S o u t h
C o a s t
9 th
Prime timeS November /December 2013 • Volume 9 • Number 6
The best of times
music
of the holidays
Green toys
Local charities: the place to give
Organic vs. GMO Totally wireless? Plus:
news & events
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You may have heard of the Kitchen Work Triangle - the magic formula to kitchen design. I prefer to call it the Bermuda Triangle because homeowners often get trapped there, unable to imagine a more workable space without it. Outdated space The initial theory was developed in the ‘40s when ice was still being delivered to an icebox. This imaginary triangle was used as a guide for efficiency in a modern kitchen when appliances were few. Today the theory is somewhat outdated due the sheer number of appliances we can utilize in our kitchens. I prefer to design a kitchen in “work areas” or “stations.” This becomes even more critical if there is more than one person working in the kitchen at the same time.
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november/december 2013
contents 20
14 28 26
12 I n e very issue
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From the publisher
32 Extra! Extra!
Local news and views By Elizabeth Morse Read
40 The most precious
time is… By Paul E Kandarian
P rime se ason
P rime living
G ood times
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16 Totally wireless:
14 Thanksgiving with
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Planning your musical holidays By Sean McCarthy A holiday gift you don’t have to wrap By Jay Pateakos
12 ‘Green’ toys
By Joyce Rowley
The South Coast Prime Times welcomes letters to the editor on any subject. Please keep your letters brief and to the point. No name-calling or libelous attacks will be published, and we ask that all letters be signed. Writers who wish to remain anonymous will have their names withheld on request. Send your letters to The Editor, South Coast Prime Times, PO Box 3493, Fall River MA 02722 or send us an email at editor@coastalmags.com.
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worth the price? By Dan Logan
20 Affordable organic
food: here’s how By Elizabeth Morse Read
the Plimouth Pilgrims By Michael DeCicco
28 Irreplaceable: local
author mines art theft for literary gold
24 GMO: Should
26 Life as art
F l ash
A matter of scale: racing model sailboats By Derek Melven
you know? By Tanya Almeida
18 WHALE wine festival
By Brian J. Lowney
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November/December 2013 n Vol. 9 n No. 6
Published by
Coastal Communications Corp. Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Ljiljana Vasiljevic Editor
Greg Jones Contributors
Tanya Almeida, Michael J. DeCicco, Paul J. Kandarian, Dan Logan, Brian J. Lowney, Sean McCarthy, Derek Melven, Jay Pateakos, Elizabeth Morse Read and Joyce Rowley
South Coast Prime Times is published bi-monthly. Copyright ©2013 Coastal Communications Corp. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means, without written permission from the Publisher. All information contained herein is believed to be reliable. Coastal Communications Corp. does not assume any financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements, but will reprint that portion of an advertisement in which the typographical error occurs.
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From The Publisher
The crisp air of autumn now greets us as we begin our day, even if the afternoon brings memories of summer’s heat. It’s the change of the season, and “Prime Times” has a selection of stories this month to help you enjoy this special time. It’s not too early to start thinking about holiday gift shopping, so we have several stories to help you shop smarter and better. Joyce Rowley has looked into “green” toys, and has advice on selecting toys that are safe, sensible and healthy. Her story begins on page 12. Jay Pateakos’ article beginning on page 8 will put a new slant on holiday gift-giving as he explores supporting the less-fortunate with gifts of time or money. You will learn that there’s more to the holidays than gifts to grandkids. Eat better, buy organic food, or so the foodies tell us. What’s behind the label “organic,” and is it really better? And then there’s the cost…Elizabeth Morse Read digs deep and comes up with the facts as she explores the why, how and how much of organic food. Tips on how to save money while still eating smart start on page 20. There’s been a lot going on recently at Plimouth Plantation. Dine on meals as prepared by the Pilgrims, and for a really special Thanksgiving this year, visit the Plantation and immerse yourself in times long gone. Michael J. DeCicco went there, did that, and brought back the story, starting on page 14. Thank you for picking up this latest issue of “Prime Times,” the South Coast’s only magazine dedicated to “us,” in the prime of life. As always, we thank our advertisers for their generous support in making the magazine possible. They represent the best of independent South Coast businesses and deserve your support.
Ljiljana Vasiljevic Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
facebook.com/thesouthcoastinsider
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prime season New Bedford S ymphony orchestra
Sounds of the holidays Sean McC arthy
The holidays are upon us and you may or may not be feeling festive. Perhaps you’d like a break from the inundation of seasonal sounds in stores and the media, and you’d rather rock the walls than deck the halls.
Or perhaps you crave the classics–good cheery sing-alongs even though the weather outside is frightful. From classic carols to classic rock, local stages are giving the gift of variety this season. Hardcore Christmas fans should delight in the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra’s Hear the Cheer concert at the Zeiterion Theatre on Saturday, December 21. The NBSO will do two shows–3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.–which will include appearances by the New Bedford Symphony Youth Orchestra and the South Coast Children’s Choir, performing many popular songs in a format designed to appeal to all ages. Each show will include a post-performance party. The Zeiterion is located at 684 Purchase St. in downtown New Bedford. For more information call 508-9975664.
Classical gems Nearly three weeks before their Zeiterion shows, the NBSO will perform a pair of classical gems in one of the area’s most ornate
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and majestic locations with a 3:00 p.m. concert at St. Anthony of Padua church on 1359 Acushnet Ave. on Sunday, December 1. Director David MacKenzie will lead the orchestra in one of the alltime greats of classical music: Messiah, Part 1 and The Hallelujah Chorus by Frideric Handel. That will be preceded by Jan Dismas Zelenka’s Magnificat in D Major. For more information call the NBSO at 508-999-6276. The Zeiterion will offer more to the holiday hungry on Sunday, December 14 with two performances of Charles Dickens’ classic tale, A Christmas Carol. Performed by a nationally renowned cast of actors and actresses, the shows will celebrate the magic and wonder of the season with the tale of a soul lost and found, including well-known characters such as Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Cratchit Family. There will be a 2:00 p.m. show and a 7:00 p.m. show. Children’s choirs always add something special to the holiday season, and there are three opportunities to listen to the area’s youth. The Sippican Choral Society will collaborate with the South Coast Children’s Choir for shows on Friday, December 6 at 8:00 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in New Bedford, and the following Sunday at 8:00 p.m. at the Wickenden Chapel at Tabor Academy in Marion.
Children’s chorus Young voices can also be enjoyed on Sunday, Dec. 15 as the TriCounty Symphonic Band holds its annual Children’s Christmas Concert. The event is free and will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the
Multi-Purpose Room at the Sippican School on 16 Spring Street in Marion. Directed by Philip Sanborn, the band will be joined by the Sippican School Concert Choir and other local vocalists. The song selection is an assortment of seasonal favorites, including sing-alongs.
K ath arine McPhee
Fans of chamber music have many opportunities to enjoy that genre. The South Coast Chamber Music Society will perform music for oboe, string quartet, and piano on Saturday, November 16 at St. Gabriel church in Marion beginning at 5:00 p.m. The tble au Rya n Mon next day they will perform at Grace Episcopal Church at 4:00 p.m. Concerts At The Point will conduct two performances at the Westport Point United Methodist Church on 1912 Main Rd. in Westport. On Sunday, November 24, they will present The Claremont Trio and on Sunday, December 15, they will welcome the Hodgkinson-Lee Duo. Also on that Sunday, the Sine Nomine Choral Ensemble Chamber Choir will give a 3:00 p.m. performance at the Grace Episcopal Church. If secular sounds are what you’re looking for then there’s ample opportunities. Not only will the Zeiterion and the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River provide an abundance of genres, the South Coast Jazz Orchestra will put on five shows Judy Collins over the course of November and December. There will be occasional Christmasthemed piece, but the majority of the music will be an eclectic mix of jazz that stretches back as far as 1930s swing. The 17-piece band will play at the Airport Grille in New Bedford on Monday, November 18 and Monday, December 16; Gilda’s Stone Rooster in Marion on Monday, November 4 and Monday, December 23; and Fay’s Restaurant in Dartmouth on Monday, December 9.
Celebrate at the ‘Z’ Included in the Zeiterion’s potpourri are offerings for a wide array of music fans. Pop standout Katharine McPhee, who came to fame on the
TV shows American Idol and SMASH, will be on the New Bedford stage on Saturday, November 23. McPhee’s performance is in contrast to Saturday, November 9 performance of Grease Sing-Along, in which audience members are encouraged to dress in fashions of the 1950s to compete in a costume parade that will award prizes. The event is a singalong and a large-screen version of the movie will
be shown, including sub-titles so that the entire audience may join in to favorites such as Greased Lightning, You’re The One That I Want, and Summer Lovin’. With every ticket comes a special singalong goodie bag to add to the fun. Another contrast will be Ryan Montbleau on Thursday November 14, and Childsplay on Friday, December 6. Montbleau will give a solo acoustic performance as part of the Zeiterion’s Stage Door Live series, where audience members join the performer onstage for an up-close experience of the performance. Only 125 seats are being made available. Childsplay, conversely, is a vociferous celebration that features some of the most talented fiddle players in the world, teamed with vocalists and step dancers, who will explore traditional and contemporary genres of fiddle music, as well as jazz, classical, and swing.
‘Boomer music’ Baby boomers and the children that listen to their parent’s record collections have some chances to catch contemporary versions of some old school acts at the Narrows. Michael Nesmith, who first achieved success as a member of the Monkees, will play on Monday, November 11. The following Sunday, November 17, will be the timehonored Judy Collins whose eclectic career has spanned 50 years. On Tuesday, November 26, the legendary Hot Tuna will perform an acoustic set, and on Saturday, December 28, New Riders of the Purple Sage will bring an energy to the stage that they describe as “full of life, full of fire, and full of music.” For the particularly festive, Roomful of Blues will play on Wednesday, Nov. 27. The band sold out their last three shows at the Narrows. The Narrows is located at 16 Anawan St. For more information, call 508-324-1926. Sean McCarthy is 25 year freelance journalist.
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prime season
The gift of charity Jay Pateakos
Where to send your holiday charity money can be a problem. Oh, there’s no shortage of people and organizations who want your money, So here you have it. Organizations that need your help and one that can help guide you on where to go if you want to donate.
It’s tough sometimes to think of others when you yourself are struggling. I get that. But the one thing I will say is as bad as we may have it or as much as a struggle life can be at times, there are so many people-many around us or even right next door, who have it far worse. With a mostly crazy year behind you, holidays–for the most part–seem to bring out the best in people. Whether it’s sponsoring a needy family, volunteering at a Thanksgiving soup kitchen or donating funds to a favorite charity, residents of the South Coast always come through. But times for many local charities–like they’ve been for many of us these last few years–have been difficult. Typical ways to raise money don’t work as well as they used to and families that at one time used to give
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to those in need now find themselves looking for assistance. Lucky for all of us that there are organizations around that help feed and clothe families and provide brighter holidays for children who would not have had any gifts under the tree. And there are also organizations that do their best to educate us on donations and those organizations where our money would be the best match. If you are looking for some guidance on where to give your money or your time and effort to, this guide is for you.
Salvation A rmy There’s perhaps nothing more synonymous with holiday giving than the Salvation Army bell ringer. But even that has taken a hit. Decades ago it seemed like they were on every corner, but the Fall River area Salvation Army, which takes care of Fall
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River, Swansea, Somerset, Westport and Assonet Village, reports just 11 bell-ringing stations now.
The bell-ringers are still the Army’s number one fundraising mechanism, despite the loss of spots to other charities and stores that felt the need to spread that spot around to other charities. And where the ringers used to be manned by volunteers, now it’s a mix of paid employees and just a few volunteers, with volunteers becoming scarce. Each year the Salvation Army feeds roughly 1,500 families a turkey dinner with all the trimmings a few days before Thanksgiving, so the family can go home and cook it for Thanksgiving Day. On Christmas, it’s ham and all the trimmings.
“The Thanksgiving pickup this year is November 21-22 and each family gets bags full of food including the turkey, potatoes and fresh vegetables, gravy, dinner rolls and, if we have it, desserts,” said Major Elizabeth Deming, co-commanding officer of the Fall River Salvation Army. The Christmas dinner pickup is December 19 and 20. Applications and signups for the meals will take place in October with one specific criterion: that the families don’t seek out similar holiday meal assistance at other local charities. For children under the age of 12 at Christmas, the Salvation Army does a clothea-child program where parents provide a birth certificate and decide whether the child would like a new outfit or coat.
We need all the help we can getWe are seeing more and more need out there Looking for volunteers Deming said they could always use sponsors for the clothe-a-child campaign or turkeys as well as fresh vegetables and desserts for the dinners. She said if people aren’t sure what the Army needs at any time, just give them a call; the same works if you are looking to volunteer to put the food bags together. “The desserts are always something we end up buying,” said Deming. “It adds a special touch to the meals.” Deming said businesses always try to lend a hand when they are going through their busy holiday times. She said H & R Block always sends over workers to help prepare food bags. Despite the loss of many bell-ringing locations, Deming said some businesses like the local Dunkin Donuts, have allowed them to put countertop kettles inside to help bring in some revenue. “We need all the help we can get. We are seeing more and more need out there,” said Deming.
“We see grandparents coming in for help with their grandchildren and working families whose work hours have been cut that just can’t make ends meet anymore.” According to 2012 statistics, the Salvation Army provided holiday meals for 1,700 families and assisted in clothing 1,800 children. The stories, and Deming has heard many in her decades of involvement with the Army, continue to confound. “We had one woman last year who just lost her husband very young and she used her mortgage money to pay for the funeral,” said Deming. “She has two young daughters and had no money to get food or gifts for her family. We try to adopt them out to families who want to help so we can give them a brighter Christmas.” How can she and her volunteers continue to plug along each year as the darkness seems to increase around them? “We go by faith…to trust and believe. We have faith that the Lord will get us through each year,” she said. “Somehow, we just do it.” In addition to the food bags, the Army also serves up hot holiday meals generally days before the actual holidays. Those in attendance will also get a free gift-usually socks or a winter hat or gloves or ski caps to keep them warm. Deming said the Army is always in need of donations–monetary or food or your time. Those interested in helping out should call them at 508-679-7900 or visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.
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N ov ember /D ecember 2013
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Continued from previous page You see everything from outfit sizes, to favorite toys, to books and puzzles among the family’s list. Families to be adopted can be small families of up to three people, medium size families of between four and six family members to larger families with more than seven members. Many of the families are single-parent households, with the moms trying to work and keep a roof over their heads and having no money to spend at Christmas. Sue Remy, Director of Development for Child & Family, has headed up Holiday Hope for years. They service the greater New Bedford area as well as some in Fall River. The take care of anywhere from 300350 families each year. “We try to let the community know about it each year. We are sending out our letters on September 25. We already have two sponsors and we don’t have any families yet,” said Remy, noting that typically families are recommended through the staff’s experience in the field in dealing with needy families all year long. “We sent forms to the staff on Friday and the deadline to get them back is October 4. We try to get them in the mindset early, though we tend to add families to the list, even in December.”
Families usually just ask for the bare essentials: towels, blankets, toothbrushes, but our sponsors go all out Remy said they generally ask the staff to suggest their five neediest families and work through the list with the employees. “We service 18,000 families a year so we obviously can’t help them all,” said Remy. “The ones we help can’t be getting help from other agencies; they can’t be on multiple lists.”
Raising funds The Annual Holiday Hope Gala event, with proceeds going to assist with Holiday
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Hope Project and needy families around the holidays, will take place on Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Hawthorne Country Club. Pickup for this year’s Holiday Hope will be on December 10 at Gifford’s Marine with the families able to come and get their gifts by December 12. All gifts are delivered wrapped so families picking up the gifts don’t know what they are getting, a true Christmas surprise. “It’s really overwhelming for many of these families. We had someone last year that walked from the other side of the city to get the gifts for her family,” said Remy. “When she got the presents, she pulled out a Thank you card from her back pocket for us. This is someone that didn’t know what they were getting, that just wanted to say thanks. It was touching for many of us.” Remy said since each sponsored family also get a $20 donation for travel expenses, Remy was able to send the young mother home with her gifts for her children in a taxi. Stories like this, Remy said, are plentiful. “Many people are just expecting a few boxes but many of our sponsors go so above and beyond,” said Remy. “Families usually just ask for the bare essentials: towels, blankets, toothbrushes, maybe a toy but our sponsors go all out, buying as much as they can for these families. They do it year-in and year-out and get a kick out of buying people presents.” Remy said a number of the families in need have older children with developmental disabilities that keep them from having a job or moving out of the house. While many sponsored families have young children on the list, there are also families struggling with older children as well. Last year, three classrooms from the DeMello School in Dartmouth decided to sponsor Holiday Hope families and the students got so into it, Remy said. “It’s nice to see kids happy in helping out other children. We are all taught to give back and it’s nice to see a community come together like this to help,” said Remy. “We get to see both sides of this and it’s wonderful.” While the number of businesses sponsoring families has been scaled back due to layoffs and business closings, businesses still come through in one way or another, she said. Maybe instead of a family, they sponsor an individual, or they come in and
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help wrap presents or help the Project in other ways. “People always make it work. They don’t let the economy affect them. They find a way to stay involved,” Remy said. “When it comes to families in need, people find ways to make it work.” For more information on the Holiday Hope Project, go to www.child-familyservices.org for a form or call Remy at 508742-1032. She hopes to have all applications and be able to link all sponsors to a family by November 21 to allow time for the December 10 present drop-off.
Operation Christmas Citizens for Citizens She may be only part-time these days, but the face of Operation Christmas is and will always be Barbara Travis. Now 79 years young with 40 years of Operation Christmas under her belt, Travis is once again preparing for the onslaught of needy families hoping to secure gifts this Christmas. One thing noticeably absent from Travis’ life this year is the Operation Christmas Telethon, its number-one fundraiser that brought $35-45,000 for Christmas giftbuying each year. Like everything else, Travis said the money raised each year has been steadily declining with the amount of work on it increasing and the number of volunteers decreasing. Travis said instead of the telethon this year, she is sending letters to residents and businesses who have donated money in the past with the hopes that maybe they may donate a little more. CFC services needy families in Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, Westport and Freetown. Applications for the Operation Christmas, which involve toys for any child under the age of 12 as well as hats and mittens and stocking stuffer gifts, have been accepted since September 3. Parents who apply must be the legal custodian of the child, and as with the other charities, families cannot be securing gifts from other agencies. Travis said CFC used to service 5,000 families several years ago but now that the agencies are, sadly, keeping tabs on families that double-dip and get gifts from multiple charities-the numbers are now down to around 3,000. “It’s taken 25 years for all of these agencies to cooperate,” said Travis. Despite the minor issues of families trying to tap into multiple agencies, Travis said most people are very grateful to get any
sort of help around the holidays. CFC also provides holiday meals for families that they can go home and cook for the holiday. The CFC food pantry is also a buzz of activity as many area residents continue to struggle to make ends meet. “There are more people in need and more people that are struggling that are moving
They keep opening more restaurants but a lot of the people don’t have enough money to get by on into Fall River and more people where their unemployment is running out,” said Travis. “They keep opening more restaurants around here but a lot of the people around here don’t have enough money to get by on.” December 14 is D-Day for families to pick up their toys and even with Travis telling families that their gifts are already pre-determined and wrapped under their name, families still line up at the door of CFC hours before the toys are ready to be handed out. Travis admits that for the first time in 37 years, she will not be around for the annual pick up but you can be sure she’ll be there in spirit as will the dozens of volunteers that come back every year just to help CFC manage its daunting pick up line. CFC is in need of monetary donations in order to buy its toys, stocking stuffers, hats or mittens as well as secure food for its holiday meals, food pantry, fuel assistance programs or any other programs. They also take donations of new toys, hats and mittens. Travis can be reached at 508-6790041. “I’d like to thank all the people that have worked so hard over the years to make this program work,” said Travis. “They are the reason we can pull this off.”
Donation clearinghouse It’s safe to say that there are people with money to give that either don’t know where it should go or want to know more about a particular charity before they donate and don’t have the time to do the research. This is where the Community Foundation comes in. They manage 175 funds and established trusts and work to guide people through every corner of philanthropy. “We help organizations evaluate the charity scene, look at organizations people care about and direct giving to that organization; we are like a charitable gift advisor,” said Craig Dutra, President of Community Foundation. “We provide the vehicle to bundle charitable gifts to us and deliver to certain charities of your choice that were evaluated.” Dutra said those interested in giving and don’t know exactly where to start or who to trust or what company best aligns with their idea of a good charity, should just call Community Foundation for an appointment. “This is not about us and the end result won’t impact us,” said Dutra. “Our mission is to promote philanthropy and provide a vehicle for that giving.” Dutra said that while past generations would provide checks for the charities of their choice each year that they knew were important, things are far different with the younger generation. They “want to be taken to the dance” or in other words, want to be more involved in that charity and see the ins and outs of that charity before helping to fund it or volunteer for it. As with most charities, Dutra said once the recession took a stranglehold on the economy and the stock market dipped, people began to get much more cautious as to how they spend their money. In addition to that, Dutra said there are more charities then ever tugging at a person’s dollar and with the funding cuts to schools, people are also being asked to financially support more school activities than ever. With these increases, other things have to suffer. Community Foundation’s annual fundraiser, which brings in around $100,000 each year, saw dips in the amount raised in 2008-2011 before starting to see an uptick last year. The hope is that things are beginning to turn around for people financially, and with it, giving. Time will only tell whether that is true. To secure the elusive donation these days, Dutra said local charities need to command confidence in a perspective giver. “Organizations need to be very targeted and focused. People are very cautious about spending money and they want to know that their charitable organization is having an impact,” said Dutra. “And there’s more tugging on that charitable dollar each day. The public sector is huge. Even local government is getting into it in raising funds for a community center or a library.” For more information visit www.cfsema.org
Jay Pateakos has been a freelance writer for more than 10 years including daily and weekly newspapers and monthly magazines. A native of New Bedford, he currently lives in Marion and has three children. S ou th C oast P r ime T imes
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prime season
Green Toys, Healthy Toys by Joyce Rowley
Who would have thought it possible that the toys we give our grandchildren might be filled with a material that could make them ill?
I
t wasn’t so long ago that American consumers were warned against children’s toys made in China, just as importers were gearing up for the holidays. Although Congress passed the Consumer Products toy safety standard for imports, there were gaps in what was protected. In December 2011, Poison in Paint, Toxins in Toys reported over 280 name-brand toys made with BPA (bisphenol A), a chemical that poses an array of health risks on ingestion by children ranging from brain development and behavior changes to immune function. The report was prepared by the Portland, Maine-based Environmental Health Strategy Center, together with the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families consortium of over 450 organizations nationwide, and Safer States, an alliance of state organizations for reform of federal regulations on toxic chemicals. Poison in Paint, Toxins in Toys relied heavily on data from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection listing of priority chemicals with potential for toxicity in humans. Maine is one of four states that by law requires manufacturers to report what chemicals are in their consumer products.
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Learning a new alphabet—BPA (bisphenol A) BPA is commonly found in the linings of canned foods and beverages. It has been an additive in foods since 1950, although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received sharp criticism from many health researchers for doing so. As of March, 2013, the FDA began reviewing additional safety testing on BPA. In 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a public health advisory on BPA which advises pregnant women, nursing mothers and parents of children under the age of two to avoid the use of products that contain BPA. BPA is a component of polycarbonate plastic in toys, and is also found in flame retardants used in children’s clothing. Part of the problem with BPA in toys is that it continually discharges into the environment. Worse yet, the discharge increases when wet or heated so children become exposed by chewing or handling toys.
Local green toy stores Many toy stores require that the manufacturer supply information on what may be in or on the product. At No Kidding, a 26-year-old toy store in Mattapoisett,
co-owner Sue Hottel said everything in the store has a safety compliance certificate by age. “We have the Green Toy line. We love it,” said Hottel about the California-based company that is BPA-free and lead-free, too. Green Toys are made from recycled plastic milk jugs and are tested for BPA and other contaminants during production. They’re so green, even the boxes the toys come in are made from recycled cardboard. The line ranges from kitchen sets and baby rattles to toy trucks and planes. At the Village Toy Store in Fairhaven, their “green line” includes Green Toys and a philosophy that the toys in their store are also in their homes. Owners Kathy Morgan and Jessica Kelly have seven grandchildren. “It’s in our playrooms,” said Sally Ribeiro, who has worked at the Village Toy Store since its inception nine years ago. “Because it’s a family-run business, we feel strongly about what we sell.”
whether they have had the manufacturer’s report. You’ll be surprised at just how knowledgeable your local toy store staff are on what goes into the toys.
Let US take care of:
New federal law still chugging through Congress So how big a risk is it? It’s hard to say. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) only tests 200 of a possible 80,000 chemicals created and used in the US. Only five chemicals have been regulated under the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976 (TSCA). The, TSCA which authorizes the EPA to regulate toxic chemicals, has never been revised in 35 years. When it was first passed, the TSCA grandfathered in over 62,000 chemicals that have still not been tested for safety. A bill sponsored by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey), S. 847, The Safe Chemicals Act of 2011, would require chemical manufacturers to provide health information and test for the safety of all chemicals. Supported by Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Massachusetts Senators William Cowan and Elizabeth Warren, and 25 other senators, the Safe Chemicals Act would also require immediate action to restrict uses of those chemicals that are considered persistent, bio-accumulative and most toxic based on the best science available. At last take, the Safe Chemicals Act was countered by a compromise bill in April 2013 just as it was leaving the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, according to Tony Iallanardo, communications director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families group.
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When it comes to buying special toys for that special grandchild, like so many other products, read the label and ask questions before you buy—especially for children under five years of age. With BPA so pervasive, reducing or eliminating it from your grandchildren’s environment is the best alternative. Some of the larger manufacturers are switching to BPA-free designs for children’s toys. Toys that are BPA-free will say so. A rough rule of thumb is to look at the recycle number on the bottom. A “7” in the recycle ring is more likely to contain BPA. Unfortunately, PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, has also found its way into children’s toys because of its durability. PVC has been linked to asthma, allergies and reproductive health problems. But this one is easy to avoid. Check for the recycle number: a “3” indicates that it has PVC in it. If a toy has been manufactured without PVC, it will likely say so on the label. Lead-free toys will also be labeled. Ask the toy store staff to verify whether a toy has been tested for toxic contaminants, and
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For more information on toxic chemicals in toys, visit: Healthy Stuff: www.healthystuff.org US Public Interest Research Group: www.uspirg.org and the Consumer Product Safety Commission: www.cpsc.gov Joyce Rowley is a freelance writer and regular contributor to “The South Coast Insider” and “South Coast Prime Times.”
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good times
photo courtesy Plimouth Plantation
Step back in time Michael J. DeCicco
Nowadays Plimouth Plantation offers so much more than just its popular tours around a historically-reconstructed 17th century pilgrim village. The 130-acre site now includes a huge visitor’s center with a cafe whose culinary offerings include Pilgrim-era recipes and desserts, a Shakespearean theater program, and a cinema that shows independent films.
Elsewhere on the grounds, there’s an historicbreed animal barn, a crafts center, and a village depicting the lifestyle of the Wampanoag Indians who welcomed the pilgrims to the New World. Nearby on Town Brook, the Plantation just re-opened the Plimouth Grist Mill, a fully-functioning corn mill that is a reproduction of a 1636 mill built by the Plymouth colony. A few minutes from there at the waterfront sits the Mayflower II that the Plantation also controls. The Plimouth Plantation non-profit living history museum began in 1947 on the Plymouth State Pier in the form of two authentically-recreated homes and a fort/meeting house built. It was the result of a $20,000 donation from Ralph Hornblower to the Plymouth Pilgrim’s Society. It moved to its current site by the Eel River in 1957 when Harry’s son, Henry Hornblower II, convinced his grandparents to tear down the main building of the family’s summer estate to build a larger attraction. The village now consists of 14 structures depicting the lifestyle of circa-1627 Pilgrims. That year was chosen, Sarah McDonald, manager of media relations and promotion, said, because a census is available for that year and the pilgrims were well-off enough to be comfortable in their new colony.
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The English village is populated by people immersed in characters from the Pilgrim-era. They speak in first-person and are never out of character. Surprisingly, this role-playing started only in 1978. “As we learned more over the years about that era,” McDonald said, “we’ve adapted our programs to remain as culturally accurate as possible.” The Wampanoag village opened in 1969. There, the actors, all of whom have Native American blood, speak in third person. That’s because the Wampanoag’s native language would be unrecognizable to modern-day tourists. But the result is they are able to talk photo courtesy Plimouth Plantation
more about the entire history of the early Native Americans lifestyle as they practice the day-to-day activities of natives of that era. The site is now known as the Hobbamock Homesite, a recreation of the home of one of the only Native American people to have lived alongside the Pilgrims. MacDonald proudly notes that this year the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian added to its collection a canoe-like traditional early Wampanoag watercraft called a mishoon that Plantation Wampanoag villagers crafted. The Plantation has been a Smithsonian Institute affiliate since 2005. The craft center, which opened in 1992, offers workshops and demonstrations of both English pilgrim and Wampanoag craftsmanship, from Indian headdresses and beads to carpentry and pottery-making. Tourists can learn the craft themselves or buy examples of them in the museum gift shop next door. In the Nye Barn, which was built in 1995, and at other spots around the village, there are “historic breed” animals that resemble those that inhabited the Plimouth Colony village circa 1620, some of whom are now endangered species. These include Kerry and Milking Devon cattle, San Clemente Island goats, Wiltshire Horn sheep and Tamworth hogs. The Plimouth Cinema opened at the Visitor’s Center in 2008 to fulfill the community’s need for independent film theater.
Plimouth Plantation even caters to foodies - it offers authentic 1620s cuisine in several forms “Boston and Falmouth were your only options if you wanted to see a quality, independent film,” McDonald said. “We had a theater for our other programs. Now we have two theaters, one large, and one small.” Plimouth Plantation even caters to foodies. It offers authentic circa-1620 cuisine in several forms. On Thanksgiving Day, it serves both a buffet and a more elaborate “America’s Thanksgiving Dinner” event that includes role-playing Pilgrims and Native American interpreters and traditional music, riddles and stories. Or you can book a reservation at the dining event called “1627 Dine with the Pilgrims”. This attraction starts Oct. 13, and opens every Saturday until the end of November. MacDonald said these dinners are so popular they will take place wherever there is enough space for them, whether it be the cafe, the Peabody Picnic Pavilion near the banks of the Eel River or the Accomack Offices and Private Functionís facility. “We are looking to be the heart of the community,” she said to explain the Plantationís ever-expanding programming. “Our mission is to educate, to tell people the pilgrims’ story. It’s a story that resonates internationally. We have visitors from all over the world. The Pilgrims’ story is the immigrant story. It’s a story of courage and perseverance. And our job is to educate and share that story.” Plimouth Plantation, located at 137 Warren Ave, Plymouth, MA, opens daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from the third week of March through November 24. For more information visit www.plimoth.org Michael J. DeCicco, a life-long New Bedford resident, has worked for over 20 years as a freelance writer and news correspondent for magazines and newspapers in Southeastern Massachusetts. He lives with his wife Cynthia in New Bedford, MA, where he was born in 1952.
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prime living
How wireless can you get?
Dan L ogan
Will the smart guys ever figure out how to escape the Gordian knot of power cords, power bricks, TV coaxial cables and miscellaneous wires holding our electronic gear hostage?
The engineers make regular advances in wireless communications, so our equipment keeps up a steady burble of interaction to keep us connected almost anywhere we go. But the much more difficult challenge lies in delivering electrical power wirelessly. For convenience’s sake we still have to be within six or eight feet of the nearest wall socket to plu in our hungriest household electronic buddies: our supersized TVs, our speedy desktop computers, our lamps and our refrigerators and our air conditioners. You can put ‘em wherever you want–as long as you’re not tripping over a power cable. True, battery power briefly enables us to escape the surly bonds of the extension
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cord, but battery technology is up against its own wall based on the limitations imposed by physics. Long-lasting batteries for power-hungry devices are still a futurist’s dream or we’d already be driving electric cars with a 600-mile range. Instead, our cherished cell phones and sleek laptop computers struggle to get through a workday of moderate use without a recharge. We’ve done away with some of the wires. Getting devices to communicate over short to very long distances is now pretty much standard fare. Battery-powered phones, computers, TV remote controls, GPS units, mice and keyboards, webcams, speakers and printers can communicate with appropriate devices throughout the house or throughout the world.
N ov ember /D ecember 2013
These days we can take a pass on ethernet cables in favor of WiFi for Internet access. And Bluetooth technology enables small devices such as cell phone earpieces to communicate wirelessly over a distance of a few feet. More and more public places offer ac-
our cherished cell phones and sleek laptop computers struggle to get through a workday without a recharge
cess to wireless comNote, however, that in munications. You’re an electric toothbrush more efficient golden, so long as you the distance between don’t start running the two coils is almost solar panels low on juice. nonexistent. Unfortucoupled with nately, we’re not talking Still, if these conveniences seem a bit long about powering your more efficient in the tooth, console TV from across the yourself by recallhere. batteries could room ing when you had Even for many small to get up to change devices, such as charglead to new ing mats for phones the TV channel, and and tablets, you’ll find your laptop weighed approaches the claims of cord-free 25 pounds. Do you to powering power transfer are still remember the days too good to be true. when serious home devices in the If you’re looking at a phone users had 25-or device that seems to even 50-foot wires home promise that you can to let them roam the do away with a power manse while carrying cord, re-read the claims on their conversations? carefully, and search the Internet for some But what have the technology guys done user reviews. There may be a gotcha or two for me lately, right? involved that you might like to know about The development of new power technolobefore you buy the gadget. gies is proving more evolutionary than While no easy solutions for consumerrevolutionary. Pieces of the wireless power scaled wireless power transfer are visible and battery puzzles are falling into place on the horizon, there are any number of one at a time as bright people figure out known technologies being explored that new ways to do things. could deliver huge amounts of power wirelessly. For example, the new Tesla electric car has Efficiency–the lack thereof–is a deal taken a lot of hits, but it’s shaping up as a breaker in the wireless power business. step forward in developing more efficient Power transfer systems that can’t match the battery technology and a practical battery efficiency of power cables translate into recharging infrastructure. But you can bet significantly more dollars at every level, the knowledge gained from the Tesla’s development will carry over to other battery and most consumers would be unwilling technology. to pay that much of a premium for the Longer lasting, more powerful and convenience. less expensive batteries might be a very Transferring power over even short tolerable medium-term alternative to the distances demands lots of power to begin challenge of developing wireless power with. So not only is the process inefficient, systems. it entails introducing additional powerful magnetic fields around us, the idea of Solar is likely to play into the mix. It takes which scares many people. a lot of solar panels to power a household, According to “Wired” magazine, “Get but more efficient solar panels, coupled used to gear with tails.” Technologically, with more efficient batteries, could lead to we’re not as advanced as we need to be new approaches to powering devices in the to send power through the air safely, home. efficiently and inexpensively. As unruly, inOne wireless power technology already convenient and aesthetically compromised fairly widely used is inductive coupling, as electric cords are, they’re still the most where two electric coils are placed close together so that the magnetic field from one practical way to deliver power to our stuff. induces a current in the other, and charges an attached battery. Dan Logan is a freelance writer and photogElectric toothbrushes use inductive courapher from Fairhaven, MA. He also teaches pling, so that the toothbrush itself doesn’t classes about Nikon cameras and software at have to be plugged in, and the user doesn’t the Learning Connection in Providence. E-mail run the risk of being electrocuted by a wet him at dlogan@thegrid.net. toothbrush.
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Flash Seen at New Bedford’s State Pier: WHALE supporters chance to sample fine wines and craft beers. The Wine Festival is WHALE’s largest annual event, and hundreds of people attended. It was definitely the place to be seen that evening. WHALE was established in 1962, when
The Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE) held their 23rd Annual International Wine Festival & Auction on Friday, October 4 at the State Pier. It was an evening of good food, good company and a good cause., with the
Urban Renewal threatened entire neighborhoods. Its founders were committed to saving New Bedford’s history and architectural heritage. For more information, visit www. waterfrontleague.org.
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1. No Problemo Chris Andrade and Erik Trahan
5. Judy and Mike Metzler 6. Pink Box Desserts Tammy Greenspan
2. Pasta House Raquel Ribeiro and Renata Silvia 3. Diane Arsenault and John Collins
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N ov ember /D ecember 2013
8. Joyce D. Lopes, Second Vice President WHALE and Mike Murray, President WHALE 9. Frederick and Jackie Mitchell 10. Mayor John Mitchell with Teri Bernert, WHALE Executive Director
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prime living
Affordable healthy food! You want to eat healthy, but the budget is tight. You know that organically-grown foods are safer and more healthful, but they are often too expensive or else Eliz abeth Morse Read hard to find. How can you solve this dilemma? Read on: healthful, affordable food is just around the corner, especially on the South Coast. Why is ‘Certified Organic’ so expensive? One reason why organic foods cost more than conventionallygrown foods is because it’s very expensive for small farmers to earn that “certified organic” label. (Of the more than 2,000,000 farms across the country, only about 13,000 are USDA certified organic.) When the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) took over the certification process in 2002, small farmers were suddenly confronted with fees, regulations and mountains of paperwork that just weren’t worth it. Fees can amount to 6 percent of sales, up to thousands of dollars, which was just too much of a burden. Many dropped out of the official USDA certification program–but they didn’t stop growing organically! (To learn more about the USDA “certified organic” standards, go to www.ams.usda.gov.nop.)
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Enter the ‘Certified Naturally Grown’ Movement Small local farms are exactly where old-fashioned sustainable farming practices are still being followed, USDA approval or not. And that’s what sparked the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) in upstate New York in 2002. Area farmers took a pledge and banded together to create a new peer-reviewed alternative to “certified organic”–Certified Naturally Grown. They adhere to sustainable farming practices: no chemical fertilizers or pesticides, antibiotics, preservatives, or GMOs (genetically-modified organisms). Dollar for dollar, certified naturally grown foods are less expensive than certified organic products, and a great investment in your family’s health. These are the local farmers who sell directly to the community through farmers’ markets, CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) programs, roadside stands and health food stores. Increasingly, they supply fresh foods to area restaurants, catering services and family-run grocery stores. And because they deal directly with their neighbors, there are no middlemen, no crosscountry hauls, no fancy packaging… and therefore, less overhead costs, which translates into more affordable healthful food for you. NOFA farmers aren’t trying to compete with organic farmers. Rather, they are trying to position themselves as specifically growing organic/naturally-grown foods for their local and regional community, not for the entire country. NOFA (www.nofa.org) now boasts more than 700 farms in 47 states and has local chapters in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. It’s a
community-building, credible and more-affordable alternative to “certified organic” foods.
The dangers of conventionally-grown foods If you wouldn’t buy a fish that smelled “off” or drink milk past its expiration date, why would you spend any amount of money on food products that came from tainted soils thousands of miles away? Lettuce from southern California gets “anaesthetized” so that it doesn’t rot during the gas-guzzling trip to the East Coast. Milk cows and poultry on commercial mega-farms (CFOs–Confined Feeding Operations–or CAFOs–Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) are doused with antibiotics and insecticides and whatnot to mitigate the results of over-crowding and warehousing (think: puppy mills). And you and your family get to ingest all the anaesthesia and antibiotics and the toxic whatnot every time you pour non-organic milk on your commercially-processed cereal with imported blueberries, or buy a pre-made sandwich and salad for lunch, or nuke a Lean Cuisine or frozen pizza for dinner. You’re getting a cumulative dose of petrochemical Kool-Aid along with mutagenic and carcinogenic chemicals every time you open your mouth. This will not only erode your vitality, and set you up for preventable degenerative diseases, but it will also drastically shorten your lifespan.
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Pesticides are stored in the fat and organs of your body when you eat conventionallygrown and processed foods All of these toxic chemicals, whether in the soil or in the food, accumulate in your body (“pesticide load”), wreaking untold havoc. If you’ve already got a pre-existing condition or if you have an iffy genetic predisposition profile, the added “witches’ brew” chemical assault will just make matters worse. They are all passed along to infants in contaminated breast milk. They are long-suspected of causing neurological, reproductive and cognitive problems, as well as birth defects, cancers, and many degenerative disorders. Remember Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring? Pesticides (as well as fertilizers, herbicides, etc.) are toxic by definition (napalm and Agent Orange were originally used as herbicides/defoliants), and can persist for years in the soil, the air, the water–and they are all stored in the fat and organs of your body when you eat conventionally-grown and processed foods. “Bio-accumulation” is the sum total of toxic chemicals deposited in your body from multiple sources: non-organic foods; tainted cow’s milk; polluted ground water; smog; etc. Then, add to that the chain-reaction effects of ”bio-magnification”–how you ingest all the toxic chemicals going up the food chain–the little fish swimming in polluted water gets eaten by the GMO “franken-fish” farmed salmon that gets eaten by us unsuspecting humans; another example of bio-magnification would be chemically-tainted soil growing the grass that cows graze on, whose tainted milk goes into the cheese which moms pack in the school lunches.
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Continued from previous page sold in the US contain GMO ingredients. And according to the USDA itself, close to 90 percent of the corn and soybeans grown in the US contain GMOs. Just about all the processed food products You can’t fool Mother Nature: we eat contain corn or soybeans in one shape or another. And frankenfoods the cows and chickens eat them, too. And as if toxic pesticide residues weren’t bad Meanwhile, more enlightened (i.e., non-GMO) enough, the newest food worry is GMOs–Geneticountries around the world have banned the use, cally Modified Organisms–willy-nilly entering the production or import of GMO food products. And, food chain, and therefore our bodies and the just as us gloomy environmentalists predicted, those environment. Corporate scientists (e.g. Monsanto) GMO-treated crops in the US cross-pollinated, thanks have tweaked the DNA of food seeds, supposedly to to bees and wind, with organic/non-GMO crops just make them more resistant to fungus or drought, or to across the road. contain a higher concentration of certain vitamins and Therefore, even more of our daily foods is tainted nutrients. with some corporate science project gone really berserk. But they’ve also concocted a range of seeds that are These more enlightened countries are now banning or “Round-Up Ready”–immune to the toxic commerrestricting the import of economically-critical American cial weed-killer Round-Up–claiming that this will commodities like corn or alfalfa hay or soybeans. Food thereby minimize the need for further chemical for thought on many levels… herbicides. Organic and naturally grown foods may not necesA vicious cycle sarily be more tasty or nutritious, and But you can’t fool Mother they may cost a bit more, but at Nature. Those resulting least you know that they’re not corn and soy plants loaded with toxic chemicals may very well be or antibiotics or GMOs. In general, tree fruits, leafy greens and berries are most protected from Saving money: often doused with pesticides, but many other fruits and Round-Up, but some conventionvegetables are, too. But the following foods consistently the targeted weeds al food is okay test high for pesticide residue. Rinsing under running have adapted When you cruise water can’t remove it all, so you’re much better off buying and mutated and through the produce the organic or naturally grown versions. The Environmenbecome more resissection of your local tal Working Group estimates that you can reduce your tant to Round-Up, supermarket, you don’t family’s exposure to toxic pesticides by 80 percent just by necessitating even have to buy “organic” switching to chemical-free fruits and vegetables. more potent, toxic everything. You can chemicals to kill Apples (pesticides even show up in some save some money the new superapple juices and applesauces) by learning how to weeds. Celery choose and prepare Remember: Cherry Tomatoes non-organic fruits and it was the flavegetables. Cucumbers (the skins are often waxed, too) grant overuse of First of all, learn Grapes (and therefore raisins and wines…) antibiotics that how to make your brought us MRSA Peppers (both hot and sweet) own salads: never buy and “superbugs.” Kale and collard greens (but it’s very easy pre-cut (like minced Who knows what to find fresh organic versions) garlic or bagged salad the cumulative Nectarines (especially imported ones) mixes) anything or effects of ingesting Peaches (including those plastic pre-processed (like all these bizarre single-serving cups you give the kids) bottled smoothies DNA-bending Potatoes (avoid eating those skins!) and guacamole dip) organisms will be anything or pre-mixed Strawberries and Blueberries (even some frozen on our children or (like fruit salad or brands) our environment? cole slaw) fruits and Spinach and loose-leaf lettuces (the worst offenders) And don’t forget to vegetables. You have no Zucchini (grow your own) include “frankenway to protect yourself foods,” like gefrom contamination in netically-tweaked the growing, handling, giant salmon, on packaging or shipping those the menu. foods go through. There have been virtually Second, some conventionally-grown foods can be made “safer” no credible long-term studies on the effects of ingesting GMO (or at least less un-safe) simply by peeling them. Granted, we foods, yet it’s estimated that up to 70 percent of processed foods You’re being exposed to chemical contaminants whether you’re coming or going, so to speak.
The dirty dozen or so…
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can’t grow bananas in our backyard, but at least we can minimize ingesting pesticide residue by peeling them before we eat them. And third, whether it’s from the farmers’ market or the supermarket, always wash your fruit and vegetables as soon as you get home, if only to flush out insects and grit, and never ever nibble or “taste test” raw, unwashed non-organic produce.
Buy fresh, buy local It’s important that you know where the food you eat comes from. It’s much fresher and tastier when it came from down the street instead of from across the globe. Fishmongers label their catch by country-of-origin and whether it was wild-caught or farmed or previously frozen. Even regional chain supermarkets now carefully intermingle organic and conventional foods, rather than relegating the “good” stuff to some dark corner. And these changes have happened because everyday people like you are asking questions. Chat with your produce manager at the supermarket, and get to know the people who sell at your town’s farmers market. Buy local produce in season and freeze or preserve some for the winter months, when prices for berries, asparagus and tomatoes (all imported and chemically-treated) skyrocket. Compared with other densely-populated parts of the country, the South Coast is rich in local seafood, dairy farms, vineyards, small farms and orchards. We have restaurants serving what they bought from the same local farmer we buy from. Increasingly, we see local businesses and municipalities sponsoring CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) programs to better serve the neighborhoods and populations who lack easy access to fresh local food. And we are very lucky to have resources like SEMAP (Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership www.semaponline. org) and www.farmfresh.org, which covers all of southern New England. Both are remarkable guides to finding chemical-free foods in your neck-of-the-woods, whether a restaurant, a farmers market or corner grocery store. We’re not just talking about fruits and vegetables–wines, pet foods, bakery goods, meat, eggs, honey, dairy products, health and beauty products–you name it, it’s all available near you. And there’s always www.localharvest.org and www.naturallygrown.org to help in your search, too. You’ll find up-to-date listings of farmers markets, restaurants, and organizations that support “buy fresh, buy local,” like Tihonet Village Market in Wareham, or Persimmon in Bristol, or How on Earth in Mattapoisett, or The Partner Village Store in Westport, or Café Arpeggio in both Fall River and New Bedford. There’s healthful and affordable food just around the corner. Bon appétit! Elizabeth Morse Read is an award-winning writer, editor and artist who grew up on the South Coast. After 20 years of working in New York City and traveling the world, she came back home with her children and lives in Fairhaven.
Peeling the
non-organic onion… If the commercially-grown foods listed below are significantly less expensive that the chemical-free version, buy them. You can make them less un-safe simply by removing the outer layer, which is usually inedible or unappealing anyway. Conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables are usually sprayed with toxic pesticides and preservatives and are grown in soils far away that may be tainted with petrochemical fertilizers or “night soil,” or else irrigated with waters polluted by industrial waste, raw sewage, or pathogens like “red tide” algae. Caveat emptor. But fruits and vegetables with thick skins/husks/ pods that you peel off before eating pose much less of a pesticide risk (although there’s still the question of how chemical-free the soil was). The same goes with tightly “wrapped” vegetables like cabbages. Just peel them; they’re basically all “good to go” after that.
Pineapple, avocado, mango, papaya, kiwi, bananas and other tropical fruit Sweet corn Oranges, grapefruit, lemons and other citrus fruit Onions, garlic and shallots, mushrooms Carrots, potatoes, turnips, sweet potatoes, parsnips and other root vegetables Eggplant Sweet peas, lima beans, and other pod (legume) vegetables, but not snow peas or string beans Watermelon, winter squashes and melons Brussels sprouts, cabbages, iceberg lettuce– any tightly “wrapped” vegetable
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prime living
GMO: Should you know? by Tanya A lmeida
Massachusetts’s activists, citizens and consumers are demanding to know if their food is a genetically modified organism (GMO). There are no laws requiring GMO labeling in the United States. The MA Right to Know GMO group, part of a national coalition of food advocates, is seeking to pass GMO labeling laws. Massachusetts has five labeling bills in legislative committee. In June, supporters packed the state house in Boston to push for labeling laws. National polls show that 90 percent of Americans want GMO food labeled. Martin Dagoberto of MA Right to Know, who received his biotechnology degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, says he wants to “opt out of the GMO food experiment.” But the power of biotechnology companies in Washington has nearly seized the right to know what’s in our food.
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Barbara Link, organic farmer and owner of Agraria Farms in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, says Monsanto “is doing what every large corporation seems to exhibit, using intimidation, money and power to protect their brand and their bottom line whenever necessary.” Biotechnology companies insist their food products are the same as their natural counterpart, that there are no health risks, and therefore should not require labels. However, Link said, “There has not been a well-funded, recognizable, unbiased, long-term study
of any sort.” Dagoberto agreed and said, “Multiple animal feeding studies have linked GMOs to infertility, immune problems, various tumors, cancers and systemic organ issues.” In California, a local initiative to demand GMO labels was voted down after a number of large biotech companies spent $45 million in ad campaigns to convince voters it was unnecessary. In March, President Obama signed what was dubbed the “Monsanto Protection Act” making it impossible to seek legal reparations for health problems caused by GMO crops. Link said, “This type of favoritism to big multinationals should be eviscerated. It’s simply outrageous and I hope it will not stand.” Dagoberto agreed, saying, “The federal government has been completely compromised by corporate interests.” Despite the roadblocks to labeling, activists have not given up. In April, protestors had a sit-in at the FDA Center for Food & Safety in Maryland. In May, there was a worldwide “March Against Monsanto.” Protesters in 436 cities and 52 countries rallied against the biotech company. An estimated two million people joined the cause.
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National polls show that 90% of Americans want GMO food labeled “We’re never going to beat them dollar for dollar but we’ve got the people power. People are waking up to this,” Dagoberto said. The United States and Canada are the only two industrialized nations that don’t require GMO labeling. “People living in communist China and Russia have more food democracy,” Dagoberto said. So how can consumers decide whether or not to eat GMOs without labels? One way to guarantee you’re not eating GMOs is to buy only certified organic foods, or, “vote with your fork.” However, this has been called elitist because not everyone can afford to buy purely organic foods. Locally, the Annual Connecting for Change Conference, a three-day event starting on Friday, October 25 and running to Sunday, October 27 and held in downtown New Bedford, will be addressing these issues. Joan Gussow, best-selling food author and keynote speaker will address food concerns on October 25 at 9:15 a.m. at the Zeiterion Theatre. The MA Right to Know group will be holding a workshop on Saturday October 26 at 3:45 p.m. to address myths about GMO labeling, and help to connect local citizens. Dagoberto said, “Connecting for Change is about connecting people, building networks, and empowering people. It’s good to be able to connect and work together, so that’s the big focus of our workshop.” For more information visit connectingforchange.org. Tanya A lmeida is member of Connecting for Change Marion Institute
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good times
Living art A visit to Gail Whitsitt-Lynch’s art studio is a fascinating experience. It’s sort of like entering a machine shop. The studio is filled with tools, but instead of noisy machinery, you’ll find delicately carved sculptures and other beautiful Brian J. Lowney works of art that poignantly reflect the artist’s creative spirit, boundless energy and wonderful sense of humor.
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hitsitt-Lynch, a native of New York state who now calls East Providence, Rhode Island her home, grew up in a lively home filled with art and creativity. She teaches a Chinese system of slow meditative physical exercise designed to promote relaxation, balance and health, to seniors and Alzheimer’s patients. She also offers private lessons in sculpture at her East Providence Studio. “I like teaching all kinds of people of all ages,” she continues, emphasizing that everyone has some degree of artistic ability and her job is to help people discover that talent and reach their potential while having a good time. Whitsitt-Lynch emphasizes that although she enjoys sharing her gifts by teaching, it’s also necessary for her to spend time in her studio. “Both are good for mental health,” she reflects. “You have to have a balance.” The artist founded WSPIC Arts, whose name is derived from the primary methods and materials that she employs to create visual works of art. The acronym stands for wood, stone, paper and prints, inks and casts. The artist reveals that one of her greatest artistic influences has been Alberto Giacometti, a 20th century Swiss surrealist sculptor, painter and printmaker. WhitsittLynch’s work is also inspired by a deep
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From left to right: Ecstatic dancer, facing forward on all sides, heart-seed flower
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My great hope is to visually present some aspect that they already know in themselves, and use it to find a human connection
Each day at the Y, people of all ages are coming together to get and stay active. Seniors are engaging in social activities and meeting others who share common interests and passions. They’re participating in group exercise and aquatics classes and learning about proper nutrition. And they’re working side-by-side with our Wellness Coaches to develop more active, productive lives.
“I am using a minimum of textural detail, choosing to rely on fluid connections among strong forms to convey meaning and action. This figure is always frontal; it never turns away.” Printmaking has always been one of the artist’s great interests. WhitsittLynch reveals that she started creating Christmas cards from blockprints when she was fiveyears-old. “Even on a flat surface, I am primarily interested in the relationships between large and small structures, that result in an entire form,” WhitsittLynch states. “I was making prints long before I made sculptures, and it is only by looking back now at those prints that I recognize my sculptural interest, in spatial relationships within forms and between them, existed from the beginning.” Five years ago Whitsitt-Lynch developed a distinctive line of colorful, wearable art–distinctive bracelets, earrings, pins, neckpieces and barrettes. “I wanted something that was unique, fun to do, and fun to wear,” she reveals. According to the artist, most jewelry pieces are made from a reinforced paper core that is made water-resistant, painted in a variety of ways, and then lacquered. The neckpieces are made from carved stone and are hung on a chain or fine rope. “The pieces are light and durable,” she notes, adding that customers like the jewelry because each piece is one-of-a-kind and fashionable. Whitsitt-Lynch sells the jewelry at RISDsponsored shows throughout the year, and at Five Crows Gallery in Natick, Massachusetts. For more information or to view the artist’s work, visit the website, www.whitsittlynch.com.
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curiosity of how natural forms, both plant and animal, thrive in nature. “The common aim of all my work is to connect with viewers by bypassing as many cultural, educational, religious, gender-related, and age-related barriers as possible,” the sculptor explains. “My great hope is to visually present some aspect that they already know in themselves, and use it to find a human connection.” One of WhitsittLynch’s most recent sculptures is titled “Looking Forward on All Sides.” “This is a new figurative direction for me,” she tells.
BRIAN LOWNEY is an award-winning reporter and freelance writer. He lives in Swansea.
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good times
The mystery of art
theft
Prime Times recently sat down with Rhode Island author Charles Pinning to talk about his new novel, Irreplaceable. The story, which takes place almost entirely in Providence, with excursions to Newport and Boston, tells the story of two old friends who reunite after 34 years apart and immediately get swept up in an art theft, a murder, and the need to become the guardians of a young brother and sister. PT
How did you come to write this novel?
CP Soon after St. Patrick’s Day, 1990, I opened the newspaper and read about a theft of over $300 million in art from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Very famous works of art: three Rembrandt paintings; a Vermeer painting; a Manet; several drawings by Edgar Degas. My first reaction was, who would steal works of art so famous that they couldn’t possibly be sold? Oddly
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enough, I’d just visited the museum two weeks before, for the first time. If you have never been—go! It’s a magnificent Venetian palazzo turned in on itself. What I mean is, Isabella Gardner, who’d travelled the world collecting art, built the place in 1902 to live in and accommodate her huge personal collection of paintings, drawings, sculpture, books. But whereas the lovely Moorish arches of the palaces in Venice look out onto
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the canals, Gardner designed her palace with the open arches on the inside looking into a center courtyard of trees and flowering plants and fountains that shimmer beneath a glass roof four stories up. She lived on the fourth floor and the three below her are galleries displaying the art. Getting back to the theft and my original inspiration...who would steal art so famous it couldn’t be sold? Maybe someone who would hold it ransom
Charles Pinning was born in Newport, Rhode Island. His writing and photographs appear regularly on the pages of “The Providence Journal,” and he is contributor to “The South Coast Insider” and “Prime Times.” Visit his website: www.charlespinning.com
for insurance money? But the Gardner didn’t have the work insured. Sometimes, supposedly, valuable art is used as collateral in the illegal drug trade: if you’re wholesaling the drug, so to speak, and I have the art, I give you the art in exchange for the drugs, then after I’ve sold them and made my profit and paid you back in cash, you return the art to me. But as the years passed without any clues as to who stole the art or where it was, I began to reject conventional reasons for the theft. Still, no compelling story was coming to me. Finally, in 2005, my old friend Cybill Shepherd came to Providence to star in a movie. We hadn’t seen each other for years and she’d never been to Providence, so after lunch I took her for a walk down Benefit Street.
it’s an intelligent romp. “The story opens with two old friends getting together in Providence after not having seen each other for 34 years. Swanson Di Chiera is a writer living in Providence and Aleda Collie has come to Providence to make a film about the life of Victorian art collector Isabella Stewart Gardner. Walking by RISD, he suggests they take in the dramatic view of Providence from Prospect Park, and as they turn the corner on Prospect Street they see police cars in front of Woods-Gerry Gallery, part of the RISD Museum. It turns out the gallery has been robbed of notable Degas pastels in a theft that Swanson soon realizes bears a resemblance to the Gardner Museum heist. Two days later, the mu-
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It was a fun book to write. I tell people it’s an intelligent romp. It was a beautiful fall day and we were just kicking through the leaves and I was pointing out the sights–the John Brown House, the Athenaeum–and blabbing about how Edgar Allen Poe used to meet his beloved, Sarah Whitman, at the Athenaeum and we continued on and toward RISD when, all of a sudden, the whole plot for Irreplaceable simply fell out of the sky and into my hands.” PT
Had you been talking about the theft?
CP No. I guess the desire to find a story to wrap around the Gardner theft had been residing in my subconscious for so long that something just shifted and the story appeared. As soon as I got home, I outlined the whole story on two pages. After that, all I had to do was fill in the blanks. It was a fun book to write. I tell people
seum director disappears and Swanson becomes the guardian of the young brother and sister of whom the museum director had been the guardian. The boy and girl, by the way, are the children of the RISD museum director’s sister, who had been a conservator at the Gardner Museum when it was robbed, but is now deceased, having burned to death in an electrical fire in her car along with her husband, who was Swanson’s best friend in college. As soon as the RISD Museum is robbed we’re off and running. Along the way a movie gets made, two young children find a real home, a romance blossoms and stolen art is recovered.” Irreplaceable is available at Amazon and bookstores everywhere.
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good times
RC racing
makes the mark by Derek Melven
Model boat sailing started over 100 years ago, but in those days the owner just set the sails for the wind and let his boat sail across the pond. He then strolled around the pond, reset the sails and sailed it back. It was a very relaxing pastime, but as soon as somebody showed up with their model sailboat, the race was on. In the 1960s miniature radio receivers like those that were being used for model aircraft were put on board and this allowed the “skipper” to adjust the sails and turn the rudder. The hobby expanded quickly and in 1970 a group of enthusiasts founded the American Model Yachting Association. Since then the AMYA has grown to around 3,000 members racing boats in 31 different classes.
On the South Coast, the Mount Hope Bay Model Yacht Club has a fleet of boats, mostly in the Soling 1 Meter class. These boats, with a mast height of 52 inches, have a hull that is one meter long (39 inches) and are easy to build and sail. They can also be purchased ready to sail, including the radio control. All the boats are identical, so the main factor in winning is the skill of the skipper. Mount Hope Bay Model Yacht Club held its 6th annual regatta on Saturday, September 21, on the cove at the end of Schooner drive in Tiverton. It was an invitational regatta and the model sailboat club of Martha’s Vineyard was the guest. This was the first time the club had invited another club to compete. Among the sailors from the Vineyard was the founder of the Mount Hope club, Carroll Buress.
The basement beginnings
Carroll Buress,Founder, watches as Competitors prepare their boats
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He had a spacious basement workshop, got together a group of model sailboat enthusiasts, and over the winter of 2007-8, built a fleet of 10 Solings. The club now has 24 members, and the club stages weekly races, usually on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. For this recent invitational regatta there was a fleet of 14 boats, including four from the Vineyard. Despite an ominous appearance to the sky before the race began and an exceptionally high tide at 10:00, by the time the first race began at 11:00, blue skies and an ebb tide made for good conditions. Winds were moderate, with occasional gusts that challenged the skippers. Sometimes radio-controlled boats get out of range or have technical problems, so it’s always good to have a rescue boat available. Charlie Smith and his wife volunteered their boat for this valuable help.
Members of the Mount Hope Bay Yacht Club ready to race .
After the first eight races we had our traditional regatta lunch of Italian grinders bought from Famous Pizza of Tiverton. In the afternoon we held a final round Glenn Provost of the M artha’s of 13 races. We were Vineyard club was the eventual able to complete the Regatta Champion prizegiving soon after the last race thanks to a friend and neighbor, Kim Hanna, who had computerized and automated our scoring system and kept score all day. Our current commodore, Ed Haddad, who has a talent for design and woodworking, had made handsome trophies for the first four places. The first two places went to our visitors from the Vineyard with Glenn Provost being our Regatta Champion and our founder, Carroll Buress, being runner-up. The leading finisher from the Mount Hope club was Bill Raposa in third place and taking the final award in fourth place was Will Plante. Everyone agreed that this year’s event had been a great success made possible by an army of volunteers who did a wonderful job. Now we can work on our boats, think up some “demon tweaks” for the next race and look forward to our winter activities and getting our boats in the water again in the spring. For more information on RC sailboats visit www.theamya.org/ boats/s1m. The Mount Hope Bay Model Yacht Club has a number of experienced boat builders and sailors who are always willing to give help and advice. Anyone wanting to join, or wanting more information please e-mail Derek Melven at dmelven@gmail.com Derek Melven is Fleet Captain of the Mount Hope Bay Model Yacht Club S ou th C oast P r ime T imes
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E xtra! E xtra!
In brief… Eliz abeth Morse Read
The holiday season is fast approaching!! This is the time of year to show thanks to all the local singers, musicians, actors, artists, crafters and neighborhood volunteers who make our holiday season bright every year–show up at the church bazaar, the high school theatre performances, the tree-lightings, the community concerts.
The temperature may be dropping, but the number of activities and special events is not. Bundle up and get in some leaf-peeping, pumpkin-picking and caroling and enjoy all the just plain fun stuff happening on the South Coast. Happy Holidays, Everyone!
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Regional Highlights Amidst all the glitter and glee, let’s not forget those who defended us. Head for Battleship Cove in Fall River to commemorate Veterans Day on November 11, and attend the wreath-casting on December 7, Pearl Harbor Day. Free to veterans and all military personnel. For details, call 508-
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678-1100 x101 or visit www.battleshipcove. com. The South Coast Rail project jumped a major hurdle recently, when the Army Corps of Engineers gave approval for the trains to cross the Hockomock Swamp in Stoughton.
Both Morton Hospital of Taunton and St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River will receive more than $300,000 in state funding to support public health outreach efforts. The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center will receive more than $130,000.
Strange But True Duh. A Wareham man (aka “not-toobright daytime burglar”) was caught in the act by the Falmouth homeowner–an off-duty Massachusetts State Police officer, whose marked cruiser was parked right in the driveway. The mope is also suspected of stealing $10 from the trooper’s little boy’s piggy bank. A rare handwritten copy of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Conqueror Worm” was auctioned off for $300,000 at the Marion Antiques Auction in July. It was sold to an unnamed collector. Ummm... two men, one who passed away in 2005, the other in 2007, somehow managed to rack up almost $4,000 in overdue fines at the New Bedford Public Library since their demise. Go figure. Coyotes are suspected of killing at least six pet cats (including mine) over the summer in a Fairhaven neighborhood near the new Wood School.
On the Road Again If you’re 62 or older, check out the trips sponsored by the New Bedford Senior Travel Program: So. New Hampshire mystery tour October 16, Atlantic City October 27-29, the Newport Playhouse November 14, Christmas at Hukelau December 10 and more! Call 508-991-6171. There’s something for everyone at the multi-event “Old-Time Holiday Weekend” December 13-15 in Fairhaven. Call 508979-4085 or visit www.fairhavenevents. blogspot.com.
Bizz Buzz Matthew Morrissey, executive director of New Bedford’s Economic Development Council, will step down to head the EDC’s new Wind Energy Center.
$33,000,000 office building, which will house a women’s center, an urgent care center and diagnostic facilities. The State Pier in New Bedford is undergoing a $1,600,000 rehabilitation to prepare for imported fruit cargo shipments due to start in October. The First Bristol Corporation in Fall River has purchased the Travelers Insurance Building downtown and signed a long-term lease with Travelers Insurance Co., preserving more than 250 jobs and hopefully attracting more tenants.
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The very popular The Celtic coffeehouse in downtown New Bedford shut down suddenly in July, but has since reopened as the Portuguese-style Maria’s European Café. Linen manufacturer John Matouk & Co. of Fall River will be expanding and creating more jobs thanks to $6,920,000 in tax-exempt bonds issued by MassDevelopment. Southcoast Health System has opened the doors of its first Urgent Care Center, in the Southcoast Center for Primary and Specialty Care in Fairhaven.
1,850 sq. ft./1st floor — Ideal for — Doctor/Law Offices Social Services/ Psychologist/Therapist
Seekonk’s iconic Grist Mill Tavern on the state line, which burned down last year, is being rebuilt and will re-open around the holidays. Downtown strollers and tourists can now buy a great lunch from the Destination Soups kiosk inside New Bedford’s Whaling Museum. Beginning in October, all Sovereign Bank branches will be renamed Santander Bank, after its Spanish corporate parent. The new $30,000,000 patient pavilion at St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River has opened.
K a-Ching!! The Schwartz Center for Children’s 25th Annual Walk raised more than $100,000.
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The Whaling Museum has received a $128,000 federal grant to support its high school apprentice programs.
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Daily fast ferry service from Fall River to Newport and Block Island is expected to launch in June 2014.
The state’s Accelerated Bridge Program has started work on the $197,000,000 reconstruction of the interchange of Rt. 79 and I-195 in Fall River.
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Continued from previous page Technology and Manufacturing Center in Fall River. The New Bedford Regional Airport will receive $11,300,000 from the federal Department of Transportation to extend and overhaul two of its runways to increase jet landings. Starting in October, Fairhaven’s town sewer and water bills will skyrocket by almost 25 percent. The Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE) in New Bedford has received a $250,000 federal grant to restore the Howland House on Sixth Street.
School Daze
Zelenka’s “Magnificat” and Handel’s “Messiah” on December 1; and the Christmas Concert & Caroling on December 15. Go to www.saintanthonynewbedford.org or call 508-993-1691. Don’t miss the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra’s performance of “Family Holiday Pops” at the Zeiterion on December 21. Go to www.nbsymphony.org or call 508-999-6276. If you love medieval and Renaissance Christmas music, don’t miss Sine Nomine Choral Ensemble’s performance “Sound the Trumpet!” at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Providence on December 14. For info, go to www.sinenominechoir.org.
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has awarded $100,000 to Bristol Community College to promote its green energy education programs. The New Bedford extension of BCC has launched its new 14-credit wind energy certificate program. For more info, go to www.bristol.mass.edu. Bristol Community College received a 21m percent increase in its state budget assignment, which means that student fees will not rise–for the first time in five years.
Enjoy “Christmas Around the World” performed by the South Coast Community Chorale at the Baptist Temple in Fall River. For a schedule of performances, go to www.sccchorale.com.
UMass Dartmouth is ranked in the top 20 for return-on-investment for Massachusetts college students, according to www. AffordableCollegesOnline.org. It was also ranked as #1 of New England Public Regional Universities by “US News & World Report.”
Music lovers! Don’t miss The Kronos Quartet at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence on November 8. For details, call 401-421-4278 or visit www. risd.edu.
The University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography has been awarded a $1,000,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to serve as the national hub for the Climate Change Education Partnership Alliance.
Listen to the Music The newly-opened Custom House Square Park in New Bedford’s historic district recently hosted free Friday noon-time jazz concerts. It’s a beautiful urban greenspace, perfect for concerts and festivals and eating your lunch! New Bedford’s St. Anthony of Padua church has become a stunning venue for music on the South Coast–there’s the organ recital with Richard Hill and Zefiro on November 3 (also the church’s holiday bazaar weekend); the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra’s performance of
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in Rehoboth. The next performance will be Trio Amici on December 7. For info, call 508-252-3031. Head for Common Fence Music in Portsmouth for some down-home entertainment–there’s the Jammin’ Divas on October 26 and the 20th Anniversary Bash with The Jason Spooner Band on November 7. Call 401-683-5085 or visit www. commonfencemusic.org. Hiroyu Tsukamoto
The Sippican Choral Society will sing “A Ceremony of Carols” at New Bedford’s Grace Episcopal Church on December 6, and at the Wickendon Chapel in Marion on December 8. Visit www.sippicanchoral. org.
It’s all happenin’ at the Z! Don’t miss Sinbad October 18, Roger Hodgson of Supertramp October 20, “Rocky Horror Picture Show” October 31, “Godspell” November 6, the “Grease Sing-a-Long” November 9, Katharine McPhee November 23, Childsplay December 6, “The Christmas Carol” December 14–and more!–at the Zeiterion in New Bedford. Call 508994-2900 or visit www.zeiterion.org. Check out the new South Coast Center for the Arts in Wareham! Nico Rivers performs on November 18. Go to www. southcoastcenterforthearts@gmail.com, or call 508-291-2787. The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra conducted by Keith Lockhart will perform the “Holiday Pops Tour” at the Providence Performing Arts Center on December 13. Call 401-421-2787 or go to www.ppacri. org. Follow the classical concert series in “Arts in the Village” at Goff Memorial Hall
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The Sandywoods Center for the Arts in Tiverton will present Hiroyu Tsukamoto October 18, Creek River String Band October 26, Little Ugly November 2, “Forever Young” Tribute November 23, Abbey Rhode November 30, Danielle Miraglia December 7. Go to www.sandywoodsmusic.com or call 401-241-7349. Follow the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra this fall! Listen to “The Planets” on October 19 at The VETS in Providence. They’ll perform “Classical Concert: Rachmaninoff, Bartok, Dvorak” at The Carter Center on November 16, and on December 7, it will be “Handel’s Messiah with the Providence Singers” at The Vets. Call 401248-7000 or go to www.riphil.org or www. ri-philharmonic.org.
The 17th season of “Concerts at the Point” in Westport presents The American String Quartet on October 27, The Claremont Trio on November 24, and the Hodgkinson-Lee Duo on December 15. For details, visit www.concertsatthepoint.org or call 508-636-0698. The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River has a great line-up – there’s the Spindle City Americana Music Festival on October 19, Sarah Jarosz October 23, Jake Shimabukuru October 27, Michael Nesmith November 11, Judy Collins November 17, Roomful of Blues November 27, Savoy Brown December 14. For complete details, visit www.narrowscenter.com, www.ncfta.org or call 508-324-1926.
South Coast Stars Off-duty State Trooper Chris Dumont of Acushnet received the Massachusetts State Police’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during the Watertown gun battle with the Boston Marathon bombers back in April. Grammy-award winning R&B group Tavares, originally from New Bedford, was recently given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Rhythm and Blues Music Society. The new movie, “Captain Phillips,” starring Tom Hanks, made its debut at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay in late September. The real Captain Phillips was an MMA graduate. Korean War vet James Collins, Dartmouth’s former veterans’ agent, has been named the Southeastern Massachusetts Veteran of the Year. For the second year in a row, “The Standard Times” of New Bedford was named “Newspaper of the Year” by the New England Newspaper and Press Association. New Bedford’s Animal Control Director Manny Maciel was given the “Humane Hero” award by the American Humane Association for his volunteer work rescuing animals in natural disaster areas and pitbull rings across the country. Mattapoisett’s Karen Covey has published “A Coastal Table,” a cookbook inspired by the farmlands and seashore of the South Coast. For info, visit www. thecoastaltable.com.
Dr. Ann Partridge of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has received a $175,000 grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation to continue her research on breast cancer in young women. Dr. Partridge is married to New Bedford’s Mayor Jon Mitchell. A grass-roots concert fundraiser in August raised more than $60,000 for Warren resident Natalie Swift, the mother of six, who was diagnosed with ALS (“Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) a year ago.
All the World’s a Stage Bundle up and bring a picnic! Enjoy free evening performances of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” October 16-27 at the Roger Williams National Memorial Park in Providence. Call 401-321-7266 for more details. New Bedford’s Your Theatre will present “Henry Flamethrowa” November 14-24. Visit www.yourtheatre.org or call 508-9930772. Enjoy a performance of The Nutcracker” at Rosecliff Manor in Newport, performed by the Island Moving Co. November 29December 1, December 3-6. Visit www. islandmovingco.org. Head for the Providence Performing Arts Center to see “Phantom of the Opera” November 27- December 7. Call 401-421-2787 or go to www.ppacri.org. Enjoy “Dancing at Lughnasa” through October 27 at the 2nd Story Theatre in Warren, “Sons of the Prophet” plays October 25 to November 24; “Golda’s Balcony” November 8 to December 8; “Saint Joan” November 15 to December 15. For details, call 401-247-4200 or go to www.2ndstorytheatre.com. Don’t miss “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” at Trinity Rep in Providence starting November 21. “The Christmas Carol” will run from November 9 to December 28. Call 401-351-4243 or visit www.trinityrep.com. Head for the Newport Playhouse’s performance of “A Perfect Wedding” through November 17. “Angel on My Shoulder” will run from November 21 to December 31. Go to www.newportplayhouse.com or call 401-848-7529. Don’t miss the Attleboro Community Theatre’s “That’s The Spirit!” through October 25. “A Christmas Carol” will play
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Continued from previous page on weekends starting December 6. Go to www.attleborocommunitytheatre.com.
hoboth Antiquarian Society. Call 508-2523031 or visit www.carpentermuseum.org.
Catch “Ghost: The Musical” October 22-27 at the Providence Performing Arts Center – and check out “Spank: The Fifty Shades Parody” November 1 at The Vets. Call 401-421-2787 or visit www.ppacri. com.
Attleboro is to the Christmas season what Plymouth is to Thanksgiving–find time to visit the 60th Annual Festival of Lights at LaSalette Shrine starting November 28 . For dates and times, call 508-2225410 or visit www.lasalette-shrine.org.
A Sight to Behold
photo by Blithewold
Show up hungry to the Newport Food Truck Festival on October 26 at the Newport Yachting Center. Go to www. foodtruckfestivalsofne.com or www.newportwaterfrontevents.com or call 1-800745-3000 or 401-846-1600.
Prepare to be amazed! Don’t miss Cirque Eloize: Cirkopolis at the Providence performing Arts Center on November 1 and 2. For info visit www.ppacri.org or call 401-421-2787. Stroll through “A Victorian Christmas” at the Fall River Historical Society this holiday season. For dates and time, call 508-679-1071 or go to www.fallriverhistorical.org or www.lizzieborden.org.
Do NOT miss “WaterFire” at sunset in Providence on November 9–it’s free! Go to www.waterfire.org or call 401-273-1155. There’s always something happenin’ at Tiverton Four Corners–there’s the film “Gap-Toothed Woman” on November 13, and the Winter Arts and Artisan Fair December 14 and 15. For details call 401-6242600 or visit www.tivertonfourcorners. com. Check out the “Folk Art and Artisans Show” on November 1 and 2 at Francis Farm in Rehoboth, sponsored by the Re-
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There’s something for everyone at the multi-event “Old-Time Holiday Weekend” December 13 - 15 in Fairhaven. Call 508979-4085 or visit www.fairhavenevents. blogspot.com.
Make this a special Thanksgiving! Join in the 1627 Harvest Dinner with the Pilgrims or the Thanksgiving Dinner at Plimouth Plantation on select dates throughout November. For info, call 508-746-1622 or visit www.plimouth.org.
Festival Ballet Providence ‘s performance of “Up Close on Hope” runs October 25-November 9 at the Black Box Theatre in Providence. Go to www.festivalballet.com or call 401-353-1129.
Mwahaha!! Give yourself goosebumps at “Flickers: the Rhode Island International Horror Film Festival” October 17 – 20 in Providence and other locations. Call 401861-4445 or go to www.rifilmfest.org.
Get ready for the Newport Fall Restaurant Week November 1-10! For details, go to www.newportrestaurantweek.org.
Don’t miss “A Taste of Bristol and Beyond” at Linden Place Museum on October 20 – gourmet foods, craft beers, fine wines. For details, go to www.lindenplace.org or call 401-253-0390.
Learn about our past by attending “Four Centuries of Christmas in New England” on November 9 at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House in New Bedford. For more info, call 508-997-1407 or visit www.rjdmuseum. org.
Wheee! For a holiday treat, take the little ones to see “Disney Junior Live on Tour! The Pirate and Princess Adventure” at The Vets in Providence November 23-24. Go to www.thevetsri.com or call 401-421-2787.
Food! Feasts! Festivals!
In the Spotlight
Walk through “Family Traditions,” the stunning Christmas decorations at Blithewold in Bristol, starting November 29. Go to www. blithewold.org or call 401253-2707. Stroll through the 9th Annual Westport Lions’ Arts & Crafts Show at Westport High School on October 19 and 20. For info, contact Pmcondon@aol.com. Take a walk through “Christmas at the Newport Mansions” November 23 through January 1. Call 401-847-1000 or go to www.newportmansions.org. Check out the 37th Whaling History Symposium October 19 & 20 at New Bedford’s Whaling Museum. Call 508-9970046 x 100 or visit www.whalingmuseum. org.
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Luxury-brand clothier Ralph Lauren has recently launched a nautically-themed line of T-shirts and sweatshirts–a popular item is the orange shirt emblazoned with “New Bedford.” This will be the 100th Anniversary of the Lighting of the Green in Taunton, which was nicknamed “The Christmas City” in 1914. The Travel Channel’s popular show “Bizarre Foods” spotlighted Rhode Island and the Portuguese foods of Fall River in an August episode. Do you like fresh honey? Ever thought about having a few hives in your backyard for a steady supply of the sweet nectar? Check out the “Introduction to Beekeeping” program on Saturday, October 26th and Saturday, November 2nd, from 9:00 to 11:10 a.m at the Rotch-Jones-Duff (RJD) House & Garden Museum. The cost of each session is $10 per person. Preregister at www.rjdmuseum.org or at 508-997-1401. The South Coast is a “hot spot” in the real estate market! Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport and New Bedford were listed in
the “top 25 hottest towns in Massachusetts” according to a recent study based on sales activity and sale-price increases.
Steward. The New Health Care.
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“New England Boating TV,” a new show on the New England Sports Network, recently filmed an episode along New Bedford’s waterfront and historic district. The popular new TV show previously highlighted Mattapoisett.
Fun for the Whole Family The Silverbrook Farm in Acushnet will be hosting many family-friendly holiday events – there’s the Great Pumpkin Festival on October 26, a benefit for The St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital; and the 3rd Annual Santa Farm Follies on December 7. Call 617-834-5567 or go to www.thesilverbrookfarm@gmail.com. photo by Edaville
Knee or Hip Pain? Get relief at Saint Anne’s Hospital, recognized for the second consecutive year by Blue Cross Blue Shield as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. Our surgeons can now treat patients more precisely and less invasively with innovative robotic-arm guided partial knee resurfacing or total hip replacement known as MAKOplasty. At Saint Anne’s, we are proud to be the first health care organization to bring this state-ofthe-art treatment to Massachusetts. This is the New Health Care.
Head for “Pumpkins Aglow” at Edaville in Carver. Internationally acclaimed artist Chris Viera heads up an ambitious pumpkin carving effort for Edaville’s new Halloween event. Peruse his intricate carvings, trick-or-treating throughout the park for kids in costume, and more Halloween fun. through October 27 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) from 4:00—9:00 pm. Continued on page 39
To learn more visit our interactive, online webinar at www.steward.org/makoplasty or call 1-855-Go2-MAKO to schedule a consultation with our MAKO certified orthopedic surgeons.
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Don’t let this happen to you or your family. Schedule an appointment with Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. to make sure your loved ones can take care of you if you ever become sick. This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific questions you should consult a qualified attorney. Michelle D. Beneski is an Attorney at Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. For specific questions call her at 508-994-5200 or send an e-mail to mdb@nbelderlaw.com
Continued from page 37 It’s all happening at the Wareham Y! There’s the Wine Tasting on October 18, the Haunted Forest on October 25 and the Pumpkin Splash on October 26. Call 508295-9622 or go to www.ymcasouthcoast. com. Take everyone to the Halloween Family Spooktacular at Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Westport on October 20. Call 508-636-2437 or visit www.allenspond@ massaudubon.org. Take the kids on a train ride at Edaville in Carver for the “Christmas Festival of Lights” November 22 – January 1. The “Polar Express” evening rides begin on select dates starting November 22. For more info, go to www.edaville.com or call 508-866-8190. Make your own scarecrow and enjoy “Pumpkin Palooza!” on the weekends at Frerich’s Farm in Warren. Call 401-2458245 or visit www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org.
After disappearing from the state in the 1950s, the peregrine falcon has made a comeback–its newest recorded nesting site is atop a courthouse in Taunton.
the 8th Annual Kickoff Dinner on October 19 at White’s of Westport. Contact Manuela Cimbron at ela@tetreaultinsurance. com or call 508-995-8365.
Go on a leisurely “Fall Color Walk” at Blithewold in Bristol on October 27. Go to www.blithewold.org or call 401-253-2707.
Get into the holiday spirit at New Bedford’s “Holiday Stroll” December 7 and 8: tree-lighting, fire truck rides and more! And don’t miss the “Santa Sightings 5K Fun Run” through downtown on December 14. For both events, contact dagneyashley@ newbedford-ma.gov or call 508-979-1745.
When the Kiddies Visit If you’ve never seen the “Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular” at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence (5,000 professionallycarved pumpkins!), catch it this year through November 3. And don’t miss “Spooky Zoo” October 26 and 27, either. Visit www.rwpz.og or call 401-785-3510. It’s holiday time at the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford–there’s the Holiday Wreath Workshop on November 25, and the Holiday ZOObilee on December 8, 15 and 22. Go to www.bpzoo.org or call 508991-6178.
Events at Blithewold in Bristol are special – there’s the “Apples, Apples, Apples!” workshop on October 19 and the Pumpkin Decorating workshop on October 26. Go to www.blithewold.org or call 401-253-2707.
Take a fright-free “Audubon Halloween Hike” on October 26 at the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge in Seekonk . Call 401-949-5454 or visit www.asri.org. Get close to the land this holiday season at Coggeshall Farm in Bristol. Check out the “Historic Foodways & Hearth Cooking Workshops” on October 19 and 26, and November 2, 9, and 16. There’s also the Christmas sale on December 7and 8, and the very special “Christmas in the Barnyard” on December 24. Go to www. coggeshallfarm.org or call 401-253-9062. Ready, set, go! Join in the Pell Bridge Run in Newport on November 10. Call 401318-2991 or visit www.pellbridgerun.com. Don’t miss the Holiday Fair at Soule Homestead in Middleborough on December 1. For info, call 508-947-6744 or visit www.soulehomestead.org.
Trick or Treat!! ‘Tis the season for haunted houses, corn mazes and hayrides! To find a harvest or Hallowe’en event or activity near you, contact your town hall, a local farm/orchard, or visit www.MAHauntedHouses.com, www.RIHauntedHouses.com or www. pumpkinpatchesandmore.org . Start on the Providence Ghost Tour at Prospect Terrace Park evenings throughout November 16. Call 401-484-8687 or go to www.providenceghosttour.com.
Enjoy free family fun and entertainment at AHA! Night. The November 13 theme is “Homecomings,” and for December 11 it’s “Made in New Bedford.” Go to www. ahanewbedford.org or call 508-996-8253.
The Great Outdoors
Mark your calendar for the 4th Annual Soup Bowl Supper on November 9 at the Seaport Inn in Fairhaven. The benefit dinner will help out the Neediest Families Fund. Contact Amy Tolivaisa at 508-9794497 or at atolivaisa@s-t.com.
Woohoo! Don’t miss the Zoo Boo Spooktacular at the Capron Park Zoo in Attleborough on October 25. Call 774-2031840 or visit www.capronparkzoo.com.
Pick your own pumpkins and raspberries, run through mini-corn mazes at Four Town Farm in Seekonk! Call 508-336-5587 or go to www. fourtownfarm.com. Take the kids on the “Train to Christmas Town” from Buzzards Bay to Hyannis from November 15 to December 3. Go to www. capetrain.com or call 888-797-7245. Wade through Escobar Farm’s famous corn maze in Portsmouth through November 3 or enjoy the Halloween Party October 26. Go to www.escobarshighlandfarm.com or call 401-683-1444.
Get into the Spirit
Check out the Mad Scientist Halloween Romp at the Children’s Museum in Easton on October 26. For info, call 508-230-3789 or visit www.childrensmuseumineaston. org. Don’t miss this year’s Factory of Terror in Fall River. Call 508-324-4077 or go to www.MAHauntedHouses.com. Visit the Lakeville Haunted House, Fridays & Saturdays throughout October. Call 508-923-0053 or visit www.lakevillewhauntedhouse.com or www.MAHauntedHouses.com. Boo! Check out the Ghoulie Manor Haunted House at the Galleria Mall in Taunton on selected dates throughout October. Go to www.MAHauntedHouses. com or www.ghouliemanor.com.
Do your part! Help the Salvation Army of New Bedford and Fall River by attending
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good living
The most precious time Our parents do many things for us. First and foremost, they provide love, but also a place to live, food to eat, guidance to help us find our way. As we stumble they Paul K andarian provide comfort, picking us up, ensuring us that mistakes are there to be made and learned from and hopefully not repeated. These are the spoken things, the sure things, the things parents are supposed to do. But one of the things our parents also are, is something we don’t like to talk about, or even think about until the passage of time forces it upon us. Our parents are our buffers between now and then, between lives protected and lives unprotected from the fate awaiting us all. Between life and death. My brother and I lost our parents within a month’s time, which on the surface seems a cruel twist, but one we take solace in. My dad was 85 when he died in August, my mom 89 when she passed in September. That they went so closely together is a blessing, because for one to live too long without the other would have been far crueler. My dad’s health declined rapidly after my mom was confined to a nursing home with Alzheimer’s, the most unkind disease of all in that it robs the mind long before the body is ready to give up the fight. He was truly lost without her, his heart broken watching her waste away. He’d visit her daily, less so as his health failed, and his absence did not escape her. After he was gone, we didn’t tell her, but her soul knew and soon followed his. In their last days, we were able to make contact with them when their eyes were open, searching, as we assured them we were well and well parented, that they were loved deeply and forever, and it was time
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now to go wherever they needed to go. As difficult as that was, for me they were some of the most beautiful moments of my life, the depth of joy in them not unlike that experienced in the births of my own children. To find such happiness in so sad a time was jarring, unexpected, overwhelming and wonderfully satisfying. After our father died, we were sad, of course, but had the mechanics of death to deal with, the funeral planning, the emptying of the house, the tidying up, taking our minds somewhat off the true mourning. And of course, still worrying about our mother, what to tell her, if anything, watching her own decline and knowing her time was near.
We turn to our parents throughout our lives, knowing they’ll be there, protectors of us, keepers of our family history And now they are both gone–never forgotten of course, but with their departure, the constant gnawing worry about them. I don’t know about the afterlife, about heaven or hell or where our souls go when they leave the frail vessel of our bodies. But I do take comfort in the hope they are together again, with all the loved ones preceding them, and that gives me a measure of comfort in their deaths that they gave fully in their lives. We turn to our parents throughout our lives, knowing they’ll be there, protectors of us, keepers of our family history. We need to know something about a longgone uncle or cousin or grandmother or family friend, they are always there to ask. Now with their passing, we are them. We
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are the ones holding the family history in our hearts. And we can only hope to do as good a job as they. My grandparents died decades ago. I don’t recall sensing with my parents that their own buffer between life and death was gone. They didn’t talk about it, but I’m sure they thought about it. I don’t have many regrets over our parents’ passing, but one surely is not talking with them about this, how they dealt with it, if they dealt with it, giving them a chance to still protect, to guide, to give comfort. Or if they, like me, just juggled the certainty of what was to come with the uncertainty of when that will be. That nothing is certain except that final moment. That no buffer exists to protect us from it, not our parents, not whatever higher being we embrace, not whatever lifestyle we lead. It is there, achingly close, tantalizingly far, but always there. They say a welcoming light awaits us at our final moment. I want to believe that, even as now, I only see the darkness ahead, perhaps out of acknowledging my own mortality, perhaps out of sadness over the deaths of the people who gave me life. I don’t know what awaits us. I don’t know that the light will be there. I just know that the buffer between now and then is gone. And maybe therein lies the lesson learned: To live a fulfilling life, to seize the inescapable beauty of the moment, to savor every breath. It is a lesson we often learn at times like this, and one I pray will not be forgotten when the muck of daily life clouds its priceless value. What we have is now. What we don’t is then. In their passing, I thank my parents with all my heart for showing me with pristine clarity that the time in between is the most precious of all. Paul Kandarian is a lifelong area resident and has been a professional writer since 1982, as columnist, contributor in national magazines, websites and other publications.
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WE HAVE A FULL LINEUP OF PRODUCTS TO FIT YOUR NEEDS! Connecting all offices 508-678-9028 www.frmcu.com NMLS ID#: 410816
T O A DV E R T I SE I N S OU T H C OA S T PR I M E T I M E S C A L L 50 8 - 677-30 0 0
Southcoast Urgent Care Center now open in Fairhaven. For right-away care, when it’s not quite an emergency. For the bumps and the bruises and the time when you shouldn’t have touched the poison ivy but you did. (And then made a lovely bouquet out of it for mom.) We’re here for you.
Walk-in care, 7 days a week. Weekdays 8 to 8, weekends 9 to 5. Board-certified doctors.
208 Mill Road, Fairhaven Adults + children (6 months and older). southcoasturgentcare.org
Burn s • Bite s • Broke n Bon e s • s titch e s • e ar ach e s • Back pai n s o r e t h r oat s • F l U • e y e i n j u r i e s • A n d I tc h y S t u f f t o o
Clifton
HEALTHCARE CAMPUS
WILBUR AVENUE, SOMERSET, MASSACHUSETTS
Need Short Term Rehab?
Tell your Healthcare Provider you PREFER Clifton… And, Call Clifton…508-675-7589 for priority placement.
CLIFTON REHABILITATIVE NURSING CENTER 508-675-7589
CLIFTON ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY 508-324-0200
Compassion Dignity Comfort CLIFTON OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION CLINIC 508-675-0328
Transitional Care Short-Term Rehab Assisted Living
CLIFTON HOSPICE SERVICES (A community hospice agency) 508-675-7583
Outpatient Rehab Long-Term Care Hospice Care
You Have A Choice in Your Care.......Ask for Clifton Clifton is a fourth generation local family organization that, since 1954, has been providing the highest quality of healthcare services to your community, which is also our community.
Proud to be Celebrating Over 50 Years of Dedication to Excellence.