Trinidad-born, New Bedford Artist Alison Wells, captures the essence of Downtown New Bedford in her solo exhibition “COLLAGE 02740”. Her recent offerings of paper collages will be on view at Colo Colo Art Gallery, 29 Centre St. from May 3 – May 21

Wells depicts a side of Downtown New Bedford life and history that is tactile, memorable and alluring through the medium of paper collage. “DowntownNew Bedfordhas been my home away from home for the past 7 and a half years” says Wells who came to the city from Trinidad to pursue a MFA in painting at The University of Massachusetts,Dartmouthin 2004.

“I wanted to depict downtown in a way that expressed the sweet and sometimes bittersweet facets of the things that make this quaint and quirky part of the city what it was yesterday and is today.”

Wells examines how downtown New Bedfordserves as a source of inspiration throughout her career in the United States, at first subconsciously and now quite consciously. She is influenced greatly by its rich architecture, its fascinating hidden histories, its multicultural and ethnic backbone and of course the rich artistic veins that pumps the city with life and vitality.

Wells manipulates this versatile medium of collage to transform her works into mesmerizing shifts in color, value and dimension by incorporating a wide variety of cut and torn papers to her palette. Each collage forms a bridge across time and culture to express her unique artistic vision and narrative.

Alison’s paintings have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums in theUnited States, the Caribbean andEurope. Wells was selected to exhibit her work at the 2010 World Exposition inShanghai,Chinaand in 2011 she was awarded an artist grant from the Brookline Commission for the Arts, (under the Massachusetts Cultural Council). Some of her most recent shows have been at The Narrows Center for the Arts,Fall River,Massachusetts, The Brookline Art Center Gallery,Brookline,Massachusettsand Clover Fine art Gallery, BrooklynNew York.

Wells is also an Adjunct Art Professor atBristolCommunity Collegeand she teaches after school programs in downtownNew Bedfordto kids and teens. Some of these include the Historical Society’s “Hidden History” programs; The Friends of the New Bedford Free Public Library together with theNew BedfordArt Museum’s “Art in Words” program and Artworks’ Cool Kids summer programs along with Art therapy classes with war Veterans at the Veterans Transitional House.  Alison gives private lessons at her studio located in theCummingsBuilding,96 William St., Studio #3,New Bedford. Wells is also a Board Member of the New Bedford Historical Society.

Collage  02740  runs from May 3 – May 21 2012.

Opening Reception: Saturday May 5, 2012 5:00pm – 8:00pm.

Meet the Artist – Aha Night May 10, 7:00 – 9:00pm.

For further information please contact:

• Luis Villanueva, owner, Colo Colo Gallery colocologallery@gmail.com or (508) 642-6026
• Alison Wells at alisonwe@gmail.com or 774-526-6550
• Alison’s work can be viewed at www.alisonwells.com

 Collage 02740 Samples

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Frederick Douglas

Museum Cupola

Oillie Over Cummings

Red Sky at Night ... Sailors Delight.

Want to improve your health and wellness? How about for FREE?  Well, you’re in luck! Throughout the month of May, FREE fitness classes are being offered every weekend! No costs. No commitments. Each weekend, a different class will be offered to provide you with optimal choices and variety to feel great and get in shape. Even better, these classes specifically cater to women’s overall health. The YWCA’s Leading Ladies value health and wellness and have sponsored this event by partnering with local fitness instructors.  Registration is recommended as space is limited.  To sign-up, email FreeFitnessNB@gmail.com.

YOGA: Sunday May 6^th at 10:30am (90min) ——please bring mat

Yoga 101 Studio – 106 State Rd Dartmouth, MA 02747

Taught By: Vickie Smith, RYT

ZUMBA: Sunday May 13^th at 1:00pm (60min)

Cheryl McCormack Academy of Dance – 731 Tarkiln Hill Road New Bedford, MA 02745

Taught By: Beth Methia

HIP HOP YOGA: Sunday May 20^th at 2:00pm (60min) —–mats provided

Hope Yoga Studio – 250 State Road Dartmouth, Ma 02747

Taught By: Jennifer Azadnia

TAI CHI AND QIGONG: Saturday May 26^th at 1:00pm (120min)

—loose-fit clothes, socks or flat soled shoes

YWCA New Bedford – 20 South 6th Street, New Bedford, MA 02740

Taught By:  Dave Chosid (from Yoga 101 Studio)

Hosted by YWCA Leading Ladies; Hope Yoga Studio; Beth Methia Zumba Instructor; Yoga 101 Studio; and Dave Chosid Tai Chi Instruction.

ABOUT YWCA LEADING LADIES:

Leading Ladies is an initiative of YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts which provides networking and leadership development opportunities for young women. It does this through active participation in a variety of group activities, as well as philanthropic activity in the community.  The primary aim of the Leading Ladies is to empower young women by enhancing a sense of community and communication with a special emphasis on women’s professional advancement and collective leadership.  Through collaboration, outreach, and education on essential issues, Leading Ladies helps women to build success and leadership qualities, enhancing both their personal and professional lives.

It’s the month of May, and that means something great for the City of New Bedford; the Taste of SouthCoast is rapidly approaching.  On Sunday May 20th it will mark the 6th year that Custom Square will be home to samplings of some of the area’s finest cuisine, and you can hear stomachs rumbling already.  This yearly tradition has become one of New Bedford’s most talked about events, and with good reason.

Taste of SouthCoast highlights something that this region does exceptionally well; food.  With great cultural variety and often fresh ingredients from both ocean and farm, the SouthCoast is a food lover’s heaven.  You simply cannot consider yourself a culinary connoisseur if you do not make your way Downtown for this event.  Currently, there are sixteen local eateries that will be doling out samples come rain or shine.  Taste of SouthCoast is still recruiting, and anticipates over twenty-five restaurant options for eager taste buds to test out.

The restaurants that have already committed to Taste of SouthCoast offer great diversity.  New Bedford favorite No Problemo’s will be present with their mouth watering Mexican food, as will the distinguished Cork Wine and Tapas Bar.  A new downtown addition, Braza Rotisserie should make for a savory newcomer (their menu of rotisserie chicken and ribs looks incredible), and there will be other participants from outside the downtown area as well.  For example, Dartmouth’s Ayur-Shri will be there with Indian cuisine, and Fairhaven’s ever eclectic and delicious Narragansett Star Cafe will have a table as well.  For those with a sweet tooth, Taste of SouthCoast has you covered with Pink Box Desserts and Dorothy Cox’s Chocolates.

Taste of SouthCoast isn’t just about the food however; there’s always the drink for those 21+.  New England crafted beers will be featured, and for the wine lover Travesia will be present with their locally grown and bottled wines.  There will also be soft drinks available from Cafe Arrpegio for the younger or non-drinking crowd.  Keep in mind that beverages are not included in the ticket price.

With great food and great drink comes a vibrant atmosphere, which is why Taste of SouthCoast has become a jam-packed event in years past.  This event is not just about sampling flavorful eats; it also offers friendly competition between these restaurants as participants cast votes for “People’s Choice” and “Best Booth Presentation”.  In addition to the fun of voting, Taste of SouthCoast really adds to the atmosphere by throwing live music into the mix.  This year two very popular local bands will be performing on stage; The Relics and The J. Kelley Band.  Both bands are upbeat and sure to get people partying throughout the day.

Taste of SouthCoast starts at noon and ends at 5pm.  As previously mentioned, this event is held at Custom Square in Downtown New Bedford.  Tickets are $15.00 for adults if purchased in advance and can be bought online at http://www.downtownnb.org/taste2012.html.  You can find tickets for children ages 6-12 at the same site, and these are only $5.00 (free for children 5 and under).  Tickets may also be purchased at many of the participating restaurants, and at Douglas Wine and Spirits, Cardoza’s, and Acme Liquors on Dartmouth Street.  If you decide to buy tickets on the day of the event it will cost you $18.00 at the door.  Tents are set up so keep in mind that this event will go on, no matter the weather!

There is a Facebook event created here: http://www.facebook.com/events/375708662468040/ Invite your friends and family!

2012 Taste of Southcoast Winners

People’s Choice Food

1. Lindsey’s Family Restaurant
2. Little Red Smoke House
3. Braza Rotissery

People’s Choice Dessert:

1. Artisan Bake Shop
2. Narragansett Star Cafe
3. Pink Box Dessert

People’s Choice Table Presentation

1. Inner Bay Cafe
2. Little Red Smoke House
3. Ying Dynasty

Taste of Southcoast Participating Restaurant List

• Artisan Bake Shop
• Ayur Shri
• Braza Rotisserie
• Cork Wine & Tapas
• Dorothy Cox Chocolates
• Freestone’ City Grill
• Inner Bay
• Lindsey’s Family Restaurant
• Little Red Smokehouse
• Mike’s Restaurant
• Morton’s Fork Catering
• Narragansett Star Cafe
• No Problemo
• Pink Box Desserts
• Tastebuds Bistro
• Ten Cousins Brick Oven
• Wicked Kickin’ Savory Cheesecakes
• Ying Dynasty
• Dublin’s Sports Bar and Grille

2011 Taste of Southcoast Gallery

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New Bedford students will join students from around the state in celebration of “Walk and Bike to School Day” on Wednesday, May 2, 2012, as part of the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program, in partnership with New Bedford Mass in Motion/CORD and the City of New Bedford.  Parents, teachers, school administrators and community leaders, at participating schools within the New Bedford school district will walk to/from school on Wednesday, May 2^nd.

At the Betsey B. Winslow Elementary School, Mayor Jon Mitchell and his daughters will join Principal Paula Bailey, Dr. Pauline, Hamel, project coordinator of New Bedford Mass in Motion/CORD, Mr. Jim Rattray, V.P. of Marketing for Southcoast Health Systems and school administrators for an organized group walk with other students and families.  The walk will begin at St. Luke’s Hospital at 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Walk to School events work to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, decreasing traffic congestion, concern for the environment and building connections between families, schools, public safety and the broader community.

There are over 300 elementary and middle schools in 111 communities across the state working with Safe Routes to School, organizing activities and events to encourage students to walk and bicycle to school. School principals will determine the time and location for their respective school’s participation in the event.  Some will walk before and/or after school, or during lunchtime.

“Safe Routes to School is a positive and collaborative effort that builds a healthier community by bringing together our schools, parents and students with city officials, public safety, health providers, and other partners,” said Dr. Pauline Hamel, project coordinator of New Bedford Mass in Motion/CORD.  “We are very grateful to Mayor Mitchell and school officials, teachers and City departments their support of this partnership with Mass DOT/Mass RIDES, and we hope to see all our schools participating  in the ‘Walk and Bike to School Day’ on May 2^nd .  However, walking activities must go far beyond single events in our schools and should continue throughout the year.  This year, we will implement the Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (CORD) project to increase physical activity throughout our communities.”

New Bedford, a Let’s Move City, in partnership with U.S. Health and Human Services joined 500 leaders across America to adopt First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign to make significant changes in community health.  In 2010, New Bedford was recognized by MA Department of Transportation/Mass RIDES at their annual conference for being the MA city to have the largest number of schools enrolled as official partners of Safe Routes to School.  A Rookie of the Year award was also granted to the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School during the conference for its efforts with the 2010 International Walk to School Day.  For additional local information, please contact Dr. Pauline Hamel, New Bedford Mass in Motion/CORD Project Coordinator at (508) 380-7775.

In the movie Dodgeball there is a saying, “If you can dodge a tool, you can dodge a ball.” That’s painfully true, but I’d prefer to say, “Regardless whether you can dodge a ball or not, you can raise money for charity.”

With a mission to raise a lot of money for Southcoast, Massachusetts charities, New Bedford Guide is organizing its 1st Annual Charity Dodgeball Tournament. We’re looking for volunteers to help organize and run the event. We’d like every penny to go to charity! We expect the tournament to be scheduled for some time in September or October.

The Concept

The tournament will feature 6-member teams in a bracket style, single elimination tournament. Each team represents a charity of their choice and raises money for that charity. Additionally, each team  pays a $100 entry fee that is put in a pool. The pool-money will be dispersed in two ways; 25% goes to the top fund raising team and 75% goes to the winning dogeball team’s charity. For example, if 100 teams enter, the pool money will be $10,000. $2,500 would go to the top fundraising team’s charity and $7,500 would go to the dodgeball tournament’s winning team’s charity. This will ensure every charity gets money (raised by the team) and the top fund raiser and winning dodgeball tournament team shares the pool money.  In my example, 100 charities would get funds donated to them.

Team Formation

Each team should come up with a fun name. Businesses and organizations should include their business name. Teams at a minimum should have team shirts made. Costumes and fun shirts are highly recommended. You don’t have to be a business or organization to form a team. We want as many teams to participate as possible. With 6 team members the cost of entry is less than $17 per person.

Our Goals:

• 100 teams providing a prize pool of $10,000 and ensuring 100 charities receive funds.
• 100 teams raise at least $500 for their charity of choice bringing in $50,000 for 100 different charities.
• 100% of all money raised goes to charity through volunteers and businesses donating their time, products and services.
• Athletic T-shirt maker(s) providing at-cost shirts for the teams. Shirts will be available for sale at the tournament with proceeds going to charity.
• Every media group in the area becomes an official partner to spread the word and recruit teams.

The Dartmouth high school drama club proudly presents it’s annual spring musical production of Denis Lawrence Jr.’s Murder at Luigi’s. “Murder At Luigi’s” is a fun filled night of music, laughter within a murder mystery show where the audience participates throughout the show. Well over 30 Dartmouth High School students are participating in this laugh out loud production.

Presented at: Dartmouth Middle School (366 Slocum Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747)
Date: Friday, May 4th and Saturday, May 5th
Time: 7:30pm
Price per ticket: $10 / $8 for students (from any/all schools). Tickets sold at door or by calling: (508)961-2700 x402.

For additional information as it relates to this press release please call Jackie Beauregard (508)728-3735.

Join us May 4^th at 9AM-4:30PM at the New Bedford Whaling Museum (18 Johnny Cake Hill) located in downtown New Bedford, MA for a discussion of the workforce development needs of the emerging ocean renewable energy industry.  The keynote speaker will be Representative William R. Keating  U.S. House of Representatives. In Europe they are projecting hundreds of thousands of jobs will be created to support offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, and in just three years the German offshore wind deployment sites at Bremen and Cuxhaven have created over 2400 direct manufacturing jobs.

New industries create new jobs for the young, but can also allow workers displaced from older industries find new careers.  This summit will allow you to understand the challenges and the work being done to address both the needs of industry and the worker.  Come and express your ideas to the experts and policy makers who will attend.

Ocean Energy Workforce Development Summit Schedule of Events

• 10:30AM-12:00PM: What is the Experience in Europe? – Trainers involved in supporting the rapid expansion of these industries will discuss their lessons learned.
• 12:00-1:00PM: Lunch Provided
• 1:00-2:30PM: What are the needs of industry? CEO’s involved in deployment and supply chain will talk about their projected needs.
• 2:30-3:00PM: Networking and Coffee Break
• 3:00-4:30PM: What are Our Plans? – A panel of workforce developers and trainers will outline their plans to meet this emerging need.

Register at: https://webapps.umassd.edu/events/mrec/

• Early Bird (Before May 1, 2012) $35.00
• Regular     (After May, 1, 2012)   $45.00

The City of New Bedford Veteran’s Advisory Board and the Fort Rodman – Fort Taber Historical Association will honor the 749 United States sailors and soldiers who lost their lives during the devastating April 28, 1944 attack on the United States military training operation, Exercise Tiger.  Exercise Tiger was a D-Day dry run which was ambushed by a German E-boat flotilla and resulted in America’s costliest incident of World War II, second only to Pearl Harbor.  The surprise attack sank two American vessels and severely damaged a third.

A memorial ceremony is planned to honor the service members who perished in this incident:

Saturday April 28^rd, 2012 | Fort Rodman – Fort Taber Military Museum | 1:00 PM

1000 Rodney French Blvd. | New Bedford, Massachusetts

Keynote Speaker | Mayor of New Bedford | Jonathan F. Mitchell

Northeast Navy Band | Rhode Island Guards of Thunder Artillery Group

All veterans are asked to proudly display their service insignia.

Event Contact | Peter Clark | Veterans’ Advisory Board| peterwclark@hotmail.com

Event Contact | Bob Bromley | Veterans’ Advisory Board | rbromley@rilin.state.ri.us

Hop on the bus and experience a day of fun and discovery in New York City when you join the “Greenwich Village Booklovers Adventure” on Saturday, June 2, 2012. A coach will transport you from New Bedford, MA to Greenwich Village, a wonderful New York City neighborhood filled with unique shops, restaurants, art galleries and eighteen exciting independent and specialty bookstores. You will also discover literary sites associated with writers such as Edith Wharton, Mark Twain, Jack Kerouac, Sinclair Lewis, Edna St. Vincent Millay and many more.

Greenwich Village is a rare neighborhood that boasts among its many attractions eighteen unique and exciting independent bookstores, all within easy walking distance of each other. Just a few of the bookstores you can visit include Three Lives and Company, the quintessential old-fashioned bookstore with a significant literary reputation; the Strand Bookstore, the world’s largest used bookstore (18 miles of books); Books of Wonder, New York City’s largest children’s bookstore; Partners and Crime, the largest mystery bookstore in Manhattan; and Bonny Slotnik Cookbooks, specializing in used, out-of-print and antiquarian cookbooks from all over the world.

To add to the fun, you can join Alan and Helene Korolenko for a walk through Greenwich Village. The walk takes you past many literary, cultural and historic sites in this historic and lively neighborhood along with stops at bookstores. If you prefer, you can explore this fascinating neighborhood on your own.

Total cost per person comes to only $70.00. This price includes the bus, light refreshments, guide materials, literary walking tour, and all administrative costs. Please e-mail korolenko8523@charter.net for additional information and to assure space is available.

So don’t miss this great opportunity to spend June 2, 2012 exploring legendary Greenwich Village and discover one of the most interesting and exciting neighborhoods in the world.

With spring in full swing, there are lots of indoor and outdoor events to enjoy. This week there are some new musical acts and even a comedy show coming to New Bedford. Here is my list of 11 things to do locally and outside the area. I pulled all the local events from our New Bedford Guide calendar and Locora.com. There are dozens of other events listed on those websites, so check them out! Want to add your events to the calendars? E-mail me at info@newbedfordguide.com.

Wednesday, 25 April

Stand Up Comedy Showcase (8-10pm)

Where: Gallery X (169 William Street, New Bedford)

Cost: $5

Details: How often do you get to catch a comedy show in New Bedford? Host Christopher Swanson presents local comedians on the last Wednesday of the month. Tonight’s comedians are  Matt D, Gary Petersen, Tim Varguilish, James Creelman, Ted Pettingell, and Rob Greene.

Thursday, 26 April

Voices of Young Poets

Where: Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum (396 County Street, New Bedford)

Cost: FREE

Details:  Come celebrate National Poetry Month with the reading of original poetry by New Bedford area students. The Rotch-Jones-Duff House is an amazing place to visit and you won’t want to miss this annual event!

Open Mic: Stand Against Racism (7pm)

Where: Commons New Bedford (778 Purchase Street, New Bedford)

Cost: FREE

Details: Performances will incorporate the topic of racism, diversity, culture, or racial justice in the form of song, rap, poetry, slam poetry, covers, and originals.

Friday, 27 April

New Bedford’s Civil War Book Signing (7pm)

Where: New Bedford Whaling Museum (18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford)

Cost: FREE

Details: Join the New Bedford Historical Society and partners at the New Bedford Whaling Museum for a book release and signing event for New Bedford’s Civil War, a new book by historian Earl Mulderink, III. A major goal of this book is to examine how the conflict touched the city’s residents – both black and white. Each program will begin with a reception in the Jacobs Family Gallery at 6:30pm, followed by a lecture in the Cook Memorial Theater at 7:30pm.

Soul/Jazz Series of Live Music Welcomes: Joe Pino Trio (9pm)

Where: Cuban Revolution (60 Valley St. Providence, RI 02909)

Cost: FREE

Details: For those looking for something different should check out trumpet and flugelhorn Joe Pino. He was educated at Berklee College of Music and won tons of musical awards.

The Moldy Suitcases, Grace Morrison and the RSO (10pm – 1am)

Where: New Bedford Whaling Museum (No Problemo, 813 Purchase St, New Bedford)

Cost: FREE

Details: Does it get any better than No Problemo burritos and good music? The Moldy Suitcases, Grace Morrison and the RSO will be rocking No Problemo from 8pm – 1am.

Saturday, 28 April

Blood Drum Spirit (8pm)

Where: Wamsutta Club (427 County Street, New Bedford)

Cost: FREE

Details: Internationally known master drummer Royal Hartigan brings his ensemble to the Wamsutta Club in a performance to benefit the New Bedford YWCA.

Gil Correia Band (9pm – 1am)

Where: Pier 37 (37 Union Street, New Bedford)

Cost: FREE

Details: Enjoy some outstanding blues music with the Gil Correia Band at New Bedford’s newest hot spot Pier 37.

Sunday, 29 April

West Island 5K Run/Walk (10am – 2pm)

Where: Commons New Bedford (41 Causeway Road, West Island, Fairhaven)

Cost: $15-25

Details: Get off your behind this Sunday and walk/run a 5k on West Island. All proceeds will go to support the Fairhaven High School Cross Country program. Full details here.

Second Annual Writer’s Day (9am – 2pm)

Where: Mattapoisett Library (7 Barstow Street, Mattapoisett)

Cost: FREE

Details: Poets are welcome to register for the Second Annual Writers’ Day Away. Following a continental breakfast, participants will enjoy a writing workshop with published poets Scott Withiam and Barbara Siegel Carlson. Lunch will be served and a poetry reading by the visiting writers will conclude the day. For more information and to register, visit the library or call 508-758-4171. The workshop and reading are free.

RI Legends Blues Jam (4-8pm)

Where: The Met (The Met 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860)

Cost: FREE

Details: Join Rob Nelson & Friends for a FREE Blues Jam!