“Raise your arms! Feel your blood pulsing through your hands… This is FREEDOM!!!!” Those were the words of Patti Smith at this year’s Newport Folk Festival, followed by the cheers of fans roaring and shouting, “You’re amazing!,” and “Patti, we love you!!!”

It’s no surprise fans were thrilled to see the 69-year-old rocker, still killing it on stage just as she did in the prime of her career in the 70s. Patti Smith is a rocker down to her core. She’s a product of her generation and still today, a truly incredible singer. Smith sang old favorites, and even surprised the audience with a few new ones – like a tribute song commemorating the exact five-year anniversary of the death of Amy Winehouse.

“What a blessing it is to have such great singers here today, and how sad it is to have lost Amy. This little song, we wrote for her…” The song was good – simple and sweet – but it paled in comparison to the rest of her set. She opened with a cover of Bob Dylan’s Boots of Spanish Leather. Then, she honored Prince by singing When Doves Cry, followed by hits of her own like Dancing Barefoot, and then closing and engaging the crowd to sing Pete Seeger’s If I had a Hammer.

But perhaps what stood out most was Smith’s preaching to revolution. Playing up today’s political state, Smith called out to the crowd, “These are the words of Allen Ginsberg!,” reciting a footnote to Ginsberg’s poem Howl. “Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy, the world is holy!!!! Holy mercy! Charity! Faith!” After this, she sang People Have the Power, dedicating the number to Ted Cruz.

The entire three-day festival was defined by its incredible music and its near perfect weather – aside from hitting an almost unbearable 90 degrees on Saturday. Festival-goers stood knee deep in the water surrounding Fort Adams, taking breaks to cool off between sets, while others watched the entire festival from boats and floating rafts out on the water. They were either staying cool too, or scoring the only access they could get – the festival sold out to 10,000 people every single day.

The weather didn’t seem deter anyone however. Fans weathered the hot and sticky weekend, hanging around the expansive, oceanfront grounds of Fort Adams – picnics set, chairs laid out, spots on the lawns reserved to come and go from food and craft vendors to revolving performances. Visitors of all ages, from all over the East Coast and beyond (like Hawaii) dressed in Birkenstocks and plaid, straw hats and bandanas, with dust-covered ankles and grass-plastered backs. (There was also a mustache trend – perhaps Rayland Baxter-inspired.)

Four total stages offered nonstop music every minute of the festival, which occurred from roughly 11:00am to 7:00pm every day. Fans seemed glued to their phones, constantly checking the schedule to determine which stage, where to go, and who to watch next. If anything, “too many performers” is the only downside of the festival. It’s certainly not a bad problem to have. In addition to nightly headliners Patti Smith, Flight of the Conchords, and Alabama Shakes, the festival offered offered musical talents from the past and present, and those likely to hit it big in the near future.

Norah Jones took to the stage, as well as Ryan Adams, Graham Nash, Father John Misty, Middle Brother, Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats, and dozens of others. At one point, even songwriting legend Kris Kristofferson showed up for a surprise appearance. The 80-year-old thrilled the crowd performing more than a dozen country music classics – including Me and Bobby McGee alongside up-and-coming star, Margo Price.

At the exact same time, on different stages, were breakthrough artists like Ruby Amanfu who recently performed with Beyonce, or 20-year-old solo artist Julien Baker who performed at the iconic festival for the first time. New artists received instant recognition for their talent, and gained immediate followers and fans.

Elvis Costello also joined the weekend lineup, performing mid-afternoon on Saturday and drawing the crowds, dancing, to their feet. Throughout his set, he invited other festival performers like Middle Brother and Preservation Hall Jazz Band to perform along with him – as if the two young, guitar playing, rockin’ chicks with him weren’t already awesome enough.

When people weren’t dancing, they were taking photos and videos of the icon, and screaming out song requests. Costello even played the politics card too at one point adding, “It’s a season of campaign songs, I think we all can agree… and oh, I’m running for President by the way” … and the crowd went wild.

The festival closed on Sunday with an outstanding set by Alabama Shakes – an awesome blend of folk, blues, and a whole lot of funk. Lead vocalist Brittany Howard was a vision as the sun went down and the air grew cool.  

With her plum-colored glasses, a long blue, brown, and white floral dress, and her mint green Gibson guitar, she was the very picture of folk, music, love, and good vibes. “Thank you for coming back all you beautiful people,” she said, referring to the band having been there just four years before. Leading the band, Howard captivated all with her loud rockin’ bravado and her alternating soft soul, bringing the long weekend to a beautiful and heartfelt close.

If anything stood out it was this – community, togetherness, peace, and love. Despite three jam-packed days of music and partying, everyone just had fun. The scene was busy but calm. The people were happy. People cheered, friends gathered, and musicians and fans alike mingled in the crowds. It wasn’t uncommon to see artists walking on the outskirts of the festival grounds or taking interviews from local media sources and photos with bloggers.

At an afterparty at the Newport Blues Cafe, bands that had performed during the festival were suddenly now performing right there in the small sold-out party of just 400 people. Artists walked right through the crowds of those who simply had been lucky enough to purchase tickets in time. Deer Tick, as usual, came on as Deer Tick and Friends – surprising the audience with their unannounced special guests – like Ruby Amanfu and Matthew Vasquez of Middle Brother. Vazquez ripped off his shirt and crowd-surfed, though this only followed Rayland Baxter who had already himself joined the crowd. Nearing the end of his amazing set, Baxter pointed to his sax and organ player and said to fans, “I want y’all to pay attention to this side of the stage for a minute.” He then put down his guitar, turned off his mic, hopped off the stage, swigged a beer, and just started jamming alongside fans in the crowd.

This is freedom. This is folk. Music, as Patti Smith cheered, “is the greatest f*ing weapon of my generation,” and for a moment, music seemed to make the world slow down. Life, stress, worry all seemed to come to a stop this weekend. And instead, the only way to feel or act was to love, and to jive, and to just feel the music, breathe the air, and unite together as many and as one.

Holy, holy, the world holy. “Holy is Newport!,” Smith improvised. “Holy the groaning saxophone… Holy the jazzbands… Everybody’s holy!” There must be something true in there, something awe-inspiring and spiritual, music and sound worthy of worship, veneration – the festival has been a hit since it started in 1959.

And until next year, the lyrics of the festival’s closing song will loom. Just moments before the crowds stirred up their own self-led closing chants, dancing, high fives, and train lines, Alabama Shakes fittingly covered Bob Seger’s Night Moves. “I awoke last night to the sound of thunder, How far off I sat and wondered, Started humming a song from 1962, Ain’t it funny how the night moves, When you just don’t seem to have as much to lose, Strange how the night moves with autumn closing in…”

All photographs by Josh Souza.

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This morning, shortly after 2:00 a.m., State Police responded to a two-car, head-on crash on Route 495 southbound, south of exit 13, in Mansfield which resulted in the deaths of two drivers.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Daniel Nunes indicates that a 2014 Nissan Sentra, operated by a 24-year-old woman from Middleboro, was traveling northbound in the southbound travel lanes when her vehicle struck a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, operated by a 27-year-old man from Taunton, who was traveling in the middle lane at the time of the crash. As a result of this head-on crash, both drivers (sole occupants) were pronounced deceased at the scene.

This crash remains under investigation with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services Section, Troop H Detectives, and Troopers assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. It has yet to be determined where the operator of the Nissan entered the highway and what other factors might have contributed to the cause of this crash.

State Police were assisted on scene by Mansfield Fire and EMS and Mass DOT.

The identity of the operators is being withheld pending family notification.

There is no further information available at this time. Please do not contact the barracks for media inquiries.

The New Bedford Chapter of the Prince Henry Society of Massachusetts awarded a record $49,000 in scholarships to area college bound students. For the 36th consecutive year, the society held its annual scholarship brunch at the Century House in Acushnet in June.

In 1980, Milton Ferreira and the late Anthony S. Catojo, Jr. and Gabriel Moura founded the Prince Henry Society, a brotherhood of business and professional men of Portuguese descent. The goals of the society are to promote the civic, cultural, economic, educational and social betterment of persons of Portuguese descent and to be of service to the community. In order to accomplish this, they established a three-pronged plan of charities, scholarships and service to the community.

Since 1980, the Prince Henry has awarded educational scholarships totaling $846,150 to a total of 852 students from the Greater New Bedford area. Forty-six scholarships were awarded:

• Megan Pereira, a graduate of Bishop Stang received the Father Fortuna Memorial Scholarship given in memory of the late Father Fortuna, pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church.
• John T. Owens, a graduate of New Bedford High, received the Attorney & Rose Ferreira Memorial Scholarship made possible by Mrs. Charles Baker and Dr. Joseph and Lisa Ferreira.
• Paige Watterson, a graduate of Old Rochester Regional, received the Gabriel Moura Memorial Scholarship.
• Rachel Garnett, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc-Tec, received the Manuel Moinheiro Memorial Scholarship. This award was made possible by Patricia Moinheiro in memory of her late husband.
• Joshua Nunes, a graduate of Fairhaven High School, received the Henry Rodrigues Memorial Scholarship. This award was made possible by Dolores Rodrigues in memory of her late husband.
• Nathan Scott Correia, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the second Henry Rodrigues Memorial Scholarship also made possible by wife Dolores Rodrigues.
• Alana G. Gracia, a graduate of New Bedford High School, received the Armand Fernandes, Sr. Memorial Scholarship for a student athlete. This award was made possible by Judge Armand Fernandes in memory of his father.
• Lauren Gaspar, a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School, received the Kenneth Ferreira Memorial Scholarship given by the membership of the Prince Henry Society.
• Alexus Garcia, a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School, received the Dave Lister Memorial Scholarship made possible by Cecile Lister & Family.
• Kaitlin M. Medeiros, a graduate of Old Colony Regional, received the second Dave Lister Memorial Scholarship made possible by the family and friends of the late Dave Lister.
• Olivia Marques, a graduate of New Bedford High School, received the Todd Christopher Pereira Memorial Scholarship made possible by a friend of the Prince Henry Society.
• Cecilia Schneider, a graduate of Bishop Stang High School, received the second Todd Christopher Pereira Memorial Scholarship made possible by the Pereira Family.
• Courtney Lima, a graduate of New Bedford High School, received the Emilia DeSousa Ponte Memorial Scholarship made possible by Prince Henry member Ron Ponte in memory of his late wife.
• Braeden Santos, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc-Tec, received the Rockland Trust Scholarship made possible by Rockland Trust.
• Madison E. Raposa, graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc-Tec, received the Bristol County Savings Bank Scholarship, made possible by the Bristol County Savings Bank.
• Alexandra Lima, graduate of Fairhaven High School, received the Bay Coast Bank Scholarship made possible by Bay Coast Bank.
• Aubrie L. Texeira, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Webster Bank Scholarship made possible by Webster Bank.
• Nicole Tetreault, graduate of Fairhaven High School, received the Charles P. Rebello, Jr. Memorial Scholarship made possible by the family and friends of Charles P. Rebello.
• Amy C. Kozera, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the second Charles P. Rebello, Jr. Memorial Scholarship made possible by the membership of the Prince Henry Society.
• Hunter Parker, a graduate of Old Rochester Regional, received the Michael Demakis Memorial Scholarship.It was made possible by Jocelyn daLuz, Lisa and David Wright, Chris Demakis and Vince Cragin, Nicole Demakis and Michelle and Thomas Barry.
• Andrea Freitas, graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Dr. Norbert P. and Elsie Rodrigues Fraga Scholarship made possible by Mrs. Elsie Rodrigues Fraga.
• Alexis Marie Ferreira, a graduate of New Bedford High School, received the Raymond H. and Eleanor Aragao Teachman Memorial Scholarship given by Ronald E. Teachman in memory of his parents.
• Eleanor Smith, a graduate of Apponequet Regional High School, received the Joseph M. and Rose F. Souza Memorial Scholarship made possible by daughters Pam and Elizabeth Souza.
• Colleen Beatriz, a graduate of Old Rochester Regional, received the Joseph and Lucy Bernardo Memorial Scholarship.
• Matthew Duggan, a graduate of Bishop Stang High School, received the Anthony S. Catojo Jr. Memorial Scholarship given by the Prince Henry Society.
• Caleb Bolger, a graduate of Fairhaven High School received the Manuel R. and Olivia Cabral Memorial Scholarship. This award was made possible by the Cabral children, sons Oliver & Adalino and daughters Maria Galego and Dortina Marder.
• Lindsay Medeiros, a graduate of New Bedford High School, received the Christopher Jon Souza Memorial Scholarship, made possible by Antone and Elsie Souza in memory of their son.
• Chandler Jardin, a graduate of Old Colony Regional, received the DBS Dartmouth Building Supply Scholarship. This award was made possible by Joseph Delgado and family.
• Ashley Nicole Rice, a graduate of Fairhaven High School, received the Arnold B. Camara Memorial Scholarship, given by Michael Camara & Family of the abc disposal service of New Bedford.
• Elissa Tetrault, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Salvador Fernandes Memorial Scholarship, given by member Michael Fernandes and Family of the Northern Wind Co., Inc., in memory of Michael’s father.
• Katelyn R. Santos, a graduate of New Bedford High School, received the Carlos Pacheco Memorial Scholarship made possible by wife Hazel, daughter Judy and family and friends of the late New Bedford school committee man.
• Bethany Fernandes, a graduate of Fairhaven High School, received the Pinto’s Garage and Auto Body Inc. Scholarship by Mr. & Mrs. Gus Pinto & Family.
• Emma Barriga, a graduate of Fairhaven High School, received the Milton Ferreira Memorial Scholarship.
• Jesse d’Almeida, a graduate of Bishop Stang High School, received the Fernando A. Gaspar Memorial Scholarship, made possible by the family of Fernando A. Gaspar.
• Daniel F. Mello, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech, received the Youth Investment Foundation Scholarship made possible by the Youth Investment Foundation.
• Katherine Gomes a graduate of New Bedford High School, received the Shelley A. Carvalho Memorial Scholarship made possible by the family and friends of Shelley A. Carvalho.
• Emma Elise Martins, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Everyday hero scholarship and Prudential Financial Scholarship by member Barry Sylvia and Prudential Insurance Co.
• Emma Caneira, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Cameron Jeffrey Goulart Scholarship provided by Cameron’s Kids.
• Adgela Rose Dias, graduate of New Bedford High School, received the Flavio S. Duarte and Maria C. Correia Memorial Scholarship provided by Julianne and William Viveiros.
• Abigail Manchester, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Jose (Joe) Helder Freitas Memorial Scholarship by Mrs. Alice Freitas and Family.
• Veronica Vasconcelos, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc-Tec, received the Stoico/FIRSTFED Scholarship, made possible by the Robert F. Stoico/FIRSTFEDC Charitable Foundation.
• Nina Bourgeois, a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School, received the Ernest Simmons Memorial Scholarship given by Peter Simmons and Family in memory of Peter’s father.
• Sophia M. Cordeiro, a graduate of Fairhaven High School in 2013, received the Taylor Leigh Alves Memorial Scholarship. It was given by by Dr.Gary Alves of the Alves Chiropractic Center and the Prince Henry Society.
• Dominic Correia, a graduate of Bishop Stang High School received the Maria Lourdes Soares Medeiros Castelo Memorial Scholarship made possible by Jose and Alzira Castelo.
• Ryan Mckenna, a graduate of Fairhaven High School, received the Prince Henry Society Scholarship by the PHS.
• Lucas Vincente, a graduate of Bishop Stang High School received the Prince Henry Society Scholarship.

The Portuguese United for Education, Inc. Scholarship was presented by the Prince Henry Society of MA, New Bedford Chapter to the Portuguese United for Education, Inc. School, by the Prince Henry Society of MA, New Bedford Chapter.

The New Bedford Health Department—working closely with the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health—is again this year 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, July 28, 2016. 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 Pier 3 area. 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.

In addition, residents may request a ground spray in their area by calling the Bristol County Mosquito Control project at (508) 823-5253, between 8:00am – 2:00pm (June – September), or contacting them by E-mail at RequestBristolMCP@comcast.net.

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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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

• 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.
• 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.

Detective Michael Carrier is looking to identify this male regarding an unarmed robbery that took place last week at a north end business. Anyone with information on who he may be is asked to contact him at 508-991-6300 ext. 79512 or leave an anonymous tip at 508-961-4584

The Miss New Bedford pageant is seeking contestants from the Greater New Bedford area for its 64th annual pageant. This year’s winner will receive a $3,500 scholarship and thousands in additional gifts and prizes. Plus, an estimated $10,000 in additional scholarship monies will be awarded among the remaining contestants.

The young woman who wins the title will not only win scholarship money, but the year of a lifetime. She will fulfill a year-long reign serving New Bedford and its surrounding communities, plus enjoy:

•A $3,500 scholarship plus thousands of dollars in redeemable prizes at businesses throughout the community. This includes personal trainers, makeup artistry, wardrobe allowances, hair/nail services, and more.

•The chance to develop confidence, poise, leadership skills, network and build relationships, engage with area officials and issues, and develop an incredible resume

•A year devoted to a personal platform/ issue of her choice. Past Miss New Bedford’s have dedicated their time to violence prevention, cancer awareness, literacy, reducing the dropout rate, arts programming for youth, and more

•The incredible opportunity to represent New Bedford at the Miss Massachusetts pageant and compete for additional scholarship monies. Should she win, she will compete for the title of Miss America.

Contestants must be between the ages of 17 and 24 and must live, work, or attend school in New Bedford, Acushnet, Assonet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Wareham, and/or Westport. *No experience necessary. We help all to succeed!

The Miss New Bedford pageant is an official preliminary to the Miss Massachusetts and Miss America pageants. The Miss New Bedford pageant is an outstanding leadership development program for all who compete and is the premier provider of scholarships for young women in the area.

An information session will be held on Sunday, August 14th at 10:00am at the Cheryl McCormack Academy of Dance located at 731 Tarkiln Hill Road, New Bedford. Interested contestants and those seeking more information are urged to attend. If this date does not work, organizers are available to discuss a secondary date. To reserve a seat for Sunday’s information session, email info@missnewbedford.org or call (508) 525-9972. You may also visit www.MissNewBedford.org or find Miss New Bedford on Facebook.

***This year’s pageant will be held on Saturday, October 1 st at 6:00PM at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. A press release is forthcoming and will provide additional details.

Program Coordinator Kendra Murray and Executive Director Karen Schwalbe – two of the passionate souls behind the wonderful things SEMAP is doing

We’ve all heard the slogan “Buy fresh, buy local!” We’ve come across the bumper stickers. It’s a sentiment we can all get behind.

But do you know the story behind the people who created the slogan? Ever wanted to know some specifics on why buying fresh and local is a great idea in the first place? Looking for some fun, yet educational, events to do this summer? Want to help boost the local economy? Eat healthier? Want to put some names and faces to the organization? You’ve come to the right place.

Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership or SEMAP is the organization whose mission is to make sure local, fresh, nutritious food is readily available to every man, woman and child. Their focus is on expanding that access which in turn will preserve sustainable farming which itself will provide more jobs and boost the local economies.

SEMAP was formed in 1998 and worked closely with UMass Dartmouth and became its own non-profit in 2009 and reaches 75 towns and cities throughout Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk counties. Executive Director Karen Schwalbe and Program Coordinator Kendra Murray are two of a many spoked wheel that share a genuine passion to promote these ideas through a number of workshops, conferences, social media, newsletters, community outreach and special events.

Kendra is the social media, communications, and website manager. She organizes and develops SEMAP’s programming, including workshops, conferences, and other events and keeps the public informed. She also is responsible for the graphic design, including designing quarterly newsletter and website images. It doesn’t stop there! She is also responsible for the community outreach including tabling at farmers markets and other food related and sustainability events. When asked what was particularly rewarding about what she does, she said “Every time we host a workshop or event and I see folks taking knowledge home on how to farm and garden, I’m ecstatic. I love seeing farmers expand their knowledge and see friends and neighbors learning to be self sufficient.”

Karen oversees overall operations, advocates for agricultural advancement in Southeastern Massachusetts, manages finances and fundraising, leads community outreach. “I love those moments when we have just the resource a farmer needs – whether it’s information on federal regulations, a financial resource they didn’t know about or a new marketing opportunity. It’s also incredibly grounding to work with farmers (no pun intended). During the growing season, farmers are so busy that life is stripped down to the basic necessities – all their attention is on providing healthy local food for their customers. I am proud that SEMAP is able to support their efforts.”

How SEMAP impacts our environmental, economic, and personal health

One of the ways these efforts are supported is through education – not just educating the community and consumer about the important role of farmers and farming and its effect on the economy and our health and environment, but education for the farmer through technical assistance. There is a cycle here – an interdependent one by which each improves the health – literally and figuratively – of the other.

Do you care about the environment? Where there is grass, trees, fields, and crops there is not a parking lot, building, or factory. There is an entire ecosystem of birds, bugs, and critters that thrive in the soil, among the crops, and in the nearby flora. Rotating that soil keeps it healthy, farmers utilize a variety of pest control methods to keep the pesky bugs away and the beneficial ones thriving.

Eliminated is the use of massive trucks with large carbon footprints to travel long distances to deliver these goods. Not only are the trucks much smaller and have an infinitely lesser carbon footprint, you have the option to eliminate the truck altogether by visiting a local farm or farm-stand.

Because farmers utilize a number of crop varieties and not one because of its ability to survive the long transports, these heirloom strains won’t die out and disappear.

How about the economy? The more farms there producing fresh produce, meats and other goods, the more local people are employed and the money they earn and spend is mainly right here in our nearby towns and cities. Since they leave the farms and go into town to spend their money, the rest of the town, which seems unconnected to the farm, benefits. So, that nearby store has more customers spending money because of that farm a mile down the road.

Now, if you are the type that says “That’s all fine and dandy – in concept, it’s sweet, but these are indirect, intangible benefits. What does that do for me directly?”

How about just because the produce is more nutritious and simply more delicious?!

As a person who shops at foodstands, farmer’s markets and enjoys the benefits of Community Supported Agriculture programs, I can say unequivocally that the food simply tastes better. It’s not subtle either – it’s a noticeable difference. The corn, carrots, or potatoes in my basket were likely picked that same day, not picked while underripe so that when they cross country and arrive at the supermarket days later, they arrive ripe.

I get to savor the fresh flavor of just picked produce and enjoy all the nutritional benefits that come with it. Produce picked and allowed to naturally ripen and eaten within a short time frame are more nutritious – they develop highly active anti-oxidants that won’t survive a long transport from another state or country. In addition, since a farmer isn’t concerned with long transport times, they aren’t limited to a few strains or varieties – they can choose more nutritional or delicious ones.

The Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that 43 different vegetables and fruits, had “reliable declines in the amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin C …due to the preponderance of agricultural practices designed to improve traits (size, growth rate, pest resistance) other than nutrition.”

How about looking directly in the face of the person who grew your food. You can ask them questions about it, they can point to the very spot on earth that it was harvested from. You can trust and have confidence in that food that you are about to digest or feed you children.

Besides, instead of heading to the inside of a supermarket, you get outdoors to the farm, the fresh air and maybe even a little socializing!

Enjoy one of the many farmers markets available locally

SEMAP has deep connections with the local farmers, making frequent visits. The help the farmers bring these markets and stands to our community, perfect for those who don’t have or desire CSAs or wish to drive into the country to the farms.

Live near New Bedford and want to check out some of the produce and folks growing the food you’re about to eat? In New Bedford there are three locations: Brooklawn Park Farmers Market is Mondays from 2:00-6:00pm, from June 13 – October 31. Clasky Common Farmers Market is Saturdays from 10:00am-2:00pm, from July 9-October 29. The Downtown Farmers Market at Custom House Square is on Thursdays from 2:00pm-6:00pm from June 16-October 27.

Last year SEMAP assisted Mass in Motion New Bedford to make it possible to accept SNAP at all three of these markets.

If you’re more towards Taunton, there is the Silver City Farmers Market at Hopewell Park between Hopewell and Hamilton Streets. These take place on Thursdays from 4:30pm-7:30pm, from July 14-October 13. SEMAP is also working to implement SNAP at this market.

If you are reading this from somewhere else on the South Coast or perhaps visiting someone in another neck of the woods, a full farmers market listing can be found here.

Conferences, workshops or special events

Each year SEMAP hosts a large Agriculture and Food Conference that offers more than 30 farming, gardening, and local food workshops at “Bristol Aggie” in Dighton. They have a workshop series that focuses on farming and gardening through the spring and summer. One very successful event is the “Farm To Tapas” dinner – an evening of local food, drink, and fun on July 31 (tickets are sold out) from 5-8 pm at the historic home and farm of Joseph Keith III, 775 Horseneck Rd, Westport, MA. There will be 19 different stations hosted by local restaurants and caterers. All tapas prepared are using ingredients sourced from local farms. There is an open bar with local beer, wine, and craft cocktails. Live music, live and silent auctions. $80 general admission, only $30 if you’re a farmer!

Finally they also publish a local food guide.

The very popular “Twilight Workshops” are featured throughout the season. If you’re a farmer, gardener or foodie these annual hands-on workshops are a must. Growing Cut Flowers is August 8th at Skinny Dip Farm in Little Compton and Raising Alpacas is Tuesday, August 23rd at Moonlight Rose Alpacas. There is the “Growing Chili Peppers on a Small Farm” workshop in September at Nobska Farms in Falmouth, a “Diversified Livestock” workshop at Rosasharn Farm in Rehoboth, and the “Making Homemade Apple Soda & Hard Apple Cider” workshop at Round the Bend Farm, in Dartmouth, just to name a few. These go on through September.

This sound up your alley? Want to know dates, times, and other pertinent information? Check out the page dedicated to just that here.

SEMAP is a massive asset to the farmers and consumers, the environment and local economy. When you purchase goods from local farms you do the same in a major way. You help improve your own health, you help farmers to keep offering us varieties of produce, meats, and packaged goods, you boost the local economy by helping the farmers employ locals, and you lessen the carbon footprint by removing the transport equation.

Buy fresh, buy local, indeed!

_______________________________________________

Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership

P.O. Box 80625
South Dartmouth, MA
EMail: info@semaponline.org
Karen Schwalbe, Executive Director – (508) 524-2601
Kendra Murray, Program Coordinator – (508) 971-7888
Todd Sandstrum, Board President – (774) 219-5721
Website:semaponline.org/
Facebook: facebook.com/semaponline/
Twitter: twitter.com/SEMAPonline
Instagram: instagram.com/semaponline/

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Philadelphia. PEDRO MUNOZ, 57, was arrested after members of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS) developed information that he was staying at a relative’s home on Helen Street in that city. VFAS troopers contacted the Pennsylvania State Police Fugitive Unit, which responded to the residence and took MUNOZ into custody around noon.

MUNOZ is the third of six wanted offenders added to the list on Friday to be captured. He will eventually be rendited to Massachusetts to be arraigned and be processed as a sex offender.

MUNOZ is wanted for failure to register as a sex offender and failure to provide a sample to a DNA database. He is required to do so as a result of a 1982 conviction in Worcester County for rape of a 13-yar-old child. This is the second time MUNOZ has been arrested after being featured on the State Police Most Wanted Sex Offenders list for evading registration requirements. The first time he was listed, and captured, was in 2008, when he was also found and arrested in Pennsylvania.

Two other new additions to the list were taken into custody in recent days. REGGIE C. ELLENWOOD, 58, was arrested Friday evening in Boston. SCOTT A. HALLE, 45, was arrested Sunday morning in Chelsea. State Police continue to search for three other fugitives added to the list yesterday for failing to register as sex offenders as required by their convictions for various sexual assault crimes.

The full list can be viewed at www.mspnews.org, or on the State Police web site’s VFAS page at www.mass.gov/eopss, or on the State Police Facebook page.

The State Police are seeking the public’s help in locating these fugitives, so that we can ensure they comply with the sexual offender registration law, which is a public safety measure that allows members of the public to be aware of high risk sex offenders who live or work near them. Anyone who has information about these fugitives or their whereabouts should call the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (1-800-527-8873).

SCOTT HALLE, who was added late last week to State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section’s list of Most Wanted Sex Offenders, was located and arrested this morning in Chelsea. HALLE, 45, is the second of six wanted offenders added to the list on Friday to be captured.

For the last two days state troopers, assisted by local officers from Chelsea and Cambridge, checked addresses, conducted surveillance and followed up on tips provided by the public in their search for HALLE.

Today, troopers and Chelsea Police officers located and arrested HALLE without incident at 321 Spruce Street, Chelsea. HALLE is being held at the State Police Barracks at Leverett Circle; a bail clerk set bail $100,000. If HALLE is unable make bail, he will be brought to Boston Municipal Court in the morning and processed on two warrants charging him with failure to register as a sex offender. If he posts bail a court date will be set.

HALLE — who has been classified as a Level 3 sex offender, meaning he poses the highest risk of re-offending — is required by law to register as a result of his convictions in Plymouth County in 2000 for rape and for indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older. The conviction stemmed from a sexual assault in Marshfield.

Another of the new additions to the list, REGGIE C. ELLENWOOD, 58, was arrested Friday evening in Boston. State Police continue to search for four other fugitives added to the list yesterday for failing to register as sex offenders as required by their convictions for various sexual assault crimes.

The full list can be viewed atwww.mspnews.org, or on the State Police Facebook page, or on the State Police web site under the tab for the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section on the Units and Sections page.

The State Police are seeking the public’s help in locating these fugitives, so that we can ensure they comply with the sexual offender registration law, which is a public safety measure that allows members of the public to be aware of high risk sex offenders who live or work near them. Anyone who has information about these fugitives or their whereabouts should call the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (1-800-527-8873).

Yesterday, the Senate has passed S.2444, An Act to strengthen the anti-human trafficking law filed by Rules Chairman Senator Mark C. Montigny (D-New Bedford). The bill seeks to impose increased protections for survivors of human trafficking while providing tools for public awareness, data reporting and training for law enforcement, court personnel, health professionals and educators.

Human trafficking is a vicious crime and modern day version of slavery that has little understanding amongst the general public both locally and globally. Many victims are vulnerable women or children with very few financial resources lured into trafficking with false promises of economic opportunity and prosperity.

Victims are forced into the commercial sex trade or involuntary labor services, fearing that they will suffer serious penalties to themselves or their families if they resist. Meanwhile traffickers recoup billions of dollars in profits, making human trafficking the second-largest and fastest growing black market in the world. The epidemic is prevalent throughout the United States, infiltrating communities across Massachusetts.

“The horrendous crime of human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery that affects mostly women and children. This bill strengthens the human trafficking law that the legislature passed in 2011 by closing a loophole in the law and offering more tools to help the victims of human trafficking,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst). “I thank Senator Montigny for his work and advocacy on this important piece of legislation.”

“Human trafficking is an atrocious crime that inflicts an incomprehensible level of brutality and suffering upon victims. Today, the Senate has clearly stood with humanity and the rights of survivors by advancing legislation that will further prevent, prosecute, and protect against human trafficking offenses. We will continue to advocate for victims and seek justice against perpetrators responsible for these despicable acts,” said Senator Montigny, the original author of the state’s first anti-human trafficking legislation and lead sponsor of S2444.

After six years of fighting to pass a bill criminalizing human trafficking, Senator Montigny was successful in 2011 when the legislature passed the state’s first anti-human trafficking law. That legislation criminalized human trafficking for commercial and sexual exploitation of people, including severe punishments ranging from 5 years to life imprisonment. It also provided survivors with an affirmative defense to any potential prostitution charge as a result of being trafficked. Survivors further gained a civil remedy and access to the Victims of Human Trafficking Trust Fund

S.2444 provides a significant update to strengthen this law by adopting several measures. First, the legislation will close the so-called bodyworks loophole that allows persons practicing “bodywork therapy” an exemption from the massage therapy licensing requirements. This lack of regulatory oversight has generated a pathway for traffickers to establish operations in communities throughout the Commonwealth while maintaining a public façade that insinuates a legitimate business. The Senate bill addresses the problem by establishing a statewide board of bodywork therapy that will provide oversight of bodywork establishments and require individual licensure for practitioners.

The legislation also includes significant tools for victims to help restore their lives. The timeframe to file a civil suit against a trafficker is extended from a mere 3 years to 10 years. Victims will also have access to expanded affirmative defenses to criminal charges related to sex crimes, and will have the ability to petition the court to vacate a prior conviction for any offense not a felony committed as a result of being a human trafficking victim. Upon a vacated conviction, victims can further seek to have their record sealed by in order to help aid the victim in obtaining housing, employment and other vital measures needed to live a healthy quality of life.

Under Montigny’s bill, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services is also directed to report to the legislature the current adequacy and limitations on current victim services dealing with safety, support, housing, health and education. The report must also identify the number of beds and victims served at safe house facilities throughout the state.

Final provisions in the bill include enhanced data collection to better track human trafficking crimes and identify any patterns or characteristics useful to law enforcement for investigations, arrests and prosecutions. Mandatory training for law enforcement, health professionals, and K-12 educators is also implemented to help personnel identify victims and trafficking offenses. Finally, a public awareness campaign will be developed and awareness signs shall be posted in high-risk locations such as adult entertainment facilities and foreign cash transfers.

Senator Montigny represents the 2nd Bristol and Plymouth District that includes Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, and New Bedford.
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