City officials and community members broke ground on the Captain Jack Peterson Memorial Dog Park on Thursday, June 15, 2017, on Hathaway Boulevard between Greenwood Street and Ruggles Street.

The dog park design and installation is funded entirely through a grant that the Stanton Foundation awarded to the City of New Bedford. New Bedford applied for and received $21,940 for the design phase and $222,472.00 for construction. The Stanton Foundation was created by long time CBS president, Frank Stanton, and has canine welfare and the strengthening of the dog-human bond as one of its core missions. It has supported the construction of seven dog parks in Massachusetts with several more under construction including this park in New Bedford.

“The Captain Jack Peterson Memorial Dog Park will be the perfect addition to our great parks and recreation areas across New Bedford,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “The opportunity to use grant funding for design and construction of the park, working together with community members and City Councillors who have long been involved in advocating for a dog park in the city, will add a fun space for residents, visitors and their dogs to enjoy.”

A formal off-leash space for dogs has been a desire of the New Bedford community for some time. It was not until 2014, under Mayor Mitchell’s leadership, that a site for the park was ultimately identified. The City hosted public information sessions, solicited ideas for reuse of the land and ultimately presented the dog park proposal to the community. The neighborhood also agreed that a dog park would be the best reuse option for the parcels. The City then solicited input regarding design and best practices through meetings with city dog park advocates. City departments also reviewed the proposed use of the site and supported the development of a dog park in this location. The dog park will be managed by the Department of Parks, Recreation & Beaches and maintained by the Department of Public Infrastructure. In 2008, the City Council established a Special Committee on the Feasibility of Creating a Dog Park and has since recommended criteria for the operation of such a park.

The Captain Jack Peterson Memorial Dog Park will be an enclosed area safe for canines to play, socialize, and learn off-leash. The dog park will be accessed via a “swipe card”. Swipe cards will be available to owners of neutered, licensed dogs, with all vaccinations up to date, for an annual fee paid to the City.

An information kiosk will provide park rules with contact information for the animal control officer. Owners will be responsible to clean up after their dogs.

The park will be named for longtime local media personality Joel “Captain Jack Peterson” Polonsky, who died in 2014. Peterson was a radio host in New Bedford on WNBH and WBSM and he and his wife, Lynne, had long been involved in charities that contribute to the protection and welfare of animals. A native of Lynn, Peterson attended the Leland Powers School for Radio and started at WNBH in 1980; his career in New Bedford spanned more than three decades.

The park will include:
– Black-vinyl coated chain link fencing (height: 5 feet) to enclose the dog park
– Double gated swing entrance/exit
– Two distinct play areas: one small dog area and one large dog area
– Canine agility elements: balance beam, climbing areas, and a sand pit
– Dog water station/fountain
– Seating areas
– Trash and recycling receptacles, dog waste bag dispensers
– On-site parking with walkway to the enclosure
– Shade tree(s)
– Swipe card access system
– Informational kiosk and signage

Pressley Assoc. are a well known and award winning landscape architecture firm from Boston. They have designed several dog parks and most recently completed the Bremen St Dog Park in East Boston.

New Bedford police and fire officials are investigating four suspicious car fires over the past 48 hours, including three within an hour early Thursday.

Vehicles were located in flames at:

Tuesday, June 13, 3:08 a.m., 108 Clark St.

Thursday, June 15, 1:33 a.m., Sawyer and Myrtle streets

Thursday, June 15, 2:12 a.m., Cedar Grove and County streets

Thursday, June 15, 2:30 a.m., Adams and Myrtle streets.

New Bedford police and fire departments are investigating the fires. Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 508-991-6350 or the anonymous tip line at 508-992-7463 or e-mail tip@newbedfordpd.com.

Experienced and enthusiastic Early Childhood Lead Teacher needed to work in our accredited comprehensive Head Start Program. Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field with proper coursework. Must also possess Lead Teacher qualifications through the Department of Early Education and Care, or possess the requirements to attain this credential.

Responsibilities include supervision of a pre-school aged classroom of children. Must be capable of developing and implementing appropriate curriculum, as well as, assessing and individualizing for young children. Applicants should be knowledgeable about developmentally appropriate practice, positive interactions, and early learning frameworks for pre-school aged children. Candidate should be eager to plan engaging classroom activities, motivate parents and guardians to engage in their child’s learning, and possess the skills to communicate effectively in a variety of means with children, families, co-workers, and managers concerning program operations.

Salary: $18.42 – $21.02/hr.
Hours per week: 40
Weeks per year: 39 – 52

Benefit package includes; health insurance, dental and life insurance, 403B retirement, medical flexible spending account, excellent compensation for vacation time, personal time, sick time, and paid holidays.

P.A.C.E. is an AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Deadline to apply: 5:00 p.m., Monday, June 26, 2017

Send cover letter and resume or application to:

P.A.C.E., Inc.
P.O. Box 5-626
New Bedford, MA 02742
Attn: Director of Human Resources

By Jocelyn Martins

Planning a visit to the Walt Disney World Resort can be a bit overwhelming. With more than 40 square miles, 25+ resort options, four major theme parks, two water parks, approximately 120 dining locations, and Disney Springs, it’s no wonder why even a seasoned guest can need some guidance. I’ve put together ten tips to consider when planning your own magical vacation.

1. Determining when to go. One of the first things you should determine when planning a Walt Disney World vacation is when the best time to go is. And the best time for you, may not be the same best time as when your sister can go, or when your co-worker went. There are several factors to consider and you’ll need to decide what your priority is.

a. Does your/your spouse’s employment limit your travel dates?
b. Can your children be absent during the school year?
c. Do you want to travel only when you can get a promotion such as free dining?
d. Do you want to visit as a less crowded (there are no longer any “not crowded” dates)?
e. Do you want to visit during a month that both water parks are open? (one gets refurbished for 3 months at a time in the Winter)
f. Do you mind the heat?
g. Do you want to travel during an event such as Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival or International Food & Wine Festival? Or a runDisney race weekend? Or be there for a holiday or special celebrations?

As you can see, you really have to answer the questions above in order to figure out what’s the best time to go for you and your family. If your children are in high school and can only travel during school breaks, then school breaks are the best time for you to go. A Travel Agent can work with you to determine the less expensive or less crowded dates. Keep in mind that other than the summer months, school breaks during the year vary by region and sometimes even state so if traveling from the Northeast, our breaks do not fall during those of other parts of the country. Bonus tip: Plan in advance so you can take advantage of perks for onsite guests like booking dining reservations for your stay up to 10 days, 180 days in advance instead of one day at a time and booking FastPass+ reservations 60 days in advance instead of 30.

2. Select a resort or resort category. Choosing a resort is probably the second most difficult choice you’ll make after deciding when to vacation. But don’t worry, Walt Disney World has a resort for everyone. It’s all about priorities. Value resorts are the least expensive and have larger-than-life type theming that kids love. Dining is available in food courts and pools are large, as are the resort properties. When staying at a moderate resort, you’ll be taking a bus to all of the parks like you do at a value resort, but the pools have water slides, the resorts have queen beds (versus double), and there are table-service restaurants in the resorts. The deluxe resorts and deluxe villa resorts have the most amenities, yet are the most expensive of the categories. But you pay for convenience among many other things. From most of the deluxe resorts, you can get to at least one (sometimes two) of the theme parks by walking, monorail, or boat. While many guests think they just want “a place to sleep and shower,” others find their resort stay plays a major role in their overall vacation experience. We spend a lot of time at our resort, as well as others, and find the atmosphere, the scent (yes!), and the views of many are what draw us in – not just the beds and shower space! If you know you’ll be out of your room and away from your resort except to sleep, then paying for amenities doesn’t make sense.

3. Stick to your routine. Maintaining a routine is key to an enjoying your Walt Disney World vacation. This is especially important when traveling with children, but holds true for adults too. Vacations tend to mess with our daily routine, and that’s not a lot of fun. We stay up later, we eat more junk (okay, I’m speaking for myself), we may not stop and rest because “we paid a lot for this vacation.” But when you are planning your trip and building your itinerary, I guarantee you that the closer you stick to your normal “routine,” the happier you will be. Plan to eat around the same time you do at home, if your children nap at home – nap them on vacation whether it’s back in the room or a quick stroller nap. Schedule parts of your day similar to how you would at home. Bonus tip: the average guests walks 11 miles each day while in Walt Disney World. Get out and start walking before you go so your legs are ready.

4. Know what you’re getting yourself into. Gone are the days that you can book a Disney vacation and show up and decide what to do. There are windows for booking dining (6 months in advance) and FastPass+ reservations (what are those you ask?). A common misconception is that you have to plan every minute of your vacation in advance and that’s really not true. You’ll want to envision the kind of vacation you want to have and determine what pace you want to go at, and then make some appropriate decisions. Yes, you can show up and wing your dining options, but you’re likely not going to eat at many table service restaurants, especially in the parks, and you’re going to spend way more time than the next person in line waiting to experience an attraction. There is such an overwhelming amount of information available about trip planning that you may want to tune it all out. I truly think that if you have the right resource, whether it be a travel agent, a website, a blog, and focus on the information relevant to your experience and your travel dates, you’ll be so much better off for it. You’ll be able to make informed decisions when you find yourself in a park that’s crowded, or know what to do if it rains, know where to eat even if you don’t have reservations. You’ll have a basic understanding of the transportation system. You won’t lose time and won’t get frustrated because you spent some time understanding your destination.

5. Invest in a park hopper. A park hopper is a type of ticket that allows you to “hop” from one park to another. A base ticket allows you entry to only one theme park per day (yes you can leave an re-enter). However, with a park hopper, you can start at one park and end in another. Or maybe even squeeze one in the middle! The park hopper is really worth the price to gain the flexibility. You can take advantage of extra magic hours in both the morning and evening on the same day or eat at one park and play at another! If the crowds are getting to you, you can leave and head to another park. I honestly feel like I’d be claustrophobic visiting without this option!

6. Visit the water parks. Walt Disney World is home to two amazing water parks – Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. They both have unique theming and some fantastic attractions. They both have options for toddlers and younger children as well as family rides. If you’ve never visited the water parks, you really need to schedule a day at one or both! A day in the water parks pairs up really nicely with an evening at Disney Springs!

7. Bring some things from home. That sounds obvious right? After all, you’re going to pack! There are some items however, that you may not think of packing. For your resort room, a night light, a white noise machine, a power strip (have you counted how many devices you need to charge lately?), and a liquid hand soap (they only supply bars of soap which are super slippery aka messy for children) are musts for us. You’ll want to bring any loveys your children have of course. You can also bring food and drinks into the parks (no glass or alcohol) so if you or your children have any favorites, bring them along! And ziplocs- lots of ziplocs. They’ll come in handy for so many things – carry a wet wash cloth to clean up, pack a dry change of clothes for your child(ren), pack away wet clothes, separate snacks, hold stickers, keep charging cords together – the list never ends.

8. Pack comfortable shoes, including sneakers. You read above where I mention you walk on average 11 miles/day. Even people without any foot issues will find their feet tired and cranky after a day like that. Make sure you break in any shoes you are going to wear and bring more than one option. This is truly a situation where function outweighs fashion. 😉 You’ll want a backup option too once whatever you have on your feet are soaked thanks to one of central Florida’s flash thunderstorms or you just get what’s called a “hot spot.” Band-Aids and moleskin come in super handy too!

9. Group planning. Many families and groups of friends travel to Walt Disney World together for celebrations, reunions, and gatherings of all sorts. Traveling with a group is hard, no matter how much you love those you’re traveling with. Some ways to make this easier – schedule some group planning sessions before each date you have to act (booking reservation, dining, FastPass+). Agree to disagree. You won’t all want the same exact thing every day. Respect that and schedule in time that you all do your own thing or break off into smaller groups and meet back up for dinner – no hard feelings. For those who resist the planning process and don’t want to give input, explain to them before you go, they’ve had their chance. They are usually the ones with the loudest voice once you’re there. 😉 Establish a private Facebook group for your travel party so planning is easy and in one place for everyone to see. Lastly, ask your family and friends what kind of vacation they are hoping to have. You may be planning park time from park open to close when they see a lot of poolside time on their agenda.

10. Use a Travel Agent. What’s the benefit? Finding the right travel agent can be like finding the right hairdresser – you want a good match. After all, you are trusting someone with not only your hard-earned money, but your family’s future memories. A good travel agent is passionate about finding you the best match for you and helping you with all of the details. They are going to listen to your needs and help you determine what will work best for you. Despite the resources available online for guests to book their own vacation, there are also so many Travel Agents out there. When planning a Disney vacation – you want to look for an authorized seller of Disney and preferably an earmarked Agency. An earmarked agency is recognized by Disney for customer satisfaction and for the amount of Disney products they sell -they know their stuff. There is no need to pay a Travel Agent a fee – most are compensated by suppliers (such as Disney) to help guests have the best experience possible. If comparing apples to apples, an authorized Disney Travel Agent will quote you the same prices when you call Disney yourself. But they will help you decide where to eat and even make those dining reservations for you at 6 am when your window opens. They’ll know where the rooms with the good views are at each resort, what attractions you should FastPass, and better yet, they’ll discount check for you whenever Disney releases a promotion so that you’re always getting the best price for your vacation. Being on hold for 6+ hours when a promotion is released is something they do so you don’t! If you’re looking to plan a Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, or Universal Orlando vacation, head over to The Magic for Less Travel and fill out a no-obligation quote form today! The Magic for Less Travel was recognized for superior vacation planning services and designated by Disney as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner or Earmarked Agency. In addition we are one of only a few agencies in the country to receive Disney’s highest designation as a Platinum Level Earmarked Agency. Since 2002 we have been helping guests get the best price and the best service for their vacation, and our concierge services are always provided free of charge.

About Jocelyn Martins
There hasn’t been a time in my life where Disney wasn’t at the core. Now it’s a family obsession. I’m blessed with a wonderful husband and three girls who appreciate Walt Disney World for everything it is. When we are not there, we are reminiscing or planning the next trip(s)! I love to talk Disney, run, read, and spend time with my family. I’m so blessed to be an Annual Passholder, DVC Member, runDisney marathoner, and Travel Agent with The Magic for Less! Join me for live Q&A – I’ll be answering your Disney planning questions on FB live on Wednesday, June 14th at 8:00 pm. Email me your questions in advance or like my Travel Page to participate!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JocelynMartinsTravel
Website: http://www.themagicforless.com/

New Bedford Guide is hiring for a night life and event host. We are looking for a fun personality to showcase the area nightlife and event scene.

Pays $20-$25/hr

Responsibilities

– Host a 1-hour special previewing the weekend
– Research events in the area
– Show up and feature the events

Requirements:

– Must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel
– Must have a cell phone
– Must be comfortable in front of a camera
– Must be at least 21 years old
– Flexible schedule, but must have some availability at nights and weekends

Send resume/bio card and at least one photo to mike@newbedfordguide.com.

New Bedford Guide is looking for an additional salesperson. We are looking for people that care more about clients than making money, although compensation can be very good. Most potential clients contact us, so you will be selling a product that is in demand and effective.

Responsibilities

– Take leads and convert them into sales
– Manage clients
– Present media kit to potential clients
– Process payments

Requirements:

– Must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel
– Must have a cell phone
– Must be a self starter and can manage own schedule
– Must be friendly and can manage clients
– Must have excellent communication skills and not afraid to talk to business owners/managers

Compensation: Compensation negotiable.

Send resumes to mike@newbedfordguide.com.

The New Bedford Health Department, working closely with the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, is again conducting an annual monitoring program to track the potential threat from EEE and WNV carrying mosquitoes. Under the program, mosquito traps are put in place to collect pools of mosquitoes and mosquito populations are monitored throughout the summer months.

As part of the mosquito tracking program, the New Bedford Health Department will request that the BCMCP target key areas of the New Bedford for spraying, including public parks and locations that host large public events.

As such, the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will conduct targeted ground spraying for mosquitoes early on the morning of Thursday, June 15, 2017. This round of spraying will target areas including Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Tabor, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Park, Ashley Park, the Poor Farm area, Custom House Square and North Front Street from Coggeshall to Beetle Street. Spraying will take place between 2:00 am and sunrise on Thursday morning, weather permitting. Residents in the vicinity of the targeted areas may wish to close their windows this evening prior to the spraying.

The Bristol County Mosquito Control Program will complete its spraying program for the season this week. With cooler overnight temperatures, mosquito surveillance is less effective and the small numbers of mosquitoes trapped are not indicative of actual risk. While spraying is no longer an effective tool in reducing the threat under current temperature conditions, other precautionary measures remain effective.

Though populations are declining as we move away from mosquito season and into colder weather, it remains important to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. Residents are urged to apply mosquito repellent and use clothing to reduce exposed skin.

The risk of mosquito-borne illness typically extends until an area has experienced a hard frost. A hard, or killing frost is defined meteorologically as two consecutive hours of temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. This will occur at different times for different communities, and there may even be variation within communities based on local geography. Although mosquitoes are not killed until a hard frost occurs, they are extremely unlikely to be active when temperatures fall below 50 degrees in the evening. These conditions are being experienced throughout the region.

Like EEE and West Nile, the New Bedford Health Department works closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to track other emerging mosquito-borne diseases such as the Zika virus. While Zika-carrying mosquitoes have not been identified the New Bedford area, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that the likelihood of becoming infected with Zika virus from a mosquito bite in Massachusetts is very low, residents are urged to take the general precautionary measures to prevent mosquito bites. In addition, travelers to areas where the Zika virus has been detected in mosquitoes or humans should take extra precaution to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes during their trip. This includes both females and males who travel to areas where the Zika virus is occurring. If you or your partner is planning on traveling, you should check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information about where Zika virus is occurring: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-information.

The same precautionary measures are advised for EEE, WNV, and the Zika virus. These include the following:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Ø Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours – While mosquitoes are out at all hours of the day, their peak biting times are from dusk to dawn. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors.

Ø Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Ø Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Ø Drain Standing Water – Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

Ø Install or Repair Screens – Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

New Bedford Police officers have arrested three males in connection to damage to several autos.

On Monday morning at approximately 01:00AM, officers were dispatched to the area of Carroll and Brigham Streets on a report of males “keying” parked autos. Witnesses provided officers with detailed descriptions of the males involved. Officer’s from both the center and south end stations began establishing a perimeter and subsequently apprehended three males after a foot pursuit ensued. A total of 23 vehicles were found to be keyed in that immediate area.

The following males were arrested and charged with the following:

Nicholas Botelho 20 of 41 Scott Street New Bedford
1. Malicious Destruction of Property over $250. (23 counts)
Juvenile Male 14 of New Bedford
1. Malicious Destruction of Property over $250. (23 counts)
Juvenile Male 14 of New Bedford
1. Malicious Destruction of Property over $250. (23 counts)

As of this release 23 vehicles were located. Additional charges may be forthcoming if additional damaged vehicles are discovered.

Ask anybody in the town of Middleboro where they go when it’s time for some fresh paint, and the answer is pretty much unanimous; Wilmot’s Decorating Center.

The name might not be familiar to those in the Greater New Bedford area, but with the opening of a new store on Ashley Boulevard in the city, it soon will be.

The new Wilmot’s Decorating Center, located at the iconic former site of Patnaude’s Aquarium in the North End, boasts a beautiful, warm showroom to show off the Benjamin Moore line. Equally as important are the friendly, knowledgeable Wilmot’s experts on site to make the experience as smooth as the paint.

“It just feels like home,” said New Bedford store manager Ryan Barker on a beautiful spring morning as he capped a newly blended gallon of paint. “The location is great, and we can’t wait for the people of New Bedford and SouthCoast to get to know us.”

The original Wilmot’s has been in business for over 45 years, and second-generation owner Scott Houlihan said the time was right for a second store.

“We think it’s a great spot, great location to grow, and we think people in New Bedford, Acushnet, Fairhaven, Dartmouth, all around this area are really going to love doing business with us,” he said.

The New Bedford location is one of Benjamin Moore’s “stores of the future,” a warm, inviting space that offers beautiful natural light to see the lines of paint in the truest way possible.

“We have a designer on staff at all times, and we’ll walk you through anything you want to check out,” Ryan said. “It can be a nerve-wracking thing for people, and we can help make it a lot easier. We’ll help you through it. We want that ideal solution that you want.”

When a customer comes to Wilmot’s with questions, the designer will go over what kind of room, what the overall style of the house, and they zero in on the right color and right product.
Said Scott, who grew up in the business: “We want to be dream makers.”

There’s a sense of “we’re all in this together” with Wilmot’s, from the many contractors and painters that already use Wilmot’s exclusively to the customers who come back from generation to generation.

One customer in the Middleboro store had this to say in an online review:

“FABULOUS service at Wilmot’s. Just had carpet installed in my bedrooms and John did an amazing job! I am extremely happy with everything from start to finish! Scott was very informative about the carpet in his store and helped me pick the right carpet for us! I have always purchased my paint and supplies from Wilmots and want to mention how helpful they ALWAYS are with helping pick colors and the right supplies! I can not say enough good things about Wilmot’s. Shop local :)”

“We really pride ourselves on that concept of customer-first,” Ryan said.

Any accessories a painter might need are available at Wilmot’s, but nothing else – no candy bars, no Christmas trees, no microwave ovens.

“We want you to come here and be focused on getting the paint right with nothing else to distract you,” Ryan said. “What can I say? I guess we’re just into it. We love paint.”

While there’s an old-school vibe to the service, there’s plenty of new-school tools available to make sure the experience is easy and perfect. All of the Benjamin Moore paints are mixed to perfection and with speed. At Wilmot’s, they make sure everything’s right – and done fast.

“We’re really eager to build relationships and embrace this area,” Scott said. “People are going to love the Wilmot’s difference.”

Wilmot’s is open Monday thru Thursday 7-6, Friday 7-5 and Saturday 8-3 , and there’s plenty of great parking in the rear of the building.

__________________________________________________________

Wilmot’s Decorating Center New Bedford
1193 Ashley Blvd, New Bedford, MA 02745

Phone: (508) 985-0042
Email: wilmotdec@verizon.net
Website: cwilmotsdecorating.com/sb.cn
Facebook: facebook.com/WilmotsNewBedford

_________________________________________________________

New Bedford officials and community members will officially break ground on the city’s Captain Jack Peterson Memorial Dog Park on Thursday, June 15 at 3:30 p.m. Members of the community and their dogs, on leash, are welcome to attend the groundbreaking. Official design of the New Bedford dog park can be seen here.