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DNB Newsletter - June 2010
This Month's Newsletter Sponsor:
> 19th Annual Gala
> Taste of SouthCoast
> BCC Campus on Union Street
> United Way Clambake
> Bee-Relocation
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DNB, Inc.’s Celebrates it's 19th Annual Gala
Downtown New Bedford, Inc. held its 19th Annual Downtown Gala in the lobby of Webster Bank on April 28, 2010. The Gala offers an opportunity to view the wide variety of Art that has become an integral part of the resurgence of our wonderful seaport city. The atmosphere at the gala was also enhanced by music provided by a trio from the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and one of our newest downtown businesses, Sound Xplosion.
Artists who showed their work included: Artworks!, Crowell's Fine Art; Colo Colo Gallery; Dyer Maker Studio; Judith Klein Art Gallery; Kristin H. Furtado; Michelle Carr Photography; Alison Wells Fine Art Studio; Ray’s Gallery; Sasse’; Studio Glass; TL6 The Gallery; Umass College of Visual & Performing Arts; and Photos by Sally Spooner.
In addition to mixing, mingling and art, the following were honored:
Businesses of the Year Awards to Craig Paiva for No Problemo restaurant and Jay Vasconcellos for Solstice Skateboarding. Executive Director Diane Nichols called Craig and Jay to the podium to receive their rewards with the following comments; “I think all of us here this afternoon would agree that Downtown is in the midst of a comeback. One of the forces responsible for this resurgence is what we might call our “youth movement.” It would be hard not to notice how many of Downtown’s new business are owned by energetic and ambitious men and women in their 20s and 30s. Downtown New Bedford, Inc. would like to honor two of those young people. They are long-time friends and they operate businesses within a few feet of each other on William St. Many of us in this room may be a little old for skateboarding, but if you have children, sooner or later you’ll be paying a visit to Solstice. Boards, wheels, clothing – if it has to do with skateboarding, Solstice has it. Jay himself is an accomplished boarder, but perhaps more to the point as far as we’re concerned here today, he was the first of the younger generation to open a business downtown, way back in 1997. He led the parade. While not many of us here are active skateboarders, all of us are definitely active eaters, and I’d be willing to bet that most of us have frequented No Problemo and enjoyed Craig Paiva’s cooking. Many of you are aware that he has expanded twice since he opened back in 2002, but what you may not know is that this young man, at the tender age of 33, today operates a business that employs 22 people. How impressive is that!
The President’s Recognition Award goes to Kenneth F. Blanchard, Superintendent of Parks and Public Places for the City of New Bedford's Department of Public Facilities. Board President Kevin Pelland asked Ken to join him at the podium. Pelland said “Ken Blanchard is currently the Superintendent of Public Works for the Department of Public Facilities. He has worked for the City of New Bedford for 31 years. In 1979 he began his career as a signal maintainer for the NBF D. In 1987 he passed the Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician exam and in was promoted to electrician for the Fire Department. In 1988 he was appointed Acting Inspector of Wires 1992 at which time he returned to the Fire Department to head the Fire Alarm Division. In 1998 Ken was again called upon to be the Inspector of Wires. In 2002 he was appointed as Superintendent of the Department of Public Works. Ken and his wife Tracie have been married for 24 years and together have two adult children. In 1993 Ken was elected to the Board of Directors of the New Bedford Credit Union and continues to serve in that capacity today. He also served on the School Committee for Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School from 1996 to 2000. Downtown literally could not get along without him. His dedication, his patience, and his willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty amazing. We honor him for these qualities, but we also honor him as a representative of all the city’s committed, hard working employees. We are lucky to have them working for us and with us.
The Community Investment Award to Citizens-Union Savings Bank - Board Director Richard Poyant called Carl Taber to the podium. Poyant said “this next award is dedicated to an organization that has been serving the Southcoast Community for over 150 years. Fall River based Citizens-Union Savings Bank has not only weathered many economic cycles throughout history, it has continued to support our local communities through the personal commitment, time and talent of it’s staff as well as financial support to local organizations.”
Combining a personal style of banking with a commitment to supporting the local communities it serves, Citizens-Union has grown in recent years to provide it’s customers in the SouthCoast with a variety of financial services you would expect from larger banks while maintaining it’s small bank roots. Citizens-Union is strengthening its commitment locally with the addition of its 10th banking office underway in New Bedford’s north end.
The tremendous positive impact of Citizens-Union on our SouthCoast area is a reflection of the dedication by its leadership and staff to actively participate and support many local organizations.
In particular, Citizens-Union has substantially supported Downtown New Bedford, Inc. through their generous support of the time allowed by their Vice-President, Kevin Pelland to lead DNB and... their financial sponsorship to DNB and its activities. As a result of their support and Kevin’s leadership, DNB has developed “Taste of SouthCoast” and “Chowder Fest”, designed to showcase our SouthCoast restaurants and our heritage.
DNB is just one of over 100 organizations in the SouthCoast and Rhode Island area that received over $250,000.00 in support from Citizens-Union Savings Bank in 2009 including the Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, SMILES, ST. Anne’s Hospital, Junior Achievement and Child & Family Services to name a few.
The powerful combination of investment in time, talent, and resources to the SouthCoast region by everyone at Citizens-Union is an outstanding example of corporate citizenship. On behalf of a grateful SouthCoast and the Board of Directors of Downtown New Bedford, Inc., we present Citizens-Union Savings Bank the Community Investment Award.
Cultural Arts Recognition Award, was presented to AHA! – Lee Heald was called to the podium to accept the award as presented by Executive Director Diane Arsenault - AHA! began with 14 partners in July of 1999 and now has 61 partners in various industry sectors, including museums and attractions, galleries and studios, restaurants, retail shops and cultural organizations. 131 nights later, the New Bedford partnership in AHA! has established a state-wide standard for community collaborations with the arts and culture and proven the contribution that creative economy projects can provide. Not only does AHA! help us all enjoy arts and culture—it’s stimulating social and economic activity in New Bedford during these tough economic times. According to a recent annual study conducted by Center for Policy Analysis at UMass-Dartmouth, the estimated total economic impact of AHA! has increased by 137.6 percent in the last decade. AHA!’s economic impact for 2009 was $734,719. Since 2007, Candace Lee Heald has served as the Director of AHA! New Bedford’s 2nd Thursday FREE Art and Culture Night. Lee was one of the authors for the original AHA! grant and has been on the Steering Committee from the beginning as Program Chair or later, Steering Committee Chair until she was hired as staff. DNB, Inc. is honored to present this award to Lee Heald on behalf of AHA!
DNB, Inc.'s Executive Director, Diane Arsenault Nichols stated, “this is a popular annual event that is always well attended and offers great art, food, beverage, music, and the opportunity to extend our thanks to our award recipients for all they do for our community”. Thank you to all who support this event and all our efforts.
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FESTIVAL SEASON IN NEW BEDFORD KICK'S OFF WITH A GREAT “TASTE”
DNB, Inc. kicked off what we hope will be an extraordinary summer season with a highly successful Taste of Southcoast food festival held in Custom House Square on May 16th. The event was a whopping success on a beautiful day.
What attendees enjoyed was a chance to sample food from 20 area food venues, try local beers and wines, face and shell painting for the kids, and great musical entertainment by McCarthy,Richards, Legge Trio and The Joshua Tree.
An amazing variety of food was dished out: Most of the restaurants brought two or more items.
The magic number for almost everyone was around 2,000 servings. Our friendly photographer/surveyor-Sally Spooner, questioned the participants and found these numbers: Dorothy Cox served 250 pounds of candy.
Candleworks served 1000 creme brule, 250 servings of chicken, 300 servings of shrimp
Freestones served 12 gallons of chowder, 20 trays of bruchetta; M&C, forty pounds of scallops, plus beef--2000 servings; Narragansett Star Cafe, 1,300 smoothies, 600 strawberry and banana shortcakes, 120 pounds of ice
On a Roll, over 1000 sandwiches, three dozen brownies, twenty five quarts of kale soup, eight loaves of bread, 300 quahogs – and that is only a partial list.
Event Chair, Richard Poyant, President of Poyant Signs says. “we are eternally grateful to the seventy plus volunteers who come out to run this event year after year. They help us put on a first class event and enjoy being part of it.” “The restaurants did an outstanding job providing a true variety of incredibly delicious foods, and their commitment to the event is amazing.” “The sponsor support provides the financial foundation for our ability to offer this event at a very reasonable ticket price and draws people into our downtown, creating another vehicle for reinforce the positive image our city has generated over the past years.
Thank you to all the food service participants: Airport Grille, Ayur Shri; Blount Fine Foods, Candleworks Restaurant, Celtic Coffee House, Cotali Mar, Destination Soups, Dorothy Cox Candies, Flour Girls Bakery, Freestone's City Grill, Fresca Grille, Ginger Grill, Lafrance Hospitality, M & C Cafe, Narragansett Star Cafe, No Problemo, Not Your Average Joe's, On a Roll Specialty Sandwiches, Pasta House, Rose Alley Ale House.
Although Taste of Southcoast is not a true competition, there are two award categories, People's Choice for the best food and Best Table Presentation for the most creative display.
M & C Cafe took the top prize for People's Choice with Not Your Average Joe's second, and On A Roll Specialty Sandwiches Third. Best Table Presentation was won by Narragansett Starr Cafe, with Dorothy Cox Candies coming in second and On-A-Roll Specialty Sandwiches third. All of the participants are winners as they introduced their dishes to hundreds of potential new customers.
Thank you once again to our lead sponsor, Pier Fish Company. Pier Fish is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. For a second year, they are offering a $1000 college sponsorship through their support of this festival. New this year, Pier Fish has worked with DNB, Inc. and other industry leaders to increase the scholarships being offered to $4000 total. Those contributing to the newly named New Bedford Seafood Industry College Scholarship fund are:Pier Fish Scholarship Award - $1000. and $500 scholarships from each of the following companies:Hygrade Ocean Products -NWD Trucking -Northern Wind Seafood -Tempest Fisheries -Whaling City Display Auction. Graduating High School seniors who are the child of an employee of the local seafood industry are eligible to apply. Applications are available in the New Bedford area high school guidance offices and at the Downtown New Bedford, Inc.
Thank you also to the following list of sponsors who have made this event possible: MAJOR SPONSOR:Pier Fish Company: PLATINUM SPONSOR:City of New Bedford and N Star - ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR: The Regency Tower - GOLD SPONSOR: Brenton Productions and Halloran, Lukoff & Smith - SILVER SPONSOR: Citizens Union Savings Bank; Draka Cableteq USA; Rockland Trust; Webster Bank; Ying Dynasty - BRONZE SPONSOR: Finicky Pet Food; Skip's Marine Supply; Christopher Saunders-County Commissioner -ASSOCIATE SPONSORS: Acme Liquors; Algonquin Chemicals; B S Fish; Bergie's Seafood; C & P Bait; Debross Hathaway Marvel, Inc.; David's Fish Market; Eastern Fisheries; Employment on Demand Agency; Fair Tide Shellfish; Fleet Fisheries; Hygrade Ocean Products; International C. Food; Knuckleheads Bar and Grill; National Bleach Co.; Northern Wind Inc.; NWD Inc.; Sea Fuels Marine Services; City Councillor John Saunders
Tempest Fisheries Ltd.; Whaling City Display Auction, Inc. --SERVICE SPONSORS : ABC Disposal; City of New Bedford; Elaine's Home of the Black Whale; Integrity Mechanical, Inc.; mediumstudio; M-V Electrical Contractors; NB Whaling National Historical Park; Poyant Signs, Inc.; Reynolds DeWalt Printing; Sheriff Thomas Hodgson; SMILES; Sovereign Bank ; STAT Ambulance; The Bedford Merchant; and the YWCA. MEDIA SPONSORS: The Standard Times; WBSM 1420/FUN 107; WNBH/WCTK.
Thanks also to Downtown New Bedford Inc. planning committee who meet monthly and then weekly to bring all this together. They are Committee Chair, Richard Poyant, Kevin Pelland, Richard Casimiro, David Ferreira, Modesta Levesque, Ross Moran, Jeff Pontiff, David Medeiros, Ken Blanchard; Diane Arsenault and Marianne Conley-Hodgson
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BCC Campus on Union Street is "Revitalizing Downtown New Bedford"
It’s 1 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon and the Bristol Community College campus on Union Street is bustling.
Students with coffee cups and backpacks head to various classes, they talk and laugh in the hallways, others check bulletin boards, with posters advertising free computer classes, or pick up a copy of the recently re-launched student newspaper, The Observer, its headline proclaiming: “NO FEE INCREASE FOR BCC STUDENTS.”
All around the BCC building at 188 Union Street, you can feel it. Hope. Life. Students who may otherwise have no hope for getting a college education can find one here.
The New Bedford branch of the Fall River-based community college opened its doors in 2001 to 400 students. Today, its student body has quadrupled to 1,600. In three years, the administration is hoping for a body of 3,100
students.
“We found a whole new population,” said BCC President Jack Sbrega. “If your choice is no college education, or traveling to Fall River, a lot of students chose none. It wasn’t feasible for them to get over to Fall River. I was pleasantly surprised to reach this new audience. These students are now able to earn their college degrees.”
New Bedford’s BCC campus offers 14 degree programs, including Early
Childhood education and Criminal Justice.
BCC and Mayor Scott Lang’s Office have a joint vision-or a Public/Private Partnership-of creating a Health Education and Wellness Institute at the downtown campus. The plan is to promote online and fast-track healthcare education programs.
:With the fast-track, we’re hoping to get people into the SouthCoast workforce quicker” said Dean Theresa Romanovitch. “If your life is complicated, here’s another way to do college.”
“With the online, if they’re busy working or with kids, they can take a class at 2 a.m. in their jammies,” Sbrega said.
“This is Public/Private model is the future here,” Sbrega said. “The community needs healthcare. In two to three years, we hope to have a nursing program, which will not only give jobs to students here, but help with the
national nursing shortage.”
In five years, Sbrega said he wants downtown’s BCC campus to be a “real hubbub of activity. We’d be a community resource. We’d be a point of reference. We’d have a huge economic impact. We already are a beacon of light for people who want to better their life through education. We are a beacon of opportunity.”
Romanovitch added, “BCC is going to revitalize downtown New Bedford.”
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United Way’s Largest Fundraiser Slated for June 11th
About 750 expected to attend waterfront event
On Friday, June 11th, hundreds of SouthCoast residents will celebrate the start of summer by attending United Way of Greater New Bedford’s Annual Clambake fundraiser.
“Between the picturesque location, the delicious meal and the live entertainment, ticket holders receive quite a value for their money while supporting the community at the same time,” said Michelle N. Hantman, United Way president. “This is the 16th year we’ve held this event, and each year people tell us how much they look forward to it.”
Located on Pier 3 in downtown New Bedford, the Clambake typically attracts about 750 people to the historic waterfront area. All proceeds from the event go to United Way, which provides grants to more than 60 health and human services programs, in addition to administering other initiatives such as the Hunger Commission, the Community Building-Mini Grants Program and Volunteer Solutions.
The event begins at 5pm with a Social Hour featuring complimentary beer and wine from the following Sponsors: Running Brook Vineyard & Winery, Travessia Urban Winery, Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery, Miller Lite and Narragansett Brewing Company. The event continues until 11pm with attendees feasting on a traditional New England Clambake, complete with a 1¼ lb. lobster, steamers, linguicia, corn on the cob, roasted red potatoes and onions, rolls and dessert.
Throughout the evening, the event will feature music by Wired – a group of local musicians who play a wide variety of music, ranging from songs of the 60’s up to today’s hits.
In addition, there will be an extensive Silent Auction featuring a wide selection of items, including autographed sports memorabilia, travel packages, restaurant gift certificates and artwork.
Tickets are $75 each, or $650 for 10 tickets or more and inclusion in event signage. Please call 508-994-9625 to find out more.
United Way of Greater New Bedford is a non-profit organization that was established in 1953. United Way enables every member of the community to play an active role in local philanthropy by bringing together volunteers, donors, community leaders, and corporate partners to provide quality programs and initiatives that achieve positive results. Its service area has a population in excess of 200,000.
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Bee-Relocation
When Diane Nicholson became executive director of Downtown New Bedford, Inc., little did she know that the job would involve relocating honey bees, but that’s what was needed on May 14, in preparation for the Taste of South Coast Festival.
Last year during the Chowder Festival honey bees from a hive housed in a small space in the back of the building across from Custom House Square had bothered the crowd. Diane decided that if they were still in their hive at the time of this year’s festivals, she would have to do something about them. But getting rid of them is not as simple as picking up a spray can of insecticide. Besides making honey, bees are an important crop pollinator and need to be preserved, not exterminated.
So she called in Jack Wheatley, a beekeeper with over thirty five years of experience. A city crew helped him reach the hive. He removed approximately 10,000 – 15,000 bees from their cramped home and relocated them to his back yard, where they are presently resting comfortably and searching out new food sources.
He estimates that the hive was several years old and in such a cramped space that it likely sent out a new swarm every year. How the hive came to settle in downtown New Bedford is unknown. While it might seem that a bee hive in a city might not have access to enough pollen and nectar to sustain the hive, bees can range three or four miles from home hunting for food.
Bee preservation is particularly important now as bees face many challenges from environmental stresses, pathogens and predators.
From Jack Wheatley, “Varroa mites and hive beetles, among other predators, came on the scene (from other countries) in the late 80's and have caused much bee reduction. New pesticides, some that affect the bees' memories and immune systems, also are adding to the devastation. I'm sure you have read of Colony Collapse Disorder, where the bees just disappear. We still do not have an exact answer for the cause. Presently, bees are losing the battle of survival, as you have read in the newspapers, although approximately 1/3 of the food we eat depends on pollination.”
Although bees face many pressures, they are also picking up supporters and advocates. According to the Wall Street Journal, bee keeping is even becoming trendy for home gardeners and city dwellers with roof top gardens.
If a swarm of bees should show up in your yard, Jack Wheatley would like to know. Call him at 508-748-3961. |
