265#: Lavar Johnson (17-6) vs Brendan Schaub (9-3) wins by Unanimous Decision!
155#: Michael Chiesa (8-0) vs Anton Kuivanen (17-5) wins by Rear Naked Choke in RD2!
145#: Dennis Bermudez (10-3) vs Matt Grice (15-4) wins by Split Decision!
155#: Caros Fodor (7-2) vs Sam Stout (19-8-1) wins by Split Decision!

170#: Brock Jardine (9-2) vs Kenny Robertson (11-2) wins by Kneebar in RD1!
170#: Jon Manley (7-2) vs Neil Magny (7-2) wins by Unanimous Decision!
170#: Nah-Shon Burrell (8-2) vs Yuri Villefort (6-1) wins by Unanimous Decision!

here.

Ronda Rousey vs Liz Carmouche
What UFC President Dana White said would never happen is happening: women are fighting in the UFC. What changed his mind? Current UFC Champion, Ronda Rousey caught Dana White’s attention, not by her good looks, but by winning all of her fights – every single one – by armbar. That’s two amateur fights, and six professional fights all by armbar. In addition, all but one of those fights ended in under a minute, and even the fight that went past a minute ended in the first round. Man, woman, child, or alien, that is impressive. If Rousey did not have the looks and skill, she would still be marketable based on charisma and chutzpah alone. Rousey says what she means and means what she says. She is the total package from a fan, business and promotional point of view.

Rousey’s background is in Judo where she has won dozens of medals and a world championship, culminating in Olympic Bronze at the 2008 Summer Olympics. The criticism against her is that she is “two dimensional”, meaning she can throw you and submit you but can’t punch or kick. In her early fights she looked awkward and raw. She took the criticism to heart and focused almost solely on her striking. The Countdown to UFC 157 show featured plenty of footage of her working on this area, and she looks like another fighter. Fluid, fast, and powerful.

Her opponent is Liz Carmouche, was born in Louisiana and grew up in Okinawa, Japan. Before her mixed martial arts career, she was a helicopter electrician for the Marine Corp. Carmouche has been overshadowed by Rousey’s stardom and looked past by pundits and punters alike. She has a raw, scrappy style of striking and is very strong for her size. Her grappling credentials consist of a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Carmouche made headlines leading up to this fight by “coming out” as a lesbian, being the first fighter in the history of the sport to reveal their homosexuality.

For Carmouche to win this fight, she needs to avoid the clinch and the ground at all costs. She must use footwork constantly and maintain a long measure. She needs to take potshots and hope to stun Rousey, where she can then put together a combination of strikes. Rinse and repeat. If taken down, her entire focus must be to get to standing and not “stay and play.” Especially considering she has lost once by submission already. For Rousey to win, she simply needs to clinch with Carmouche. If a clinch happens, chances are you can count the seconds on one hand that it will take for Rousey to throw Carmouche where the end will inevitably come by submission.

NBG Pick: Ronda Rousey.

Lyoto Machida vs Dan Henderson
Brazilian Lyoto Machida is one of the most unique fighters in the sport today. He uses an unorthodox stance, maintains a long measure, and utilizes his footwork to evade an opponent until he sees an opportunity or opening. With impeccable accuracy and timing he closes the distance with a strike or footsweep that he is committed to 100%. He has one punch knockout power in each hand as well. This has presented a deep riddle for most of the division. His major losses are a knockout loss to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and a modified Guillotine choke to current champion Jon Jones.

Pioneer and legend Dan Henderson has been competing at the highest level of the sport since it’s beginning. The highly decorated wrestler is famous for his granite chin, inability to be knocked out, and perhaps the most powerful right hand in the sport today. It only takes one from Hendo, who’s right hand has been dubbed the “H-Bomb.” People who have been victimized by the “H-Bomb” include Renzo Gracie, Wanderlei Silva, Michael Bisping, and Fedor Emelianenko. This fight in all likelihood will take place as a striking match with very little grappling. In essence it will be Machida’s straight left versus Henderson’s overhand right. Unfortunately for Machida, the overhand right is perfectly made for straight lefts. He will need to pull some other tricks out of his bag to pull it off. Henderson just needs to keep that right hand firing EVERY time Machida throws a straight left.

NBG Pick: Dan Henderson.

Ivan Menjivar vs Urijah Faber
Salvadoran Ivan Menjivar has been fighting in the sport since 2001, flying under everyone’s radar except the hardcore fan who always knew he’d eventually make it to the big show. Going 4-1 since being in the UFC, the 2 time Submission of the Night fighter has earned a shot against the cream of the crop and is bee-lining for a title shot. The salty veteran is well-rounded and equally dangerous with his hands as he is with his submissions.

His opponent is ex-champion, Californian, and Team Alpha Male leader Urijah Faber. Faber has fought the biggest and the best names in the sport. He is one of those fighters that stays at the top, but just doesn’t seem to be able to regain a title. He is a superb athlete with phenomenal cardiovascular endurance, wrestling and confidence. His weakest link and perhaps what is keeping him from regaining a title is the ability to KO an opponent at the top level. It has been six long years since Faber has gotten a KO or TKO stoppage. Often his cockiness and attempts to look “cute” place him in danger. Against Menjivar he better not try to look cute.

This is one of those fights where the experience and well-roundedness of the fighters will show. This fight will surely go up and down, and move from strikes to throws (attempted anyhow) and ground wrestling. The grappling caliber of both may cancel each other out. Though Faber has a sneaky and powerful guillotine choke that can finish anyone. On the feet Menjivar has an edge in power, but not necessarily speed. Faber is better suited to take the fight to the ground and Menjivar keeping it standing. Whomever makes his tactic work will win. This is anyone’s fight.

NBG Pick: Ivan Menjivar.

Josh Neer vs Court McGee
Josh Neer is one of this writer’s favorite fighters. His aggressive fearless style makes him an exciting fighter to watch. With 17 TKOs, 12 submission wins and 88% finish rate, he has more than proven this style of exciting fighting is effective. The only problem with being fearless, and highly offensive is at times Neer leaves himself exposed and gets caught by a punch or submission. In his last fight he looked lethargic and sluggish and appeared to have a poor weight cut. It remains to be seen whether he has fixed the issues or not. His opponent Court McGee is a monster in the weight class. A virtual gorilla. Big, strong, and powerful. As a matter of fact Court has 2 professional Boxing bouts under his belt, in the Cruiserweight division which has a cutoff of 200 pounds. On paper, Neer’s vast experience should be too much for McGee as he has lost to higher levels of competition both times he has gone up. However, I wonder about the weight cut and big chances he takes. My heart want Neer to win. Come back in a few days…I may change my pick!

NBG Pick is: Josh Neer.

Josh Koscheck vs Robbie Lawler
UFC heel Josh Koscheck has had all but two of his 23 fights in the UFC. Virtually an entire career in one organization fighting only the best. Josh possesses extreme confidence, even arrogance regardless of his opponent. The NCAA D1 champ and All-American has a predilection to strike in spite of his background and wrestling accomplishments. Perhaps preferring the $75,000 win bonuses that accompany Knockout of the Night awards, which he has won twice. However, his opponent Robbie Lawler has built his entire career and even legend by terrorizing people with awesome displays of highlight reel knockout power. Lawler is a pioneer of the sport and been around since the earliest days. This fight against Koscheck is a return to the UFC. This fight can carry out a few different ways. If Koscheck tries to trade with Lawler, he will get put to sleep and play into what Lawler does best and wants to do. In spite of that, Koscheck, being supremely confident and competitive is the type of person that would intentionally stand and trade with Lawler just to prove to everyone that he can and that he is not scared. If Koscheck wrestles, he is almost guaranteed to win. If he stands, he is almost guaranteed to lose.

NBG Pick: Josh Koscheck.

Come back for the results, updates and animated gifs. What are your picks for the headline fight between Rousey and Carmouche? Will Carmouche be able to stop Rousey’s armbar streak? Who wins the bonuses?

The City of New Bedford and the Department of Public Infrastructure recently presented the design plans for the second phase of the Route 18 reconstruction plan.

The construction of the first phase, which included much needed aesthetic improvement and efficient re-routing of traffic in the Union and Elm Street area of Route 18, was completed just recently in November. That project fixed bottlenecking issues present at at Route 18 intersections and converted Elm and Walnut Streets to four-way intersections while creating a more appealing, tourist-friendly appearance that was intended to provide a boost to downtown businesses.

The second phase will revamp the section that spans between the Union Street intersection and Cove Street in the south end of New Bedford. Much like the first phase of the project, this will bring beautiful bluestone crosswalks, brick sidewalks, and more pleasant landscaping to the currently dreary stretch of highway. The pedestrian overpasses, regarded by many as eyesores, will be taken down and replaced with more crosswalks throughout the roadway.

The re-invention of the roadway is part of the larger John F. Kennedy Boulevard project. Gone will be the days of Route 18 as a highway, where cars often travel well over the speed limit, and in will come a more aesthetically pleasing, gradual roadway. Despite the change, a commute from one end of Route 18 to the other is only projected to add a minute or so to travel times.

The project is going to be heard at a public meeting in New Bedford hosted by the Department of Transportation, likely within the next month. Public Infrastructure Department Head Ron Labelle projected the beginning of the project to come in the Spring of 2014. The plan is the product of Ron Labelle and his team, several different mayoral administrations, and especially south end community and business leaders and City Councilor Joseph Lopes.

President Barack Obama gave his State of the Union address Tuesday to both houses of Congress and other political dignitaries and guests. Many assumed he would target his speech directly to his Democratic base, and while he was guilty of this at times, he reached across the aisle at times, citing the need for compromise in such an important moment in history for the United States. He discussed many of the same topics he addressed in his inaugural address, lauding some of the efforts made over the last year as well as highlighting the progress to be made in the future. Here were the key points from his address that could be affecting the southcoast community:

The President stressed the need to come to compromise before the “Sequester” that occurs on March 1st, in which $85 billion in budget cuts would automatically take effect. He cited the need for smart and modest reforms to the Medicare program that would save costs and improve healthcare. According to Census data, there are approximately 14,000 citizens aged sixty-five or older in New Bedford, making up 14.6% of the city’s population.

He also echoed a frequent talking point of the 2012 presidential election – the need to close the tax loopholes that are being taken advantage of by the wealthy, resulting in business owners sometimes paying less in taxes than the employees that work under them. He also embraced efforts to simplify the tax code and the filings necessary in order to expedite the process.

President Obama discussed a need to bring back manufacturing jobs that are the root of US success. Creating tax incentives for businesses to bring manufacturing back seems like a good idea. Several large corporations are already moving some manufacturing jobs back to the United States, including Apple. Obama announced the formation of several new “manufacturing hubs” – organizations throughout America devoted to training people for manufacturing work and linking those workers with the companies. One of these centers in the southcoast could prove extremely valuable, reviving some of the hard-working mill culture that the region was known for.

President Obama suggested we continue a heavy investment into improving education. He cited a stunning statistic, saying that every one dollar spent on education saves us seven dollars in the future. Returning to the topic of expanding manufacturing, and science and engineering fields, President Obama pointed to the example of German high schools, which prepare students with typical academics as well as skills learned in US trade schools.

The President also mentioned the increasing costs and decreasing returns of higher education in the United States, and vowed to create a “College Scorecard,” a tool that would evaluate whether or not individual schools were worth their costs.

In order to stimulate the economy, he suggested we raise the federal minimum wage to $9 an hour, up from the $7.25 rate used currently. This could prove extremely beneficial to the southcoast area, where there are a number of low-paying service jobs. The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $8, but a bump of just a dollar could make a major difference in the paychecks of most of our hourly workers.

Finally, Obama cited concerns over gun control policy in the U.S., as well as measures we should take to be more environmentally friendly and less dependent on oil. He announced that while there were some executive actions he could take, he would much prefer to come to a compromise with legislators and continue to work toward equitable solutions.

Public opinion of the speech was high in the aftermath of the event. Many polled by CNN indicated they were more moved by the State of the Union than they were the inaugural address. We’ll see if the speech serves to close or further the divide that exists between Democrats and Republicans in Congress and we’ll closely monitor how these potential changes affect the southcoast.

Just days after cutting the ribbon on the $45-million dollar Claire T. Carney Library renovation project, UMass Dartmouth’s Chancellor Divina Grossman announced a $15-million dollar deficit to the school’s $245 million budget. Unsurprisingly, the announcement has caused a stir in the campus community.

While stopping short of being critical of former Chancellor Jean MacCormack, Grossman placed the blame on year-to-year budget patchwork that could no longer be feasibly continued. Other major factors contributing to the budget situation include potentially inefficient and unproductive campus centers and civic engagement programs that were unfavorable to the university. The chancellor made it clear that a number of solutions are on the table, including adding and removing programs to more adequately meet the demand of existing and future students, restructuring or merging various departments, and completing a full review of existing civic engagement relationships.

The chancellor more controversially pointed to a lack of both growth in student enrollment as well as state funding. In a letter to the editor of the Fall River Herald News, the director of the UMass Dartmouth Center for Policy Analysis, Clyde Barrow, dismissed this claim. Barrow stated that while student enrollment has remained relatively flat, increases in tuition and fees have produced more revenue for the school. This is reflected in the university’s budgets, which have shown revenues from tuition and fees to be on the rise since 2010 from $92 million to $103 million, and in 2013, $107 million. Additionally, Barrow reported that funds appropriated from the state have also risen since 2010. The school was allocated over $60 million by the state in 2013, a drastic rise from the nearly $43 million it received in 2010.

Some skeptics have instead suggested the university focus on restructuring and even cutting a number of administrative positions on campus. Consolidating some of these positions, which often come with heftier six-figure salaries, is seen by many to be more prudent than eliminating teaching positions or introducing an influx of cheaper, part-time lecturers. While she didn’t rule it out completely, Grossman indicated that it is unlikely UMass closes its satellite locations in nearby New Bedford and Fall River.

While many including Barrow have been critical of the news, the tenor of the campus meeting was one of cooperation. There remains ample time for discussion and debate over next year’s budget before the next fiscal year begins in July. In one of her first major appearances in the campus community, Chancellor Grossman promoted transparency and community discourse, while showing her willingness to grapple with difficult issues.

Senator Mark Montigny was recently named to the key Senate leadership post of Assistant Majority Whip. The Assistant Majority Whip is a member of the Senate’s senior leadership team. Most recently, Senator Montigny served in another leadership position as Chairman of the Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee. During his Senate tenure, he has also served as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee as well as chair of the Senate’s Bonding and Healthcare Committees.

“I look forward to assuming this new leadership role in the Senate and will use it to continue to advocate for those issues crucial to the further economic development of the SouthCoast”, said Senator Montigny. “During my Senate tenure, I have taken the lead in advancing the most important items on the SouthCoast’s agenda and have helped to bring a renaissance to Downtown New Bedford by fostering the arts, culture and tourism in that area and turning it into a destination for many. Such work has not only enhanced our area’s quality of life but has been smart economic development. The coming months will be crucial in determining the future of our region and my new job will allow me the opportunity to ensure that the SouthCoast is not forgotten on Beacon Hill and will receive its long overdue infrastructure and other economic development improvements. This leadership position will enable the SouthCoast’s voice to be heard even louder and I welcome the challenges that will be faced by me in this new role.”

Mayor Jon Mitchell joined mayors from across the state in Boston last week to discuss ways to mobilize constituents and communities behind common sense gun reforms. Led by Boston Mayor Tom Menino, the group of mayors are members of Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG). MAIG is a coalition of more than 800 mayors nationwide and has more than a million supporters.

Mayor Mitchell, a formal federal prosecutor for nearly a decade, spoke out on the need for reform, “I don’t accept the notion that there is nothing we can do to reduce gun violence and tragedies like Newtown. There are plenty of common sense measures that could make a big difference.”

Mayors Against Illegal Guns advocates for a common sense agenda that will make it more difficult for dangerous individuals to purchase guns and easier for police and prosecutors to stop them. The mayors are calling on Congress to pass legislation that will:

· Require every gun buyer to pass a criminal background check
· Get military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines off our streets
· Make gun trafficking a federal crime
· Strengthen the penalties for straw purchase of guns.

In the wake of the horrific tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, Mayors Against Illegal Guns sent an open letter to the President and Congress calling for immediate action to reduce gun violence.

The letter stated, “We believe that with this latest national tragedy and the high incidence of gun violence that continues to plague our streets, we have reached a tipping point. The nation’s mayors pledge to work with you to build a safer America for our children and all of our citizens.”

The mayors acknowledged that stemming the tide of gun violence will take much more than just strengthening our gun laws. “We need to reverser the culture of violence in our nation do that a violent act isn’t the first response to settling a difference or compensating for a wrong.” They added, “We need to strengthen and more adequately fund our mental health system so that we can identify troubled individuals earlier and get them the help they need.” The nation’s mayors pledged to work with the President and Congress to build a safer America for everyone.

Welcome to the second installment of the “Who remembers…?” series. In the inaugural article we reminisced about Virginia Dare Soda. My intention with this series of articles is not just to invoke nostalgic memories for those of us who have been “there”, but to share with the newer generation positive things that made up our childhood. Of course, sharing the area’s history is a way to not let the good things that have happened in the area pass away to be forgotten forever.

More importantly is discussion and contribution from readers. Everyone has an anecdote to share that makes these articles special. The Virginia Dare article was read, shared, commented on and liked by thousands. There was a nice sense of community. There is something about reminiscing that serves as a sort of therapy and relief from the stresses of the day. You sort of travel away in your head and leave the world behind even though for a few moments.

A Bit of History
Currently there are 40 bakeries baking Sunbeam bread and rolls across the country and even one facility in Mexico City, Mexico. The brand was easily recognized by its mascot Little Miss Sunbeam®, who was created by children’s book illustrator Ellen Segner. She was commissioned by the Quality Bakers of America to come up with a symbol that would help recognize the brand. Segner’s inspiration came from a little girl that she observed often playing in nearby Washington Square Park in New York City. Originally Little Miss Sunbeam was used on holiday packaging, but eventually used year round in some regions.

Sunbeam Bread brand is owned by the Quality Bakers of America cooperative. The brand got its start in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1942. After World War II the brand began to grow and spread through other parts of the country. The Coffin Avenue facility was used to bake bread since 1934 so it was a natural site for baking the brand. In 1955 it was bought by the New Bedford Baking Company. In 1994 it was purchased by My Bread Baking Company, in 1996 First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union purchased it and in 1998 it was resold to St. Louis based company Earthgrains. When it closed its doors in 2005, it employed approximately 180 people. Malden-based corporation Lucar Development LLC bought the property in 2006 for $725,000.

In 2011, New Bedford Baking Company opened discussions with the city to reopen the Coffin Avenue facility and begin baking again. They figured it would take $8 million to being the building up to code, repair and purchase equipment, and get up and running. Getting the facility going again was projected to create 150 new jobs. Alas, nothing came to fruition and the property is presently still up for sale.

A Stroll down Memory Lane
I know for anyone that grew up in the area – not just New Bedford – that the simple mention of the word Sunbeam immediately invokes the aroma of freshly baked bread. Instantly you are walking or riding in the back seat of mom or dad’s car down Coffin Avenue. Any tomfoolery, goofing around or discussion came to a halt so you could partake in the pleasant aroma of bread wafting out of ovens. You could easily imagine a loaf of that glorious white bread in your hands as you give it a gentle squeeze.

Great debates were had on the best way to utilize the heavenly slices: Tuna Melt, French Toast, PBJ, emergency hot dog or hamburg bun, or just all by itself. As you drove past the facility at 229 Coffin Avenue and the aroma begun to fade, one was possessed with a way to get at some Sunbeam Bread, somehow, someway. If only we could convince mom or dad how important it was to have NOW.

I can vividly recall that momentous day at Hayden McFadden elementary that a permission slip for a field trip to Sunbeam was passed out. It was like Christmas Day came early. We all wondered what we did to deserve such good fortune! The joy however was interrupted with a dose of realism. Feet were put back on level ground. Surely a hurricane would arrive on that day! Or the Medeiros Bus Company’s drivers would go on strike. Or a doomsday asteroid would hurdle to earth wiping out our chance….and oh yeah, wiping out humanity.

Pulling up to Coffin Avenue and not having to continue on meant scores of kids walking around with noses high in the air and lots of sniffing. Seeing how the bread was made and packaged was fun, but eating fresh baked samples was a spiritual or pseudo-religious experience!

Well, that is how I remembered it as a child. As an adult, every time I drive by I still whiff the ghost aroma of the facility in full swing.

Do you remember Sunbeam bread? Have an anecdote to share? Correction to make? News about the site to share?

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How badly do you want South Coast Rail? Would you be willing to pay higher taxes for it? This week Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick proposed several major tax changes and fees. According to the governor, these taxes and fees are needed to fully fund his proposed $34.8 billion budget that includes significant investment in healthcare, schools and transportation. South Coast Rail would cost an estimated total of $1.8 billion, but would be spread out over several budgets. The tax increases and fees would target the middle and upper class income; cigarette, candy and soda consumers; and drivers. You can examine the governor’s budget proposal in full detail here. Here’s a look at the major tax changes that would affect New Bedford residents the most.

Let’s get the good news out of the way first by looking at the tax reductions.

1. The sales tax rate would drop from 6.25% to 4.5% or a reduction of 1.75%. This tax rate would benefit all consumers in Massachusetts. You will be saving $1.75 for every $100 spent.

2. Many of the personal income tax exemptions would double, but 44 income tax deductions would go away.

Now on to the tax increases and fees.

3. If you drive a car, you’ll see gradual increases in MBTA fares, turnpike tolls, and registry fees, and the gas tax would be tied to inflation.

4. The State income tax would go from 5.25% to 6.25%, an increase of 1%. If you paid tax on $30,000 of income (after deduction, etc) your tax would go up $300.

5. The cigarette tax would go up $1 to $3.51 per pack.

6. While the sales tax would go down, candy and soda would no longer be exempt. Generally, food (not purchased in restaurants) is exempt from sales tax in Massachusetts, but this would remove that exemptions for sweets.

7. There would be an additional deposit of 5 cents for bottled water and sports drinks.

Are you for or against these taxes? Post a comment!

During the recent 81st Winter Meeting of The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) in Washington, D.C., New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell accepted a grant award for the City of New Bedford’s prescription drug abuse prevention initiative. Grant awards were given to outstanding local initiatives with the greatest potential to reduce the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs, particularly among young people. New Bedford was one of four winners selected from a national pool of applicants and the City took first place in the “Small City” category.

Small City
1st Place ($10,000): New Bedford, MA, Mayor Jon Mitchell: “Pathways Opiate Overdose Coalition”

The Pathways Coalition, under the leadership of Mayor Jon Mitchell, will utilize a team of young people aged 14‐24 as peer educators, to provide education and training to the community about prescription drug safety, in line with the guidelines set out by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The program will provide a minimum of 12 presentations/appearances throughout the community, as well as a social marketing campaign that will utilize various electronic media outlets and web presence to promote the prescription safety program and reach all families in New Bedford with the message.

“Educating youth about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and abuse is critical to our efforts to combat substance abuse and the illicit drug trade in our community. In New Bedford, public health officials, drug treatment providers, and law enforcement remain committed to working together to address this public health challenge. One key feature of this program is that it engages and educates young people to teach their peers and empowers youth to become leaders who can help solve their own problems. I’m pleased that the United States Conference of Mayors and Purdue Pharma have recognized this program and I look forward to it serving as a model for other cities across the country.” – New Bedford, MA Mayor Jon Mitchell

The 2013 Safeguard My Meds Prescription Drug Abuse Recognition Program is the latest initiative in a four-year partnership between USCM and Purdue Pharma, L.P., with the goal supporting and/or enhancing existing prescription drug abuse prevention programs in America’s cities, as well as encouraging the development of new and innovative programs. The successful USCM/Purdue Pharma partnership began in 2009 with a nationwide public awareness campaign, featuring Mayoral PSAs on the dangers of prescription drug abuse, and offering simple steps parents can take to protect their children by properly storing and disposing of medication in the home. To date, Mayors have recorded more than 200 radio and television PSAs, which have reached an audience of millions in cities across the country.

The Women’s Military Memorial Committee joined by more than fifty community members including local veterans and their families as well as representatives from the New Bedford delegation — United States Congressman William Keating, State Representatives Antonio Cabral and Paul Schmid, New Bedford Mayor Jonathan Mitchell and the majority of the New Bedford City Council — unveiled the official design for the new “Women in Military Service” monument during a press conference yesterday afternoon held at the Fort Taber~Fort Rodman Military Museum. The new monument will be installed in the City of New Bedford to honor all women in military service from the Revolutionary War to the present.

The design for the new memorial was created by PJ Mitchell, graphic designer at Poyant Signs, Inc. The all of design services for the project were donated by Poyant Signs.

“The Women’s Military Memorial Committee would like to thank Richard Poyant, President of Poyant Signs, for generously donating the design services of his graphic design team to work with our committee in coming up with this masterpiece,” said Kathy Luiz, committee member. “A very special thank you to PJ Mitchell, the graphic designer at Poyant Signs, who dedicated so much of her time and talent to this project — from the five initial designs, through the many revisions, to the exceptional layout that we have shared with you today. We are truly grateful for your support of this effort and bringing to life our vision for this new memorial.”

The design incorporates an image of servicewomen in uniform representing the five branches of the United States military which was originated on the 1997 stamp issued by the United States Postal Service to honor the millions of women, past and present, who have served our country with such dedication, courage and patriotism in times of conflict and in times of peace. The military seals found at the base of the monument represent each branch of the military — reinforcing the reality that women have served and continue to serve the United States of America in all branches of the armed forces.

The inscription on the front of the monument: “Honoring the women in Military Service from the revolutionary war to the present” was selected to be inclusive of all women who have served, are serving and may serve our country in future times of need. The inscription found on the back of the monument: “She is your mother, sister, wife, daughter, friend” is a reminder of the many roles a woman in military service may hold in addition to her role as a servicewoman in the United States armed forces.

The rose colored granite found at the base of the monument was specifically selected to provide a slightly feminine touch to the overall design. Tootell Monument Works will construct the new memorial.

“Matt Albanese and his grandfather Robert Albanese have worked closely with our committee to meet our proposed specifications,” said Luiz. “They are committed to providing the highest quality materials while matching our color, finish and design requests. We are confident that Tootell will provide a final product that will justly honor all women in military service; past, present and future.”

The cost to manufacture and install the new memorial is $33, 450.

“Our committee is confident that we will receive the support from this community that we need to accomplish this goal,” said Priscilla Louro-Fonseca, past Commander of District Nine American Legion and committee member.

The Women’s Military Memorial Fund has been established at St. Anne Credit Union located at 93 Union Street in New Bedford. Donations can be mailed directly to St. Ann Credit Union or deposited directly at the bank itself. Please note that there is only one location for St. Ann Credit Union – not to be confused with St. Anne’s Credit Union.

“We hope that you will consider supporting this project and the courageous, selfless, and loving women it represents,” said Louro-Fonseca.

The proposed location for the new monument is at Fort Taber Park, in the South end of New Bedford. The committee is in the process of receiving approval on the proposed location from the City of New Bedford’s Park Board and the National Park Service. The committee hopes to have the new monument installed in time for ribbon-cutting celebration on Veterans Day 2013.