The South Coast Insider - June 2010

the south coast June 2010 / Vol. 14 / No. 6

coastalmags.com

Summer escapes Fair well in Fairhaven Visit Block Island Explore cool hot spots

Community action Rebuild Onset’s Youth Center Bordertown Summer in Somerset Kids College offers fun and learning

Wine Notes Merlot and Martini Hot Happenings for the summer

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June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

JUNE 2010

Contents In Every Issue

5 6

32

From the publisher

On my mind: Summer musings

HEALTH

20

Saint Anne’s: Miracle on Middle Street

24

‘Pharming’ for disaster

14

by Paul E. Kandarian

Book Picks: Cooking in summer

BORDERTOWNS

by Magoo Gelehrter

22

Last Word: Festas, fathers & fun

16

18

Mr. Martini’s Merlot

by Alton Long

South Coast’s cool hot spots

by Cara Connelly Pimental

Onset Youth Center returns

by Sean Wilcoxson

BUSINESS

28

Pimental promises quality

by Cara Connelly Pimental

REGIONAL NEWS

34

Happenings: Summer fun

by Mike Vieira

Cover Story

Visit Block Island

by Stacie Charbonneau Hess

Summer in Somerset

WINE

30

Fair well in Fairhaven

by Stan Epstein

by Paul E. Kandarian

8

38

Tarot-Scopes

by Elizabeth Morse Read

by The Celtic Cricket and Duir Kell

40

12

36

THINGS TO DO

Take global action

by Steve Smith

Kids College keeps‘em busy

by Sean Wilcoxson

CORRECTION If you’re looking for Evelyn, she’s not in Portsmouth. In last month’s issue, Paul Kandarian tried to move the famous Evelyn’s Drive-In, but it remains in Tiverton. Stop by for great seafood and more.

ON THE COVER Fairhaven has great architecture including a striking Town Hall, interesting shops, and excellent food. Summer is a great time to stroll this fair town and experience all it offers. See page 12 for Stan Epstein’s suggestion.

The South Coast Insider / June 2010

7

CONTRIBUTORS Stacie Charbonneau Hess is a mother, a graduate student, and a freelance writer based in New Bedford, Massachsuetts, where she lives with her husband, three children, and too many pets to mention.

For all your tire needs

Stan Epstein is a freelance writ­er from New ­Bedford, has been a regular contributor to The South Coast Insider.

He has taught Creative Writing and ­English as a Second Language, and holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Front end work Brakes

Paul E. Kandarian is a lifelong area resident and has been a professional writer for the past 23 years whose work has appeared in Yankee, Banker and Tradesman, American History, a variety of alumni magazines and many other publications. He writes regularly for The Boston Globe, and is a contributing editor and columnist for Rhode Island Monthly magazine.

Suspensions

11 Howland Road Fairhaven, MA 508-997-4501

585 G.A.R. Highway Somerset, MA 508-679-9333

www.rolandstire.com

Alton L. Long is a freelance writer, educator and event producer specializing in wine, food and travel. He lives in Tiverton.

Tom Lopes is a regular ­contributor to The South Coast Insider. His work has also appeared in a number of local publications. In addition, he has taught classes and exhibited in various galleries.

Cara Connelly Pimental, a freelance writer who recently completed her first children’s book, has published in several New England magazines and in the StandardTimes. She lives in Dartmouth.

Combine your auto and home insurance for maximum discount

Elizabeth Morse Read is an award-winning writer, editor and artist who grew up on the South Coast. After twenty years of working in New York City and traveling the world, she came back home with her children and lives in Fairhaven.

Stephen C. Smith has been Executive Director of SRPEDD since 1983. He lives with his wife Maria in Assonet village.

When he’s not on boats, they enjoy traveling, cooking and gardening together.

Michael Vieira, Ph.D. is Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Bristol Community College. Mike has written for several newspapers and magazines and is an editor of The South Coast Insider and South Coast Prime Times.

Sean Wilcoxson is a student at Bristol Community College. Originally from Martha’s Vineyard, he is a writer and Attleboro editor for the BCC Observer.

8

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

FROM THE PUBLISHER June 2010 / Vol. 14 / No. 6 Published by Coastal Communications Corp.

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Ljiljana Vasiljevic

It’s June and it’s time to escape—at least for a little while.

This issue shares some ways to do that without leaving our region.

Editors Joe Murphy Michael J. Vieira, Ph.D. Contributors The Celtic Cricket, Stacie Charbonneau Hess, Stan Epstein, Magoo Gelehrter, Paul Kandarian, Duir Kell, Alton Long, Tom Lopes, Cara Connelly Pimental, Elizabeth Morse Read, Steve Smith, Mike Vieira, Sean Wilcoxson 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 ©2010 Coastal Communications Corp.

Deadline

Cara Connelly Pimental provides a sample of some of the fun summer activities happening in the South Coast. Go ahead, try some of them! If that’s not enough, Stan Epstein promises fun in Fairhaven and Paul Kandarian shares some Somerset stuff.

Want to go on a sea cruise? Take the ferry to Block Island. Stacie Charbonneau Hess tells you how—and why—to do it.

Looking for something more meaningful? Sean Wilcoxson describes how Onset is re-building a youth center and how you can help. He also gives a preview of what Kids College at BCC is offering.

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.

Circulation 30,000 Subscriptions $25 per year

Plus there’s a little tale about Merlot and Martini, some very special Book picks, regional and business news and our always interesting Happenings.

And don’t forget to visit www.coastalmags.com for more information and explore www.SouthCoastGo.com, our free online classifieds.

But whatever you do, enjoy this special month. Remember to hug your dad, congratulate a graduate, take in a feast or festival, and just have fun.

Enjoy,

Address The South Coast Insider 144 Purchase Street • PO Box 3493 Fall River, MA 02722 Tel: (508) 677-3000 Fax: (508) 677-3003

Ljiljana Vasiljevic Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Website http://www.coastalmags.com

E-mail editor@coastalmags.com Our advertisers make this publication possible–please support them

The South Coast Insider / June 2010

9

ON MY MIND

Summer musings

by Paul E. Kandarian It is June, and summer is rapidly and mercifully approaching, scant though New England summers may be, and the mind is given to meandering to this, that and the other, such as: I was on a leisurely drive recently through upstate New York, so far upstate they nearly speak with a Canadian accent, eh? I was driving my son up to Fort Drum, hard by Lake Ontario and one of the windiest places on the planet, which is my point: driving through the town of Lowville, we came across the Maple Ridge Wind Farm, a colossal collection of humungous wind turbines dotting the ridge from one side of the horizon to the other, some 200 gently swirling beasts of airy burden, each a few hundred feet high.

I’ve seldom seen anything more enchanting or beautiful.

These things were just gorgeous, in a mechanized way, my son likening them to dinosaurs and indeed, they did look like some sort of giant prehistoric bird, each one holding three titanic 130-foot-long wings whipping silently through the air. The length of them along the ridge framed the top portion of a most photogenic view of the many farms that exist here, or co-exist I should say, and peacefully so with the towering towers to their backs.

It is all part of the alternative energy movement that for some reason seems to spook people in our area. In energy-starved locations like California, and certainly abroad, these things 10

are a no-brainer—for people with working brains, anyway. They use the endless resource of the wind to make electricity. No muss, no fuss, no spewing of oil into the Gulf of Mexico causing righteous consternation over the continued use of fossil fuels to appease humanity’s insatiable energy appetite.

I mean c’mon They want to put these things off the coast of Massachusetts, but many folks, up to and including the late liberal lion Ted Kennedy, oppose them on a largely aesthetic basis. They cloud the arguments with the towers being a danger to the environment, but for heaven’s sake, these things will help save the environment but cutting our reliance on the very thing that is endangering the Gulf of Mexico environment right now.

Honestly, I’d never seen such a huge collection of wind turbines; this development in New York is the biggest east of the Mississippi. And having seen them and been nearly hypnotized by the rhythmic rotation of the giant blades, I couldn’t be happier if we saw more of them in Massachusetts, even off our coast where they wouldn’t look nearly as big, they’d just be these silent power providers on the distant horizon churning and ensuring an energy-efficient future.

We had friends around recently from Philadelphia who in casual conversation asked me what I thought of Scott Brown, the Republican who won Ted

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

Kennedy’s Senate seat. I had to think.

Scott Brown?

Isn’t he invisible?

I mean since he’s been elected, and perhaps this is owing to my liberal slant, but we haven’t heard much about him, have we, he hasn’t said much and maybe hasn’t done much.

Is he still in office? They asked if he’d be running for president. I guess maybe. I mean isn’t that the Massachusetts Republication presidential tact, be a good-looking talking head, dabble in local office for a spell and then take a shot at the White House, hoping for the vacuous vote? NittWitt Mitt almost pulled it off, so why not Hott Scott?

Speaking of invisible politicians, I wish Sarah Palin would pull a disappearing act. I mean really, she lost but she seems to be gearing up for a solo run for president and that just proves one thing: Anyone can run for president. Maybe it’s just me, and maybe it’s just her accent. I hardly speak in Shakespearean intonations myself, but really, when she says stuff like, “How’s that hopey-changey stuff workin’ out for ya?” in that whiny, nasally drone, I just want to chew small poisonous insects until the pain goes away. She’s not unattractive, however, so what the heck, if male politicians can try cashing in on their looks, why not females?

Fleeting thoughts on flying I fly a lot and am sick of being nickel and dimed to death by the airlines,

the most egregious form of which is continuing to charge for checked baggage despite the skyrocketing fuel costs that gave them the excuse for doing so skyrocketing no longer, relatively speaking. And Congress barely stopped a recent push to start charging for carry-on bags. One airline was talking about charging for using the bathrooms, for God’s sake. Where does it end?

I fully expect to see airlines making new safety announcements that include, “ If the oxygen mask deploys in flight, please swipe your credit card to start the flow. In the event of a water landing, life vests are $20 each, and entry into a life raft is $40 per ticket.”

You know what would be fair?

Charging by weight. You’d be allowed x-amount of pounds for your gender, and if you and your bags exceed that limit, you pony up. An added bonus: It would mean less fat people flying and spilling over into the seat you paid for.

June is Father’s Day month, and a happy one to all us dads. Mother’s Day is a time of flowers and candy and big dinners and hugs and kisses and sentimental cards. That’s fine. For Father’s Day, I’m guessing most of us want to be just left alone with uninterrupted use of the remote control, and exclusive access to the bathroom and ‘fridge, for 24 hours of sheer bliss.

Cards are optional.

Have a great summer. It doesn’t last nearly long enough.

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The South Coast Insider / June 2010

11

THINGS TO DO

Summer’s

cool hot spots

by Cara Connelly Pimental

Buttonwood Park Zoo

What time is it? Summertime! School vacation! Yay! It’s never too early to make summer plans. In fact, creating plans gives families something to look forward to while counting down the number of school days remaining.

I like to make a list with my boys and call it our “summer bucket list” and everything has to be crossed off by the time they head back to school in the fall.

Go parking Our region boasts plenty of wholesome summer fun. Bristol, RI isn’t just host to the oldest 4th of July parade in the country, it’s also home to Colt State Park.

It’s a great place to walk along the water, fly kites or have a picnic and it’s family and dog friendly.

Facilities include restrooms (handicap 12

accessible), parking, concession stand, gazebo, fireplaces, 45 picnic sites and nearly 400 picnic tables, wedding chapel, ornamental gardens, 2 miles of Bridle Paths, jogging trails, jogging warm up station and access to the East Bay Bike Path.

Roger Williams Park offers beautiful park grounds and gardens, a fabulous zoo, a planetarium, and one of

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

the best playgrounds in Rhode Island, www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org Don’t forget our city treasures.

There’s beautiful Buttonwood Park with its great zoo in New Bedford, www.bpzoo.org. In Fall River, there’s North Park and Kennedy Park (formerly South Park) which run down the city’s hills to the river where they are almost connected by Heritage and Bicentennial parks.

Plus, for a quiet day, spend some time in the many other smaller parks in the cities and towns that make up the South Coast. Although not officially a park, the area around Swansea Damn in the center of that town offers a great little waterfall.

For camping or more extensive activities, check out the regions state Continued on page 10

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The South Coast Insider / June 2010

13

Continued from page 8

SUMMER DANCE WEEK

July 26-30 • 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

It’s a fun filled week of dancing, singing, performing, games, arts & crafts for anyone ages 5 to teen.

Camp Fee: $125 Includes craft supplies, snacks and drinks

PRINCE & PRINCESS Day August 2 – Ages 3 & up Come in your favorite prince or princess outfit.

Full Day 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. $40 or Half Day $25 Tea Party • Singing • Dancing • Crafts Come join us for a royal blast.

Register today!

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508-675-0029

14

parks. For information about all of Massachuetts’ parks, visit www.mass. gov/dcr/forparks.htm.

Summer is also a good time to explore, sign up for a Park Passport at www.mass.gov/dcr/passport/. It’s part of the state’s “No Child Left Inside” campaign. (No kidding.)

Play ball!

What is more American than baseball in the summertime?

You don’t have to travel to Boston and pay big ticket prices to enjoy great ball. Local baseball is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening starting with high school baseball and softball. Wear your school colors and support the kids!

Well into the summer, the games continue. Check out your town and city parks for Little League, Legion ball, industrial leagues, softball games, and old school ball that often played well into August (www.gatemen.org).

For a more professional flair take in a game of the Wareham Gatemen or the Pawtucket Red Sox (www.minorleaguebaseball.com). The Wareham Gatemen are an amateur baseball team based in Wareham, MA. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League and plays in the league’s Western Division. Its home games are at Clem Spillane Field in the town of Wareham.

The Pawtucket Red Sox are our local minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League. The Paw Sox play their home games at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI. About the same distance from the heart of the South Coast are the Newport Gulls (www.newportgulls. com) and the Brockton Rox (www. brocktonrox.com).

Looking for added incentive to make the trip to Brockton? This year, catcher Dan Coury and pitcher Buster Lussier are currently on the roster.

Both hail from Fall River. Westport’s

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

Brad Hertzler and Josh Papelbon, younger brother of the Red Sox closer Jonathan, are also listed among the players.

Visit our heritage Fort Taber, in the south end of New Bedford, is a virtually undiscovered destination. You can bike or roller skate or just walk for several miles along the water and the playground at the point is lots of fun. There are old bunkers to climb upon.

Plan to visit the Fort Taber Military Museum and it really gives you a sense of a former purpose of the area.

There is a newly-constructed fishing pier, a beautiful and a lovely place for an evening stroll or an afternoon of biking with the kids.

Tiverton’s Fort Barton is a well kept secret in the South Coast. An authentic Revolutionary War “redoubt,” enjoy great views of Mount Hope Bay and the surrounding area from the 30 foot tower. Bill’s Wild Outdoors website offers history and maps (www.newportvisions.com/home/barton1.html) —and directions.

The South Coast’s only national park in downtown New Bedford is always worth a trip. Check out the Whaling Museum (www.whalingmuseum. org) and nearby Seamen’s Bethel (www.portsociety.org) for the classic Whaling City experience.

Locals may take them for granted, but the Naval fleet in Battleship Cove (www.battleshipcove.com) is at the top of many visitors’ “must see” lists. From the bow of the Battleship Massachusetts to the stern of the tiny PT boat, it’s a remarkable experience to touch and explore the vessels that served as our nation’s defense under the watch of the World War II veterans.

Not far from the cove is a train museum, the Narrows Center for the Arts (www.ncfta.org), and Columbia Street, with its old world feel and plentiful Portuguese shops (don’t miss Chaves) and restaurants (Sagres is still a classic).

Up the hill in Fall River, check out the

homes on Rock Street and Highland Avenue—some of them bring to mind the “painted ladies” of San Francisco with their ornate trim and bright colors. Don’t miss the Historical Society (www.lizzieborden.org) to learn about the Fall River Line and the glory days of the Spindle City.

But don’t miss the smaller town museums and landmarks. Somerset once was a center of pottery mills and Main Street still recalls the crocks, iron, and shipping history of that town.

Explore!

Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust (www.dnrt.org) is a non-profit land trust organization. It is a membership-supported organization formed in 1971 by members of the community concerned about the future of Dartmouth’s open space.

Over the years, DNRT has helped permanently protect over 4,500 acres of wetlands, wildlife habitat, farmland, forests, and scenic landscapes in Dartmouth. DNRT currently owns 1,515 acres in 51 Reserves, and steward 37 conservation restrictions on another 1,000 acres. DNRT also maintains more than 30 miles of walking trails fun for discovering and enjoying nature.

Adelbrook Farm (www.farmfresh. org) is a great little family farm in scenic Dartmouth. They welcome everyone to come and see their donkeys and other animals.

An unlikely destination may be a trip to the New Bedford Airport (www. newbedford-ma.gov/airport/nbair. html), just for fun or for the aspiring pilot; pack a lunch and watch the planes take off and land.

The Carousel in Fall River (www. battleshipcove.com/carousel.htm) once lived in Lincoln Park. It was refurbished and is a great way to spend some time on a rainy day. It’s right in Battleship Cove.

The Lloyd Center (www.lloydcenter. org) is also a perfect spot for a walk, as are the Audubon Society (www. asri.org) wildlife refuges. Oak Knoll in Attleboro and Westport’s Allens Pond

are good places to start. See www. massaudubon.org/nature_connection/sanctuaries.php Don’t miss Caratunk in Seekonk, Emilie Ruecker in Tiverton, Claire D. McIntosh in Bristol, or the Touisset Marsh in Warren. For more information, visit www.asri.org/refuges/wildlife-refuges.html.

Newport and NBS Newport is known as a summer hot spot. It is full of tourist attractions like the Newport mansions, the Cliff Walk, great dining, popular beaches and shopping on Thames Street.

There is a great, nearly undiscovered wildlife refuge called the Norman Bird Sanctuary (NBS). It was established in 1950 and is the largest area of preserved open space in Newport County. NBS encompasses over 300 acres and 7 miles of trails.

In addition to the trails, NBS is a leader in environmental education.

Summer educational opportunities target all age groups and include the Saturday Explorers Club, Family Nature nights and a wildlife speaker series.

The sanctuary’s 19th century barn museum features natural history displays and a children’s area with interpretive murals and hands on exhibits.

NBS is a private non-profit supported through membership dues, trail and program fees and fundraising efforts.

For more information call 401-8462577 or visit www.normanbirdsanctuary.org Why not find a local farm and spend the day strawberry or blueberry picking. See who can make the tastiest, most exotic or healthiest dish using the fruits of your labor.

Discover a new fishing spot, walk the local beaches or kayak down the Westport River. Find a great ice cream place or find several. Keep a list and see how many different flavors of ice cream your family can try all summer.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy the lovely days of summer—they will be gone before we know it!

Henry H. Rogers WalkingTours

Every Thursday, 10:00 a.m.

Begins at Visitors Center, 43 Center St. Learn about a Standard Oil Co. millionaire’s marvelous gifts to his hometown. Outstanding public architecture is featured. Free.

Fort Phoenix Minuteman Tours

Every Thursday, 2:00 p.m.

Begins at Hurricane Barrier, Fort St. Learn about this Revolutionary War era fort and see a musket firing demonstration. Free.

Farmers Market

Sundays, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Starting June 20 Fairhaven High School, Rte. 6 Buy locally produced fruit, veggies, herbs, honey, cheese, baked goods, plants and more in season. Sponsored by Fairhaven Sustainability Committee. Free.

Father’s Day Road Race

Sunday, June 20, 9:00 a.m.

Starts at Hastings Middle School 10K and 5K races with cash prizes feature top New England runners.

Call 508-997-9460 for info.

Registration $18 after 6/1/10.

Homecoming Day Fair

Saturday, June 26 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

40 Center Street 175 booths of arts & crafts, food, live entertainment, children’s activities sponsored by the Fairhaven Improvement Association.

Fairhaven Office of Tourism

43 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 508-979-4085 FairhavenTours@aol.com M,T,Th,F,Sat. 8:30 - 4:30

The South Coast Insider / June 2010

15

THINGS TO DO

A small town with a big history

by Stan Epstein

T

here’s a lot to like about Fairhaven. And for a town its size, there’s also a lot to see and do this summer.

From the site of the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War, to the home of the first Japanese native to live in America, to the homeport of the first person to sail solo around the world, Fairhaven justifiably calls itself “a small town with a big history.”

The Fairhaven Office of Tourism, under the direction of Chris Richard, is sponsoring two free weekly walking tours from now through September. The first, offered on Thursday mornings at 10am, starting at the Visitors Center (43 Center Street), highlights the life of Fairhaven benefactor, Standard Oil Company millionaire, Henry Huttleston Rogers (1840-1909) and his contributions to his hometown.

The tour includes visits inside two of the buildings that Rogers donated to the town—the Millicent Library and Town Hall. It also includes exterior viewing and commentary on Rogers’ boyhood home, the Unitarian Memorial Church, Our Lady’s Haven, Rogers School and the Masonic Building.

All three buildings were designed by Charles Brigham, one of the leading architects of the era.

It’s well worth a visit—on the tour or at your leisure—just to see the library, Town Hall and church. All three are architectural gems. Each cost Rogers about a million dollars at the turn of the twentieth century, and not only feature magnificent Vicctorian 16

Tourism Director Christopher Richard guides a walk in the historical center of Fairhaven.

architecture, but exquisite interiors as well. Although the church’s interior is not shown on this tour, it will be open to the public on Thursday and Friday from 2-4pm in July and August.

The Fort Phoenix Tour The tour starts Thursdays at 2pm from the hurricane barrier at the foot of Fort Street; it gives visitors the opportunity to listen to an authentically dressed colonial militiaman tell stories about the Fort from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War. Then he’ll unpack his haversack and blanket roll to explain the supplies and equipment that militiamen had to carry when on alert. The tour, including a flintlock musket firing

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

demonstration, is fun for children as well as interesting to adults.

As mentioned earlier, the first naval battle of the War for Independence was fought off the Fairhaven coast on May 13-14, 1775. Captains Nathaniel Pope and Daniel Egery, with 25 volunteers aboard the sloop Success, captured two vessels that the British had stolen from Martha’s Vineyard.

British forces basically destroyed the fort during a second invasion three years later. Following the rebuilding of the fort in 1784, it was officially named Fort Phoenix, after the mythical bird that rose from its own ashes.

The Manjiro Trail A dramatic rescue took place off

the coast of Japan in 1841. The crew of the John Howland whaling ship saved five young fishermen whose boat had crashed during a storm on an offshore island. Because of Japan’s “closed door policy” to the West, the ship couldn’t return to the mainland. The captain, William Whitfield, dropped four boys off in Hawaii. The fifth, a 14-year old named Manjiro Nakahama, accepted the captain’s offer to return to America to study.

Whitfield brought Manjiro to his hometown of Fairhaven, where he treated him like a son. The young man learned the “three ‘Rs” and later advanced math, surveying and navigation at local schools. Several years later, Manjiro retuned to Japan, where he became a professor and diplomat, and helped open his homeland to the rest of the world.

This story is still told to Japanese schoolchildren today. Not surprisingly, Fairhaven has the highest visitation rate by Japanese tourists of any community in the state next to Boston.

Visitors can explore the “Manjiro Trail,” including the two schools and the Manjiro-Whitfield Friendship House, a new museum open to the public on Saturday afternoon.

For more information, call Richard at the Visitor Center at 508-979-4085.

The center is open Monday-Friday (closed Wednesday) from 8:30-4:30, and Saturday from 8:30-12:30. “On a small scale the house is an international attraction, and will coninue to grow in popularity over the years,” says Richard.

The Old Stone Schoolhouse One of the stops on the Manjiro Trail is the Old Stone Schoolhouse on North Street in Oxford Village. Built in 1828, this one-room schoolhouse was the first public district school in Fairhaven. The building is open Saturday, 12:30 to 4:30, and Richard will be on hand to answer questions about the school’s history and early American education.

Like Fort Phoenix, this is a childfriendly destination. Not only can kids learn about what school was like for

their peers in the 19th century, but also be able to dip an old- fashioned goose quill pen in an inkwell and write whatever they’d like. There will also be period games, such as hoop rolling outside the building, which they can feel free to join.

Circumnavigator Nearby the school is a memorial to Captain Joshua Slocum, the first man to sail solo around the world. He launched his rebuilt sloop, the Spray, from a spot near the memorial. His three-year, 46,000 mile voyage has inspired many others to duplicate the trip. “Captain Slocum is still known by sailors around the world,” says Richard.

The Academy Building, home of the Fairhaven Historical Society, features a large-scale model of the Spray. This 1798 school building, just off Route 6 next to Fairhaven High School, also showcases an intact classroom from that period, as well as a diverse collection of Fairhaven art and antiques.

The Academy will be open on Saturday from 10-2pm, from the end of June through Labor Day.

Two more stops The Fairhaven Heritage Center at the First Congregational Church on Center Street features display panels with short biographies of key people in the town’s history.

Hours are Thursday 9-4, Friday 1-4 and Saturday 9-noon.

The last stop, in more ways than one, is the Riverside Cemetery on Main Street, one of the most beautiful rural-style cemeteries in the state.

Established in 1850 by Warren Delano II, grandfather of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the cemetery is the final resting place of some of the town’s most prominent people, including the Rogers family mausoleum. With the flowers in full bloom, June is a great time to visit.

In between or after visiting historic sites, you might want to shop at some of the one-of-a-kind retailers in Fairhaven Center, or dine at one of the town’s fine restaurants.

Fun in Fairhaven The Town of Fairhaven sponsors a variety of events year-round, but June wins the jackpot. The Fairhaven Farmer’s Market enables visitors to buy fresh local produce from area farmers on Sunday afternoon, from 1-4pm, June 20 through October 17 at Fairhaven High School (another of H.H. Rogers’ gifts to the town).

The Fairhaven Sustainability Committee will occasionally provide entertainment. Access the parking lot off Main Street to the rear of the Academy Building.

Handicapped spaces are available.

The annual Father’s Day 10K and 5K Road Races will be held on Sunday, June 20 at 9am.

Richard says that the race, which winds through the town’s historic streets, attracted over 1000 people last year, including some of New England’s top runners.

The town’s largest annual event, the Homecoming Day Fair , sponsored by the Fairhaven Improvement Association, will be held on Saturday, June 26 from 10-4, in the picturesque town center. The fair, perhaps the South Coast’s best, features about 175 handmade craft and food booths, live entertainment, and an art exhibit on the west lawn of the Unitarian Church. There are also children’s activities, including the ever-popular fire engine rides.

For more information, contact the Visitors Center at 508-979-4985 or email to Tours@aol.com .

The South Coast Insider / June 2010

17

THINGS TO DO

The island next door

Block Island

by Stacie Charbonneau Hess

Block Island wasn’t always easy to get to.

75 years ago, the only vessel that traveled to the island was a tiny boat, carrying passengers who lived on Block Island, a few belongings, and little else.

John Wronowski saw a need, and during the 1950’s and 60’s he began to fill it. He started a passenger ferry service out of New London, Connecticut to bring people and things to Block Island for recreation.

Demand for service grew. Soon, boats departed from Providence as well.

As Block Island’s popularity among tourists grew, so too did their choices in getting there.

Today, several boats shuttle islanders 18

and vacationers alike all year round to Block Island from either Point Judith in Narragansett, Rhode Island or Newport. (The Providence service phased out in the 1990s).

Ferry choices are varied, and can accommodate any budget and time constraint. For example, if time is short and you don’t mind spending a bit more to get to Block Island really quickly, the high speed ferry from Point Judith in Narragansett can get

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

you to the Island in under 30 minutes.

“The High Speed ferry is very, very popular in the summer for people who don’t want to take the time for the traditional ferry,” Meyers says.

The traditional ferry is a great option for those with tighter budgets who don’t mind a leisurely ride to Block Island. Travel time is approximately one hour from Point Judith, or one hour and 45 minutes to two hours from Newport.

If you’re planning to take a car over to Block Island, your choices are limited: you must take the traditional ferry. Note that summer weekends and holidays fill up quickly and car reservations are first come, first served.

“We bring everything that makes Block Island go,” Meyers says. This could mean on any given trip

anything from “…gardening tools to ice cream trucks,” chuckles Meyers.

The traditional ferry accommodates 85 people and about 20 cars. The High Speed Ferry is suitable for passengers only, but bicycles and plenty of baggage are allowed; it can accommodate 250 passengers.

Beaches and more Block Island is Rhode Island’s little offshore gem, and boasts, according to Christian Meyers, Assistant Operations Manager for Interstate Navigation Company…“the most beautiful beaches in the state.”

Those beaches, along with quaint shops, Victorian-era hotels, and fabulous restaurants, are all just steps away from the dock at Old Harbor, where passengers arrive from all over the globe.

Block Island has recently seen an influx of another sort of visitor— attendees and celebrants of the South Coast destination wedding.

“Block Island is just crazy popular for weddings right now,” says Meyers.

And reasons for this abound. Block Island feels like an island paradise, but it’s easily accessible to South Coast residents.

Though the ferry is most popular in the summer, it makes its way across the water in every season.

“We travel in almost any kind of weather, all year round. The only reason we might delay service is for sustained winds of thirty knots or above; and some wind directions are worse than others,” explains Meyers.

And it’s still one of the best kept secrets.

“For only $15.75 round trip, you can catch the ferry from Newport and get to the most beautiful beach in the state…on Block Island!” he said, and you can park at Fort Adams for only $3 to $6.

Block Island ferries offer a varied schedule, flexibility in parking and pricing, and great service, so in short, you should make a day trip of it.

It’s our little island next door. So just go. And have fun!

Plan your island trip Visit Block Island

Explore other islands

Interstate Navigation Company Narragansett, RI (401) 783-4613 Toll Free 1-866-783-7996 www.blockislandferry.com

The South Coast is also host to the New England Fast Ferry Company.

Vessels leave New Bedford several times a day all summer long (and less frequently off season) for Martha’s Vineyard with a travel time of just one hour.

High Speed Ferry Under 30 minutes to Old Harbor, Block Island from Point Judith (Galilee) Round Trip: Adults $38.

Kids 4-12 $23.50; under 4 $14 Traditional Ferry from Point Judith Approximately one hour Round Trip: Adults $23 Kids 5-11: $11.60; 4 and under FREE Traditional Ferry from Newport (season begins June 26th) Approximately two hours Round Trip: Adults $15.75 Check website or call for more rates Passenger ticketing is available online for both High Speed and Traditional Ferry. For automobile reservations call 866-783-7996. Pets are allowed on all the vessels, but for the High Speed ferry you will need to have your pet in a carrier if you stay inside the cabin. On the outside decks, a leash or carrier is required.

All the boats have snacks, food and drink for sale, including a full liquor bar. All of the vessels accommodate wheelchairs on the bottom decks.

One vessel, the M/V Block Island, has a wheel chair lift to the inside cabin. (The company suggests arriving one hour in advance if you are planning to use this service.)

This is a wonderful option for those looking to avoid Cape traffic, and keep the day simple and stress free.

Note the prices are higher leaving from New Bedford than Woods Hole or Hyannis, but if you factor in your time in the car, parking costs, and if you are a traffic-phobe, you may find it’s worth it, especially for a day trip.

New England Fast Ferry Company 49 State Pier New Bedford, MA Passenger only ferries to Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven, in Martha’s Vineyard Schedules, fares, and online ticketing available at: www.nefastferry.com Round Trip Fares: Adult: $70; Child 3-12 $40; Child under 3 rides free with parent Parking: Whale’s Tooth Lot, short shuttle ride away, or less than 1/2 milewalk, and Elm Street Garage: walk to 49 State Pier.

The South Coast Insider / June 2010

19

A rendering of the new Onset Youth Center hangs in front of the old center as it awaits demolition.

Onset building community

By Sean Wilcoxson Every community needs a place to meet where they can come together and enjoy the local fellowship. For kids growing up, it is especially vital to have after-school activities and interaction with other kids while learning life skills.

Back in the 1950s and 60s, the Onset Youth Center existed with this purpose in mind. It ran strong for about 30 years, serving as a foundation for activity in the community. But in 1987, Darryl Higgins, president of the Youth Center, had to close the place down due to a crack in the front foundation wall.

Closing the center not only left a hole in the community, but also a gap for Higgins. But he did not give up. His family had invested so much into the center over the years; his father even designed the logo for the youth center in 1960.

lost more than twenty years ago.

One important detail in all of this fundraising is the altruistic motive of serving the community and the kids without expecting too much in return.

“They (the organizations) give us time on events, like help with Family Fun Day and other fundraisers, instead of paying money they might not have,” said Higgins.

In return, organizations that pitch in, like the Boy Scouts, theatre groups, and other clubs, can enjoy the venue that they worked to rebuild. He’s come up with several fund raisers.

The project kicks off with Family Fun Day in June, and then there is the WOnset Bars, an idea from Willy Wonka’s chocolate bars with a golden ticket. Another fundraiser that will help

Give to get Higgins has set a goal of renovating, repairing, and maintaining of the building.

How will this be done? It is through the principle of giving that the community will get.

This is Darryl Higgins’ mission: To raise enough money for building materials so that he, along with a local architect who is working pro bono, can rebuild what was

20

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

In the doors of the old center just before it was demolished are (l-r) Darryl Higgins, Chuck Purdy, Laura Higgins, Mike Burke, Marji Wyatt. Photo by Sean Wilcoxson.

contribute to the building is a car wash.

Higgins also came up with a great idea for all the people who contribute to the project.

Putting pieces together On a wall in the new Onset Youth Center there will be a big puzzle. On each of the little pieces will be the names of all the businesses, organizations, and people who made some contribution to the cause of rebuilding the center.

As with all puzzles, the beginning is scattered with many pieces that fit somewhere, but he stressed that each piece is as important as the next. From a big donation to some volunteered time, they are so important in putting together this puzzle to make the big picture.

The community will get what it needs: a common room where the young generations can grow and learn in a healthy, positive environment designed to uplift their minds and potential.

Higgins has kids and grandkids, so it is a family affair to build this dream. “It’s not just for me, it’s for all the kids,” said Higgins.

Lead by example In addition to helping reopen the Youth Center, Higgins is also providing an example of a real hero, not the ones on television, but those right here helping and

serving our local community.

Higgins has been involved with youth organizations for 16 years. He coached baseball and soccer, and interacted with school groups like the drama club. He still works in the Wareham Boy Scout troop.

“I have been talking to all the organizations to get a home for all the youth to use,” he said.

Vice-President of the Onset Youth Center is Marji Wyatt, who works with Higgins in bringing this dream of a center for our youth to reality.

“Our goal is to reach out to the kids, the youth groups, anyone who needs a place to meet,” said Wyatt.

Her concern is that without a building to have for meetings, people will not connect and end up having to go somewhere else.

“People have to rent an auditorium or a church or end up meeting in someone’s house,” she said.

She has been working hard on making sure the fundraisers are a success so there will be a place for these people to go. They hope to have enough money raised by the end of May to start the work on rebuilding the youth center.

“Even with so many wonderful people in the community helping us, we still need money for building materials,” said Wyatt.

Exterior Services

siding • roofing • additions windows • doors • decks

Interior Services

bathrooms • kitchens, basements • remodeling

You can help The idea of a community working together, giving time and effort to a common goal, is one ideal that lifts up the spirit that is almost lost in America. This spirit is in the youth, the next generation of minds, which needs to be nourished with care and love.

Times are tough; education is on a different level than it was in the past, where good grades and a diploma got you a career job.

So where do we start to change?

We start with the kids. With a place like the Onset Youth Center, a child of any community can come and join other children in learning how to gain skills for life.

In other words, it picks up where the elementary school leaves off. Where the application of the knowledge learned in the classroom is put into practical use.

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Kids at the center will learn skills in business and entrepreneurial careers, athletics, and other subjects.

The Onset Youth Center needs your help.

This sort of thing does not happen without help from friends. The youth center is always in need of volunteers and contributions to the cause.

Help build a place for the children.

Help spread love in the community that will fight against powers that threaten our youth, like drugs, violence, and other dangerous behaviors.

Some of these kids don’t have anything to do after school except go home and play video games.

With a youth center in place, kids can come and do something productive. The next generation of youth is in our hands.

The Onset Youth Center will put these hands to work!

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The South Coast Insider / June 2010

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By Sean Wilcoxson

info@islandcreations-online.com

The school year isn’t over until Kids College says it is. Bristol Community College in Fall River is once again hosting youngsters ranging from kindergarten all the way up to seniors in high school.

Want to get a head start on college and experience life on campus? Or do you want to just have fun and see what classes suit your fancy?

Bring the kids to a class any day of the week, Monday through Thursday, and stay as long as you want: half a day or a full day. Teaching assistants are on-site to guide everyone along the campus to the classes.

“The Kids College program is divided into grade level classes for all ages,” said Lori Quigley, coordinator of Kids College.

Lots of choices For the little ones there are classes like Jazzercise, where the kids can express themselves through music and exercise. Or see about the Krafty Kids, and let them go wild and crazy in arts and crafts. See them get dirty in a creative way!

“The most popular classes in the Kids College program are Lego Engineering, Cooking up a Storm and Video

22

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

Game Making. These classes fill up quickly so register soon to ensure you get the classes of your choice,” said Quigley.

Kids College has something for everyone. It is a great way to get off the couch and have fun learning.

What is great about it is that Kids College actually puts fun into learning. It isn’t just education—it is activities and experience, the best teacher!

“The students learn by a hands-on approach, in small classes, and a creative atmosphere,” said Quigley. “Many of our Getting Ready for Kindergarten students learn a classroom routine that helps prepare them for the fall.”

For the older kids and teenagers, there isn’t anything that is left out.

From Hip Hop and Acting, to a Basketball Clinic and Soccer, Kids College has it all if you are looking for action this summer. Other courses include Digital Photography, What’s Cooking?, and Video Game Making.

Whatever it is you are looking for, it can be found at Bristol Community College. Look up online for all the 57 classes offered for the future generation of graduates! Visit www.bristolcc. edu/kidscollege

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Saint Anne’s expands The emergency room at Saint Anne’s Hospital is expected to treat about 40,000 people this year— more than double the patients it was designed to serve more than 30 years ago, and so the hospital broke ground recently for a $19.6 million expansion project.

Dr. John Arcuri, the hospital’s emergency medicine chief, said “We just don’t have enough space... This new facility will enhance our abilities.”

The new emergency department will be nearly 36 percent larger, two trauma/cardiac treatment areas, two gynecology examination areas and a dedicated pediatric treatment area.

It will also feature decontamination facilities, a separate ambulance and walk-in entrance, and a large patient waiting area.

In addition to providing space for the ER, the surgical center will be renovated and expanded.

It will offer six large operating rooms,

(l-r) Jack C. Hobbs, FAIA, president and chief executive officer, RFWalsh collaborative partners; Ian Briggs, project executive, Suffolk Construction Company, Inc.; William Flanagan, mayor of Fall River; Craig A. Jesiolowski, president, Saint Anne’s Hospital; James Karam, chairman, Board of Governors, Caritas Christi; Sr. Vimala Vadakumpadan, OP, chair, Board of Trustees, Saint Anne’s Hospital; John Arcuri, MD, FACEP, chief of emergency medicine, Saint Anne’s Hospital; Carmela Sofia, MD, FACS, chief of surgery, Saint Anne’s Hospital; and State Rep. Michael Rodrigues.

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

from its current three, along with six new recovery rooms for a total of eight, a specially designed pediatric recovery area, isolation room, new staff facilities, and a large reception area.

“This is near and dear to my heart,” said Dr. Carmela Sofia, the hospital’s chief of surgery.

The expansion project, something that hospital administrators have been pushing for for years, has become a reality in large part due to the pending acquisition of Saint Anne’s parent company Caritas Christi by private equity firm Cerebus Capital Management. The company is expected to pump $100 million into the six Caritas hospitals in Massachusetts.

Officials have said the acquisition will not affect leadership, jobs or the presence of the Catholic Dominican Sisters of the Presentation, which founded Saint Anne’s in 1906.

“Saint Anne’s has been looking forward to this day for a long time,” said hospital President Craig Jesiolowski.

“It took a lot of time and effort to get here today.

During construction, the emergency department and operating rooms will run as normal. The Emergency Department entrance on Middle Street is closed to vehicles and foot traffic, except ambulances. Access is available through the main entrance on South Main Street 24 hours a day.

To learn more about St. Anne’s Hospital, visit www.saintanneshospital. org or call 508-674-6500.

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Somerset, snuggled up against the wide-open Taunton River as it flows to the sea, Fall River on the other side, is a town steeped in history, a community that like many others of geographic similarity, a place which relied on the waterway next to it for its early existence.

In June of 1621, history shows, the first whites came to this part of the New World in what was known to the Native Americans as Shawomet, which would become Somerset. They walked a native trail from Dighton, and were with Squanto and five other natives on their way to see Massasoit, the Great Sachem of the Wampanoags.

By 1677, the General Court of Plymouth mandated the sale of Shawomet to help cut the costs that had been occurred during King Philip’s War, one of the bloodiest and costliest wars in American history, fought from 1675-1676 between colonists and Indians and which resulted in the loss of 3,000 natives and 800 colonists.

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

Swansea’s Shawomet The court order to sell also officially made Shawomet a part of Swansea.

The land had been sold on March 7, 1677, to a group of 31 men called Proprietors, and by 1680, King Charles II conveyed Shawomet to Plymouth, and thus began the settlement of the town. It officially broke from Swansea on Feb. 20, 1790, with the Proprietors ruling until 1850 until they turned over land they owned to the community.

Owing to its watery location, the first commercial shipyard was built in Somerset in 1695, and then others cropped up to make and sell boats.

The Revolutionary War put a stop to the growth of the fleet as the Brits blocked both east and west passages of Narragansett Bay at Newport.

Bringing that war closer to Somerset, the Brits raided Brayton’s Point, carrying away a man named Obadiah Slade, a patriot, and five others; they died aboard a prison ship in New York Harbor. Slade’s name lives on in the area.

The British blockaded Narragansett

and Mount Hope bays in the War of 1812, leaving the blockage in place through 1815, devastating the local economy, since the majority of Somerset residents relied on the waterways for a living.

Other early industries included grist mills, and an iron company was created in 1853 to make rolled plate and nails. A foundry was built the following year for the manufacture of stoves and sinks.

Prior to that, pottery became a major industry, starting early in the 18th century, a flourishing trade that gave rise to the village name of Pottersville.

By the late 19th century, brick building became a business staple and continued through the early 20th century.

Ferries were needed to connect with Fall River, and history shows the first was a rowboat based in Fall River that started operation in 1678, with a second service starting in Somerset.

Bigger craft replaced the smaller boats and then horse-powered vessels became the norm, horses on deck turning paddlewheels. In 1876, the Slade’s Ferry Bridge opened, a steel swing bridge that was in place until it was dismantled in 1970.

The railroad made its appearance in the mid 1860s, with passengers on the Consolidated Line getting off at the Taunton River and crossing to a point within walking distance of the Fall River Railroad station to get a Newport or Boston connection.

The Old Colony Line, which was first known as the Boston and Newport Railroad, served for many years, shuttling goods for the foundry and iron works, and coal and other materials including more than 200 tons of strawberries shipped each year to Boston.

Go parking The town has five parks, Buffington Park, Ashton Field, Waterfront Park, Rock Park and the South Complex/ Baseball/Softball fields, and a wonderful town beach, Pierce Beach, located on the Taunton River next to Pierce

Playground, home of many great personal memories for me.

It is where I’d bring my kids every chance we had, because at the time, it had a really terrific, big, enclosed slide down a steep sandy hill that my son loved. We even went in winter; wearing nylon coats meant he’d steam down the plastic slide and when he got to the bottom he had built up enough of a static charge to knock his big sister off her feet.

For food, by far Somerset is likely most famous for Hartley’s Pork Pies, which has been a culinary entity for more than 100 years. They’re simple and delicious, and varieties include pork, of course, but also chourico and red salmon.

Other Somerset treats must include the Somerset Creamery on Route 6, which has been serving incredible, high-quality ice cream for more than 70 years. Founded by Victor and Mary Spanick, the first store was called Creamrich.

During World War II Spanick stopped production to serve the country, but returned to open a shop in Somerset called the Milk Can, housed in a milk bottle shaped building that was a Somerset landmark for years. By the early sixties, there were three stores, one near the Stone Bridge in Tiverton, the Milk Can, and the current location on Route 6 in Somerset.

Another can’t-miss Somerset eatery is Magoni’s Ferry Landing near the River, a family favorite that’s been around for better than a half century and which I remember going to with my folks when I was a kid.

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Local legends And for baseball fans who likely know this, Somerset is also the hometown of Jerry Remy, a.k.a.

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The South Coast Insider / June 2010

27

HEALTH

‘Pharming’

A prescription for disaster

by Elizabeth Morse Read Generation Rx

of prescription drugs and OTC (over-the-counter) medications has become a serious health and social problem in the U.S, especially among teenagers/young adults and the elderly population. Some studies indicate that pharmaceutical abuse presents a greater problem internationally than abuse of illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine and ecstasy combined, in part because they are considered “legal” (therefore, supposedly less dangerous or risky than “illegal” street drugs), because they’re easily available or accessible, and because they’ve been “approved” by doctors, governments and scientific authorities.

But many prescription/OTC medications can have life-threatening side-effects if taken incorrectly or if used by someone other than the person for whom it was prescribed.

The most commonly abused/misused substances are classified as opioids, CNS (central nervous system) depressants/tranquilizers and stimulants [see sidebar 1]. Incorrect usage of any of these drugs, especially if combined with other medications or alcohol, can lead to addiction/withdrawal, overdosing or even death. And, whether young, middle-aged or elderly, females seem to be at higher risk of misuse/abuse of prescription drugs/ OTC medications. They are prescribed pain-killers and tranquilizers at a higher rate than are males, and so the potential for misuse/abuse is higher, too. Plus, females are more likely to use diet/weight-loss aids, many of which contain stimulants.

Corey Haim. Heath Ledger. Michael Jackson. Anna Nicole Smith. Even Elvis Presley. Prescription drug abuse has claimed the lives of many celebrities, almost glamorizing their deaths, in the same way illegal drug use claimed icons of the previous generation, such as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. The trend has created a miniindustry of spas, clinics, therapists/ gurus and rehab facilities for the rich and famous (starting with the Betty Ford Clinics), but as of now, there’s been little coordinated governmental/ law enforcement effort to stem the growing abuse of prescription drug/ OTC medicine abuse in the general population. High school kids laugh when police with drug-sniffing dogs patrol the lockers in search of marijuana. The dogs can’t find pills— and

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June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

those are the new substance of choice for thrill-seeking teens.

While alcohol remains the number one substance abused by teens/ young adults, numerous studies have shown that children from 12 years old and up frequently “experiment” with OTC medications or somebody else’s prescription drug. A 2004 NIDA (National Institute of Drug Abuse) study reported that almost 10% of twelfth-graders admitted to having experimented recently with Vicodan and 5% of OxyContin, making these (and their derivatives) the most commonly abused prescription drugs amongst American teenagers. With this youngest group of “pharmers,” teens and young adults (ages 12-25), the family medicine cabinet is the biggest problem. There are left-over pain-killers from Dad’s knee surgery, Valium for Grandma’s panic attacks

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“Pharming,” the misuse or abuse

and Ritalin/Adderal (considered “the poor man’s crack” by teenagers) for Junior’s ADHD. There are also antibiotics, cold/allergy medications, sleep/ weight-loss aids—a veritable chemical cocktail of potentially addictive lethal substances.

If you owned a gun, you’d lock it up.

If you had poisonous substances in your home, you’d store them safely.

Yet few people secure their prescriptions/OTC medications where children or even pets can’t find them! In addition, there are numerous Internet websites where these drugs can be purchased without a prescription or proper identity verification, and there’s always some enterprising kid at school or work who’ll sell you what s/ he stole from home.

Ironically, the parents of many American teenagers and young adults cheerfully experimented with marijuana and hallucinogenic drugs “back in the (20th century) day,” but are woefully ignorant of the new temptations their own (21st century) children are facing. They naively pop pain-relievers, sedatives, dietary supplements, not realizing that their kids are watching and learning the wrong lesson. Take stock of your own behaviors that may be enabling the kids to assume it’s okay to take a pill for whatever ails them, no matter the risks.

Targetting the elderly In the U.S., people 65 years old and up constitute only 16% of the population, yet they are prescribed almost a third of all prescription drugs each year. Unless they are monitored by a family advocate, a health care professional or pharmacist, they are also in danger of prescription/OTC medication misuse/abuse, even if inadvertent. We’ve heard too many stories about cash-strapped elderly citizens skipping doses, splitting pills or selfmedicating with OTC products. Too many medical personnel are all too eager to prescribe medications for all the aches and pains of aging (some of which may be caused by drug/OTC medication abuse!).They may be seeing too many doctors, using multiple pharmacies, being prescribed contradictory medications that could compound their ailments or cause new ones, when taken in combination.

Cognitive/behavioral impairment is an all-too-frequent complication of “pharming” amongst the elderly.

Many accidental falls, traffic accidents and symptoms of dementia involving the elderly can be traced to improper use/abuse of prescription drugs/OTC medications.

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Continued on page 27

Cleaning out the medicine cabinet

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DO NOT flush them down the toilet or sink. We can’t control the pharmaceuticals we excrete, but we can prevent polluting our waterways and oceans with needless chemicals, which eventually affect sealife and the ecosystem, as well as our drinking water.

DO NOT throw them in the trash. Unless you mix them with unpalatable substances like used kitty litter or coffee grinds, drugs in the trash pose a threat to curious neighborhood kids, wildlife and pets, even scavengers at the town dump.

In some countries (such as Germany), it is the law that all unused/unneeded prescriptions and medications must be returned to a pharmacist for proper disposal. Ask your pharmacist if they have a “take-back/buy-back” policy or contact your town’s public health or public works (trash pickup) department about drug disposal.

The South Coast Insider / June 2010

29

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June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

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Continued from page 25 to indications that a patient may be abusing prescription drugs/ OTC medications—visits for vague symptoms/requests for specific drugs, too frequent requests for refills, multiple doctors/pharmacies (maybe they’re “doctor-shopping”?).

But it’s the neighborhood pharmacists who’ve been on the front line in combating “pharming.” Remember how, a few years ago, OTC medications like Robitussin and Sudaphed suddenly disappeared from the public aisles? That’s because, as a group, pharmacists (who all talk to each other!) had noticed an alarming increase in (especially large quantity) purchases of related OTC medicines, especially by teens/young adults. Apparently, these substances were “legal” substances kids used to get high.

Sudaphed contains ephedrine, a stimulant that was being used to produce “meth” (speed), a dangerous chemical stimulant. This underground production resulted in a plague of addiction, ODs and social problems in rural America, especially in the Midwest and the southern states. These valid OTC medications are still available to valid purchasers, but they are now kept behind the pharmacist’s counter.

Pharmacists also apparently network amongst themselves when they suspect prescription fraud/forgery, pharming or rogue “Dr. Feel-goods” who are prescribing too many suspect patients/medications.

Not just a local problem When the United Nations notices a global health-related trend, it’s obviously important. In a recent report by the UN’s INCB (International Narcotics Control Board), misuse/abuse of prescription drugs/OTC medication is a worldwide issue/concern, greater than, perhaps, the problems with heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy combined!

In Germany, it’s estimated that almost 2 million people are addicted to/abusing prescription drugs. Throughout Europe and Canada, “pharming” problems have reached epidemic proportions. The universality of the

Internet makes illegal/illicit sources of abusable substances available to anyone with a computer, no matter their age, medical history or criminal record/intent.

While the federal government has been slow to respond/react to this latest wave of drug addiction/abuse problems, it’s mostly been addressed by state and local community governments/citizens to address the issues of prevention, public education and coordination. In 2009, the state of New Jersey, in a coordinated, multijurisdictional campaign, conducted “Operation Medicine Cabinet,” an astonishigly successful “pharmacy take-back” collection program, garnered 9,000 pounds (@ 3 million pills) of unused/expired prescriptions, cleaning out the medicine cabinets of 20,000 households; thereby removing a source of misuse/abuse by family members.

An excellent example of this kind of community effort here on the South Coast was described by Mr. Thomas Corey, head pharmacist at the Standard Pharmacy in Fall River. Last year he, along with representatives of local government, the DEA, police, and community groups such as the BOLD Coalition, hosted a highly-successful pharmaceutical “buy-back” program. A local charity provided $25 gift certificates for those who returned unused/expired medications for safe and proper destruction/disposal.

This highly-publicized community event will be repeated in Fall River in June—and, hopefully, other local communities will organize and host similar events. Pharmaceuticals are a form of harzardous waste and, if left unguarded in the home, present too much of a danger to our families and communities.

Mr. Corey also suggested that, while most families deal with many doctors, they should deal with only one family pharmacist, who can monitor and keep records of all medications within the household, if only to be able to warn of possible interactions (or potential for abuse/misuse) and/or advise in emergency medical situations.

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31

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This striking Marion home was restored by Pimental Contractors.

Pimental builds on quality

By Cara Connelly Pimental Pimental Contractors, LLC was founded in 1987 as a one man operation. Owner David Pimental hoped his hard work, quality craftsmanship and solid reputation would be the formula that made his company grow.

It did. Pimental Contractors has grown into a progressive, multi-functional general contracting business.

The company provides clients with services including residential remodeling, renovations, additions and new construction. Projects range in size from an entire residence to structural remodeling to one room rehabs.

Their primary goal is to meet client’s desires and expectations in a 32

cost effective, timely manner. They are proud to accomplish this through total project management, impeccable workmanship, their own, in house custom millwork division, and professional services including all phases of demolition, design, drafting and building.

“Quality is the defining element of every construction project,” according to owner David Pimental.

For the last 15 years, Pimental Contractors has been specializing in high-end residential and commercial construction. Pimental attributes the cornerstone of their success to their commitment to superior craftsmanship, attention to detail and excellent

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

customer service.

They pride themselves on the fine quality and lasting beauty of their work. Pimental Contractors specializes in coastal locations where knowledge of oceanfront building codes and materials that stand up to coastal weather conditions is invaluable.

Pimental says his team approach to each job “is combined knowledge that is seamlessly folded into every job to ensure that each project will proceed smoothly through each phase of construction. When it comes to your home or commercial construction project, you want experts at your side.”

David is an accomplished craftsman in his own right and has been in the

field of carpentry and general contracting for more than 20 years. He first learned his trade under a master carpenter who believed in “Old World” carpentry.

He instilled in David an old fashioned approach to building with an emphasis on quality and attention to detail. David rounded out his skills by graduating from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School.

As a full-service residential and commercial contractor, Pimental Contractors not only does renovations and new home construction, but they also specialize in kitchen and bathroom remodeling, custom cabinetry and millwork in their own cabinet shop, green building expertise, project management, permitting services, waterfront building specifications and materials, excavation, demolition and site preparation as well as property management including snow removal.

Combined expertise “The combined expertise of employees really shines with additions, home renovations and individually remodeled rooms,” Pimental said, “Each project provides its own unique challenge where we can apply our years of experience.”

Pimental Contractors approaches each project as though they are a guest in your home. Each member of the Pimental Contractors team is part of a respectful, detail-oriented process with precise planning and building schedules.

“We have our own mill shop that allows us to make custom cabinets and achieve creative solutions to specific design issues,” he said, explaining, “We can also match existing moldings and details to ensure that the architectural integrity of the new work is joined seamlessly with your existing home.”

“We are experts at reclaiming attic or basement space for a home office, fitness or playroom,” he added.

Pimental Contractors can also suggest the latest materials to use for green building, seaside decking or

simply enhancing the exterior of your house.

Project managers and supervisors stay in close communication with each client while walking the fine balance to make minimal impact on your daily life. Their knowledge and experience combine with a deep respect of materials, desire to work as a team, and the love of a challenging project.

Their managers are adept at explaining complex details in a clear manner and will answer all of your questions.

They will closely follow all the details of your project including cost tracking, permitting, schedules, hiring and management of sub contractors and quality control.

“Each project provides its own unique challenge where we can apply our years of experience.”

“Each of our project managers and project supervisors are licensed Massachusetts Construction Supervisors assuring you of the highest level of professionalism throughout the project,” he said, “And, all of our project team employees, from project managers to carpenters, are required to attend OSHA training several times a year.”

Offering full resources Pimental Contractors offers their full resources to new construction projects. The Pimental Contractors team will work with your architect or designers or provide their own and from excavation to fine millwork and will create a solid structure with grace and beauty that will stand the test of time.

Green remodeling and building is an approach to home improvement with the goal of not only making your home look better, but work better— for both you and the environment.

A green remodel helps you realize a range of far-reaching benefits. With careful planning, you can create a home that combines beauty, efficiency, comfort and convenience with health and conservation.

“Whether you are building a new home or renovating your home or office, we can make suggestions on ways to improve energy-efficiency, make recommendations on sustainable construction materials, as well as provide you with suggestions to help create a healthier living environment with non-toxic building materials,” he said.

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We have extensive experience working with cities and towns to pull all permits necessary to undertake and complete your project.”

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The company takes great pride in their proven track record of providing quality workmanship with integrity to Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands. For more information, call 508-995-0524 and visit www.pimentalcontractors.com

The South Coast Insider / June 2010

33

WINE NOTES

Merlot & Louis Martini

by Alton Long

Founded on dreams Louis M. Martini founded his Napa Valley winery in St. Helena, California in 1933. He is considered as one of the pioneer in California winemaking.

His son, Louis P. Martini, took over as winemaker in 1954, and then turned the reins over to his son Michael in 1977; Michael is still the Senior Winemaker today. He is a graduate of the winemaking program at UC-Davis and worked alongside his father for a number of years before accepting the role of Winemaker.

Louis P. Martini had planted Merlot in 1965 to blend with Cabernet Bordeaux as the French had been doing in Bordeaux for centuries. Martini planted his first Merlot in the Russian River Valley and it seemed to make a very fine wine. He decided to blend a small crop of his 1970 Merlot with some 1968 he had been aging. The results were an excellent “new” wine that he released in 1972 and it was immediately successful. It sold for just $2.50 per bottle!

Other California wineries followed his lead and eventually Merlot was the number two red wine in the U.S. Merlot had been very successful in France for centuries, used in most Bordeaux wines to soften the sometime hard Cabernet Sauvignon. Its greatest and most prestigious example is Chateau Petrus, one of the leading wines of the world. Their vineyard, which is located in the St. Emilion district, is 34

planted with 95 per cent Merlot grapes and 5 percent Cabernet Franc. The prices of Petrus speak for its desirability; a regular bottle runs over a $1,000 for most current vintages; some older great vintages run up to $10,000. That’s a lot for what some folks consider a “simple little wine.”

Casual wines Kenwood Vineyards, in Sonoma, makes several versions of Merlot. Their

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

“regular” Kenwood Sonoma County Merlot, made for the “casual wine drinker,” is made from grapes grown throughout Sonoma. But their aging in small French and American oak barrel and blending in a little Cabernet Sauvignon adds a little spice and makes it a very pleasant wine which is usually priced under $20.

Kenwood makes a Reserve Merlot made with grapes harvested from select vineyards. It is aged a little longer in oak plus it has a bigger dose of Cabernet, which together result in a smoother more complex wine. This delicious wine runs about $25 a bottle.

At the same price you can get the traditional more powerful Kenwood Jack London Merlot, which features intense fruit of berries made more complex with smoke, herbal cedar aromas and flavors. This is a bigger more complex

Louis Martini Winery

It seems that the Louis Martini Winery and Merlot go back a long way, at least to the beginning of Merlot as a varietal wine in America. It is fairly likely that Martini was first to bottle Merlot as a varietal.

Merlot, which defies any of the claims that Merlots are wimpy wines.

Ken Volk is one of California’s great wine makers, the founder of Wild Horse in the Paso Robles region, and has his Ken Volk Winery in the northern part of the Santa Barbara region. When I tasted his Merlot, I was overwhelmed with its richness, body and complexity. The host brought out one of the assistant wine makers who said that most wineries intentionally made their Merlots a little softer so they could offer a different style wine than their Cabernet. But Volk had decided to let his Merlot be “as it was meant to be.” There are several versions available that run from about $20 to about $30.

Besides the California regions, Merlot is doing quiet well in Washington State; in fact, it was one of that’s state’s first major successes. In spite of the increase in Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon the Merlot is still considered Washington’s signature wine. One good example is Seven Hills 2007 Merlot, from the Columbia Valley; it runs about $22 a bottle.

It should also be noted that Merlot grows in many other U.S. wine areas, including our own coastal region. Here it is most often blended with Cabernet Franc making a delightful and delicious red wine.

Almost all California wineries produce a Merlot. Ravenswood Winery produces a Merlot from Sonoma County (running $18 to $20). On the budget side consider Beaulieu Vineyard Coastal Estates Merlot apparently made from grapes grown in the Monterrey region and only costing $9 to $10 a bottle.

Coastal wines Kendall-Jackson’s 2006 Grand Reserve Merlot is 100% Merlot harvested from 75 percent Sonoma County, 25 percent Napa County vineyards.

This wine won a Gold Medal in the 2009 Sonoma County Harvest Fair. It is loaded with dark fruit aromas and flavors: blackberry, plum, boysenberry, plus chocolate and cedar notes. It is rich and full bodied, not a wimpy wine at all. Its typical price is around $25.

The Kendall-Jackson 2006 Reserve Merlot is listed as being 61 percent Sonoma County, 23 percent Napa

County, and 16 percent Mendocino County. It is made more interesting by having a blend that is 96.4 percent Merlot, 3.3 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, .1 percent Cabernet Franc, .1 percent Petit Verdot, .1 percent Malbec.

While I am sure the addition of a little Cabernet Sauvignon helps the wine, the one-tenth addition of the other three may be difficult to even detect.

But who knows... it is a delightful wine, and won its share of silver medals in various competitions and only costs about $18 a bottle.

Far from run-of-the-mill

Classic New England tavern

Wine bargains There is a real bargain Merlot made from French grapes and produced and exported by George Dudoeuf. It runs $7 (or 2 bottles for $12 in some stores.)

There is another good budget Merlot produced under the Barefoot label in California. It won a double gold medal in the International Eastern Wine Competition in 2007. It runs only about $7.00 as well.

Just so you don’t get to thinking that all Merlots are inexpensive, consider Cakebread Winery of Napa Valley.

Some wine experts say it is one of the best Merlots made in California. It better be, as it sells for $68.99! Then there is Truchards’ 2003 Carneros (Napa Valley) Merlot priced at $37.99 a bottle, considered to be another world class Merlot. So do not fall into the trap that Merlot is a simple and cheap wine.

Some are, and many are not.

The Louis Martini Winery has gone through several changes over the last few years. Before Louis Martini’s death, his daughter Carolyn became president and CEO in 1985. In 2002 Gallo purchased Louis Martini Winery. The good news is that Gallo has kept it as a wholly independent operation. but now the winery now specializes in crafting rich and distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon varietal wines.

Today Michael Martini is still the Winemaker at the Louis Martini Winery. Nevertheless, the Winery no longer produces a Merlot. So much for tradition. It’s the market that drives most of today’s wineries.

Oh for the days when each winery was a family operation and they made the wines of their dreams, and we all loved them, the wines and the people.

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The South Coast Insider / June 2010

35

BOOK PICKS BY BAKER

by Magoo Gelehrter Courtesy of Baker Books www.bakerbooks.net

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Now is the time to rediscover your True Inspiration in Life.

Enhance your strengths, coping skills and positive attributes.

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Bobby Flay’s Grill It

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Barefoot Contessa At Home

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Fire up the best backyard bashes with 150 simple and delicious recipes from grilling guru Bobby Flay in his first-ever fully illustrated, full-color grilling book.

Whether you’ve picked up corn at a local farmstand or chicken breasts at the supermarket, a fantastically flavorful, ridiculously simple grilled feast is right at your fingertips with Bobby Flay’s Grill It! Packed with the innovative marinades, sauces, vinaigrettes, and rubs that have helped make Bobby a celebrity chef and leading restaurateur, this beautiful cookbook will help you transform basic ingredients into grilled masterpieces yearround.

Bobby knows how you shop and cook and knows you think “I want burgers tonight”—not “I want to do a main course on the grill.” As a result, the book is conveniently organized by ingredient, with chapters covering juicy beef steaks and succulent shrimp, of course, as well as perhaps less traditional grill fare such as asparagus, fruit, lamb, scallops, potatoes, and squash, so you can expand your backyard repertoire.

In Barefoot Contessa at Home, Ina Garten shares her life in East Hampton, NY—the recipes she loves, and her secrets to making guests feel welcome and comfortable.

For Ina, it’s friends and family— gathered around the dinner table or cooking with her in the kitchen–that really make her house feel like home.

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June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

Local Flavors

by Deborah Madison Random House hardcover $26 Deborah Madison celebrates the glories of the farmers’ markets of America in a richly illustrated collection of seasonal recipes for a profusion of produce grown coast to coast. As more and more people shun industrially produced foods and instead choose to go local and organic, this is the ideal cookbook to capitalize on a major and growing trend.

Covering markets around the country from Vermont to Hawaii, Deborah Madison reveals the astonishing range of produce and other foods available and the sheer pleasure of shopping for them. A celebration of farmers and their bounty, Local Flavors is a must-have cookbook for anyone who loves fresh, seasonal food simply and imaginatively prepared.

Moosewood Restaurant Farm Fresh Meals Deck: Fifty Delicious Meals for Every Season

by The Moosewood Collective Random House Boxed Cards $14.99 Cook up something fresh and fantastic any time of year with recipes from whole food pioneers Moosewood Restaurant.

Each recipe features fruits and vegetables peaking in summer, autumn, winter, and spring; take a few cards with you to your farmer’s market so you always know what—and how much—produce you need to make complete, crowd-pleasing meals. Making the most of ingredients that are fresh and healthy, while you’re being environmentally conscious, has never been easier—or more delicious.

College Vegetarian Cooking: Feed Yourself & Your Friends

by Megan & Jill Carle Ten Speed Press paperback $19.95 Sisters and coauthors Megan (the longtime vegetarian) and Jill (the skeptical carnivore) go veggie in this latest addition to their popular cookbook series written for hungry, on-a-budget, and kitchen-shy teens and young adults. Chapters include Survival Cooking, Cheap Eats, Avoiding the Freshman 15, Just Like Mom Makes, Food for the Masses, Cooking for One, Party Food, Impressing Your Date, and Desserts. The book contains more than 90 appealing and accessible recipes such as Pasta Primavera, Enchiladas, Spanikopita, Maki Rolls, and Vegan Chocolate Cake. Tips for vegan substitutions for many recipes and 50 sidebars featuring food trivia and handy factoids complete the book.

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37

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e often see the admonition to think globally and act locally, usually on the rear bumper of a Prius. It is a nice clear message that reminds us to do our part as individuals to help save the planet from the threat of global warming and other calamities, to make big changes by performing specific actions in our own communities.

We heed this advice by replacing our incandescent light bulbs, recycling our newspapers, and buying a Prius (in order to properly display our bumper sticker), all in the hope that our collective contributions will make a difference. Admittedly, it is often difficult to avoid questioning the value of our

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

small contributions alongside belching fossil fuel power plants and monster sized SUVs.

Take action Like all advice that can be condensed onto a bumper sticker, “think globally… act locally” has limitations. We need to take global action by pressing corporations to act responsibly and pushing our government to meet international obligations. And we need to do our part as individuals. The more actions taken by more people, the better off we will all be.

But global and individual actions won’t be enough. We must also focus on the unintended consequences of

the policies set by our federal, state and local governments that perpetuate our contribution to the problem of global warming.

Over the last sixty years governments at all levels have sponsored programs and policies that promote maximum energy consumption and insure an expanded carbon footprint. These are a combination of actions that force us to drive everywhere, build high energy consuming homes, unnecessarily pave acres for parking lots and convert our farms to house lots. For the most part, these are the unintended side effects of well intended programs and policies taken by our federal state, and local governments. We need to reverse these programs and policies and do it now.

Zoning a culprit Let me be specific. Local zoning is a big culprit. In our attempt to separate all uses so that factories are not near houses and stores are near highways, we have eliminated walking as a viable means of transportation. We need a car for every errand.

Our zoning has required larger and larger house lots resulting in more sprawl and longer trips because we are so spread out. Larger house lots and bigger frontage requirements also result in larger houses, each with a bigger carbon footprint. Furthermore, our zoning frequently prohibits forms of housing that are more energy efficient, such as duplexes and apartments.

We can correct this problem by allowing more mixed use zones and encouraging open space residential design (cluster housing). Because of the use and density restrictions codified in many of our bylaws, the iconic New England village and town square style development is illegal in many places.

This point is driven home by this fact: on a per capita basis, New York City is the greenest place in America because 85% of the trips city residents make are on foot, bicycle or transit. And we always thought that it was a dirty sooty place!

A shining example of doing it right is the effort by South Coast Rail to plan

mixed use development around each train station, with the station itself acting as a magnet for new investment that will include housing, shops and civic space. Exciting planning efforts to accomplish this are underway in Fall River, New Bedford, Freetown and Taunton.

Our bylaws often require that stores pave enough parking to accommodate everyone on the busiest shopping day of the year. Along some strips, store after store must meet the same requirement resulting in a sea of asphalt that is impossible to navigate on foot. We often don’t require connections between shopping areas forcing shoppers to drive back onto the main road to go next door.

Sidewalks have become a luxury, not a necessity. Our local boards regularly waive requirements on subdivision developers to put in sidewalks, forcing us to drive or walk on the street.

Sustainability planners extol the virtues of local agriculture. Lower transportation costs and fresher produce are two of the benefits. But we haven’t made it easy on local farmers. In an attempt to increase tax revenue, assessors want to value farm land for the “highest and best use” which translates as house lots. Health regulations are written to protect suburban homeowners at the expense of farmers and discourage small scale livestock or poultry raising.

Governments not blameless Our state and federal governments are not blameless either. State policies encourage the building of high schools in remote locations encouraging everyone to drive to school. Our highway binge led us to abandon commuter rail service to the South Coast in the 1950s, and it is proving very difficult to restore.

The interstate highway system helped depopulate the cities.

All of these programs were undertaken with the best of intentions— usually to address a specific problem while ignoring side effects. But we are now living with the consequences of high energy use and looming climate change. We need to reverse course.

The South Coast Insider / June 2010

39

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We use the tarot to predict your horoscope. If you’d like more in depth & personal information, stop by our shop—The Silver Willow in Rehoboth, MA for a private tarot reading.

Aries – Now is a time to be strong.

You must stand up for yourself and not let others walk over you. Take some time to get to know what will make you happy; once you do that, good things will find their way to you.

Taurus – Some times you need to do things you do not want to do, but, remember there is a reason you need to do these things. Take time to focus on the path you should be on. Make your own decisions and not always allow others to lead your way.

Gemini – The beginning of the month should be a good one for you, but as the month goes on you will start to feel stuck and not know what to do. Remember you are the only one that can change this and once you do there a bright new day right around the corner.

Cancer – Now is a time to sit back and think not to act. Keep your eyes open on what is going on around you.

If you act before thinking the details through, it will come back to bite you.

Be very cautious of people around the end of the month.

Leo – The things you have been waiting for have a great chance to happen this month, but communication is key to your success. Be creative and stand up for yourself while expanding on those things you have been working on.

Virgo – An opportunity is coming your way. Keep your options open and be willing to make some changes, especially when it comes to gaining knowledge and wisdom. Do not be afraid to try something new.

Libra – Things are going to be changing for the better. New developments will bring resolutions to those things in your life that you have been discontent with. Watch for it and allow it to happen as it will happen.

Scorpio – Be true to your emotions and loyal to those around you. This month success is around the corner, but you need to make some changes in your life to welcome it. If you do not make the changes someone else will and the outcome may not be as you would hope.

Sagittarius – As spring turns to summer keep yourself level headed and do not let things get away from you.

There is great potential for beginnings but choose who you speak to wisely. If you choose the wrong person things will not turn out as you plan.

Capricorn – Stop looking back. It’s time to move forward and leave the past in the past. You can not move on until you defeat your fears. Be prudent when it comes to your finances this month as there may be an unexpected bill coming in soon.

Aquarius – This is not the time to stop being dedicated to your work. Do not cry over spilt milk. What happened, happened for a reason and you need to move past it or it will lead you down a road that will not be easy to return from.

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Pisces – As long as you keep your head on your shoulders and your tasks on goal this should be a very good month for you. Starting a new venture this month will turn out to be a very prosperous adventure, one that will keep you happy throughout the summer months.

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MA | NY | FL 1-800-937-3028 We are looking for a part-time, per diem trilingual (EN/SPA/Port) Home Inservice trainer to train our clients how to use their diabetic testing supplies.

If you live in the greater Fall River area and want to make a difference in the lives of people with diabetes, please forward a resume and cover letter to: careers@sugartest.com.

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HAPPENINGS June 4-6 – Imagine, a musical review of the American Girls. Marion Art Center Family Theater. 80 Pleasant Street, Marion.

508-748-1266. www.marionartcenter.org

June 4-7 – Battle of Midway Observance

June 14 – Celebrate Flag Day at Battleship Cove. Learn how to fold and display your flag. Five Water Street, Fall River. 508-6781100. www.battleshipcove.com

June 4 – Mose Allison. Narrows Center for

June 5, 6 – Bristol Boat Show. 10am-6pm

June 18 – Taste of the Tri-Town, hosted by the Old Rochester Tri-Town Education Foundation. Mattapoisett YMCA, 38 Reservation Road, Mattapoisett. 7-9pm.

508-748-0180. www.cfsema.org

at Independence Park on Thames St. Free admission.

June 19 – Narragansett Barbershop

the Arts, 16 Anawan Street, Fall River. 8pm.

508-324-1926. www.ncfta.org

Mozart, presented by Newport Baroque.

Trinity Church, One Queen Anne Square, Newport. 7:30pm. 401-855-ww.newportbaroque.org

June 5 – Taunton River Festival. A day long family oriented celebration. Weir Riverfront Water Park, East Water Street, Taunton. 10am-5pm. 508-821-9347. www. neighborhoodcorp.org

June 5 – Seth Walker. Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan Street, Fall River. 8pm.

508-324-1926. www.ncfta.org June 6 – Hillside Galileans to present a musical concert to benefit the work of the Shepherd’s Center. 2-4pm. Church of the Holy Spirit, 160 Rock Street, Fall River.

June 6 – 66 Anniversary of D-Day at Battleship Cove. Pay tribute to the soldiers that fought at Normandy. Five Water Street, Fall River. 508-678-1100. www.battleshipcove.com

June 10 – A Grand Bristol Home, A Grand Tradition. Celebrating 200 years at Linden Place. Food, fun and dancing in grand style. Linden Place, 500 Hope Street, Bristol. 7-11pm. 401-253-0390. www.lindenplace.org

June 11 – Jesse Winchester. Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan Street, Fall River. 8pm. 508-324-1926. www.ncfta.org

June 11-13 – Day of Portugal Festival Weekend. Acushnet Avenue to Beetle Street to Coffin Avenue, New Bedford.

June 10, Raising of the Flag, New Bedford City Hall Steps. 508-322-7025. www.nbdayofportugal.com June 12 – Guy Davis. Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan Street, Fall River. 8pm.

508-324-1926. www.ncfta.org

42

June 13 – 61st Annual Orange Crate Derby hosted by the Bristol 4th of July Committee. Bay View Avenue, Bristol.

1:30pm check-in. 401-253-0445. www. july4thbristolri.com

at Battleship Cove. Continuous showing of the Battle of Midway Film. Five Water Street, Fall River. 508-678-1100. www. battleshipcove.com

June 5 – String Quartets of Hadyn and

We’re looking for an energetic, enthusiastic, and self-motivated person.

Visit www.CoastalMags.com for extended event listings or to subscribe to weekly events email

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

Chorus and Quartet. Annual Cultural Night by the Bristol 4th of July Committee. St. Mary’s Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol.

7:30pm. 401-253-0445. www.july4thbristolri.com

June 19 – Ronny Earl. Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan Street, Fall River. 8pm.

508-324-1926. www.ncfta.org June 19 – “Go Green”, the 1st Annual Ecology and Sustainability Fair. Christ Church, 57 Main Street, Swansea. 10am-2pm. 508673-1100. www.southcoastgreenlight.com June 20 – Town Farm Bird Walk with Bill Gil of the Paskamansett Bird Club.Westport Town Farm, Drift Road, Westport. 9am12pm. 508-636-4693. www.thetrustees.org June 24 – Bristol 4th of July Annual Road Race. Starts at the Town Common, Bristol.

5:30-7pm. 401-253-0445. www.july4thbristolri.com

June 25 – James Hunter. Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan Street, Fall River.

8pm. 508-324-1926. www.ncfta.org June 26 – The Fantasy Festival at Frerichs Farm. Entertainment, free workshops, lectures…Rain date June 27. 9-5. Frerichs Farm, 43 Kinnicut Ave., Warren. 401-2458245 or visit www.frerichsfarm.com June 26 – Fairhaven Homecoming Day. Fairhaven Center, Fairhaven. Sponsored byt the Fairhaven Improvement Association. 10am-4pm. 508-993-2175. www. fairhavenhomecoming.wordpress.com June 26 – Join Mayor Flanagan and artist Tiago Finato for a special portrait unveiling 4-7pm. GFRAA, 80 Belmont Street, Fall River.

June 27 – Totally Magic with Kevin Burgess. Wareham High School Auditorium, 7 Viking Drive, Wareham. 508-273-7308. www.warehamarts.org

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LAST WORD

A month of festas, fathers, and fun

by Mike Vieira You’ve got to love June. There’s no other month that brings together so much in its thirty days. From Portugal to fathers, graduation to summer, it’s a festa, a free day, a celebration and a hot time all rolled into one.

I’ll admit to taking advantage of Saints Patrick and Joseph to make March bearable, and while Peter Francisco sometimes gets the Portuguese a little attention that month, the festas don’t really kick off in earnest until June.

Around the South Coast, that means church feasts with decorated statues being carried through city streets accompanied by a marching band— and carne de espeto roasting on an open fire. Add an auction, a gaggle of vavos in black, toss a malassada in a little sugar and call it a great day.

But as cool as those feasts are, this month marks a special, Luso literary event. Dia de Portugal, or Day of Portugal, which celebrates the death of Luis de Camões on June 10, 1580. He wrote an epic poem celebrating the Lusitanos, which is another way to say Portuguese folks, telling the tale of the nation and its explorations in the 16th Century. That’s when the little country was a big player in the world. It’s kind of a Luso Odyssey, if you will.

Because the dictator Antonio de Oliveira Salazar tried to use June 10 to celebrate the “Day of the Portuguese Race,” for his nationalistic purposes, the celebration was suspended for a year in 1974, according to Wikipedia, but then “resumed to include celebrating the Portuguese emigrants living all around the world (Communidades Portuguesas).”

These days, June 10 is officially Dia de Camões, de Portugal e das Comunidades Portuguesas (Day of Camões, Portugal and the Portuguese Communities). It’s celebrated in that nation, but also in London, Fall River, New Bedford and other 44

communities. One of the largest is in Newark, New Jersey. Who knew?

And, not for nothin’, as they say, John Dias, a Tiverton kid with Fall River connections, is playing the lead in Jersey Boys, which runs through June 6 in Providence. He’s also putting on a oneman show on Monday, May 31, at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River to benefit his alma mater’s theater program.

It’s called “Dias with an S,” and talks about being Portuguese (not Hispanic) and how he got to play Frankie Valli.

A father’s day My father would have been proud that I added a little Portuguese lesson into an article about June and Father’s Day. Although, as a former student pointed out the other day, we’re Azorean Portuguese— which is kind of like being Hawaiian American— kind of the same, but with more pork. (Did you know that the ukulele was actually the local interpretation of an instrument brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants in the 19th century?)

Like my father, I’ll celebrate the day like most holidays—and most summer Sundays—surrounded by family and food.

Although he’s been gone almost 15 years, I still miss him but know that he lives on in what I do each day.

Recently, I went to a retirement party and the son of the retiree talked about his father. Both are mathematicians, but the son said he learned more lessons about how to be a good person than how to calculate.

It brought to mind a comment my father said to me when I was about 18. When it came to doing the right thing, be it legal or moral, he said, “By now, you either got it or you didn’t.” He explained that while we were growing up, his job was to teach us right from wrong and demonstrate by example—but once we were off to college,

June 2010 / The South Coast Insider

work, and life, “we either got it or we didn’t.”

I think I did—and I think my kids did too.

But it really was such an honest, straightforward explanation that put the responsibility for doing right and wrong on my shoulders—where it’s kind of stayed.

Thanks, dad.

Commencement Just as that moment was kind of a beginning of a different relationship between us, so is graduation. It’s a special moment in time that marks a transition.

What’s funny is that most of my own didn’t feel so special to me. Looking back, it was really cool to have graduated from the old Durfee Theater in downtown Fall River with my classmates. The ornate Alhambra-inspired décor was a great venue to show how important education is.

My Bridgewater bachelor’s ceremony was fun, and my master’s was rushed because torrential rain almost collapsed the tent. I’ll admit my doctoral hooding was pretty neat, but still they pale when as a teacher or parent you see your “kids” move on and get their diplomas.

As an educator, I love graduation. It’s really a very public symbol of a very private experience. For a student, it’s moving on—for a teacher, it’s letting go. As a parent, I learned how to accept that “roots and wings” thing by learning first from my students.

Summertime But no matter where you are in your life, student, parent or teacher, and no matter if you’re Portuguese or not, June brings it all together in that most spectacular season of all: summer.

With luck, the weather will be warm and wonderful—but even if it’s not, it’s still summer! And that’s a state of mind. Once again you’re being given an opportunity to learn, instruct, guide, and discover.

Take advantage of June.

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