhibited her.

In November of 1941, she was sent to rest at Chubb’s Wharf, Mystic Seaport. In 1968, a restoration project did a bang-up job on restoring her structurally. This was followed in 1974, with some work on her hull. Finally, the most recent restoration project was undertaken in 2008, she had major work done on the keel (“fin” at the bottom), the bow (front) and the stern (rear). On her 172nd anniversary, July 21, of 2013, she was re-launched into the Mystic River.

She will then make her 38th voyage with stops in New London, Conn., Newport, Vineyard Haven, New Bedford (yay!), Boston, back to New London, a stop at the Cape Cod Canal Mystic Seaport before returning to her home at Mystic Seaport in August 2014. The full itinerary can be read here and the specifics on the New Bedford visit can be seen here. To see if you had a relative that sailed on the Charles W. Morgan, check the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s Crew List Database.

What’s all the hoopla about?
The short and easy summary of why the Charles W. Morgan is a big deal is because it is the oldest wooden whale-ship on the planet. Whaling gave America in general, and New Bedford specifically, a massive economic boost and contributed to making both financial powerhouses. It served a total of 80 years generating massive amounts of revenue. That means it has a tremendous value in the nation’s and New Bedford’s history. In fact, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

Of great historic importance to America and the South Coast. Check.

But, what else?

How about the 1,000 souls who worked as crew on the Morgan? The scores of craftsmen that restored it? The docents that worked on it in an historic capacity? It has generated income for countless people whose families have benefited. It has put supper on the table, paid mortgages, developed bank accounts, or simply placed priceless smiles on thousands of faces. Imagine how many tens of thousands of people that this ship has affected by its existence!

So, when a multi-million dollar restoration project was undertaken in 2008 at her home in Mystic Seaport, she garnered everyone’s attention. Everyone wants to see this almost magical ship. If it weren’t for the whaling industry, and vessels like the Morgan, New Bedford would not be the same. Not by a long shot. Countless more will be affected.

We will be able to climb aboard the Morgan and walk the very same footsteps as the 19th century whalers – great men who had the fortitude, resilience and doggedness to go to sea for up to 3 years at a time. Men who made enormous sacrifices, to take care of their families. We’ll be able to share the tread of men of character that helped found the greatest nation on earth. You will be able to stand on the deck and declare “I am standing on vessel that played a pivotal role in history – America’s, the South Coast, and New Bedford’s.” A privilege, I will be honored to receive.

That’s why it’s a big deal. And it’ll be worth it every penny.

* For you landlubbers, a tryworks is a facility that melts whale blubber, and filters it to produce barrels of oil for lighting, heat, and more.

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Yes. This is an actual picture of Littlenecks made by All Friends Catering!

How does a business -in this case, a caterer- go from unknown to have everyone in the greater New Bedford area talking about it in a three year period? How does one get their business to be highly in demand? By offering mouth watering food and backing it with world-class service, that’s how.

Since the economic downturn in 2008, the South Coast region -or the nation for that matter- hasn’t exactly been the best environment to get a business started and survive. There’s plenty of competition too. So, when a business does survive past its first year, it can’t be simply chalked up to luck or chance. You have to do something right and do that something right better than most.

That’s exactly the case with New Bedford native Jonathan Abreu’s “All Friends Catering,” which serves the greater New Bedford area and beyond, specializing in a BBQ (which is unique to the area) that has a Portuguese and New England twist. While there is no doubt that his training at Johnson and Wales University in the field of Culinary Arts and Food Service Management, and 15+ years in the food service industry and local restaurants helped – that’s indubitably not enough. You have to make damn good food, to put it simply.

Chances are you’ve heard some word of mouth, read some testimonials, or seen some of the drool-inducing images on his website or Facebook. If you haven’t, the previous sentence contains links. If you are a fan of “drool-inducing” images, don’t fret – there will be plenty in the article and in an album at the end.

This area seriously lacks in the BBQ department, so I’m overjoyed that “All Friends” is around – especially since I’m a foodie! What makes Abreu’s BBQ so darn good? The flavored woods, like hickory, peach, pecan, cherry and apple are a factor. A delectable homemade BBQ sauce, a sweet coleslaw, and all the side dishes as well.

The fact that he buys local -supporting farms like Silverbrook Farm of Acushnet in the process- is a HUGE part of it. Using local foods, as opposed to shipped in produce, means it isn’t picked before it’s ripened and shipped on a truck for 4-5 days. You get the freshest fruits, vegetables and meat that are harvested when they are perfectly ready. There is a taste difference that goes far beyond the subtle. In fact, top chefs the world over know this and the vast majority incorporate the idea.

The idea that there is a New England and Portuguese twist to the BBQ, just tickles me pink. What is a Portuguese and New England twist? Imagine all the traditional BBQ offerings like hand-pulled, tender pork, or dry rubbed, smoked to perfection brisket, or the juiciest chicken tossed with their signature BBQ sauce and topped with pickles. Yes, there’s all this tradition and much more.

Add to these a Portuguese Cheeseburger: “seasoned ground beef blended with fresh ground chourico, onions, and peppers. Topped with Cheddar cheese,” a Black Bean Burger: “seasoned black beans blended with garlic, onions, peppers, and bread crumbs,” and Apple Cider & Cranberry Turkey: “whole turkey in an apple cider brine seasoned with a special cranberry and herb blend and smoked over pecan wood.”

Oh, man.

There are plenty of fixings too. BBQ beans, potato salad, cornbread -with or without jalapeño- grilled veggies, Mac-n-cheese and more. Full BBQ menu can be seen here: allfriendscatering.com/bbq-menu/

Lest you think that they only do BBQ, check out their traditonal menu, packed with salads, burgers, Hors d’oeuvres, soups, entrees, a carving station and, yes even vegetarian options. As expected, there are Portuguese favorites like bifanas, bacalhau, pork Alentejana, chicken or shrimp Mozambique, cacoila, an Kale soup.

But if you think a BBQ, may not be fancy enough for your formal gathering, a quick look at their menu will show some “upscale” entrees like braised pork belly with a sweet cabbage roll, butternut Squash Risotto with peas topped with fresh herbs and a freshly toasted Parmesan chip, and pan-seared hybrid bass with a fresh clam, greens, and a spinach infused sauce to name but a few.

What launches “All Friends” into the stratosphere of salivation is that they will either drop it off or bring this BBQ – and more – to you. They will show up with their trailer, smoker and 6 burner gas grills and make it happen. Have a special day coming? Whether a wedding reception, birthday, anniversary, Baptisms, corporate or just because it’s Saturday and sunny, they will save you precious time, fill bellies, and put smiling, blissful faces on every one of your guests. All at an affordable rate to boot, which you can get online using the Request a Quote feature, or by calling Jonathan at 774.628.9735.

You don’t have to head down south, to have authentic, world-class BBQ. You can have it right here in greater New Bedford. Sure, there will be BBQ snobs, who say, “You have to head to St. Louis or Texas to get authentic BBQ,” but there’s only one place on planet earth that you can get authentic BBQ with a Portuguese and New England twist, All Friends Catering.

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Are you thinking about getting your first tattoo or piercing? Or are you a collector? There’s a new shop in “town,” Ruby Red Ink on Main Street in Acushnet featuring a full range of cover-ups, black & white, color, portraits & custom work. As a “collector” myself, I’m always on the lookout for new artists and especially any new shop that opens up within a short driving distance.

Tattoo shops are hard to come by in this area. Just a few years ago, there was only one shop in New Bedford, but surrounding towns had shops, and the closest “Mecca’ was Fall River which had eight. New Bedford was held back primarily due to outdated, puritan-like bylaws and some resistance from a few stuffy politicians.

Once upon a time only bikers and criminals got ink, but these days soccer moms, grandmas, doctors, lawyers, etc. are getting tattoos. People across age, class and gender demographics are getting them. Apparently, the memo never arrived on the desk of many local politicians. It seems that it did arrive in Acushnet, where Ruby Red Ink’s owner Ruby Harris, had a relatively smooth time opening up her shop.

Since I drive South Main Street on a regular basis, when I saw the black, red, and white business sign go up, I bee-lined it for the shop to investigate. I was pleasantly surprised.

The past two years I haven’t gotten any ink, so I’ve been “out of the loop” and haven’t been in many shops since. Cleanliness is a priority of course, but many a shop translates this to mean you must feel like you are in a hospital or laboratory. A bit cold. I don’t know if there is a new trend in tattoo & piercing shops, but Ruby Red Ink is -simply put- just a beautiful shop. Sounds weird to say, right? You’ll believe me when you see it for yourself. It’s welcoming, homey, and decorated with a woman’s touch. The walls are brightly painted in a variety of colors. There are sculptures, local artwork and the establishment has a sort of Mexican “Día de Muertos” theme threaded throughout the waiting room. Does beautifully morbid make sense?

The aspect that immediately grabbed me was the viewing window in the waiting room that allowed you to experience Schadenfreude as a friend or stranger was getting the needle. A group of twenty-something girls were there and soaking up the whole experience. The worst thing you can do is go with a group of friends who are planning to get a piercing or tattoo and think it’s not going to be contagious. I was thrilled to see how happy they were in spite of the painful piercings. It conjured memories of my first time.

I feel that our society is starving for rites of passages which have been stripped away by political correctness and the “safety” culture. “Don’t do ‘x’ because you’ll get sick, infected, turn purple, get a paper-cut, etc. Just stay on your couch in a fetal position where it’s safe! No damn way! Society needs rites of passage. Our youth need rites of passage. We all need rites of passage.

In fact, I believe it’s human nature. People are always chasing the next rush or buzz – even though they are painful experiences and will probably lead to injury or potentially death. We climb mountains, jump out of planes, do Tough Mudder events, take up martial arts, etc. These outlets serve society in that these activities serve as an outlet, and for some they would be using other outlets to get their rush or buzz – namely criminal or drug-related behavior. Life can be all the high you need.

Whatever your reason for being pierced or tattooed, you can rest assured that Ruby Red Ink has you covered – pardon the pun. After I had my fill of watching the girls get pierced and tattooed, I turned towards the reception area and saw a bunch of clothing, display cases of jewelry choices and more brilliant paintings on the wall. Owner Ruby Harris greeted me with a warm smile and made me instantly feel welcome.

I introduced myself and told her I was sadly not here for work, but just checking the place out. I was pleased to see that she was just as happy to show me around as she was a potential customer. The entire business was renovated and while the building may be older it has been completely modernized and redone on the inside. The rooms from the floor to ceiling are completely new.

There were 3-4 work rooms as well as a restroom (handicap accessible), and a separate room for the auto-clave and sterilizer. This is going to sound weird, but the most important thing I judge a tattoo shop on is their toilet. That room is the best indicator of the mindset of the owner and resident tattooists. If that room is immaculate, clean, and stocked it’s a massive “yes” for me. You can have the best artist on earth and the cheapest prices, but if your bathroom is dirty and disgusting, it’s a red flag. That disorganized attitude comes from the people and may transfer to their tattooing.

These rooms were impeccably clean, and sterilized. While they clearly had that hospital feel, that woman’s touch was evident and the designs and colors made it feel homey. A welcoming hospital room, if you will.

I saw a story here – one of “girl power,” local business (which we at NBG support enthusiastically), and art community. So after some discussion, I returned to interview Ruby.

1. What separates Ruby Red from the other shops in the area?
At Ruby Red Ink, I have tried to create a great atmosphere where people can come in and feel relaxed and comfortable. I have tried to create an environment where the clients are greeted by a friendly, professional artist. I feel my prior work experience in health care prepared me for Ruby Red Ink, by sharpening my people skills and learning how to listen and be more attentive to people’s wants and needs.

2. Why Acushnet instead of the more populated New Bedford?
Acushnet is a wonderful town. Ruby Red Ink is located on the “business strip” of the town on South Main Street. The building is a home that is zoned for business, which is perfect for what I wanted. it’s an awesome town filled with great folks.

3. What would someone who is thinking of coming to Ruby Red expect when they come there? What do you expect from a customer?
Expect a group of artists who are friendly, helpful, kind, professional and understanding. People have specific reasons for getting piercings and/or a tattoo and we fully respect them all. We want to understand their motivation and reasoning, so it fuels us when we are either sketching their idea or actually putting the art on them. When you know how important it is to that person, you put extra care into it.

4. Do you have advice for people who are new to tattoos and piercings and are thinking about getting them?
If you come in with an image that you want already, it is superior to just conveying an idea in your head. Bring an image or a few, so we can best understand what it is you want. This is going on your skin for life. We want to make sure it’s as accurate to what you want as possible.

Don’t listen to others that tell you how painful getting a tattoo is. Yes, it’s not pleasurable, but it’s not like getting a shot by your doctor. It’s about on the discomfort level as a mild sunburn.

5. Where do you see Ruby Red in 1, 3, 5 or 10 years?
I have so much to learn and I want to grow and improve as an artist, so I can offer a better, quality work to people. I’ll have a large group of repeat customers that are thrilled with our work. I am passionate about art period, and want that to come out in the work I do.

6. Take us through the process from the time a customer walks into the shop until they leave with a smiling face?
A customer will come in and explain what they want -with a photo or photos- and their motivation for it. We dialogue until we come up with the most accurate image possible. Then they look through the portfolios to look at the work of specific artists and designs, to give them more ideas and in case they see something similar.

After they pick an artist and approve of the image, they sit with the artist who gives them a short explanation about sterilization, getting the tattoo, sign paperwork and get any questions or concerns they have answered. We want them to be as physically and mentally as possible.

Throughout the work we check for any discomfort and get frequent feedback on the how they are doing. Upon completion, we clean the area, wrap them up, and get more feedback. Finally we explain all about after-care and emphasize it. We want big, happy smiles.

7. Who are your role models locally and internationally?
A role model for me is any person who does the right thing. A person who is compassionate, has empathy and sympathy. Who is willing to help out another living person or thing, especially animals for unselfish reasons. For its own sake.

I also look up to strong, successful women who prove themselves against all odds. For that matter, anyone regardless of gender that has succeeded by never giving up, and done it the right way.

8. What was your first tattoo?
My first tattoo was of my sons’ names for simple reasons: they are the most important people in my life – next to my amazing husband. And yes, I do have my husband’s name tattooed on me in spite of that being a no-no.

9. Worst idea for a tattoo you’ve ever been asked to do that you DID?
I tattooed the letter “B” on each butt cheek of a guy.

10. Ever flat out refuse to do a tattoo because of how awful it was?
I was once asked to put a chest piece of Satan nailing Jesus to the cross. That goes against what I believe in. My morals may be different than others, but that was too extreme. I would do something like Archangel Michael fighting Satan.

I try to talk young people especially, out of getting tattoos like that or putting their boyfriend or girlfriend’s names on. Of course, they have the final say, but I want them to have really thought it out as I did.

Ruby Red Ink
144 South Main St
Acushnet, Massachusetts 02743

Phone: (508) 995-4465
Email: RubyRedInkTattoos@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RubyRedInk

Hours of Operation
Mon: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Tue: 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Thu: 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Fri – Sat: 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Street and lot parking

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