coastalmags.com
August 2014 Vol. 18 / No. 8
the south coast
Fun in the sun AHA comes to Fall River
All welcome at Gallery X
NB’s open mic hotspot
Why chores are important
Mad about science
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AUGUST 2014
Contents In Every Issue
EXPLORING EDUCATION
4
From the Publisher
28
32
Dateline South Coast
By Elizabeth Morse Read
COVER STORY
6
AHA Fall River
By Jay Pateakos
12
Gallery X
By Joyce Rowley
22
Should kids do chores?
By Elizabeth Morse Read
Getting kids excited about science By Sean McCarthy
ON MY MIND
38
Soccer snoozer
By Paul E. Kandarian
THINGS TO DO Off-street parking (16 spaces), handicap accessible, separate zoned heating (gas HVAC), electric, cable, and city water and sewer make this downtown Fall River location a prime deal in a prime area. Walk to the courthouses, library, City Hall, Registry of Deeds and other businesses—plus it’s conveniently located near Interstate 195. Previously leased as a doctor’s office. Call now to arrange your lease:
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2
10
Indie Theaters thriving
By Michael J. DeCicco
14
Open Mic hotspot
By Sean McCarthy
FOOD NOTES
18
Outdoor dining options
By Brian J. Lowney
BUSINESS BUZZ
26
Tax a necessity
By Stephen C. Smith
30
Local authors on display
By Michael J. Vieira
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
ON THE COVER Enjoy free family fun and entertainment at AHA! Night. The August 14 event’s theme will be “A Midsummer’s Night Eve.” Turn to page 6 for more or visit www. ahanewbedford.org
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The South Coast Insider / August 2014
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FROM THE PUBLISHER August 2014 / Vol. 18 / No. 8 Published by Coastal Communications Corp.
The dog days of August are fast approaching and in a few
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Ljiljana Vasiljevic
short weeks school will be back in session.
Editor Derek Vital
Take advantage of the remaining summer days to get out and get involved in the various activities your community
Online Editors Paul Letendre Contributors Michael J. DeCicco, Tom Lopes, Brian J. Lowney, Sean McCarthy, Elizabeth Morse Read, Jay Pateakos, Joyce Rowley, Stephen C. Smith, Michael J. Vieira The South Coast Insider is published monthly for visitors and residents of the South Coast area. The Insider is distributed free of charge from Mount Hope Bay to Buzzards Bay. All contents copyright ©2014 Coastal Communications Corp.
has to offer. This weekend, the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament celebrates its 100th anniversary. A number of events are on tap which showcase the Portuguese culture and history. The feast promises to be a popular attraction for people of all ages. I encourage you to take in the festivities. AHA New Bedford has been a must-see event for more than a decade. Thousands flock to downtown New Bedford to view the entertainment. Fall River has put its own spin on the AHA concept. Learn more about it in Jay Pateakos’ article on page 6.
Deadline 20 days prior to publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means, without written permission from the Publisher. All information contained herein is believed to be reliable. Coastal Communications Corp. does not assume any financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements, but will reprint that portion of an advertisement in which the typographical error occurs.
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Address The South Coast Insider 144 Purchase Street • PO Box 3493 Fall River, MA 02722
Are you just learning how to play the guitar or have you been an accomplished musician for most of your life? Do you want to see how an audience reacts to your performance? A great way to start out in the music industry is to participate in an open mic night. One of the most popular open mic’s is hosted by Café Arpeggio in downtown New Bedford. Sean McCarthy’s shares the secret to their success on page 14. What Café Arpeggio provides for aspiring musicians, Gallery X is the equivalent for struggling artists. Learn more about the gallery’s history and its upcoming show in Joyce Rowley’s story on page 12. As always, we thank our sponsors who make it possible to provide you with the information and entertainment located in our magazine.
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August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
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Insider / August 2014 4/11/14
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COVER STORY
An AHA moment by Jay Pateakos
Even though there’s the ability to lean on officials from a nearby gateway city for tutelage, putting on a major new event isn’t exactly easy. Just ask the people who first put AHA New Bedford on the map way back in 1999. Fast-forward to June 2014, and you have Fall River hosting its inaugural AHA event. In the planning stages for years, the festivities kicked off on June 21. Event organizers hope it will evolve into a seasonal-and maybe eventually monthly arts and entertainment show. With the push of former Fall River Councilor and local attorney Dave Dennis and his wife Sandy, along with a host of volunteers and artists, Fall River could certainly benefit from the exposure that has helped make the New Bedford event go from a few dozen participants to thousands each month.
Growing in popularity Affiliated under the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts like its New Bedford counterpart, Lee Heald, director of AHA New Bedford, said the New Bedford event has spawned seven others like it in places like Pittsfield, Fitchburg and 6
AHA New Bedford has become a wildly popular event that routinely draws thousands of people to the downtown area.
Somerville. But like any new thing, AHA New Bedford took its time on the path to success from its early beginnings. “It’s a family friendly, open and free event that will be a great thing for the Fall River community,” said Heald. “But we couldn’t have seen, with writing that first grant 15 years ago, what it would become. That first event in July of 1999, we had 267 people and we thought that was exceptional. It was a Thursday night and places like the Whaling Museum had never seen anything like this. We were thrilled. Now, it we don’t see at least 2,000 people at the event, we’re surprised.” A collaboration between local and regional arts and cultural groups with the Massachusetts Cultural Council and local education groups, Heald said the idea took off because people believed in redefining what an arts and cultural community is. They were determined to work through mistakes
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
to find what fit their community platform mold.
A new twist With a totally different demographics than New Bedford, AHA Fall River is planning some unique options for its events. Their first event’s theme was “Let there be light”, which focused on the history of lantern making in the area, as well as the community’s ties to the Underground Railroad. Activities included free books for children, performances from musicians at the Berklee College of Music and an economic development component. “We’re going to start out seasonally, planning to do another in the fall, winter, spring and then summer again and in a year or two, when it grows like it did in New Bedford, we can expand the program,” said Dave Dennis. “The whole idea here is to create a connection of arts and cultural Continued on page 8
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districts on the South Coast between New Bedford and Fall River, where while we are focusing locally, at the same time we are also thinking regionally. The best part is with an event like this, we don’t have to start from scratch.” Dennis said the inaugural June 21 AHA Fall River event was a wonderful success with an estimated 350 to 400 attending. He said AHA Fall River’s steering committee is meeting in early July to debrief and initiate planning for the September AHA. “AHA Fall River will be keeping to its seasonal schedule through the spring of 2015 and will reevaluate its programming then to decide if there is an opportunity for more frequent events,”said Dennis. “The consensus among the partners, AHA New Bedford, Community Foundation and AHA Fall River, is that there is a demonstrated need for more quality programming and the concept is very sustainable with the goal of creating a corridor of arts and culture on the South Coast.”
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Heald, who has been helping Fall River through the process, said Fall River is also using the event to spearhead economic development initiatives by also providing tours of vacant buildings and storefronts they hope will one day be taken by entrepreneurs and businesses that believe in the city and its mission. “The 195 corridor will certainly benefit from this and from our point of view, this is a regional strategy that will greatly benefit gateway cities like Fall River,” said Heald. “Fall River has such a great cultural district and great attractions like Battleship Cove and the Marine Museum along with its manufacturing history. It would be a great thing for all of us.” Heald said much of the reason for AHA New Bedford’s success can be attributed to the collaboration within the community. Many people chose to volunteer their time. Bands and other
Fall River started its own version of the AHA series this summer, with future events scheduled every season.
entertainment performed at a discount or waived their customary fee to get people to attend. Meri Jenkins, Program Director at the Massachusetts Cultural Council, said the amazing thing about events like AHA New Bedford is that event coordinators and volunteers, who nearly outnumbered participants at its inaugural event, could have simply thrown in the towel after the slow start. But instead, they continued to tweak the event, gain more insight and eventually began hitting on the right notes each successive month. Jenkins said events like this are attempts to get people out to see what’s going on in their community-revisit old haunts and see what new places have to offer. Restaurants should stay open and although they may not get a huge influx of new customers that first night, they eventually will, she noted. In Lynn, like what Fall River is currently experiencing, there were a number of empty and vacant storefronts in their downtown. City leaders asked realtors to open up these places for people to see, to imagine opening a business in the downtown. And it worked. While many events like these are based on a lot of trial and error, Jenkins said Fall River can use a pretty extensive New Bedford history to get to where they want to be much quicker. “Fall River has the energy and the commitment to turn the mistakes others have made into something that’s uniquely Fall River,” said Jenkins.
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Community involvement a key Heald said events like AHA New Bedford and Fall River are funded through grants from the Community Foundation, sponsorships, dues from partners and corporate support as well as a good deal of in kind donations. This kind of collaboration is really the only way to make something like this a reality. Despite some signs of an improved economy, money is still not flowing like it once was and groups need to be creative in finding funding streams for events such as these. Funding shortfalls have caused a number of festivals and initiatives in the South Coast to cease over the last few years. But there’s hope, that with community buy-in on events that not only promotes the art and culture of the area, but put a spotlight on a city’s downtown and the economic development it so needs to thrive, that events like AHA will continue for many years to come. For more information visit www. ahanewbedford.org or follow at Facebook.com/AHAFallRiver
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The South Coast Insider / August 2014
9
THINGS TO DO
Indie options by Michael J. DeCicco
Providence’s two independent/foreign film theaters, the Cable Car Cinema and Cafe and the Avon Cinema, differ in terms of size and style but not in product. “I don’t think we’re in competition
with the Cable Car,” said Richard Dulgarian, Avon’s co-owner with his brother Kenneth. “The Cable Car is more of a looser, laid-back experience. Neither is out to grab the latest ‘Spider Man’ movie heading for the multiplexes. Our movies have complex issues, with endings that are not clear cut.”
Avon still thriving
The Avon Cinema, located on 260 Thayer Street close to Brown University, is larger and older than the Cable Car. It’s an old-style Art Deco theater with elaborately-decorated walls and a screen framed by an ornately crafted proscenium arch. The Dulgarian brothers’ grandfather opened the Avon in February of 1938 as a movie house that only played independent and foreign films. Its 10
Wikipedia listing notes the building first housed the Toy Theater in 1915 but had been turned into a parking garage when the Dulgarians bought it. In the mid-70s, Richard and Kenneth Dulgarian’s father took note of comments from Brown University students that they only came to the Avon four times a year. So he changed to a repertory format under which the films being shown were changed more often and were all old, classic films. In the 1990s, the Avon changed back to the independent and foreign film format. Last year, it celebrated its 75th anniversary. “We’ve cultivated our audience for 75 years,” Richard Dulgarian said. “Our audiences are people used to thinking about the film they’ve seen. They come here because of our track record for showing quality
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
films. Half are the college crowd, the other half is the general public who like films that make them think.” He said one unique aspect of the Avon is that it attracts followers of directors with their own style like Woody Allen and Wes Anderson to whatever films these directors release. These films are almost pre-sold. Not coincidentally, the theater’s most recent, biggest draw was Wes Anderson’s “Grand Budapest Hotel”. The film played at the Avon around eight weeks, a record time for one film. “If we depended on the college crowd, we’d starve in the summertime,” Dulgarian said. “We also see moviegoers who remember coming here in the 70s and like that it’s basically the same as they remember it. They like the comfort in the familiarity of that.”
He vividly recalled the time the infamous blizzard of 1978 couldn’t keep moviegoers away from the Avon. “The day of the storm, I barely got home safely,” he said. “The next day, I had nothing to do. So I walked from my Providence apartment to the theater. We still had power but no projectionist. For six days, I ran the projectors myself. A lot of people had cabin fever. We were very busy.” Ironically, one of the movies playing at the time was “McCabe and Mrs. Miller”, in which a character is freezing in the snow.
Resurgence of the Cable Car
The Cable Car, a small storefront-style building on 204 South Main St., opened as a movie theater and cafe in 1976. In its previous life, it too had been a garage. Current owner Daniel Kamil said the business’s name came from the fact someone was working on a cable car in the garage when the building was sold. Kamil and his wife Emily Steffian bought the business in 2008 and completed major renovations in 2010 that included new lighting, new couches, a new mural depicting the old days of cable street cars and new cafe food. “We had sold our movie business in Westerly, R.I.” he said. “I was going to graduate school. We heard it (the Cable Car) was going to close. We thought it was important that it continue to say open.” They quickly addressed what needed changing. “It needed new energy,” Kamil said. “It got stale. We changed the program a bit. They used to run things after they were at the Avon. We wanted more identification apart from the Avon. We improved the cafe menu.” The cafe manager for the past five years has been Cinti Icittidino, who grew up in Sicily and has managed other cafes. “She makes the best cappuccino in town,” said Kamil. What he likes best about running a movie house
of this kind is that it’s a community-oriented theater that shows all kinds of films from independent to some that might play at the multiplexes. His audience is heavily populated by Rhode Island School of Design students and others in the Providence student population. The hard part about running a theater like the Cable Car is that nowadays it is fighting for the audience that can just go on their cell phones to watch a film. Recently, Kamil and his wife had to replace the theater’s 35mm projector with a digital projector with a hard-drive video system. “It replaced a 100-year-old technology,” he said. “But it was either convert or close your doors. The positives about the new technology: it means a clean, clear picture and sound, and it doesn’t break down.” Movie ticket sales comprise 30 percent of his revenues. Cafe receipts are 60 percent. The other 10 percent comes from rentals for private parties for non-profits, fund raisers and local filmmakers. Plus, every February the Cable Car hosts the Providence French film festival, which is now celebrating its 20th anniversary. Kamil said he sees the competition between the Cable Car and the Avon as friendly, but he added, “They (the Avon) get all the big films that make more money. We get everything else. They are bigger, which gives the distributor the opportunity to make more money. There have been times when we wanted to show a film but they got it before us.” Dulgarian said he sees no competition in the movie theater business as a whole. “In this business, there is room for everything,” he said. “I like the adrenalin rush of a multiplex movie too. If I want to get excitement I’ll go to a multiplex. People come to the Avon for quality, thought-provoking films.” For more informations visit www.avoncinema. com or www.cablecarcinema.com
UPCOMING EVENTS August 3, 2-4pm Tom Goux returns with the New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus. FREE and open to the public. August 15, Noon-3pm Lighthouse Day at the Marine Museum… Help solve a mystery! Cost: $5 per child, with a maximum payment of $25 per family September 18 The Marine Museum hosts ABC6 Meteorologist Steve Cascione, FREE and open to the public– refreshments served.
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The South Coast Insider / August 2014 CL, ad seaside 6-13 1
11 6/11/13 1:26 PM
COVER STORY
marks the spot By Joyce Rowley
“Some people say, ‘You’re group accepts anything,’ and we say, ‘Yes, we do and we’re proud of it!’,” Chuck Hauck said while putting the finishing touches on the 25th Annual Public Hanging exhibit at Gallery X on William Street in New Bedford. The Public Hanging allows everyone and anyone who wants to show their work a place on the walls of Gallery X—it is all inclusive. As a result, the exhibit is an eclectic mix of paints and pencils, mixed media and mobile abstractions. “It shows that there’s a strong local artist community,” said Sue Hauck, Gallery X executive director and Chuck’s wife of eight years. Both Haucks are artists: he’s a sculptor of the mixed-breed animals of his imagination. Sue works in acrylics and in mixed media and makes jewelry. Both value the community of artists who flow through their doors.
Public Hanging #25
Hauck and John Nieman, a visual artist and musician, curated the art show this year and as co-founders of Gallery X, it represents their 12
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
dedication to the social experiment that is part art gallery, part community gathering place and long-time urban artist colony. The gallery started out in 1990 on Spring Street in an empty space behind the Star Store between the YWCA and the Zeiterion as the “Spring Street Art Alliance.” Sitting around at a local watering hole one evening, Hauck, Nieman and other artists realized what the street needed was an X; after all, it had the Y and the Z. Hence the name—Gallery X. “At the time there were no contemporary art galleries in the city. People lined up out the door for the first Public Hanging,” Hauck said. Hauck and Nieman, like many of the early contributors to the X, received their bachelors of fine arts from the Swain School of Design in New Bedford. “This is a free-for-all show. It’s the one everyone gets their paints out of the closet for,” Chuck says. “It’s a good show to see other artists,” says Sue who notes there are more than 100 artists in this show. “We’ve got a lot of new faces hanging. The whole idea is for them to be encouraged, to see the improvement in their work.”
mailings for shows. They also sit on the Board of Directors. In addition to Hauck and Nieman, the Board includes Lori Bradley, one of the South Coast Insider’s frequent contributors, Patricia Gomes who was recently appointed New Bedford’s Poet Laureate, Caitlin Aitchison who heads up membership and Fitz Lamarre who handles the marketing of shows. And of course, members helped prepare the Public Hanging. It takes about seven to eight people to put up the 130 or so pieces of artwork.
From historic church to art gallery
The Gallery X moved to 169 William Street, a historic building that started out as the First Universalist Church in New Bedford in 1855. “It certainly has gone through a lot of lives over the years,” Hauck said. From First Universalist it became the Pilgrim United Church in 1932; then to the Temple Sinai in 1968 and then the Douglass AME Zion Church in 1979. Gallery X moved to the church in 1995 and purchased it in 1998. The gallery still has four pews, but Hauck and
We’ve got a lot of new faces hanging. The whole idea is for them to be encouraged, to see the improvement in their work. This year’s Public Hanging includes work in the Haucks’ collection from notable members who’ve passed on: Joseph Alexander, a former instructor at the Swain School of Design, ceramicist LaDonna “Donny” Johnson, David Loeffler Smith, former director of Swain School of Design, and Darrell Dwelley, who was a member for many years. One of the newer members, Elvin Ramos, is also a New Bedford Police Officer and New Bedford resident. Ramos stopped by to adjust a cubist-influenced portrait of his daughter titled “All that Jazz.” “It took a lot of time, but it was fun,” said Ramos. “Painting is relaxing.” Ramos said that he had been an artist all of his life, working in almost all media from acrylic to pencil. This is not his first hanging. His work has been shown at the Ugly Gallery, YouthBuild, and the police station during AHA! Nights.
Members run gallery
Gallery X’s 40 or so members are not members in name only—they sit at the gallery during open hours, help hang or curate exhibits, and do monthly postings on the website and bulk
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Nieman had to remove the rest to keep the artwork area open. The original stain glass windows from 1855 were beautiful, but the sunlight through the colored glass affected the lighting on the artwork. Rather than remove them, they were simply covered up on the inside. “It will probably return to being a church someday,” Hauck said. In 2002, Gallery X received a grant to install an elevator for accessibility. Members did their part by building the ramp to the elevator in the lower floor entrance to the Frederick Douglass Room. Hauck, who also does historic restorations on many of the city’s historic buildings, restored the steeple, the exterior and put “over 50 coats of paint” on the interior of the church. The Public Hanging opened on July 12 and will continue until the closing party on August 30. For more information on the artists and their work, visit www.galleryx.com. Gallery X hours are Wednesday through Friday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Gallery is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is free and open to the public. Visit www.galleryx.org or call (508) 992-2675
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The South Coast Insider / August 2014
13
THINGS TO DO
A decade of beautiful
music
Dave Conlon performs at Open Mic Night at Café Arpeggio in downtown New Bedford.
By Sean McCarthy
Denn Santoro Photo
It was an unorthodox idea that worked— take an event that is almost always held late at night in dark bars and try it in a clean, well-lit sandwich shop and make it free of charge. Ten years later that approach is a bona fide success. On Thursday, September 11th, Café Arpeggio, at 800 Purchase Street in downtown New Bedford, will celebrate the 10th year anniversary of its weekly Open Mic—a significant achievement for an event of its kind. “This event is a novelty,” said Tom Allen, a New Bedford singer/songwriter who has been performing for 27 years. “Most Open Mics last a year at best.” The event’s longevity is attributed to three factors—a seasoned and personable host, a warm and friendly atmosphere and an audience that attends with the intent of listening to the performers. 14
If you’re going to perform then you want people to listen, and if you’re just getting started then you want a warm, welcoming audience. These are two of the most attractive elements for Open Mic performers. Held every Thursday night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., the event allows a solo performer or a small group of musicians the chance to play three songs. The songs can be ones that are written by other artists, ones that they have written themselves or a combination of the two. Each Thursday night may have upwards of 15 performances. Each night is eclectic. There is a range of instrumentation, genres, ages, as well as a mix of ability.
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
The host with the most
But if you ask anyone why the Open Mics have been so successful, everyone first points to host Art Tebbetts. The New Bedford resident is not only a talented singer and guitar player, but he congenially handles the microphone between acts, sometimes using humor, sometimes talking up the next performer. “Art is the consummate emcee,” Allen said. From the beginning, Tebbetts has been flanked by Denn Santoro, 57, of Rochester, who is the soundman and occasionally steps into the host role. “Art really knows how to put a show together,” Santoro said. “He tries to figure out who’s going to sound good after somebody else. It becomes
A lot of open mics allow the performer one or two songs, but here you get three. It really allows the musician to hit their stride. experiences for younger artists,” Tebbetts said. “It’s a lot easier playing guitar on your bed than it is standing in front of a microphone and people that you don’t know. But you’re not going to get a friendlier atmosphere than Café Arpeggio. Our regulars come almost every Thursday and they want to see you do well, they want to see you succeed. It’s a real nurturing environment.” “From the start I was encouraged by the audience,” said Anthony Savino, a New Bedford native who began performing at the Open Mics six years ago at the age of 15. “I was inspired to come back. I learned a lot about how to
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something that flows nicely. Art’s a really good entertainer and he makes the shows fun. A lot of open mics allow the performer one or two songs, but here you get three. It really allows the musician to hit their stride.” “Art’s a master of his craft, he puts a fun spin on things,” said performer Roscoe Lewis, 42, of New Bedford. “I enjoy playing this room because it reminds me that music can be fun. When I perform at these Open Mics I want to have a smile and make smiles.” And for Tebbetts, one of his favorite elements of the Open Mics is watching young people grow up and mature as performers before his eyes. “Open Mics can be learning
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The South Coast Insider / August 2014
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Continued from previous page perform and I gained confidence.” “I remember Anthony as a kid who didn’t quite have a handle on things and now he’s touring solo throughout New England and New York,” Tebbetts said. “A young girl named Molly O’Leary started out playing incredibly soft and quiet, but now she’s really got some chops. She knows what she’s doing and she’s going to be on stage this year at this year’s Summerfest (folk festival).”
Though most of the performers play acoustic guitar, some performers have played ukuleles, dulcimers, pianos, mandolins, fiddles, and bowed psalteries. George Brilhart of Fall River occasionally shows up with his guitar and uses his three songs to serenade his wife sitting in the audience. Jay Michaels of Freetown plays Celtic Harp with The Harper & The Minstrel, which pairs him with wife Abby. They play Arpeggio’s Open Mics four-to-five times a year. “We’ve played a lot of noisy venues and when we play at Arpeggio’s the crowd is respectful,” Jay said. “With an instrument like the harp people have to be quiet to appreciate it, which makes that room a nice place to play.” But many times the virtue of the Open Mics isn’t who’s on the stage, but who’s listening to them. “One of the special things is the regulars,” Allen said. “They’re an attentive audience. Nobody’s made to feel intimidated.” There are no alcoholic beverages at Café Arpeggio. Instead there is coffee and tea, iced tea, iced coffee, juice, soda and water. They not only offer sandwiches and soups, but they also have many options for pastry,
Art Tebbetts
cookies and ice cream. The room is full of tables and chairs, though it is occasionally standing-room-only. The performers and audience benefit from a quality sound system. This is the fourth Open Mic that Tebbetts has hosted. He started in the mid-90’s at the Irish Immigrant (now Kirby’s) in New Bedford for a year followed by Liam Maguire’s in Falmouth for less than a year. He then spent a
There’s always a great crowd and people of all ages performing … it’s good for the city. 16
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
couple of years at the Hardware Café in Marion. When Café Arpeggio owner Rob Gould was looking for a host for his Open Mics, most of the recommendations were to select Tebbetts. Doug Mills, 55, of Mattapoisett has been coming to the Open Mics for three years. He feels the welcoming atmosphere at Cafe Arpeggio is a major draw for the performers and audience members. “There’s always a great crowd and people of all ages performing,” he said. “It’s good for the city.” “One of the nice things is the diversity,” Michaels said. “You can get a first-time performer as well as a professional. You never know who’s going to drop in and that’s pretty cool.”
Denn Santoro Photo
Wide range of instruments
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FOOD NOTES
The new outdoor patio garden at Tipsy Toboggan.
Outdoor dining at its best By Brian J. Lowney
Summertime and the livin is easy. It’s the perfect time to enjoy outdoor dining on the South Coast.
W
One of the region’s hottest new spots for delicious seafood and outdoor dining is the Palmer River Clam Shack and Dairy, located on the banks of the
scenic Palmer River in Rehoboth. The eatery is the dream of Benjamin and Denise Benevides of Bristol, who wanted to create a seafood restaurant for their daughters, Jody Benevides-Marshall and Lia Benevides, who co-own the bustling eatery. After years of hard work, that dream became a reality a few weeks ago, much to the joy of appreciative customers who flock to the shack for delicious chowder, homemade stuffies, clam cakes, seafood specialties and a variety of refreshing frosty treats made with Bliss Brothers ice cream.
“Our dad invented the clam cake recipe,” offers Benevides-Marshall, adding that only the four immediate family members have the recipe for the clam cakes, which are smaller in comparison to those offered at other seaside shacks, yet sweeter and chock full of clams. The cakes are sold by the container; a full order contains more than a dozen of the succulent seafood specialties that always seem to evoke pleasant childhood memories of happy summer days spent at the shore. According to Benevides-Marshall, the best sellers at the new restaurant are
Palmer River Clam Shack and Dairy 14 Fall River Avenue Rehoboth, MA (508) 557-0383 palmerriverclamshack.com
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Tipsy Toboggan 75 Ferry Street Fall River, MA (508) 567-0550 thetipsytoboggan.com
hether you opt to enjoy lunch in an urban garden oasis, or savor a lobster roll or seafood entrée on the deck of a coastal restaurant with a lovely water view, the region is filled with unlimited opportunities for al fresco dining during summer and early fall.
New kid on the block
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August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
clam cakes, whole belly clams, scallops and delicious chowder, available in New England (white), Manhattan (red) and clear varieties. “All of our seafood is fresh,” she adds. “It took a long time to find a lobster vendor,” Benevides-Marshall reveals, adding that lobster rolls, available in two sizes and prepared with either mayonnaise or drawn butter, are also very popular lunch and dinner choices. During a recent visit, I enjoyed the chowder and clam cake special, served with a sliced of cool watermelon, while my brother liked his fish and chips, a generous serving of fresh fish prepared in a light batter. As an added bonus, I savored a delicious spicy “Vavo” Portuguese-style homemade stuffie. Made from a secret family recipe, the appetizer is full of fresh chopped quahogs and chourico. Diners who wish to eat outdoors can sit at picnic tables set under a tent and appreciate tranquil views of the river. The picturesque location has become a haven for kayakers and ornithologists who are drawn by the vast number of shorebirds that visit the area.
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Enjoy the ‘secret spot’ For visitors to Fall River, an urban oasis awaits in the beautiful garden at the New Boston Bakery. “It’s very popular outside,” reports Jim Souza, bakery owner. “As soon as the weather gets nice, people want to eat outdoors or in the sunroom.” Guests who choose to dine outdoors have a choice of either sitting on the patio or in the garden, tucked away from the noise of a busy city street and filled with lush greenery and colorful blossoms that Souza carefully cultivates. “We wanted to create a place where people will feel they are out of the city,” Souza tells, adding that many regular customers refer to the garden hideContinued on next page
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New Boston Bakery is one of the few Fall River establishments that offer outdoor dining.
Continued from previous page away as “the secret spot” because it’s tucked in back of the building. During the warm weather, Souza and Chef John Kandalaft offer a refreshing summer menu that includes cold soups, crisp salads, and mouth-watering fruit pies, filled with nature’s bounty. “We try to bring in a lot of summer fruit,” Souza continues, adding that many guests enjoy a delicious slice of strawberry-rhubarb or blueberry pie for dessert. On a recent visit, many guests were enjoying watermelon gazpacho topped with crumbled Feta cheese or a cup of Maryland crab chowder. In addition to sandwiches, New Boston Bakery also serves several creative paninis, including the always popular Thanksgiving panini, filled with sliced turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy.
Hot Tip in Fall River For guests who enjoy an evening cocktail and delicious appetizers under the stars or sitting by a roaring fire, head for the Tipsy Toboggan. The Fall River restaurant offers nightly entertainment and an amazing menu
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
featuring salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches and a variety of tempting entrees that include bacon-wrapped meatloaf, sweet chili salmon, fish and chips and lobster fettuccine. Once the sun sets, why not enjoy the Fireside Fondue, a spicy cheese dip seasoned with tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and ancho chilies, served with crispy Naan bread. For a trendy treat, Tipsy Toboggan offers fried pickles—piquant dill pickles breaded and fried until crispy, accompanied by the restaurant’s popular avocado ranch dressing. One of the most popular summer crowd pleasers is the Berry and Warm Goat Cheese Salad, featuring mixed greens, sliced strawberries, fresh blueberries and walnuts, topped with warm almond biscotti-encrusted goat cheese and served with raspberry vinaigrette. End your spectacular meal with a sweet ending such as the Baked Apple Tart, or if you are a true dessert connoisseur, enjoy the Chocolate Sequoia —chocolate mousse infused with orange liqueur, wrapped in a luscious chocolate bark and crowned with a golden chocolate leaf. Take one bite and you’ll think you’re in heaven!
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The South Coast Insider / August 2014
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COVER STORY
To chore or not to chore? By Elizabeth Morse Read
With the invasion of “helicopter parents” in the past few decades, the ones who hover and fuss and do everything but breathe for their children, there’s been a growing debate about whether or not children should be burdened with doing household chores. What with all their homework and soccer and piano lessons and “quality time” with Mom and Dad, today’s kids are supposedly too stressed out to make their beds. As a result, we have a lot of clueless 20-somethings who expect everything in life to go their way, all because they’ve been told they are gifted and exceptional and destined for great things. But in a tight job market, few employers want to hire people like that—they aren’t team players, they whine, they’re not self-starters, and they expect automatic pay increases just for showing up. They are whizzes at everything digital, but they have trouble prioritizing or looking at the big picture in real time. They crumble when faced with constructive criticism. Many live with and/or are supported by their family after they graduate, and some pout on Facebook whenever life throws a curveball. They’ve grown up in a bubble, a fairy tale universe we created—and they are not adapting too well to the real world. 22
Doing everything for your children is not good for them. Sweeping aside any and all obstacles or challenges is not good for them. Micro-managing and over-advocating is not good for them. Children should learn about “work/ chores” at the same age they learn language. It’s a survival skill.
“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” These words were spoken (repeatedly) by my live-in grandmother (b. 1898), who worked 5½ days a week in the Lancashire textile mills after she was pulled out of third grade. Her Dickensian perspective on the “should children do chores?” debate was very
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
different from my post-WWII BabyBoomer perspective. We were the coddled beneficiaries of our Depression/WWII parents, who desperately wanted economic stability and personal prosperity for us. But the “teachable moments” got garbled somehow. We became neurotic, micro-managing helicopter parents, deflecting all obstacles, decision-making and sweaty labor for our children, and thereby making them dependentfor-life on us. Oops. There’s an old Chinese proverb that if you give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day, but if you teach a man to fish, he’ll eat for a lifetime. And so it goes with children doing chores. If chil-
Not only in America… Apparently, “children-and-chores” is not just an American issue. Right now, the Spanish Parliament is debating a family-law amendment, called “the rights and duties of children.” The proposal states that children must help clean the house, respect their teachers and do their homework. How do you say, “Are you serious??” in Spanish?
dren are included in basic family life every day, they’ll become self-reliant and confident young adults capable of surviving and thriving on their own. If the grown-ups don’t have the time or patience to teach them these skills, children grow up to be bewildered young adults afraid to leave the nest, physically, emotionally and financially.
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Why children need chores Humans are social animals who need to belong to and be accepted by the pack—the family. Children are more emotionally secure when they feel like they’re “part of the team.” Asking a three-year old to carry the forks to the dinner table invites him to hang out with the big people. It is a parent’s responsibility to “socialize” their children; to teach them every day how to become functional, capable young adults in the larger community. Instilling a “work ethic” doesn’t mean preparing a child for a particular career—it means preparing them to survive on their own after childhood. But, under most circumstances, American children don’t “work” until they’re 16 years old. U.S. child labor laws make exceptions if a child’s family owns a farm or a store or a restaurant—in other words, a “family business.” Whether it’s collecting the eggs or stocking the bread shelves or bussing the tables, children in many families do age-appropriate “chores” for the family’s greater good. If they don’t learn about the value and rewards of “working” within a group from an early age, children become psychologically-disconnected and socially-dependent young adults. By 16 years old, it’s too late. By then, they’ll associate “working” with making money for themselves outside of the family, not with sustaining the family’s well-being.
Learning is a “chore” Children everywhere learn some form of table manners, whether it’s how to use chopsticks in Asia, or Continued on next page
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The South Coast Insider / August 2014
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Continued from previous page switching the knife and fork in the U.S. or belching at the table. They learn how to eat socially by imitating the big people. Doing family chores is learning how to work socially. During the school day, children are expected to participate, work in groups, complete tasks, and keep their desks and common areas tidy. Teachers don’t do their students’ homework —they teach them how to do it on their own. Kids learn real fast that if they don’t perform or behave properly at school, the teacher doesn’t give positive feedback, praise or rewards. By the same token, parents shouldn’t do their children’s housework, any more than they should do their children’s homework or cut up their food when they’re 10 years old. Parents should be including children in daily family life as soon as they can sit up, urging them to try age-appropriate tasks and activities, letting them learn gradually how to take care of themselves and get along with others.
Teach your children well Chores are the necessary household duties that keep a family healthy, prosperous and safe—shoveling snow, uncluttering the bathroom, making grilled-cheese sandwiches for younger siblings. No one person can nor should shoulder everything that needs to be done for everybody else, no matter the family size or income. Teaching children to work within the family every day is not exploitation, child abuse or a form of slave labor. When children do family chores, it’s like they’re learning to pay their dues to the club, and choosing to put the group’s needs ahead of their own wants. If children aren’t taught to do chores, they’re cut off from the rest of the tribe in a fundamental way. Their social survival skills are stunted. For the rest of their lives, their ability to cope within groups beyond their immediate family (i.e., schools, teams, jobs, neighborhoods, marriages) can be permanently impacted. No parent would deliberately pre24
Chores are the necessary household duties that keep a family healthy, prosperous and safe—shoveling snow, uncluttering the bathroom, making grilled-cheese sandwiches for younger siblings. vent their child from learning how to dress himself, or to tell time or to use the toilet. So, no matter how noble the intentions of “helicopter parents,” preventing children from learning basic “how to survive after childhood” skills is tragically-misguided thinking. Children need to do chores. But they must be coached every day—they aren’t born knowing how to sort laundry by color or how to set a table. So, the great debate is not so much that American children don’t have enough time to do chores—it’s because their parents don’t have enough wisdom, time or patience to teach them how (and why) to do chores.
Teachable moments Just like with learning a second language (remember struggling to learn French in high school?), the earlier children learn to do chores, the more fluent and accent-less they will be. In other words, “working” every day and being a team player becomes second nature. Chores can’t suddenly be “imposed” on older children (or ever, ever used as a form of punishment), especially after kids hit puberty. They’ll definitely get the wrong message from that “teachable moment” and it will turn into a sitcom battle royale. Start early. Chores teach children patience and impulse control. (“You know what’s gonna happen if you stick that fork in the toastuh? And clean up all those crumbs on the floor when you’re finished—what? I don’t care whose
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
crumbs they all belong to!!”) Family chores create bonds between siblings, which builds networking and negotiating skills. (“Hey, Donnie—I’ll trade ya raking the leaves today for washing Mom’s car this weekend! Okay, okay—I’ll drive ya to the mall, too.”) Taking care of family pets teaches children empathy. (“Da-a-ad! The puppy just peed on my homework!! Duh—of course the puppy was on the floor. Oh—you mean where was my homework?”) Performing regular daily chores instills a child with a sense of responsibility to the family. (“But those aren’t my dirty clothes on the stairs, Ma! Can’t Nana just walk around them??”) Children develop self-esteem and pride in their accomplishments when they successfully complete a chore. (“I won’t get a scholarship to Harvard by polishing the silverware, Mom. Can’t we just do Thanksgiving at a restaurant this year??”) Doing daily chores teaches kids about delayed gratification and better time management. (“If you expect to use the car tonight, young man, you’d better finish cleaning your room. Oh – your SAT tutor’s on the way over? And after that you’ve got hockey practice?”) Household chore duty teaches children about sharing and caring. (“Eeeuuuw! MOM! Chrissie wore my new T-shirt without askin’ me first! Make her do my laundry tomorrow, not me!”)
Volunteer at WaterFire, August 9 & 21
Newport Yachting Center hosts concert series
Jamie Schapiro
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olunteering is very much at the heart of the WaterFire experience. Not only do volunteers help create the art that people come from far and wide to see, they are also an integral part of the welcoming sense of community that has greeted visitors for years. Volunteers assist in every aspect of event production, from early morning build all the way through to break down at the end of the night. Extra hands and friendly faces are not just needed during the WaterFire event itself, but throughout the day leading up to the first spark of flame. Assist behind the scenes during the day, in addition to creating the magic at night. For a more detailed description of various WaterFire volunteer activities, visit www.waterfire.org
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ocated on the waterfront in the heart of historic downtown Newport on America’s Cup Avenue, the Newport Yachting Center serves as host for a concert series which has several performances remaining this summer. The scheduled performers include 3 Doors Down on August 1, Boz Scaggs on August 6, Gregg Allman with special guest Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band on
August 10, Josh Turner on August 14, the Beach Boys on August 16, Alanis Morrissette on August 21, Blues Jam featuring the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band on August 31 and Chris Young with special guest Courtney Cole on September 20. In addition to the Newport Concert Series, the Newport Yachting Center will host the 5th annual Newport Waterfront Reggae Festival featuring reggae legend Freddie McGregor along with John Brown’s Body, Mighty Mystic, Etana, New Kingston and Soul Rebel Project on August 9 and the 3rd Annual Newport Celtic Rock Festival headlined by Gaelic Storm, Eileen Ivers, Black 47, Tartan Terrors, CelticaPipes Rock! and the Fighting Jamesons on Saturday, August 23. For more information, please visit www.newportwaterfrontevents.com
Kids science program at Natural History Museum
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he Marion Natural History Museum’s Summer Program is an educational science-based program with an emphasis on our coastal environment, and is one of the most well known and well regarded in the South Coast area. Children from across the country visit us each summer and participate in the program. All families are encouraged to register their children as early as possible as they fill up quickly! Session registration is limited to 15 children per session. For more information visit www.marionmuseum.org. (left) The Marion Natural History Museum’s Coastal Exploration groups explored the ecosystems of saltmarshes and rocky intertidal shores on Planting Island in Marion.
The South Coast Insider / August 2014
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BUSINESS BUZZ
Big picture thinking By Stephen C. Smith
There is no free lunch. We intuitively know what those words mean, but we hear them so often that we no longer digest their import. This November, when we enter the voting booth, we will be asked to consider a ballot question for which those words are very fitting. We will be asked if we want to repeal indexing of the gas tax to inflation. We will be offered the illusory “free lunch” with a yes vote. We need to say NO to the ballot question because…repeat after me…there is no such thing as a free lunch. If we want something, we have to pay for it. It’s that simple. And we all want safe roads and bridges. 26
How it works We now pay a tax every time we fill up at the pump. If gasoline costs $3.77 for a gallon of regular (current average), 24 cents (6.36 percent) goes into a fund to pay for transportation projects. This ranks us 21st highest in the nation; fifth highest in New England. Considering how much transportation infrastructure we have to maintain and how much more we need, 24 cents is a bargain. When the legislature enacted a three cent gas
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
tax increase last year, they added inflation indexing so that the gas tax would not be fixed regardless of circumstances—it would change based upon inflation. The cost of gasoline responds to inflation. The cost of automobiles responds to inflation. The cost of road improvements responds to inflation. The cost of steel to repair bridges responds to inflation. But we’re being asked to vote to tie our hands and not allow funding for safer roads and
bridges to respond to inflation. Does this make sense? Proponents of the ballot question will claim that we can’t trust the government to spend the money wisely or even on transportation. Not true—the gas tax is dedicated for that purpose only. They’ll claim that we can compensate for this loss of funds by rooting out corruption and inefficiency in their favorite whipping boy, the transportation bureaucracy. In reality, we could fire every MBTA and MassDOT employee in
the Commonwealth and it would be a drop in the monetary bucket compared to our enormous transportation needs. What are those needs? Ubiquitous potholes don’t fill themselves. Fifty year old bridges don’t magically shed their rust. Traffic isn’t going to suddenly disappear from congested roadways. South Coast Rail won’t build itself. To be more specific, this measure will cost the Commonwealth a minimum of $1 billion in lost revenue over 10 years. Factor in matching federal funds and leveraged bonding and the funding loss could rise to $2 billion.
especially during the holiday shopping season. It is both old and an obsolete design. Replacement will not come cheaply. The Route 140—Route 24 interchange and the Middleboro Rotary are two other regional traffic choke points that need fixing immediately. Replacement of the New Bedford-Fairhaven Route 6 bridge will create enormous economic opportunities in the upper harbor. Another costly project. There are of course many transportation dollars already on the table, and the repeal would take away only a fraction of what is already available. But to do what
Transportation investments are investments in our economy and in future jobs. Regional impact What could the state do with $2 billion? Build South Coast Rail, for one. If our region votes to repeal the indexing of the gas tax, it will give opponents of South Coast Rail a powerful argument to eliminate this project from future state spending. South Coast Rail aside, we still have enormous regional needs that must be paid with state funds. The Fall River spaghetti ramps project will be a great boon to the city, but is not happening for free. Ditto the conversion of Route 79 to a boulevard. The Faunce Corner Bridge over I-195 in Dartmouth is a major traffic bottleneck,
needs to be done—to complete just the projects listed here—there is not enough in the kitty, so shrinking the pot would make it even more difficult. Transportation investments are investments in our economy and in future jobs. To invoke a different overworked cliché into the mix, repealing indexing is the classic example of “penny wise and pound foolish.” So let’s enjoy our lunch, but let’s also be willing to pay for it. It’s not free. Stephen C. Smith is the Executive Director of the, Southern Regional Planning and Economic Development District
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The South Coast Insider / August 2014
27
EXPLORING EDUCATION
“Jolting Jonathan” and “Laser Leigh” show what happens when Diet Coke and Mentos are combined
Mad about science By Sean Mccarthy
Some students may not like school but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to learn. Mad Science knows how to tap into young people’s innate love of learning with the effective and entertaining approach of “have fun.”
The group puts on a variety of mesmerizing presentations, paired with opportunities for interaction with their young audiences. They may think they’re actually watching a magic presentation. For 12 years Mad Science has been stirring up passion in young people from the tip of Cape Cod to Southeastern Massachusetts and throughout Rhode Island. In this time they have performed before more than 200,000 young people. “We want to show kids that science isn’t just a boring book,” said Mad Science owner and Chief Scientist “Atomic” Allen Converse. “Kids learn by doing. At our events they have a lot of fun and they learn something along the way. We call it 28
edu-tainment.” Mad Science’s actual name is Mad Science of Southeastern Mass and Rhode Island. They are one of a group of national franchises. The Fall River-based group includes 10 educators who bring their love of science to children from kindergarten to sixth grade, dazzling them with performances that exhibit the many facets and wonders of science. “Kids are a lot smarter than most people give them credit for,” said “Jolting” Jonathan Breindel, who has been with Mad Science for more than seven years. “What we do is a performance and we try to make it as dynamic and exciting as possible. We want kids to get interested and involved
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
and ask questions.” “Kids will do amazing things when their interest is sparked,” said “Cyclone” Cyndi Brunelle, who has been with the program for five years. “When they get engaged in what you’re doing their eyes light up. We inspire them to learn.”
Hands-on learning
And while the group does shows on a vast multitude of subjects, a few examples of the fun the students have includes building their own rockets, playing with “magic mud,” creating indoor thunder and lightning storms, voice altering, and making their own fossils based on the teeth of a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
And that’s only a sampling of the fun. For 11-year old Samantha Sculley of Wareham, the Mad Science experience made a significant impact on her young life. After attending shows at the Little People’s College as a child, she developed a passion for science that produced results in the classroom. After becoming a member of the Engineering Club at Wareham Middle School she was presented with the Madam Curie Award for excellence in the sciences. “Mad Science definitely inspired her love of science,” said mother Eileen Sculley. “We’ve seen her grades improve because of it. After a Mad Science demonstration on rocketry, she spent the weekend researching the subject and when she returned to the next performance she wanted to continue experimenting with rockets and seeing the different results she could have.” Ten-year old Hannah Lafrance of Westport has had three Mad Science Birthday Parties, where a member of the organization performs a show for the children in attendance at their own house. Each presentation used different subject matter based on the ages of the children. When Hannah was six the party taught them how to make a bracelet of glow-in-the-dark beads. When she was eight they learned how to make cotton candy, and this past March they demonstrated how human beings can conduct electricity. Sarah Strange of Fall River celebrated her seventh birthday in May with a Mad Science Birthday Party. She was already familiar with Mad Science, having attended performances at Holy Name School. “She’d always come home with some kind of toy or souvenir from each class,” said mother Jessica Kozak. “With each class they covered a different subject having to do with science. Sarah would get out of bed every Thursday and she’d already be excited for that days’ Mad Science class,” Kozak said. “She’d come home very excited about what she learned that day.”
Adults impressed
A common comment for adults in attendance at a Mad Science performance is how successful the event is at keeping the children’s attention, sometimes for up to an hour. The three most common performances by Mad Science are “Fire & Ice,” “Up, Up and Away,” and “Marvels In Motion.” “Fire & Ice” utilizes the Scientific Method to make paper disappear, float objects in mid-air, create a Bubble Shower and create a fog storm. “Up, Up and Away” is a presentation that dem-
onstrates the power of air pressure by floating a hot air balloon above their heads, crushing a soda bottle, blowing out candles from 10 feet away and demonstrating a hovercraft with volunteers. “Marvels In Motion” uses Newton’s Laws of Motion to showcase gravity and centrifugal force to turn a cup of water upside down without spilling a drop, and making other objects defy gravity.
From camps to classrooms
In the course of a year, Mad Science conducts a variety of events—After School Programs, Summer Camps, In-Class Workshops, and Pre-School Programs. After School programs have students working closely with the instructor to explore a variety of science topics through experiments, activities and discussion. Children take this learning and make their own rockets, periscopes, and Mad Science putty. Summer Camps lets children become junior scientists, discovering chemical reactions, build rockets and participate in their launch. They will also inspect security systems, spy equipment, and forensic tools used in actual real crime scene labs. Preschool programs use water, weather and worms, along with animals and butterflies to capture the creativity of young children who perform simple science experiments. “They do it all,” said Maria Reidy, a fourth-grade teacher at Carney Academy in New Bedford which has hosted numerous Mad Science shows. “They take learning to the next level. They get the kids excited, participating asking questions and thinking outside the box. It’s very energetic and interactive. And they’re willing to work with the curriculum of the schools.” Mad Science has performed before groups as small as four and five youths, and they recently did an event at Worcester Polytechnic Institute for nearly 800 people. “Anywhere there’s kids gathered we’ll do a show,” Converse said. “We’ll go to schools, libraries, malls, fairs, campgrounds, wherever.” And Mad Science will come to you, which means no transportation is necessary, no volunteer chaperones or waivers need to be signed. They use professional lesson plans, unique equipment and animated instructors. “We want young people to see how science is all around us,” Converse said. “We want them to see how planes fly and boats float. We want them to see science in their everyday lives. We want to spark learning.” The organization’s website is www.SouthernMass.MadScience.org and their phone number is 508-679-0081.
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The South Coast Insider / August 2014
29
BUSINESS BUZZ
South Coast books By Michael J. Vieira
First, the local bookstores vanished and then, the chains disappeared. So where’s a reader interested in South Coast stories and authors to go?
New history for old town
For tens of thousands of years, the area now known as Wareham has served as a summer home—first for the native people and later for thousands of visitors attracted to its more than 50 miles of shore. But the town was also a key player in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. It was a center for industry at various times noted for salt works, shipbuilding, ironworks, nails and cranberries. Traffic snarled through its center when Wareham truly was the “Gateway to Cape Cod,” until the extension of routes 195, 495 and 25 moved the tourists to the highway. This year, the town celebrates the 275th Anniversary of its incorporation. Events included parades, outdoor celebrations and more. In addition, South Coast resident Michael J. Vieira authored a history of the town for History Press that was released in time for the anniversary. “It tells the facts, but also showcases the people who’ve made the town great,” Vieira said, “Starting with the Wampanoags, including the English settlers, and honoring the Cape Verdeans and other cranberry pickers, the book tries to be inclusive.” A Brief History of Wareham: The Gateway to the Cape is available online from historypress. net, on Amazon, and elsewhere including Annie’s Unique Boutique in Somerset. Along with the book about the Nimrod by J. North Conway and Jesse Dubuc, as well as selections from other local authors, go to Readmore Books in Taunton, Titcomb’s in Sandwich and other book stores in the region. 30
The easy answer is Amazon and other online outlets, but there are still some good local places to shop. Readmore Books in Taunton on Route 44 is a treasure chest of new and used volumes—and, if you’re willing to travel a bit, Titcombs Book Store on Route 6A in Sandwich is a gem, glistening with antiquity but welcoming to new authors. In nearby Rhode Island, there’s Barrington Books. New Bedford is home to Subtext Bookshop and Dartmouth’s Baker Books lives on mostly on the Internet, but maintains a “bricks and mortar version” on McCabe Street. Heading to Cape Cod? The mall there still has a Barnes and Noble that provides a place to get a real book to bring to the beach. But even if you can’t find a bookstore, can you find a local book? The answer is, “yes.” There are publishers willing to print stories about the people and places that we call home, and the books are available for purchase on their websites.
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider Mike Vieira takes a look at his book
at Barnes and Noble in Cape Cod Mass. Photo by Audrey T. Vieira.
Who you gonna call?
For stories about local ghosts and maritime disasters, there are quite a few books to explore. Michael J. Tougias has published quite a few and is a frequent speaker in the area. One of his most recent, focuses on the rescue of the Bounty. A replica of the famous ship that for a time called Fall River home. It sank during Superstorm Sandy. Edward Lodi has also written a number of books that recorded the stories of the region. His books, published by Rock Village, recounted murders at Anawan Rock and local spots. The History Press has also published a series of books on ghosts, including one by Tim Weisberg called Ghosts of the SouthCoast, others that focus on Newport and places on Cape Cod. There’s also A Guide to Haunted New England by Thomas D’Agostino which includes a look at the
long-dead sailors who haunt the Charles Morgan, the New Bedford whaling ship now in Mystic, CT. It recently brought its crew—both dead and alive—back to the South Coast on its first sail in many years. The Images of America series by Arcadia Publishing are fairly well-known for their local histories which provide lots of pictures and some text. In the South Coast, books have focused on Battleship Cove, Fall River, Somerset, Tiverton, Westport, Swansea, Rehoboth and Dighton, New Bedford, Seekonk, Wareham and other localities.
Words about Wareham
The History Press has also provided a series of local histories. Among those is A Brief History of Wareham, penned by this writer, which was published just in time for the 275th anniversary of the incorporation of the town. (see sidebar) As part of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the attack on Wareham during the War of 1812 by the HMS Nimrod, a British vessel, local authors J. North Conway and Jesse Dubuc recorded that dramatic tale, which was also published by The History Press. Conway’s book, The Cape Cod Canal, also received renewed attention this year as the path through the Cape celebrates its 100th anniversary. It’s just one of several books published by The History Press about Cape Cod—its shipwrecks, murders, and towns. Just as this issue went to press, Arcadia Publishing announced the acquisition of The History Press Inc., a wholly owned U.S. based subsidiary of U.K. based The History Press Ltd, in a private sale. The deal creates the largest publisher of local and regional books in the U.S. with a staggering combined total of more than 12,000 titles available for sale. Arcadia is committed to maintaining the creative aspects of both businesses and will keep existing brands entirely separate. In a message sent to Arcadia and History Press employees, Arcadia Publishing CEO Richard Joseph noted, “The combination of Arcadia Publishing and The History Press creates the largest and most comprehensive publisher of local and regional content in the USA. “By empowering local history and culture enthusiasts to write local stories for local audiences, we create exceptional books that are relevant on a local and personal level, enrich lives, and bring readers closer—to their community, their neighbors, and their past.” And that’s good news to the readers and writers of the South Coast.
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The South Coast Insider / August 2014
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DATELINE: SOUTH COAST
News, views and trends... from Mount Hope Bay to Buzzards Bay by Elizabeth Morse Read
August is peak season on the South Coast for local foods, nighttime events, boating, free music and outdoor living. Enjoy it all now before the kids go back to school! The FLICKERS Rhode Island International Film Festival is scheduled for August 5 through 10 at various venues throughout the state. For more info, visit www.film-festival.org.
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Across the region Yeehaa! Finally, the South Coast Rail project has moved from the never-ending planning stage to the “design-and-build” stage.The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will be awarding $210 million in construction contracts. Stayed tuned…
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Pending approval, Massachusetts residents will enjoy a summer sales tax holiday August 16 and 17.
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n Be amazed by Waterfire in downtown Providence on August 9 and August 23. For info, visit www.waterfire.org.
The minimum wage in Massachusetts is slated to rise to $9/hour in 2015, $10/hour in 2016 and $11/hour in 2017.
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Here we go again… the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has extended the deadline for applications for a commercial gaming license in the South Coast until December 1.
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A lone beluga whale has been wandering the Taunton River as far north as Dighton recently. Normally, beluga whales travel in groups of 10 or more in the arctic regions.
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The provisionally-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in Fairhaven, Taunton and Plymouth will not be opening this summer, due to rulings by the state’s Department of Public Health. The licensing application process has been re-opened for Bristol County. Stay tuned…
Head for the Newport Yachting Center for the Waterfront Concert Series! There’s 3 Doors Down Acoustic August 1; Boz Scaggs August 6; Gregg Allman August 10; The Beach Boys August 16; Bill Cosby August 17; and the Celtic Rock Festival August 23. For complete details, go to www.newportwaterfrontevents.com or call 401-8461600.
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The UMass Board of Trustees has granted a freeze on tuition and fees for the second consecutive year.
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Pack a picnic for the Sunset Music Concert Series at the Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery through September 13. For complete information, go towestportrivers.com or call 508-6363423.
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Wareham voters rejected a $4.5 million Proposition 2½ override, and extensive cuts to town services and personnel are effective immediately. The Council on Aging has been largely defunded; the Onset library has been shut down and the main library is now open only three days a week. The town’s police, school and municipal maintenance departments are facing serious cutbacks… Stay tuned.
Calling all cyclists! Gear up for the 8th Annual Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride from Horseneck Beach in Westport to Woods Hole on October 5. To register, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org.
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Check out the 22nd Annual Onset Blues Festival on August 2. For info, visit www.onsetbluesfestival.com. Don’t miss the Newport Jazz Festival August 1 through 3 (call 401-848-5055 or visit www.newportjazzfest.net ) or the Newport Waterfront Reggae Festival August 9 (call 401-846-1600 or visit www.newportwaterfrontevents.com).
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August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
A double-header!! Get ready for the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost in Fall River on August 21 through 25! For details, visit www.grandesfestas.org or call 508-675-1368. And don’t miss the 100th Annual Feast of the Blessed Sacrament at Madeira Field in New Bedford July 31 through August 3! For info, call 508-992-6911 or visit www. portuguesefeast.com.
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The 9th Annual Slocum Challenge Regatta on September 27 will be organized by the Lloyd Center for the Environment in Dartmouth. To register now, go to www.lloydcenter.org.
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Groovy! Relax at free weekly “Summer of Love” Concerts at the Bandshell in Wareham’s Onset Village through the end of August. Don’t miss the Street Painting Festival and the Illumination and Lantern Tour, both on August 16. For complete details, visit www.onsetbay.org or call 508-2957072.
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Enjoy the bounty of South Coast farms, farmers markets and roadside stands—to find fresh local foods near you, visit www.semaponline.org or www.localharvest.org. Get in line for the Local Food Fest at Castle Hill in Newport on August 5. Learn more at www.farmfreshri.org.
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If you’re 50 or older, check out the day trips sponsored by the New Bedford Senior Travel Program—there’s the Shoji Tabuchi Show at Mohegan Sun on August 20, Carnival Time in Provincetown August 21, Essex River Cruise in Rockport on August 27, Yakov Smirnoff at Foxwoods September 17, the Springfield Fair September 24. Plan ahead for the Adirondack Balloon Festival at Lake George, NY September 19 through 21. Call 508991-6171. Contact the Fairhaven Senior Center about the Niagara Falls & Toronto trip September 15 through 19. Call 508-979-4029.
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Attleboro Take the family to “Dinner and Movie at the Zoo” on August 20 at Capron Park Zoo! To learn more, visit www. capronparkzoo.com or call 508-2223047.
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Bristol Experience pre-Industrial Age life at the Coggeshall Farm Museum, rated the “Best Living-History” farm in Rhode Island by Yankee Magazine. To learn more, visit www.coggeshallfarm. org or call 401-253-9062.
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If you’re a boat-lover, don’t miss the Herreshoff Marine Museum, home to the America’s Cup Hall of Fame. Learn more at www.herreshoff.org.
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Buzzards Bay
on September 5. Dartmouth’s 350th Birthday Parade starts at the Middle School on September 7. To learn more, go to www.dartmouth350.org, 350@ town.dartmouth.ma.us, or call 508984-1359. The 9th Annual Slocum Challenge Regatta on September 27 will be organized by the Lloyd Center for the Environment in Dartmouth. To register now, go to www.lloydcenter.org.
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Happy 50th Birthday, UMass Dartmouth!! The college’s Accelerator for Biomanufacturing facility in Fall River will now be jointly-overseen by the UMass Medical School in Worcester —the medical school already works jointly with similar initiatives at UMass Lowell. UMass Dartmouth’s College of Nursing received a $1.25 million gift from National Public Health Service Rear Admiral Julia Plotnick, a native of Fall River.
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The state’s Cultural Council has awarded $30,000 to the Lloyd Center for the Environment. Visit www.lloydcenter.org or call 508-990-0505.
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Celebrate the Cape Cod Canal Centennial through August 3. For a complete schedule of events, visit www. capecodcanalcentennial.org. Watch the 31st Annual Buzzards Bay Regatta August 1 through 3. For details, go to www.buzzardsbayregatta.com.
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Dartmouth Dartmouth is celebrating its 350th birthday, and there’s a full schedule of activities and events this summer. The Dartmouth Grange will hold a free Community Fair at Patrons Hall
Fairhaven Don’t miss the Feast of Our Lady of Angels in North Fairhaven August 30 though September 1. Call 508-9900502 for details.
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Meet your friends on Saturday mornings at the Oxford Book Haven and Café at the Church of the Good Shepherd in North Fairhaven. Fresh soups and desserts, used books on sale, board games. To learn more, visit www.goodshepherdfairhaven.com or call 508-992-2281.
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All aboard!!!
Check out the new EJ’s New York Deli & Butcher Shop, Restaurant and Bar on Rt. 6, across from CVS Plaza. Call 508-996-3500 or visit www.ejsrestaurantanddeli.com.
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The South Coast will soon have its own distinctive theme park—“Thomas Land” at Edaville USA Railroad in Carver, scheduled to open in summer 2015. Thomas the Tank Engine theme parks exist in the United Kingdom and Japan, but the 11-acre amusement park in Carver will be larger and will be the only official “Thomas Land” in the USA. For more info, do to www.edaville.com or call 508-866-8190.
Fall River Get ready for the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost on August 21 through 25.
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seasonally. Stay tuned!
feast.com.
For details, visit www.grandesfestas. org or call 508-675-1368.
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Thanks to a federal initiative, Fall River’s public schools may soon offer free lunches to all public school students, just as New Bedford has planned.
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UMass Dartmouth has moved its international students’ program to the Cherry & Webb building in downtown Fall River.
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Step into the colonial past on Sundays at the Lafayette-Durfee House in Fall River. Go to www.lafayettedurfeehouse.org or call 508-813-8230.
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St. Anne’s Hospital has entered into an agreement with Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence to provide specialty pediatric services.
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Blount Clam Shack & Soup Store of Fall River was recently highlighted in Yankee Magazine as having the “best soups.” Learn more at www. blountretail.com.
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Sign the kids up for Camp Quequechan through the end of August. Call 508—675-7841, 508-996-9622 or go to www.ymcasouthcoast.org.
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The Narrows Center for the Arts has a great line-up. There’s Dom Flemons August 8, the free 2014 Narrows Festival of the Arts on September 7, Tom Rush September 13, John Mayall September 20—and more! For a complete schedule, visit www.narrowscenter. com or call 508-324-1926.
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New Bedford’s highly successful AHA! (Arts History Architecture) monthly events will soon see an offshoot program in Fall River, starting
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Marion Watch the 31st Annual Buzzards Bay Regatta August 1 through 3 from the Beverly Yacht Club in Marion. For details, go to www.buzzardsbayregatta. com.
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Marion’s Mike Wyman, a recent grad of Old Rochester Regional High school, finished the mile at 4:08:7 and placed fourth at the 2014 New Balance Outdoor Nationals, becoming ORR’s first-ever male All-American athlete.
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New Bedford Take advantage of the daily NB Line Shuttle around the Whaling City through August 31. Adult day passes $1; children free. For route info, go to www.nps.gov/nebe/planyourvisit. html.
For the first time in almost 50 years, the Whaling City Festival at Buttonwood Park was cancelled, due to lack of vendors and corporate sponsors.
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Cheers! The Lady Bears softball team at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School won their first Division 3 state championship.
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Head for the free Summer Sound Series concerts on Fridays at City Pier through August 15. For a complete schedule, go to www.destinationnewbedford.org.
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Congratulations! New Bedford High School’s robotics team placed second at the national competition in Mississippi.
The historic First Baptist Church in New Bedford has partnered with Your Theatre, bringing the theatre troupe downtown and making possible the restoration and preservation of a city landmark.
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Head for the 100th Annual Feast of the Blessed Sacrament at Madeira Field July 31 through August 3! “Blood, Sweat and Tears” will be one of the headliner bands. For info, call 508992-6911 or visit www.portuguese-
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All hands on deck! Battleship Cove harbors the largest collection of preserved U.S. Navy ships in the world. The fleet includes five National Historic Landmarks. Learn more at www. battleshipcove.org or call 508-678-1100.
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The State’s Cultural Council has awarded $1,000,000 in grants to New Bedford-area organizations: for instance, $500,000 to the Whaling Museum, $30,000 to the Rotch-Jones Duff House and Garden Museum, and $20,000 to Your Theatre.
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
Yet another merger in New Bedford —the South Coast Chamber Music Society has merged with the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra. For details, go to www.nbsymphony.org.
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Another significant cultural/educational merger is in the works – New Bedford’s Buttonwood Park Zoological Society and the downtown Ocean Explorium. Stay tuned…
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New Bedford’s pioneering Gallery X is celebrating its 25th birthday! Check out the annual “Public Hanging” open exhibit through August 31. For details, visit www.galleryx.org or call 508-9922575.
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Enjoy free “Thursday Evenings in the Park Concerts” at the Whaling National Historical Park Garden through August 28. Call 508-996-4095 x 6105 or got to www.nps.gov/nebe.
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Check out Zoo Night at Buttonwood Park Zoo on August 22. Enjoy the best
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Onset Cape Verdean Festival, August 9 Head for the Onset Cape Verdean Festival on August 9—free parking at the Hines and Lopes Fields parking lots! The program starts at noon and goes continuously until 6:00 p.m. The music of Cape Verde has a beat similar to the familiar Salsa in the U.S. Cape Verdeans love to dance and once the music begins, they will not stop dancing until the music ends….no matter how old the person may be. Cape Verdeans have their favorite foods and everyone who attends the festival seems to thoroughly enjoy these dishes. For more info, call 508-789-8726 or visit www.onsetcapeverdeanfestival.com.
of local cuisine at “Feast in the Wild” on August 14. For tickets, call 508-9914556 x 13. Register kids 5-10 for “Zoo Crew” summer programs, too. For complete info, call 508-991-4566/6178 or visit www.bpzoo.org. Don’t miss all the free crafts and activities for children through August 21 at the Whaling Museum. For complete info, go to www.whalingmuseum.org or call 508-997-0046.
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Enjoy free family fun and entertainment at AHA! Night. The August 14 theme will be “A Midsummer’s Night Eve,” and the September 11 theme will be “Festa, Fiesta, Fete: Celebrate New Bedford Cultures.” Go to www. ahanewbedford.org or call 508-9968253.
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If you’re a fan of Americana and roots music, check out the monthly Salon Concerts at the Wamsutta Club, sponsored by Wepecket Island Records. There’s Sherman Lee Dillon August 2 and the Hot Tamale Jazz Band September 6. For details, go to www. wamsuttaconcerts.com.
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It’s all happenin’ at the Z! There’s “The Sound of Music” through August 3, Night Ranger August 20, DooWop 10 Summer Spectacular August 23, Jake Shimabukuro September 16. Call 508994-2900 or visit www.zeiterion.org.
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Step back into whaling-era past at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum in New Bedford. Call 508997-1401 or go to www.rjdmuseum. org. Spend some time exploring the unique New Bedford Museum of Glass. Visit www.nbmog.org or call 508-9841666. Check out the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum on the waterfront. Free, open daily. www. forttaber.org.
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Enjoy Neil Simon’s “Broadway Bound” at Your Theatre September 11 through 14 and 18 through 21. For more info, go to www.yourtheatre.org or call 508-993-0772.
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There’ll be “Summerfest” at New Bedford’s Madeira Field on August 23, sponsored by the Prince Henry Society. For info, go to www.princehenrysociety.org.
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Newport Don’t miss the Newport Jazz Festival August 1 through 3 (call 401-848-5055 or visit www.newportjazzfest.net ) or the Newport Waterfront Reggae Festival August 9. Call 401-846-1600 or visit www.newportwaterfrontevents.com).
Head for the Newport Yachting Center for the Waterfront Concert Series! There’s 3 Doors Down Acoustic August 1, Boz Scaggs August 6, Gregg Allman August 10, The Beach Boys August 16, Bill Cosby August 17 and the Newport Celtic Rock Festival August 23. For complete details, go to www.newportwaterfrontevents.com or call 401-846-1600.
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Get in line for the Local Food Fest at Castle Hill in Newport on August 5. Learn more at www.farmfreshri.org.
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Plan on visiting the Museum of Yachting at Fort Adams State Park. Go to www.moy.org. Board the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, Rhode Island’s official “Tall Ship,” too. Visit www.ohpri.org.
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“Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” is playing at the Newport Playhouse through September 14. “Harris Cashes Out” will play September 18 through October 26. Go to www.newportplayhouse.com or call 401-848-7529.
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There’s also the free “Sunset Thursday Concerts” at Fort Adams, now through September 4. Learn more at www.fortadams.org.
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Plymouth Plan a day-trip to Plymouth! (It’s not just for Thanksgiving anymore) Experience the Pilgrim past at Plimouth Plantation (www.plimouth.org or call 508-746-1622); visit Pilgrim
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Mark your calendars… n September
11 Newport International Boat Show If you’re a boater, don’t miss the Newport International Boat Show at the Newport Yachting Center on September 11. Visit newportwaterfrontevents.com or call 401-846-1600.
n September
19-21 Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival
Plan ahead for the East Coast’s premiere Wine and Food Festival at the Newport Mansions on September 19 through 21. Visit newportmansionswineandfood.org for more info.
Hall Museum (www.pilgrimhall.org or 508-746-1620), Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II while you’re there, too!
Portsmouth Greenvale Vineyards presents its 15th Annual “Saturday Jazz Series” in the testing room. For a complete schedule, visit www.greenvale.com or call 401847-3777.
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Providence Be amazed by Waterfire in downtown Providence on August 9 and August 23. For info, visit www.waterfire.org.
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Rochester Take the family to the Rochester Country Fair August 14 through 17. For complete schedule, visit www.rochesterma.com
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27 & 28 Working Waterfront Festival
Don’t miss the free Working Waterfront Festival on Fisherman’s Wharf in New Bedford on September 27 and 28. For more info, call 508-993-8894 or visit workingwaterfrontfestival.org. n October
5 New Bedford Seaport Chowder Fest
Somerset selectmen have hired a law firm to investigate the possibility of bringing a resort casino to town.
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There’ll be a ribbon-cutting opening of the new Somerset-Berkley High School on August 25.
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The United Methodist Church will host an Arts & Crafts Show on August 23. For more info, visit www.somersetunitedmethodistchurch.webly.com.
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Chow down at the New Bedford Seaport Chowder Fest October 5 on Pier 3, with live music and children’s activities. Call 508-9902777 or visit downtownnb.org. n October
11 Fairhaven’s Harvest Fun Day
Take the family to Fairhaven’s Harvest Fun Day and Scarecrow Contest on October 11. For details, email fairhaventours@aol.com or call 508-979-4085.
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August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
Footlights Repertory Theatre will present “Nunsense: Amen!” at the Swansea Grange Hall in August. For details, go to www.footlightsrep.net or call 508-674-9354.
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Taunton The provisionally-licensed medical marijuana dispensary in Taunton (or in Fairhaven or Plymouth) will not be opening this summer, due to rulings by the state’s Department of Public Health. The licensing application process has been re-opened for Bristol County. Stay tuned…
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Tiverton Tiverton school officials are seriously considering abolishing February school vacations starting in 2016.
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The Tiverton Four Corners Arts Center offers free Wednesday films at the Meeting House. There’ll be concerts, food trucks, events and exhibits all summer long. For details, go to www. fourcornersarts.org or call 401-6242600.
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Somerset n September
Swansea
The Sandywoods Center for the Arts will present Forever Young on August 1, Aine Minogue August 2, Jen Chapin August 22, the Magnolia Cajun Band September 6—and more! Go to www. sandywoodsmusic.com.
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22nd Annual Onset Blues Festival The Onset Blues Festival returns on Saturday, August 2 in the heart of scenic Onset Village—overlooking the harbor. The Festival includes a food court and nearly fifty merchandise vendors. Tickets are $20 and are available online at www. onsetbluesfestival.com or at the Onset Bay Association office at 4 Union Avenue in Onset.
Wareham Groovy! Relax at the free weekly “Summer of Love” Concerts at the Bandshell in Onset Village through the end of August. Don’t miss the Onset Street Painting Festival and the Illumination and Lantern Tour, both on August 16. For complete details, visit www.onsetbay.org or call 508295-7072.
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There will be non-stop events in Wareham this summer. Go to www. wareham2014.com. Hines Field in Onset will offer free public parking on most weekends, as well as free shuttle service to the beaches.
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1160 County St. • Somerset, MA 508-679-9301
Don’t miss the Cranberry Coast Concerts! There will be Jazz Trio August 9, and the musical “Always Remember” on August 29. For more information, visit www.cranberrycoastconcerts. com or call 508-491-8888.
(Rt. 138 next door to MaRaffa’s)
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Sewing & Quilt Show Saturday, August 30 10:00am - 4:00pm
Somerset United Methodist Church Hall 841 Reed Street, Somerset, MA
Wheeee! Yankee Magazine recently rated Water Wizz of Cape Cod in East Wareham as the best family water park around. Call 508-295-3255 or go to www.waterwizz.com.
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Check out what’s onstage at Buzzards Play Productions in East Wareham. Call 508-591-3065 or visit www.buzzardsplayproductions.com.
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Warren Head for 2nd Story Theatre in Warren! “Freud’s Last Session” runs through August 3, “And Then There Were None” to August 29, and “Hay Fever” run through August 31. For details, call 401-247-4200 or go to www.2ndstorytheatre.com.
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Westport Pack a picnic and head for the Sunset Music Concert Series at the Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery through September 13. For complete information, go to www.westportrivers.com or call 508-636-3423.
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ON MY MIND
Soccer a sn zer By Paul E. Kandarian
As far as I can tell, the World Cup is over. Then again, it still may be going on, with one team still trying to get from one end of the field to the other (Fun fact: A soccer field is twice the size of Rhode Island). I’m not a soccer fan, or “football,” as the rest of the world calls it, or what we average Americans like to refer to as “Watching Paint Dry.” But I take nothing away from the athleticism of the sport. These are world-class, highly trained athletes who, from what I can tell, also dabble in acting. I say this because in the few minutes I actually did watch before I realized this was like watching baseball’s agonizingly slow crawl and changed channels, I noticed some fine acting at work. Player A, for example, would come close enough to player B to actually be in the same time zone (Fun fact: Soccer fields span four time zones) and while no contact was made, player B went down like he’d been gut shot by a cannon and writhed around the field like a bad actor in a death scene from a 1930s gangster movie. This is a major reason I don’t like soccer. Players dive better than Greg Louganis. And if the refs do inexplicably call a penalty for such horrific overacting, they do it by flashing red or yellow cards.
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These colors are very important, apparently signifying different levels of egregious behavior. I looked stuff up (Fun fact: You can look up all sorts of stuff about soccer on the Internet, but none of it makes the sport more interesting), and for example, a yellow card is flashed if a player is “guilty of unsporting behavior,” while a red card is for stuff like spitting “at an opponent or any other person.” Seriously? Spitting is a foul in soccer? Don’t many of these players come from countries where spitting on people is the national sport? And what’s with “any other person?” So you can’t run off the field and spit on other persons? Jeez, they’re so strict. If a team gets a penalty, the other team gets a penalty kick, which is a free shot on goal from 12 yards away. Or 36 feet. Or 10.9 meters. Or in measurements of those annoying plastic instruments often heard blaring from the mouths of 521,038 crazed soccer fans in a stadium that results in a throbbing low monotone bleat that occasionally calls in herds of nearby
August 2014 / The South Coast Insider
elephants, roughly 18 vuvuzelas. So a guy is lined up a scant 18 vuvuzelas away from a soccer net. Which is eight feet high and 24 feet long. And he kicks. And occasionally misses. Something that is about 200 square feet huge. OK, so I’m not a soccer player, but really, how can you miss something that big (Fun fact: In the off season, soccer nets are used by the Japanese to trawl for whales)? It’s like hitting golf balls into the ocean. But they miss, or hit the post. Or the goalie stops them. I firmly believe no goalie on earth can react to a kick that close to him, so it’s pretty much practiced guessing at that point. He reads the kicker’s body language, positioning, where his feet are, the echoing of vuvuzela sounds off his body, anything and just dives the direction he thinks the shot is going. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. Which raises another point. Near as I can tell, the goalie is the only player on the field that gets hit brutally hard with a fast-moving object and they never
seem to go down like they’ve been gut shot by a cannon. Why is that? Are goalies a tougher breed? I say yes, because I play goalie in ice hockey, where my net is a scant three-by-two vuvuzelas, and the puck is a helluva lot harder than a soccer ball. But soccer goalies are tough. I read that U.S. goalie Tim Howard has played with dislocated fingers and broken bones. If a non-goalie soccer player sustained injuries like that, an international tribunal would be convened. Something else I don’t get. The U.S. team won one in four games yet were in contention to win the championship? Huh? You fail 75 percent of the time yet you have a crack at the title? What is this, youth sports where your team sucks but everyone gets a trophy? And time. If time expires in a tie
game (Fun fact: A soccer game takes one Saturnian year to play, or 10,832 Earth days), they randomly add time to the clock. And keep playing. Until that herd of elephants clears the stadium. But all of it seems to have inspired soccer mania in America. Or so says the media. They aired a news report from World Cup coverage in 1994, where the average American was asked about soccer and they went “Huh?” They updated it this year and asked the average American about soccer and they went, “Yes, that’s the sport where crazed fans blow those annoying plastic tubes.” I tell ya, American interest is skyrocketing! Maybe I should try playing. I’m also an actor and can play that part of the game perfectly. Especially if somebody hits me in my vuvuzela.
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At Brandon Woods, We Love What We Do! We take pride in the care and support we provide to our residents and families on a daily basis. It's nice to hear back from our families on the reasons why they love us, too!
COMPASSION “I wanted to share with you the outstanding attention and care my father received on 2 South. I cannot begin to say enough about Ms. Susan Plante and her staff. My father came to Brandon Woods from South Coast Hospital Group at 8pm on Saturday September 21, 2013. From the moment he arrived, he was cared for, not treated but truly cared for. This made a huge difference for him and for me, his only child as he entered into the process of passing. When Ms. Plante came on duty Monday morning, she sought me out as soon as I came onto the unit to see my dad. She held a conference with me in private to prepare me for the transitions my dad would be making and how she and her staff would support this to ensure care and comfort as was my dad’s wish. We had one small bump in the road with his care on an evening shift and Ms. Plante addressed it immediately the next morning. We have had nothing but wonderful care not only for my dad, but for me as well. When things got more challenging for him the nurses made sure more medication was approved by Dr. Torres. The nursing assistants kept him clean and comfortable. I have been here every day and have seen the high level of quality care not only for my dad, but others around him. To see the passion and compassion for the residents is wonderful. The social worker Brenda was also outstanding, even coming to visit my dad every day. She was very supportive of me as well. I am so very grateful for the time and talents of this amazing staff. I thought it was important for you to be aware of this very positive experience we had in your facility. Most people will let you know about the bad, but it is so important that you know
about the good too.”
Stop in today for a tour and to speak with an experienced staff member about how we can help you or your loved one! We Offer: Short Term Rehabilitation Skilled Nursing Adult Day Health Centers Home Care Services Senior Transportation Brandon Woods is JCAHO certified and accepts: Medicare, Medicaid, Private Pay, Senior Whole Health, Harvard Pilgrim, BCBS, VA & Tufts, United Health Care
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT EVA FEY AT 508.958.5920 567 DARTMOuTH STREET, SOuTH DARTMOuTH, MA 397 COuNTY STREET, NEW BEDFORD, MA
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