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!

Celebrate Junior Ranger Day at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park on Saturday, April 28. Members of the Junior Ranger Service Corps will offer crafts, games and other activities from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Earn a junior ranger badge by completing scavenger hunts in the park and learn about other Junior Ranger programs at the park and on the web. The event is free and will take place at the park’s Corson Maritime Learning Center, located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts.

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is one of many National Parks that offer visitors the opportunity to join the National Park Service family as Junior Rangers. Interested young people complete a series of activities during their park visit, share their answers with a park ranger, and receive an official Junior Ranger badge or patch and Junior Ranger certificate.

The City and Refuse District are helping you make the most of your spring cleaning tasks with three upcoming events.

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Day will take place on April 28^th from 9 a.m. to noon at the Crapo Hill Landfill.  Call for directions or visit www.gnbrrmdistrict.org.

• Open to New Bedford and Dartmouth residents only, ID required
• All types of household hazardous wastes will be accepted including oil-based paints, paint thinner, and waste fuels.
• NO LATEX PAINTS.  Dry out and throw it away in the regular trash.
• The maximum amount you can bring is 25 gallons or 25 pounds.
• Collection is for households only, not businesses, schools or contractors.

Shred Day will take place on May 12^th from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot across from City Hall on the corner of William Street and North 6^th Street.  Shredding is provided by Doc Shredding.  Please note the following about the event:

• Open to businesses and residents of New Bedford and the surrounding communities
• Fee is $5 per box for a standard size box used to hold reams of paper
• Participants can watch the destruction of up to 5 of their boxes of paper.   For more than 5 boxes, shredding may occur offsite.
• Paper clips and staples do not need to be removed, but please remove paper from folders and binders.

Tire Drop-off Day will take place on May 19^th from 9 a.m. to noon at the Shawmut Avenue Transfer Station, 1103 Shawmut Avenue.  Please note the following about the event:

• Open to New Bedford and Dartmouth residents only, ID required
• Fees (cash or check only) – $1 each for car tires, $5 each for light duty truck tires and $15 each for heavy duty truck tires (no more than 6, no off-road equipment tires)
• Tires greater than 24 inches are not accepted
• No commercial loads

For more information about any of the events, contact Marissa Perez-Dormitzer, District Recycling Coordinator at (508) 979-1493 or recycling@newbedford-ma.gov.

Moms and dads seeking free, engaging activities for their young children should check out this event: Whales, Tales and Sails, a free, one-hour story hour each Friday morning from 10:00-11:00 AM. The weekly event features professional storyteller Andrea Lovett and includes stories, fingerplay, songs, music, crafts and free play at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s Corson Maritime Learning Center. This activity is geared for children ages 0-5. The center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford.

Andrea Lovett has been performing and teaching storytelling professionally since 1992. From the moment she begins to speak her audiences are caught up in the magic of story. Lovett co-founded massmouth, an award winning storytelling organization based in Massachusetts, with Norah Dooley in 2009.

Jen Nersesian, superintendent of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, said, “We know that there is tremendous public demand for this program and the park is so pleased to bring continue to offer this program. Andrea Lovett is such a wonderful storyteller; children and adults alike enjoy her stories. We invite anyone and everyone to this entertaining and family-friendly event in our park each Friday at 10:00 AM.”

Second-hand clothing store Good Hue will have its unofficial grand opening this Friday, April 20th from 7-11 pm at the UGLY Gallery on 246 Union Street in New Bedford.

Accompanying the opening will be the local release of STUCK UP: A Selected History of Alternative & Pop Culture Told Through Stickers, as well as perfomances by local artists HiLoe, Nick Be, Kye Nathaniel, and The Youngest Man Alive, as well as DJ sets by Bogey Bambatta and Chester Best.

Good Hue is the brain child of Nick Walecka, who hopes to eventually open a retail store in downtown New Bedford. The business concept is purchase used clothing and other items and resell them for a profit.

There are always hidden treasures out there for those who have knack for finding it. Nick uses his keen eye and experience to prune the best items from dozens of locations and offers them for sale in a single location. If you’ve ever been to the thrift store or deep discount racks at local retailers, you know that you have to spend lots of time and energy sifting through hundreds of items to find the hidden gem.

How did you come up with the name of the business?

Nick: At first, I struggled and struggled to name the business. I wanted something that would catch peoples ear, and not just something lame for the sake of having a name. My friends and I had been repeating the phrase “Good. You?” to one another for a while. You know when someone asks you, “what’s up?” and you automatically reply “Good. You?” even though it’s the wrong response to the question? It’s based off that sort of awkward interaction. I started to notice it happening more and more everywhere, and I wanted to name my company after it, but I wasn’t comfortable having a question mark in the name because I thought it would look kind of tacky. So I was stuck. One day my friend Nick Baptist said, “Why don’t you just use the word “hue” instead of “you”? Right away I gave him a hug and knew we had the name part figured out. I was able to keep with the original theme, as well as take a word (hue) that would help describe the colorful nature of my store.

Describe the concept behind your clothing store.

Nick: For years, I’ve been “thrift store hustling,” as my friends and I like to call it. As a bigger guy, I found it hard to find things my size, but I would always find smaller things that wouldn’t fit me. I was sick of leaving these awesome items on the racks when I knew my friends and others would love them, so I just started buying them, figuring I could just sell them to my friends. That’s where it started, and now I’ve gathered up enough things to where I could actually formulate some semblance of a business out of it. We’re still in the preliminary stages, but I think we’re starting in a good place. I asked Nick some questions to get more details on the business.

Describe your grand opening party at the Ugly Gallery.

Nick: I’ve been talking to the guys at UGLY about having a show there for a while now. They’ve been nice enough to let me use their gallery as a jump off point for my venture. As of now, I can’t really afford my own space, so they’re going to let me have a little party there. My friends are going to model my clothes, but not like in a typical fashion show or catwalk sense, but rather just in a friendly atmosphere where people can vibe out to some tunes and check out the art. If people buy some clothes, that’s awesome, but this show is just to get the Good Hue name out there and to get people talking about it.

Why did you decide to get into the clothing business?

Nick: I decided to get into the business because thrifting is just something I’ve always enjoyed, so I figured, “why not try to make a buck or two off something I love and do for a hobby?” Plus, I’ve always wanted to work for myself, so I figured that if this was successful, I’d be able to fulfill that wish.

Where to you see the clothing store one year from now?

Nick: I’d like to have my own storefront Downtown in less than a year. Hopefully, the show will be a success and I’ll be able to grow my inventory as well as my bank account so I can invest into some real estate and actually own a real business. After that, I’d like to get into women’s clothes and expand into something bigger.

Operation Clean Sweep, a New Bedford based anti-litter organization, will hold a neighborhood cleanup on Saturday, April 21, 2012 in Ward 2 from 8:30 am until Noon.  The Ward 2 cleanup will be hosted by Cotali Mar Restaurant, and headquarters will be located in the restaurant’s parking lot on Sawyer Street.

Students, individuals, families and community service groups are encouraged to volunteer with Operation Clean Sweep to earn community service hours, demonstrate support for the neighborhood, and pride in the community.

Cotali Mar Restaurant will provide breakfast for volunteers in the morning and lunch will be provided by Domino’s Pizza, “The Official Pizza” of Operation Clean Sweep.

Volunteers are encouraged to pre-register by visiting www.operationcleansweep.net or call 508.979.1493.

Pre-registration is not required but it is preferred so that organizers are better able to plan for the needs of the day.  Volunteers are asked to wear closed toe shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. Tools and gloves provided. Walk-ups are always welcome and all volunteer names will be entered into a drawing for a covered trash barrel!

Anyone interested in hosting a Ward cleanup is encouraged to call (508) 979-1493 for more information.

Last year the lives of more than 240 New Englanders were saved because individuals registered as organ donors on their state driver’s license or online through the Donate Life New England registry. In addition, the lives of 25,000 in this region were enhanced by tissue donations from registered tissue donors. Registering as a donor can make a very real difference in the life of someone desperately in need of a transplant. Currently, over 113,700 Americans await a life saving organ transplant that may not come in time.

On Wednesday, April 18th at 10:00 AM at New Bedford City Hall on 133 William Street, Mayor Jon Mitchell will present a Proclamation to representatives from New England Organ Bank proclaiming April is Donate Life Month in the City of New Bedford. April is National Donate Life Month and it is an opportunity to continue to educate the public, celebrate the lives saved and enhanced through donation and honor the donors who made the ultimate gift.

Mayor Mitchell said he looks forward to the ceremony and the opportunity to acknowledge the New England Organ Bank efforts to increase public awareness and to acknowledge the partnership between the RMV and Donate Life.

Matt Boger, State Relations for New England Organ Bank said, “Statistics show that 99.8% of all Massachusetts residents who designate themselves as an organ and tissue donor do so at the RMV. They play a very important party in the donation process.”

Mike Lenza, liver recipient and New England Organ Bank RMV Ambassador for Lowell says “It’s very inspiring to have the support of Mayor Mitchell for Donate Life Month. We hope the people of New Bedford decide to register today and tell their family and friends to do the same.”

About New England Organ Bank
New England Organ Bank is the federally-designated, non-profit procurement organization responsible for the surgical recovery of organs and tissues for transplant throughout the New England region.

About Donate Life New England
Donate Life New England is a joint project of two federally designated organ procurement organizations that serve New England – LifeChoice Donor Services and New England Organ Bank. They have come together to create a fast and easy way for citizens of New England to register as organ and tissue donors in a secure and confidential manner. For more information, visit www.donatelifenewengland.org.

A week of fun activities are planned for spring vacation at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, April 16-20, in partnership with New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

Monday, April 16 is Right Whale Day, when the museum offers free family activities focused on the highly endangered northern right whale starting at 10:00 a.m. under the massive right whale skeleton on display in the Jacobs Family Gallery. Walk inside a life-sized inflatable right whale and stand next to a life-sized inflatable right whale calf for a photo. Challenge yourself in the coastal obstacle course as you attempt to survive the dangers right whales face in their migrations. Test your observation skills by identifying individual whales based on their markings. Enjoy a slice of the huge “right whale cake” at 1:35 p.m.

Right Whale Day schedule of activities: 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Go Inside the Inflatable Whale (presented by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society); 10:00 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Right Whale Obstacle Course (presented by the museum’s high school apprentices), museum plaza; 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Make Right Whale Magnets & Whale Origami (presented by the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance); 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Right Whale Crafts & Learning Activities (presented by the museum docents & high school apprentices); 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Inflatable Right Whale Calf, Right Whale Info & Photo-Op with the Right Whale Calf (presented by the education staff of NOAA); 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary 20th Anniversary display & activities (presented by Stellwagen Sanctuary staff); 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Right Whale Identification Activities, (presented by the museum volunteers); 1:35 p.m.: Right Whale Day Cake; 2:00 p.m.: Free screening of “Ocean Frontiers – The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Stewardship,” (Cook Memorial Theater). “Ocean Frontiers” is an engaging, inspirational film that features four very different, but equally important success stories of ocean stewardship, including one that is taking place in Massachusetts Bay.

Spring vacation week activities continue through Friday, April 20. Schedule of activities: Tuesday- Friday, April 17-20, 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.: “Highlights Tours: Go Below Decks on The Lagoda.” Join a docent for a 45-minute tour that focuses on highlights of the Museum’s collection. The tour leaves from the front desk. The first ten participants to sign up will go below decks on the Lagoda. Regular admission applies.

Tuesday, April 17, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: “Moby-Dick Highlights Tour” Docents bring the characters and action from Herman Melville’s great American novel to life through a tour of the Museum’s collection. Tour leaves from the front desk. Regular admission rates apply.

Wednesday morning, April 18, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: “Maritime Arts & Crafts.” Children make and take home their project. This program is free for children in the Jacobs Family Gallery. Regular admission rates apply to the Museum galleries.

Wednesday afternoon, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park offers a free fun-filled afternoon for the whole family, including scavenger hunt, carnival games, bean bag toss and Earth Day crafts. Try croquet on the lawn with Ruth & Abby – the 1850s ladies – and watch the Youth Ambassador Program (YAP!) videos, “Get Outside” and “My Backyard” series. Pick up a free “Burn While You Learn,” map of the park to explore history while getting some exercise. The National Park Visitor Center is located at 33 William Street, adjacent to the museum plaza.

Thursday, April 19, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: “Sailors’ Valentines.” Learn how to make sailors’ valentines, traditional gifts whalemen gave to their wives and loved ones upon returning from long voyages. Take your valentine home as a keepsake. This program is free for children in the Jacobs Family Gallery. Regular admission rates apply to the Museum galleries.

Friday, April 20, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: “All Aboard The Lagoda” allows children to dress as their favorite seafaring character and climb aboard the Lagoda, learning the ropes, interacting with different cultures, and scouring the seas in search of whales as they experience a global whaling voyage through role-play on the world’s largest model whaleship (regular admission rates apply).

Spring vacation week activities are free where noted for children to 14 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

In celebration of the Bicentennial of the Town of Fairhaven, Massachusetts (1812-2012), Fairhaven residents receive free admission to the museum, Sunday, April 15 through Saturday, April 21 (proof of residency required).

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the world’s most comprehensive museum devoted to the global story of whales, whaling and the cultural history of the region. The cornerstone of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Museum is located at 18 Johnny Cake Hill in the heart of the city’s historic downtown. For events: www.whalingmuseum.org.

For the Documerica Project (1971 – 1977), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hired freelance photographers to capture pictures of environmental problems, EPA activities and everyday life in the 1970’s.  These images were intended to establish a visual baseline against which progress could be measured.

In 2011, the EPA invited citizens to submit photographs to update the record.  This photo project, called State of the Environment, includes “Then and Now” images taken nearly 40 years apart.

The Ocean Explorium has been chosen to exhibit some of the most compelling images, from both the Documerica and State of the Environment series.  For a few days only, several photographs will be on view before moving on to another location.

“The Ocean Explorium is fortunate to be able to showcase these amazing images.  When the opportunity was presented to us on Thursday afternoon, we could not say no!  The exhibit will be installed on Saturday and will be dismantled on Tuesday, so it is important we get the word out so folks can see these beautiful photographs” according to Abbey Spargo, Education Programs Coordinator.

In the meantime, it is not too late to participate in the EPA photo project.  Readers who feel inspired may join the EPA State of the Environment photo project or view the photo archives at: http://blog.epa.gov/epplocations.