Previously recorded live interview with Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Alyssa Maitoza.
https://www.facebook.com/missnewbedford/
2016 MISS MASSACHUSETTS’ OUTSTANDING TEEN PAGEANT
APRIL 3, 2016
KEITH MIDDLE SCHOOL,
NEW BEDFORD, MA
http://www.mmaoteen.org/2016-mmaoteen-pageant.html
Meet Chris. He panhandles on the corner of Union and County Streets. He says he is will to work for $10/hr and has his own tools. Chris says he was stranded because his girlfriend of 20 years gave him a few days notice that they were losing their apartment and it took him two weeks to get the courage to wear a sign and panhandle.
Video by Carlos Pimentel Felix.
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School senior Iris Rivera scored her 1,000th career point as a Lady Bear. She scored 15 points points in the game and ended the night with 1,002 points.
Unfortunately, there are many homeless residing in New Bedford. Freddy, generally can be found at the front of Market Basket. He has been homeless for three years now and says there is limited space in the shelters and that he is forced to pan handle to survive. Here’s his story …
Question: Should homeless shelters be “dry” shelters?
Video by Carlos Pimentel Felix.
Back in March of last year we told you about North Atlantic Tattoo in a spotlight article. Since then, the response has been overwhelmingly positive and North Atlantic Tattoo has been catapulted into top position when it comes to talent and service. Now booked months out, everyone now knows what we knew: the South Coast has one of the best shops in the country.
Because of the response, current owners Jae and Andrew have expanded their staff to meet the demands of locals. They’ve brought on board Rhode Island native, Tom Butts – who started his apprenticeship at Providence’s Hope Street Tattoo in 2005 under the watchful eyes of Luke Taylor and Matt Brotka.
After a lengthy 3 year apprenticeship he continued to work his craft there until 2010. Sometime around 2008 he began to add Newport’s Anchor Steam Tattoo to his resume, working part-time and eventually switching to a full-time gig. Since then he has traveled as far is Virginia to hone his craft, under some well-known talent including Nate Moretti, TJ Mcinnis, Pete Fortune, Forrest Curl just to name a few.
Tom’s love for art goes so far back, that he can’t recall a time when he wasn’t drawing, painting or creating. In fact, his love for the specific medium of tattooing goes back to his earliest childhood memories when he was surrounded by friends and family who were soldiers and airmen. Growing up, his particular circle of friends – skateboarders and musicians – were bedecked with tattoos, especially those in the Punk Rock scene. This would inspire him to get involved in tattooing as an art-form and had a huge influence on his individual approach to tattooing.
While he is from Rhode Island, Tom has always visited friends in the greater New Bedford area and has always enjoyed New Bedford’s colorful history. He has an affinity for historic New England towns and cities like the Coventry he grew up in, and has always had a fondness for Melville’s ‘Moby Dick.’ So, when he found out there was an opportunity for an artist to develop his craft even further, in one of greater New Bedford’s premier shops – it was a no-brainer. To be around experience and talent of Jae and Andrew’s caliber was something he wouldn’t turn up.
This isn’t the first time Tom has heard of Jae and Andrew – Jae and Tom have been friends for approximately 20 years and he was a mentor to Tom in his early years of tattooing. He met Andrew a couple years ago while he and Jae worked together in Swansea. He has been a friend and fan of Andrew and his work ever since.
So, how would Tom define his style of tattooing? I’ll let his words speak for themselves: “I am primarily a traditional tattoo artist with a heavy nautical background …but I like to think of myself as a jack-of-all trades – though I am not a portrait tattooer. I can take anything and render it into a solid, clean tattoo. I love to do clean, solid, bright, and bold tattoos that will stand the test of time, large or small.”
His tattoos are quintessential American Traditional. Perfect for the blue collar, hard-working person – the one Tom has been around his entire life. His family consists of mostly military, civil servant or tradesman, so working in a geographical region, like New Bedford that is high with these types of professions is important to him.
While Tom sees a lot of people seeking an artist to do their tattoo, he feels the biggest mistake one can do is to look for the cheapest rates around. He feels there should be a balance between art and rate. Since it’s going to be on you for life – one should be willing to pay the right price. Of course, you don’t want to pay a low price and get shoddy workmanship or inversely, pay an exorbitant, over-priced rate, even if it’s perfect art.
Tattooing for Tom is serious business, “it’s not only my job, but its also my life and hobby. A true artisan tattooer takes his work home with him and everywhere in between. We never shut it off. Always drawing, painting, promoting and planning.”
Having said that, he feels having a wide variety of interests and hobbies will indirectly contribute to his artistry by preventing burn-out, and it will also serve to inspire and motivate. Of course, an artist without muses is lost. With that in mind, Tom is an avid outdoors-man, a collector of odd antiques, and even DJ’s regularly. These and other hobbies and interests also help him build rapport with potential and current customers – keeping people comfortable while under the needle, is an important aspect to being a professional, world-class artists. Keeping their mind of the pain and buzzing, helps relax the customer – besides a relationship is just as important as the art.
If you are in the market for some new ink, and love that American Traditional style, you’ll want to stop in and see Tom’s art and meet the man himself. When you the love he has for tattooing and the pride he has in his art and craft, you’ll go nowhere else. But that’s what North Atlantic Tattoo does. One visit and you’ll have no need to go anywhere else in the city.
North Atlantic Tattoo
1881 Acushnet Ave
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Phone: (774) 202-1973
EMail: northatlantictattoo@gmail.com
Mon, Tues, Fri, & Sat: 10:00am-8:00pm
Wed & Thur: 12:00pm-8:00pm
Sun: By appointment only
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/North-Atlantic-Tattoo/674524539310849
Website: northatlantictattoo.com
Shop Instagram: instagram.com/northatlantictattoo/
Jae’s Instagram: instagram.com/jaeaudette1776/
Andrew’s Instagram: instagram.com/panzzerfaust/
Tom’s Instagram: @tombutts_tattoo
Tom’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tombuttstattoo
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Joshua Boles has been selected as the next Chief of Interpretation and Education at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Josh replaces Frank Barrows, who is now Superintendent of Fort Stanwix National Monument. Josh most recently served as a Supervisory Park Ranger at Wright Brothers National Memorial & Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. He brings eleven years of experience in the National Park Service (NPS).
“Josh’s ability to establish and maintain effective teamwork, and inspire, motivate, guide, and work effectively with partners in the community makes him an excellent choice for this important position,” said Meghan Kish, superintendent of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. As Chief of Interpretation and Education at the park, Josh will serve on the park’s Management Team and manage all aspects of the parks interpretive and education programs.
While at Wright Brothers National Monument and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Josh supervised park rangers at the two parks, was responsible for operations, programming, outreach, social media, as well as coordinating special events. On accepting the new assignment, Josh said, “I am incredibly excited to work with the communities, partners and staff at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and Roger Williams National Memorial. I am honored to be given the opportunity to further the already successful community partnerships that share the parks’ rich histories and provide benefit to local communities.”
Josh has a wide range of experience in both private and public organizations. His career with the National Park Service in 2004 as a volunteer at Cabrillo National Park in San Diego and then worked in a number of parks, including Glacier National Park, Manzanar National Historic Site, Saguaro National Park, Zion National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and Montezuma Castle National Monument. Josh holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from San Diego State University.
Josh began his new assignment on April 23, 2015. He lives nearby with his wife and their two young children.
For much of the population there isn’t much to decide when it comes to education for our kids – they are sent to the public school in their neighborhood or locale. There is a smaller portion of parents will consider private or charter schooling as an alternative. For Catholics, however, they have these two and a third option: parochial schooling.
Why should a parent consider sending their child or children to a Catholic School? What are the differences among public, private and Catholic schools in terms of curriculum, staff and performance? Will it hinder or benefit my child? Choosing an education for your children can be one of the most daunting tasks a parent can encounter. It sets a compass needle providing much needed direction; it paves a foundation that will last a lifetime. It will heavily impact their future and even subsequent generations.
Catholic Schools, of course, supply a solid foundation in academics, music and arts. Properly preparing a child to enter society with all the necessary social skills and academic understanding they need to navigate their way through life is something public, private and parochial schools do. How Catholic Schools differ is that they focus on nurturing the Catholic identity and faith. There is an extra element or layer to the education at a parochial school: developing spiritually. This is done by making religious education a core subject of the curriculum, as well as interspersing prayer and liturgical life.
The religious program is provided from Bishop to teacher. The teachers then contribute their own planning and teaching aspect to the lessons. The Catholic Church has had some astounding success with education and today operates the world’s largest non-governmental school system with over two million students in the U.S. alone.
Statistics show that students vote more, are more tolerant and civically engaged than their public peers. Minorities that attend Catholic schools have had greater success in graduating both high school and college – due to the lessened aspect of social class effects in the school environment. Regardless of ethnicity and household income, all students are treated equally as God’s children.
St. James-St. John School is a New Bedford Catholic School that exemplifies the ideals of the Catholic Church’s education ministry. They offer a safe, Catholic educational environment rooted in Gospel values and provide rigorous, quality, faith-filled education for grades Pre-K through 8th. Their students achieve their full potential both academically and spiritually through shared learning experiences in social justice, morality, and faith. Principal Cristina Raposo and pastors, Fr. Jack Oliveira and Fr. Craig Pregana have successfully integrated religion with education. The students learn to discover God’s presence in their daily lives and appreciate the value of that relationship through the good and inevitable bad moments of life.
This is nothing new for St. James-St.John – they’ve been a parochial “school” in New Bedford for well over a century. I place school in parenthesis because it is the unification of two schools. Beginning in 1885 as St. Mary School (on Acushnet Avenue and Wing Street), they would become St. James’s School – the parish they were associated with – in 1964. In 1941, the other half, St. John’s Academy opened in the former Grinnell Mansion on County Street.
In 1973, the two schools would merge into one and relocate to the former St. James building on Acushnet Avenue. In 1986 they again relocated to their current location at 180 Orchard Street.
Ms. Raposo feels it is she who is blessed to “..be able to share in the lives of these young people and be able to model and instruct in the teachings of Jesus everyday. My hope is to one day touch their lives in a special way.” She won’t have to hope too much, because when I asked the students and parents to volunteer to share their experiences, I was inundated with anecdotes. I actually had to prune some for the article. There were that many.
Her most memorable moment was having a post-graduate student thank her and let her know that she was a role model and someone they strove to be everyday. High praise indeed. “I was so touched and honored and knew at that time, I was where I was, not because it was my job, but my vocation and a place where God had led me.”
Some of the academic offerings include Pre-K and up activities like reading with phonics, BBC programs and more. Social studies include politics, the world atlas, ancient civilizations, history, and National Geographic. There’s math, geology, weather, art, science fair projects, research and citation help, and an “All About Animals” program.
Though the curriculum is Common Core aligned, the teachers have academic freedom and do not need to spend their time teaching to the test. Furthermore, if the students leave St.James-St.John and take MCAS and other exams, they are well prepared.
Certainly a diverse and rich academic profile.
Catholic Schools are typically steeped in community activity and St. James-St. John School is extraordinarily busy in that sense. One of the best ways to to teach kids to be civically active and engaged is to lead by example. The school has worked closely with Pennies for Patients, the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, the Juvenile Diabetes, Alzheimer Association, Food Pantries, the Donovan House, Catholic Social Services, Habitats for Cats, Ovarian Cancer, Veterans Transition House just to name a few.
St. James-St.John is an experienced, trusted institute that is consistently doing what they do best: lead the way in religious based education. They do this exceedingly well as demonstrated by the many volunteers – parents and students – who eagerly provided testimonials. Testimonials that “say” much more than anything that I can type. While browsing the photo gallery, you’ll notice children smiling in almost every photo – another demonstration of the school’s success.
If you’re considering enrolling your child in parochial school, and want passionate, spiritually minded educators who are genuinely dedicated to their academic, mental, social, and physical well-being, you will be overjoyed to discover St. James-St.John has been doing that for 120 years and is still doing that today, with an eye on the future.
“We’ve been part of the St. James St. John family since 2010. I can’t say enough about how great our experience has been so far! Our daughters absolutely love their school and are always learning something new. The faculty does a great job of communicating with parents and setting clear expectations of the students. The fact that there is a full time nurse is an added benefit that many other schools do not have. Nurse Ana takes excellent care of the students and provides them with plenty of useful education. Overall, we’re entirely pleased with the decision to send our daughters to this school! – Jeff & Shonda Escobar, parents of Hannah (Grade 3) & Leah (Grade 1).
“My children have attended SJSJ school since preschool. Our plan was to have them there only through Kindergarten. However, after a very short time we realized that we wanted them to continue on throughout elementary and middle school. SJSJ is a family. The faculty and staff are dedicated and vested in providing each child with a first class education and a spiritual foundation. As an educator myself, I know my children are being challenged academically. As a parent, it makes my life easier knowing that they love their school. SJSJ provided the safe, nurturing environment we wanted for our children. It was a perfect fit.” – Lina Louro-Cunha
“Over the past ten years my children have called Saint James Saint John their home. As a family we are constantly amazed at the endless warmth and support from all faculty and staff at our school. There is a family atmosphere that pervades the school with a strong focus on faith, learning, achievement, growth and accountability.”
– Terry Wolkowicz, Parent of Justin and Aria.
“Thank you so much for an amazing year. Isabel and I are so lucky to have St. James St. John’s school in our children’s lives, I truly have no words to fully express the gratitude that Isabel and I have for the Love, Patience, Kindness and a priceless education our children receive there. I hope you have an awesome and safe summer. God bless.”
Respectfully,
Thomas D. Consoli
Property Services Manager
Sea-Dar Construction
“I just wanted to let you know that we are so pleased with St. James St. John and wish we had moved Ryan earlier. You have a great group of parents, teachers and students. We feel Ryan has really thrived and is very prepared for highschool. Thank you so much for allowing him to go to your school.” – Janice Carrigg
“What makes St. James St.John school different from the rest is the teachers. The teachers at this school encourage us to do our best and help us when we need it.” – Myra Wong, student.
“What I find most special about St. James St. John School is its ability act not only as a school, but as a home – where you learn new things with your family each day. It’s very rare to find a school where friendships have been formed over a course of ten years, to a point in which you can call your peers family.” -Josh Downey, student
“St. James St. John School is special because of the bond that all of the students have. The school is like a family brought together by the kindness that each student shows to one another and the support we receive from our teachers and staff.” – Brendan Rego, student.
“I wouldn’t want to be at any other school other than St James St John, because the students and teachers feel like family” – Victoria Raposo, student.
“Our school prepares every student to succeed in the future, both academically and spiritually.” -James Dee, student.
“What makes St. James St. John School special is the nice family-friendly environment that the school provides to students and their parents. Another thing that makes St. James St. John special is that every student feels like they belong in his or her class.” -Patrick Vescio, student ambassador.
“Saint James Saint John School… Living and learning through Christ.” – Faith Medieros, student.
“When I walk through the doors of St. James St. John it feels like your walking into family.” Emilia Costa, student.
“I like St. James St. John because of how we are all one family and how you can easily make friends with students, teachers, and staff. “ – Gilbert Souza, student.
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St. James-St. John School
Mon-Fri: 8:00 am-2:30 pm
Phone: (508) 996-0534
Email: principal@sjsjschool.com
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/St-James-St-John-School
Photo Stream: facebook.com/St-James-St-John-School/photos_stream
Website: sjsjschool.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/sjsjschool
Instagram: instagram.com/sjsjschool
As a history buff, I love hearing about people who do old-time jobs – sort of forgotten occupations. If you know where to look, you can find a cobbler, a haberdasher, or even a milkman. It’s increasingly difficult to come across craftsmen like there used to be in the “olden days” – a time when they were not only practical, but considered artists as well.
So when I come across one, I get excited. Almost always, these people are quite interesting characters. They can weave a story as good as they are skilled. One such character is New Bedford native, Albert Lagesse who is the owner and craftsman behind “The Sharpening Shop.” Does the surname sound familiar? It should, Lagesse Saw Service was a local icon in the 1970s until it closed. That was Al’s dad’s shop and where he learned his trade – working right alongside his dad.
Al never stopped honing his trade – pardon the pun. He has over 40 years experience doing one thing better than anyone in the area – sharpening tools. It may seem odd in an era where people simply throw away their tools when they grow dull, and just buy another one. This tendency to dispose, is why the area’s sharpening shops have all but died out – Precision Saw, Dartmouth Saw, HMC Cutlery, Tom’s Sharpening, Depina’s, American Saw and of course, Al’s dad’s shop.
This dying art and craft is alive and well with Al. If you own something with an edge and need it sharpened, he’s the man. With Spring approaching, it’ll be time to uncover and wipe the dust (and snow) off our lawn mowers, garden shears, hedge clippers, shovels, spades, post hole diggers, hatchets, mauls, machetes and chainsaws.
Outside of the usual landscaping and yard tools, we all have kitchen knives, scissors and other household items that we use on a daily basis. If you are smashing your tomatoes when you are trying to slice them, it’s time to turn them razor sharp again. Al mentioned one customer who said she was able to slice a tomato so thin that she was able to see through it.
Meat cleavers, serrated steak knives, filet, carving knives, paring, hunting knives and more all fall under Al’s expertise. I seriously doubt there is something he hasn’t seen.
If you work in construction you have axes, carbide saws, chisels, plane irons, planer knives, paint scrapers, and more. If you do tree work, you have your chainsaws, hatchets, chipper knives, pole saw blades, pruning/limbing saws and chip grinders.
Are you a plumber or electrician? You’ll need those hole hawg, multi-spur bits, hole saws and drill bits sharpened and ready for the upcoming season.
If you’re a pet groomer, have a farm full of sheep, goats, or horses, or you are a barber (or do your own hair) then you know what happens when scissors, shears and clippers are dull: bloody customers. That can’t be good for business. How affordable is Al when it comes to clipper sharpening? $5 for small animal, goat hoof trimmers, or barber clippers. Grooming shears are only $8.
If you are the type that just likes to keep a pocket knife handy and you use it regularly – dulling it quickly – Al will sharpen each small blade for $1. Yes, one whopping dollar. Have a large one? Only $2.50.
Sharp tools make life easier whether you use them for everyday activities or in your chosen occupation. Easy is nice. Don’t throw away your tools.
Don’t buy a new knife set when you can sharpen them for the fraction of the cost of a new set – and they will be as sharp if not sharper than when you first bought them. Don’t throw away the lawn mower blade, hedge clippers or shears that are tearing and shredding – get them sharpened.
You can see a full list of items and their cost on this page.
Al’s ability is so well-known and trusty that he has a number of drop-off/pick-up locations and likely has one right near you. Live near Bourassa’s or Winberg’s True Value Hardware, Rivet Street Hardware, Al Foster’s Hardware, Renovation Rentals or Mattapoisett Power Equipment? You can drop off or pick-up your tools there.
In addition, for select items you can use the good old fashioned United States Postal Service.
Prefer to deal directly with Al? You can do that too! Give him a call and set up a time to bring your items by. He lives right on Harwich Street near Normandin Junior High School, which you can easily get to from “The Ave.”
In the photo album below, you can hover your mouse pointer to see how cheap it is to make your edge like new.
The Sharpening Shop
183 Harwich Street
New Bedford, MA
Mon-Fri: 7:00 am-7:00 pm (For calls)
Cash and personal checks are accepted.
Phone: 352.360.3889 (CELL) & 774.992.7355 (HOME)
Email: kleenkut007@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/The-Sharpening-Shop
Website: thesharpeningshop.blogspot.com/
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Our pets are family. They get treated like our sons and daughters – we feed and bathe them, take care of their medical bills, lavish them with love and spend tons of time with them. Heck, some of us even clothe them!
And just like our kids, we want them to live healthy, happy lifestyles. When all of the above things are missing, problems and conflicts arise. Without exercise, they gain weight and health issues develop. Without mental exercise they can be aggressive and angry. Without instruction and nurturing they don’t develop manners and social skills.
Fortunately for our pets, there is a place that they can get exercise, develop social skills, remove anxiety, aggressiveness, and nervousness, and just be happy little campers.
That place is MJ’s Pet Training Academy – a fun, family environment that is a home away from home for our furry friends, owned and run (she does the grooming too!) by Acushnet native, Melissa Viera. Keep in mind, that Pet Training doesn’t necessarily mean that you are preparing your dog for competition – though if you want to, Melissa is more than qualified – you can simply want to provide fun opportunities for enriching and exercising your pets.
More importantly, MJ’s is a place where you can strengthen the human-animal bond with Rex, Fido, or Shadow. It’s a facility that hosts a number of accredited, effective programs that will positively impact your pet’s health and well-being – both physical and mental.
Melissa’s inspiration for MJ’s Pet Academy is rooted in a deep passion and love for all animals since she was a child. For as long as she can remember, she has been surrounded by animals – dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and everything else in between. She can’t recall a time she didn’t have a bunch of pets, or performing in dog shows, competitive obedience training or grooming.
When it was time for high school, attending an agricultural high school where she studied small animal science seemed a natural, obvious step. Still hungry for more, she continued to work with mentors outside of her high school education. After graduation, Melissa went on to earn her Degree in Dog Obedience Training and Instruction, and became a Certified Trick Dog Instructor.
What separates her from many other facilities is her positive-based methods – marker words, clickers, sounds, and gestures. These have proven time and again to be incredibly potent ways to for dogs to learn real life skills like leash walking, coming when called, manners and so on. By reinforcing positive traits, the dogs abandon the aforementioned social and behavioral aberrations like nervousness, re-activity, shyness and excitability. Aberrations that can lead to problems with humans and other pets – aggressive posturing and even attacks.
Of course, new puppy owners can take a pro-active stance and enroll their dogs in training before any of these negative traits develop.
Melissa has a variety of services and programs – all of which can be customized to meet your individual pet’s needs. She has a staff of experts whose dedication and passion equal her own: scent work instructor and trainer Barbara Paczosa, and official photographer providing pet portraits during select appointments and classes Beth J. Cormier.
The popular group instruction classes are available for basic skills and activities as well as developing social skills through fun games, activities, and challenges, including skate boarding, basketball, painting, scent work, and canine freestyle. There is private instruction for addressing common behavioral concerns like leash pulling, jumping on people, nervousness, and so on.
To compliment these classes, MJ’s also offers a day-time enrichment and training program where your dog will stay with one of the professional trainers all day.
At the end of the day, when you pick up your dog you will receive a progress report to see what gains have been made. Further complimenting the group & private classes and the day-time program, there are a variety of workshops and events are held throughout the year. Finally, she offers a course in scentwork which would be of obvious value for anyone who enjoys hunting.
Regardless of age or handicap, Melissa has likely experience working with a dog similar to yours. If you have a very old dog, one with a persistent injury or handicap, is blind or deaf, it is nothing Melissa hasn’t already seen and worked with. Same goes for dogs with “backgrounds” – dogs with aggression issues or taken from homes where dogs have been utilized for fighting.
Melissa’s life is consumed by this passion of hers. When she is not at MJ’s Pet Training Academy, she is writing about it on her blog, or various publications. She is perpetually contributing to the industry through education, and getting information out there about positive training.
She will even be participating in this year’s 27th Annual Home Show featuring a seminar called “Dogs With Manners.” If you attend the Home Show, be sure to stop in and see what Melissa does!
And if Fido needs a haircut and wash, MJ’s has a full grooming salon on site, which includes a basic bath, Paw Pad treatment, hand stripping, sugar scrub and even specialty scissoring. Her positive method applies to the grooming as well – for those dogs that get nervous or anxious once they hear the buzzing. You can watch a “before and after” video of Wally and Gidgette here.
Melissa has her eye on the future and has big things planned for MJ’s and the industry. She is looking to introduce new classes, workshops and events, continue promoting the positive training method throughout the industry through articles, online videos and even online courses. She recently started writing her first book which looks at training from a new perspective, sharing her discoveries, experience and effective methods.
MJ’s Pet Training Academy is dedicated to helping dogs, and helping dogs and owners connect. The experience is always transformative and beneficial to all. It is so rewarding that Melissa feels it is she that is grateful and provided with an opportunity to work with the dogs. Seeing the improvements in a dog’s personality and look on the faces of their owners is one she looks forward to. She is so eager to meet a new dog and owner that she offers FREE consultations to best determine your goals and needs and provide customized solutions. Spend a few moments at MJ’s and you will see how inspired and knowledgeable Melissa is. Something that is backed up by her impeccable review on Facebook which is a perfect 5 stars out of 5 stars and the testimonials.
MJ’s Pet Academy is located behind Kam’s Cuisine off of South Main Street. There is plenty of parking in the parking lot. Head there and see the magic!
MJ’s Pet Training Academy
132 S Main St Suite C6
Acushnet, Massachusetts
Phone: (774) 992-6929
EMail: mjsdogtraining@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/MJsPetTrainingAcademy
Website: mjspettrainingacademy.com/
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Tattoos and tattooing have been around since Neolithic times – at least 5,000 years. This is evidenced by the famous Ötzi the Iceman discovered in the Austrian Alps in 1991. Ötzi was roaming the earth sometime in the 4th millennium B.C.E. and had a minimum of 60 tattoos. In all likelihood, tattooing goes back much further in time, but this is the oldest known historical case of tattooing. Of course, it is part and parcel of many cultures that came after Ötzi – Teutons, Picts, Goths, Vikings, Rus, Celts, ancient Chinese, Egypt and so on. Virtually the world over.
Tattoos were a part of early man’s culture for a variety of reasons. Most of which are the same reasons people ink themselves today: a rite of passage, tribute, homage, self-expression, tradition or identifying with a certain sub-culture. However, unlike yesterday, today’s collector has greater access to artists, a variety of styles outside their culture, and may get tattoos for no other reason than that of pride or vanity. Have a favorite show, beer, or celebrity? You can make them permanent.
And unlike in pre-historic times, tattooing is no longer relegated to an elite few – soccer moms, grandmas, lawyers, doctors and teenagers have the opportunity. Tattoos and tattooing has come a long way since its modern inception and it was reintroduced to America in the mid-19th century by a German immigrant living in Boston, Martin Hildebrandt. That makes Massachusetts the place where American tattooing got its start. So it should come as no surprise that there are quite a few tattoo shops in Massachusetts, particularly the South Coast.
One of the newest shops to open recently is North Atlantic Tattoo. While the shop may be new, the artists are not. Proprietors and partners, Jae Audette and Andrew Pequita are salty dogs – veterans who have been professionally tattooing in the U.S. and Canada (Jae did a foray to our neighbors up North) for 12 and 15 years respectively. That’s full-time, 40-70 hours per week. This work ethic has been carried over to North Atlantic Tattoo and the shop is the only full-time shop in New Bedford.
As I mention in many articles, passion is a crucial aspect to talent and success, particularly when it is combined with dedication and experience. Jae and Andrew became two of the best tattooists in the area through immersing themselves in their work and surrounding themselves with some of the industry’s best talent.
This not only motivates and inspires them, but keeps them always learning and improving. It keeps their fingers on the pulse of the latest art techniques and sterility. All true professionals in the industry are always striving to improve their artwork and the hygienic conditions of their tools and shop.
The two forces behind North Atlantic proudly display the thousands of pieces they have done on the walls, excepting some proudly displayed tall ship and whaling ship oil paintings that Andrew’s grandfather did in the 1980s and Jae’s signed Horiyoshi III painting. While you will find flash on the walls, both relish the chance to do custom work. While both artists have a desire to create timeless work and are adept in virtually all styles of tattooing, Jae favors and excels at classic American and Japanese traditional.
He is a student of American and Japanese history and when he is not tattooing he is typically engrossed in a history book – in fact his Instagram account has the tag “1776.” He knows the deeper meanings and nuances of the artwork he does and eagerly shares this knowledge with anyone who wants to understand the permanent piece of art they are getting. While the collector may be getting a tattoo because it’s “cool,” they can also understand the deeper symbolism and tradition behind it, making the it all the more meaningful.
A New Bedford resident, Andrew enjoys tattooing in a very illustrative way and has a more modern hue to his artwork. He has a passion for anything organic or nature-based – animals, skulls, snakes, demons and the ilk. He has a wide range in that department, from aggressive, masculine tattoos to things more feminine. He is also fond of historical subjects like mythology. Opening up shop on Acushnet Avenue had meaning for him: he’s overjoyed to be working in the very block his parents and grandparents ran a business on for 33 years.
When I asked Andrew what he felt one of the biggest misconceptions about tattoos were he said “…that it has to have deep significant meaning. If someone wants a tattoo with meaning, that is fine too. However, first and foremost, the tattoo should be aesthetically pleasing. I think the way the tattoo flows and how flattering it looks on the body is far more important than the overall meaning. Do not be afraid to get large work. Try and have a game plan if you want to be frequently tattooed. That way the tattoos can eventually all flow together.”
In addition to these, on a weekly basis North Atlantic Tattoo produces American traditional, Japanese, portraits, lettering, smooth black and grey, religious iconography, and bio-mech. Regardless of what custom art you bring in, you can tap into Jae and Andrew’s vast experience. They have likely done something similar. The other benefit that comes from this much experience is how they handle customers. They’ve seen everything from tattoo virgins to collectors with very little room left. It’s difficult enough to come across tattoo artist’s with amazing talent that run a clean shop, let alone find a shop that also thinks that making customers comfortable is just as important. In a day and age, where there are shops everywhere, covering all these bases is one of the things that separates North Atlantic from the others.
Their service to customers goes far beyond coming in and getting a piece done. There is a process from the time you enter, until the time you come back. They will suggest you browse the portfolios and ask them questions. They respect and value that you will be wearing this forever and want you to make the most informed decision. Many shops will be content to put a horrendous tattoo that just isn’t right, as long as you are paying. That thought doesn’t sit well with Jae or Andrew.
They will then ask you questions about the art you have chosen, where it goes, and then share suggestions. Andrew and Jae are both friendly, likable guys who put out a relaxed vibe. Anyone who spends 5 minutes with them will vouch for them. You will already be comfortable before you even sit and turn on your music or watch TV – yes, they have Netflix.
After you have finished, you will discuss the product while checking it in the mirror and provide feedback. As Jae or Andrew are bandaging the tattoo they will share aftercare protocol and remind you make sure you call in the next few days if you have any other questions or concerns. They certainly don’t want you to ride off into the sunset. Both Jae and Andrew are looking for a relationship with collectors. Both are pretty proud of the fact that they have made hundreds of lasting friendships.
If you’re looking for a local shop that combines world-class artistry, experience, affordability and customer comfort, your search is over.
North Atlantic Tattoo
1881 Acushnet Ave
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Phone: (774) 202-1973
EMail: northatlantictattoo@gmail.com
Mon-Tues: 10:00am-9:00pm
Wed-Thur: 12:00pm-9:00pm
Fri-Sat: 10:00am-9:00pm
Sun: By appointment only
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/North-Atlantic-Tattoo/674524539310849
Website: northatlantictattoo.com
Shop Instagram: instagram.com/northatlantictattoo/
Jae’s Instagram: instagram.com/jaeaudette1776/
Andrew’s Instagram: instagram.com/panzzerfaust/
Jae Audette’s Artngg_shortcode_4_placeholder
Andrew Pequita’s Artngg_shortcode_5_placeholder