Flu season has arrived and Southcoast Health System would like advise the public on when to seek treatment for flu like symptoms.

Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral medications. If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. If, however, you have symptoms of flu and are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider (doctor, physician’s assistant, etc.).

Certain people are at greater risk of serious flu-related complications (including young children, elderly persons, pregnant women and people with certain long-term medical conditions). If you are in a high risk group and develop flu symptoms, it’s best for you to contact your doctor. Remind them about your high risk status for flu.

Health care providers will determine whether influenza testing and possible treatment are needed. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs that can treat the flu. These drugs work better for treatment the sooner they are started.

Emergency Room care

The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill. If you have the emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it.

When to seek emergency care

Emergency warning signs in children:
· Fast breathing or trouble breathing
· Bluish skin color
· Not drinking enough fluids
· Not waking up or not interacting
· Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
· Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
· Fever with a rash

In addition to the signs above, get medical help right away for any infant who has any of these signs:
· Being unable to eat
· Has trouble breathing
· Has no tears when crying
· Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal

Emergency warning signs in adults
· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
· Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
· Sudden dizziness
· Confusion
· Severe or persistent vomiting
· Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Prevention

Southcoast would like to remind the public that the best way to protect themselves, their family and the community is to get a seasonal flu vaccine.

“The best way to protect against the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year,” said Robert J. Caldas, DO, Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer for Southcoast Health System.

The seasonal flu is a very serious and contagious disease of the respiratory system that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death, Dr. Caldas said.
“Every flu season is different and the flu can affect people in different ways,” Dr. Caldas said. “Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and can spread it to others. Symptoms are often confused with the common cold, but are much more severe and potentially dangerous.”

Receiving the annual flu vaccine is an effective way to reduce the chances of contracting the seasonal flu and lessen the chance that you will spread it to others.
“The more people that get vaccinated against the flu, the less the flu can spread throughout the community,” Dr. Caldas said.

Southcoast recommends that anyone who has not yet received the vaccine, do so as soon as possible. It takes about two weeks after you have received the flu vaccination for it to provide protection against the flu.

This flu season, Southcoast is taking additional steps to keep the community safe by requiring all Southcoast employees and physicians to receive a flu vaccine annually or be required to wear a surgical mask while working within six feet of another individual. This includes all employees — not just those in our clinical areas — in all Southcoast locations and facilities.

“We are taking very important precautionary measures that will keep our patients, employees and visitors safe this flu season,” Dr. Caldas said. “We also would like members of the community to know that if they see a staff member wearing a mask it is only a precautionary measure. Annual vaccinations for health care providers are an important step toward keeping our patients safe and employees healthy.”

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health expects that 90 percent of all acute care hospital employees receive the flu vaccine, with no facility reporting less than 73 percent. According to the DPH, the intention of this goal is to advance patient safety by reducing the spread of influenza and to protect the health of both patients and health care workers.

The flu virus is spread mainly by droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land on people who are nearby. The flu may also be spread by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.

The flu is highly contagious. Most healthy adults carrying the flu virus may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than seven days. Symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some people can be infected with the flu virus without having any of the symptoms. During this time, those people may still spread the virus to others. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

The mask is required for those who do not receive the vaccine because the flu may be passed before a person knows they are sick.

Southcoast is also asking visitors to refrain from visiting the hospital if they are sick. If you must come to the hospital while you are sick, you will be asked to wear a mask, which will be provided at no charge at each of the main entrances and Emergency Department entrances.

Who should get vaccinated?

It is recommended that everyone who is at least 6 months of age or older get a flu vaccine. It is especially important for the most at risk people to get vaccinated.

Those people include the following:

• People who are at high risk of developing serious complications like pneumonia if they get sick with the flu.
• People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease.
• Pregnant women.
• People 65 years and older.
• People who live with or care for others who are high risk for developing serious complications.
• Household contacts and caregivers of people with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.

Who should not get vaccinated?

The following people should not get a flu vaccine without first consulting a physician:
· People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
· People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
· Children younger than 6 months of age.
· People with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome should consult with their doctor before obtaining a vaccine.

People who have a moderate to severe illness with a fever should wait until they recover before getting vaccinated. For more information visit www.mass.gov/dph/flu or www.cdc.gov/flu/.

There are two types of seasonal flu vaccines available. The “flu shot” is an inactivated vaccine that is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The nasal spray flu vaccine is a vaccines made with live, weakened flu viruses that is approved for use in healthy people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Flu vaccines are available in many locations including doctor’s offices, clinics, urgent care center, health departments, pharmacies, college health centers and some schools. The Southcoast Health Van offers free flu vaccinations throughout the community. The Southcoast Health Van schedule can be found at www.southcoast.org/van/. You can also use the following Flu Vaccine Locator to find the nearest vaccine available in your area www.flunearyou.org.
More information about the flu can be found at www.southcoast.org/flu/.

Southcoast™ Visiting Nurse Association, known in the community as Southcoast VNA, is seeking compassionate, dedicated individuals to provide companionship for patients with end-of-life illness and respite for their family caregivers.

Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of two to four hours a week for one year. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and have their own transpiration. Extensive hospice training and ongoing support from hospice staff is provided at no charge.

Opportunities are also available for a variety of other volunteer roles including office support, fundraising and bereavement support. Southcoast VNA is also seeking volunteers who can provide Reiki, massage, reflexology, music or pet therapy for patients and their families. Proper certification must be presented during training.

The next hospice volunteer training will take place on Thursday, January 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Southcoast VNA administrative office located at 200 Mill Road in Fairhaven.

All interested parties can sign up by calling Lindsay, Volunteer Coordinator, at 508-973-3219. For more information about Southcoast VNA, call 800-698-6877 or visit www.southcoastvna.org.

As you open your new holiday treasures, consider recycling your cardboard. Cardboard is important to recycle because it is valuable and banned from the landfill. During this season there are often large cardboard boxes at the curb.

In order for the cardboard to fit in the recycling truck, boxes must be flattened and cut down to no larger than 2 feet by 3 feet. Place cardboard in your blue bin designated for paper. Excess flatted cardboard can be placed beneath your blue bin. Cardboard that is not flattened and cut down to 2 feet by 3 feet or smaller will go in the trash truck since it will not fit in the recycling truck.

You may bring larger cardboard boxes to the 1103 Shawmut Avenue Transfer Station. There is a cardboard compactor there. The hours are Monday – Friday 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 2 PM. The Transfer Station will be closed Christmas and New Year’s Day and half of the day before these holidays.
Cardboard for recycling should be clean (grease or food contamination can interfere with the recycling process). Please remove any packaging materials such as plastic and foam.

For more information call Marissa Perez-Dormitzer the District Recycling Coordinator at (508) 979-1493.

The holidays can be stressful and they also stress the environment. Buying gifts means lots of packaging. It also means there are used items that are no longer needed. The Greater New Bedford Refuse District offers suggestions to conserve resources for the holidays and make celebrations greener.

Recycle everything that can be recycled. Place all the flattened cardboard boxes (no larger than 2 feet by 3 feet), non-metallic wrapping paper, newspapers, magazines and junk mail in your blue bin designated for paper. Excess flattened cardboard (2 feet by 3 feet or smaller) can be placed beneath your blue bin. Recycle larger cardboard at the Shawmut Avenue Transfer Station. Place all plastic, glass and metal bottles and cans in a separate bin or a barrel labeled with a special recycling sticker.

As you make room for new holiday treasures, consider donating unwanted toys, electronics and clothing to charity instead of throwing them away. Many items, including cardboard boxes (any size), all types of batteries, rigid plastics (barrels, bins, toys), cell phones, cooking oil, printer cartridges, clothing, books, CDs, empty aerosol containers, scrap metal, Styrofoam blocks, electronics, televisions, computers and monitors are accepted for recycling or donation at the Shawmut Avenue Transfer Station, 1103 Shawmut Avenue.

Recycle your Christmas tree at the curb or at designated drop-off sites. During the week of January 7th – 11th, the Department of Public Facilities will collect the trees at the curb on your regular trash/recycling day. Starting on December 26, residents can drop off trees at the following locations:

• Middle parking lot off East Rodney French Boulevard (between Seymour Street and Hudson Street);
• Brooklawn Park (near Irvington Street);
• Pine Hill Park (Phillips Road); and
• Shawmut Avenue Transfer Station.

All trees must free of ornaments and stands. Please do not place the trees in bags.

For more information, call the City Yard at (508) 991-6133 or Marissa Perez-Dormitzer, District Recycling Coordinator, at (508) 979-1493.

At a press conference in City Hall yesterday, Mayor Jon Mitchell joined with Interim Superintendent Michael Shea, teachers, principals and parents to announce the expansion of the New Bedford Public Schools Parent Teacher Home Visit Program, a family engagement program that brings teachers to students’ homes to foster better communication and improve academic performance.

Mayor Jon Mitchell said, “Expanding this invaluable program was a promise I made very early on, so it gives me great pleasure to be able to able to applaud today all the administrators and teachers who worked hard to deliver on that commitment. This program is going to make a real difference in the lives of hundreds of families with children in New Bedford Public Schools.”

New Bedford’s Parent Teacher Home Visiting Project was piloted in 2010 at Carney Academy Elementary School to great success. The program has expanded from Carney Academy and is now offered at Hayden-McFadden Elementary School, Normandin Middle School, Roosevelt Middle School, and New Bedford High School.

The program is modeled after a project in California and is founded on the core belief that parents and teachers are equally important co-educators – the parent is the expert on the individual child’s needs, strengths, and weaknesses. The teacher is the expert on the curriculum that must be mastered for success. Teachers conduct the visits in pairs and are compensated for their time. Each family is visited twice a year. The first visit is to establish trust and a professional relationship and the second visit is focused on providing resources and information based on student need and grade level.

While the primary focus of the program is to foster school and parent engagement, at the secondary level teachers are sharing information about college planning and other post-high school opportunities. Funding for the NBPS Home Visit Program is provided by grantors including the Island Foundation and Bay Coast Bank as well as through federal grants including Race to the Top.

Do you want to lose weight? Get in shape? Tone up? Lose that arm flab or stubborn hip or waist fat? You’ve seen the Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters on TV and what kind of shape they are in. Do you want to look like one without the bruises, fat lips, black eyes and cauliflower ears? Now you can!

Hematoma F.C. Gym continues to grow with a new offering for health and fitness. This program is a NO HARD CONTACT required program that focuses on improving health and fitness levels. The first week is FREE for new students!

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is one of the world’s most difficult sports requiring an incredibly high level of athleticism. This program involves the exercise, strength and conditioning aspects that produce the bodies we see on television. You will learn to punch, kick, elbow, knee, “shoot”, sit-out, hip heist, bridge and more. It combines all of the elements of kickboxing, wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu without the hard contact. This is done through a variety of solo and partner drills. You will learn to do all the “moves” you see on television without the sparring and hard contact.

This class is open to teenagers aged 13 to adults of any age, men and women alike, and lasts 45-60 minutes. You will shed weight FAST, lower your blood pressure, develop muscle tone, improve cardiovascular endurance, shape, develop your core, make new friends, improve self-confidence, and feel great about yourself in QUICK fashion.

In addition to being a class for health and fitness it also serves as an introductory class for those interested in the actual MMA class. This is a required class for all new fighters. It will take 1-3 months to graduate from this class and earn your “white shirt” which is a requirement to enter the intermediate class. Even if you have prior experience, this class is mandatory. This is not because a fighter can’t handle the intensity, but because the primer (warm-up and review) is very fast paced and does not allow for time for instruction. By learning the primer before entry into that class, this will allow the primer to move at its normal pace and not interfere with the workout.

Disclaimer: There are a number of partner drills involved and by its nature there is some intensity and of course accidents do happen. While there is no sparring in this class, protective gear is suggested. While a mouthpiece is mandatory, a protective cup, and knee pads are suggested.

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When we are young, we dream about what we want to be when we grow up.  For many of us, those plans change.  Still, there are the lucky few that are born with a talent, are destined to find themselves in that special job, and in the end, actually make it.  Twenty-one year old New Bedford native, Marlena Johnson, is one of those lucky few.  For her, luck does not even begin to describe the life-changing experience she is about to embark on.  A natural singer and entertainer, Johnson will be spending the next six months in London starring in THRILLER Live, the international Michael Jackson tribute concert. (http://thrillerlive.com/)

“I always told myself I’d meet him, but if not, this is the closest,” says Johnson, a lifelong Michael Jackson fan.  “The first song I heard was Pretty Young Thing and from that moment on, I just knew I loved him.”  Today, Johnson has been collecting Michael Jackson memorabilia for 13 years.  “I’m not obsessed. It’s just that Michael Jackson has been with me my entire life.  He’s been a big part of my upbringing.”  Now, Johnson gets to live out her greatest dream, singing in his honor and keeping his legacy alive.

Johnson was selected after being flown out to London for an audition.  Her referral came from her sister, Samantha, who currently stars as the Leading Lady in the THRILLER Live Tokyo tour.  Johnson says she was nervous about auditioning, but credits much of her success to her experiences in New Bedford.  A former Miss New Bedford, Johnson says that pageants helped prepare her to be “articulate, confident, and motivated.”  When it came time to perform, she also had local experience as the winner of the first New Bedford Idol competition and as a ‘Dynamite’ in the 2012 New Bedford Festival Theatre production of Hairspray.

For Johnson, traveling to London is not just an opportunity to perform – it’s an opportunity to inspire.  It’s about “spreading a positive message. Michael Jackson just wanted to spread love.  If people really listened to his music and to his message, they were anthems.  He wanted to heal the world.” Even greater than her love for music, Johnson is passionate about inspiring people and making a difference.  “I feel like for me, God blessed me as someone who can deliver a message. Part of my inspiration always comes from Michael Jackson and what I got from his messages.”  Now, by performing and inspiring, Johnson feels that this experience will help her figure out who she is and what her future holds.

Though leaving for a short while, no stardom can keep Johnson from her true New Bedford roots.  “My life is here in New Bedford.  This is where I grew up, this is what I’m used to and this is what I know.  The people I love are here.”  Ultimately, Johnson hopes that impacting others through music will lead her back home to New Bedford to do the same. “If you have a talent, you utilize that talent.”  While she doesn’t have all the answers, Johnson knows one thing.  “I know I want to work with kids. I want to make a positive impact on their life. I don’t know the label, what I would call myself, or what I want to be, but I know what I want to do and that’s inspire.”

For the next six months, Johnson will be on tour in London, rehearsing and ultimately performing three times a week as an understudy to the Leading Lady role. At the present time, the Leading Lady is former American Idol Season Two finalist, Trenyce Cobbins.  The show consists of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits and classics from the Jackson 5. Johnson will sing and dance, or as she calls it “the Michael ‘swag’.”  Just days before leaving, Johnson was both nervous and excited.  “It still hasn’t hit me.” Aside from her excitement, she states that she will miss her family and her close friends.  “There’s no way I can forget New Bedford.”

Humbled by her life at home, Johnson is ready for the exciting journey that lies ahead. With Michael Jackson’s music and a message of love, Johnson aims to inspire. “I think everyone can change their life just by changing their thoughts.”  Whether in New Bedford or halfway across the world, she says, “We all need to work together to make this place beautiful.”

To follow Marlena Johnson’s journey, visit her blog at http://marlenajohnson.tumblr.com/.

The City’s Office of Planning will host the second public meeting on the creation of a new urban park at Custom House Square.

The public is invited to join Stoss Landscape Urbanism and CDM Consultants for a presentation of the concept design for Custom House Square Park.  This community input session is intended to solicit feedback so that Custom House Square can become a vibrant space that will serve the needs of our downtown for many years to come.

Tuesday, December 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Corson Maritime Learning Center, 33 William Street, New Bedford.

For more information, please contact Jill Maclean, Acting City Planner, jill.maclean@newbedford-ma.gov. For translation services, please contact the City of New Bedford Office of Community Services at (508) 961-3136.

Welcome to our sixth installment of New Bedford Streets; A Piece of Americana. I invite you to read up on the history behind William Street, Kempton Street, Middle Street, Centre Street and Ashley Boulevard. As usual, I’d like to re-iterate the importance of reader feedback, correction, and contributions.

In the process of exploring these streets, I try to confirm or validate statements and dates by finding multiple sources. Unfortunately, if all those sources are making their statement based on an older, incorrect source, and there isn’t any dissenting information available, there’s no way to know otherwise. So by all means, please join in.

In addition, when trying to validate some statements, often there is very little to no information available. I haven’t decided which is worse – finding one source, or finding multiple sources, but not knowing if they were all based on an inaccuracy. So help from local historians, those who remember, oral histories and anecdotes handed down through the generations, people with private collections, and even know-it-alls help!

Many of the previous articles revolved around streets that required a lot of detective work, the origins were dubious, and/or when the origin was clear, the article required a fair volume of research. In the case of Elm Street, the origin is very clear and really altogether not that complicated. However, what I thought would be a simple, clear, and relatively light article to write turned out to be the opposite as it often does! It turns out there is quite a bit of history on Elm Street. In fact, too much to cover in one article. So I hope the reader will forgive me for taking liberty in cherry picking the historical moments.

Many streets are a tribute to an historical figure – mostly local, but at times national – or even hearken back to sovereign England. Sometimes the streets are named because of the street’s primary function or placement, like “Centre Street”, “Middle Street”, or “School Street.” Which, though I digress, has made me often wonder why New Bedford has no “Main Street.”

From humble beginnings
There is no mystery about the origins of Elm Street. Elm Street is one of the oldest streets in New Bedford’s history with official mention of it going back to as early as 1805, as sourced from Ricketson’s book. It was named after a particular Elm that grew on the street. It wasn’t removed when the street went up. It was respectfully allowed to stay. The street was laid and buildings were erected around it. While the Elm tree was a favored tree back then, just like the Maple is in Canada, what remains lost to history is the reason for honoring this specific elm tree so early in the city’s beginning.

Was it a landmark? Was it a favorite spot to find shade? Was it just a healthy respect for nature by the city planners? We may never know.

Elm street was at the heart of New Bedford during its first years. It shares its inception with the first streets, Union Street, Front Street, Centre Street, Water Street, etc. It wasn’t that far away from the Kempton farm and the bustling waterfront, so Elm Street played a pivotal role in the city’s growth early on. Indeed, one of the first spermaceti candle making facilities was Rodman Candleworks on the corner of Elm and Johnny Cake Hill built in 1810. This is a time when New Bedford still included Fairhaven and had approximately 5,500 people.

Elm Street was and still is a lengthy street and as it leaves the business hustle and bustle near the waterfront became a popular area for residents. People like Joseph Russell (129 Elm Street), Francis Hathaway (Hathaway Homestead on corner of Elm and Purchase), and Daniel Ricketson chose Elm Street as a residence. The MacLeod building was named after business mogul, Everett B. MacLeod who came to the city in 1805, started a retail clothing store based on a credit plan. He was so successful, and enlarged his store so many times that he simply went ahead and bought the entire block at the corner of Elm and Purchase streets.

In 1829 the Elm Street M. E. Church was set on fire, sparking riots and mob violence. This was blamed on the owners and frequenters of the infamous Ark which we detailed a few months back. You can read all about this major, fascinating event in the article The Story of New Bedford’s Arks; Of Sketchy Denizens, Mob Violence and the Hard Dig Neighborhood.

It was also a street that had a number of popular spots like the Elm Street Society of Methodists, the Empire Theater (118 Elm Street), the Lion Theater (Elm and County), Mr. Holmes’ Meeting House (Purchase and Elm), and the Elm Street Pool Room.

The Circus versus the Quakers
In the 1820s to the chagrin of New Bedford’s conservative Quakers a 6 days a week circus Buckley, Weeks & Co., opened up on the northwest corner of County and Elm Streets. The circus was so despised, and pressure from the Quakers so great, that selectmen stopped granting licenses to the managers of the circus and forced them to move towards the Dartmouth line. The conservative Quakers were against anything theatrical. Officials eventually relented and the circus continued, and the amphitheater they performed in was even visited by the New York Zoological Exhibition and a Columbian Circus.

By 1836 “The Lion Theater” replaced the circus which even ran some Shakespeare plays. Yes, Shakespeare in New Bedford! More pressure from the conservative Quakers forced the selectmen to again refuse licensing for a ten day period before relenting. In 1840, the pressure was so great that the city voted for theatrical licensing 12 in favor and 566 against. Imagine that.

The famous John Snow Stable was a popular destination before the automobile. This was located on the corner of Elm Street and Acushnet avenue in the 1840s.

Arson, Burlesque and Elvis
In 1859, an arsonist set fire to William A. Nash’s carriage factory, which spreads to Hathaway & Brother Stables causing 67 horses to be cut free and run about the city. I tried to find images of what had to have been a spectacular sight. Andrew J. Dam’s Billiard saloon and bowling alley was next to burn as the fire spread, then on to Joseph Linton and L.G. Carpenter’s blacksmith shops and a few other buildings on Mechanics Lane including the Union Boot and Shoe store and the City Guard station at Mechanic’s Hall though these last buildings were saved.

By 1922, the hold on theatrics in the city by conservative Quakers was virtually gone and the Empire Theater was built on 118 Elm Street. It originally hosted music shows, comedy acts, and dance events before the Zeitz purchased it and turned it into a movie theater ten years later. It was a popular destination for decades following and it closed its doors with its last showing of the musical film adaption of the Lerner and Loewe stage musical “My Fair Lady” starring Audrey Hepburn in 1964. It remained closed for one year, resurrected for one live burlesque performance of “Those wonderful Days of Burlesque” before closing for good.

To illustrate the change of times, on September 24, 1957 five teens got 6 months probation for hooting and hollering as they impatiently waited for Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock” to be released. I doubt we’ll see any kids get 6 months probation for hooting and hollering while waiting for the new One Direction video. Those teens who possess a criminal nature have elevated their activities just a wee bit since then.

The Elm?
So Elm Street begin with a specific tree, respectively grew around the tree as the city’s fortune ebbed and flowed, before finally being removed or dying. It may have perished when Dutch Elm disease came to the U.S. in 1931. It may have been blown down in a hurricane. Or it may have been removed by the city. I would hate to have been in the city crew that had to go and remove this connection to the city’s past if that was the case. It’s sad that the tree even had to go, and even sadder if the maxim that progress can’t be stopped won the day here. The sheer size of the tree and angle it grew at makes me lean towards a hurricane or high winds blowing it down. If you heard a story, a rumor, or know how the Elm tree of Elm street disappeared, PLEASE share!

Elm Street Timeline
1805: First mention of Elm Street in Daniel Ricketson’s book. Everett B. MacLeod comes to the city.
1810: Samuel Rodman builds his candleworks. William Rotch builds a schoolhouse here.
1828: Buckley, Weeks & Co. circus opens.
1829: M.E. Church catches fire and sparks riots, and mob violence.
1833: Sixth Street extended from Elm to Middle street.
1834: 170 Elm is erected. The oldest still standing building on Elm Street.
1836: The Customs House, now the Post Office is built. Lions Theater opens.
1837: New Bedford’s first “successful” high school is built.
1843c: John Snow stables open.
1859: Arson starts the Elm Street fire and burns almost a dozen buildings down.
1896: Wilson Stables built at 22 Elm Street.
1913: A 6,000 signature strong petition leads to the widening of Purchase street on the west side from Union to Elm by 16 1/2 feet.
1914: Another fire burns down the last horse stable in the city. The popularity of the automobile means another is not built.
1915: Current Post Office building is erected.
1922:The Empire Theater was built on 118 Elm Street. Artist and author, Normand Chartier is born from parents Ovide Chartier and Stella Rousseau.
1977: Peabody Apartments are built.
1978: Carney Academy is erected.
1981: VA Clinic is erected at 175 Elm Street.
1982: Elm Street parking garage is erected.
1983: SRTA building is erected.
1995: Standard Times Building is erected.
1998: Ernestina moved its offices from a trailer on the State Pier to the F.A. Sowle Building.

Special thanks to Spinner Publications and the New Bedford Whaling Museum for the images. I can’t say enough about the generosity and kindness they have both extended. If you enjoy these images, you are in for a real treat by visiting their websites or the Museum. They also have a gift shop and some great publications for sale that will make FANTASTIC Holiday gifts!

#1: Forbes and Sears Carriage on the corner of Elm & Acushnet Ave.from 1865 – Spinner Pub.
#2: 1934 Street scene on Acushnet Ave & Elm Street – Spinner Pub.
#3: Elm Cafe on the corner of Acushnet and Elm street – Spinnr Pub.
#4: Alanson Gammons house built in 1798 on NE corner of Elm and North streets- Whaling Museum
#5: Daniel Ricketson’s House
#6: A mule hanging out with the boys at Denny Shay’s Barroom – WhalingCity.net
#7: Fire at Naptha Clothes Cleaning Company at Elm & Cedar – Whaling Museum
#8: Corner of Elm and Front Streets – Spinner Pub.
#9: Covil’s on the corner of Elm & Acushnet Ave – Whaling Museum
#10: 1859 Fire at William A. Nash’s carriage factory – Whaling Museum
#11: Corp Brothers Welding – Whaling Museum
#12: Parker Hotel on Elm & Purchase – Spinner Pub.
#13: Corner of Pleasant and Elm Streets – Whaling Museum
#14: Purchase and Elm streets – Whaling Museum
#15: The Thomas Hathaway house, NW corner of Elm and Purchase – Whaling Museum
#16: “The Elm” – Whaling Museum
#17: Drawing of what the barns on Joseph Russell’s property looked like in 1808 – Whaling Museum
#18: Wilson Stable at 22 Elm Street before renovation – Spinner Pub

At a press conference in Yarmouth, Massachusetts today, Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard K. Sullivan Jr., awarded a Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant to the City of New Bedford for the Harborwalk Project—a project to develop a recreational pathway atop the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier that will offer scenic views of Buzzards Bay.

Mayor Jon Mitchell, who attended the ceremony and accepted the PARC grant, explained the project will add a recreational component to the utilitarian stone structure that has protected New Bedford Harbor from surging floodwaters since 1966.

“The Hurricane Barrier has protected our city well for 50 years; today we begin a new chapter in the history of the barrier as a critical public safety asset becomes a cherished recreational jewel for future generations. We are grateful that Governor Patrick and Secretary Sullivan recognize the unique potential of the City’s proposal and granted their support,” said the Mayor.

The City will use the $352,800 to fund the first phase of the Harborwalk Project which will include the installation of a 6,200 foot long walkway with lighting, seating, and hand railings.

New Bedford Harbor offers an extraordinary mix of natural, historic and cultural attractions. The Harborwalk Project will complement the city’s authentic working waterfront, lighthouses, waterfront parks and natural areas, Fort Rodman and Buzzard’s Bay.

At-Large City Councilor Brian Gomes has long advocated for the recreational use of the barrier and Joseph Lopes, Ward Six City Councilor provided a letter of support for the City’s grant application.

Construction of the New Bedford barrier began in 1962 through the cooperation of local, state and federal governments and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The barrier was built across New Bedford Harbor with the goal of greatly minimizing or eliminating the destructive effects of hurricane floodwaters. It has proved its value many times, including most recently in managing tidal surges during Hurricane Sandy.