The South Coast Insider - March 2014

Your Home & Garden Guide • pAGE 19 March 2014

the south coast

Vol. 18 / No. 3

coastalmags.com

The ‘nest’ big thing Cyber real estate The housing comeback Spring tune-up Shamrock celebration Here’s to your HEALTH Datelines and more…

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Contents In Every Issue

REGIONAL NEWS

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12

From the publisher

36

Dateline South Coast

By Elizabeth Morse Read

Architectural gem: the Providence Arcade

By Paul Kandarian

22

Environmental rebirth

COVER STORY

By Joyce Rowley

6

Ireland and the South Coast

BUSINESS BUZZ

By Sean McCarthy

14

What’s next in real estate

By Jay Pateakos

24

Your home’s spring tune-up

By Elizabeth Morse Read

26

30

Surviving the taxing season

By Sherri Mahoney-Battles

Real estate: Buying and selling online

By Dan Logan

THINGS TO DO

10

Dining with St. Patrick

By Brian J. Lowney

32

ADVERTISE WITH US! Call 508-677-3000 or email editor@coastalmags.com

Wheelin’ around the South Coast

By Michael DeCicco

34

Summer at the Lloyd Center

By Greg Jones

HOME & GARDEN

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March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

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The perfect mulch

By Sean McCarthy

ON THE COVER This month we celebrate all that is, or will be, the season of spring. From warmer days to blooming flowers to annual home maintenance to taxes, we have it here. The real estate market is blooming too, and full details are inside.

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The South Coast Insider / March 2014

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FROM THE PUBLISHER March 2014 / Vol. 18 / No. 3 Published by Coastal Communications Corp.

Welcome to the March issue of “The South Coast Insider.”

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

With the promise of Spring, we welcome the change of

Ljiljana Vasiljevic

season in several stories this month including the Home and Garden section starting on page 19.

Editor Greg Jones

Spring is the start of the real estate ‘selling season.’ The

Contributors Michael DeCicco, Greg Jones, Paul E. Kandarian, Dan Logan, Tom Lopes, Brian J. Lowney, Sherri Mahoney-Battles, Sean McCarthy, Jay Pateakos, Elizabeth Morse Read, Joyce Rowley

The South Coast Insider is published monthly for visitors and residents of the South Coast area. The Insider is distributed free of charge from Mount Hope Bay to Buzzards Bay. All contents copyright ©2014 Coastal Communications Corp.

Deadline 20 days prior to publication.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means, without written permission from the Publisher. All information contained herein is believed to be reliable.

Coastal Communications Corp. does not assume any financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements, but will reprint that portion of an advertisement in which the typographical error occurs.

Circulation 30,000 Subscriptions $25 per year

market is looking better than it has in quite a while, and Jay Pateakos expands on that news on page 14 with a look into the near future of the South Coast real estate market.

There’s more to selling or buying a house than simply putting a sign in the yard. Head to page 26 to explore the world of buying and selling real estate on the Internet. Dan Logan is your guide.

With spring comes, yes, taxes. While you can’t avoid them, you can prepare for and minimize the bill. It’s all part of tax planning strategies, and Sherri Mahoney-Battles, no stranger to these pages, has words of advice for you on page 30.

Did we say this is the March issue? Then it must be time for St. Patrick’s Day, when all things Irish are celebrated and everybody’s Irish for a day. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, the South Coast has Irish restaurants that will transport you to Ireland, at least for the day. Brian Lowney is your guide, starting on page 10.

Our advertisers are the people to thank for bringing you the news and information on our South Coast. Stop by, say hello, and see what they have to offer. The best deals are local deals.

Address The South Coast Insider 144 Purchase Street • PO Box 3493 Fall River, MA 02722

Phone (508) 677-3000

Website www.coastalmags.com

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

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March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

Ljiljana Vasiljevic Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

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COVER STORY

Shamrock celebrations

by Sean McCarthy

The Irish aren’t only about beer; after all, their most-celebrated day is named for a saint.

There’s a lot of Irish culture between the pub and the pulpit, so before you tip a pint on March 17, you can indulge yourself in some of the other offerings from and about the Emerald Isle.

It’s a small island with large spirit.

And although St. Patrick’s Day happens only once a year, there are elements of Ireland that you can have with you for the other 364 days.

To go with the memories

Joseph Patrick Reilly owns The Irish Specialty Shoppe in Fall River, which imports goods from Ireland. The store is located at 158 President Avenue and is in its fiftieth year of doing business.

The Claddagh Connection also imports from Ireland. It is located at 20 Commerce Way in Seekonk. Owner Denise Miller has been in business for 22 years.

Reilly and Miller both say that their most popular item is jewelry. Miller claims that jewelry accounts for about 70 per cent of her sales.

The most popular forms of Irish jewelry are the claddagh rings. Dating back to Roman times, the claddagh rings are laden with meaning. In medieval and Renaissance Europe they were used as engagement and wedding rings. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty.

Today the rings are a popular symbol in the growing popularity of Irish culture. Miller says that she’s recently

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March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

seen a new trend of parents buying the rings for their children.

Shamrock jewelry sells well. Legend has it that St. Patrick chose the symbol of the shamrock to represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, giving Christians an opportunity to identify themselves to the pagans.

Jewelry with Celtic knots are very popular, particularly the trinity knot ring, which some also believe to be

a three-pointed symbol of Christianity.

Hats and caps are popular. The favorite is the button-top Scally cap, which is the cap of choice among those of Irish descent in South Boston.

The Aran sweater

A symbol of Ireland that has been in existence for centuries is the Irish sweater. The clothing is also known as Aran sweaters, derived from the

name of the islands off the west coast of Ireland.

The sweaters are 100 per cent wool and each sweater is designed and stitched with a custom pattern unique to a specific clan. Each sweater is made with about 100,000 stitchesand can take up to two months to complete. The sweaters were created for the farmers and the fishermen to deal with the harsh weather on the islands.

The sweaters, while water repellent, allow for good air circulation, and they breathe easily, allowing for good ventilation. Because of their durability they are often handed down by generations.

More than just clothing Ireland offers other goods that are often handed down over generations.

The Irish love socializing...

Most people go the local pub three or four nights a week to meet friends and hang out.

Irish crystal, pewter and pottery are some of the finest in the world.

For centuries, Heritage Crystal has made pieces that are considered works of art. They are the only company in the world that uses the technique of mouth blowing and hand-cutting each individual piece. They produce a wide range of high-end stemware and barware, from champagne flutes to decanters.

Another line of goods that are traditionally crafted are Mullingar Pewter, which are meticulously assembled and hand fashioned, skills which take years to acquire. The company is internationally known for its fine pewter and its extensive line of giftware. Whether you’re drinking whiskey, wine, beer or

coffee, Mullingar can supply the vessel, from $15 shot glasses to $600 tea sets.

The uniqueness of the pottery of Colm de Ris has customers throughout Europe and America. Entirely handmade, his work has a modern Celtic motif. Pieces range from a $17 napkin ring to a $120 water pitcher.

The art and crafts of Ireland began to arrive on our shores soon after the great Irish immigrations here resulting from famines in their homeland.

Thirty- five million Americans claim some form of Irish descent.

The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of New Bedford, a South Coast organization, boasts 275 members, all of whom have some degree of Irish heritage.

Paul Meagher of Westport is 70 years old and was born and raised in Tipperary, Ireland and moved to the United States when he was 35. He is a past president of the Friendly Sons and is still active with the organization.

“The Irish love socializing,“ he says.

“Most people go the local pub three or four nights a week to meet friends and hang out. The pub is the universal meeting place in Ireland. It’s very social. There’s a lot of merriment, music and singing, and drinking is a central part of that.”

A musical culture One local musician says that Irish music has a way of uniting people.

“Irish music has a sense of camaraderie,” says Andy Perrone, guitarist and lead singer of The O’Toole’s, a New Bedford-based band that plays old school punk with an Irish flavor.

“There’s an anthemic element to it that brings people together.”

In their eighth year, the O’Toole’s will be spending their St. Patrick’s Day with a performance at The Tavern in Newport, RI. Rick Bennett is the lead singer and banjo player for The Pour Men, a band he describes as Celtic-influenced folk punk. They’re based in New Bedford but will be playing on March 17 at Ri Ra, an Irish bar in downtown Providence, RI. This will mark 10 years that Bennett has played on St. Patrick’s Day.

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Continued on page 9 The South Coast Insider / March 2014

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here’s been a lot of renovations at The Belmont Club in the recent past. But one thing that will surely stay the same is a line out the door of past and present friends looking to partake in the traditional revelry of St. Patrick’s Day. And at The Belmont Club they’re well versed in pouring a pint.

Located at 34 Franklin St. in Fall River, The Belmont Club is celebrating its eightieth St. Patrick’s Day. And while its walls are still adorned with collections of Fall River nostalgia it is also moving forward with a new Drink menu, new entertainment, new hours, and a new food menu being assembled for the coming months.

The club may look a little different to the eye, but owner Priscilla Brennan worked hard to maintain its warmth of spirit.

“I wanted to preserve the welcoming element,” Brennan says. “I think it’s still a place that’s comfortable and a good place for conversation.”

St. Patrick’s Day will have the bar serving a selection of more than 30 beers, including many Irish brands, and drinks both contemporary and traditional. The doors will open at 11:00 a.m. and close at 1:00 a.m. There will be live Irish music throughout the day and corned beef

sandwiches will be sold.

“I’m looking forward to seeing some of the people from the past who will stop by to see old friends,” Brennan says “It’s always a festive event.”

And Brennan is bringing more festivities to The Belmont Club. On Mondays they host Open Mics, giving local performers a chance to hone their skills. It runs from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.

On Wednesday nights the Khoury family entertains with a vast collection of songs including some original tunes, from 8:00 p.m. to midnight, and Thursdays they have the ever-popular Karaoke from 9:00 p.m. to midnight.

The club has new hours. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday it’s open from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday they’re open from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. and it’s only open on Sunday for private events that seat 50 to 60. For more information call The Belmont Club at 508-673-2982.

“This club has lasted 80 years because of its diversity, no doubt,” Brennan says. “It’s always been eclectic. You could have a hair dresser sitting next to a carpenter, next to a judge, next to an artist, next to a plumber. That’s what’s made it interesting, that’s what’s kept us going.”

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Continued from page 7 “St. Patrick’s Day is a no-holds-barred celebration,” he says. “It’s a celebration of friends and life.”

Join the parade Not all pubs will be reserving their celebrations for Monday, March 17— they may celebrate on the days leading up to it as well.

St. James Irish Pub on 91 Purchase St. in Fall River will be doing what they’ve done for many years on March 17: letting people in until there’s no more room and eating until there’s no more food. The pub will be celebrating both Sunday and Monday with Irish breakfasts, traditional lunch and full Irish bands both days.

I wanted to preserve the welcoming element.

I think it’s still a place that’s comfortable and a good place for conversation.

The breakfast will feature bangers (sausage), rashers (bacon), brown bread, black and white pudding, stuffed tomatoes and scrambled eggs.

Sunday breakfast will be served from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be corned beef and cabbage.

Publicans.

Dublin’s Sports Bar & Grill on 1686 Acushnet Ave. in New Bedford’s north end with begin celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on the Friday before as they welcome radio station WFHN 107 for the “Kiss Me I’m Single” event.

“Kiss Me I’m Single” will be geared towards pairing singles with an Irish theme. There will be games and

contests with raffles and giveaways including American Express gift cards and Robin Thicke tickets. The event will start at 8:00 p.m. The rest of the weekend at Dublin’s will include a wide variety of Irish music with an ample amount of green beer.

In keeping with the motto that “everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day,” The Corky Row Club at 602 Third St. in Fall River is welcoming all interested people to join with them on Saturday, March 15 as they march in the Newport, RI, St. Patrick’s Day parade.

It is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m.

Anyone interested can call the club at 508-672-9476.

On Monday, Corky Row will open its doors at 11:00 a.m. to celebrate 60 years of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Food choices are a corned beef and cabbage dinner or a corned beef sandwich, along with side dishes. There will be Irish music until the club closes at 1:00 a.m.

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A bit of history St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. March 17 was originally celebrated in Ireland in the 17th century for him bringing Christianity into Ireland and is observed by many Christian churches. Although it is held during Lent, when it falls on a Friday the church suspends Lent for one day and allows for drinking and eating meat. It has been celebrated in America on March 17 since the late 18th century, and is a legal holiday in the Boston region of Suffolk County.

Boston’s parade is the oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade in America, and the second-largest after New York City.

“The Irish have been through a lot of tough times and they’re a resilient people,” Bennett says. “They have a love of life and celebrations and people like that no matter what time of the year.”

For 20 years singer and guitarist Art Tebbetts of New Bedford has been including Irish music in his repertoire.“The Irish know how to have fun,” he says. “You could go to any Irish bar anywhere in the world and have a good time.”

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The South Coast Insider / March 2014

9

THINGS TO DO

Dining with St. Patrick

by Brian J. Lowney

Everything turns green during the month of March. All along the South Coast, gardens start to bloom with early spring flowers and many folks sport festive emerald-colored carnations and shamrocks as they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and hopefully the end of winter.

O

n March 17th everyone is Irish, whether you’re name is Shea, Flannery or O’Medeiros. In honor of the celebratory day, many pubs and restaurants add Irish specialties and beverages to their menus, while other establishments serve the hearty fare all year long.

For many Fall Riverites, and former residents of the Corky Row neighborhood, St. Patty’s Day wouldn’t be the same without a visit to the Corky Row Club, a local hangout located at 602 3rd St., phone 508-672-9476.

While the menu is limited to corned beef sandwiches and dinners on St. Patrick’s Day, the hearty fare is reason enough to visit the club. At lunchtime, I always try to find a seat in the crowded hall to enjoy a corned beef sandwich, which features a generous portion of flavorful, well-trimmed meat stuffed into a fresh Kaiser roll.

Accompanied by a bag of potato chips and a pickle spear and washed down with a pint of beer or a soft drink, this

10

March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

is the perfect lunch for a celebratory day.

For folks with bigger appetites, there is a delicious corned beef dinner, complete with a generous serving of sliced meat, a boiled potato, onion and carrot, and a wedge of cabbage.

Get there early, stay late, enjoy the company of old and new friends and sing to your heart’s content on St. Patrick’s Day at the Corky Row Club.

Family fare Leprechauns will also be dancin’ on St. Patrick’s Day and throughout March at McGovern’s Family Restaurant, 310 Shove St., Fall River, phone 679-5010. Although the restaurant is closed on Mondays, this year it will remain open since St. Patrick’s Day falls on that day.

Guests will enjoy Irish specialties such as traditional corned beef and cabbage, as well as Guinness pot pie, featuring a savory beef stew made with the imported dry stout and topped with a flaky pastry crust. Other

popular menu items include bangers (Irish sausage) and mash, shepherd’s pie, savory lamb stew and lamb chops.

Appetizers include hearty Irish bisque, a flavorful creamy potato soup, which many folks enjoy with a slice of Irish soda bread or a fresh-baked scone.

For dessert, the delightful staff at McGovern’s will offer specialties such as Bailey’s cheesecake, Irish bread pudding topped with whipped cream, and my favorite, crème de menthe chiffon.

“Join us for St. Patrick’s Day for some delicious Irish food,” Ramona McGovern beckons, adding that for those individuals who can’t attend the festive celebration, the restaurant will serve its famed corned beef and cabbage dinner for most of March.

In the historic East Bay, friends of the Auld Sod gather for a drink or two and great Irish food at Aiden’s Pub, 5 John St., Bristol, RI; phone 401-254-1940.

To start the day Why not begin St. Patrick’s Day with a hearty traditional Irish breakfast, served from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., featuring eggs, rashers (Irish bacon), bangers, black and white pudding, brown bread and a grilled tomato. Other breakfast specialties include Mullingar hash, a generous serving of homemade corned beef hash served with two eggs any style, toast and home fries.

Throughout the day, guests will enjoy such Irish favorites as bangers and ash, Grandma Ennis’ chicken dinner (chicken breast sautéed with mushrooms in an Irish cream sauce), and my favorite, the popular Irish mixed grille, featuring bangers, rashers, a pork chop, grilled tomato, mashed potato and vegetables.

For traditionalists, Aiden’s will also

offer a tempting corned beef and cabbage dinner.

“It’s just a great day to come in and visit,” says Amy Gallagher, restaurant manager, adding there will be a variety of live Irish music performed throughout the day, and guests can enjoy a full complement of alcoholic beverages and beers imported from the Emerald Isle.

You’re invited!

Join the O’Connell’s of the Palmer House Inn and Falmouth Village this St. Patrick’s Day

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Palmer House Inn Irish Stew This savory, hearty stew is always a hit on a chilly St. Patrick’s Day. Recipe coutesy of Pat O’Connell, co-owner of the Palmer House Inn, Falmouth, who recommends serving the stew with warm buttermilk biscuits or Irish soda bread slathered with dairy fresh butter.

Ingredients: 3 lbs. of boneless lamb, cut into 1½ inch cubes (beef can be substituted) n ¹⁄3 cup all-purpose flour n 1 tsp. salt n ¼ tsp. pepper n ¼ cup vegetable oil n 3 cups boiling water n ½ tsp. ground allspice n

3 chicken bullion cubes 4 medium potatoes cut into ½ inch slices n 2 cups of green peas n 1 large yellow onion, diced n 2 cups carrots, peeled and sliced n 1 bay leaf, crumbled n n

½ tsp. chopped garlic

n

Directions: Combine flour, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add cubed lamb (or beef) and turn until meat is coated. Shake off excess flour.

In a frying pan, brown meat in the oil. Add boiling water and transfer to a slow cooker. Gradually stir in the remaining flour mixture. Add bullion cubes, bay leaf, allspice and additional salt & pepper to taste if so desired.

Add potatoes and heat to the boiling point then turn the dial to simmer and cook for 30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Stir in peas, onions and carrots and simmer for another 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

The South Coast Insider / March 2014

11

REGIONAL NEWS

Meet me at the Arcade

W

here is that thirdfloor shoe store my mom dragged me to when I was a kid? And the fedora-topped men and Laura Petrie-looking women?

They’re in the old black-and-white photos that grace the walls of the Providence Arcade and trigger youthful memories. I look for, but could not find, the claw marks I swear making in the wooden handrail atop ornate scrolled-iron balustrades I recall nervously peering through to the ground floor three stories down.

If you grew up anywhere near Providence in the ‘50s and ‘60s, you probably have memories of the arcade, a

12

March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

by Paul Kandarian shopping haven in its day and a place my mom would take me that had a lot to do with my early fear of heights.

I didn’t appreciate it then, but I do now, this gorgeous, historic, Greek rectilinear temple-style building with iconic Ionic columns at either end, a giant granite testimony to Providence’s heyday as one of the richest cities in the country.

It was built in 1828, a towering, open building, with vaulted glass ceiling that bathes the atrium in light. The third floor is stepped back from the second, both ringed by those original wooden handrails, iron balustrades and delightfully worn flooring. The first floor, where now are 17 retail operations, including three restaurants, is a popular cut-through connecting

Weybosset to Westminster street in the city’s thriving financial district.

All three floors back in the day were home to shops, and while that retail flavor remains now on the first floor, a huge change in this marvelous building that is a National Historic Landmark is on the second and third floors: They have been renovated into 48 living units, many of them tiny micro-loft apartments that bring back the concept of store owners living above the place where they work, including Amanda Rubin, owner of GetModa, a designer consignment shop.

“I like that all the stores are non-competitive, they’re all different, and we promote each other,” said Rubin, 32, who moved her business from Ashland, MA. “There are no chain stores

and we’re all local.”

The diversity of shops adds to living at the arcade, she said, adding, “If I want my hair done, or eyebrows, or need furniture, it’s all right here.”

The renovated, reinvigorated arcade was the brainchild of Evan Granoff, a Rhode Island-born businessman who owns the arcade and recalls, as a child, having his passport picture taken at the third-floor studio of Eileen McClure.

“Just about everyone in Rhode Island has a connection to this place,” said Granoff, 54, of a building that holds the distinction of being the country’s first covered shopping center, America’s earliest mall for lack of a better term.

When it was being renovated prior to its October 2013 opening, there was a clamor to locate businesses there and to live upstairs; waiting lists exist for the privileges.

One thing you won’t find at the Providence Arcade is the presence of chain anything: All the stores and restaurants are owned and run by locals, selling largely local goods, wares and food.

“I loved the history of this building and thought it was a great way to revive eating fresh like they did back in those days,” said Ryan Bessette, a resident of the arcade and owner of Rogue Island Local Kitchen & Bar, where virtually everything is house-made, including ketchup and butter, with food sourced from Rhode Island or within 60 miles of the city.

“All our craft spirits are made in New England, too, including Sons of Liberty whiskey and vodka (made in South Kingstown),” he said as we sat in the bright, airy restaurant with stampedtin ceiling, and furnishings and moldings salvaged from Rhode Island sources.

Pairing whiskey and coffee is New Harvest Coffee & Spirits, a hangout

for morning coffee and conversation, which roasts its beans at the company’s Pawtucket headquarters, said Assistant Manager Erick Armbrust.

“We have about 50 whiskeys,” he said of a range that includes French and Indian single malts, served at a long, curved stainless-steel bar. “It’s going well here, people are responding to it.”

One thing about Providence is its ease of getting around, on foot or two wheels. Dash Bicycle, a repair and rental shop at the arcade, is banking on that concept as the weather warms up, said owner Leo LaBelle, who worked at a cookie shop in the Providence Arcade back in the ‘90s. Come spring, he expects to rent bikes to tourists to ride around the city or on nearby trails, including the popular East Bay Bike Path, which starts about a mile and a half away.

“This will be great, having a centralized location,” said LaBelle, adding that a plus for arcade residents is having a bike garage in the basement to store their rides.

When I say just about everyone has Providence Arcade memories, that comes from the top. Providence Mayor Angel Taveras told me he grew up on the city’s south side and recalled “the arcade’s buzzing first floor, you could buy pizza, and there was a great cookie place I went to even after I became a lawyer. It was the center of activity and a gathering place.

The saying was always, ‘Meet me at the arcade’.”

And it is again. Though the Providence Arcade has gone through various incarnations in its 186-year history, the most recent could be the best, according to the man responsible for its rebirth.

“We’re hopeful this rendition works, that this is the one that makes it economically viable,” Granoff said. “I think this is going to work.”

Just about everyone in Rhode Island has a connection to this place.

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The South Coast Insider / March 2014

13

COVER STORY

South Coast real estate forecast

by Jay Pateakos

Most businesses have had their fair share of abuse as they suffered through the Great Recession but the real estate industry seems to have taken more than its average lumps.

After booming years in the early 2000s, the industry has suffered for a number of years with declining home values, houses sitting on the market for way too long or those that can’t even sell if you practically gave them away.

But like any declining times, positive signs are sure to eventually show up, and real estate professionals say they are beginning to see a slow but sure turnaround as the calendar flips over to 2014.

But how has the industry been changed? Are people looking for different things now as they shop for a house? Are the homes being designed any differently than they were a decade ago?

Dramatic changes Stephen Kelleher of the Fairhaven-based Stephen Kelleher Architects, Inc., (SKA) said the residential real estate market has changed dramatically since the boom market of 10 years ago, prior to the great recession.

Ten years ago, his firm was designing larger waterfront and water-view 14

March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

homes all along the South Coast. Back then, Kelleher said, the budgets were greater as every year the stock markets and real estate markets were soaring to new heights. Then the bottom fell out of the economy in 2008. At that time the residential market for SKA and many other architectural firms along the South Coast died. Since residential projects are only part of their design business, SKA was able to survive on commercial, state, municipal, industrial, and alternative energy projects.

“In 2011 the residential market reemerged, however it was quite different than it was 10 years ago in 2004.

Generally the homes are smaller with open floor plans, though they are still shingle style, arts and crafts, or New England style, with master bedrooms en suite on the main floor, and laundries, etc.” said Kelleher.

“Since most of our present clients are baby boomers looking to retire along the South Coast, we have designed homes with high energy efficiency HVAC, building envelope with low maintenance and high energy efficiency insulation packages, and

designs that have wheelchair mobility in mind or easy modifications for handicapped accessibility.”

Designed for flexibility In addition, Kelleher’s clients also had interest in flexibility of their new or remodeled home so that multiple generations can visit or stay for longer periods of time if it became necessary.

Kelleher said for most of its projects, the greatest obstacles they face are code, regulatory issues, permitting, and the extensive time and costs related to them, especially on waterfront and water-view properties, which is one their strengths.

“What comprises the perfectly designed home today is what I have always considered paramount, that when a new home is completed or remodeled it should look as if it has always been there, have an heirloom quality to it. When the clients are joyful of their new home it keeps us striving for that quality and those good feelings,” added Kelleher.

“The built environment is real and it needs to be well conceived and thought through in so many ways.

As an architect that is what we try to accomplish.”

Surviving booms and busts The North Dartmouth-based R.P. Valois Companies have been in the construction business more than three decades as well as real estate brokerage for the last 10 years so they’ve certainly been through numerous real estate booms and busts.

President Roland P. Valois said both companies are influenced by the economy in the same way and the last five years have certainly been a struggle if your business is tied in any way to the housing market.

“The past year has been a turnaround year and both companies are carrying that momentum into the new year; we expect 2014 to continue to improve for real estate and construction,” said Valois.

“There is a pent-up demand and with interest rates beginning to rise slightly, serious buyers that have held out will be pressed to move forward to benefit from these historic low rates.”

Quality trumps quantity How are people different in what they buy now? What has the poor economy done to people’s views on home buying?

“People are more conservative; their focus is more on quality and value and not so much on size and the wow factors of the past,” said Valois. “There are a large number of baby boomers who are looking to downsize and consolidate into a single floor of living but most of the housing stock built over the last 30 years are larger, two-level homes.”

Valois said the recession has worked to weed out the weaker companies and “made us more conscious of fine-tuning ourselves to the needs of our clients, our company and our goals,” he added.

“It has forced us to be more frugal, to look closely at how we operate and deliver our services so that we operate as efficiently as possible.”

Valois stressed that value and amenities specific to a buyer’s needs and lifestyle are the biggest goals of most buyers these days.

“The older buyers are more concerned with being able to age in place, which is the industry term for being able to stay in their homes for the long term;” Valois said. “This translates into one floor living, future handicap accessibility and other comfort-design features unique to that individual.”

Market looking up Over the past six months, Valois noted, they’ve seen more activity in land sales and the new home construction market that hasn’t existed in the past three to five years.

“This is a great sign that people are beginning to feel comfortable again with the economy and more importantly their individual situations,” said Valois.

Diane Marrazzo, half of the “Spouses Who Sell Houses” team of Diane & John Marrazzo of Mattapoisett-based real estate agents of Jack Conway & Co. said if the first month of 2014 is any indication, this year will be a big bounce-back year for the real estate industry.

“We are seeing a very busy start to the new year. We personally, have closed on two over-55 condos, and have two others under agreement since January 1,” said Diane.

“Baby boomers are looking to downsize, have energy efficient homes, and the interest rates, stability in the economy, and the South Coast, in general, is a sought-after place to be. We are busier this start of the New Year, possibly more than we have been in years.”

Diane said much of the difference now as opposed to years ago in the housing market is that properties are now priced well and are not staying on the market as long as they once did.

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“Days-on-market are decreasing, and rents have gone up. In many cases, mortgage payments are lower than rent prices right now,” said Diane.

“People’s wish lists now have focused on energy-efficient homes, properties Continued on next page The South Coast Insider / March 2014

15

Continued from previous page with good schools, interesting things to do, as boomers look to enjoy their leisure time.”

Like Valois, Diane said the poor economy has sorted out many real estate agents, who left the industry who may have been working parttime, and just could not survive in the down market. She said Jack Conway & Co. have a group of real estate agents who stayed on the roller coaster and their company has continued to provide training tools and education to go from a buyer’s market to a seller’s market.

Diane said that training has helped to move inventory. Houses are no longer spending months on the shelf, but are instead selling quickly with more than one offer on homes.

“Our advice to buyers is to get ready.

Get your pre-approval, work with a dedicated, professional real estate agent who will work on your behalf,” said Diane.

“For sellers, paint, declutter, price your property well, and get ready to move. Banks are scrutinizing every loan with fine detail, so pricing and condition is important. All signs are extremely positive.”

For those people who are still not convinced the real estate market is coming back, Diane said Jack Conway,

This house in Marion was finished in late summer of 2013. Photo by Stephen Kelleher Architets.

which has its own licensing school for real estate agents, hired more than 160 agents in 2013, adding to over 700 agents company-wide and has brought back the popular incentive trips to places like Cancun, starting 2015, to help push top producers to new heights to work toward these fabulous vacations, as a wonderful bonus to play, network, and enjoy before-spring market hits.

“We are seeing our spring market start already, this year,” added Diane.

The ‘boomer boom’ Much of the change involves the baby boomers and how that massive group of retiring or soon-to-be-retiring folk is changing the way the This house is presently under construction in South Dartmouth.

Photo by R.P. Valois Companies.

16

March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

industry moves going forward.

Denis DaSilva, principal broker for Revolv Real Estate, which covers Bristol county and the Cape Cod region, said baby boomers are focusing on securing one level of living while still trying to retain their independent living.

“Some are going into over-55 communities, while others are majorly downsizing, especially on Cape Cod. They are looking for one level, with far less square footage, on average around 1,500 square feet, with a master bedroom on the first floor,” said DaSilva.

“You’re finding many with three bedrooms and two baths on the first level in order to avoid any stairs. Some have gone to two bedrooms but we’re finding that they want to keep a good number of bedrooms so that sons and daughters and grandchildren have a place to stay when they come to visit.”

DaSilva said while the trend had always been to find many retirees moving to Florida, he’s seeing many now staying local so they can be closer to their family and grandchildren as they grow up.

“It’s common sense, really. As they get older, they are looking for less space and a smaller yard but still an area where they can tend a garden,” said DaSilva. “They want the square footage all on one level and they do not want any home that requires work. A fixer-upper is just out of the question.

They don’t want to handle things like that anymore, and they are looking for scenic views.”

When it comes to much of the amenities that DaSilva described, Tiverton, Rhode Island’s The Villages at Mount Hope Bay are good examples. These luxury homes and condos on the shore of Mount Hope Bay are part of a new development featuring waterfront living with some single-level living.

“People today are looking more for a lifestyle than a piece of real estate.

They are looking for a community that offers things they like to do,” said Bridget Little Torrey, of Water Edge Properties and broker for The Villages of Mount Hope Bay. “People no longer want to take care of the lawn or maintain the house. They don’t want to settle into a place that has an exclusively clubby atmosphere; they just want to be around people that share their interests.”

Like DaSilva, Torrey said people are trying to stay closer to where they once owned a home and the appeal of a place like Mount Hope is that it has a variety of sizes of homes to fit anyone’s needs, from small, medium to large spaces ranging from 1,000-square-feet to 4,500-square-feet.

“We satisfy the whole gamut in the need for space while we also put the master bedrooms on the first level so that these people won’t have the need to climb stairs,” said Torrey. “This is not assisted living or even a retirement community—this is convenience living.”

Activities include bridge, poker, a garden club, yoga, parties in its clubhouse, a pool, tennis, and so much more.

“We don’t have a marina or a golf course because we found many of our people already belong to existing clubs,” said Torrey. “A lot of the people that are interested in coming here already had water views and didn’t want to give that up. We have something to offer everyone here.”

Lauren Cardin is the manager of Conway in the Bay in Onset, a Jack Conway Real Estate Company, as well as a senior specialist. She said with baby boomers making up 35 per cent of the population these days, the real estate industry has certainly had to Continued on next page

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Continued from previous page adjust and will continue to do so in the future.

“There are certainly a lot more over55 communities available now versus 10 years ago, giving seniors more housing options,” said Cardin.

“Also, in-law apartments have become much more popular than they were years ago. The reason is the senior population is now the largest age demographic in the US.” Cardin said baby boomers may be downsizing in size but not necessarily financially. They tend to make a lateral move financially because they want all the bells and whistles available in the new over-55 communities.

“Today, with all the independent and assisted living facilitates available a senior has more options to choose from,” said Cardin. “It’s not just about going into a nursing home anymore, there are so many more options giving a senior more opportunities to stay independent.”

For James Sabra of the Westport-based Equity Real Estate, he said as people approach retirement, they find that they are much more budget conscious, particularly about their housing and the future expense of it.

“We have had particular success in selling to the 55-plus market by offering a combination of free standing, single level homes in a condominium setting at Oakridge 55+ in Westport,” said Sabra.

“We have satisfied a niche of buyers that are looking for ownership, privacy, low maintenance and utility costs, with the freedom of knowing that all aspects of the exterior and site will be taken care of by a professional management team for a low monthly fee.”

Sabra said that while the trend of downsizing has been around for many years, the northeast market has been slow to adapt, lagging well behind the southern states that have been satisfying this need for many years.

“I think the desire to downsize will continue for the retirees,” Sabra said, “however their ability to do so will be driven by availability, affordability, and the sale of the large, dated, commonly inefficient, multi-story home.”

HOME & GARDEN GUIDE Your guide to South Coast services and products for home and garden—shop local!

The South Coast Insider / March 2014

19

HOME & GARDEN

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Why mulch?

“Mulch’s main purpose is to insulate, keep the moisture in and hold the weeds down, but nowadays most people do it because it looks good,” says Rob Robishaw, sales manager for Letourneau.

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March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

by Sean McCarthy

We stand behind our product because we make it ourselves. comes in four colors to suit the needs of the home landscaper: black; red; brown; and natural.

Robishaw has been in the industry for 15 years, and he knows how the atmosphere at the workplace is going to translate into the service that a client receives. The company has a staff of 10, and is family owned, by brothers Mark and Gary Letourneau and cousin

Robert Letourneau. Mark and Gary’s father Real and cousin Robert’s father Phil began the company in 1959 in New Bedford. They have been located at 200 Chase Rd. in Freetown since 1974. The company’s customers are generally in the South Coast.

“We have a family-values environment and that translates to the customer,” Robishaw says. “Our customers are treated with respect; we’re presentable and professional. We have almost no turnover—some people have been here for 30 years.”

Robishaw says that if a customer pays for quality then they’re going to get it. “We make our mulch on our property. You can drive here and talk to the person who made it. We guarantee that it’s the highest quality available. You can buy it in a bag at a store Continued on page 21

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Continued from page 20 but you don’t know exactly what’s in it or where it’s from. We only use natural tree products, nothing that has been processed. There’s no dirt or other materials. It’s 100 per cent clean.”

The company also makes bark mulch—leftover bark taken from the paper mills in northern New England.

Most customers buy the colorless bark mulch because they enjoy how it smells.

Made locally for local needs “We stand behind our product because we make it ourselves,” Robishaw says.

Letourneau’s often delivers their mulch in their own trucks, though customers can bring their own trucks and have it loaded on site. Customers are welcome to stop by the business and look first at the different colors of mulch before making a decision.

“We’re a mom and pop business,” Robishaw says. “Eighty per cent of our clients are repeat customers. Once you buy mulch here you won’t go anywhere else.”

Robishaw points out that a majority of their business takes place during April, May and June, when people begin to get outdoors again.

Half the company’s mulching wood comes from contractors and half they procure themselves. The company has a land-clearing business and their wood comes from areas they have cleared themselves: trees; stumps; and brush. Usually the company that is having the land cleared pays Letourneau’s to have it taken away.

They bring it back to their facility where the mulching process takes place.

The wood is ground three times, and the coloring is added during the second and third times. They are careful to use just enough coloring so that it won’t fade but not so much that it runs.

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REGIONAL NEWS

Rebuilding the environment Prepared by: The Bioengineering Group, Inc.

by Joyce Rowley

If you’ve driven up Mill Road in Acushnet lately and have seen machinery moving the large stone blocks from the sides of the Acushnet River banks, you may be wondering what was going on and who was disturbing the wetlands.

Actually, the Buzzards Bay Coalition is rebuilding wetlands and restoring the river to what it looked like before European settlement 300 years ago, says Sara da Silva Quintal, the restoration ecologist. Quintal is managing the Acushnet Sawmill Ecological Restoration project on the Acushnet River for the Coalition, a non-profit organization that has been working to restore and protect the Bay’s ecosystem since 1987.

The Coalition purchased the 19-acre riverfront site in 2007 with $1.75 million from the New Bedford Harbor Trustees Council, who awards funding from a natural resource damage penalty 26

March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

fund created by the polluters who discharged PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) into the New Bedford harbor. This part of the Acushnet River is the last clean section before the PCB contamination began, says Quintal. The $1.2 million ecological restoration is also funded through the New Bedford Harbor Trustees Council.

Reviving river ecology

The Acushnet Sawmill Ecological project site is also a river herring spawning area. In 2007, with the help and sponsoring of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA), the Coalition

created a fishway to encourage river herring returning to spawn.

Herring are born in freshwater but then swim to the sea where they spend much of their adult lives. Prior to 2007, about 300 herring, mostly alewives, traveled up from the ocean, through the New Bedford harbor, and over an ineffectual fish ladder to spawn in the mill pond on the property.

As of 2013, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries counted over 6,000 herring that made the trip back.

“Herring will always return to the river they were born in,” said Quintal. She said the exponentially increasing herring stock bodes well for the herrings’ future in the Acushnet River.

Remembering a piece of history

The history of the property may go back as far as the Wampanoag Native Americans. Quintal said that the dam on the property just above Tarkiln

Road was likely a footpath north for the tribe leading from Fairhaven to Middleborough, their winter grounds.

Sometime in the late 1700s, the first mill was built. For about the next hundred years, a cotton mill operated on the site, using the river water to power it. According to historical records that Quintal found, when the upper area was dammed and became the City of New Bedford’s first reservoir, the river slowed. The cotton mill was converted to a sawmill and a lumber yard. Still later a box factory was added, using lumber from the many forestry holdings owned by the sawmill’s proprietors, the Hawes family.

From 1867 to the 1960s, generations of the Hawes family owned and operated the Acushnet Sawmills Company with a lumber yard, cabinet shop, saw mill, and box factory. Their holdings extended into the forests of Freetown and Acushnet, and included saw mills on those properties, too. At the turn of the century, the business was

removing abandoned buildings and ripping up old concrete foundations and parking lots. That phase of the project included making plans to restore wetlands and natural banks on the river, much like the river would have had before its power was channeled to run the mills.

Restoring the riverine ecology also means expanding existing fields, and creating a variety of habitat native to a South Coast river corridor. Invasive species like black locust and Norway maple trees and oriental bittersweet were removed from a filled wetland area on site, said Quintal. Then the area was excavated and will be replanted with red swamp maple and native wetland plants.

When completed, the site will contribute to the watershed as a healthy, sustainable, natural area for flora and fauna.

The Coalition’s goal is to encourage public access when the work is done, so Quintal is also managing contractors who will create a crushed stone trail network throughout the property.

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known as the Yard of the North, and employed about fifty people.

The company made lumber deliveries throughout the South Coast in horse-drawn wagons, according to the family spokesperson, Peter Hawes.

In fact, the property included a barn for 30 horses from the 1880s through the early 1900s.

“Wooden boxes were made to hold fish, cranberries, and bottled soda,” says Hawes. As plastic replaced wood, the box factory closed, but the property remained in the family and was run as a lumber yard and hardware store until the mid-1980s.

In addition to the Acushnet Mills Company site, the Hawes family has put hundreds of acres into conservation in the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve in Fall River and the Haskell Swamp in Rochester, MA.

Restoring the land

Over the past seven years, the Coalition began

The west side of the river will be handicapped accessible, although trails on the eastern side will be for hiking. A canoe/kayak launch at the mill pond and scenic overlooks along the river will help reconnect people with the river.

A small, newer building found on the property was relocated and will be refurbished into a learning center near Mill Road. Students from the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School attending Auto-CADD, electrical and carpentry classes are designing and refurbishing the center.

Greater New Bedford Vocational Technical High School students are assisting with the plumbing for the center.

Although the site is currently closed to the public while under construction, the Coalition will open it in August 2014 when the work is complete, said Quintal.

For more information on this and other environmental work by the Buzzards Bay Coalition, visit their website at www.savebuzzardsbay.org.

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The South Coast Insider / March 2014

27

COVER STORY

A spring tune-up

by Elizabeth Morse Read

I grew up on the second floor of a turnof-the-20th-century house in New Bedford.

a professional right away. You might get away with postponing some projects, but if you don’t at least inspect your house every spring, some easy project neglected now could turn into a very expensive disaster down the road. So, whistle a happy tune and get going.

Every spring, my father would lean an enormous wooden ladder against the sides of the house, and would then remove and singlehandedly carry down all the huge old-fashioned storm windows that he’d hoisted up in the fall. While he was up there, he’d scoop out the gutters.

Then, he’d scrape, sand and touch up the wood trim before washing and stacking the windows in the cellar, until he did it all over again next fall.

It’s just what you do when you own a home, he told me.

Everyone knows that indoor spring cleaning starts as soon as the weather gets warm enough to open the windows. But the outside of the house needs a good spring cleaning, too, especially after a brutally cold and snowy winter.

You can hire a contractor, make it a family project or go it alone, but spring home maintenance is a given.

So whether you’re thinking of selling your house or you’re staying in it for years to come, here’s a checklist of what needs inspecting every spring. Some projects you can tackle on your own, but there may be others that require

Check out your roof, gutters and chimney first. You can stand on the sidewalk with a pair of binoculars, if need be, or get someone else to climb a ladder and crawl around. Your goal is the find any evidence of anything that could lead to or indicate water damage: moss; missing or curling shingles; buckled gutters; white-crusted chimney bricks; or warped flashing around roof windows, vents or the chimney.

Then, get up close to the house with a flashlight and look up at the eaves and soffits beneath the roofline and near your gutter downspouts, looking for water damage. Does the underside of any of the windowsills or wood trim above you show signs of rot?

You can also look for water damage by poking around in your attic. If you find damp insulation or streaky roof rafters, you may have a leak somewhere. Check the caulking around skylights, the chimney and vent openings, too.

While you’re up there, check all the corners and cubbies to make sure you don’t have uninvited guests nesting up there. (Be sure to protect yourself from contact with insulation by wearing

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March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

“Up on the roof…”

gloves and long sleeves!)

“The itsy-bitsy spider…”

Winters are hard on gutters and downspouts, especially if they’re filled with leaves that froze and created ice dams, which can warp the gutters and pull them away from the house.

Water that should have been routed away by the gutters may have soaked into the eaves and soffits along your roofline, which can lead to wood rot. Water-damaged wood also leaves you susceptible to carpenter ants, woodpeckers and other unwanted critters. Downspouts can be blown off in a blizzard, or the bottom piece, which should lead the water away from the foundation, may now be pointing the wrong way. This lets water seep through cracks in your foundation, which results in basement flooding. Clean out all the leaves in the gutters, flush out any leaves trapped in the downspouts, and consider covering the gutters with protective mesh.

“Another brick in the wall…”

Whether your house’s exterior walls are covered with wood shingles, vinyl siding, stucco or bricks, you need to do a close inspection. Is the paint chalky and flaking? Is there moss growing anywhere? Have chunks of stucco or mortar chipped off? Is the vinyl stained? Has the grout crumbled between the bricks? Not only do these signs indicate a water drainage/seepage problem, but they also might let bugs crawl through.

And it’s a good idea to power-wash aluminum/ vinyl siding, trim and shutters every spring to prevent mold.

Check the putty and caulking around all windows, doors, thresholds and vents. Water seeps in, heat seeps out, if weather-sealing problems aren’t fixed immediately. If window or door screens were exposed over the winter, check them for small holes or tears you can repair.

(Save one old screen to make patches.) Tighten and lubricate your door hinges and closers, window hardware, gates and garage doors.

Poured concrete takes a beating over time, too, whether it’s in your basement, your driveway or your sidewalks. Frost heaves, normal settling, tree roots—even minor earthquakes—all cause cracks and chipping. You may be able to fix some of the damage yourself, but if you can stick a quarter into a crack, it’s time to call a professional.

Not everyone is qualified to tune up their car; likewise, not everyone is qualified to make all necessary home maintenance repairs.

“Tiptoe through the tulips…”

After an icy, snowy winter, all of the trees, bushes, lawns and flower gardens on your property are hurting. Boughs and branches may have snapped; be sure to clear them away from your roof, gutters and any wires coming into the house. The soil around your foundation shrubs may have eroded; if so, fill those hollows to prevent water from getting into the basement. Fill in any dips or depressions you find in your lawn; they’ll turn into ankle-breakers and mosquito breeding grounds if you don’t. Stone pavers, flagstones and bricks along sidewalks and patios may have shifted, too, over the winter.

Tamp them down (to prevent falls) and then spread sand to fill in gaps to prevent weeds from taking root.

“Don’t fence me in…”

Structures attached to or just beyond your house (like porches, fences, decks, patios and

stairs) need special scrutiny. Inspect them as carefully as you would your roof. They can be cleaned effectively with a power washer before you make any repairs. Are they wobbly, warping or in need of another coat of stain, paint or Rustoleum? Are the steps, stair treads and railings stable? Is the wood splintered or starting to rot?

Are the brick, stone or cement foundations in need of masonry repair? Has the old stockade fence fallen over and is now providing a home to poison ivy, deer ticks and rodents?

If you used firewood stacked up on the porch all winter, move it so that insects don’t burrow into your house. Keep firewood off the ground and at least two feet away from the walls of any structures on your property. Check all outside water spigots for freeze damage. And, if you forgot to put away the outdoor hoses back in the fall, check them for rot.

“Let the sunshine in…”

Springtime is the best time to clean your windows, both inside and out. Use a hose and a squeegee on the outside—never a pressure washer, which could damage caulking and paint trim. Gently hose down screens and clean with soapy water and a stiff brush. Don’t forget to clean the windows on doors, the roof, the foundation or in the garage.

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Think of spring home maintenance as giving your home a tune-up and getting it “detailed,” just as you would your car. If need be, drain and flush out your waste and vent systems. Lubricate the pump and motor on your hot water heater and heat pump. Have a certified chimneysweep inspect and clean your chimney’s flue.

Replace all the batteries in the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the house, basement and garage. If it has a filter, change it—furnace, air purifier, dehumidifier, air conditioner. Invest in a battery-operated sump pump attachment in case you lose electricity.

Get all your gas-, battery- or electric-powered equipment serviced, sharpened or tuned up. If you have an in-ground pool, make arrangements for the professionals to clean it and get it ready for summer.

Not everyone is qualified to tune up their car; likewise, not everyone is qualified to make all necessary home maintenance repairs. Have a reputable contractor handle any projects you can’t handle yourself; better the job gets done right the first time. It might sound like a lot of work, but an investment of your time and money now will save you major bills and heartache down the road.

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The South Coast Insider / March 2014

29

COVER STORY

Cyber-marketing

real estate

by Dan Logan

The Internet has been a godsend to the real estate business. In the 1990s, wider public access to the Internet created new opportunities for reaching a worldwide audience of real estate buyers, sellers and renters.

Now, real estate-oriented websites, social media such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as YouTube, blogs and eBay auctions, have expanded the ways to do business in real estate.

In fact, if you’re not currently using the Internet in some fashion for scouting real estate opportunities, you’re likely to be a step or two behind the crowd in uncovering property or making sales.

While real-estate magazines and newspaper ads still have their place, computer-based sales and marketing methods enable much faster, more efficient and wider ranging research and dealmaking.

Where to look for real estate As with everything technology-related, you’re dealing with an overabundance of options when it comes to looking on the Internet for property to purchase. You can be hip-deep in listings within a minute simply by going to mega real estate websites, essentially search engines specializing in real estate, like Zillow.com, Trulia. com or Realtor.com.

The Internet’s usefulness shoots up if you’re looking for property outside your neighborhood or town. Informative websites can save you a lot of

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March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

travel time, and quickly provide you with contacts in another area of the country.

If you’re searching real estate websites as a one-shot deal to buy a house

to live in, you won’t need to get into many Internet technicalities. But if you’re in it to make money, take the time to learn the intricacies of real estate marketing on the Internet. Keep in

mind, no one site or service has absolutely everything, so over time you will develop a list of favorites that serve your purposes.

Serious real estate websites share a number of features.

Site visitors can look for homes and property for sale in and around specific ZIP codes. They can specify a long list of parameters, for example, by property type, location, size, price range, number of bedrooms and baths, proximity to schools, and more, in order to browse the most relevant possibilities. Some, like Zillow.com, provide estimates on home values, and comps.

Detailed information about the area in which the property is located is another feature of popular sites. While the big real estate websites pull in a lot of visitors, well-crafted local websites offer local information the big sites aren’t equipped to deliver.

Ease of use is another key feature of popular websites.

There’s a lot of information presented; users don’t want their searches frustrated by clumsy, opaque interfaces.

Taking it a step further, many sites offer alert systems that notify you when a property meeting your requirements is entered into the system.

How to look Successful sellers target their marketing to appropriate audiences. The best ones do it subtly. They’ll mention the features of the home that will be important to their target audiences—it’s within walking distance of shopping, parks and recreation, it has a shed good for storing

boats and gear, or it backs up to a wildlife sanctuary.

It’s up to you to prioritize the features that are important to you, and read the listings with your priorities in mind.

One reason for this indirect approach is that, according to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development website, no one may advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap.

Keep an eye out for house listings on your favorite websites. Specific features are one reason why house listings can be found in unexpected places—precisely the places people go that reflect their interests and preferences—such as religious, sports, ethnic or education-related websites.

Perhaps you’re casting a wide net at first if you’re looking outside your immediate area. As you become better versed in searching real estate options on the Internet, look for real estate agents who are particularly knowledgeable about the specific city or town you’re interested in.

Most real estate agents these days have their own websites. Do a general web search on real estate for the city or county. Check out the sites for the agents that interest you. Is it easy to use?

Does it grab your attention?

Does it have informative photos? Some intrepid local real estate marketers now create their own videos about their communities that give viewers a feel for the area. The videos can be

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31

Continued from previous page found on their websites, and often on YouTube as well.

Beyond the hard numbers, still photos are the most common way real estate marketers entice the prospective buyer. Real estate agents typically publish a number of photographs that give you some idea of the interior layout and exterior of the property.

Increasingly popular are panoramic photos can give you a sense of the entire home and its surroundings.

Blogs can be another source of information. Some agents maintain their own blogs about their areas of expertise, so you can pick up useful, specific tidbits about the neighborhoods that appeal to you.

Selling on the Internet Buying and selling property go hand in hand, and the Internet is also a great place to market property for sale. Any full-court marketing effort uses several approaches that support one another.

The caveat is that a slapdash website, blog, Facebook message or tweet touting your property can sabotage your efforts. Take care in developing whichever Internet tools you use to market the property.

Most sellers will use a real estate agent. For these sellers, the tasks real estate agents shoulder are worth the commission. Real estate agents earn their keep not only from marketing and showing the property, but by handling the necessary paperwork, and coming up with a price that will cause buyers to react quickly without leaving money on the table for the sellers.

Real estate agents also have access to proprietary multiple listing services that often contain a lot more information about properties that one can find on public sites.

These days, regional companies such as Revolv Real Estate Marketing (www. reavolv.com) put substantial effort into using high-tech tools to market their clients’ properties in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Cross Platform Marketing, as the company calls it, puts your message in front of users of 32

March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

everything from cellphones to desktops computers.

Working with a real estate agent doesn’t mean you can’t pursue your own marketing efforts, but the agent can help you coordinate your efforts.

For example, you may be able to offer links to their photos of your property that can be viewed on a mobile phone or tablet.

For sellers with the drive to move their property through their own efforts and save the typical six per cent commission that goes to the agent, websites on the Internet offer readymade design tools the marketer can use to create his or her own website or blog.

Don’t forget, you’re not just selling the property, you’re selling the neighborhood.

Support systems for sales by a property owner have sprouted. You can use a for-sale-by-owner website such as FSBO.com for your listing. Like the big real estate sites, such sites offer you the tools to target those who would be most interested in the kind of property you have for sale. Some attorneys have gone into the business of handling the paperwork part of the real estate transaction process for a flat fee. You’ll also learn about topics like search engine optimization (SEO). Done right, SEO can push a listing near the top of the search results, so that people will see it before they lose interest in digging through pages of listings.

However, most everyone already

marketing on the Internet knows the value of a listing near the top of a search page, and there’s cutthroat competition in trying to get them there. You can find specialists in optimizing search engine results for their paying clients. You probably don’t want to become an SEO expert; you just want to know who is an expert, and hire their services.

And don’t forget, you’re not just selling the property, you’re selling the neighborhood, and not just the neighborhood in generic terms. If there are characteristics that would appeal to a specific market segment, make the point. But, make it subtly.

Using social media Real estate sellers now use social media to establish long-term relationships with potential buyers and sellers.

Aggressive real estate agents put Facebook and Twitter to good use. You can use similar techniques if you have Facebook and Twitter accounts. Your friends on Facebook might well turn out to be a source of leads.

You can use Twitter to send short messages (a tweet) on a variety of topics, which opens the door to sales possibilities.

eBay auctions eBay auctions offer another opportunity for selling property. Obviously, eBay has its own learning curve for making real estate sales, but you can read how it is accomplished at www. ebay.com/chp/real-estate.

It pays to advertise Advertising costs money, but well-chosen ad outlets such as Google Adwords or Facebook ads might be worth the expense. However, you are likely to save money by trying the other online marketing methods before you start paying for ads.

There’s a lot to be reckoned with when using the Internet to find real estate opportunities. But a deluge of information is there for the asking, pretty much any time it’s convenient for you. Take advantage of it.

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33

BUSINESS BUZZ

A taxing season

by Sherri Mahoney-Battles

So, the 2014 tax filing season has started, and everyone is scrambling around collecting forms getting ready in anticipation of either a large refund or the possibility of writing checks.

What is it about these forms that make most people squirm in discomfort?

My own father told me just a few weeks ago that he’s decided to stop filing tax returns! He finds it entirely unjust that someone his ages should be expected to pay taxes.

Benjamin Franklin uttered these words: “’In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” The good news is that if you are thinking of filing a tax return you must be alive.

Here are some tips to make the process a little less painful:

Faster refunds

People that file earlier in the filing season will receive their refunds faster than those that wait until later in the season. If you want your money even faster, opt for direct deposit. Over the last few years we’ve seen refunds issued in as little as three to seven days for some of the earlier filers that utilized direct deposit. Hint: Do not change bank 34

March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

accounts before receiving your refunds if you use the direct deposit option.

This might seem like a no-brainer, but every year we chase refunds for people that move bank accounts before their refunds come in. Be sure to also check your direct deposit information if you’ve changed banks within the last year. This information carries forward from the previous year and outdated direct deposit information may be on file from a previous year. The IRS is not liable for refunds sent to incorrect accounts so it may take a while to trace a refund that went to the wrong account number.

Owe money

If you owe money on your tax return, don’t wait until the last minute to do your return or file an extension. Start the return early so you know the amount of your liability and have time to search for extra deductions. You can still file your return electronically when it’s completed, but you have

until April 15th to pay the tax. When your return is filed electronically you will be provided with vouchers to pay the tax that you can mail on or before April 15th.

Also, an extension is an extension of time to prepare the taxes not to pay the taxes. So, any tax due is still due on April 15th even if you file an extension. The IRS will charge interest from April 15th until the date you pay the tax, and they may disallow your extension and charge you with a failure to file penalty if you don’t pay enough tax with your extension. If you don’t have the funds to pay the tax liability, you can set up an installment agreement. The IRS and most states offer new streamlined installment agreements that can be set up fairly easily.

Watch your dependents

Every year we correct a large number of returns for clients that have working teenagers that file their own returns and claim themselves as

dependents on their own returns. If the teenager files their return claiming themselves as a dependent the parents cannot file their own return electronically and will need to file paper returns, greatly delaying their refunds. The dependent will also need to file an amended return to correct the filing. In most situations it is more beneficial for the parent to claim the child until the age of 24, providing they are a full-time student.

Education credits

Currently, these are some of the best tax credits available and you can receive a maximum credit of up to $2,500 with only $4,000 in tuition and related costs. This includes tuition costs paid for with student loans. Unfortunately, you need a Form 1098-T and most schools send these forms addressed to the student. Be sure to watch for mail addressed to your college-aged dependent that will be needed to complete your tax return.

Know your basis

Every year a large number of our clients’ returns are not able to be completed because we are waiting for clients to collect basis information. If you sell investment property or stocks, you will need to know what you originally paid for the asset/stocks and the date of purchase so that we can calculate any gain or loss on the property.

Fortunately, most brokerage companies now include this information on their tax statements in regards to stock sales. However, if the funds did not originate with the brokerage firm this information may not be able. For investment property you will need to know the original cost plus any improvements done to the property.

Lastly, use your tax appointment as an opportunity to plan effectively for the current tax year. Discuss any potential income changes with your tax preparer and make adjustments to tax withholdings or estimated payments so that you can be prepared for the next filing season. Over the years, clients that have taken advantage of this opportunity to plan ahead tell me that they have less anxiety at tax time.

As a tax preparer, I have found that I love how the tax season matches the season outside my windows. The cold and snow seems to align with the intensity of the work that we do during the winter months, and the end of the season in April coincides with the new growth of spring that starts to appear outside my windows. The end of this cold, harsh tax season brings with it warmth and new growth; watch for it!

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The South Coast Insider / March 2014

35

THINGS TO DO

Wheels of fun

by Michael J. DeCicco

It’s always roller skating season in southern New England, whether you’re looking for leisure family time on a skating rink or the action of a roller derby match.

To Charlene Conway, co-owner of the Carousel Family Fun Centers, with rinks in both Fairhaven and Whitman, the sport is ‘social-tainment.’

“You can go out for an afternoon or evening and do something as a family,” she said. “It’s an activity that allows participation from all family members. It’s a way for parents to stay connected to their children.”

Carousel opened in Fairhaven as a roller skating rink in 1980. Conway, who is also the sectional director of Roller Skating Association International’s northeast region, is a former competitive skater. She and her husband Bob have owned the rink since October of 1992.

“We have close to a thousand members,” she said of the association’s size. “Carousel sees 2,000-2,500 people go 36

March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

through our doors every weekend. We see over fifty thousand people a year. It’s still a very affordable entertainment.”

Anyone can skate To Sue Chace, general manager of the United Skates of America Family Fun Center in Rumford, RI, roller skating’s appeal is the excitement of a sport that doesn’t require special skill.

“I’ve been a skater all my life,” she said. “It’s a sport that doesn’t take a lot of skill. But it takes a lot of practice. You just have to go out there and practice.”

She said for kids and other first-timers on the rink, United Skates rents ‘skate trainers,’ which resemble oversized plastic walkers, to help them get used to skating on their rink.

The skates they rent are ‘unisex,’ suitable for either a male or female foot. But women should use a shoe two sizes smaller than their regular shoe size. Men should rent the same size as their regular shoe.

Beginners, she said, just need to know it takes time, balance and confidence to be proficient at it. “It will take a few times out there on the rink,” she said. “You just need to not get too confident too fast.””

Roller derby To Dena Tomassi, the sport is all about the thrill of being on wheels and going fast. She is co-captain of the Mass Attack All-Stars, one of two teams of the region’s lone roller derby league, which is headquartered at the Taunton’s Silver City Sports Complex.

“I’ve always been a skater,” Tomassi said. “I like the physicality of the sport, that you can be aggressive against your opponent. And I’ve always enjoyed the teamwork it requires.

Everybody has to work together, communicate with each other, trust each other.”

You can go out for an afternoon or evening and do something as a family.

Lauren Chareft, a member of the league’s other team, the Bloody Bordens, said she loves the sport because “I love going fast. But the sport is more about working together. More about blocking than the hitting people see on TV.” She explained each team consists of four ‘blockers’ and 11 ‘jammers.’ The first jammer to get past all of the opposing team’s blockers to get to the head of the line of skaters scores a point for her team.

Tomassi said the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association makes sure the game is played safely. “You have to pass an assessment of your skills,” she said. The assessment tests endurance: you must skate 25 laps in five minutes. It tests your ability to stop. The basic skills you need to be safe.”

The Mass Attack Roller Derby (MARD) league was founded in November, 2010, by two local skaters who skate under the monikers Jam Dizzle and Tofu Typhoon. The league regularly holds ‘Meat [sic] and Greet,’ ‘Open Recruitment’ and ‘Mixed Open Scrimmage’ events.

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The South Coast Insider / March 2014

37

THINGS TO DO

Get your summer’s worth at the Lloyd Center

by Greg Jones

On a warm summer morning, with the sun just barely above the shorter trees, three young children pile out of the family car and run over to the nearby building.

T

he address is 4300 Potomska Road, home of the Lloyd Center for the Environment, located in South Dartmouth.

The older child will be entering eighth grade in the fall, and she is looking forward to the Marine Biology program at the Lloyd Center. She will spend the day exploring the seashore, collecting (and returning) live specimens, and building on a knowledge base that began years earlier when she attended her first Lloyd Center program.

She’ll learn lots; the program leader is a marine biologist and there are just 12 children, so no questions go unanswered.

The girl’s younger sister, due to enter fifth grade, has signed up for a course entitled “Cool Solutions for a Changing Planet,” in which she will learn about the changes already affecting the coastal wetlands that make up much of the Lloyd Center’s 82 acres. Just as with her elder sister’s program, there are only 12 budding biologists in the course.

The youngest of the siblings, just turned seven, has signed up for the “Young Naturalist” program. He will spend his summer learning about the plants and animals that populate this pristine wilderness, with hands-on games activities and crafts and trail walks.

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March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

Backyard wilderness These children are part of the more than 12,000 people, from young children to adults, who will partake of the unique joys and opportunities for what might be thought of as South Dartmouth’s backyard wilderness.

The Lloyd Center had its start in 1978 when Karen Lloyd, daughter of Katherine Nordell Lloyd, donated the property to the town of Dartmouth in her mother’s memory.

Since then, this wilderness jewel has been a year-round destination for families from the South Coast and beyond.

“We have families who are Dartmouth summer people, from as far as New York, or farther, and many local families,” said Lloyd Center for the Environment Education Specialist Jasmine Smith-Gillen.

The prices for the programs are very reasonable, and the cost of a family membership, which starts at just $50, will be recouped with one program for one child.

There are grants and tuition assistance available for low-income families, but “apply early,” noted Smith-Gillen.

“The number of grants we offer is entirely dependent upon the support we receive from donors and our grants.

“We have found the grant kids are the most enthusiastic of the kids,” continued Smith-Gillen, who also noted that

We b cOstU uy Jewel mE ry

PHOTOS BY JoAnn Cornell

many of the college students who spend their summers as interns are Lloyd Center veterans, with fond memories of the summers they spent exploring, learning and growing at the Lloyd Center.

The range of activities and programs is vast and continually evolving. From the family clambake in July (don’t miss this amazing event, now in its 29th year) to night walks under the stars observing the nocturnal critters and identifying constellations to the Slocum Challenge Regatta, there’s never a dull moment, day or weekend at the Lloyd Center for the Environment.

Many of the college students who spend their summers as interns are Lloyd Center veterans, with fond memories of the summers they spent exploring, learning and growing at the Lloyd Center.

There’s far too much to list in this article. The best way to get a feel for the Lloyd Center is to go to their website, wwwlloydcenter.org, where you’ll find everything from events to maps to applications for internships and grants.

Admission is free, the Nature Center is free, the trails are free; only the programs cost anything, and those fees are very reasonable. A dedicated staff and skilled volunteers are there to answer questions and provide assistance. All you have to do is show up.

The South Coast Insider / March 2014

39

DATELINE: SOUTH COAST

News, views and trends... from Mount Hope Bay to Buzzards Bay

by Elizabeth Morse Read

March may come in like a lamb, and go out like a lion (or vice versa), but at least it’s a harbinger of warmer weather. No matter the weather, there’s Mardi Gras and Saint Patrick’s Day to celebrate this month— and maybe a crocus or two? It’s time to come out of hibernation and get some sunshine!

Longtime South Coast pharmacy chain Sedell’s closed its last three stores in Carver, Assonet and Lakeville.

n

Across the region Celebrate all things Irish at the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Newport on March 15. For more info, go to www. newportirish.com.

n

Remember that proposed tribal casino in Taunton? The casino compact between the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and the state of Massachusetts has received final approval from the federal government, and is now in full effect. (Stay tuned…)

n

A minor (1.9) earthquake rattled the greater New Bedford area in January.

n

According to Bon Appetit magazine, the “Cloumage” cheese made by Shy Brothers Farm in Westport is one of the “coolest cheeses” to watch in 2014.

Congrats!

n

Get ready for spring at the 26th Annual Greater New Bedford Home Show on March 8 at the GNB Regional Vocational-Technical High School. For more info, go to www.newbedfordchamber.com or call 508-999-5231.

n

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March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services has raised New Bedford’s bond rating to AA-.

n

If you’re 62 or older, check out the trips sponsored by the New Bedford Senior Travel Program: March 10 is Parker’s Maple Barn. Upcoming multi-day trips include Penobscot High Stakes Bingo April 4-6; Savannah GA and Charleston SC May 11-17. Call 508991-6171. “Senior Scope” is offering a San Antonio TX Getaway May 11-15.

Call 508-979-1544.

n

“My Brother’s Keeper” in Easton and Dartmouth is looking for volunteers and gently-used residential furniture for families in need. Free pick-up. Call 774-305-4577 or visit www.MyBrothersKeeper.org.

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Attleboro Go for a walk at the Capron Park Zoo! Open daily, discounts for Attleboro residents. Go to www.capronparkzoo. com or call 774-203-1840.

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Dartmouth An anonymous donor gave $1,140,000 to the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement at UMass Dartmouth, in honor of longtime activist Reverend Robert Lawrence, pastor emeritus of the First Congregational Church in Fall River.

n

The town will celebrate its 350th birthday in 2014, and there’s a full schedule of activities and events.

To get involved, go to www.dartmouth350.org, 350@town.dartmouth. ma.us, or call 508-984-1359.

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Enjoy the great outdoors at the Lloyd Center for the Environment in Dartmouth. Walk the trails, sign up for a canoe or kayak excursion, visit the Nature Center. Free admission. Visit www.lloydcenter.org.

n

Easton Get the kids out of the house—join in the fun at the Easton Children’s Museum. Go to www.childrensmuseumineaston.org or call 508-230-3789.

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“My Brother’s Keeper” in Easton and Dartmouth is looking for volunteers and gently-used residential furniture for families in need. Free pick-up. Call 774-305-4577 or visit www.MyBrothersKeeper.org.

n

Continued on page 38

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www.secondhelpingsri.com The South Coast Insider / March 2014 The South Coast Insider / February

41

Continued from page 36

Marion Fairhaven Watch this space! The date for the late-April Cherry Blossom Friendship Festival at Cooke Memorial Park will be announced very soon. For more info, contact Gerry@WMFriendshipHouse. org.

n

If you’re looking for things to do or places to go in Fairhaven, check out the town’s new website www.FairhavenTours.com.

n

For the second year in a row, an anonymous donor has given $25,000 to the Sippican School.

Middleboro Take the kids to the Soule Homestead in Middleboro. Call 508-947-6744 or visit www.soulehomestead.org.

n

New Bedford Standard & Poor’s Rating Services has raised New Bedford’s bond rating to AA-.

n

Fall River The city received a $2,500,000 state grant to restore and expand the Father Travassos Park in the Flint neighborhood.

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“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” plays March 20-23 at The Little Theatre. Go to www.littletheatre.net or call 508-676-1077. n

An anonymous donor gave $1,140,000 to the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement at UMass Dartmouth, in honor of longtime activist Rev. Robert Lawrence, pastor emeritus of the First Congregational Church in Fall River.

n

Chase away the winter blues! The Narrows Center for the Arts has a great line-up: there’s Forever Young March 8; Jefferson Starship March 18; Paula Poundstone April 5; Leon Russell April 17; and more! For a complete schedule, visit www.narrowscenter.com or call 508-324-1926.

n

Check out the Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River. Go to www.cmgfr. org or call 508-672-0033.

n

Head for the indoor skating arena at FMC Ice Sports! Visit www. fmcicesports.com or call 508-6793274.

42

March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

Check out the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum on the waterfront. Free, open daily. www.forttaber. org.

n

Get ready for spring at the 26th Annual Greater New Bedford Home Show on March 8 at the GNB Regional Vocational-Technical High School. For more info, go to www.newbedfordchamber.com or call 508-999-5231.

n

Enjoy free family fun and entertainment at AHA! Night. The March 13 theme is “All Sewn Up,” and the April 10 theme is “Sustainable South Coast.”

Go to www.ahanewbedford.org or call 508-996-8253. n

If you’re a fan of Americana and roots music, check out the monthly Salon Concerts at the Wamsutta Club, sponsored by Wepecket Island Records.

There’s Evie Ladin & Keith Terry on March 1, Roosevelt Dime on April 5.

For details, go to www.wepecket.com/ tickets.

n

Don’t miss “Twelve Angry Men” at Your Theatre March 20-30. Call 508993-0772 or visit www.yourtheatre. org.

n

It’s all happenin’ at the Z! There’s The New Shanghai Circus March 1, Celtic Nights March 8, “The Giver” March 27, Tao: Phoenix Rising April 4, Jim Belushi April 6 and more! Call 508994-2900 or visit www.zeiterion.org.

And don’t miss the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra performing “A Feast of Three” on April 12 at the Zeiterion.

Go to www.nbsymphony.org or www. zeiterion.org.

n

The Ocean Explorium is a great family destination, now offering Saturday afternoon programs in Spanish and Portuguese. To learn more, call 508994-5400 or go to www.oceanexplorium.org.

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Find out what’s going on at the Buttonwood Park Zoo. Go to www.bpzoo. org or call 508-991-6178.

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Check out what’s on the schedule at the Whaling Museum! For info, go to www.whalingmuseum.org or call 508997-0046.

n

Newport Celebrate all things Irish at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15. For more info, go to www.newportirish. com.

n

Sharpen your ice skates and head for the Newport Skating Center at the Yachting Center. For info, call 401-8463018 or visit www.skatenewport.com.

n

“Angel on My Shoulder” is playing at the Newport Playhouse through March 23. Go to www.newportplayhouse.com or call 401-848-7529.

n

Bundle up and go on a sealwatch boat tour from Newport’s Long Wharf! Now through April. Go to www.savebay.org or call 401-324-6060.

n

Portsmouth Head for Common Fence Music for performances of Peter Yarrow at Channing Church March 1, The Sweetback Sisters March 8, The Carper Family April 5, Tom Rush April 26—and much more. Call 401-683-5085 or visit www.commonfencemusic.org.

n

Providence Save the date for the Providence Performing Arts Center to see “Peter and the Starcatcher” through March 2, Tony Bennett March 8, “Mamma Mia!”

n

March 14-16, Flashdance March 25-30, Heart April 2, We Will Rock You April 15-20. Call 401-421-2787 or go to www. ppacri.org.

This is the month for dance lovers!

Catch the Mark Morris Dance Group at the VETS on March 8. Go to www. first-works.org or call 401-421-2788. n The Festival Ballet Providence will also perform “Boundless Plotnikov” at The VETS March 14-16. Call 401-421-2788 or visit www.TheVetsRI.com. “Dance Brazil” will perform at Rhode Island College on March 6. Call 401-456-8144 or go to www.ric.edu/pfa. n

Take the family or your friends to Trinity Rep. “Intimate Apparel” plays through March 2, and “Oliver!” will be performed through March 30. Call 401351-4243 or visit www.trinityrep.com.

n

Follow the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra! They will perform Tchaikovsky’s “Pathetique” on March 22 at The VETS. Call 401-248-7000 or go to www.riphil.org or www.TheVetsRI.com.

n

Check out what’s going on at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center—watch The Harlem Globetrotters March 28-29. Go to www.dunkindonutscenter.com or call 401-331-6700.

n

When the kids get bored, find out what’s happening at the Providence Children’s Museum. Go to www.childrenmuseum.org or call 401-273-5437.

n

Rehoboth Follow “Arts in the Village,” the classical concert series at Goff Memorial Hall. The March 22 performance will be “8 Strings & a Whistle.” For info, call 508-252-3031 or visit www.carpentermuseum.org.

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Taunton The casino compact between the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and the state of Massachusetts has received final approval from the federal government, and is now in full effect. (Stay tuned…)

n

Tiverton The Sandywoods Center for the Arts will present The Elderly Brothers March 21, Cantrip March 28, Lenny Solomon April 5, Furlong & Caron April 11, the Rafters April 19, and more! Go www.sandywoodsmusic.com or call 401-241-7349.

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Wareham Wareham Public Schools has received a $32,000 state grant to support college- and career-readiness programs.

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The town also received a $165,000 state grant to repair and restore the Parker Mills Pond Dam, which supplies water for the area’s cranberry bogs.

n

As part of the upcoming sevenweek-long “Summer of Celebration” festivities in Wareham, there will be a Street Painting Festival in Onset on August 16, sponsored by the Onset Bay Association. For more info, visit www. onsetvillage.org.

n

Warren Head for 2nd Story Theatre! “A Bright New Boise” runs to March 30, “Le Dindon or The Dupe” runs March 14 to April 13, and “Time Stands Still” starts April 18. For details, call 401-247-4200 or go to www.2ndstorytheatre.com.

n

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Westport According to Bon Appetit magazine, the “Cloumage” cheese made by Shy Brothers Farm is one of the “coolest cheeses” to watch in 2014. Congrats!

n

“Concerts at the Point” will present Andrius Zlabys and More Friends on March 23. For details, visit www. concertsatthepoint.org or call 508636-0698.

n

sites from Rhode Island to Cape Cod.

800-497-1727 www.southcoast.org/doctors

The South Coast Insider / March 2014

43

New Bedford Medical Associates Locations in Dartmouth, New Bedford and Wareham Cardiology / Internal Medicine Bruce M. Brown, M.D., F.A.C.C. (508) 291-3351

Mark R. Desnoyers, M.D., F.A.C.C. Gregory D. Russell, M.D., F.A.C.C. David R. Stebbins, M.D., F.A.C.C. Alan J. Weinshel, M.D., F.A.C.C. Megan Raposa, N.P. Vicki Saint-Paine, N.P. (508) 992-9167 Irena Gesheva, M.D. (508) 985-5040

Neurology

John G. Stamoulis, M.D., F.A.H.A (508) 985-5046

Pulmonary / Sleep Medicine / Critical Care / Internal Medicine

Stanley Kaplan, M.D. Christos Kapogiannis, M.D. Curtis J. Mello, M.D., M.P.H., F.C.C.P Megan Raposa, N.P. Anne Shih, P.A. A. Aris Skaliotis, P.A. (508) 999-5666

Anne Marie Treadup, M.D. Elizabeth Quann-Babineau, N.P. Joyce Vitale, N.P. (508) 998-0003

Rheumatology

Thomas J. McCormack, D.O. Paul Blauner, P.A. (508) 291-2409

Walk-In Providers

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Christopher Cheney, M.D., Ph.D (508) 961-1500

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Christiana Akanegbu, NP Alice Comerford, NP Linda Fitzpatrick, NP Alice Haynes, NP Vicki Saint-Paine, NP Elizabeth Quann-Babineau, NP (508) 985-5014

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Please feel free to contact Kathy Givens, Community Relations Director, at 508-999-0404 to set up an appointment to visit today!

March 2014 / The South Coast Insider

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“He’s the perfect match for our business.”

Richard Oliveira of Princess Limousine speaking about Ed Moniz, Business Development Specialist at St. Anne’s Credit Union.

“After many years of looking for the best financial partner for our business, we finally met our perfect match,” says Richard Oliveira, President of Princess Limousine in Fall River. He’s talking about Ed Moniz, Business Development Specialist for Anne’s Credit Union.

“Ed’s banking experience has been a critical part of our business success,” Richard says.

“Over the years, he has gotten us into programs that have saved us literally thousands of dollars a month.”

L to R: Princess Limousine Office Manager Paul Cabral and President Richard Oliveira; St. Anne’s Credit Union Business Development Specialist Ed Moniz; and Princess Limousine General Manager Brian Thomas.

Richard says Ed Moniz has truly earned his trust by looking out for Princess Limousine. “Ed is a no-nonsense guy who will go to bat for you and your company. Not too many business people today can measure up to him.”

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To find a physician or learn more, visit Southcoast.org/AwardsMatter.

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